Apple M1 Macbook Air 2020

Took the dive to get a brand new Apple M1 Macbook Air (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 512GB SSD) after hearing rave reviews on how the new SOC chip outperforms most Intel CPUs of the same class.

Although it requires Rosetta to perform code translation, my own initial test shows that the x86-based Adobe Premiere Pro runs with a few small hiccups and is 99% usable. Can't wait for the Premiere Pro version that is compatible with ARM-based M1 chip so as to enjoy an even faster and smoother experience in video editing. After all Final Cut Pro users have reported a very smooth user experience, so why would Adobe be lagging in that aspect?

If all turns out well, I should be able to let go of the NZXT H1 Desktop (Ryzen 5 3600, GTX 1660 Ti) to save some desk space. In terms of raw power, the Macbook is certainly no match for prowess of the GTX 1660 Ti but the portability of the Macbook is certainly a good trade-off.

Also bought the kid the base M1 Macbook Air (8-core CPU, 7-core GPU, 256GB SSD) to replace the old and slow 2015 Macbook Air too!

Adobe Premiere Pro Layout

Adobe Premiere Pro Layout

After some time of using Adobe Premiere Pro, I have finally found my favorite workspace layout instead of the one provided out-of-the-box, and I named it the Default layout - what else would I have named it? :)

The Timeline panel takes up the entire width of the screen at the bottom and is best used in this manner.

The Program panel occupies the biggest space right in the top center, flanked by Source+Project panels at the top left corner (one behind the other) as well as Essential Graphics at the top right corner.

The other panels (Effects, Effects Control) are not required to be present at all times and can be enabled whenever necessary.

Initially I was even thinking of mounting another monitor to project the Timeline panel separately, but after having this layout I realize that a 24-inch monitor is more than sufficient where I already have to stretch myself a little to read both ends of the Timeline panel.

The next upgrade, if required, would likely be a 27-inch instead of having 2 separate monitors. So good job to myself! *pat pat*

Keychron K1 (version 4) Mechanical Keyboard

Keychron K1 Mechanical Keyboard

Top: Keychron K2; Bottom: Keychron K1

Left: Keychron K2; Right: Keychron K1

About 4 months after getting the Keychron K2 (read about my experience here), I have opted to get the new Keychron K1 (now in version 4).

In essence the K1 is a low-profile mechanical keyboard but has 87-keys instead of 84 keys on the K2.

Read about the Keychron K1 here.

Read about the Keychron K2 here.

Initially I thought the K1 would take up significantly more space than the K2 but I was pleasantly surprised that it is actually only 2 columns wider than the K2.

In essence the K1 does not take up significantly more space horizontally on the table and as such it is a very welcomed option together with the much lower side profile.

The low profile Gateron switches on the K1 are also less noisy than the normal profile Gateron switches on the K2.

Learning Python and MySQL

I have started to revise on Python and started to learn MySQL during this COVID period.

Python is really versatile and easy to pick up assuming you have some basics of programming in your bones. It supports JSON and RESTful API out of the box so it makes my project setup so much simpler. The language structure is not as strict as C and closer to spoken language so it is a breeze to code.

There are also rich resources in the community to support your learning journey, including the very feature rich Python Integrated Development Environment (IDE) - Spyder, which is lightweight yet powerful.

I learnt that MySQL is largely similar to the MSSQL, the relational database language that I have learnt during my earlier working years while I was a still system administrator whose work involved a little scripting to extract data from a database format. SQL Express was the choice back then but for now I have opted to make use of MySQL in Azure.

Most important factor: MySQL is free to use and there is close to zero maintenance if it is hosted on Azure - just create the instance and start using!

The MySQL Workbench, as the name implies, is a client side tool for managing MySQL. It feels much more light-weight than the MSSQL Management Studio too.

Incidentally I had delve into learning NoSQL and found that it is not useful (read: useless) since it is non-relational. Consider the fact that data is useful only if it can be used in relation to other data. Therefore, to establish relationship between different data sets, the relationship itself needs to manifest somewhat into the data structure, and so comes the ever recurring problem where you need to keep redesigning the data structure so that the relationship keeps in par with the need of your project. In SQL one would usually just add a new column or a new table without affecting the existing columns and data.

In essence, forget the hype about NoSQL being schema-less and takes up less computing resources, it actually gives you more headache afterwards in having to keep updating/re-loading the data structure.

Nevertheless most web-based API are RESTful and within the JSON/NoSQL data structure, so learning to retrieve data from such sources is a necessity. However for storing my own data I would still stick with SQL.

New Desktop Setup with NZXT H1

I had spent some time to revamp my desk setup. Here are the details:

1. NZX H1 - mini-ITX computer chassis from NZXT
2. Asus ROG Strix B450-I Motherboard
3. Ryzen 5 3600 CPU
4. Asus ROG Strix GTX 1660 Ti GPU
5. Keychron K2 mechanical keyboard
6. Geekcable keyboard cable
7. Razor Viper Mouse
8. Godzilla metal poster from Displate

video sharing website

 https://popcorn-tv.co

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition

Razer Kraken Tournament Edition

Got a new pair of over-the-ear headphones - the Razer Kraken Tournament Edition!

So far the headphones have been surprisingly comfortable (tried other brands before), where you do not yet feel any pressure on the overhead band as well as pressure from the ear foams on the left and right side.

The headphones come with a THX device that adds surround sound into the default stereo output.

Read more about the THX spatial audio here.

Razer Viper

Razer Viper Top View

Got myself a new Razer Viper Mouse during this WFH period!

This mouse is surprisingly light and has a very smooth base allowing the mouse to glide over the desktop very easily.

Razer Viper Front View

You can customize the rear Razer logo to be any RGB color.

I changed it to be red in order in sync with my desktop theme color which is black/grey/red. (Caveat: the mouse does not have on-board memory so it requires the Razer Synapse app to be running to retain the color settings.)

I think it will be very hard to go back to any previous mouse that I have used before.

Keychron K2 Mechanical Keybooard

Keychron K2 Mechanical Keyboard

I ordered a Keychron K2 mechanical keyboard the other day.

The package took about a week to arrive in Singapore and another 3 days sitting in their warehouse over the weekend before they activated Ninja Van to pick it up on Monday.

SF Express Bubble Wrap

It came in a big bubble wrap to ensure that the box was not crushed along the journey from Shenzhen to Singapore. The company is registered in Hong Kong though.

Overall it is a great looking keyboard but it doesn't seem to be as quiet as I have thought although it is the lightest touch of all, with red Gateron switches.

Keychron K2 Packaging

Additionally I took some time to adjust my fingers' memory to get used to the new location of the keys as compared to the full-size keyboard.

The height of this keyboard requires some time to get used to as well. I may report back if my wrist are too strained after using this heightened keyboard.

Overall it was not a big problem getting used to the new layout.

For the uninitated, Keychron K2 is actually born out of a Kickstarter project.

Update (11th Apr 2020): I have decided to get the walnut wrist rest as the height seemed to be too high for my liking. I also found out that the media playback buttons integrated into the function row as secondary keys can be accessed easily. Just hold the Function + X + L keys for 3 seconds to make them primary keys!

Here is a video showcasing the various keyboard size: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxS30X_unjU

In essence this is still my favorite keyboard because of the compact size (75%) and the primary media keys.

Why people go off tangent or therefore do not discuss issues

Found this paragraph when reading Quora. I guess it is a thing since humans existed. The main problem is why nobody told me in school 😅

I suppose no one can be sure if they themselves are objective or are logical and without bias. However one should be willing to share and discuss whenever there are disagreements in order to reach a common understanding or compromise.

Anger

In this world there are 3 types of people:

• People that gets angry easily and blame others for reacting to their anger, e.g. for scolding them back or fighting back.
• People that are at ease with themselves most of the time and rarely starts a fight out of no reason unless provoked very intentionally. However when they are provoked, they could fight back relentlessly.
• People that are at ease with themselves most of the time and can always contain the anger of the persons in the first category. Stays composed even if provoked.

I certainly belong to the second group and I seriously think some divine being is training me to become the 3rd group, by bringing to me someone of the 1st group, so that I can be “enlightened” and “graduate” within this lifetime. Zen.

I have seen for myself representatives in the 3rd group and I admire their ability.

快乐

一个人的不快乐，往往不是因为别人，而是自己内心深处的不快乐(non-fulfilment, 不是not happy)。而这份不快乐，常常会被路人甲所引发，比如说话不中听或行事不中意，或意见不相同之类的。那不快乐的人就会认为是路人甲导致他的不快乐，而且还常常发生。

要知道炸药和导火线的区别：导火线本身无害，但在炸药旁边就变得致命。炸药本身是致命的，没有导火线也可能因为别的原因而爆炸。

人一定要搞清楚什么是炸药（自己的不快乐），什么是导火线（身边的人不经意地说错话，认为他不了解自己，总是和自己作对之类的），对症下药，正视问题，然后从中解决。不然就会误人误己一生。