Computer Viruses

Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation.

Through the course of using the Internet and your computer, you may have come in to contact with computer viruses. Many computer viruses are stopped before they can start, but there is still an ever growing concern as to what do computer viruses do and the list of common computer virus symptoms. A computer virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your email program to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk.

Computer viruses are often spread by attachments in email messages or instant messaging messages. That is why it is essential that you never open email attachments unless you know who it's from and you are expecting it.

Viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.

Computer viruses also spread through downloads on the Internet. They can be hidden in illicit software or other files or programs you might download.

To help avoid computer viruses, it's essential that you keep your computer current with the latest updates and antivirus tools, stay informed about recent threats, run your computer as a standard user (not as administrator), and that you follow a few basic ruleswhen you surf the Internet, download files, and open attachments.

Once a virus is on your computer, its type or the method it used to get there is not as important as removing it and preventing further infection.

Examples Reply for English Letter

Reply of Inquiry Letter 

MOUNTLEBAND CORPORATION.

109 THE FIFTH STREET

SINGAPORE 009

27th September 2011

Your Ref.             : KM/LS

Our Ref.               : RG/AE

Herjuno busana & Co.

No 208 Jl Cipaganti

Bandung 40131, West Java

Indonesia

Dear Mrs Karmila,

MOUNTLEBAND MENS SHIRTS MEDIUM SIZE

We thanks you for your inquiry about our mountleband mens shirts product.

We are enclosing our catalogue together with prices and terms, for your review and are confident that this catalogue will provide many of

the answers you have inquired.

We are also pleased to inform you that we will allow you a 9% discount on order of 50 pieces.

We hope you will find our prices and terms satisfactory and expecting your order as soon as possible.

If there is additional information you would like to know regarding our products, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be most happy to be of assistance.

Yours faithfully,

FOR MOUNTLEBAND CORPORATION

Robert Goh

Sales Manager

Reply of Application Letter 

Yayasan Kanaan

Jl. Kran Raya  No. 7 Telp (0352) 311 110

Jakarta Pusat (10610)

November 13, 2013

Number: 09/4-A/1/02

Subject: Call

Designation. Sdr. Fatah Ahmadi

Matraman Village District

Jakarta Pusat

In response to a job application letter you, we thank you. For further discussion,we expect the arrival of brothers on:

day, date : Monday, November 26, 2013

Time                   :  At 10.00 Am precisely

Purposes            :  TOEFL test and interview test in English

Place                  : 2nd Floor, room Summarecon B, Jl. Kran Raya  No. 7 Telp (0352) 311 110

   Jakarta Pusat (10610)

On occasion, we expect you :

1) Brings the original degree certificate

2) Bring a transcript and a copy

3) Bring 2B pencils and erasers

4)Wearing white dress and Under dark

Such a summons is made. Top your attention, I thank you.

HRD Manager,

Prof. Dr. Mac. Aroem, MSc.

Reply of Complaint Letter 

Customer Service

Cool Sports, LLC

8423 Green Terrace Road

Asterville, WA 65435

Tel: 0114 2872222

7 July 2004

Mr Ken Thomas

25 Finch Avenue

Marlborough

Leeds

LS20 2JT

Dear Mr Ken Thomas

Thank you for your letter of 30 June. I am sorry that the estimated period for completion of your a new pair of soccer cleats (item #6542951) has already been exceeded. I realize how much inconvenience this delay must be causing you.

You can send back that item to me and I will exchange it with a new pair of shoes cleats with the same merk and models of the item. I’m so apologize with this mistake because I have much order from the other buyers I hope you can  be understanding of a situasion.

Take it easy and relax at your home at the same time for waiting a new pair of soccer cleats from me.

Please do not hestitate to telephone me if you have any further questions.

Yours sincerely

     Dhitya

Reply of Order Letter 

Mozza Butique

Gotta, 2rd Floor

Tual, Maluku Tenggara

Fashion  Inc

JL. Dr. Laimena Maluku , Indonesia

May 29,2013

Dear Mrs. Ina Monia,

Thanks for your ordering for t-shirt from our Mozza Butique. I have been received your order letter. I will send your order with shipper JNE and will arrive 2-3 days from now to your office at. in JL. Dr Laimena Maluku, Indonesia.

Take it easy and relax in your office at the same time for waiting the t-shirt arrive. I hope you trust and happy to shopping with our butique.

Hoping to have a good relationship with you.

Best regards,

(Fransiska)

Reply of Memo 

To                 :  Anton Bagaswara

                         public relation Manager

From             :  Putri Anggiani

Subject          :  Press Conference of the Concert

Date              :  July 15st, 2010

                    I have been already to attended that press conference at plaza Indonesia on Thursday, July 14st. 2010 at 11 a.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examples Letter of English Letter

Example of Inquiry  Letter

HERJUNO BUSANA & CO

NO. 208 Jl. Cipaganti

Bandung 40131, West Java

INDONESIA

2th November 2011

Ref. KM/LS

Mountleband Corporation.

109 The Fifth Street,

Singapore 009

Dear Sirs,

MOUNTLEBAND MENS SHIRTS MEDIUM SIZE

We are a boutique located in Bandung, and we were interested in your mountleband mens shirt medium size product.

Therefore, we will appreciate it if you can send us a very detailed explanation of the product complete with your catalogues, price list, term, sample of design, and payment. We would also to know if you are offering any trade discounts.

If you can quote us your favorable prices, we would like to place our order as soon as possible.

We are looking foward to hearing from you.soon.

Yours faithfully,

FOR HERJUNO BUSANA & CO

Karmila

Purchase Manager

Example Of Application Letter

Attention To:

HRD Manager

YAYASAN KANAAN

Jl. Kran Raya  No. 7

Jakarta Pusat (10610)

                                                  

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have read from your advertisement at JobsDB that your company is looking for employees to hold some position. Based on the advertisement, I am interested in applying application for Teacher position according with my background educational as teaching education.

My name is Fatah Ahmadi, I am twenty three years old,  I was graduated from Ahmad Dahlan University. I consider myself that I have qualifications as you want. I have good motivation for progress and growing, eager to learn, and can work with a team (team work) or individual. Beside that I posses adequate computer skill and have good command in English (oral and written).

With my qualifications, I confident that I will be able to contribute effectively to your company. Herewith I enclose my :

1.  Copy of Bachelor Degree (S-1) Certificate and Academic Transcript.

2.  Curriculum Vitae.

3. Recent photograph with size of 4×6

I enclose my curriculum vittae for your inspection and look forward to hearing from you soon. I am available for interview at your convenience.

Faithfully,

Fatah  Ahmadi

Example of Complaint Letter

65 Market Street

Val Haven, CT 95135

June 30, 2004

Customer Service

Cool Sports, LLC

8423 Green Terrace Road

Asterville, WA 65435

Dear Sir or Madam:

I have recently ordered a new pair of soccer cleats (item #6542951) from your website on June 21. I received the order on June 26. Unfortunately, when I opened it, I saw that the cleats were used. The cleats had dirt all over it and there was a small tear in front of the part where the left toe would go. My order number is AF26168156.

To resolve the problem, I would like you to credit my account for the amount charged for my cleats; I have already went out and bought a new pair of cleats at my local sporting goods store so sending another would result in me having two pairs of the same cleats.

Than you for taking the time to read this letter. I have been a satisfied customer of your company for many years and this is the first time I have encountered a problem. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at (555) 555-5555.

Sincerely,

Ken Thomas

Example of Order Letter

Fashion  Inc

JL. Dr. Laimena Maluku , Indonesia

May 27,2013

Mozza Butique

Gotta, 2rd Floor

Tual, Maluku Tenggara

Dear Sir or Madam,

As per our discussions on March 28, 2013 we are pleased to place an order for 3 lussin of t-shirt on the following terms and conditions:

·        The cost of each t-shirt will be Rp. 45.000/piece (exclude tax)

·        Delivery will be done within 3-4 days from the order date

·        Damage items in transit are not the responsibility of Mozza Butique

·       If the order is not delivered as per the above terms and conditions, the order stands cancelled and money can back 100%

We shall appreciate your shipping that albums immediately to our office in JL. Dr Laimena Maluku, Indonesia. Payment we will made with transfer banking to your account on May 31 2013.

Hoping to have a good relationship with you.

Best regards,

(Ina Mona)

Example of Memo

To                 :  Wisnu Syaputra

From             :  Agus Prasetyo

                        public relation Manager

Subject          :  Press Conference of the Concert

Date              :  July 11st, 2010

                     Please attend the preps conference at plaza Indonesia on Thursday, July 14st. 2010 at 11 a.m. On behalf of the choreographer team. Cover everything you need for the conference by yourself. 

Definition of English Business

Definition of English Business

1. Business means buying and selling, and English is the name of our mother tongue. Business English is obviously such English as is used in mercantile transactions. Our definition is quickly made.

But it will bear expansion. We must answer certain questions that inevitably arise. Is some special brand of English used in business? And how are we to know when we are studying business and when merely the English of business?

Take the first of these two questions. There are of course certain words which name business transactions primarily. Buy, sell, exchange, barter, trade, purchase, shop, customer, hire, rent, pay, fee, price, retail, wholesale, lease, mortgage, merchandise, commodity, goods, stock, office, factory, finance, money, funds, capital, interest, sum, amount, balance, cash, currency, bill, receipt, note, draft, check, bank, cashier, bookkeeper, stenographer, clerk - hundreds of words like these will occur to us at random as being mercantile words in a peculiar sense.

To be sure, they are not all limited to business transactions. Note the word brand. It is primarily mercantile, naming a particular kind of goods. But in the second paragraph, above, the phrase "special brand of English" appears. Here the word is used figuratively. Every business word can be extended in that way to social or literary use. When we speak of wholesale slaughter, or of a stock of words, we use commercial figures of speech, and Americans are exceedingly fond of doing so. You have heard people speak of a thoroughly posted man, as if a man were a ledger. You have heard them speak of the balance of the day, as if time were literally money. You have noticed that an American likes to claim everything in sight; I mean, he prefers to claim that a thing is so, rather than assert, declare, contend, allege, maintain, or swear that it is so.

2.But the strictly commercial words, again, aria not the only ones employed in business. In addition to such words as are listed above in our third paragraph, business employs thousands of terms from science and technology. If a man is buying or selling machinery, he must know the names of the machines. If it falls to him to buy the parts of them, he must know the names of the parts. Does business English, then, include the study of everything that is bought or sold? If it did, it would include nearly the whole dictionary. Everything is bought or sold, from surgical instruments to Egyptian mummies. Nothing is exempt but heaven and love and faith. "Tis only heaven that is given away; Mis only God may be had for the asking." And there are gloomy times when we feel that even faith and love are sold.

Quite clearly we are not called upon to master the whole dictionary. No man's life is long enough for that. So far as special study of words is concerned, we must limit it to a few which are most commonly employed in mercantile transactions.

And I fear that even with these we shall not be quite certain what to do. In our eleventh chapter will be found brief histories of certain commercial terms. But it is not pretended that knowing the history of a word will usually be of much practical value to the young man in business. The word dollar has a curious history, being connected with our word dale, a valley. A dollar is a dale-coin, a piece of money first coined in a certain dale, or Thal. But who cares, except the philologist or the antiquary? "Show me how to get the dollar," says our business man, "and you bookworms may have the derivation." He feels that he is quite literary enough if he manages to spell dollar with two ll's. It bores him to go farther into derivations. And it would be bad business to urge him to go back far into history when he is interested only in the burning present and the glowing future.

3. If we pick up any business letter we see at once that the words it contains are chiefly common words, not especially mercantile. The technical buying or selling words are present, but they are in the minority. What makes the letter good or bad is the choice and arrangement of words to express thought and feeling. It is their composition, or putting together. And this is really the subject that we are after. "Business English" in the sense here used is merely short for "Business English Composition. "

"English," as used in schools and colleges, now means primarily English composition. It includes also the study of English literature, but chiefly because a mastery of literature helps the student to a mastery of writing and speaking. None of us common people ever invents a word, and the few Edisons are lucky if they add half a dozen to the language. We go to other people or to books for our words. They are the great social heritage into which we enter, and literature is the best place to find them, because there they are alive, each in its context. The proper study of literature is so practical that I dare not confess how practical - because some people think it is a matter of pleasure pure and simple. The words of literature are practical; the setting of them is practical; the knowledge of life that they give us is practical. The right sort of business man cannot read Shakspere without getting a clearer insight into those springs of human emotion which he has to consider daily. And if this reading makes him better in point of courage and good cheer and character, why, that is practical too.

But this is not a plea for the study of Shakspere. For all the illustrative matter used in this book we shall go to business documents pure and simple. We shall have business narratives, business descriptions, business arguments, business explanations. We are to try to get at the principles of English composition on business topics:

Our purpose is to point out some of the established principles which govern effective expression. Everybody is ready to admit that the power of effective expression is a financial asset. It helps the stenographer, the salesman, the manager, the advertiser, the correspondent. It makes for more responsible positions and advanced salaries. Good selling-talk sells goods. Judicious explanations remove difficulties. Persuasive arguments reach buyers.

Sumber : http://www.testden.com/business-english/Chapter-I-Definition-Of-Business-English.html

Type of Business English Letter

Sales Letters

Typical sales letters start off with a very strong statement to capture the interest of the reader. Since the purpose is to get the reader to do something, these letters include strong calls to action, detail the benefit to the reader of taking the action and include information to help the reader to act, such as including a telephone number or website link.

Order Letters

Order letters are sent by consumers or businesses to a manufacturer, retailer or wholesaler to order goods or services. These letters must contain specific information such as model number, name of the product, the quantity desired and expected price. Payment is sometimes included with the letter.

Complaint Letters

The words and tone you choose to use in a letter complaining to a business may be the deciding factor on whether your complaint is satisfied. Be direct but tactful and always use a professional tone if you want the company to listen to you.

Adjustment Letters

An adjustment letter is normally sent in response to a claim or complaint. If the adjustment is in the customer’s favor, begin the letter with that news. If not, keep your tone factual and let the customer know that you understand the complaint.

Inquiry Letters

Inquiry letters ask a question or elicit information from the recipient. When composing this type of letter, keep it clear and succinct and list exactly what information you need. Be sure to include your contact information so that it is easy for the reader to respond.

Follow-Up Letter

Follow-up letters are usually sent after some type of initial communication. This could be a sales department thanking a customer for an order, a businessman reviewing the outcome of a meeting or a job seeker inquiring about the status of his application. In many cases, these letters are a combination thank-you note and sales letter.

Letters of Recommendation

Prospective employers often ask job applicants for letters of recommendation before they hire them. This type of letter is usually from a previous employer or professor, and it describes the sender’s relationship with and opinion of the job seeker.

Acknowledgment Letters

Acknowledgment letters act as simple receipts. Businesses send them to let others know that they have received a prior communication, but action may or may not have taken place.

Cover Letter

Cover letters usually accompany a package, report or other merchandise. They are used to describe what is enclosed, why it is being sent and what the recipient should do with it, if there is any action that needs to be taken. These types of letters are generally very short and succinct.

Letters of Resignation

When an employee plans to leave his job, a letter of resignation is usually sent to his immediate manager giving him notice and letting him know when the last day of employment will be. In many cases, the employee also will detail his reason for leaving the company.

Sumber : http://work.chron.com/10-types-business-letters-9438.html

Part of Letter

Letterhead - Stationary printed at the top of the page including the company name, logo, full address, and other elements such as trademark symbols, phone & fax numbers, and an e-mail.

Dateline - The date is the month (spelled out), day, and year. If you are using Microsoft Word, click - Insert, then Time and Date. Press Enterfour times after the date. 

Letter Address - The complete address of the recipient of the letter. The letter address usually includes the personal title (Mr., Mrs. etc.), first and last name followed by the company name, street address, city, province, and postal code. Press Enter twice after letter address.

Salutation - The word Dear followed by the personal title and last name of the recipient (Dear Mr. Smith). Press Enter twice after the salutation.

Body - The text that makes up the message of the letter. Single-space the paragraphs and double-space between the paragraphs. PressEnter twice after the last paragraph. 

Complimentary closing - A phrase used to end a letter. Capitalize only the first letter. If there is a colon after the salutation, there must be a comma after the complimentary close. Press Enter four times (or more) after the complimentary close to allow for a written signature. 

Name and title of writer - Type the first and last name of the sender. The sender's personal title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc) should be included. Use a comma to separate the job title if it's on the same line as the name. Do not use a comma if the job title is on a separate line. Press Enter twice after the name or title.

Sumber  : http://shendierock.blogspot.com/2012/10/bahasa-inggris-bisnis-1.html

Business Letter Styles

The following pictures show what a one-page business letter should look like. There are three accepted styles. The horizontal lines represent lines of type. Click your mouse pointer on any part of the picture for a description and example of that part.

Modified Block Style	Block Style
Semiblock Style

Sumber : http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000150.htm

Tips Tidur Yang Sehat

Tidur, selain bertujuan untuk mengistirahatkan diri dari kepenatan aktivitas sehari-hari, juga saat yang tepat untuk mengistirahatkan fisik dan mental. Cukup tidur tak hanya ditentukan dari kuantitas atau lamanya waktu tidur, tetapi juga dari kualitas tidur itu sendiri.

Nah, untuk mendapatkan tidur yang berkualitas, beberapa tips ini layak untuk Anda simak:

- Mandi air hangat sebelum tidur
- Alokasikan waktu setidaknya setengah jam untuk bersantai sebelum waktu tidur.
- Buatlah rutinitas dan ritual sebelum tidur, seperti membersihkan kulit yang diikuti dengan penggunaan produk perawatan tubuh, atau membaca buku yang ringan atau kitab suci serta berdoa.
- Pilihlah kasur atau matras yang paling nyaman. Jangan terlalu “ngirit” dalam memilih matras, jika ingin tidur yangberkualitas.
- Kenakan pakaian katun yang longgar untuk tidur.
- Penggunaan kaus kaki saat tidur dapat mempermudah sesorang untuk tidur karena saat tubuh lebih hangat, Anda akan lebih cepat tertidur.
- Jika pikiran sedang sibuk memikirkan masalah tertentu, coba pikirkan momen-momen bahagia atau gunakan teknik visualisasi.
- Hindari gangguan saat tidur dengan menutup pintu kamar, menyetel temperatur kamar senyaman mungkin, tidak terlalu panas atau dingin, serta meminimalisasi cahaya dan suara.

- Jaga rutinitas kapan Anda bangun di pagi hari, bahkan di saat akhir pekan, jam berapapun Anda mulai tidur, untuk menjaga keseimbangan tubuh.

Mitos Dan Fakta Yang Ada Dibumi

Pada zaman dahulu, orang2 nicaragua percaya, jika mereka melemparkan wanita muda yang cantik kedalam gunung berapi, maka gunung tsb akan berhenti meletus.
Dalam cerita2 rakyat zaman dulu ada beberapa cara untuk melindungi diri dari serangan vampir, yg paling populer adalah bawang putih dan simbol2 agama, tapi ada cara unik yg banyak dipercaya untuk memperlambat jalan nya sang vampir, yaitu membuat sang vampir sibuk, dengan cara menaburkan biji2an, atau membuat kusut benang atau jaring..
Adalah tabu di cina kuno jika memberikan sandal jerami sebagai hadiah, karena itu dihubung2kan dengan kuburan dan membawa sial.
Menurut mitos ada kota di scotlandia yg muncul secara aneh sehari dalam 100 tahun, nam kota itu adah Brigaddon.
Banyak pelaut percaya jika ada kucing yang naik ke kapal mereka, itu berarti mereka akan bernasib baik dalam perjalanan.
Untuk mencegah anak2 laki2 mereka dirasuki roh jahat, zaman dulu kala orang 2 eropa memakaikan baju berwarna biru pada anak2 nya, biru dipilih karena itu adalah warna langit, dan dihubung2kan dengan roh2 yg berada di surga, sedangkan anak2 perempuan nya dipakaikan baju2 berwarna pink.
Tahun 1700 an di inggris anda bisa membeli asuransi jika, kalau2 anda masuk neraka..
Suku Aztec percaya batu Turquoise (batu pirus, warnanya hijau ke biruan) dapat melindungi mereka dari serangan fisik, maka dari itu para prajurit2 aztec menggunakan batu2 ini untuk mendekorasi tameng2 mereka.
Dalam kebudayaan yunani kuno, pengantin wanita biasanya membawa sebongkah kecil gula didalam sarung tangannya, mereka percaya hal itu bisa membawa kehidupan pernikahan yang manis.
Fakta:
Einstein pernah menolak tawaran untuk jadi presiden israel pada tahun 1952
Elemen einstenium, ditemukan tahun 1952, dinamai untuk menghormati einstein
Foto Einstein yg sedang menjulurkan lidah yg sangat populer itu diambil pada ulang tahunnya yg ke 72 oleh seorang fotografer yg terus mengganggunya yg bernama Arthur Sasse, Einstein sangat menyukai foto itu hingga ia meng crop foto itu dan memberikan pada teman2 nya.
Setiap tahun hampir 98% atom dalam tubuh mu berganti yg baru.
Pada pesawat jet yg melaju pada kecepatan 1000km/j panjang pesawatnya lebih pendek 1 atom dari panjang aslinya.. (coba diukur dech )
Di gurun Durango di Mexico, ada tempat yg aneh yg disebut zona kesunyian, anda tidak dapat menerima sinyal radio maupun televisi, dan penduduk lokal disekitarnya berkata kadang mereka melihat bola api melayang di udara.
Bisnis pertama Bill Gates adalah Traff-O-Data, perusahaan yg membuat mesin yg merekam jumlah mobil yg lewat pada jalan tertentu.
Ethernet ternyata adalah merk dagang yg terdaftar sebagai kepunyaan Xerox company, dan UNIX adalah merk dagang nya AT&T. (ora sembarang klaim bae koyo malingsial )
Setiap manusia setidaknya pernah merasakan selama setengah jam menjadi sebuah sel tunggal
Suara merambat 15 kali lebih cepat pada media baja, dibanding media udara.
Hanya ada satu satelit yg pernah hancur akibat meteor yaitu satelit angkasa eropa Olympus pada tahun 1993.
Sebuah chip komputer sebesar seperempat inchi pada zaman sekarang, memiliki kecepatan olah yg sama dengan komputer ENIAC tahun 1949, yg besarnya sebesar rumah, dan menyedot listrik yg sama dengan kebutuhan listrik sebuah kota kecil.
Seekor anjing terbunuh akibat tertimpa meteor jatuh di Nakhla, mesir tahun 1911, dan untungnya cuma anjing itu satu2 nya makhluk yg diketahui terbunuh akibat meteor jatuh hingga sekarang. (ketiban batu kriptonite dr kaum Kal-El )
Pada tahun 1600 an thermometer diisi dengan brandy, bukan mercury. (skrg mercury dipake bahan kosmetik )
Air hujan mengandung vitamin B12.. (gratis dan menyehatkan.. coba dech )
Kekerasan es setara dengan kerasnya beton.. (oooh, pantesan RMS Titanic amblas )
Kebalikan dari kata vacuum adalah plenum.
Salju yg kotor meleleh lebih cepat daripada salju bersih. (alasan kenapa di NKRI tidak ada salju )
Karena kadar garamnya yg sangat tinggi, sangat sulit menyelami dasar laut mati.
Dari semua indera manusia, penciuman adalah yg paling erat hubungannya dengan ingatan. (masuk akal… )
Jika kita mengendarai mobil berkecepatan 60 km/j menuju bintang terdekat kita yaitu Proxima centauri , maka akan memakan waktu 48 juta tahun…. itu sama dengan 685000 kali rata2 umur manusia

Para Pemimpin Di Zaman Dulu

1. Kubilai Khan

Tentu Anda semua kenal dengan Kubilai Khan. Yup, kaisar Mongol yang sangat kejam dan ekspansif ini ternyata memiliki sisi toleransi yang sangat tinggi. Percaya tidak, Kubilai Khan adalah tokoh pemimpin dunia pertama yang menyatakan bahwa hari-hari besar agama Buddha, Kristen, Yahudi, dan Islam dijadikan sebagai hari libur resmi kenegaraan. Asal tahu saja, Kubilai Khan adalah cucu dari Genghis Khan yang sangat legendaris itu yang memiliki kekuasaan yang merentang dari perbatasan Eropa, Timur Tengah, hingga hampir seluruh Asia Timur pada abad ke-13. Dengan kata lain, hari libur resmi kenegaraan pada tiap hari besar agama di dunia memang memungkinkan untuk dilakukan oleh Kubilai Khan karena luasnya wilayah kekuasaannya.

2. Abraham Lincoln

Siapakah dia? Tahun 1831 dia mengalami kebangkrutan dalam usahanya. Tahun 1832 dia menderita kekalahan dalam pemilihan tingkat lokal. Tahun 1833 dia kembali bangkrut (kasian banget ya..). Tahun 1835 istrinya meninggal dunia. Tahun 1836 dia menderita tekanan mental yang sangat berat dan hampir saja masuk rumah sakit jiwa. Tahun 1837, dia kalah dalam suatu kontes pidato. Tahun 1840, ia gagal dalam pemilihan anggota senat AS. Tahun 1842, dia menderita kekalahan untuk duduk di dalam kongres AS. Tahun 1848 ia kalah lagi di kongres. Tahun 1855, lagi-lagi gagal di senat. Tahun 1856 ia kalah dalam pemilihan untuk menduduki kursi wakil presiden. Tahun 1858 ia kalah lagi di senat. Tahun 1860 akhirnya dia menjadi presiden Amerika Serikat. Siapakah dia? Dialah Abraham Lincoln. Intinya adalah jangan pernah menyerah dengan berbagai kegagalan yang pernah dialami, bahkan seberat apapun cobaan itu. Coba dan coba lagi!

3. Galileo Galilei

Dia memang manusia yang kurang beruntung selama hidupnya. Bahkan setelah mati sekalipun, Galileo tetap mengalami kesulitan. Setelah pandangan-pandangan ilmiahnya soal tata surya membuat dirinya berurusan dengan pihak gereja, kematiannya pun dirundung masalah. Saat kematiannya pada tahun 1642, jasadnya tidak langsung dikubur, tapi tetap disimpan hingga tahun 1737, kira-kira hampir seabad. Tak cukup hanya itu, sebelum dikubur di Gereja Santa Croce, Florence, Italia, seorang bangsawan tega memotong tiga jari Galileo sebagai kenang-kenangan. Dua dari jari itu kemudian dimiliki oleh seorang dokter Italia, dan jari ketiga-sepotong jari tengah-saat ini berada di Museum Sejarah Ilmu Pengetahuan di Florence, Italia, dipajang menunjuk ke langit di atas tiang marmer.

4. Johannes Brahms

Kalau ada yang mengatakan bahwa seorang yang bergelut di bidang seni memiliki perasaan yang halus, maka cobalah baca fakta berikut ini. Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), komposer besar Jerman, adalah salah seorang yang sangat membenci binatang. Di kala santai atau sedang mencari inspirasi, komposer ini sering pergi ke loteng rumahnya dan mempersiapkan busur dan anak panah. Di sana hampir tiap waktu ia memanah kucing-kucing milik tetangganya. Kebiasaan buruk ini terus dilakukannya hingga sepanjang hidupnya!

5. Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte, saat berperang di Timur Tengah tahun 1799 bermaksud melepaskan 1200 tentara Turki yang berhasil ditawan Perancis, ketika Perancis berhasil merebut Jaffa. Saat itu Napoleon sedang terserang influenza. Saat menginspeksi pasukan, Napoleon terserang batuk berat hingga ia mengatakan Ma sacre toux (Batuk sialan). Perwira pendamping Napoleon merasa sang jenderal mengatakan Massacrez Tous (Bunuh semua). Akibatnya, seluruh 1200 orang tawanan Turki itu dibunuh. Hanya karena batuk sang jenderal dan kuping perwira yang error!

6. Wilhelm Steinitz

Di masa jayanya, Wilhelm Steinitz adalah salah satu pemain catur paling cemerlang di dunia. Namun saat semakin tua, ia secara perlahan-lahan dijangkiti kegilaan, dan sering merasa bahwa ia dapat menelepon seseorang tanpa menggunakan telepon, ataupun bermain catur tanpa menyentuh bidak. Puncak kegilaannya terjadi saat Steinitz mengumumkan kepada masyarakat luas bahwa ia hendak menantang Tuhan untuk bermain catur. Lebih parah lagi, ia menawarkan fur satu bidak dalam pertandingan ini!