Warning: Could not start Excel server for export - Use xlwrite

Update 04/12/15 - The following steps will add xlwrite and its jar files to Matlab dynamic path. However, you will have to redo the steps again every time you restart Matlab. To go about this, add the jar files to Matlab static path. Check here.

I can use xlsread in Matlab for Mac successfully, however using xlswrite gives me the following error:

After some googling and trying on csvwrite, I find another code on Mathworks. I strongly suggest those out there that hesitate to use csvwrite to give this a try.

This pic-post will walk you through on how to use xlwrite.

Step 1:
1. Download xlwrite .

2. Unzip it and put all the files in your designated folder. (I'm a digital-organised freak).

Content of your downloaded files.

3. We want to know the path to all this POI files. On Mac, click cmd+i.

cmd+i to get the information of the files

4. In Matlab command windows, use javaaddpath to add all the needed jar files.

Or you can add 'xlwrite' to Matlab path. 

That's all. You can see 'test_xlwrite.xlsx' is created in your current folder.

See file xlwrite or go to <url> for full license details.

Windows 7 Startup Looping Infinitely

*** Feel free to jump to the end of this page for the potential solution ***

I have been neglecting to help anyone to reformat their laptop. Installing Windows used to be an easy and straight forward job. Ten years ago you probably need 4 parts: Get a working Windows installer, Format the desire partition, re-install windows, install utility drivers (come along with your laptop in a CD)

But now, you no longer get the Utility CD when everything just a click away. Maybe few clicks away...

Back then, all laptops more or less the same. What made it difference are the specs, what's the CPU used, RAM and hard disk capacity, graphic card etc. But today, with product differentiation, by making the product unique and attractive to consumers, a laptop no longer just about its hardware specification and operating system. 

I only have one windows laptop which is by Acer. I'm pretty happy with. I got it slightly cheaper than the retail price because it was open OS. Meaning the shop that sold it to me installed a non-genuine Windows for me to get started. I don't mind. Acer's laptop in 2009 have another feature called Empowerment Technology (if I'm not mistaken hehe). However that function on my keyboard never seems to response every time I press on it. And yeah 7 years later I still have no idea what I missed from not having this feature on my Acer. 

On the contrary, that could be what I gain. I lost count on how many times I formatted this Acer laptop and I never really encountered any weird problems. It usually took me maximum of 1 hour to format and reinstall, get it up and running like new. 

But hell, yesterday I spent more than 10 hours just to re-install Windows 7 on an Asus laptop. 7 years ago, my Acer was differentiated by one feature, which I happy not to have. But Asus today ... wow. All I can is you should leave formatting a laptop to the professional technician. Where they have all the necessary utility drivers and  access to fast internet in case they need to look for one. 

Ok, so when I almost finish installing Windows 7 on Asus, as usual I get the message that the system will restart several times to complete the installation. And I was like.. Ok.. whatever, just get it done. 

The system was not just restart like 5, 6 or 7 times, but I lost count. I checked my timer, this is unusual. It has been more than an hour and still not done? I was reinstalling about 3 or 4 times, trying both 32 and 64 bit. Then I know I fall into the startup loop. What I can observe: boot up > "windows is loading files" > windows logo > Asus background > boot up

I was googling around and found some commands to try, but to no avail in my case. 

Anyway you may check out this link first, it may work for you, but if NOT, try the steps below :

1. Boot up using your windows installer
2. Click repair/ system recovery options
3. Choose command prompt (If your path is X:\Sources,set it to C, just type C:)
4. Type the following command

bootrec /fixmbr 

bootrec/fixboot 

It's true everything is just one click away, but the RIGHT solution could be 1000 clicks away.

Heal The World Run Series

As I mentioned in my last running post, I was aiming too high to run a half marathon, when I can't even maintaining running a 10 km comfortably with no/minimal injury. So, this is what I'm gonna do. Training to run ~10 km comfortably.

In conjunction with my new goal, today I registered for another 3 charity/awareness run. I wish I have more cash to register for all the other run. But later on I'm glad I didn't. Recall my lesson from Too Fast Too Soon or Too Much Too Soon. Now I am more accepting of my limitations and just strive to make each run better than the last and slowly increased my stamina and endurance to run farther.

Thanks to Heal The World Run Series, currently I'm not sure it officially organised by which or how many associations. According to the T-shirt: Wild Life Alliance, but feel free to check out their official facebook  =) There are at least 12 series, in order:

1. Borneon Elephant Run, 23 Aug 2015 (missed :( )

2. Wild Run, 4 Oct 2015

• Venue:  Likas Parking Area
• Route: Likas - KK - Likas
• Distance:  10.7 km
• Late fee $74.74

3. Rhino X-Run, 6 Dec 2015 

• Venue: Likas Parking Area
• Route: Likas - KK Area - Signal Hill - Likas
• Distance: 8 km
• Crazy bird fee $84.99

4. Sun Bear Run, 28 Feb 2016 

• Venue: Tanjung Aru Area
• Route: Perdana Park -  T. Aru Beach - Perdana Park Area
• Distance: 9 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 27 Nov 2015

5. Run Forest Run, 20 March 2016

• Venue: UMS Area
• Route: UMS - 1 Borneo - UMS
• Distance: 10 km / 15 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 19 Dec 2015

6. Green Corridor Run, 24 April 2016 

• Venue:  Penampang Stadium Area
• Route: Penampang Stadium Area - Lintas - Stadium
• Distance: 12 km / 21 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 23 Jan 2016

Catch the early bird registration =)

To be registered (hopefully...):

7. Cultural Diversity and Ocean Run, 22 May16 

• Venue:  Kota Kinabalu (Tentatively Oceanus)
• Route: Oceanus - Tg. Aru Beach - Oceanus
• Distance: 11 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 21 Feb 16

8. World Conservative Run,  3 July16 

• Venue:  Likas Stadium
• Route: Likas Stadium - Suria - Likas Stadium
• Distance: 10 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 9 April 2016

9. World Primate Run, 11 km, 7 Aug 16 

• Venue: Karamunsing Area
• Route: Karamunsing - Likas - Karamunsing
• Distance: 11 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 6 May 2016

10. Borneo Big 6 Run, 11 Sept 2016 

• Venue:  1 Borneo
• Route: 1 Borneo  - DUN - 1 Borneo 
• Distance: 12 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 10 June 2016

11. Wild Run, 10 km, 2 Oct 2016 

• Venue:  Likas Parking Area
• Route: Likas - KK - Likas
• Distance:  10 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 1 July 2016

12. Mountain Run, 15 km, 11 Dec 2016 

• Venue: TBA
• Route: TBA
• Distance: 15 km
• Early bird fee $60 ended 10 Sept 2016

Details may subject to change, check their FB :)

Running for a better world, day after day, mile after mile...

Too Fast Too Soon

So after my last run 4 days ago, I was so keen and rush to keep up with my Penang bridge half marathon training, I hit the track again. I thought 4 days are enough for recovery, and a little bit of soreness is usual, I thought...

But again I was wrong, I felt this unusual sharp pain on my shin. Trying to carry on for another few meters but then I really need to stop. I walk briskly to the bench, hoping nobody realise the pain and disappointment bottle up inside, facing the sun set over the sea... (dramatic imagination intended), I took out my phone and wrote my journal.

Okay , I decided to stop forcing myself. Being able to run 10 km once, is nothing! Doesn't mean the following week I should able to run 11 km. What I really need to do is strengthen my muscle before topping up the distance. That means training to run 10 km, for at least 5 times, comfortably, before thinking to add in distance.

Important lesson : Too fast too soon = Injury

Until next time..

Engineering Run for Lights

I registered for our local campus run kinda last minute. I found 7 km is not that challenging and don't bother at all, but boy I was wrong. I forgot my university located at a hilly area and I just finished my longest run last week. Not sure if I was fully recover for this run.

I thought this will be a good workout, new running environment, and with group of students. I got to the registration sharp at 6:30 am, rushing coz I thought I was late, but I forgot this is more like an amateur program. So the running started at 7:30 am, and I was hungry and thirsty. I had my (light) breakfast before 6 am, planning to eat at least an hour before run. Never mind, I will just pull through, hoping this gonna be like my usual run, under 1 hour.

Again I was wrong, I thought there will be drinks provided every 2, 3 km but no. Calm myself down, this is organised by the students... I don't want to run uphill coz it's not energy efficient for me. If i can walk faster, or maybe walk at the same speed as I running uphill, I think I better walk, thats logic. But I can't run downhill either cause I have a broken toenail. Sigh...  Anyway, I finished it with series of walk and run.

One thing I got to say, I never aim to win any medal or prize. I run for fun, charity, fitness and of course I don't think I can beat other seasoned runners. But I really should have join the women open category. Why? Cause seems like there were only 2 participant in the women open category. Apparently, I was the first research assistant got to the finish line, which I should have get $100. Huh... minus my $35 registration fee, I might as well made some profit from running =)

What can I say, I registered last minute and mistaken bout so many things before 8 in the morning, but hell yeah it was a good start of my long productive day. After run I went to the public pool and had a nice dip, then 2 hours of full body massage, had lunch in the cinema while watching Pan, and end it with my sign language briefing (coincidentally scheduled at the end of the day). I guess I just reached a whole new level of masturdating today :p

World Animal Day - Wild Run 2015

Last Sunday, 4th October 2015, was the World Animal Day -  Wild Run 2015, organised by Wildlife Alliance n Valiant Avengers. This is my first 10 KM run, although I started running since 2012 (I started running after a bad haircut incident) then stopped. It has always been my dream to run a half-marathon before I hit 30. Though I had forgotten my dream over one excuse or another, but I just turn 30 this year and thought it will be never too late to start now. One small step at a time..

Recently, I have been training for my first half marathon, only God knows when it's gonna be, but anyway I feel pretty good to go for this 10 KM. I have been jogging 7, 8 KM along Tg. Lipat. To be honest, I felt quite lazy a few days before the race. I was exhausted from my sign-language course and postgraduate research seminar that just ended last Friday.

Anyway, reporting time at stadium Likas car park was at 6am so I woke up at about 4 am to get ready. I read somewhere people do get up as early as 3 or 4 am so I decided to do the same. I had an apple and a cup of coffee and watched a series of Agatha Christie - Poirot.  I just got my usual running gear, running shoes, iPhone 4 fully-charged, and the case to strap on arm. I got to the stadium on time, traffic was good and lot of parking. In the stadium, I just followed the crowd and listen to the organisers countdown on the loudspeaker. The atmosphere was pretty good altho I came by myself. There was drone in the air capturing the event.

So off everyone went, I am not sure how many runners there were. It was a nice morning, great weather. We were running up hill Jalan Bukit Bendera, coming down to Padang Merdeka, turning left at the next traffic light heading to Berjaya Palace Hotel, climbing up the asphalt road again, heading to Bulatan Nenas, coming down to Jalan Tuaran. I thought we were gonna turn left at the traffic light and finished off in another 500 m but no, we carried on to the next junction turning left to Bangunan Jabatan Pendidikan.

Most runners/joggers/walker literally walked to the finished line. So did I. I checked my time, 1:40 mins for 10 KM? I wasn't aiming too high, just wanna finish it under 1:30. But, I told myself it was a HILLY run and giving myself a pat on the shoulder. I love the feeling running past Habib Suite, which I usually just able to look up from coastal road. After the run, I stayed a while for the police dogs demonstration, took some pics, some selfie with Husky and French Bulldog. There were awesome. 

Until my next run/jog: Engineering Run 4 Lights (10/10/15)

Zip Folder in Mac OS X (Mavericks)

Steps:

1. Launch Terminal

2. Type the command

zip -er ~/Desktop/EncryptedFolder.zip ~/Desktop/Journal

3.  Enter the password and verify (in Terminal, the will not display)

Input = Journal (located at Desktop)
Output = EncryptedFolder.zip (put back at Desktop)

Zipping a folder in Desktop and put back the zipped folder in Desktop

To open the encrypted folder, just double-click then expanded in Mac OS X  Finder or Windows (not necessary to unzip in Terminal)

Can do so in terminal:

unzip EncryptedFolder.zip

Until next time. Tata ~