It's time to say goodbye to the year 2008. It's an amazing year for the world. "Earthquake", "financial crisis","Olympics","Omaba", all of these have become the keywords of the year. For me, what does it mean? It's my third winter in Beijing, my second year to work at Sun after graduation. I acquired more opportunities to develop myself. I started to conquer projects independently, coach other engineers and expose myself more outside the team.
Looking forward, I think the year 2009 is a really challenging year ahead. Everybody understands the impacts of the recent financial crisis are significant for the industry, especially for the company. The global economy is sure to slow down. I'm part of a U.S. company who relies a lot on its Wall Street customers, so of course 2009 will be full of uncertainty to me. I can't tell myself what's going on in the near future. But one thing I can promise is that I will continue to commit on what's necessary to keep my competence. Sometimes men have a tendency not to scarify their current interests for their future good. The crisis is the opportunity to make it changed.
Happy new year!
Miles Xu
December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Excellent TV Show Every Midnight, Don't Miss It.
Are you suffering from insomnia? Are you feeling boring at midnight as a cat person? Are you having a terrible emotion these days? Now there is a savior on earth. He can resolve all the problems you are suffering. Who is he? He is an excellent doctor, outstanding actor and ridiculous salesman. His name is Hou Xinzu, so called "Hou Zong". Where is his clinic? Is it expensive? Wait till one clock every midnight, and turn on your television. He will appear in his personal treatment session with his pretty assistant on most of the local TV stations. Not only can he cure your insomnia, but also you are watching a world-class comic show. But it's not enough. The most important point is that he educates you how to become a creative salesman. So what about the name of his TV program? Direct Sales TV Advertisement. The most representative show he has ever performed is to sell the watch with the brand Rosdenton.
What? You never heard of Rosdenton. It's a shame. According to Mr. Hou's words, Rosdenton is a world famous watch brand and it has an elegant alias------"Rolls Royce in the watch world". Now you should admit that you are behind the times. Believe me, after watching his TV show, you will throw your bad emotions to the sky. He's crazy and funny! He acted with his heavy-accent Mandarin like this: Now Rosdenton is the most famous watch you can find in China. It represents your social status. It can gain you active position in the business negotiation. It will be popular forever. Look, the surface is made of French sapphire with 0.06 carat South African Diamond and 2 carats Austrian Crystal Diamond. Inside the watch, the core is made in Switzerland.
Guess, how much is the price of the watch?
The pretty assistant sitting beside says, 20 thousand Yuan?
Absolutely too high, the watch is directly sold from the factory to the customer, guess again.
10 thousand?
No, since we are the very first channel to sell the watch, the company offer a great discount.
5 thousand, it can't possibly be lower. It's a diamond watch!
Well, your assumption is still too high. It only costs you 2888 Yuan!
Wha, I can't believe it. I also need one!
Believe it! I would be crazy. How can Rosdenton offer such a low price to the customers. It's unfair! I got no profits! My heart is deeply hurt by the discount! I can't do the job! Come on, my dear customers, don't be hesitate! Dial our service number to order the watch belonging to you! We can only offer 10 watches this session. If you miss the opportunity, I'd like to congratulate to you! Why? Because you will never have the chance to get it any more.
A great doctor and comic actor, isn't it? Funny and Ridiculous. I can't help laughing since I saw a monkey with exaggerated facial expressions jumped here and there. Sure, I doubt about its ability to stimulate consumers and then promote sales. But in terms of entertainment, I would never suspect it's the gospel of millions of sleeplessness including me in the lonely night. Some guys are totally addicted to the show, which is almost the only way to make them sound asleep every night. I should have full confidence Mr. Hou would be the super comic star of the next generation.
You may be curious about the watch. It sounds good. But how can it be that cheap? 2 carats Austrian Crystal Diamond, that's not real diamond. Mr. Hou says,"I didn't say it's a real diamond. I said it was Austrian Crystal Diamond, another material." OK, then how about 0.06 carat South African Diamond? It's real. 0.6 carat costs about 20 thousand Yuan. 0.06 carat is 1/10 of 0.6 carat. Does the diamond cost 2 thousand yuan? No, 0.06 carat is merely nothing, and only worth several hundred. Then the limitation is 10 watches this session? Yes, please notice every time we replay the ad. It's another session. So if we play the show for 1 thousand times, we can afford as many as 10 thousand watches. At this point, you must be angry. You were cheated. I had the same feeling when I got to know the fact. But never mind. Mr. Hou can comfort you,"Are you OK? You expect to get a real diamond watch with 2 thousand yuan??? I expected your intelligence quotient to be normal. And I never cheat you. I have full confidence in the watch. I will never recommend it to you without having a deep understanding in Rosdenton. If you guys thought I was cheating, Rolex isn't cheating,right; Omega isn't cheating, right? Are their watches worth the money you paid? You know, I spent much money to screen the ad and run the company. At least I sold the watch at the price it should be. But those guys sold them at the price much higher than the actual cost. But you foolish guys never complain about Rolex and Omega. You treat wearing them as a form of luxury."
Up to this point, I think we, the consumers should think about the issue once again. Mr. Hou's words is somewhat reasonable. As consumers, we often stays in circumstances of being cheated in purchasing products and services. We get the software with defects. We get the house decoration service with low quality adobe. We get the milk with poisoned materials. How to avoid cheats? We have to be the expert of all aspects. If that day does come, I think it's the sorriness of our society.
What? You never heard of Rosdenton. It's a shame. According to Mr. Hou's words, Rosdenton is a world famous watch brand and it has an elegant alias------"Rolls Royce in the watch world". Now you should admit that you are behind the times. Believe me, after watching his TV show, you will throw your bad emotions to the sky. He's crazy and funny! He acted with his heavy-accent Mandarin like this: Now Rosdenton is the most famous watch you can find in China. It represents your social status. It can gain you active position in the business negotiation. It will be popular forever. Look, the surface is made of French sapphire with 0.06 carat South African Diamond and 2 carats Austrian Crystal Diamond. Inside the watch, the core is made in Switzerland.
Guess, how much is the price of the watch?
The pretty assistant sitting beside says, 20 thousand Yuan?
Absolutely too high, the watch is directly sold from the factory to the customer, guess again.
10 thousand?
No, since we are the very first channel to sell the watch, the company offer a great discount.
5 thousand, it can't possibly be lower. It's a diamond watch!
Well, your assumption is still too high. It only costs you 2888 Yuan!
Wha, I can't believe it. I also need one!
Believe it! I would be crazy. How can Rosdenton offer such a low price to the customers. It's unfair! I got no profits! My heart is deeply hurt by the discount! I can't do the job! Come on, my dear customers, don't be hesitate! Dial our service number to order the watch belonging to you! We can only offer 10 watches this session. If you miss the opportunity, I'd like to congratulate to you! Why? Because you will never have the chance to get it any more.
A great doctor and comic actor, isn't it? Funny and Ridiculous. I can't help laughing since I saw a monkey with exaggerated facial expressions jumped here and there. Sure, I doubt about its ability to stimulate consumers and then promote sales. But in terms of entertainment, I would never suspect it's the gospel of millions of sleeplessness including me in the lonely night. Some guys are totally addicted to the show, which is almost the only way to make them sound asleep every night. I should have full confidence Mr. Hou would be the super comic star of the next generation.
You may be curious about the watch. It sounds good. But how can it be that cheap? 2 carats Austrian Crystal Diamond, that's not real diamond. Mr. Hou says,"I didn't say it's a real diamond. I said it was Austrian Crystal Diamond, another material." OK, then how about 0.06 carat South African Diamond? It's real. 0.6 carat costs about 20 thousand Yuan. 0.06 carat is 1/10 of 0.6 carat. Does the diamond cost 2 thousand yuan? No, 0.06 carat is merely nothing, and only worth several hundred. Then the limitation is 10 watches this session? Yes, please notice every time we replay the ad. It's another session. So if we play the show for 1 thousand times, we can afford as many as 10 thousand watches. At this point, you must be angry. You were cheated. I had the same feeling when I got to know the fact. But never mind. Mr. Hou can comfort you,"Are you OK? You expect to get a real diamond watch with 2 thousand yuan??? I expected your intelligence quotient to be normal. And I never cheat you. I have full confidence in the watch. I will never recommend it to you without having a deep understanding in Rosdenton. If you guys thought I was cheating, Rolex isn't cheating,right; Omega isn't cheating, right? Are their watches worth the money you paid? You know, I spent much money to screen the ad and run the company. At least I sold the watch at the price it should be. But those guys sold them at the price much higher than the actual cost. But you foolish guys never complain about Rolex and Omega. You treat wearing them as a form of luxury."
Up to this point, I think we, the consumers should think about the issue once again. Mr. Hou's words is somewhat reasonable. As consumers, we often stays in circumstances of being cheated in purchasing products and services. We get the software with defects. We get the house decoration service with low quality adobe. We get the milk with poisoned materials. How to avoid cheats? We have to be the expert of all aspects. If that day does come, I think it's the sorriness of our society.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Beijing Olymics Night Piece
I was working on a hot issue of the company, which exhausted much of my time. So I didn't write blogs. But I hesitate to show you some pictures I took on the day the Olympic openings was held. Amazing fireworks, isn't it?
And I took a walk around the Olympics Stadium last night.
Here are some photos. I didn't use a tripod(So you know it's not an easy task). Please forgive me.
And I took a walk around the Olympics Stadium last night.
Here are some photos. I didn't use a tripod(So you know it's not an easy task). Please forgive me.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The Fireworks After The 2nd Rehearsal For Beijing Olympics Openings
Hi buddies,
As I mentioned, my current residence is a choice position to watch the fireworks, part of the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Yesterday, the second round dry run was held at the National Stadium. And a grand fireworks across the Central Olympic Zone(especially at the Olympics Village) followed it.
Here are some photos to share with you guys.
As I mentioned, my current residence is a choice position to watch the fireworks, part of the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Yesterday, the second round dry run was held at the National Stadium. And a grand fireworks across the Central Olympic Zone(especially at the Olympics Village) followed it.
Here are some photos to share with you guys.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The days before Beijing Olympics 2008
As my residence isn't far from the National Olympic Stadium in Beijing, everyday the cluster of stadiums can be found in the distance when I look through the window. Well, we know the world's feelings are complicated towards the Games. No matter what kind of attitude everybody has, applause or resistance, this year will definitely be an extraordinary one for the nation.
Though unluckily I don't get any tickets, I often comfort myself that at least I can watch the amazing fireworks at a choice position in person. That's not too bad.
sight outside my residence
close-up
the National Olympic Stadium "Bird Nest"
the National Swimming Center "Water Cube"
the newly built skyscraper adjacent the stadium
Though unluckily I don't get any tickets, I often comfort myself that at least I can watch the amazing fireworks at a choice position in person. That's not too bad.
sight outside my residence
close-up
the National Olympic Stadium "Bird Nest"
the National Swimming Center "Water Cube"
the newly built skyscraper adjacent the stadium
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Project Brussels NGE driver support putback to Solaris Nevada Build 86
Project Brussels NGE Gigabit Ethernet driver support has been put back into Solaris Nevada Build 86. Currently, there isn't a unique interface for configuring parameters for NIC drivers in Solaris. The configuration of a NIC driver may be customized by driver.conf, ndd, etc. Project Brussels aims to provide a standardized interface for configuring all GLDv3 NICs via the system tool dladm. And NGE driver(the driver of Nvidia nforce chipset Ethernet controller) is widely used in Sun servers and such as X4200/X4100 M2, X2200/X2100 M2 and workstations such as Ultra40, Ultra20. So it's a good step ahead.
What I need to emphasize is that this putback is a joint effort of the community member and Sun engineers. I think it a good example to demonstrate the open development practices in OpenSolaris community. OpenSolaris.org doesn't just make the code open-sourced. It's on the way to open the development process. And more, NGE driver is somewhat a special case,which requires the code reviews and approvals of engineers from Nvidia to ensure no Nvidia IP are leaked unintentionally. OpenSolaris community member Jason King provided the original code. The code is pretty much done. But he found some problems during the tests. The driver would fail to attach when the system was booting. So he turn to help from Sun engineer through OpenSolaris.org. I'm the responsible engineer for NGE driver. I contacted him, got his code and found the root cause soon. Not just the root cause, we also refined the code, did the tests in our lab and provided feedbacks to him. Jason updated the code for our reviews once again. Sun engineers Ted and Sowmini also gave their comments on the code. It's an iteration practice, in which we were interacting with each other well. After all the tests are passed, I help Jason to get Nvidia's code review and approval. Finally, we successfully put back the code into Solaris Nevada Build 86. So basically, this time, what the community developers do is to write the initial code and modify the code accordingly. What Sun developers do is to troubleshoot the code, refine the code, do the tests, do the legal review and put back the code. From my point of view, I think there is one advantage for Sun developers in the process of development is that we may be more familiar with the code, which made it easier to find the cause of the problems. and We may have more testbeds and test suits in the lab to reveal the bugs before the code is put back.
Lastly, I'd like to show my appreciation to Jason King's work in Project Brussels. Well done, Jason! And also I'd thank Ted and Sowmini and other colleagues for their supports in this putback.
What I need to emphasize is that this putback is a joint effort of the community member and Sun engineers. I think it a good example to demonstrate the open development practices in OpenSolaris community. OpenSolaris.org doesn't just make the code open-sourced. It's on the way to open the development process. And more, NGE driver is somewhat a special case,which requires the code reviews and approvals of engineers from Nvidia to ensure no Nvidia IP are leaked unintentionally. OpenSolaris community member Jason King provided the original code. The code is pretty much done. But he found some problems during the tests. The driver would fail to attach when the system was booting. So he turn to help from Sun engineer through OpenSolaris.org. I'm the responsible engineer for NGE driver. I contacted him, got his code and found the root cause soon. Not just the root cause, we also refined the code, did the tests in our lab and provided feedbacks to him. Jason updated the code for our reviews once again. Sun engineers Ted and Sowmini also gave their comments on the code. It's an iteration practice, in which we were interacting with each other well. After all the tests are passed, I help Jason to get Nvidia's code review and approval. Finally, we successfully put back the code into Solaris Nevada Build 86. So basically, this time, what the community developers do is to write the initial code and modify the code accordingly. What Sun developers do is to troubleshoot the code, refine the code, do the tests, do the legal review and put back the code. From my point of view, I think there is one advantage for Sun developers in the process of development is that we may be more familiar with the code, which made it easier to find the cause of the problems. and We may have more testbeds and test suits in the lab to reveal the bugs before the code is put back.
Lastly, I'd like to show my appreciation to Jason King's work in Project Brussels. Well done, Jason! And also I'd thank Ted and Sowmini and other colleagues for their supports in this putback.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
About Miles Xu
Currently Miles is an operating system kernel engineer at Sun Microsystems China Engineering and Research Institute (SCERI) after the graduation from the Department of Computer Science in Nanjing University since July 2007. Earlier he was serving as an intern for SCERI. Currently he still keep the record as the youngest regular employee in SCERI where the average age of employees here is around 30. Most of his previous experiences focus on operating system kernels, computer networks and embedded systems related stuffs, which also brought him some awards such as global top 10 and Microsoft Multimedia Award in 2006 IEEE Computer Society International Design Competition, global top 30 in Microsoft Windows Embedded Student Competition. Besides, he was awarded the second prize in 2006 National Undergraduate Student Embedded System Contest and the 2007 Special Scholarship for Technology Innovation of Nanjing University, etc. For those who are interested in his experiences, you can find his detail profile here.
Born in a what was so called semi-English-speaking family, he is possessed of a good command of English and can speak it fluently. His characteristics varies a lot from a traditional engineer in most people's minds. He is not a tech nerd(at least not just a tech nerd)but an active talker and enthusiastic about making new friends. His interests also cover a lot of area -- sociology(especially North American culture), history, geography and biology. In the casual time,he is in favor of traveling, photography and 3D animation creation. And maybe one day he will get the chance to travel around the world, just like he always goes after.
Last words, welcome to Miles' blog. We can be friends^_^
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Show Mac Book Pro -- Cool Stuff!
I got "my good buddy" today. Cool stuff! Though I haven't get used to it, I felt better when I found the shell. After all, it's a Unix system, not a strange stuff for a Solaris/Linux guy, right?
Share some pictures with you guys.
Share some pictures with you guys.
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