Eric Liu

I've always been interested in software development and computers. I joined ThoughtWorks in Feb 2001 after completing my MSc in Software Engineering from the University of Calgary, Canada. Here's my resume before I joined ThoughtWorks.

Besides kicking back with a cup of coffee (or Second Cup's excellent White Mocca), I enjoy a small variety of activities. I try to do some high-intensity strength training once a week ("try" is the right word :-). Indoors, I love table-tennis and badminton, and used to do a bit of rock-wall climbing. Outdoors, I like rollerblading and cycling in the summer; snowboarding in the winter. In the past, I've been involved with Karate, wrestling, gymnastics, Judo, a swim team, and a brass band (I played the trumpet, flugelhorn, and baritone).

I also enjoy some TV (have you seen Cowboy Bebop?), movies (loved The Game), and video games (Halo is fun!). I also enjoy reading computer technology-related news and listening to some music.

New content:

• Macrovision [Oct 5, 2004] Talks about the protection scheme which causes the picture to have weird colours and sound to buzz when I play DVD's on my XBox, which can only be connected to my TV through my VCR.
• Tontie [July 20, 2004] An updated version of a classic game, with some power-ups and surprises. You just play using the number pad. Oh yah, click on the hammer.
• Zuma [July 20, 2004] Nice quick-paced game.
• Diamond Mine (aka Bejewled) [Jan 4, 2002] So simple to play, yet so addictive you'll probably hate the one who introduced the game to ya!
• Link to PiCoMap [Sep 11, 2001] Neat concept mapping tool for the PalmOS I came across.
• BART and Caltrain PalmOS-based schedules [June 22, 2001] I came across these while exploring my public transportation options in the SF Bay Area.
• Bubblet [Jun 9, 2001] Mike Kwok introduced me to this simple yet addictive game -- keep bursting bubbles that are adjacent and of the same colour. There are versions for Emacs, Win32, and Palm OS.
• Developing for Palm using Java [May 12, 2001] I just started investigating how to develop applications for the Palm using Java, and have already encountered some gotcha's.
• Playing with my Palm (the PDA! the PDA!) [May 7, 2001] Recently got a Palm m100 and having quite some fun with it! The biggest challenge is figuring out what you want to use it for.
• Importing a vehicle from Canada into the US [Apr 24, 2001] Are you relocating from Canada to work in the States, and planning on bringing your car with you? Here are some things you might want to know.

Feel free to view my personal collection of photos:

• Chicago "Blog" 2004
• Atlanta "Blog" 2004
• Other Misc. Photos
• Mrs. Lim in Calgary 2004
• Toronto Area 2004 [June] [September]
• Stanley Cup Final 2004
• Martina's Wedding 2004
• Holiday Season 2003
• Louis Riel 'Reunion' 2003
• Moving Day 2003
• Mini Reunion 2003
• Morgan Inspection 2003
• Toronto Area 2002
• Morgan Preview 2002
• Lake Louise 2002
• Sonoma 2002
• Hong Kong 2001
• Convocation 2001
• Fellow software engineering students
• Summer 2000
• Spring 2000
• Los Angeles 1999
• Asia 1998

Some useful resources I still continue to use:

• Search ftp sites by filename
• Search for photos using Google, AltaVista (click on Images), ditto.com, or fotofinder.net
• Compare 10-10 phone rates
• Convert currencies, time zones, documents, salaries in different cities, documents to web pages, English to Chinese, pinyin to Chinese, and number of strokes to Chinese
• Maps of US and Canada (for those hard-to-find states and provinces)
• Free clip-art at Clip Gallery Live and Animation Factory (useful for spicing up presentation slides)
• Verify validity of chain letters and virus warnings
• Lookup file format information
• Lookup the phonetic alphabet chart (that is alpha, bravo, charlie, ...)

I now live in Calgary, after relocating to San Bruno, CA for a while and then relocating back. Email is "Eric Liu is at hotmail dot com" and ICQ# is 4453876.

Eric Liu
Last modified: December 31, 2004