Category Archives: ok

Pelikan M700 Tolédo

In 1931, Pelikan adopted a technique of Damascus steel engraving into a design of its fountain pen. This method, brought to Spain by the Arabs and perfected in Tolédo, involves engraving patterns into steel or iron surfaces, overlaying them with a thin sheet of gold, and heating the object to oxidise the steel while leaving the gold to shine brilliantly​​. Today, Pelikan still uses this technique for two Souverän series: M700 and M900. The elegant M700 has arrived last week.

The M700 Tolédo features a decorative sleeve made from a single piece of 925 Sterling Silver, which is intricately hand-engraved and covered with a layer of gold. This results in a beautifully contrasting design that combines the dark oxidised silver with the luminous gold patterns. The cap, front piece, and end piece of the pen are crafted from high-quality black resin, adding to its overall elegance and durability​​.

Pelikan M700 Tolédo is similar in size to the Pelikan Souverän M400, with a length of approximately 12.5 cm when capped and 14.7 cm when posted. It has a comfortable weight of about 23 grams, making it well-balanced and easy to handle for prolonged writing sessions​​.

One of the most distinguished features of the M700 is its nib. The pen is equipped with an Au750 (18K gold) nib adorned with rhodium accents, available in various sizes. Mine has medium size. This bi-color nib not only enhances the pen’s aesthetic appeal but also ensures a smooth and pleasurable writing experience. The pen utilizes a high-capacity piston filling system, which is both efficient and easy to use​.

Each M700 fountain pen is a unique piece, individually designed, hand-signed, and numbered. The intricate hand-engraving process means that no two pens are exactly alike. Due to the extensive manual labor involved, only a limited number of these pens —up to 200— can be produced each month. This exclusivity adds to the pen’s allure as a collector’s item and a piece of art​.

The pen is presented in a luxurious silk-lined wooden gift box, adding to its prestige and making it an excellent choice for a cherished gift. This thoughtful presentation underscores Pelikan’s attention to detail and dedication to providing a premium product experience​.

M700 is not just a writing instrument — it is a piece of history. The pen’s design has remained virtually unchanged since its introduction, preserving the heritage and craftsmanship of the Tolédo technique. This makes owning a Tolédo M700 akin to owning a small piece of art history​.

Storytelling

Penceritaan, narasi, atau storytelling merupakan cara alami dan mendasar untuk memahami dan menjelaskan dunia. Sebagai model acuan mental, cerita membentuk struktur dasar bagaimana manusia menyusun, mengaitkan, dan mengingat informasi. Dalam setiap cerita, terdapat alur, tokoh, dan konteks yang memberikan kerangka terstruktur, memungkinkan otak manusia mengolah informasi kompleks menjadi pola yang lebih mudah dipahami. Cerita mampu mentransformasikan ide-ide abstrak menjadi sesuatu yang konkret, menciptakan hubungan emosional dan kognitif antara pendengar atau pembaca dengan gagasan yang disampaikan.

Dalam masyarakat, cerita berfungsi sebagai media utama untuk menyampaikan wawasan budaya, tradisi, dan nilai-nilai. Sebagai sarana kolektif, cerita membantu menjaga kesinambungan identitas budaya, mengajarkan norma-norma sosial, dan memperkuat rasa kebersamaan. Wawasan budaya yang tersampaikan melalui cerita tidak hanya memperkaya pemahaman individu tetapi juga memperkuat ikatan dalam komunitas, menciptakan kesadaran kolektif yang lebih mendalam.

Di tingkat personal, cerita memiliki hubungan langsung dengan model mental seseorang. Manusia lebih mudah mengingat dan memahami konsep ketika informasi disajikan dalam bentuk narasi yang terstruktur. Keterkaitan logis dan emosional dalam cerita memungkinkan individu memproses kondisi rumit dengan lebih baik. Ketika elemen-elemen cerita dipadukan dengan emosi, gambar mental, dan konteks relevan, ini membantu membentuk konsep yang lebih kokoh dalam memori jangka panjang.

Cerita dimanfaatkan secara luas dalam berbagai bidang untuk mencapai tujuan tertentu. Dalam komunitas, cerita digunakan untuk menyebarkan pengetahuan secara efektif, baik dalam bentuk tradisional seperti folklore maupun melalui media modern. Di ranah intelektual, cerita menjadi alat untuk menghimpun dan melembagakan pengetahuan sebagai bagian dari intellectual capital (IC). Dengan menstrukturkan pengetahuan dalam bentuk narasi, cerita membantu organisasi atau komunitas menciptakan aset pengetahuan yang dapat diwariskan dan diakses lintas generasi. Dalam pendidikan, cerita memainkan peran penting dalam meningkatkan efektivitas pembelajaran. Melalui cerita, siswa dapat lebih mudah memahami materi pelajaran, mengaitkannya dengan pengalaman pribadi, dan membangun pemahaman yang lebih mendalam.

Menariknya, cerita tidak selalu harus diingat dalam detailnya. Dalam banyak kasus, elemen kunci dari cerita, yang terekam sebagai priming memory, dapat memicu akses ke memori sadar di saat-saat tertentu. Misalnya, sebuah cerita tentang keberanian dapat memunculkan pola pemikiran atau tindakan tertentu saat seseorang menghadapi situasi sulit. Dengan demikian, cerita tidak hanya berfungsi sebagai media pengajaran tetapi juga sebagai pemandu bawah sadar yang membentuk cara seseorang bertindak dan bereaksi dalam kehidupan sehari-hari.


Beberapa buku yang menggunakan pendekatan storytelling untuk menyampaikan wawasan mendalam antara lain:

Bahkan, kitab suci tidak disusun dalam bentuk pasal-pasal, melainkan melalui rangkaian cerita yang sarat makna, yang mampu memotivasi dan membimbing manusia. Perubahan dalam masyarakat lebih mungkin terjadi melalui wacana yang disampaikan dalam bentuk cerita, narasi historis, dan simbol-simbol, daripada melalui proposisi logis semata.

IEEE Briefing

IEEE Briefing was led by the IEEE President of 2024, Dr Tom Coughlin, while he paid a visit to Jakarta this week, accompanied by IEEE R10 Director Prof. Lance Fung, IEEE R10 Director-Elect Prof. Takako Hashimoto, IEEE R10 Women-in-Engineering Committee Chair Dr Agnes Irwanti, IEEE Malaysia Section Chair Dr Bernard Lim, and IEEE Indonesia Section Chair Prof. Gamantyo Hendrantoro. As part of the leadership activities, this IEEE briefing was held on the morning of May 14, followed by a talkshow broadcasted by TVRI.

Eid Mubarak & Free Palestine

Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum, taqabbal yaa kariim. As the crescent heralds the arrival of Eid’l Fitr, may the day bring us the great victory in our endeavour, the triumph of our spiritual renewal, and deep contemplation and gratitudes. Eid Mubarak.

University of Cambridge — Onoto

The University of Cambridge has a rich history that spans more than 800 years. Its origins can be traced back to 1209, when a group of scholars migrated to establish ofa new centre of learning in Cambridge. By 1231, the institution received a charter from King Henry III, which granted it significant privileges. This charter marked the beginning of the university’s official recognition and its rise as a prominent academic institution.

The university is organised into a series of colleges, with the first college, Peterhouse, founded by Hugh de Balsham in 1284. Each college is an independent institution with its own property and income, but all are part of the university, contributing to its rich academic and cultural environment.

The university played a significant role in the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution. Notable alumni include Sir Isaac Newton, who developed the principles of modern physics in the 17th century while at Cambridge. In the 20th and 21st centuries, Cambridge continued to expand and evolve, becoming a globally recognised and respected institution for higher learning and research. It has maintained a strong emphasis on scientific research and innovation, contributing to technological advancements and the development of new fields of study. Today, this university consists of over 30 colleges and numerous academic departments, faculties, and schools. It continues to be a leading centre for education and research, attracting students and scholars from around the world. The university’s commitment to excellence in education, research, and contribution to society remains steadfast, ensuring its place among the top universities globally for years to come.

I have an Onoto fountain pen designed for the University of Cambridge. It is a Magna Black & Gold model with the logo of this university on its crown, and a Trinity College crest; with Au750 F-sized nib. It is my second Onoto after the one designed for Oxford University.

Onoto, a prestigious brand of fountain pens from the United Kingdom, has a rich history and a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and cultural significance. The brand’s journey began in the early 20th century, making it an integral part of the fountain pen industry’s history and development. Its history dates back to 1905 when the brand was established by Thomas De La Rue & Co. The first Onoto pen, the Onoto Patent Self-filling Pen, was launched in 1905 and quickly gained fame for its innovative plunger-filling system, which was a novelty at the time. This filling mechanism allowed for a more straightforward and cleaner way to refill the pen, setting Onoto pens apart from their competitors.

Onoto pens are renowned for their high quality, craftsmanship, and durability. The brand has consistently emphasized the production of pens that are not only functional but also beautiful, often using precious metals, high-quality resins, and intricate designs. Collectors and users of Onoto pens value them for their smooth writing experience, balance, and the tactile pleasure they provide. In the 21st century, Onoto has experienced a revival, appealing to both collectors of vintage pens and enthusiasts of luxury writing instruments. The brand continues to produce limited editions and bespoke pens, often commemorating significant historical and cultural events, further enhancing its cultural significance and appeal to connoisseurs of fine pens.

University of Cambridge — Onoto

The University of Cambridge has a rich history that spans more than 800 years. Its origins can be traced back to 1209, when a group of scholars migrated to establish ofa new centre of learning in Cambridge. By 1231, the institution received a charter from King Henry III, which granted it significant privileges. This charter marked the beginning of the university’s official recognition and its rise as a prominent academic institution.

The university is organised into a series of colleges, with the first college, Peterhouse, founded by Hugh de Balsham in 1284. Each college is an independent institution with its own property and income, but all are part of the university, contributing to its rich academic and cultural environment.

The university played a significant role in the Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution. Notable alumni include Sir Isaac Newton, who developed the principles of modern physics in the 17th century while at Cambridge. In the 20th and 21st centuries, Cambridge continued to expand and evolve, becoming a globally recognised and respected institution for higher learning and research. It has maintained a strong emphasis on scientific research and innovation, contributing to technological advancements and the development of new fields of study. Today, this university consists of over 30 colleges and numerous academic departments, faculties, and schools. It continues to be a leading centre for education and research, attracting students and scholars from around the world. The university’s commitment to excellence in education, research, and contribution to society remains steadfast, ensuring its place among the top universities globally for years to come.

I have an Onoto fountain pen designed for the University of Cambridge. It is a Magna Black & Gold model with the logo of this university on its crown, and a Trinity College crest; with Au750 F-sized nib. It is my second Onoto after the one designed for Oxford University.

Onoto, a prestigious brand of fountain pens from the United Kingdom, has a rich history and a strong reputation for quality, innovation, and cultural significance. The brand’s journey began in the early 20th century, making it an integral part of the fountain pen industry’s history and development. Its history dates back to 1905 when the brand was established by Thomas De La Rue & Co. The first Onoto pen, the Onoto Patent Self-filling Pen, was launched in 1905 and quickly gained fame for its innovative plunger-filling system, which was a novelty at the time. This filling mechanism allowed for a more straightforward and cleaner way to refill the pen, setting Onoto pens apart from their competitors.

Onoto pens are renowned for their high quality, craftsmanship, and durability. The brand has consistently emphasized the production of pens that are not only functional but also beautiful, often using precious metals, high-quality resins, and intricate designs. Collectors and users of Onoto pens value them for their smooth writing experience, balance, and the tactile pleasure they provide. In the 21st century, Onoto has experienced a revival, appealing to both collectors of vintage pens and enthusiasts of luxury writing instruments. The brand continues to produce limited editions and bespoke pens, often commemorating significant historical and cultural events, further enhancing its cultural significance and appeal to connoisseurs of fine pens.

Agree–Scala Pre-JV Agreement

Agricultural transformation is a great technological and business opportunities with huge challenges and risks, requiring strategic-level collaboration or alliance in aggregating the capabilities, resources, while sharing the business risks that may occur.

Scala, a Japanese digital enterprise aiming to enhance the prosperity of mankind through digital technology development, has requested since last year to be the strategic partner of Telkom Indonesia in developing digital platform-based agricultural business transformation. We have spent months — days and nights — to discuss the aspects of technology development, business arrangement, ecosystem empowerment, etc for this strategic alliance preparation. Today, 1 April 2024, the representative of Scala BOD has signed the Agreement with EVP of Telkom’s Digital Business & Technology.

After the signing, we will follow up the agreement with some piloting (also in Leadership Transformation called the quick-wins) as a foundation for the collaborative transformation framework. We’ll see in the next months.

IMT-GT Strategic Planning 2024

IMT-GT SPM (Strategic Planning Meeting) 2024 is currently carried out in Jakarta, 23–25 March 2024. Leveraging regional economy through digital transformation and ecosystem-based strategy is still the main theme of the discussion. Representing Telkom Indonesia, we put our focus on cross-border MSME products transaction and delivery, expecting to design a pilot with different treatment in custom, logistics, and payment policies & best-practices, to be replicated wider after its initial piloting success.

Some pictures after the meeting on Sunday afernoon:

Yours truly with IMT-GT WGDT Chair
Business wings: The JBC
With MCI (Kemkominfo) Team

Kopi dan Kolesterol

Web ini cukup banyak mengulas efek kopi bagi kesehatan. Namun banyaknya penelitian-penelitian dalam beberapa tahun terakhir mendorong perlunya update pengetahuan atas dampak kopi bagi kesehatan. Serial tulisan ini akan dimulai dengan kolesterol.

Kolesterol tinggi atau hiperkolesterolemia dapat memiliki berbagai akibat negatif pada kesehatan kita. Kolesterol adalah lemak yang penting untuk berbagai fungsi tubuh, tetapi ketika kadar kolesterol dalam darah terlalu tinggi, dapat menyebabkan masalah kesehatan serius, termasuk penyakit jantung, stroke, aterosklerosis (pembentukan plak lemak dalam pembuluh darah), xanthomas (benjolan kuning di bawah kulit), batu empedu, gagal ginjal, kesehatan mata, hingga kesehatan mental (misalnya alzheimer).

Beberapa penelitian beberapa tahun terakhir tentang korelasi konsumsi kopi dan kadar kolesterol dalam tubuh manusia menghasilkan temuan-temuan berikut:

Altmaier dkk: Konsumsi kopi yang tinggi berkaitan dengan peningkatan kadar kolesterol dalam darah secara keseluruhan.

Ranheim dan Halvorsenr: Kopi rebus mengandung senyawa yang dapat meningkatkan kolesterol, dan dapat meningkatkan risiko penyakit kardiovaskular. Namun, kopi yang disaring tidak mengandung senyawa-senyawa ini dan tidak memiliki efek kardiovaskular yang merugikan; dan bahkan mungkin memberikan manfaat perlindungan terhadap diabetes mellitus tipe 2.

Wierzejska: Konsumsi setidaknya 3 cangkir kopi per hari dapat mengurangi risiko berbagai penyakit, termasuk diabetes tipe 2 dan penyakit kardiovaskular. Bagi penderita dislipidemia, disarankan kopi yang disaring karena mengandung lebih sedikit diterpen yang dapat meningkatkan kolesterol.

Halvorsen dkk: Senyawa cafestol yang ditemukan dalam kopi telah terbukti dapat mengurangi penyerapan kolesterol lipoprotein densitas rendah (LDL) dan mengurangi jumlah reseptor LDL dalam fibroblas kulit manusia, menunjukkan dampak negatif potensial pada kadar kolesterol.

Talebi dkk: Konsumsi kopi, dikombinasikan dengan program latihan di rumah, secara signifikan meningkatkan profil lipid darah pada pria paruh baya yang tidak aktif, termasuk penurunan kadar kolesterol LDL, kolesterol total, dan trigliserida, serta peningkatan kolesterol lipoprotein densitas tinggi (HDL).

Kokaze dkk: Penelitian pada polimorfisme genetik tertentu (Mt5178 C/A) menunjukkan bahwa konsumsi kopi secara positif berkaitan dengan kadar kolesterol LDL serum pada pria Jepang yang memiliki polimorfisme ini.

Onuegbu dan Agbedana: Konsumsi kopi dapat menyebabkan peningkatan kadar kolesterol total dan LDL dalam serum, yang dapat mengubah profil lipid serum dan meningkatkan risiko penyakit jantung koroner.

De Lima dkk: Kopi mengandung senyawa seperti cafestol dan kahweol, yang berkaitan dengan dislipidemia. Senyawa-senyawa ini telah diteliti memiliki dampak pada kadar kolesterol.

Rustan dkk: Keberadaan diterpen seperti cafestol dan kahweol dalam kopi rebus telah ditemukan dapat meningkatkan kadar kolesterol serum, khususnya kolesterol LDL.

Kesimpulannya, efek kopi pada kadar kolesterol bergantung pada jenis kopi (dijerang atau disaring), faktor genetik, serta keberadaan senyawa-senyawa tertentu dalam kopi. Meskipun beberapa studi menunjukkan efek merugikan pada kadar kolesterol, yang lain mengindikasikan manfaat kesehatan potensial, terutama dengan kopi yang disaring.

Inauguration of Prof Ford Lumban Gaol

Prof Ford Lumban Gaol was the Vice Chair when I serves as the Chairman of the IEEE Indonesia Section 2013-2015. He & I also co-lead the IEEE Tensymp 2016 in Bali. Then he experienced a lot as a visiting lecture in Russia and Japan. But today, we celebrate his inauguration as a Professor of Computer Science at the Binus University.

Dr Agnes, Prof Ford, Yours Truly — a reunion of 2013’s cabinet of the IEEE Indonesia Section

The inauguration was led by the Rector of Binus University, Dr. Nelly; and also attended by the Chair of the Senate Prof Harjanto Prabowo. Prof Harjanto mentioned that Prof Ford is the one who established Doctorate Program in Computer Science at Binus University.

As usual, the IEEE gang, i.e. the members of the Advisory Board and Executive Committee plus some other IEEE volunteers attended this inauguration as a special participants. Attended today: Prof Endra, Prof Dadang, Dr Wahidin, Dr Agnes, Mr Satriyo, and surely yours truly.

Serendipitously, I also met Dr Indra Utoyo as one of the speech presented, representing a community in Big Data development.

Dr Indra presented the collaborative innovation in Big Data-focused digital development and its influence to the society.

The ceremony was carried out ½ day, and continued by informal meetings & photo sessions.