Technology
Line goes dead, idiocy ensues.
Around midnight last night, the connection to our server dropped dead for no reason. No amount of effort will resurrect it - the line went dead out of our control.
What's left to rant about? Having a bad connection and having a downtime of half a day is bad enough, but having the ISP not having a clue as to what is happening and still insisting the blame is on our side?
What ticks me off is that the tech support we called never bothers to record what we've mentioned. We've already stated from the very beginning over the phone that we used multiple hardware to try to resurrect the line - which by then was very obvious that the problem did not stem from our hardware at all, as our neighbors were also experiencing the same thing happening as well (as if this isn't enough of a clue that it is not isolated to our hardware?)
What happened next was they sent a techie to call me up and ask me all the repeated questions - turn modem on/off, change to direct connection, get rid of splitters, check your pulse, take a urine sample, etc. Why wasn't what we said earlier recorded so they don't start wasting both our time? They can't even deduce that the connection problem is AREA-wide, seeing that our neighbors also complained. That's just really, really, unsystematic of them.
And to think that business users actually pay more than double for the same package for home users.
Just Joost it! Mac / PC.
Just discovered an interest bit of software from a friend of mine. You can now watch 400+ channels on your Mac / PC with this nifty software: Joost!
The installation is typically simple (simply drag to the Applications folder on a Mac) and the interface is easy to use, and lag is kept at a minimum - on good days depending on your connection that is.
If you have a fast DSL connection, you probably wouldn't even miss your TV or advertising-laden Astro.
Apple authorised store in Miri is opening on April 11: Promotions galore
The only Apple authorised store in Miri is opening on April 11 (tomorrow) at Bintang Plaza Level 3. There will be opening promo going on for 1 DAY ONLY for:
Every purchase of 2GB Apple iPod Shuffle will get a half price at RM 135 only.*
(Promo for 2Gb iPod shuffle only starts from 1pm, at first come first serve basis, and only 1 unit per customer)
Every purchase of 1Gb Apple iPod Shuffle will get a half price at RM 95 only.*
(Promo for 1Gb iPod shuffle only starts from 6pm, at first come first serve basis, and only 1 unit per customer)
Every purchase of Apple iPod Nano, Classic & Touch will get a gift pack worth of more than RM250, with Mini Portable Speakers, & Premium Leather Pouch.*
Every purchase of Apple MacBook Laptop will get a gift pack worth of more than RM800, with Targus Runner Backpack, Apple iWork softwares, & ECAZStudio Photobook.*
Every purchase of Apple iMac Desktop will get a gift pack worth of more than RM500, with Apple iWork softwares, & ECAZStudio Photobook.*
*While Stocks Last
How fast do I type?
Found this from a friend's blog.
Click the link below to test your typing skills. Or to improve it from there. It's free!
Technorati Redux
I've put this blog on Technorati. The last time I did this was a total disaster, so now I'm starting afresh. This post is just a simple introductory to claim it.
A bit about Technorati:
"Technorati is the recognized authority on what's happening on the World Live Web, right now. The Live Web is the dynamic and always-updating portion of the Web. We search, surface, and organize blogs and the other forms of independent, user-generated content (photos, videos, voting, etc.) increasingly referred to as “citizen media.” "
If you aren't signed up with Technorati yet, you don't know what you're missing. So go sign up there for your blog.
Also, you should favorite this blog. Even if you hate it alot. 
Darn stupid banks!
This is the third time I've been locked out of my own account.
I mean, if I am a thief, and if I already have all those details, I would probably have gotten in without any problems. Logically, locking out such accounts is to stop random key password attacks, right?
And what the $%@$#&@! is "credit line number (example 4000)"??? Did the page explain?
Nooooooooooo.
So after a measely TWO attempts at it the system decides that I'm a thief and locks me out. On a public holiday.
Calling the helpline didn't help one bit.
My experience with a lot of banking systems is that they lock out their own customers anyway. So much for 'online banking efficiency'!!!
Used Computers Donation Drive: Bridging the Digital Gap
RumahDayak.com (RD.com) is a non-profit online portal that seeks to bridge the digital gap among disadvantaged communities in rural Sarawak.RD.com recognizes that acccess to information holds the key to the empowerment of marginalized people, particularly youth and women. The vision of RumahDayak.com Bridging the Digital Gap Campaign is to foster wealth creation, reduce unemployment and create self-sustaining communities by providing marginalized people in rural communities with the technology tools, training and resources to enable them to realize their greatest potential.
Although we would love to receive as much used computers as possible, there is certain limitation to what you can donate.
We are looking for a minimum hardware specification as follows:
- Pentium 4 motherboard with 256Mb RAM
- CD ROM Drive
- Keyboard and Mouse
- 15" VGA MonitorWe also accept:
- Dot matrix printers (this is handy for schools who use offset printing)
- Inkjet printers
- OHP Projectors
- OHP Screen****Note*****
Please test your computers or hardware items and ensure that it is in working condition before sending it to us.Where to send it?
For those in Miri and its surroundings, please send it to:
Lot 2204, First Floor, Lorong Seberkas Mews
Seberkas Commercial Centre
Jalan Pujut-Lutong
98000 Miri
For those from outstation may need to bear the logistics charges and send it to the address above using bus. We can pick it up from the bus terminal at Pujut Corner. Please notify me before you send it.Thank you for your kind attention and participation.
More here
This is a very good donation drive to bridge the technology gap. Any form of drive for better understanding of technology especially for those in the rural areas I'm all up for it.
I have some computers scattered in parts in usable condition, which - I will reassemble to be donated. Better than left lying around wasted, right?
Please donate used computers in working condition to be distributed to the rural areas for the bringing access to technology and resources to the underserved, rural communities, and those who're far removed from the information age.
29th September 2007 - Miri Broadband coverage reaches 60 percent.
Listen to ANY blog
Talkr: Letting blogs speak for themselves.
I got this from The Borneo Post today. Since the news doesn't appear to be online yet I'm just rewriting what is on it manually.
Here's the gist of things:
Miri: The Miri pilot Wi-fi city project has hit over 60 percent of coverage, and is on course to be completed by November. A total of 34 base stations have already been established and another 26 are coming up in 10 locations in the city.{...}There are nearly 11,000 subscribers recently and the figure is expected to double. It is targetting 100 % penetratin rate within the city and suburban with competitive rates.
{...}..upcoming hotzones are Permyjaya, Tudan, Desa Senadin, Miri Port / Kuala Baram, Kampung Pulau Melayu, Luak, Bakam and Miri Airport. There are currently over 60 locations which have been covered under the hotzones, including business districts, schools and even tennis courts.
{...}For places with low reception, boosters are suggested to overcome the limitations for optimum signals.
Source: Borneo Post
Techno mumbo jumbo grumble
Computers. That word. To most people it reminds them of the Windows start up chime, the Start menu, the ever annoying viruses and the mandatory but ever-so-annoying anti-virus updates.
Also, the association that only young people are adept with them.
Why are most old folks shunning the technology? Shouldn't they start using them for many benefits, such as checking health and medical web sites for information on maintaining health, or video conferencing with their children overseas or even grandchildren overseas?
But I've noticed a lot of them here are shunning the technology after attempting to use it for a while.
From what I've observed, a lot of computer technicians - or tech savvy users - to a certain degree, are almost solely responsible for slowing down technology adoption among the elderly.
Why? Why is it that they have to blame the end user for every little thing? There's so many rules to remember.
"Don't open any suspicious email."
"Don't do anything else while the computer is processing."
"Shut it down properly."
"Don't just install anything."
"Don't open too many apps in one session." etc. etc.
If anything happens, it's your fault. Virus? Your fault. File corruption or lost clusters? Your fault. Windows can't boot? Got hacked? Can't run '.exe' files because you're not using the right computer? Your fault. All your fault.
It's always the end user. "You're not using it the correct way." Ever realize the traumatic effect that has on beginners?
"Nope, don't touch the computer while it processing something, otherwise it may 'hang up' and go 'haywire'. You can't do this. You can't do that. See what you did? You can't do this otherwise it'll cause problems. Then it's your fault."
What's the point then, of using a computer if you can't multitask with it? Or actually use it for work for that matter?
It's no wonder the older folks have such a hard time adapting to computers.
Has it ever occurred that, it's actually the computer's fault? That they don't build things foolproof enough? That some of these intimidating heaps of silicon, glass, metal and code are still using 20 year old filesystems from a DOS hack? That important system files should never be touchable by the normal account user? That it should come built in with a firewall? That there should be effective backups included, that the there should be several levels of user accounts - one that if there was a screw up, won't bring down the entire system? One that won't allow a file to propagate itself without permission from root access so viruses can't go far?
Before the influx of Japanese automobiles all over the world, back in the old days, pre-1930s, to drive a car means you also have to be a mechanic. If the car breaks down on a long journey - which, if its any long journey, there's a high chance it will break down, then you'll have to fix it yourself. Or, alternatively bring a mechanic along on your picnic trip.
After all, a car consists of 100,000 tiny little parts, and should they break, it's a normal thing, right? And if you drive it too hard, the engine blows up, guess what? It's your fault!
It wasn't until around the 60s when the Japanese started globally distributing cars that are so reliable, even when driven hard, that it keeps running without any problems. And they blew that misconception right out of the water. Even though they had the same 100,000s of parts in them, they kept working!
Nowadays, when you're driving a car, and the engine blows up, it's the manufacturers' fault! Which should be the way it is! And none of us bring a mechanic along with us either on long trips, nor do we have to learn mechanical skills.
So when will people change their misconception about computers and stop blaming users for the computer's inherent traits? And the fact that 'not everyone is a mechanic'?
A computer should be an experimental sandbox to the absolute beginner (which now can mean mostly toddlers or the elderly). A computer should be built with this in mind. That's how younger ones learn. Young people don't mind getting blamed for it, as they will always be curious at their age to try things, but the older ones feel insecure and perhaps even inferior when they realize they are being left so far behind.
They should click on things and watch what happens without feeling like it's going to explode the next moment. And don't lay the blame on them when something does happen. What happens when they get blamed for problems? Unlike young people, they'd think that they might as well don't learn it to avoid the 'humiliation' and the trouble!
Sure, some young at heart will be overzealous enough to cause troubles, but at least the computer should be resilient to these kinds of things. Unless the mentality changes, people will keep having the same close-mindedness approach about computing and a lot of older people will fall into the other side of the ever-widening gap between the tech savvy and non-tech savvy.
Come'on, help them old folks out - they're missing out on a lot already as it is. Take some tolerance to teaching them to at least to love utilizing technology for their interests, and stop the blame game.
10th August 2007 - Connectivity problems. Yet again. And a heatwave.
This annoys us to no end. Internet connectivity problems plagued us again yesterday evening when I'm not around to fix it. Site was down for the whole night.
On another matter, Miri is having a huge heat wave. Temperatures are.. well high (didn't bother to check) and the heat is simply unbelievable. Even a breeze is hot. Sort of like opening a hot oven- an industrial bread-making oven. Even the air conditioning in my car blasts hot gas for at least 5 minutes until it gradually becomes just 'blown air' for the rest of the trip since the heat through the windshield simply cancels out any cold air.
It's 10am in the morning as I write this and outside it's already hot with not one cool air current.
Not forgetting the haze, and yes it's back and staying, though not yet enough to degrade visibility but you can see it in the skies.
*Update: It's 2PM now and the sky looks like it's about to rain. So much for the expected heatwave.
| ©2007
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