ITEX 2011

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Khirulnizam.com

http://www.itex.com.my/

20-22 May 2011, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center.

Additional info on Solving the Arabic UTF-8 Transaction Issues in the Online Malay-Arabic Dictionary

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Khirulnizam.com

While maintaining the Web version of this dictionary, I found that there is an important part in our first academic paper that we forgot to mention. It is the command for the mysql to treat the word entry as in UTF-8 unicode character format.

The code:

if (!mysqli_set_charset($db, "utf8")) {

     printf("Error loading character set utf8: %s\n", mysqli_error($connect));

//mysql_set_charset — Sets the client character set, so when the data is transfered to the web browser, it is in UTF8 character set.

This function is supposed to be inserted after the PHP page established the connection to the MySQL server. Which looks like the code below.

//to create the bridge

$db=mysqli_connect("localhost","root","","ftsi");

//connection failed

if($db==false){//connection error

    echo("Connection failed : ".

            mysqli_connect_error($db));

    exit();

//u are connected to db

else{

    //echo("Connected to database <hr>");

//Unicode character setting

if (!mysqli_set_charset($db, "utf8")) {

   printf("Error loading character set utf8: %s\n", mysqli_error($connect));

} else {

   //printf("Current character set: %s\n", mysqli_character_set_name($connect));

Hope this would help!!!

This is our first article published in an academic conference. There is one thing we, somehow or rather, forgot to mention. And we would like you to pardon us. The additional info is as in the code above.

View this document on Scribd

Silver for m-Dictionary-App @ MTE 2011

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Khirulnizam.com

Quite a memorable yet frustrating experience. I aimed for GOLD, but…

I think the major weakness of the prototype is lack of revenue-generating model. I have no intention of selling this app, that’s for sure. Why? Because I do not believe that Malaysian or the Android users are willing to spend some money to buy mobile apps. I should have embedded the AdMob advertisement in the apps. So the next step is the to add the revenue generating model.

Anyway, these are some pictures for my personal record.

This is our booth.

Rahman, the person who work the hardest. The Chief delegate, the project manager, and the Head of Innovation Unit. Kudos to him, for the success of the exhibition.

Me after the presentation.

Muizz, waiting patiently for the dinner ()which was delayed for 30minutes waiting for the VIPs.

Me, which also waiting hungrily for the dinner to start.

Muizz and Ali – two good looking guys on the winners podium.

The medal, I’d prefer it’s a bit yellowish (gold).

The project will not appear in ITEX 2011, which is scheduled in May 2011. I’d rather pitch at PECIPTA 2011, on September 2011. See you there.

Generating revenue for Mobile Apps?

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Khirulnizam.com

Most of us love free apps. However there are many bills that the developer has to pay in providing a great app. To pay the programmer, graphic designer, domain name, file server; these are some examples of bills that the developer need to pay.

Then, how to fund a great app. Ads is the easiest way, yet it is annoying. Most ads need to access the Internet in order to fetch the related ads content for a specific apps. And normally it consume your data network. If you’re connected to WiFi then I assumed it’s OK. But how if it consume your 3G network, then that is not good.

These are some of the dilemmas that the developers face in order to bring a great app alive to benefit users. Does these stop us. YES, if you are a software house having to pay your staffs and the overhead bills. NO, if you are a part-time developer (like me). It will only slow us down.

However for the sake of the great apps, why don’t we give some. It’s not your money directly we’d like to take. Just a small contribution of your data network to give a chance to the ads. Hopefully this will develop a win-win situation. You can have the apps free, and we can have the fund to improvise the app, and eventually you will get a better app.

How about that?

And we have decided to put AdMob ads in this app. Previously it was founded by Omar Hamoui, and was acquired by Google Inc. in November 2010.

Download the mDictionaryApp installer (Alpha release for Android only)

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Khirulnizam.com

Click here to download the APK file. This installation will install the Alpha release of the Android version. We are working hard to release the iPhone and Symbian version.

Or use your barcode scanner to capture the QR code from your Android smartphone.

To make sure the installation file can be installed to your Android phone, make sure to allow installation of non-Market applications. Change this in Settings->Applications->Unknown sources . Make sure to check the status.

INSTALLATION

By using a QR-code scanner (ZXing Barcode Scanner), scan the QR-code above. Or in your web browser, go to here http://bit.ly/kamus-ame .

-> -> -> –> And its ready to use.

ARABIC SOFTKEYBOARD INSTALLATION

Unfortunately, Android does not have a strong support in handling Arabic font (unless you flash your phone ROM, and install the XDA Developers hacked version of Android OS-I will not cover this method, most likely it will void your warranty). You must have the Arabic Softkeyboard installed. To do this, visit http://bit.ly/ask1-1 . And install the downloaded APK to your phone.

After you’ve finished installing the Arabic SoftKeyboard, go to Settings->Locale and Text and check the Arabic Soft Keyboard .