Take nothing for granted

by Jonathan in Jonaize, Victoria School on Wednesday May 18, 2005 at 2218hours

Today was the beginning of the Head Prefect Elections 05 (HPE .05). Extensive coding was complete, testing was carried out and we were all set to start the elections.

Carried out a quick run through the system 5 mins before the elections were open. All systems go. Deployed the probates and prefects to their respective rooms and prepared to sit back, relax, and enjoy my automated system feed me up to the minute updates on whats going on.. All was well…

And then BAM! Connections to the voting system (on jonaize.com) started dropping like ripe durians off the durian tree. Drop. Drop. Drop. Gateway Timeout.

Damn. I thought my server had crashed, Nope. I thought my script was down, Nope. I thought I was being DDoSed (attacked if you don’t know what DoS is), Nope. So what the fish was wrong?!?!??!

Panic. Tries everything in my power to restore access. Failed. Got a prefect to ask someone to test my server from his computer. Works fine. EH?!?!?!?!?!?

Ok. To cut a long story short, MOE (or a server upstream from them) decided to block access to jonaize.com. Wonderful. Called off the first round of elections, started contemplating what would be the next best course of action.

Finally decided to recode the system to port it to the VS server. So with renewed determination, and a whole 3 hours to do it, I set down and got to work, aided along by the loud laughter, signing and gossiping of those in the room.

End result: system ported (though not fully) and I managed to get the e-lect system up and running. Very messy, very inconvenient, extremely stressful, but no choice.

Moral of the story: Take nothing for granted. Account for everything. Bah, some lessons need to be learned the hard way…

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Crossroads of life, looking back at VJ..

by Jonathan in VJC on Friday May 13, 2005 at 2219hours

Apologies for the extreme lack of updates. I’ve been busy lately, but essentially didn’t have the mood to blog. Last few weeks have been very slack, with me skipping Tutorials and only going for Econs and Computing. Now I don’t have to skip them anymore.

Yup. I’ve withdrawn from VJC. Sigh.

I guess what Farand said about us getting too attached to things we partake in is true. And also since I’ve made some new friends that I will miss.

The highlight of the day would have to be when the girls in S64 bid me a final farewell before they left for Econs Tutorial. Was really touched. Thanks guys (ok, so its technically girls but I’m too used to using ‘guys’), really appreciate it.

Oh, and not sure if this is a good place to put this but I got a really nice, warm and sincere smile from Tricia (from my (now ex) class). Now I know what people mean when they say that a smile can light up the darkest of nights and the gloomiest of days..

Headed back down to VS after that for Head Prefect Elections Briefing, but I think I’ll save that for tomorrow.

To all whom gave me their well wishes and goodbyes, Thank you!

To the VS class mates/camp mates/school mates in VJ now, sorry for not continuing in VJ with you guys. Keep in touch ya?

To the wonderful friends I’ve made over the course of badminton trainings, its been a pleasure training with you, keep the team alive!

And last but not least to 05S64, Its been one special and wonderful experience with you guys (and girls). Between the lame jokes, comic moments, desperation and despair over tutors and the stress of life in VJ, its truly been one hell of a journey, surely one in which I will never forget. Many thanks for making my short stay in VJ so much more happening. You ppl rock!

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Back to Work

by Jonathan in Jonaize, Life on Sunday May 1, 2005 at 2356hours

Ok, now that I’ve confirmed that I’ll be withdrawing from VJC, I’m starting to shift my priorities back to Jonaize. Which means good news for cBoard users (who will be swimming in new features very soon) and bad news for my morality, as I really should continue to put in my 100% towards classes in VJ.

I’ve been busy these past few days coding (enhancing really) the script for the Head Prefect Elections 05. With an improved interface and a ton more security features. And potentially a new voting registration and tracking system as well. Fun, fun, fun.

18 May is the tentative date for my withdrawal. I’m not exactly looking forward to it though, already becoming attached to my class and the school. Nonetheless, I WILL scale the rockwall before I leave. Its do or die. Anyone want to join me? Wall opens on Tuesdays, but I don’t think I’ll try this week, got tournament on wednesday, not like I will be playing though. Oh well, we’ll see..

“We do not return to you, mother,
Because we never really left.”

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