Computer Camp 2015

The 3-Day, all-expenses-paid Computer Camp held at a 4-Star Hotel was simply too attractive to miss. Naturally, we applied. Unfortunately, only one of us was granted permission to attend. I bargained hard with the Organizer to allow my wife to join as well, but my request was politely declined. In the end, I decided to go alone - hoping at least to make new friends and learn about the latest innovations in IT.

Interestingly, this year’s camp had a strict rule: no couples were allowed. Even though many applied together, only one partner was accepted. Being the 8th Annual Camp, I believe the Organizer had good reason for this policy. With the venue located inside the sprawling Suria Shopping Mall, perhaps they feared the temptation of couples sneaking off for shopping instead of attending the sessions!

What surprised me most, however, was the participant breakdown: out of 40 campers, only 14 were men. The rest were women. It made me wonder - are women today more “attached” to their smartphones? Or are men generally confident enough in handling their devices that they feel no need to spend three days in a camp learning new tricks? These were the nagging questions I carried throughout.

Times have certainly changed. Gone are the days when campers lugged around laptops. At this camp, everything was taught using only our smartphones.

The program covered four main areas:

1. Photography

2. Two free downloadable apps: Snapseed and Google Slides

3. WeChat

At the end of the camp, the majority of women expressed that learning WeChat was the most valuable takeaway. Does this, perhaps, answer my earlier questions?

Beyond the formal lessons, the camp also offered unexpected side benefits - particularly in meeting new people. One participant, who owns an audiometry clinic, generously offered free hearing tests to all 40 campers. I took up the offer, and soon after, the clinic contacted me for the test. As I suspected, the results confirmed a significant degree of permanent hearing loss. And now, I am left to ponder the inevitable next step: Am I ready to start wearing a hearing aid?

Campers and members of the Sabah Computer Society.

The rooftop of the Grandis Hotel has quickly become a popular gathering spot for both hotel guests and casual patrons. Perched high above the bustling streets, it offers not just a comfortable setting but also one of the most strategic vantage points to witness the famed Kota Kinabalu sunset.

When I first made my way up to the rooftop, I was not disappointed. The sweeping view of the city skyline merging into the South China Sea, bathed in hues of orange, pink, and gold, was nothing short of mesmerizing. It was easy to see why so many consider this spot the perfect place to unwind at day’s end - whether with a quiet drink in hand, light conversation among friends, or simply in solitude, soaking in the beauty of nature’s daily masterpiece.