My Bookmarks
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Sunday, April 15, 2007
Hovering Card Trick: Explained
[+|-]
Watch these:
The secret invisible object illustrated in an MS-Paint-created picture:
The lines in red are the invisible object. The red dot is a joint enabling the shorter part of the object, a string, to freely move around.
First video. At the beginning of it, you saw that the card kind of levitated. Then you saw that it was an Ace card. That side was what the invisible object was directly attached to. The string was connected to the bottom of the card over the card, thus when the illusionist moved his hand forward, the string lifted the top of the card, making the card look as if it was levitating.
Second video. When the illusionist's palms were covering the card, the string was between the index finger and thumb of his right hand. He used his index finger to move the string to his left, which slowed down the spin of the card, thus causing the need to stop the card and spin it again. Then the illusionist used his thumb to move the string to his right.
Having them explained, what about another video by another person?
This performer began by taking a stack of cards out of the pre-cut card case which allowed a stringed card to go into and out of the case. Then he picked the first/top card which is attached to a string. Similar invisible object was used. Only this time, the other end of the object was not connected to the person but to something not shown in the video, to the left of the performer.
Why left?
- His first move had his arms moving over, below, in front of, and at the right side of the card, but not behind or at the left side of it. So, two possibilities left.
- His second move had his right hand pushing upward the stick-like part of the invisible object, while the string was between his index finger and thumb. Two possibilities left.
- His third move was an attempt to make you believe that he had covered all the sides of the card. But if you look closely enough, you'll find that he never covered the left side. It wasn't even shown in the video what he did with his left hand while he was moving his arms and the sword around the card. One possibility left--the left side!
Trick explained.
YouTube does have many other videos on this kind of card trick (most of them used cards with strings connected to the top). It's easier to perform such kind of card trick through YouTube, thanks to the poor quality of the videos that makes invisible objects even more invisible.
The secret invisible object illustrated in an MS-Paint-created picture:
The lines in red are the invisible object. The red dot is a joint enabling the shorter part of the object, a string, to freely move around.
First video. At the beginning of it, you saw that the card kind of levitated. Then you saw that it was an Ace card. That side was what the invisible object was directly attached to. The string was connected to the bottom of the card over the card, thus when the illusionist moved his hand forward, the string lifted the top of the card, making the card look as if it was levitating.
Second video. When the illusionist's palms were covering the card, the string was between the index finger and thumb of his right hand. He used his index finger to move the string to his left, which slowed down the spin of the card, thus causing the need to stop the card and spin it again. Then the illusionist used his thumb to move the string to his right.
Having them explained, what about another video by another person?
This performer began by taking a stack of cards out of the pre-cut card case which allowed a stringed card to go into and out of the case. Then he picked the first/top card which is attached to a string. Similar invisible object was used. Only this time, the other end of the object was not connected to the person but to something not shown in the video, to the left of the performer.
Why left?
- His first move had his arms moving over, below, in front of, and at the right side of the card, but not behind or at the left side of it. So, two possibilities left.
- His second move had his right hand pushing upward the stick-like part of the invisible object, while the string was between his index finger and thumb. Two possibilities left.
- His third move was an attempt to make you believe that he had covered all the sides of the card. But if you look closely enough, you'll find that he never covered the left side. It wasn't even shown in the video what he did with his left hand while he was moving his arms and the sword around the card. One possibility left--the left side!
Trick explained.
YouTube does have many other videos on this kind of card trick (most of them used cards with strings connected to the top). It's easier to perform such kind of card trick through YouTube, thanks to the poor quality of the videos that makes invisible objects even more invisible.
Labels: card, explain, explanation, illusion, madv, magic, trick
posted by jim at
2:48 AM
|
0 comments
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Ubuntu Free CDs Received
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... within one month from request
posted by jim at
11:28 AM
|
0 comments
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Sketchy Model of the Louvre Pyramid
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I've never been to Louvre myself. This model was constructed by me using Google SketchUp, based solely on data gathered from the Internet.
Download this model
You might also want to view from the inside of the real pyramid.
UPDATE (August 26, 2006):
The above model is no longer available for download. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. However, a simplified, Google Earth-friendly version has been created as a replacement and is available for download.
You might also want to view from the inside of the real pyramid.
UPDATE (August 26, 2006):
The above model is no longer available for download. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. However, a simplified, Google Earth-friendly version has been created as a replacement and is available for download.
posted by jim at
8:56 AM
|
0 comments
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Monday, July 10, 2006
Germany '06 Grand Finale Carnival
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Football~ football~ it's my least favorite kind of balls......
...But wait.
What's this?!
Why am I here? At this Germany '06 Grand Finale Carnival? I must have come to the wrong place...
Or have I not?
Guys, tell you what, I'm on Italy. You know why? Because France beat Brazil and I support Brazil...... Nah, I'm not on Italy, neither do I know why so many people are on Italy...... So? So I'm definitely lost. That's for sure.
But who cares? I'm here now, so let's celebrate and have some fun.
This is the Hotlink zone before the event starts.
Some boring game in the game area.
I walk and walk and walk and come to this particular position in which I think I will stand for the night. Then I wait and wait and wait, and someone finally shows up on the stage and starts talking... keeps talking. People go up and down the stage... A lot of talking by some DJs... They are not that boring though.
Event organizers kick some giveaway footballs to the audience. (Poor-quality video. n00b here;)
Then there is a great deal of singing and dancing going on for a few hours. The atmosphere is charged.
Axel F by Crazy Frog. Say "ding ding"! (Another poor quality and no sound. I'm too distracted and forget to zoom in.)
No matter how tirelessly they can sing and dance, the time has to come to watching the grand finale.
Some typical fireworks before the game starts.
That match, it's the only match that I watch--and care about--in the entire tournament. It's the longest match. While watching it, we've got to sit on the floor covered with wires (luckily, nobody gets electrocuted!). The guys beside me who keep on smoking make me suffer all day. One girl always touches me. Her boyfriend calls me "lengcai" (a name widely used by KL people to address guys). But hey, I seriously hate it when people call me "lengcai".
Then, there goes Zidane (France) giving a headbutt on Materazzi (Italy). Didn't know Zidane would do this kind of thing. I think he must be very much wanting to headbutt the ball but have not a chance, so he treated Materazzi like a ball and headbutt it hard. (Just kidding, Zidane's fans.)
One more thing. French players really like to shoot the crossbar to score goals, huh? I don't know.
It's a really long match. After so much of kicking, the game finally ends with a winner of the World Cup... which is Italy!
And so, the carnival has also come to an end. People start leaving the venue. After that, nothing special happens. It's around 4:30am. I go home right away.
...But wait.
What's this?!
Why am I here? At this Germany '06 Grand Finale Carnival? I must have come to the wrong place...
Or have I not?
Guys, tell you what, I'm on Italy. You know why? Because France beat Brazil and I support Brazil...... Nah, I'm not on Italy, neither do I know why so many people are on Italy...... So? So I'm definitely lost. That's for sure.
But who cares? I'm here now, so let's celebrate and have some fun.
This is the Hotlink zone before the event starts.
Some boring game in the game area.
I walk and walk and walk and come to this particular position in which I think I will stand for the night. Then I wait and wait and wait, and someone finally shows up on the stage and starts talking... keeps talking. People go up and down the stage... A lot of talking by some DJs... They are not that boring though.
Event organizers kick some giveaway footballs to the audience. (Poor-quality video. n00b here;)
Then there is a great deal of singing and dancing going on for a few hours. The atmosphere is charged.
Axel F by Crazy Frog. Say "ding ding"! (Another poor quality and no sound. I'm too distracted and forget to zoom in.)
No matter how tirelessly they can sing and dance, the time has to come to watching the grand finale.
Some typical fireworks before the game starts.
That match, it's the only match that I watch--and care about--in the entire tournament. It's the longest match. While watching it, we've got to sit on the floor covered with wires (luckily, nobody gets electrocuted!). The guys beside me who keep on smoking make me suffer all day. One girl always touches me. Her boyfriend calls me "lengcai" (a name widely used by KL people to address guys). But hey, I seriously hate it when people call me "lengcai".
Then, there goes Zidane (France) giving a headbutt on Materazzi (Italy). Didn't know Zidane would do this kind of thing. I think he must be very much wanting to headbutt the ball but have not a chance, so he treated Materazzi like a ball and headbutt it hard. (Just kidding, Zidane's fans.)
One more thing. French players really like to shoot the crossbar to score goals, huh? I don't know.
It's a really long match. After so much of kicking, the game finally ends with a winner of the World Cup... which is Italy!
And so, the carnival has also come to an end. People start leaving the venue. After that, nothing special happens. It's around 4:30am. I go home right away.
posted by jim at
6:04 AM
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0 comments
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Employers' Freedom vs. Non-discriminatory Treatment
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Peter: Employers should have the freedom to choose whomever to hire, because it’s their right to do so. Since they have been hired by their respective companies and given the full power to choose, they should be able to decide for the company who to accept as suitable candidates or employees. They have the control here.
Hailey: No, I don’t think so. It is the employers’ responsibility to hire applicants who can benefit their companies most. If they have all the freedom to choose, they may show personal prejudice or discrimination against certain race or gender or even class. If they simply dismiss applicants of certain race, gender, or class without really evaluating these applicants, they may easily overlook applicants who are very, very skillful or talented, and who are very good or suitable for the companies. This will result in higher cost for the companies, which is not what the companies want.
Peter: Why do the employers have to care so much, now that they have been fully authorized to employ whomever they like? They can do whatever they please, as long as they are doing it within their range of authority. If later the bosses of these employers find out that these employers have underperformed, these employers can bear the responsibility for whatever they have done. So, it’s still OK for employers to have the freedom.
Hailey: If so, these employers not only lack responsibility for their job, but they also lack devotion to their companies, generosity for the job applicants, moderation for their selfish actions, and reliability as trusted workers for their companies.
Peter: Well, that doesn't take the employers’ freedom away.
Hailey: Then, perhaps companies should be more cautious while hiring people to employ others to work for the companies, so that the companies can avoid hiring disloyal or untrustworthy people and avoid causing losses for the companies.
Jim: Hailey is right. If the employers hire with bias whomever they like and do as they please, how many people do you think will suffer from their actions which are pleasurable only to themselves, Peter? Don’t forget that job applicants have civil rights to have equal employment opportunities, as the employers have the right to freedom. Besides, why do the employers want to take the risk of being caught for underperformance and losing their jobs, while they can try to treat everyone equally and appraise every job applicant without any discrimination? This way, they not only can be safer with their jobs, they also gain more respect from more people. Isn’t this better than the joy of discrimination?
Peter: The employers might not need so much respect from those strangers--the job applicants. They are unlikely to meet in the future. Some employers even like the challenge of risking their jobs; they may think that the pleasure of taking the challenge is worth the risk of losing their jobs.
Jim: Some employers? That means there are also employers who prefer job safety to the enjoyment of taking the challenge. Anyway, do you really think the employers do not need much respect from the job applicants? Maybe you should look at this from a “larger picture” perspective. One employer not being respected is fine. What happens when there are a thousand? One person being discriminated against is fine. What about a thousand or a million or even more being discriminated against for the same reason? What will happen to the name of employers? More importantly, don’t you think that that will cause a very big social problem? Now it’s no longer a one-employer’s issue; it’s a nation’s issue. People who are being discriminated against might gather together to show their hatred towards employers and possibly others by acting violently. This can disturb the country’s peacefulness and order. Now do you still think the employers do not need so much respect from strangers?
Peter: You could be right. But some discrimination every now and then is hardly avoidable.
Hailey: It should be kept to the minimal.
Jim: Right. And employers’ freedom to hire whomever they like should be moderated.
Hailey: No, I don’t think so. It is the employers’ responsibility to hire applicants who can benefit their companies most. If they have all the freedom to choose, they may show personal prejudice or discrimination against certain race or gender or even class. If they simply dismiss applicants of certain race, gender, or class without really evaluating these applicants, they may easily overlook applicants who are very, very skillful or talented, and who are very good or suitable for the companies. This will result in higher cost for the companies, which is not what the companies want.
Peter: Why do the employers have to care so much, now that they have been fully authorized to employ whomever they like? They can do whatever they please, as long as they are doing it within their range of authority. If later the bosses of these employers find out that these employers have underperformed, these employers can bear the responsibility for whatever they have done. So, it’s still OK for employers to have the freedom.
Hailey: If so, these employers not only lack responsibility for their job, but they also lack devotion to their companies, generosity for the job applicants, moderation for their selfish actions, and reliability as trusted workers for their companies.
Peter: Well, that doesn't take the employers’ freedom away.
Hailey: Then, perhaps companies should be more cautious while hiring people to employ others to work for the companies, so that the companies can avoid hiring disloyal or untrustworthy people and avoid causing losses for the companies.
Jim: Hailey is right. If the employers hire with bias whomever they like and do as they please, how many people do you think will suffer from their actions which are pleasurable only to themselves, Peter? Don’t forget that job applicants have civil rights to have equal employment opportunities, as the employers have the right to freedom. Besides, why do the employers want to take the risk of being caught for underperformance and losing their jobs, while they can try to treat everyone equally and appraise every job applicant without any discrimination? This way, they not only can be safer with their jobs, they also gain more respect from more people. Isn’t this better than the joy of discrimination?
Peter: The employers might not need so much respect from those strangers--the job applicants. They are unlikely to meet in the future. Some employers even like the challenge of risking their jobs; they may think that the pleasure of taking the challenge is worth the risk of losing their jobs.
Jim: Some employers? That means there are also employers who prefer job safety to the enjoyment of taking the challenge. Anyway, do you really think the employers do not need much respect from the job applicants? Maybe you should look at this from a “larger picture” perspective. One employer not being respected is fine. What happens when there are a thousand? One person being discriminated against is fine. What about a thousand or a million or even more being discriminated against for the same reason? What will happen to the name of employers? More importantly, don’t you think that that will cause a very big social problem? Now it’s no longer a one-employer’s issue; it’s a nation’s issue. People who are being discriminated against might gather together to show their hatred towards employers and possibly others by acting violently. This can disturb the country’s peacefulness and order. Now do you still think the employers do not need so much respect from strangers?
Peter: You could be right. But some discrimination every now and then is hardly avoidable.
Hailey: It should be kept to the minimal.
Jim: Right. And employers’ freedom to hire whomever they like should be moderated.
posted by jim at
8:36 AM
|
0 comments
Friday, May 26, 2006
Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow 2006
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Okay. After so many hours of photo-processing work, I finally get to actually write something about my first-time visit to Kuala Lumpur International Motorshow (KLIMS).
I chose to go there in the morning (11AM) of the first day of a total of ten days of the exhibition, because I wanted to stay ahead of everyone else. But I didn't really make it, because I woke up at 11:32AM. So, I reached my destination at around 12:45PM--with so many people there already. Without wasting a nanosecond, I went straight to the first exhibition hall to take my first picture...
(On my way there, I saw a friend of mine working as a staff member of this event.)
And here it goes. Are you ready? I'm going to show you one hell of a lot of pictures, auto and non-auto alike, and a video, that can probably bore you. Well...
Huh? What? Chicks? Patience, man...... Ahem.
Afterall, it was a car show.
Who says you can't stand up to drive when you have enough of sitting?
How about this? Sexy huh?...... *Slaps* What are you thinking?! I was talking about the car.
OK. Very good.
Me: "Hey, what are you doing? Where are you looking?"
Nissan cars... Hmm...
Oh, I love this car, man. So colorful...
... So... flowery.
But after thinking twice, I decided that it was not suitable for me...
... because of furry interior that could make me "achoom sneeze".
And my FAVORITE!
(Disclaimer: When I say "my favorite", I only mean mine. Different people might have different tastes and sexual preferences.)
Me: "Oh, smile for me, sweetie, smile for me! You are so cherubic!"
Well, obviously, this is the craziest way of aligning the speakers inside a car. You think it won't blow the passenger out of the car? At least it makes him/her go deaf.
People who drive this kind of cars sure worry that nobody knows they are listening to MY FM.
A nice bike with a cool brother. Please don't mistake him for the model for this bike!
There was nothing special about this...... thing. The label read "...torque converter". So, it was a torque converter. But what's a torque converter anyway? This is what usually happens: When a photographer sees an alien object that he/she thinks may have come from the outer space, he/she will take a picture of it without caring about the nature of the object.
Toyota Harrier U140E:
It's the shining appearance that attracted me.
"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."
"Santa FE" reminded me of Santa Clause...... Was she looking at me?
Oh, sexy sexy sexy. What do you think? The balloons at the back looked like there were lighting bulbs inside them.
The trio of GReddy.
While taking this picture, I was only interested in this lady, not the car or the product they were selling.
Ang, ang, ang, la, la, la la, la la la, Doraemon...
Again.
Going upstairs...
The art of airbrush:
1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8.
8 again.
Even a bike had at least 3.
This one is nice, isn't it?
Antique car: Jaguar Mark II
Jaguar XK150
Jaguar E-Type
Aston Martin DB6
Another Jaguar?
Rolls Royce Corniche
Mercedes 600
What I thought when I looked at this car: The car doesn't look good by itself, so they use colorful spotlights to decorate it.
See! She looked at me. She looked at me!
Back-view. Once in a while we need to look from the back.
This one is real cute. No joking.
Video: The what-what-Ride. I forget the name. You need to buy something from them to play this thing. It looked like that guy on this little piece of invention was having a lot of fun.
There is no escape from her charming smile, is there?
Focus!
Guess what type of vehicle it is?
Answer is about to be revealed...
Irresistible.
3-seat car:
It looked normal in front...
... and surprised me at the back.
Oh, chubby.
It looks simple but you have no idea what it is.
It's SLR McLaren!!
Is this the last exhibition hall?
No. One more, full of best cars.
There were just too many. My camera batteries were low already and memory card had little space left.
The End!
It was around 3:30PM when I finished. I was tired and slightly starving, as I had not taken my lunch. I could eat at the cafeterias at the exhibition, but I didn't. Overall, it's quite a satisfying experience. But I missed the live airbrush demonstration. I forgot to ask the people at the airbrush booth about the times of demonstration. I got some free souvenirs too! A Honda paper bag, some brochures, and a Mercedes-Benz poster.
So, until year 2009, see you, KLIMS!
UPDATE (May 28, 2006):
More pictures on Lowyat.NET!
I notice that I didn't take any close-up. Please forgive me.
I chose to go there in the morning (11AM) of the first day of a total of ten days of the exhibition, because I wanted to stay ahead of everyone else. But I didn't really make it, because I woke up at 11:32AM. So, I reached my destination at around 12:45PM--with so many people there already. Without wasting a nanosecond, I went straight to the first exhibition hall to take my first picture...
(On my way there, I saw a friend of mine working as a staff member of this event.)
And here it goes. Are you ready? I'm going to show you one hell of a lot of pictures, auto and non-auto alike, and a video, that can probably bore you. Well...
Huh? What? Chicks? Patience, man...... Ahem.
Afterall, it was a car show.
Who says you can't stand up to drive when you have enough of sitting?
How about this? Sexy huh?...... *Slaps* What are you thinking?! I was talking about the car.
OK. Very good.
Me: "Hey, what are you doing? Where are you looking?"
Nissan cars... Hmm...
Oh, I love this car, man. So colorful...
... So... flowery.
But after thinking twice, I decided that it was not suitable for me...
... because of furry interior that could make me "achoom sneeze".
And my FAVORITE!
(Disclaimer: When I say "my favorite", I only mean mine. Different people might have different tastes and sexual preferences.)
Me: "Oh, smile for me, sweetie, smile for me! You are so cherubic!"
Well, obviously, this is the craziest way of aligning the speakers inside a car. You think it won't blow the passenger out of the car? At least it makes him/her go deaf.
People who drive this kind of cars sure worry that nobody knows they are listening to MY FM.
A nice bike with a cool brother. Please don't mistake him for the model for this bike!
There was nothing special about this...... thing. The label read "...torque converter". So, it was a torque converter. But what's a torque converter anyway? This is what usually happens: When a photographer sees an alien object that he/she thinks may have come from the outer space, he/she will take a picture of it without caring about the nature of the object.
Toyota Harrier U140E:
It's the shining appearance that attracted me.
"Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself."
"Santa FE" reminded me of Santa Clause...... Was she looking at me?
Oh, sexy sexy sexy. What do you think? The balloons at the back looked like there were lighting bulbs inside them.
The trio of GReddy.
While taking this picture, I was only interested in this lady, not the car or the product they were selling.
Ang, ang, ang, la, la, la la, la la la, Doraemon...
Again.
Going upstairs...
The art of airbrush:
1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8.
8 again.
Even a bike had at least 3.
This one is nice, isn't it?
Antique car: Jaguar Mark II
Jaguar XK150
Jaguar E-Type
Aston Martin DB6
Another Jaguar?
Rolls Royce Corniche
Mercedes 600
What I thought when I looked at this car: The car doesn't look good by itself, so they use colorful spotlights to decorate it.
See! She looked at me. She looked at me!
Back-view. Once in a while we need to look from the back.
This one is real cute. No joking.
Video: The what-what-Ride. I forget the name. You need to buy something from them to play this thing. It looked like that guy on this little piece of invention was having a lot of fun.
There is no escape from her charming smile, is there?
Focus!
Guess what type of vehicle it is?
Answer is about to be revealed...
Irresistible.
3-seat car:
It looked normal in front...
... and surprised me at the back.
Oh, chubby.
It looks simple but you have no idea what it is.
It's SLR McLaren!!
Is this the last exhibition hall?
No. One more, full of best cars.
There were just too many. My camera batteries were low already and memory card had little space left.
The End!
It was around 3:30PM when I finished. I was tired and slightly starving, as I had not taken my lunch. I could eat at the cafeterias at the exhibition, but I didn't. Overall, it's quite a satisfying experience. But I missed the live airbrush demonstration. I forgot to ask the people at the airbrush booth about the times of demonstration. I got some free souvenirs too! A Honda paper bag, some brochures, and a Mercedes-Benz poster.
So, until year 2009, see you, KLIMS!
UPDATE (May 28, 2006):
More pictures on Lowyat.NET!
I notice that I didn't take any close-up. Please forgive me.
posted by jim at
11:10 PM
|
0 comments
