Converting videos to MP4 for the iPod

If you are ever looking for a software that converts video files, movies, dvd's, YouTube videos etc. into MP4 format for your iPod then I would recomment Videora. It's easy to use with step by step instructions and fairly quick at converting files. Only thing is it is, the interface is a little slow. You have also got the option to down load a YouTube Downloader programme that allows you to download videos from YouTube straight to MP4 format!

Here's the blurb from their website:

Videora iPod Converter is a free iPod video converter that converts video files, YouTube videos, movies and DVD's so you can play them on your iPod. The software, developed by the creators of Videora, can convert all types of video files (avi, divx, xvid, flv, x264, vob, mpeg, DVD's, YouTube, etc.) into the proper video formats (MPEG-4, H.264) that play on the iPod.

With Videora iPod Converter you can convert videos for any type of iPod that plays video. This includes the new iPod touch, iPod nano and iPod classic in addition to the 5th generation iPod. You can also convert videos for the iPhone. It is available for Windows and Mac.

Once an Apple fan, always an Apple fan

The first computer my brother and I had was an Apple ll. This was back in the days of the green screen, dos, floppy discs the size of panckaes and typing C:/ run to start applications. My family had always had Apple computers back in the 80's. I remember playing Dark Castle with the Mac ll and then later fiddling around with the Macintosh.

Then came the invasion of the PC and the decline of Apple Computing. All that's history now that iPod gave Apple a new lease on life and it has capitalised on that by blowing our mind away with constantly evolving design and usability.

I recently got an iPod Touch as a gift and I am loving it! At first I thought t was the iPhone (which was a little silly as I knew I could not use it in Korea) then I was told it is the iPod Touch. Now I didn't know the Touch had similar functions as the iPhone but it just doesn't have the 'phone' element.

I just want to say that I LOVE IT! Yes I had to put tha in colour, that is how much I like it. I have already converted some .avi files to MP4 to watch on the Touch and it's great! Now I am going to download Skype onto it so I can call and video call with it when I am in a WIFI zone.

Yes it is Super Slim!

New buzzwords in Malaysia: 'Snatch Thieves' and 'Mat Rempit'

It's great to be home. On the surface you think nothing has changed. Everyone at home is the same, I can be as childish and silly as I like and still get away with it with my family. The city looks the same, there are just as many cars and it's as hotter than ever. But underneath it all, there is an underlying feeling of danger.

I can't think of another word. I feel insecure. Whether it is my father sending me all these emails with stories and even live video recordings of robberies, corruption, kidnappings or just reading it in the newspapers here and hearing accounts of it from my mother from incidents involving her friends. The current menace (among many) is the emergence of 'snatch thieves'.

These are unsavoury people who may be dressed decently so you lower your guard and they accost you and grab your handbag. A common MO now is snatching your bag while they are on their motorcycle so they can make a quick getaway. Recently there were two cases of a pregnant women falling victim to snatch thieves while riding their motorbikes.

One fell off the bike afer her bag was pulled from her. She hit her head on the road and went into a coma. Unfortunately she later died in the hospital. Another incident last week also involved a pregnant woman who was on her way to pick up her 8 year old son (1 of 4 children). Her bag was slung over her shoulder while riding he motorbike but 2 snatch thieves on another motorbike pulled at her bag till the straps broke. Their bikes made contact and she fell off onto the road where she was subsequently rammed by a car coming from the opposite direction.

These are all sad stories and only 2 in the last week that made it into the papers. I see reports of the police coming up with plans to get these Mat Rempit and snatch thieves as well as an article where the government is saying that more has to be done to nip this in the bud before they become more bold as it will also affect tourism. Before they become more bold??? Affect tourism??? What about the security of their citizens?

I no longer feel safe even going to a shopping mall and parking my car. Especially with a baby where I have to put her into the car and put away the pram, I would be a prime target for someone aiming to diverse me of my wallet. Sigh... Safety in groups and move fast. Keep keys in hand and look out for anyone in the vicinity. Everyone is a suspect. Stay away from corners and alleys, even between cars.

Such a sad state of affairs.

Heat Wave in Malaysia

I am finally on my holiday in Malaysia. It's great to be home but I don't remember it ever being THIS HOT!!! Although they say it's 34C but it feels more like 40C with the hummidity and the heat that's coming up from the ground. I cannot imagine being able to live here without air conditioning.

I'm too hot to post more right now. When I am ensconsed inside an air conditioned room I will blog again.

The kids get the fun stuff @ Namdaemun

Have I ever mentioned how much I like Namdaemun? Some people might think I am mad. The mad crush on the weekend, the smell of food cooking from the Food Alley, Ajashi's and Ajumma's with their carts plowing through the crowd with a 'take no prisoners' attitude and the shoving is all just part of the experience.

I have found the Children's section of the market where there are 3 buildings dedicated to childrens clothes and it's fantastic! Clothes, clothes and more clothes in every colour and style. They have fairy princess type gowns, preppy school boy outfits, mini-polo sophisticated sports fashion, grunge, dress like your favourite Disney Princess or Superhero outfits, romantic follow the trends fashion and many many more.

Having also shopped for kids clothes in China, I must say it is not as cheap but almost as cheap. What I like most about it, like most of the clothes I have found in Doota is that they are made in Korea. One can go crazy. If you can, I would avoid bringing your kids there if they can't already walk by themselves. The aisles among the stores in the building are narrow and cramped. Bring cash, they don't take credit cards.

The closest 'obvious' entrance (to me anyway) is actually near Shinsegae. If you are coming from Shinsegae, walk up that street where the stalls start and hang a right when you see the Face Shop and the stores are on your right opposite the Samik Fashion Town. You will see quite a few vendors selling shoes and accessories outside those buildings.

As for the accessories, if you are so inclined you could walk to Entrance 6 then take a left to the Trillion building which is full of stores selling accessories wholesale. Just in the front entrance on the right is one vendor selling kids accessories. He mainly sells wholesale as in buy an entire strip of clips which has about 8 for a little bit cheaper than from the Ahjussi in the market. So if you are looking for gifts, that's the way to go.

Meanwhile, I couldn't resist getting these headbands from that particular store in Trillion.