One thing that I like about living in Singapore is the vast availability of computer hardware. Many Singaporeans are having tendency to become first adopter. That is way, most of the time you can find not-so-new computer hardware with less than half of the market price. Especially after any Computer Exhibitions (IT Show, PC Show, SITEX, COMEX) held here. It’s almost become a routine that after shop-craze at the exhibition, people will start selling away their old hardware.

(c) stasarama

Hardwarezone is my only destination when I’m looking for computer hardware and sometimes software. Usually first I will look for the price of new items in Sim Lim Square stores, then I head to the Hardwarezone’s Marketplace Forum. At this forum, you can find many things for sale/auction, not only limited to computer hardware. Items ranging from Condom to Samurai sword are for sale/auction here :-). Sometimes a mass-order for certain item also started by a user who has contact with the overseas-distributor. Participating in mass-order could get you a lot less price than buying that particular item in the brick-and-mortar shop.

Addiction to Hardwarezone’s Marketplace Forum is almost the similar to addiction of blogging or digging. You could spend hours and hours lurking in the forum, looking what people are selling/auctioning. When a certain item catches your attention, you will start wondering whether you *actually* need that item, since the price is so cheap compared to the price in the shop. So yes, it’s quite dangerous place especially for impulsive buyers and people with shopping disorder 🙂 (and yes, i’m warning myself :-P)

(c) fotognome

One note though, although most users in the Forum are honest, there are people that will intentionally scam you out. So be careful when when posting bids/orders. Make sure you’ve read through the item description. Because when you withdraw your bid out of good will, especially after asking the seller to meet up, it’s you that become the scammer (bad buyer, to be exact). And the Forum users are not really fond with scammer/bad buyer.

Unfortunately, sellers in the Forum are quite reluctant to deal with overseas buyers. They prefer to deal locally, usually because both party could meet up to finalize the deal. So it’s quite difficult for overseas buyer to order/place bids. Unless of course, you stated that you will send/transfer the money before the seller sending you the item. Again, please make sure the seller has a good reputation. You can check for their reputation by looking at their posts/comments in Forum’s threads. The best would be when you have friends in Singapore and asked them to bid the item for you.

Hopefully this posting will help you in one way or another. Feel free to drop comments if you have question.

It’s good to know that the British sailors are released by Iran. Although it’s difficult if not impossible, I hope peace will be restored in Middle East. Everyone will live happily, no more suicide bombers, no more roadside bombs, no more car bombs, no more bombs in the market. Christians, Jews, and Muslims are live side by side without trying to kill each other. Everyone knows that death is as certain as tax, why should we make it sooner?

A train accident happened in Paris. Thanks God no one killed, although 50 people are injured. The train belongs to the state-owned rail company (SNCF) hit the buffers at the train station in Paris. It’s a bit tragic considering a few days back another French’s railway company, TGV was hailed and showered with compliments for breaking speed record.

Grieve news for male-adulterer, a silly law is going to be amended. Apparently in Uganda if you are married and then you cheated, you MIGHT offended the law. Yes .. might, if you are male. But if you are female and do the same thing, you ARE offending the law. Yeah right …

And news from Indonesia, Indonesian Playboy Editor is cleared from the criminal charges. I am not sure whether I should happy or not. I have a friend working there, but I also have many friends who opposed Indonesian Playboy’s existence. Personally I believe book like ‘Jakarta Undercover” is more morally destructive compared to Playboy. And this opinion based only from the excerpt of that book.

And finally, my dear club Manchester United lost to AS. Roma. In the first leg of quarter-final match, Roma beaten Manchester United 2-1. Paul Scholes was sent off on the 33rd minute. Fortunately, Wayne Rooney scored to give us the precious away goal. Hopefully we can do better at Old Trafford.

Here are 10 things to help you identify whether you associated yourself to Jack Sparrow too closely.

1. A traffic police stopped you for random check. When the office asked for your name, your reply was ‘What do ye say to 3 shillings and we forget the name?‘. And you were actually thinking that the officer will take your coins and called your Mr. Smith.
2. You were caught red-handed lying in front of your girlfriend. Your action was slowly bowing out and said, “Me, I’m dishonest, and you can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly, it’s the honest ones you have to watch out for…‘”
3. You were at your friend’s house when he offers you whether you want to drink coffee, tea or simply plain water. Sighing and said “Why is the rum always gone …” was your reply.
4. Instead of saying “No”, you will say “I’m disinclined to acquiescence to your interest“. (OK.. this one is actually from Captain Barbossa. But he was once Jack’s first mate, so there is possibility he got it from Jack Sparrow)
5. When someone say thanks to you, your reply is “Sticks and stones, Love. I saved your life and you’ve saved mine. We’re square”
6. When you tried to convince someone, you always ended your sentence with “Savvy?”
7. When your friend asked you about your life principle, your answer is started with, “For me, the only rules that really matter are these: what a man can do and what a man can’t do…”
8. You were at the computer exhibition. You were totally blown away by the new gadgets. Looking at the gadget, you slowly whispers, “That is interesting …. Very … interesting”
9. You saw someone on the train and you think you known him/her sometime in the past. You break the ice by saying “Excuse me. You seem somewhat familiar. Have I threatened you before?”
10. You often advises your single friends by starting it with “You need to find yourself a girl mate …”

OK, this post was meant to be a joke for humorous purpose. Please don’t do especially item no 1, no matter how much you love Jack Sparrow. Finally, I would be delighted if you could share silly things you’ve done because of Jack Sparrow 🙂