Keep Router in Tip Top Condition

19 July 2018
tinyurl :  https://tinyurl.com/y767jldo

Routers are now a common household item in every household.   No one will pay much attention to them until one day,  the internet access started to slow down and the handphones started to experience lines dropping out of service.   This article will describe a simple way how to safely keep router working in tip top condition.   

Why?

Every router has a CPU and the CPU needs computer memory to store the various set ups and procedures for easy access.  Over sometime,  the memory will get clogged up with all the “rubbish information",  making CPU running slower and slower until it stops to work completely.   Usually,  when one make a complain to the Internet Service Provider (ISP),  they will ask everyone to switch off for a minute and switch on the router to restore the service.  This is one quick way to clear and refresh the memory.

How to Clear the memory Automatically?

There are 2 ways to clear the memory.

1.  Set up the router so that the router will perform this task i.e. if one is lucky to own a router that has this function.  If not,  one would have to install software and/or modify the router’s firmware;

2.  Simply install an electronic timer that could switch on and off the router on a regular schedule

This article will describe method 2

What Timer to Use?

1.  7 days Digital  type as 24 hours mechanical type does not have weekly and minute controls.

2.  Mains operated.   Most mains operated digital timers such as the followings are suitable.

How to Set?

 After setting the clock,  set the timer to cut off the router supply for about 1 minute,  preferably in early hours once in a week.

World Cup Video

Sample example of the video player







*Schedule,Scoreboard and other Information

* schedule local time

* CBS Sport World Cup Commentary 

* World Cup Scores and Match Reviews 


* Preview Matches
Computer simulated Preview 


* Last Game Highlights

11:00 PM-  France vs Croatia     Google

How To Seal the water leaking Bath Tubs?

10 July 2018
 
Bath Tubs are one common item found in Condominium and many apartments in Singapore. Very often, they will leak due to bad workmanship in the installation work. Seepage water will often find its way to the neighbor living downstairs, causing damages to their ceiling and ceiling works. This article will describe how one could seal this water leak.
 

Why Water Leaks? 

1. Bath tub has only one outlet at the bottom, the drain outlet. Usually, this drain outlet will not leak unless the water seals are not installed properly or the rubber seal or gasket is old and damaged.

2. Water can also seep through silicone seal or gap between the brick wall and the bath tub.  The traditional way of just using silicone glue to seal the leak would work for a few years;  after which,  it would have to be changed or renewed. 

 

What’s Needed for the Repair? 

 One will need

1. A tube of silicone sealant that cost about SGD$ 3/= and a silicone application gun from any local hardware store as shown

2. Some industrial cleaning fluid like paint thinner  & some duct tapes

3. One length of 20mm x 20mm PVC or aluminum angle trimming also available from the stores

How to Repair? 

1. Water leakage from the drain outlet 

a) First remove the centre screw that hold down the tub basket and remove the basket.

b) Clean up all the debris as much as possible using soap and water. Let to dry or dry it up using tissue or clean cloth.

c) Apply as much silicone sealant to the underside of the tube basket and the rubber gasket, filling up any void if possible.

d) Fit the tub basket into position and tighten the nut. Wipe off any leftover silicone sealant.

 2. Water leakage from the edge of the bath tube 

a) Remove all existing silicone or glue from the wall and the bath tube and clean up using industrial thinner

b) Cut the trimming using a cutter or saw so that it will fit properly all around the bath tub

c) Apply as much silicone sealant to the gap between the wall and bath tube shown and also the underside of the 20mm x 20 mm angle trimmer

 d) Press fit the trimming onto the wall and bath tub using duct tape

The alternative to using PVC or aluminum angle trimming bar is to use 50mm or 65 mm self-adhesive heavy-duty waterproof duct tape.  For this job to be done successfully,   one would need the help of epoxy glue such as Araldite Multipurpose 5 minute Glue and some industrial thinner in the following manner

1.  Clean the edge of the bath tube and the adjacent wall thoroughly,  scraping off any debris from the surface where the duct tape would be, and finally,  cleaning it up the surface using the industrial thinner;

2.  After allowing the surface to dry,  stick the duct tape onto the surface to seal up the gap between the wall and the bathtub;

3.  Prepare enough Araldite glue  by mixing the glue with some industrial thinner together in a small cup until the glue can be made thinner just to allow the glue to flow down the stirring stick or cotton bud;

4.  Slowing using a blade to open a small gap at the upper edge of the duct tape and then use the stirring stick to pick up some glue to "slide" the glue into the gap;  This light glue will make a good and permanent seal,  preventing the water sipping into the duct tap and destroying the original adhesive of the duct tape over time.  

video

World Cup Predictions - Switzerland vs Sweden

17 September 2019

FIFA World Cup

The Fifa World Cup is organized by Federation International Football Association (FIFA) which oversees the football games in the different continents and regions of the world.  It has 6 Federations and 211 National Associations.  The 6 Federations are

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

ConfederationAfrican  Football (CAF)

The Oceania Football Confederation(OFC)

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)

Confederation of North,Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF)

Confederacion Sudamericana de Futbol (CONMEBOL)

The 211 Associations come from various National Football Associations in various countries.

World Cup 2022

The next Fifa World Cup will be held in Qatar in 2022  between 21 November to 18 December.     The qualification matches have already started from 6 June 2019.  211 teams  from various Fifa member countries will compete to qualify for the final match.   The qualification matches will be divided into 6 zones.  It will  end on March 2022 after which the World Cup competition will begin.  The rough schedule  for the qualification matches is as follows

 (Doubleclick to enlarge picture)

 

So far,  only Qatar is qualified as it is the host country.  The AFC  qualifying matches are played  by 40 countries divided into 8 groups (Group A to Group H) with their present standing as shown  in the following webpage

Asian Qualifiers

The next qualifying matches will be played on 10 October 2019 in AFC.  The details are as follows:  

10 October 2019

Matching Group	Match Between	SG Time	Venue
Group A	Syria vs. Maldives	22:00	Maktoum Bin Rashid Stadium (Dubai)
	China PR vs. Guam	20:00	Tianhe Stadium (Guangzhou)
Group B	Jordan vs. Kuwait	00:00	International Stadium (Amman)
	Australia vs. Nepal	16:30	GIO Stadium Canberra (Canberra)
Group C	IR Iran  vs. Cambodia	21:30	Azadi Stadium (Tehran)
	Iraq vs. Hong Kong	00:00	Basrah Sports City Stadium (Basrah)
Group D	Saudi Arabia vs. Singapore	23:25	King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Buraydah)
	Uzbekistan vs. Yemen	22:30	Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium (Tashkent)
Group E	Oman Afghanistan	22:30	Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex (Muscat)
	Bangladesh vs. Qatar	21:00	Bangabandhu National Stadium (Dhaka)
Group F	Japan vs. Mongolia	18:35	Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)
	Kyrgyz Republic vs. Myanmar	22:30	Dolen Omurzakov Stadium (Bishkek)
Group G	Vietnam vs. Malaysia	19:00	My Dinh National Stadium (Hanoi)
	United Arab Emirates vs. Indonesia	00:00	Indonesia Al Maktoum Stadium (Dubai)
Group H	Lebanon vs. Turkmenistan	00:00	Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium (Beirut)
	Korea Republic vs. Sri Lanka	19:00	Hwaseong Stadium (Hwaseong)

What is Cloud TV?

24 June 2018

What is Cloud TV ?

Cloud TV is  simply a cloud based live television streaming program or app where one can watch HD TV channels or movies or TV shows.  It is available in 8 different languages;  namely,  Mandarin,Indian,Arabic,French,English,Cantonese and Japanese.  It is a free to use program that can be used in mobile phones,  TV etc

How Many Channels?

There are more than 800 over TV channels from all over the World.  One can watch all these channels without the needs of having TV box or aerial as long as one has a stable internet connection.  Some are restricted due to geographical location or sluggish due to poor connectivity but most are free to watch.  For Singapore  viewers,  there is a Toggle APK that  one can download and install to watch live TV channels – Channel 5, 8, U, Suria, Vasantham, okto and Channel NewsAsia (Does not work for Xiaomi as it requires Google Services).

What needed ?

1.  An apk for Cloud TV that can be downloaded free from here (For Xiaomi TV)

2.  An android device,  such as handphone and smart TV  with Android OS version 2.2 and above

3.  A good and steady Internet connection that can support speed up to 2 Mbps.

Is the Streaming Free?

There are many free TV channels but some are premium channels that will have a fee to watch them.  New users can try the premium channels free for about 3 days and thereafter,  they will need to pay fees based on 3 months to 1 year period. The longer the subscription, the more the discount.

The premium service provider accepts Alipay,  PayPal or credit card payment.

Can Record?

Users can record streaming videos in the premium or paid channels using special built-in players.  However,  most TVs or TV boxes do not have this built-in player.  Free streaming videos or TV channels are not record-able.

Are the TV Streaming Stable?

Not all TV channels are viewable but the local channels like Channel 5, 8, Okto etc are good for viewing.  Usually,  the channels are sorted according to  viewing quality;  the better one are always located at the front.   There are “favourite” folder for viewers to store those frequently viewed channels.

It was said that the Premium or paid channels are usually better in play back quality.  Viewers can always test it out free before buying

Are there other Alternatives for Smart TV?

There is one equivalent to Cloud TV called Kodi which is also free.  It is formerly called XBMC and is open source software.  It allows users to play and view most videos, music, podcasts, and other digital media files from local and network storage media and the Internet.

Not all smart TV can use Kodi which is basically designed for use in PC and not Android devices.  Nonetheless,  Kodi is playable in Xiaomi TV and there is an App downloadable from google play and other websites or here for xiaomi TV.

Other relevant articles about Xiaomi TV 

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Simulated Preview World Cup 2018

Simulated Preview Between Uruguay vs France

World Cup Highlight 10:00 PM - Belgium vs England

World Cup Highlight 11:00 PM France vs Croatia

CBS Sport World Cup Commentary