Sunday, December 21, 2008

Blog from anywhere with BlogPress

This is a test posting from my iPhone using BlogPress application.



So far this application is a jiffy to use. Everything is self explanatory and easy to use.

Previously I've posted an entry on my notebook also from iPhone but that is through the secret e-mail. Some key items such as labels and multiple photos support are mising from the e-mailing method.

By using BlogPress I can manage and edit posts, add labels, photos, and etc. Additional features which would make this application better are landscape authoring, spell check, geotag and url link. Other than that, this app really makes mobile blogging easier.

-- Post From My iPhone

Saturday, December 20, 2008

What's Your Poison?

If you like acoustic music, the you'll definitely like this band; Boyce Avenue. Stumbled upon while searching for guitar lessons in YouTube, I've been an avid listener since. The band does cover songs of popular hits which some to me sounded much more better than the original singer.

Boyce Avenue, a Florida-based band popular for its strong acoustic roots and constant drive toward a melody- and harmony-driven rock sound, consists of the three brothers Alejandro, Fabian, and Daniel Manzano, and Stephen Hatker. The band first came together in 2000, when Alejandro (lead vocals, guitar, piano) and Fabian (guitar, vocals), then 14 and 16 years old, respectively, started playing guitar. ~ Boyce Avenue Official Website ~

Don't let the boy band look deceive you, the lead singer Alejandro (second from right) has a strong, grunge vocals which is well suited for acoustics paired with basic instruments; it is truly something refreshing to hear. Current favorites includes the following cover songs:

1. The Freshman - the verve
2. Viva La Vida - coldplay
3. With You - chris brown
4. Don't Look Back in Anger - oasis
5. Closer - ne-yo

You can find out more about the band at their official website or listen straight at their YouTube channel. They do sell their cover albums in iTunes store, however it is currently unavailable in Malaysia. But there is an alternative to download a slighty lower quality mp3 ripped from their official YouTube videos from this site. Happy listening :)

Monday, December 15, 2008

Fwd: So Long My Friend

You have been a good pal to me and others you have touched. may you serve your new owner well; as well as you did to me and be treated as just. Thank you my shiny steed.

Sent from my iPhone

Friday, December 05, 2008

nyummy.. Japanese Miniature Chili Crabs


Been craving this snack for months.. search almost all major supermarket and japanese speciallity store from Ampang, KLCC, PJ and finally today found at The Garden's Cold Storage. 

These tiny critters, measuring not more than an inch packs mouthful of flavor. Everything could be consumed, from the tiny legs, claws and even the whole body shell. To discribe the taste, easiest to explain; it taste similar to the chili ikan bilis from Pangkor. A pack of 200 grams costs RM 14. Why not give it a try? It's nice.

Burrpp.. excuse me.. but I'm full from eating a dozen of this crab :) 

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Get The Right Gear

I’d always believe that having a proper gear in any line of work is necessary to do things efficiently, less effort to get it right and more focused on the task at hand. Growing up in a house of five brothers, we had a fair share of DIY projects, may it be motoring, gardening, carpentry and plumbing amongst others. One thing in common among all those projects, we love tools; with the proper and quality tools tasks becomes less of a burden and you’ve work smarter.


Same should go to the men and women who are protecting our country round the clock; the police, military, fire brigade and other agencies. Their gear should be up to date, spick and spank; as proper gear to them could mean life or death. We always see in the movies, especially from Hollywood like; SWAT, Blackhawk Down or reality TV police videos, they all have the proper tools.


Not only have they made them more agile, but it keeps them well protected too. These are top of the line equipment, purpose build to keep up with ever demanding job which you think is off limits for civilians. Guess what, I’ve stumbled upon this website called TacticalPantsUSA.com where they are selling 5.11 Tactical series gear. Now civilians like us can benefit the technology and research done for each of the product on sale.


5.11 Tactical series is a superior product that enhances the safety, accuracy, speed and performance of law enforcement, military and firefighting professionals. Built on a foundation of durability, quality and value, 5.11 Tactical leads the industry by delivering functionally innovative gear, head to toe. At TacticalPantsUSA.com we are spoilt with choices as they carry almost everything within this category, may it be tactical pants, shirts, knives, boots, eyewear, jackets, watches and many more. To fully check out the items available and how to shop, head over to TacticalPantsUSA.com to find out more on the 5.11 Tactical series.


This entry is written for http://www.tacticalpantsusa.com

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Item Arrived (^-^)

Haha.. Finally it arrived yesterday at 3.55pm.. So whats in the bag?


Its another packaging inside of it.. which..


Fast forwarding opening up the content you'll find this on top of the wrappings.. hmm.. whats that?


Yeazzaaa!! Finally, my very own iPhone 3G!!! My most anticipated gadget which I've want since it launched.


Been watching this phone since it was first introduced (iPhone 1st Gen), but was bummed with exclusivity offering tied to a service provider. Hacked version doesn't compel either as it would be difficult to do periodical updates.

However since the introduction of the 3G version, more and more of these phone flooding the market with officially unlocked versions and now with version 2.0 firmware which supports MS Exchange; I was very tempted and started "researching" for the last 2 1/2 weeks on my free time.

Since placing an order on eBay, made payment, received the tracking number; it was worth the effort and wait to get this phone. Never had I bough a phone that excites myself and half of the office; its like a mini Apple "unveiling" event.

Anyhow, just "played" around for a day now and I'm very pleased with it. It can't beat a full QWERTY keyboard of my previous phone, but overall its awesome :)

Saturday, November 22, 2008

iWonder What is Coming?

On Schedule Delivery : 24/11/08


*Updated 23/11/08 @ 9.55 am - Flight diverted to HK

Rescheduled delivery : 25/11/2008

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Help Finding A Suitable Web Hosting

Finding a web hosting nowadays could be a daunting task with the sheer number of hosting companies available; may it be local or international. With many different features and low prices, it easy to get fizzed over the numerous options available.

Selecting a hosting site used to be easy, you find the hosting features suitable for intended use; blog, application, ftp, file sharing and etc. But nowadays, almost all hosting sites support those features; so now it boils down to reliability, bandwidth and ease of use.


So what better way to find a webhosting rating and actual user reviews than at Web Hosting Geeks. It packs with loads of information on website hosting reviews, ranking and ratings.

Apart from from the reviews and rating, Web Hosting Geeks also awards web hosting services companies by category, for example; Best Budget Hosting, Best Blog Hosting, Best Ecommerce Hosting and many more which makes easier to select the right hosting company.

Having said all that, I think Web Hosting Geeks is the best website to do research if you're intending to look for a hosting service. I'm certainly looking forward to find a cheap web hosting service to host files and photos for my blog. Head over to Web Hosting Geeks to find out which hosting service suits you.


This post is written for http://webhostinggeeks.com

Momo Logitech Works With Windows Vista

Few months back I've treat myself with a gaming apparatus, Logitech Momo Force Feedback Wheel. Its an excuse for me to unwind and relax from work plus as a reward for milestones archived.

It's not an easy task to select this wheel as it quite old (long in market, since Windows 98) and there's a stream of incompatibilities discussions with Windows Vista in forums. Safe to estimate that 50% says it doesn't work and 50% said it works. Anyhow determined, I've boldly bought it with Collin McRae Dirt.

Exited, I've downloaded the latest driver and installed the game; hoping for instant action. Boy I was in a bind when I've discovered that the gas paddle was stuck all the way (full throttle) in the game. I've kept reinstalling the drivers, applying patches to the game but without avail till I've found a registry hack in Logitech's forum.

The registry hack was meant for something else, but heck I was desperate and willing to try anything to make it work. And guess what it does works :D I've finally had a proper go 3 hours after when I've initially started. The steering force feedback was was awesome and it feels and looks great. Paired with the realistic game of Dirt, I've was totally immense within the game.

Another note though for Windows Vista users, you also have to download the latest Collin McRae Dirt patch v1.2. There a vital fix which you require to load your saved gaming profile properly.

So there you go, if you're into driving simulation; the Logitech Momo is a great choice, plenty of fun, inexpensive (RM238) and it WORKS with Windows Vista. Collin McRae Dirt goes for RM119.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Happy Holidays

Being out on a vacation is so much fun and something I always look forward to. It’s the time to really let loose and be care free about all my worries. It is also a time to see other places, food and culture, plus there’s senseless shopping to boot.


However, a vacation would be more meaningful if you got your friends or family tagged along to share with. Recalling a particular vacation or shall I say a business trip in east coast of Malaysia, me and a couple of colleagues were driving along the old road heading towards Mersing. It was a long winding drive, approximately 4-5 hours through forests and plantations fields.


I would be very tired at the end of the trip if it weren’t for my cheerful colleagues. We’ve shared stories, jokes all along the way and also noticed some unusual signage. What I’ve discovered was a road sign with a cow on it crossed, meaning no cows on the road.


Computing the signage; it is normal if the sign was no motorcycle or lorry, whereby logically behind the wheel is a person who can READ the road sign. But if this road sign was intended for a cow? *blink*blink* Wow!! That the cow must be really smart to understand, or was it a cow who put it up in the first place. Hahaha..I was giggling on my own, when I’ve explained to the others we all break into laughter.


Oh well this could be the most humorous trip of all. With the right attitude and companions, a business trip could also be a mini-vacation. I really that break after a stressful couple of months at the office.

A holiday however requires proper planning and budget. I do most of my planning through online travel guides, books and friends. I also subscribe to travel e-newsletter for periodical updates. As with my previous experience to Britain, Scotland, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand; proper planning will ensure a good trip. As for now, a vacation to go on Las Vegas tour during CES (Consumer Electronic Show) or a trip to Japan tops of my dream holidays.


Planning your next vacation? Looking for ideas on what to do? Sign up for the Trusted Travels eNewsletter and enter to win a $150 Magellan’s Gift Certificate - Offer ends August 31st, 2008. Who knows, you might end up with Knotts berry farm tickets from the splurge of the moment.



Post is written for http://www.trustedtours.com

Happy Birthday


I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to a special person laydiefa. May you find the happiness you're looking for :)

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Simple, Fast & Convenient Car Loan

These days, everything is expected to be fast, easy and flexible. Fast Internet connection, fast car, but how do you get fast and easy car loan processing? If you are thinking of getting a new ride, why not make your way to BasicCarLoans.com? Applying for financing to help you get a car is never easy as this. BasicCarLoans.com offers super efficient application with online car loans application via their secure server, so your application can be processed in a jiffy.

If you're trapped in bad credit car loans, worry not because BasicCarLoan.com doesn't leave you out. With their special financing service, so you'll get chances to rebuild your financial independence while driving your dream car. You can also get financial aid for used cars loans.

Apply now at BasicCarLoans.com


This entry is written for http://www.basiccarloans.com

Need More Space

Things in my room are getting out of hand; boxes, magazines, bills, pedals, speakers, bowling ball, wires are literally everywhere. I've meant to tidy things up but I'm all pooped out after work. Weekends are the only days left for me to really crash out, chill out, hang with the parents, but mostly I'm going to be in front of the tele watching movies, eat and dozed off on the couch.

This weekend however, I was forced to clean up my room as am about to receive a new bed. Out goes four large black plastic bags of my uni notes, couple of bags, parcel boxes semi eaten by white ants, very old pc magazines, hundreds of VCDs and Software/Games CDs; oh well! Lots of stuff went out. It's difficult to keep thing tidy as I have TOO MUCH stuff in it.

Every venture or hobby I've done, usually followed with books and gear. I've done bowling, guitar, music, fly fishing and etc. On top of that I seem to have a habit of collecting everything nice; pins, badges, keychains, coke cans/bottles, model cars and etc. Some of em started by my brother.

As I'm writing this, my room still not 'cleared'. Have to do it slowly, to keep myself motivated and make it neat rather than just to shove everything clear. Good luck for me huh? :)

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Variable Dimension Frames From Zenni Optical

I have been thinking of getting an additional specticals specifically for night driving for quite some time. I need a pair to filter-out the glares emitted from on-coming cars, which blurs my vision if it is too bright. This is the result of working in-front of a computer 8 hours daily since 2001.

I've always been put off going for a pair due to the price and an excuse of 'no time'. However since I've stumbled upon zennioptical.com, I now considering to get one since it's cheaper and no hassle of going to the shop. Besides, when the package comes; it is like receiving a gift, all exiting to see the content. Head over to zennioptical.com to check out further.


This entry is written for http://zennioptical.com

Keep Things Up To Date

I have just learn today that my thumbdrive was infected, yet again by virus. This is the one where you have to use explorer to view your files instead of direct from my computer window. Dang!! More time wasted just to sort out this annoyances.

Why can't people keep their virus definition up to date or schedule run a virus scan. I usually avoid plugging my thumbdrive other people's PC, however yesterday I had no choice; and the result is infected. I'm lucky though it's not the really malicious type which deletes all the files.

Remember guys, to always update your virus definitions, backup your files and avoid plugging your thumbdrive to another PC which you are not familiar with.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Stylish New Spectical Frames Within Budget

Wearing specticals since standard 4, I have my fair share of different frame styles throughout the years. May it be big, round, squarish, plastic, metal or rimless one thing remains constant with my increasing power is the price of the specticals themselves.

However, at zennioptical.com you can purchase prescription glasses online at a cheaper price as they are also the manufacturer of spectical frames. So you eliminate the cost of middleman and overhead of a storefront. At zennioptical.com you have a wide selection of cool and stylish frames to choose from. Head over to zennioptical.com for more info or renew your look.




Free Trial from F-Secure

If you don't already have any sort of Antivirus installed in your PC, why not give F-Secure Internet Security 2008 a try. F-Secure is currently offering a free protection on till end of this year for PC and Mobile devices.

I have used both of the F-Secure products listed above and based on my experience; the PC based Antivirus or Internet Security from F-Secure has been good. Many of the viruses or malware has been detected, especially from neighboring thumbdrives and it doesn't use too much Windows resources as compared to Norton.

The mobile security I've tested on my symbian based phone, and I find it quite memory intensive and slows down you phone. But again, this was 2 years back when phones processing power and internal ROM is low.

So there you have it, I hope by sharing this links and serials; it helps to save some cost and beneficial for you. If interested, proceed to download and use the following serial number:

F-Secure Internet Security 2008
Download here : http://download.f-secure.com/estore/fs2008.exe
Subscription number : U5RB-7JL4-9AE2-J5ZZ-9RQR (Valid till 31st December 2008)

F-Secure Mobile Security
Download here : http://mobile.f-secure.com/
Subscription number : 0SE8-TEYH-95K4 (Valid till 31st December 2008)


p/s : Some additional info on F-Secure Antivirus Review

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Wild West Experience

It’s been a while since a western movie hit the silver screen. If I am not mistaken, the last good movie in this genre is Tombstone by Kevin Costner about the legendary Wyatt Earp; officer of law and feared gunslinger. Other old time favourite includes The Magnificent Seven, Maverick and anything from Charles Bronson or Clint Eastwood.

Apart from the settlement of petty issues through the end of a Point 45 Magnum or Winchester Rifle (thank god that period has passed), I am always fascinated with the simplicity of a cowboys life. Almost everything owned or consumed is worked with own sweat and effort. However that the romantic representation from Hollywood, we will never know for sure unless we’re in that era.

The only thing that burned in my mind as result of watching lots of western is: I always imagined myself as a cowboy in a dessert, whenever I am eating baked beans with eggs and using only a fork of course but no hat :P

Moving along and interested to experience more on the cowboy culture, I’ve stumbled upon the Houston Rodeo & Livestock Show (a/k/a rodeoHOUSTON). This is a one stop cowboy experience event that last for almost a month held next year from 3rd till 22nd March 2009. There are rodeo shows, square dancing, country music, authentic western barbeque, gun slinging and of course real cowboys. There are also many activities for both grown-ups and children whom you can participate; I am looking forward to have a go of shooting a rifle, 0.45 Magnum and trail rides.

Looks like I have to sell lots of stuff on eBay to set some budget, if I plan to go. Its going to be quite a task with the recent fuel price hike and hopefully by the time I’m going, there are still RodeoHouston tickets available. Oh well, in the mean time better I practice my Yeeehaaaaww!!

Take A Hike

Yesterday, most of us experienced the massive traffic jams in Kuala Lumpur due to the recent announcement of fuel price hike. I don't want to elaborate on the road conditions that day nor on the fuel price.

However I would like to share on my total bill for dinner that night at a mamak outlet. Its only been a few hours since the price hike announced and food prices suddenly went up also. The tandoori chicken which I ate rose RM 1 from RM 5.50 to RM 6.50 and Beehun Sup remains at RM 4.50 even though ordered without egg. When complained, the mamak only says that with or without egg it remains the same.

Recently I've been careful with my expenses and finding cheaper substitutes for my needs and wants. Example; instead of eating at the mall's food court after a movie and drink coffee at Starbucks, we go for a cheaper venue such as mamak, SS2 etc. But if the food court has reasonably priced food items, we usually resort to eating there.

Back to the mamak, I will never go there anymore. Worse case, I'll cook my dinner at home; it's fresher and more delicious even though its only baked beans and eggs. I wonder how will the current weak government control such act and inflation. Sight* I'd better stock up food to cook.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Spice Up Your Bathroom With Fabric Shower Curtains

Bathroom is an integral part of any home. It is used daily and usually shared between the households. Even though we use this facility regularly, more often we neglect its ambient and décor. Rightly so; as not much you can do once the fixtures, cabinets and amenities are already in place.

Apart from putting a pot of flowers, shower mats and etc; putting in shower curtain changes significantly the way your bathroom looks as it is the biggest visible element. You can make you bathroom feel bigger, cosier, funky or just more pleasing with the eyes with a dash of colour and patterns provided by a shower curtain.

Choosing the right material is also important, in my opinion; fabric shower curtains is more hygienic and easy to clean. They are less prone for mold and mildew to flourish. At Cozy Homewares, they have a wide variety of fabric shower curtains with different materials, texture, colour and pattern to suit every taste. Furthermore at this current moment, the shipping is free. Head over to Cozy Homewares to refresh the look and feel of your bathroom.


This entry is written for http://www.cozyhomewares.com

Got Conned at Money Changer

Dear friends, hopefully this does not happen to you. Yesterday, I went to a money changer to change my access Indonesian Rupiahs back to RM. I had a stack of Rupiah in 100,000 and 50,000 denominations, which the total amount I was very sure off.

It was like any normal transaction, I handed over the total amount to the money changer and they counted it. The dispute only arises when the total amount was not as per what I've submitted. I requested for a recount and the amount totaled up the same; 50,000 Rupiah short. The money changer handed the money back to me, and when counted truly it was 50,000 Rupiah short.

What else could I do? Reluctantly I changed the money. Afterwards, I've check my pockets, my wallet and it is actually impossible to misplace a single sheet as I had tied it with a rubber band and kept in a separate pocket. I was puzzled and stressed as I am very sure of my total mount.

The only conclusion I could think off is that the money changer conned / shortchanged me. How? She did counted in front of me. Recalling back; I did have a stack of Rupiah in two different denominations as mentioned.

Upon receiving the money from me, the money changer split the money according to the denomination; putting one half on the table out of my view while immediately counting the other using an automated machine. Once done, she proceeded to count the money on the table; I can't see if she kept one note aside as the counter was high. At least this is how I figured, they took my money. Like I said; What can I do? Just bad luck.

Lesson learned:
  • Never hand over a stack of money with different denominations to the money changer.
  • Always keep your eyes lock on the money.
  • Never go to the money changer again (Mid Valley, LG Floor at the KFC escalators. Right most money changer)

Friday, May 16, 2008

Ignite Yourself Through Socialspark



Izea, the company which gave us the opportunity to earn money via blogging with PayPerPost is now introducing a new product called Socialspark. This new service combines the best of both worlds of social networking and cash earning through the Internet.

Through Socialspark one can promote their blog and make new friends with other fellow bloggers within the community. In addition to that, you also gain exposure for your blog to advertisers which increase your chances of being recruited to write for them.

Apart from that, the normal marketplace for paid per post blog opportunity is still there but with an enhancement. In Socialspark; if the opportunity has been fully taken, you can queue for the next batch of opportunity. So now, you don’t have to keep refreshing your browser to get an opportunity, instead you will be notified via e-mail if you are successful in the queue.

I’ve registered myself and found Socialspark website quite user friendly, graphically pleasing and easy on the bandwidth as pages loaded quite fast for lower broadband connections. Yes, you can register for both ParPerPost and Socialspark. I can’t wait to have my blog approved in Socialspark so I can grab the opportunities in this site as well. Interested? Signup up now to Socialspark and add me as your friend :)


Toilet Announcement

Malaysia is not so famous for its toilet cleanliness but there are efforts improve. The following is a notice which I've stumble upon in the mens toilet put up by the premise owner to prove my first statement:


Hahaha.. Luckily when I first read the statement, it didn't sink in to my mind yet.. if not; laughing while doing my business could effect my aim. I wonder what notice did they post in the ladies :P

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Weight Issues

Today I’ve experienced light headedness at work which prompted me a visit the office doctor. I suspect it was my blood pressure which causes this and I am partially correct. I said partially because all the 3 reading done differs from one another; the first 2 being high and thankfully the last reading indicates normal blood pressure.

The doctor let me off with an advice for me to do a blood test and reduce weight. To date I had gained 40 pounds from last I’ve seen her in 2006. I suspect my weight could be a contributing factor other than stressed at work.


Looks like I have to be selective and cut down the portions of what I eat and back to exercising regularly. It going to be quite a hurdle to change the eating habits as I find eating relieves my stress. Going back to gym is also daunting, but it’s unavoidable for my health sake.


Coincidentally today also, I’ve discovered that there is a drug that can assist in reducing my weight. The drug is called Generic Acomplia from Rimonabant which works by blocking your cravings for food or other substances. It is a great way to cut down my food intake; if coupled with regular exercising, I could be well on tract to lose weight and regain my fitness.


Will seek advice from my doctor if this product suits me, as initially I understand that the will be a side effect. If you are in a similar position as me, trying to lose weight; why not visit http://www.rimonabant20.com to find out more on how this product could assist you.


This entry is written for http://www.rimonabant20.com

Monday, May 12, 2008

The One With The Suprise Birthday Party

This is a long overdue entry, however I still have to post this to show my utmost appreciation (Len, if you don't mind, I borrow your header preamble for this entry) to Yang, Lenny, Alya, Fairuz, Mysara, Bigg, Ninie, Afza and Syaban; thank you very much for attending the birthday party. It was nice of you and it really made my day after a mundane and laborious day at work.

Apart from that, I would also like to thank my many friends that extended their wishes throughout the day; you're a lifeline for me to keep me on working. I especially liked the one which Ika, Zainul & Qais sent to me (as pictured on the left). And special thanks to xumb for leaving a birthday wish on my blog.

Last but not least, to the one that made this possible; my sweetheart Sayang Noorul Aiza :) Thank you very much for making this happen and thank you for the super nice gift (as pictured below). It was totally unexpected and really came to me as a surprise! I thought you really needed the disposable panties for the trip and cake for your mom :P

































p/s : Was super busy on my birthday as I am scheduled to leave Indonesia the next day (24th - 29th) and Sabah the following week (1st - 4th May); so have to complete work lor. Will post on the trip on another entry ;)

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Six Sigma A Smarter Solution


Six years working in an incumbent telecommunication company, I have learned that quality is key for anything from satisfying customers, maintaining network performance and lowering costs; just to name a few.

One of the quality tools that we use is Six Sigma, which emphasizes on zero defect, continuous improvement of business processes and management commitment toward quality. It is a very useful tool for any type of organization or even individuals to continuously improve productivity efficiency.

Smarter Solution is an established training, consulting and coaching company which focuses on Six Sigma Education. It offers clients an innovative business process improvement system that goes beyond the balanced scorecard and integrates the best practices of Lean Six Sigma. I'm for one fortunate enough to attend a course on Six Sigma from one of its affiliates. To find out more on Six Sigma or training schedule, head over to www.smartersolutions.com

This entry is written for http://www.smartersolutions.com

Dasyatnye Sales Blog

Hi all..

I am pleased to announce that dasyatnye.com now has a sister site Dasyatnye Sales Blog. This new site will focus on sales activity of practical gadgets, computing and photography accessories. All products on sale are from my personal collection, family or friends. Please drop by from time-to-time to see on the latest product on sale.

As a launching promotion, there are discounts for the Handbag Hooks. Please over to Dasyatnye Sales Blog for further details. Happy shopping :)


Thursday, April 17, 2008

Cheap International Calls at Phone Cards Avenue


Telephone nowadays is a necessity, whether it is over a fixed or wireless network. While local calls are getting cheaper, International calls is still charged at a premium rate as the rates are beyond a local telecommunication company’s control. As workaround solution we have an alternative such as communicating through the Internet, however it lacks that intuitive feeling of picking up the phone and talking to the other person in real time.

Well, fret no more over that expensive International call bill at the end of the month. Now you can feel free to pick up that phone and make an International call with an advent of cheap Prepaid Phone Cards providers such as Phone Cards Avenue. This company makes its easier for us to find the best possible rate to a call destination using cheap prepaid phone cards. Phone Card Avenue provides the best online phone cards solution for International and long distance calls. You can save up to 95% of your call charges by using the phone cards.

Phone Cards Avenue website itself makes it easy for us to find the best rates by country. Just select from the drop-down list your country and all Phone Cards available will be displayed. Malaysia for example, the lowest rate is at 6 cents per minute; which is dirt cheap for an International call. Apart from the rates, Phone Card Avenue also provides some ratings on the Phone Card’s; Call Quality, Billing and its Connection performance.

As this is an online phone card service provider, you will do all this in the comfort of your home. No more going out to 7-Elevens to buys calling cards or wait at night or early morning just to catch that slightly cheaper rate from your Telco. Take control of your phone bills and make calls whenever you want at the cheapest rate. Head over to Phone Cards Avenue now to find the best rate for your country.

This entry is written for http://www.phonecardsavenue.com

Malaysian Driving

I know this is a topic that we commonly know and experience from day-in and day-out. I've been on Malaysian roads for quite some time to express my opinion that attitude of a Malaysian driver has become from bad to worse. We have become so inconsiderate, law breakers and violent; we even have the cheeks to be mad or argue when clearly they are in the wrong or breaking the rule.

Take an example just for today, with the limited hours on the road; I have witnessed:
  • 3 accidents, 2 on the road and one gone into a river
  • 5 drivers driving while the traffic lights are red
  • 2 drivers driving through a no entry or the opposite direction of a one way street
  • 2 drivers driving through a red light at a pedestrian crossing
  • numerous people not stopping at a zebra crossing
  • uncountable numbers of speeding
  • changing lanes or turning at a junction without signaling
  • reckless driving
I read Readers Digest article on the Ranking of the Worse Drivers (attitude) in the world approximately 6 years back; Malaysia ranked fifth in Asia. By today if the study was conducted again, I would think we could be ranked the first. As at that time, Philippines drivers was at the top spot and the way the author put it; it describes the way we drive today.

Children witnessing their parents breaking the law on the road, what would they think about that? It should be ok as the parents did i, excellent example to the children. Do you have no shame? The authorities not doing their job enforcing the law prolonging over the years, this is what it has become. People no longer respect the law nor the authorities, do you have no shame?

It is a sad sight to see and a heartache of how bad things had become. Worse of all, if you think beyond the driving; in my opinion it reflects our attitude, discipline level and our principles in life. I love this country and that is why I express my dissatisfaction and grief here as clearly the government is not doing anything significant to rectify this social ill. I wonder what kind of leader or society will we have in another 10 years time?


Wednesday, April 16, 2008

PC Fair 2008 Aftermath

PC Fair 2008 in Kuala Lumpur just passed over the weekend and its the usual scene. The place was overly crowded and not much of a showcase. Prices are cheap, but not much if compared to purchasing it at Low Yat Plaza on normal days. If it ain't urgent, just buy at the shop.

As I have a list of things to buy, this year I went for the fair 2 days in a row. Day 1 was on Friday, a working day and I can only go after office hours. Since there's not much time left till closing at 9pm; day 1 is dedicated to survey the products and prices. Oh! day 1 also is the day to buy cheap back issue magazines before they're sold out.

Day 2 on Saturday was for shopping!! This year really did the damage; bought some RAMs, antivirus softwares, power bricks and LCD monitors. Notice the 's', bought not 1 but 2 power bricks and LCD monitors. And the ridiculous layout and flow rule of the PC Fair from the year before is still there. I was puffing, huffing and stopped several times just to get out of the exhibition hall through the "designated exit".

This flow rule is to ensure that every hall is visited especially the main sponsors. Going 2 days straight, I find it very troublesome as I wanted to go to hall 4 out of 5. Exit also the same as mentioned, luckily there was the gurlfriend who helped me to carry the power bricks. In Singapore IT Fair, you are free to enter and exit at any of its entrance. Which makes it very practical if you suddenly decided to get that "item" that wanted directly in and out.

Oh well, as much I compare and complaint; I still go to Malaysia PC Fair and buy stuffs. It's a guy attraction thing I suppose, being around all those gadgets. Also we did bump into Shook and his brother at the fair.

p/s : My unluckiness hits twice as of today; One of the LCD monitor I've bought has a dead pixel, after getting a replacement yesterday' again there was also a dead pixel. Trying to get it changed again tomorrow.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Featured Item : Kani Snapshot Trekka Camera Bag


Regardless if you are a professional, amateur photographer or just an avid hobbyist; a camera system is your invested asset. Sometimes it is your pride and joy after saving money for couple of months just to make the purchase. Choosing the right bag is essential to keep your gear and gadgets well protected when on the move.

Featured item is Kani Snapshot Trekka SLR Backpack, model no BP01C-B06M. Kani is variant from Bagman which targets the Australian, China & Hong Kong market. It is among the favored brand name for the budget conscious. However the build quality and materials used are not compromised, it is at par with the leaders. I myself is a satisfied user of their notebook backpack and camera sling bag .

Although bag is designed for the photographers, the Snapshot Trekka is also a practical backpack for all your travelling or studying needs. The bag features an adjustable padded slots for camera equipment (multiple lenses, SLR camera) and a padded notebook slipcase (fits 14.1" widescreen notebook), both are detachable. With this flexibility of removing the compartments, at any one time you can use the bag to: carry both notebook & camera, carry notebook & luggage, camera only or luggage only.

Other than that, the bag comes with are 2 zipped pockets at the front, 2 side pockets and a slit on the side to a hook tripod. External dimension on the bag are 340 x 220 x 490 (mm). With this bag, you have everything you need to take the perfect shot.

Quick Facts on product features
  • Water repellent fabric
  • Uniquely designed foam-padded back to allow air flow with anti-slip pad
  • Heavy duty padded shoulder straps
  • Lower front zip pocket
  • Upper front organizational zip sleeve pocket
  • Detachable padded notebook case and camera case
  • Tripod hanger
Interested? Simply follow the pictured link under 'Items For Sale' on the right hand side of this page or go direct to my eBay listing. Purchasing or any questions on the bag can also be done via this blog. Thank you for looking.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Get Listed in a Web Directory






The Internet is a good medium for businesses to reach and market its product and services. Today there are thousands upon thousands of business websites out there to compete with globally. Getting a good page rank is essential to be on top of page search results which provide your website more visibility to potential customers. This is substantially true for small, medium or new businesses promoting its product over the net.

Traditionally you would promote your business website offline in your company business cards, local flyers, newspapers, magazines, radio and etc; banking for people to go to your website. All is good, accept you can’t track its effectives directly and involves major costs.

An alternative is to get your business website listed in a web directory. What better way to do that other than DirMania; which is one of the strongest free business web directory, providing quality free web directory advertising. Having your business website listed in a web directory will increase your page rank and visibility as this website is also search engine friendly.

Getting your website listed at DirMania is easy and fast. Just submit your business website details to them and if everything checks out, your business website will be listed in the web directory within 24 hours. To learn more or to get your business website listed, visit www.dirmania.org.

This entry is written for www.dirmania.org

DIY Chocolate Coated Pretzels

These are two of my favorite snacks; pretzels & dark chocolate. In this DIY, I'm going to show you how I combined both to create a bitter sweet crunchy treat. This is nothing new, as this is just exactly what Nestle Flipz Pretzels are. The idea came about as the original Flipz is getting expensive at RM 12.90 for a bag of 141 grams, it used to be 7 or 8 bucks.

Fed up with the ridiculous price, I've decided to make my own. A bag of pretzels only costs RM 10 for 283 grams and RM 6 for a medium sized dark chocolate bar. If half of the chocolate bar is used, its makes about 35 deliciously chocolate coated pretzels; which is less than 1/10th of a bag of pretzels are used. So to make em...

You would need :
1. Pretzels
2. Half of medium sized chocolate bar
3. Teaspoon of butter




Step 1
Put the chocolate in a bowl together with the butter and zap em both in the microwave for 3 minutes on high to melt. Learn to melt chocolate from *the gurlfriend*



Careful taking out the bowl from microwave, it's hot. I like to have a lot of chocolate coated, so my liquid chocolate consistancy is quite thick.





Step 2
To coat the pretzels; put 2 to 3 pieces at any one time as longer exposure to the hot liquid will soften the pretzel and make it less crunchy.




I used a kitchen tweezers to flip the pretzels in the bowl, to ensure it is fully coated with chocolate. If the chocolate in the bowl start to stiffen, put it back in the microwave for a minute.




Step 3
One by one immediately after dipping into the chocolate, arrange your pretzels in a container. The chocolate is still soft, to harden it; place it in the fridge and 20 minutes later its ready to be eaten.



It's so simple right? The preparations on took 15 minutes. Trust me, it's delicious and the taste is the same as Flipz. I've yet to try on white chocolate, normal dairy and as I'm writing this; I'm thinking of sprinkling some chocolate rice or crushed almond over the coated chocolate pretzels. Give it a try and tell me how'd it turned out :)