6 Reasons China must qualify for 2014 Brazil WorldCup

Finally get back to track, will keep update regularly, yet can't say how regular it is, targeting a weekly update. But I have the best reason that I was not updating last month, the 2010 World Cup.

It is such a big thing for Chinese, even we've only being qualified for one time in the whole World Cup history, and not because of our strength but thanks to Japan/Korea who were hosting that year, therefore we got one more quote for Asian team. I remember that year I was in high school and we stopped the class to watch the game, which China lost 0-4 to Brazil.

This year, again, China did not advance to the final 32. Seeing all these enthusiasm from fans, just really think China must bear the "if not win go to coal mining " oath to advance in the final 32 in 2014 Brazil for the following reasons:

1. Promote nationalism. Nationalism is always a core value to promote as seen in any media products controlled by central government, yet this every four year sports event is probably the best opportunity to do so. Especially when World Cup has been interpreted with political references, as a low rank team, if China can compete with traditionally strong European teams or South America teams and even win a game, it will bring the confidence that cant be achieved anywhere else.
2. Harmonious society. Another core value. During this World Cup month, Chinese media forget the flooding, the drought, the coal mine explosion, all the front pages are covered by World Cup teams, players, their girl friends and wives. So do Internet users. Forget all the social problems, all of us are totally get entertained by the game. This is just what being dreamed by the SARFT.
   
3. Economy Boost. The news says Spain's TV rating hits the highest record since the team first time advanced to the Final and won the trophy. The total audience reached about 15.6 million. China, on the other hand, totally not of our business but we contributed 52 million audiences in the month. Imagine if China ever wins the game, how many commercials broadcasters can sell and how many beer we can drink.
   
4. Chinese Brand. Even this year, we've seen Ying-Li, this Chinese energy company's ad board in every single game. Imagine if China team gets there, how many companies will be eager to sponsor the game and promote their brand.
   
5. Grassroot spirits. Since modern professional football starts from the low-income working class in England, it still shares this grassroot identity and local awareness even though some international clubs are highly commercialized. Football still brings this hard-working spirit. It can inspire some workers in southern Chinese factories, like the Faxconn, to dream something or expect something than hopelessly work the the cents.
6. Professional League. If some points above are some kinda of joking, this is crucial. Anyhow, the ultimate goal is not just the World Cup but the professional league that can nature talents, bring progress, win fans' respect and make money.
   

This is my first time watch Word Cup outside China, in a place where very few people have passion for football. It's kinda lonely but the contrast really shows the energy, the passion from Chinese audiences. Hoping China can get into the world cup final groups is kinda wishing all these can be paid back.

Brilliant Parody: The War of Internet Addiction

Last month’s Wired ran the article “The Lost Boy” by Christopher S. Stewart, about a boy who was identified as Internet addicted by his parents and sent to the recovery camp and died there after only 14 hours.

It is so terrifying that these so called therapeutic centers use electroshock along with other torture to relieve the “addiction”; yet it is indeed happening widely after those professors, doctors and government officials claim that Internet addiction is a clinical disorder threatening young people’s mental and physical health. The article listed the government’s initiatives to control the teen’s use of Internet, especially their obsession with online game World of Warcraft, and the tragic consequence.

This is totally one side of the Internet addiction opinion, and that’s why I highly recommend this fan made machinima “ War of Internet Addiction”. It is definitely a brilliant parody of this whole Internet addiction phenomenon in China and moreover, the conflict of Internet business, and of course, the restricted Internet use in China.

This machinima is based on the news that Blizzard announced changing partnership with The 9th City (previous licensed company for WOW China business) to the Netease in 2009, which brought inconvenience to game players due to their irresponsible transactions. However, after Netease gained the partnership, the GAPP (General Admission of Press and Publication) considers this game is inappropriate and requires Netease to close the server in November, 2009. Back and forth with these American, Chinese corporations, and different government divisions, every party involved in this deal contends for their best benefits and no one cares the players. This video is the outcry of those game players, and essentially the exclamation from millions of ordinary Internet users.

According to the scenario, the parody set up these involved parties with funny nicknames, these game companies, the officials, the Internet addiction therapeutic centers. The protagonist named “Kan Ni Mei” symbolizes a candid, bold game player who wants to fight against all these black forces. In his personal journey against these rulers, the movie refers to tons of sarcastic terms relating to news events in 2009. For instance, Qin Gang, spokesman of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his famous quote regarding the information control software Green Dam Youth Escort, “do you have a child” is in the line. If you follow these news and the derivative phrases and usages, you will definitely appreciate the humor of this video; therefore, it is a little difficult for foreigners to completely enjoy the story without enough references.

The message of the video is bitter even the video is so hilarious: why Chinese game players can not enjoy the game? Parents and teachers treat WOW players as shame, and international game players contempt Chinese players as gold mine farmers.

However, the message behind the video is inspiring, young people did not keep their mouth shut under the authority. Users as individuals think independently against brain-wash information, work collectively, collaboratively to make the video, and share the thoughts via viral videos.

Finally, here is the video clip. If you can understand Chinese, please go find the original one. This is subtitled, so the resolution is a low. And this is the highlighted part toward the end:

Must Try Apps for Nokia E71X

When I got my Nokia E71x, I know it's a smart phone but I really did not pay too much attention to how smart it is. Comparing to my old prepaid phone, I am very happy with the Wireless Internet, MP3 player and camera function, despite it actually has some inconvenience accessory wise.

Yet, since Google announced its Nexus One Phone, which really raised buzz around smart phone market again. I think I need to explore my phone before it is outdated soon. It turned out that I am really outdated that I did not actually use phone appropriately in the last four months (mostly because I did not choose the unlimited data plan). Some users have recommend and shared several very help apps, and the following four apps are the most basic ones I installed.

1. Google Package: This is the one I've been using for a long time. Visit m.google.com from you cell phone , and you can download the package including map, mail, search, youtube, and Picasa. Yet, the the package does not have a E71x version gmail application, so it still takes time to check the html version.
   
2. Nokia Email : That is why I tried this email app. From the Nokia Email website, I set up my account, and received a link to download the app to my phone. It reminds me the new email even faster than Gmail in the web browser and the whole interface is really clean and easy. It also allows you to choose when to sync the account, so it will not bother you on weekends. Also, It is free during the trail (but I dont know how long the trail is and how much for the registered version).
3. Opera Mini: A well-known web browser for mobile phone, it is much faster than AT&T pre-installed browser and more friendly, though I still can not read the full page sometimes. I download it from the official website.
4. Gravity: This is a Twitter client and it is the first mobile application that I paid for. I think Twitter on mobile is just a perfect combination and this application is so smooth and clean, I like it even more than my web version. It is free for 10 day trail and 10 dollars for registration.
   

After getting these basic applications, I am getting seriously interested in my phone's capability, which inevitably leads to dealing with the DRM thing again. I don't want to unlock my phone, but I want to read my mom's message in Chinese. I tried Crystal Psiloc Chinese Character, and it really worked very well but the registration fee for $40 is too expensive.

So, that is how it works. I will try to explain how to install Chinese character but I think it will work similar way for other languages and other purposes. In general, it is how DRM is applied to cell phone and people want to get around it.

First of all, these applications need to be signed to only one phone, so I need the authority to sign the application to my phone. The first step is to generate the certificate for the phone by your phone's IMEI number (*#06#). I dont know how to do that but some websites and individuals can help you for free or for donation, searching the latest results.

After getting the certificate, I need the tool to sign all the applications. I tried this DOSPY Sign Tool, very easy. Open the exe file and then you can import the certificate and the key by right clicking. When it is imported, you can freely sign application by right click-sign (the application should be in a separate directory of the sign tool). Then, all you need is the font application and the font. I have the Font router, signed the software and download the Chinese font I like (*.ttf format). When Font Router is installed on my phone, I found a FONT folder on the E drive, just copy the font to the folder and restart the phone, ready for my mom's message.

Other singed applications I tried including MagicKey to map the key for my phone to input Chinese, and the Sensible Sudoku. My contract with AT&T still has a long way to go, so I am glad I realized how to use the phone not too late. I definitely wont say Nokia E71x (especially with the "X" factor) is a super smart phone, but it is worth the price (technically free with 2yr contract online purchase from AT&T) with these add-on applications.