Worm

In recent weeks a worm, a malicious software program, has swept through corporate, educational and public computer networks around the world. Known as Conficker or Downadup Experts say it is the worst infection since the Slammer worm exploded through the Internet in January 2003, and it may have infected as many as nine million personal computers around the world. Conficker harness infected computers into unified systems called botnets, which can then accept programming instructions from their clandestine masters. It might operate in the background, using the infected computer to send spam or infect other computers, or it might steal the PC user’s personal information.

If you were serious about your CCTV deployment, it is a must to have a dedicated computer to host the PCI DVR card. In other words you should not use the same PC for any other purposes but to run the DVR main server program. A dedicated PC server will definitely reduce the chances of infecting computer viruses and hence reduce the down time of the DVR.

Up vs. Down

Couple of days ago I went to the airport with a friend. At the lift lobby he pressed the down button. I asked him, “ain't we suppose to go up to the arrival hall at 3^rd Floor?”. Huai answered, “ Yes. That's why I call the lift car down as both cars are on the top floor.”

This incident remind me of a quote from JAWS, the 1975 classic shark movie directed by Steven Spielberg.

Brody: It doesn't make any sense when you pay a guy like you to watch sharks.

Hooper: Well, uh, it doesn't make much sense for a guy who hates the water to live on an island either.

Brody: It's only an island if you look at it from the water.

Hooper: That makes a lot of sense.

That is why the same DVR interface, some users find it friendly & easy and other don't. I guess it all boils down to one's perspective & way of reasoning.

Vaastu Shastra

A prospect asked us to work out a CCTV system for his new bungalow in Bangsar with one extra requirement, that is the placement of those cameras should be according to the advise of his Vaastu Shastra (Indian Feng Shui) master.

I am not against Feng Shui but for any CCTV deployment we already have enough elements to consider; the building structure, illumination & the light source(s) at different time of the day, aesthetic & tidiness of the deployment. Just to name a few.

Then again, this new element... or rather OLD Feng Shui belief could turn out to be vary popular and not to be taken lightly especially during this anticipated prolong depressing economy period.

Well, you never know, Feng Shui could be the next big thing in our CCTV industry.