Wikis rank as one of the most important innovations on the web. These are sites that allow anyone to contribute or modify content. Of course the most famous example is Wikipedia. However, I am sure that not many people have heard about ShopWiki. ShopWiki is a revolutionary online shopping search engine combined with a wiki contributed by consumers.
Normally if I was looking for a product, I would do a search on Google, read reviews on various sites and then compare prices offered on various e-commerce sites.
Traditional comparison sites usually lists sites that have paid to be listed on the site or carry a limited number of brands. Thus, I might have to go to several sites to get the best deal. In comparison ShopWiki does not sell any products themselves and doesn’t charge retailers to include their products in the search results. You can literally find anything and everything for sale on this site and the best deals. Apparently ShopWiki actively crawls more than 180,000 online store.
27 July 2008
24 July 2008
Guide to Sculptures at the University of Warwick
Among the first things you will notice when you walk around the University of Warwick campus are the sculptures scattered at different locations across the campus. It's quite interesting and we often play games guessing what they are meant to represent.
Here are a few samples:
Let's Not Be Stupid by Richard Deacon
This is the most visible. In front of the Rootes Building and near the bus stands. Looks like giant handcuffs.
Flayed Stone III by Peter Randall
Near car park 7. Bad model of a giant's brain.
Grown in the Field by Avtarjeet Dhanjal
Social Studies Building. Screws coming out of the grass.
White Koan by Liliane Lijn
In front of the Warwick Art's Centre. Yes, It's an inverted white cone.
Behind the Social Studies Building, Warwick Business School
Ahem?
There are a few more but I didn't get the chance to take pictures. Maybe later.
Also visit the University of Warwick's "Sculptures page" for more information on each piece of art.
Here are a few samples:
Let's Not Be Stupid by Richard Deacon
This is the most visible. In front of the Rootes Building and near the bus stands. Looks like giant handcuffs.
Flayed Stone III by Peter Randall
Near car park 7. Bad model of a giant's brain.
Grown in the Field by Avtarjeet Dhanjal
Social Studies Building. Screws coming out of the grass.
White Koan by Liliane Lijn
In front of the Warwick Art's Centre. Yes, It's an inverted white cone.
Behind the Social Studies Building, Warwick Business School
Ahem?
There are a few more but I didn't get the chance to take pictures. Maybe later.
Also visit the University of Warwick's "Sculptures page" for more information on each piece of art.
23 July 2008
Lighting can transform your house
A few days back, a family friend dropped by our house and we ultimately got down to talking about the house rentals and how they are going up in Coventry and I guess all over the UK for that matter even though house prices have dropped.
We then got down to talking about the condition of the houses we live in. They have just moved in to a newly refurbished house and how happy they were with the condition of the new house. The only thing they didn't like were the home lighting. Their landlord just left it up to them to fix their own. They were admiring our light fittings which we had bought from Ikea and they were surprised how cheap they were.
Talking about lighting, do check out Farreys.com, an international wholesale hardware company which is based in Florida. I was amazed at the choice of indoor and outdoor light fixtures on their site which are available in a wide range of styles. These products come from some of the top manufacturers specialised in lighting but at really low prices.
Lighting fixtures can completely transform the look and feel of each room in your house. For example, If you have a big rooms, you might consider having chandeliers fitted. Somehow, the right chandeliers of your choice ranging from contemporary to modern can give a distinct look to a room. Unfortunately, the rooms in our house are too small to pull off such a look sucessfully.
We then got down to talking about the condition of the houses we live in. They have just moved in to a newly refurbished house and how happy they were with the condition of the new house. The only thing they didn't like were the home lighting. Their landlord just left it up to them to fix their own. They were admiring our light fittings which we had bought from Ikea and they were surprised how cheap they were.
Talking about lighting, do check out Farreys.com, an international wholesale hardware company which is based in Florida. I was amazed at the choice of indoor and outdoor light fixtures on their site which are available in a wide range of styles. These products come from some of the top manufacturers specialised in lighting but at really low prices.
Lighting fixtures can completely transform the look and feel of each room in your house. For example, If you have a big rooms, you might consider having chandeliers fitted. Somehow, the right chandeliers of your choice ranging from contemporary to modern can give a distinct look to a room. Unfortunately, the rooms in our house are too small to pull off such a look sucessfully.
20 July 2008
Dinner at the Saxon Mill
Our friend Jens is going back to Switzerland and we decided to have some drink with him before he leaves. Luiz suggested The Saxon Mill in Warwick. It is actually an old mill over the river that has been converted into a pub / restaurant.
Some really nice views over the river. We took our kids along and they enjoyed it even though it got a bit bit chilly later in the evening. Later on we went in to order the food. It was really nice and comfy inside and the food was not bad either. However, my son was not happy at all and I had to take him out. He was fascinated by the water rushing away.
Here are some pics:
Some really nice views over the river. We took our kids along and they enjoyed it even though it got a bit bit chilly later in the evening. Later on we went in to order the food. It was really nice and comfy inside and the food was not bad either. However, my son was not happy at all and I had to take him out. He was fascinated by the water rushing away.
Here are some pics:
15 July 2008
France trip update
In my last post "Preparing for trip to France" I had written that we were planning to drive my old Ford car to La Rochelle in France. However, the fact that I am not fully confident with my car, made us change our plans. We will now be flying to La Rochelle directly.
I would have gone ahead had it been only the two of us but we will have two small kids in tow and I simply don't want to risk it. Just imagine being stranded on a highway in France with two kids in the back seat.
Of course it's much more convenient now. We reach our destination in a few hours. However, that also means that we won't be able to take as much stuff along with us. We will be there in France for nearly two weeks and we hope to see some of the surrounding sights and we definitely would have to rent a car. It would be interesting because it would be the first time in my life to drive a left hand drive vehicle. In fact it would be my first time to drive on the wrong side of the road (the right side, according to some of you).
In the meantime I am practising some of the common French phrases. I had never known that French was so tough. The problem is that the words are pronounced totally different from how they are written. It's good that I have some French speaking friends to correct me. Hopefully the few phrases would be good enough to get by.
I would have gone ahead had it been only the two of us but we will have two small kids in tow and I simply don't want to risk it. Just imagine being stranded on a highway in France with two kids in the back seat.
Of course it's much more convenient now. We reach our destination in a few hours. However, that also means that we won't be able to take as much stuff along with us. We will be there in France for nearly two weeks and we hope to see some of the surrounding sights and we definitely would have to rent a car. It would be interesting because it would be the first time in my life to drive a left hand drive vehicle. In fact it would be my first time to drive on the wrong side of the road (the right side, according to some of you).
In the meantime I am practising some of the common French phrases. I had never known that French was so tough. The problem is that the words are pronounced totally different from how they are written. It's good that I have some French speaking friends to correct me. Hopefully the few phrases would be good enough to get by.
13 July 2008
White Lilies
These are white lilies in my garden - my wife's favourite flowers. I bought them at a car boot sale and they only started flowering yesterday.
This is my Green Thumb Sunday post for this week.
Join
Do visit As the Garden Grows for more information.
This is my Green Thumb Sunday post for this week.
Join
Do visit As the Garden Grows for more information.
12 July 2008
Datuk Nicol David
A few years back I wrote a blog post "Datuk Nicol", calling for reigning world woman's squash champion Nicol David to be awarded a Datukship. However, I never thought that it would become a reality considering her age, etc. etc.
Well today, I learnt that she was awarded the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) award which carries the title Datuk, by the Penang state government. Only 25 years old, she is the state's youngest Datuk.
Photo from "Nicol David Online".
Congratulations Nicol. You deserve it.
Well today, I learnt that she was awarded the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) award which carries the title Datuk, by the Penang state government. Only 25 years old, she is the state's youngest Datuk.
Photo from "Nicol David Online".
Congratulations Nicol. You deserve it.
09 July 2008
Trip to London
Some pics of our recent trip to London:
Harrods at Knightsbridge
There was a Harrods sale going on and the crowd was unbelievable - mostly ladies and a lot of tourists. There were some people outside protesting against fur being sold in the store. Forgot to take pics.
Walking towards Knightsbridge
Natural history museum
Saw some dinosaur skeletons. Didn't have enough time to go round.
Leicester square. My son fell asleep. The Odeon theatre is in the background.
Statue of Shakespeare at Leicester square.
"There is no darkness but ignorance"
Quote from William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
Crowds near Piccadilly Circus.
Harrods at Knightsbridge
There was a Harrods sale going on and the crowd was unbelievable - mostly ladies and a lot of tourists. There were some people outside protesting against fur being sold in the store. Forgot to take pics.
Walking towards Knightsbridge
Natural history museum
Saw some dinosaur skeletons. Didn't have enough time to go round.
Leicester square. My son fell asleep. The Odeon theatre is in the background.
Statue of Shakespeare at Leicester square.
"There is no darkness but ignorance"
Quote from William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
Crowds near Piccadilly Circus.
06 July 2008
Strawberry season
It's strawberry season again. The fruits are 100% organic and they taste delicious. However, it's not the first time I am tasting the 'Fruits of my labour'.
My Green Thumb Sunday post this week.
Join
Do visit As the Garden Grows for more information.
My Green Thumb Sunday post this week.
Join
Do visit As the Garden Grows for more information.
02 July 2008
Recycling unwanted stuff
This morning a guy knocked on the door asking for scrap metal. I suddenly remembered that we had loads of junk in our backyard, most of it left over by the previous tenant including rusted pipes and a sheet of metal weighing more than a ton. I had been planning to take them to the tip in London road and I fortunate that someone took care of that for me.
Looking around the house, I suddenly realise that in less than two years, we have accumulated quite a bit of unused and unwanted stuff. These include old clothing that my children have outgrown and loads of other stuff. The problem is that they are taking up precious space in our small house. I am sure a lot of you face the same problem as well.
Listed below are some way of getting rid of unwanted stuff:
1. Online auctions sites.
The first one that usually comes to mind is eBay, the largest online auction site in the World. A great way of making money while getting rid of unwanted items. So far, I have sold baby clothes, books, toys and even furniture on eBay.
Recently got to know about another popular online auction site called eBid. The great thing about this site is that unlike eBay, you are not charged listing fees
2. Car boot and Garage sales.
Never tried selling stuff at a car boot sale though I would like to try it out at least once before I leave the UK. One man's junk can be another man's treasure. Someone who has tried it before told me that it was a fun but tiring experience. The British weather is the unpredictable factor here. Would hate to get caught in a chilly shower.
3. Classifieds.
You can also list up items on the local newspaper classifieds or online. Gum tree is a very popular free online classifieds service here in the UK. It was acquired by eBay in May 2005. You might want to put up your items under the category, "Stuff for Sale".
4. Charities.
If you can't be bothered with all the hassle of listing items for sale, posting, and so on, you can donate your unwanted items (in good condition) to various charities like the PDSA, Help the Aged, Age Concern England, Barnardo's, etc. Some of them will even pick up the items from your house. Contributing for a good cause does feel good. Not everything is nor should be, about money.
5. Others.
You might also want to consider joining the Freecycle Network. With the noble goal of keeping "usable items out of landfills." You join the discussion group for your area, (in my case it is the Coventryfreecycle under Yahoo! groups). Do note that everything posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages.
I had a huge hifi system I bought from a car boot sale for £3/. It was working great for sometime until the CD player suddenly stopped working one day. The tape and radio still worked but it was taking up too much space. I was about to drop it off at the tip when I remembered the Freecycle group. I was surprised to receive 2 emails only after an hour of posting up the "offer" message. It was taken by a lady studying in the University of Warwick.
Can you suggest any other ways of recycling unwanted stuff?
Looking around the house, I suddenly realise that in less than two years, we have accumulated quite a bit of unused and unwanted stuff. These include old clothing that my children have outgrown and loads of other stuff. The problem is that they are taking up precious space in our small house. I am sure a lot of you face the same problem as well.
Listed below are some way of getting rid of unwanted stuff:
1. Online auctions sites.
The first one that usually comes to mind is eBay, the largest online auction site in the World. A great way of making money while getting rid of unwanted items. So far, I have sold baby clothes, books, toys and even furniture on eBay.
Recently got to know about another popular online auction site called eBid. The great thing about this site is that unlike eBay, you are not charged listing fees
2. Car boot and Garage sales.
Never tried selling stuff at a car boot sale though I would like to try it out at least once before I leave the UK. One man's junk can be another man's treasure. Someone who has tried it before told me that it was a fun but tiring experience. The British weather is the unpredictable factor here. Would hate to get caught in a chilly shower.
3. Classifieds.
You can also list up items on the local newspaper classifieds or online. Gum tree is a very popular free online classifieds service here in the UK. It was acquired by eBay in May 2005. You might want to put up your items under the category, "Stuff for Sale".
4. Charities.
If you can't be bothered with all the hassle of listing items for sale, posting, and so on, you can donate your unwanted items (in good condition) to various charities like the PDSA, Help the Aged, Age Concern England, Barnardo's, etc. Some of them will even pick up the items from your house. Contributing for a good cause does feel good. Not everything is nor should be, about money.
5. Others.
You might also want to consider joining the Freecycle Network. With the noble goal of keeping "usable items out of landfills." You join the discussion group for your area, (in my case it is the Coventryfreecycle under Yahoo! groups). Do note that everything posted must be free, legal and appropriate for all ages.
I had a huge hifi system I bought from a car boot sale for £3/. It was working great for sometime until the CD player suddenly stopped working one day. The tape and radio still worked but it was taking up too much space. I was about to drop it off at the tip when I remembered the Freecycle group. I was surprised to receive 2 emails only after an hour of posting up the "offer" message. It was taken by a lady studying in the University of Warwick.
Can you suggest any other ways of recycling unwanted stuff?
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