Sunday, August 26, 2007

Visiting Spain's 2 Major Cities

According to Wikipedia, Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe just after France. The capital of Spain is Madrid with population of over 5 million residents. The next important metropolitan in Spain is Barcelona.

With 2 big cities in Spain, finding accomodation would be more than a challenge. It could become a nightmare. That is why Cheaperthanhotels offers last minute and year round accommodation at hotels, apartments and hostels in Spain at prices generally less than direct, with free inclusions and use of facilities.

Prado Museum MadridMadrid offers a lot of attractive places especially historic neighborhoods and streets. A few landmark for Madrid includes three superb arts museums: Prado Museum which one of the finest art collections in the world, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, a modern art museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

As the capital of a country, the nightlife in Madrid is never dull. It is said that on weekends, Madrilenian youth are famous for dancing all night long. In the vicinity of the Plaza de Santa Bárbara, the Glorieta de Bilbao and Alonso Martínez, a large number of popular bars, pubs, fast food restaurants and ice cream parlors are concentrated. If you are interested in accomodations in Madrid, visit Hotels in Madrid to find out more information.

La Segrada FamiliaBarcelona is the second largest city in Spain. The old city of Barcelona, The Barri Gòtic has many buildings date from medieval times. La Sagrada Família is a large Roman Catholic public building with astounding architecture. Barcelona's nightlife is as rich and varied as you'd expect of any major city which attracts tourists and students.

To find out more about accomodations in Barcelona, visit Hotels in Barcelona or Hoteles en Barcelona for a comprehensive information about it.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Maxis Wireless Internet 3G Broadband Review

This post was supposed to be published two months after I've registered myself with Maxis Wireless 3G Broadband. At that time, I was no longer in their trial period. Well, as you might have known, I got sidetracked for a while. My first Maxis wireless internet bill arrived in my mailbox on 25th of June 2007 with an amount of RM162. Correct me if I'm wrong, if you want your money back (you don't actually, if you do it normally takes time), you will need to return your modem and the phone given to you between 30 days after you've submitted the form, in other word once your name is keyed into the system, the trial period begins. Again, if not because of I would really want to try and use this facility, I wouldn't have signed up for it.

If you are still interested and wouldn't like to go to KLCC, you can go to PJ Digital Mall or Low Yatt, they might have a booth somewhere where you can try out the demo computer first and experience it by yourself how good or bad this Maxis High-Speed Broadband is. During PC Fair earlier this month, there were so many of those Maxis Wireless Internet booth, I've lost count of how many there are but I do know that Maxis will heavily promote this wireless internet. Check out my visit to KLCC PC Fair 2007 write up.

Back to my story, I registered myself for Maxis High-Speed 3G Broadband on the 2nd of May 2007. 3 weeks later which was on the 19th of May, I got a call from Maxis and booked the 20th of May for the installer to come by and install. The installer guy came on the 20th, attached the modem to my laptop, tested the connection and the reception strength and I am instantly online. No charge for that unlike the RM50 installation charge where you have to pay cash when you install TM Net Streamyx. I'm not sure if the "on the spot modem pick up" I saw on one of the Maxis Wireless Internet booth during PC Fair is applicable. However, I don't want to bet you on that. Check out my laptop along side with the Maxis Wireless Internet 3G Broadband package :

wireless-maxis-package.jpg


Testing the speed out using TM Net Speedometer (June 2007), this is how my result looks like (I removed the screenshots since it's not really relevant now):

The connection is not as fast as my TM Net Streamyx connection, sometime it feels like using a dial up connection. However, as long we I can be connected, I wouldn't complain about it so much.

The next week my brother took the modem for some test at his office in Seri Kembangan, the connection was so-so. He brought it back to me and I fooled around with the simcard of the modem and the next day which was on the 24th May, I couldn't connect to the internet like I used to the day before. So I called up Maxis Customer Center and asked what was going on. They made me do all those self testing crap which I've fiddled around so many times already. I got fed up and I just leave the modem as it is and hope that the next day everything would be okay. 5 days has past by and the problem still persisted so I made another call to them. Again, some self testing crap but this time I think the customer care operator was good enough and lodge a report to their technical team. There was nothing I could do so I was told to wait for a few days. By the way, this was my problem:

Maxis Wireless Broadband Admin Screenshot


Since I've already have TM Net Streamyx connection, I just left my modem on my desk and occasionally test the connection but the problem still persisted. I got fed up, so I waited and waited for the Maxis technical support to call me back. They called me up twice I think and one of it was to ask for my modem serial number. After that, almost 2 weeks passed by and still I couldn't connect. I called them up again and I was surprised to find they told me that the issue was resolved. So, I asked them to lodge a report again. I was frustrated with the service that I just don't want to think about it anymore. The next day, my brother who likes to fiddle around with handphone had this bright idea and asked if we could reset the SIM card of the modem. So, he called up Maxis Center and had the SIM card resetted and voila, the internet works! Gosh, I got disconnected on the 24th of May and reconnected on 24th of June. I've wasted a month of internet connectivity and paying for it. So, if you ever had any problem like what I've experienced, just ask the Maxis wireless internet operator to reset your SIM card.

The next day, my first bill arrived:


My Maxis Broadband Bill


I read on a forum last time that the first bill would be around RM188 or somewhere less than RM200. I've already set aside RM250 just to pay up so I guess getting the bill for RM162 wasn't too bad after all. If you really drill down the details, I think having a TM Net Streamyx internet connection requires more cost because of the need to pay for the landline alongside with the internet bill. The other plus point is the mobility and instant internet access that Maxis is providing.

Since I don't really need 2 internet connection, the intention of getting Maxis wireless is for Laadvamore since she wants to be in contact with me through Yahoo Messenger plus using it for her research studies. I then suggested her to hook up the modem using my old Prolink wireless router since my home network got upgraded already. By doing this, since she lives in a hostel, she can move around in her room without being stuck with the bulky modem plus I suggested that she share her internet connection with her friend and charge them a small monthyl fee. That would partially cover the bill and that would be great. The setup looks something like this:

Maxis Wireless Broadband Wi-Fi Setup


Although the speed wasn't so good in Shah Alam but the connection there shows a High Speed Connection (HSDPA). Oh well, at least we can still chat and even do a conference call along with a webcam connectivity. This saves a lot of money for loving couple like myself. If not, I had to burn a hole in my pocket to pay for all those expensive handphone call charges. I just love technology.

Bottomline, answering my previous blog post question, I find Maxis Wireless Internet 3G Broadband worth my money. At least for now of course. ;-)

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Which Heroes Character Am I

I don't have Astro satellite TV at home but I do have another satellite TV at home. Don't ask me what kind because I didn't install the satellite TV and most of the TV programme is from Indonesia. The best part is, unlike Astro where there's a monthly fees to pay, I get to watch satellite TV for FREE! Fortunately, on the foreign TV program that I am watching is the TV hit series "Heroes". So now, everyday I'll rush back home before 7pm just to watch "Heroes". I found this quiz that will tell you what Heroes character you would be after answering a series of questions. This is my character and score:

Which Heroes character are you?
Your Result: Nathan Petrelli
 

You are Nathan Petrelli.
You can fly, but you couldn't care less about your power. Most people who get to know you well don't like you because you are kind of a jerk-off. You have a lot of charisma and power, and constantly use both to benefit yourself.

Hiro Nakamura
 
Peter Petrelli
 
Claire Bennet
 
Issac Mendez
 
Matt Parkman
 
Sylar
 
Niki Sanders
 
Which Heroes character are you?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz


Mmm...This is rather interesting. I wonder what will my horoscope will tell me about myself next?

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

When Opportunity Knocks

Recently, Zul from SkorCareer.com wrote an article on 5 Reasons Why You Need To Find Another Job. I think employers will have a difficult time retaining them if their employee read and take into considerations all the points on the article. I'll summarize the points down below:

  1. You may own the profession but you don’t own the company.

  2. To find the life time opportunity, you need to look, and not wait for it.

  3. Expand your network

  4. Make more money

  5. Learn to give back to community



I find that all the points above is relevant and it should be practive whenever you get the chance. This year has been a very busy year for me. Earlier this year, I landed on a new job. I wrote a couple of blog posts during the journey at that time:



This month will be my 6th months on my new job and something had came up. One of the most difficult thing to do is to make decisions. In order to make that decision, questions need to be answered. It is tough but it needs to be done eventually. I guess something new will happen and I look forward to it when it finally comes and definitely will.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Paying For Google Storage?

My main e-mail has always been Gmail. Eventhough I already have my own domain, I just can't find any other e-mail that has the functionality such as what Gmail offering. The best thing I think is the search function, it is so quick but you need to know the keyword first of course.

It seems like Google is now offering a paid version of their online storage. I personally never used Gmail as my main storage. Previously, I used my Yahoomail where I dumped all sort of stuff there an one day my Yahoo account got hacked by a script impersonating Yahoo Photos. Anyway, the other thing that bothers me is the internet connection. If lets say I wanted to upload or download something and the internet line keeps on turning off and on, it would be painfully annoying. Nevertheless, I don't think I'll ever finish using up all those online storage that I currently have right now. I never even finished up my own hard drive.

Oh well, it's all a matter of preferences. Want to purchase more Google Storage?

Thursday, August 09, 2007

KLCC PC Fair August 2007 Visit

Last Friday, right after work myself and my friend from New York head over to KLCC Convention Centre. It was a busy week last week so I was quite excited to visit PC Fair 2007. I don't really have any budget to buy anything but I was eyeing on a printer or a wireless mouse to be used for my laptop. I also had a list of things Laadvamore asked me to buy for her female friends. Its been a couple of years already PC Fair is organized at KLCC Convention Centre. I really missed the PC Fair when it was held at The Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC). I think it is easier and more fun when it was at PWTC compared to KLCC Convention Centre.

After the entrance of the hall, you will see a map.
KLCC PC Fair 2007 Road Map

I just don't think this map is useful because it made me confused after a while I've been there. Anyway, I founded the banquest hall first and it was full of speakers. It was blaring with sound and music, I couldn't even stand being there for more than 5 minutes. I wonder how the sales guy inside that hall could have withstand the noise. I guess they must have had an ear plug or they'll go deaf once PC Fair 2007 is over.

KLCC PC Fair 2007 Laptop Chicks

The not so good thing I find about PC Fair at KLCC Convention Centre is once you've passed by a place, you need to continue your journey through the maze and by then you'll find your way out. Its typically design to make you go through all the route in order for you to see stuff that might bring out your wallet and buy. By the way, check out the Laptop Babes! ;-)

Eventhough it was Friday, the hall was packed with people looking for bargains. I guess it was a full house during Saturday and Sunday.

KLCC PC Fair 2007 Crowd
KLCC PC Fair August 2007 Crowd
KLCC PC Fair 2007 Hall
KLCC PC Fair August 2007 Hall
KLCC PC Fair 2007 Maxis Broadband Booth
KLCC PC Fair 2007 Maxis Broadband Booth


I can see that Maxis 3G Wireless Broadband was making a heavy marketing campaign. Every hall I went to have 2-3 booth that was asking people to sign up for the service. Even the TM Net guys seems so few compared to them. The internet connection is using the 3G network so it's not really reliable but so far from how Laadvamore is using, it's pretty much decent in Shah Alam. I even setup and attached a wireless router together with the Maxis modem sharing it with a couple of her other friends and it works fine so far. I'll update on how the connection and the experience in a blog post soon.

The next day, I fell sick because of some strange reason and rested at home the entire weekend. I had plan to go back to KLCC on Saturday to look for more stuff but I went to the clinic instead. Oh well, my body need some rest I guest for working too hard. Oh well, there will be another PC Fair soon enough.


Not every 70-291 student but most of them have 646-204 as well as 70-649 and 70-620 to their credit and hence opting for a 642-901 or even a SY0-101 is not a big deal for these professionals whose ultimate goal is N10-003.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

The Beauty Web Designer

I love watching Reality Shows. Yesterday night, I watched the second season of Beauty and The Geek and I am pretty sure every Tuesday night, I'll be glued to the TV to watch the show. Nowadays, TV programs are refocusing their attention to different kind of people and matching them up with the good looking TV material type.

So earlier today, I was reading .net Practical Web Design magazine at my office and saw this picture:

Larissa Meek on Web Design Magazine


I was certain that I've seen her on TV somewhere but I couldn't figure out who she was. So, I read the article and she was the lady who joined Average Joe Hawaii. I never missed that show when it was aired on TV. I would have never thought she is an accomplished web designer, at least that was what I found on Wikipedia. Pulling up Larissa Meek website, I was astounded by the awesome graphic design and best of all, she uses Wordpress.

A truly beauty, talented and gifted person the web have ever seen. I am now her big fan both for her design and good look :D
Larissa Meek