Selamat Hari Raya

Its a little late, but better late than never. Selamat Hari Raya from Penang on HSDPA. I am lucky that Penang or at least where I am is covered by Maxis 3.5G.

Traffic on NSE was bearable this year, but I had to endure the entire 300 KM journey under heavy rain. Nuts..

Raya was mostly spending visiting, watching movie and shopping! My bro-in-law was around, so takdalah boring sangat. This leave is long overdue and I am just going to be a lazy and useless couch potato until works start. I know tons of stuff is waiting for me in KL, so better take the chance now...

Since I am on leave, I took the chance to try out Celebrity Fitness in Gurney Plaza. Will blog later about it, but I seriously thinking of taking up their Diamond Program. Although I will still maintain FF, but not for long.

No idea, what else to blog. Chow.

Back from Brunei

Image from giftrap.com, no pics from me.

I was in Brunei for a business trip. It was a one and the half day trip, so lets sum up:-

• I stayed in Palm Garden hotel. Nice hotel and just beside it is Fitness Zone. Its equivalent to Fitness First here and its 3 storey tall. No time to try it out...
  
• Brunei is not what I expected it to be. I thought as a oil-rich country, everything would be modern. Airport suxs, the surrounding area is like Kuala Terengganu. At least their highway is toll free.
• Food is lousy but cheap. I had a small buffet for BND 8.
  
• DVD is exceptionally cheap here. Only BND 2 and damn clear.
  
• The most "sakit hati" part is their cars. Cars are dirt cheap here. Vios goes for BND 19,000 and a BMW 5 series is BND 60,000. They drive all kindda cars, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Daihatsu and etc. I did see few Protons going around. Losers...
• Imagine government officers in Brunei driving BMW Z3, Lexus, Mitsubishi and Cefiro. Anyone doing that in Msia is asking for an appointment with ACA.
  
• Petrol is so cheap here that the Brunei ppl we asked didn't even know the price. Murah bah...
• During fasting month, the government office here close at 2 PM, but most of them leave at 12.30 pm. Unbelievable.
  
• Crime rate is low. People are not afraid of leaving their laptops in the car. In KL, within 5 minutes, its gone.
  
• Chicks... hmm.. subjective... KL got better selections.
  

Palace - Picture we took in Brunei

Nothing much in Brunei except the dome of their national mosque is made in gold!

Ramadhan 1428H

Puasa, apart from fasting is to control all other activities that will nullified your fasting. Lets see what happen on the first day of fasting

• Early morning, I had to be part of a some gossiping. Luckily I left early. Minus point
• Had to lie in the meeting that I was from a different company. Minus point ke?
  
• Resist all temptation to look at sexy women.
  
• While driving, resist all temptation to curse other drivers.
• While crossing the road, a driver nearly ran over me. Had to resist to not show the middle finger.
• All day, resist all negative thoughts about other people.
  

By end of the day, I am not sure how well I fared. Its a challenge to be a patient person in KL. But just to look at the situation, if this was not Ramadhan, boy, I would have collected quite number sins. How well did you do?

Telekom Malaysia Makan Duit

I am reposting an email communication from TM on TMNET refund.

---

Dear Mr. Ganee{omitted},

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

We write in response to your complaint at TMpoint Plaza Kelana Jaya dated 16th August 2007 pertaining to the matter above.

We refer to your refund request of RM 69.65, kindly be informed that upon checking in our system, we found that your card has expired and the account was closed on 30th July 2005.

Please note that after checking with related department, they have confirmed that they are unable to process your request as the refund of prepaid card is only considered valid if there was damage or error on that card.

Due to that, we are sorry to inform you that we are unable to process your request due to above reason.

Should you require further assistance or would like to submit any enquiry / feedback, kindly visits www.tm.net.my and click ?Need Help? Contact our Customer Service?.

Thank you.


Regards,
Noorliza Binti Noordin,
Customer Care Support, Internet Services,
Customer Service Management,
TM Retail

www.tm.net.my

(ICOMS#6289337-368285)


-----Previous Response-----
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2007 5:08 PM
To: {omitted}
Subject: transfer credited amount to other streamyx account

Dear Mr. Ganee{omitted},

Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

We write in response to your complaint at TMpoint Plaza Kelana Jaya dated 16th August 2007 pertaining to the matter above.

We refer to your request, kindly be informed that we have forwarded this matter to the relevant department to proceed with further investigation. For the time being, they are conducting a thorough investigation. We highly appreciate your co-operation to give us some time for this and we will do our best to resolve this matter. Once there is feedback, we will update you.

Should you require further assistance or would like to submit any enquiry / feedback, kindly visits www.tm.net.my and click ?Need Help? Contact our Customer Service?.

Thank you.


Regards,
Noorliza Binti Noordin,
Customer Care Support, Internet Services,
Customer Service Management,
TM Retail

www.tm.net.my


-----Previous Response-----
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2007 4:08 PM
To:{omitted}
Subject: transfer credited amount to other streamyx account

Kepada Encik Ganee{omitted},

Terima kasih di atas maklumbalas anda. TMpoint Kelana Jaya telah mengajukan kes anda untuk perhatian kami. Kami memohon maaf diatas kelewatan membalas maklumbalas ini.

Berhubung dengan pertanyaan anda mengenai bil, kam ingin memaklumkan bahawa pihak kami telah menghantar pertanyaan anda mengenai bil kepada Bahagian Pengebilan kami untuk bantuan selanjutnya.

Pihak Pengebilan kami akan menghubungi pihak anda setelah siasatan telah selesai. Kami memohon maaf di atas kesulitan yang dihadapi dan sokongan yang diberikan amat dihargai.

Sekiranya terdapat sebarang pertanyaan atau maklum balas, sila layari laman web www.tm.net.my dan klik "Need Help? Contact our Customer Service".

Kami berharap agar sentiasa dapat memberikan perkhidmatan yang terbaik.


Yang benar,
Suria
Customer Care Support, Internet Services,
Customer Service Management,
TM Retail.

www.tm.net.my


-----Original Message-----
From: Ganee{omitted}
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 2:08 PM
Subject: transfer credited amount to other streamyx account

---

I don't remember slotting the prepaid card into the modem in order to use the internet. I don't even remember closing the account. If the card is expired and I lose my balance, then why did your customer support ask me to file a refund?

Ohh well, knowing TM, its an uphill battle and I am tired.

TM, you guys surely dah makan duit orang sebelum ni... takpa lah... makan lah RM 69.65 tu. Cukupkan for your next annual profit statement yang berbillion tu. Tapi saya tetap haramkan RM 69.65 tu....

FeedDemon vs Google Reader

Update 14th January 2008

I decided to give FeedDemon a try for a month, but I hate it that I can't play my podcast directly from the feed instead I have to download it. You can play it online via Gator online, but there isn't a direct link to it either. Sux.

Update! 13th January 2008
FeedDemon is now FREE! I have downloaded the version 2.6. Looks like they have upgraded the interface. Whats new?

• Free online Gator account. Now you can sync your view your feeds online and sync with your mobile phone as well. All FREE!
• Thumbnail images instantly shows up on top of the feed listings.
• Have a Panic Button to mark all feed read.
• Prefetch items for offline reading.. cool
• Able to read in 3 modes, full post, summary and headlines - similar to Google reader.
• Add feeds to My Clipping for later viewing. Nice.

Overall, its still maintains the same features as before, however I don't think I will be switching just yet. The loading seems a bit slow. (I am just used to Google Reader's speed). Furthermore I have a lot of junk feeds, which I don't feel its necessary to take my hard disk space. But if you want to hear about the argument which is better? Lets see what Nick Bradbury has to say...

---

Its been a real challenge for me to decide which RSS reader I am going to be using. I have been using FeedDemon for a year now, but after watching this video, my interest in Google Reader was renewed.

FeedDemon

• Includes Podcatcher and syncs to my Windows Media which in turns syncs to my PDA. A real advantage.
  
• Offline reading.
  
• Newsbin
• 3 column view (Configurable)
  

Google Reader

• Fast!
• Simple to use with AJAX features
• Love the OPML import features
• Offline reading now with Google Gear
  
• AJAX integration with keyboard keystrokes
• Play podcast immediately from the browser

Finally I have decided to go full ahead with Google Reader although I will miss the Podcast sync with my PDA. Anyway, I hardly listen to them ... Lets see how its goes.

Insult on Islam and Country

Update on 15th August 2007

• Student rapper apologises
  

So, he apologises. Why no video? Was it sincere or due to pressure from Big G? You rapped in video and I want to see the apology in video!!

---

• Negarakuku - Translation of its lyrics in Malay
• University student comes under fire for video clip
• MCA seeking to calm uproar over music video

This is related to the "Negarakuku" rap video version of our national anthem sang by a loser in Taiwan. I didn't watch it, but after reading the lyrics I feel insulted that he sarcastically rapped about azan subuh. I got an advise for you, don't like the morning call, go and live Taiwan forever.

---

"However, Ong stressed on Saturday that the party would not tell the family if Wee had been right or wrong to make the video." - The Star

- I am more appalled that MCA is going to calm the matter and not ticking the father off. What nonsense? Tan Sri, why no police report on this?

"In Muar, DAP Youth chief Nga Kor Ming has invited Wee to join the party, saying that it did not find his "rapping" of the national anthem an insult.He said Wee was “very creative”, adding that the party could use his talent." - The Star

- Its not DAP needs him, its DAP need less people like you. What a dumb ass? You plan to rap thru the GE?

---

Our country Malaysia is multi-racial and multi-religion. All of us have to be tolerant and respect each other's religion and customs. I read another blog, a Chinese blogger who was annoyed that Muslims double park outside mosques on Fridays. Come one, go to Jalan Gasing on Saturdays, they double park in front of the church. But don't we all tolerate it?

I am one with the Government on this, extradite this moron back here and give him a lifetime imprisonment. Make sure his cell mate is a big burly gay guy who doesn't shower.

Fuming mad with McDonalds Kelana Jaya

I had my lunch around 3-4 PM. I was very hungry when I entered McD Kelana Jaya around 11.10 pm. This what happen:-

• As I entered I notice the environment was rather hot. No air con?
  
• Order my CFO and cheeseburger. I was told to wait for my cheeseburger.
  
• So I paid and waited beside the counter.
  
• Suddenly my cashier was changed with another person. My cashier went missing.
  
• I don't know what time was it.. but i think it was around 11.15 PM.
  
• I waited, waited and waited to be served. My cashier was still missing. 11.18 PM.
  
• It was 11.25 PM. I was boiling inside. An hungry man is an angry man.
  
• 11.26 PM, the new cashier notice I was waiting and ask what I was waiting for, I said cheeseburger. Then cashier shouted to the kitchen "cheeseburger!" and I didn't see any. Tak kan baru nak suruh buat?
  
• I blew my top "HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN WAITING!!?", then she shouted back to the kitchen "cheeseburger!".
• "IS THIS WANT YOU CALL FAST FOOD!!" - I shouted to them. Everyone stopped to look. Then my original cashier came running out, and miraculously my cheeseburger arrived!
  
• While waiting, those Mat Rempit of McD Delivery was staring at me. So the customer is wrong?
  
• Mistakes here?
  
• I should have kept my cool, but I just couldn't contain it anymore. I was hungry and left there unattended. I got really pissed when they had to reorder my food.
• My cashier went missing after taking my order.
• The new cashiers didn't know my situation.
  
• Why the original cashier didn't come back to attend to me or inform the new cashier that I was waiting?
  
• Why was not I informed the time of the burger would be ready.
• Why was I not given a drink and ask to sit down?
  
• The best part I couldn't find any email or phone number in McDonald Malaysia website to file in a complain. So much for customer service and McD is an international brand.
  
• I am going to lay off McD for a while.
  

Royal Fight

The blog world now is buzzing with Raja Petra Kamarudin aka RPK's 8 hour interrogation in Dang Wangi and his strong defiance over it. Kisah Malaysia semakin menarik... If you are right, you don't have to be scared, right?

What is more interesting is I found RPK who is royal blood fighting for Malaysia, which is truly uncommon among royals. So far I personally met one Tengku who is also fighting very hard for human rights in Malaysia. Although they are considered 'minor royals', but nevertheless still royal blood. Kudos.

Minor note:-

My office colleague threw me a belated birthday party in KFC today. Thank you very much guys. Tapi, I think I am getting too old for parties. Just give me a BMW would be fine. 

Installing PHP 5 & Apache 2 on Windows Vista

I wanted to use IIS 7 with PHP, but just couldn't get it right. I tried all solutions, installed the ISAPI extension, run the mapping script - zitto. After hours of trying I gave up. Screw it. 

So I decided to install Apache. Thinking it was an easy task... but no sir, it was equally time consuming. I just don't understand why. After much tinkering, finally got it to run. 

No, I refuse to use those all-in-one installers. No WAMP, XAMPP and etc for me.

Before you begin, this is a good site to refer to http://wamp.corephp.co.uk/index.php.

Who those who might be in the same predicament, here is the steps that I took:-

Step 1: Download PHP and Apache

• Download PHP from http://www.php.net/downloads.php. I first installed the MSI version, but then it caused more problem than good. I download the zip package instead.
• Once that is done, download Apache from http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi. This one I choose the MSI version.

Step 2: Install

• Unzip the PHP zip file. You can store is anywhere, but the usual practise is C:\php. But its up to you. 
• Once done, now run Apache setup file. For installation steps - http://wamp.corephp.co.uk/step_07.php 
• For Apache, you can run it as service using port 80 or via console using port 8080. Its up to you. I am using console since I still need the stupid IIS to run .Net. 

Step 3: Configure

• Now, go open the C:\php folder. Rename the file php.ini-recommended to php.ini. Open the file. Look for the value "doc_root". After the "=" sign, type this "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\htdocs". This will tell PHP to look for the web files at the mentioned folder. You can always change the path. 
• Now save the file. You can do the other tweaking later on.
• Open your Windows Explorer to "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\conf\default". 
• Rename the file httpd-win.conf to httpd.conf. Open the file in notepad or any editor of your choice.
• Now comes the part that caused me the most headache. Telling Apache to parse PHP. 
• Look for within .conf file for DSO. Under it there will be a bunch LoadModule statements. Just on top of the first statement, type this
• # PHP5
  LoadModule php5_module "c:/php/php5apache2_2.dll"
  PHPIniDir "C:/php"
  
  
  AddType application/x-httpd-php .php
  AddType application/x-httpd-php-source .phps
• Next look for the value DocumentRoot. Make sure it looks like this - DocumentRoot "C:/Program Files/Apache Software Foundation/Apache2.2/htdocs"
• Now save the file and copy the file out to "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\conf" folder level. 
• Almost there... now depending on your Apache setup earlier, try this http://localhost/ or http://localhost:8080/.  You should be welcomed with "It Works!" message. 
• Make sure Apache is running. If your running console, use the CMD command and "cd" to "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\bin" and type httpd. Don't close the windows, its your web server running!
• Now the acid test. Create a php file with the following syntax

  <?php
  
  phpinfo();
  
  ?>

  Save it as phpinfo.php in C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\htdocs. 
• Now run again http://localhost/phpinfo.php or http://localhost:8080/phpinfo.php.
• You should be able to see all the PHP config information. 
• If you don't, then probably there is some PHP or Apache config error. Good luck!

Fitness First Review : Menara Maxis

FF is located on the 3rd floor of Menara Maxis. Menara Maxis is located just beside KLCC. If you live in KL and don't know where is KLCC, I strongly suggest you find out where is it and jump from the top.

• Parking, you must be either very rich or insane to park in KLCC. For the rest of us, park at Avenue K. Its much cheaper. Weekends its a flat rate of RM 1. I can't remember on weekdays, but its not that expensive.. probably RM 2 for the first hour.
• Avenue K is connected to KLCC via the tunnel. The tunnel connect the KLCC LRT station to Suria KLCC. Either that, you can cross the street at the zebra crossing.
• Security is tight, so handover you IC or FF membership card to the security personel for registration purpose. You will get an access card in return. Scan it at the turnstile.
• There is a dedicated lift for FF here. Its the first one on your right. 3rd floor.
• Recently FF installed a turnstile, so you gotta swipe your membership card again before entering the gym.
• Well as you enter, you first hit the receptionist table. I don't want to comment much here, you go yourself and judge.
• Men changing room is on the left and the ladies on the right as you enter.
• 2 floor split.
• Changing room is OK, clean. Lockers look pretty old. The funny thing is the shower room. They have this tall glass shower room and yet, no hooks. How to hang lah?
• Cardio is fun here, all the machines are facing the window. So you can run, huff and puff while looking at the KL traffic + the construction work of Four Season. Enjoy.
• Some cardio machine, have this funny 5" LCD monitor. Lots of treadmill.
• Machines, I would say they have a complete sets of machines. They have those elusive machines such as glutes, calves and etc. Double of lateral pull down, rows, pulldowns... thumbs up!
• Now for those hardcore guys, your place is upstairs. The freeweights area is not the big, but big enough. 2 bench press machines, 1 smith machine and a 4-5 work bench. However the machines here are like in Manulife. Looks like hardcore Muscle Beach benches.
• Dumbbells can be limited at some time if there is a crowd.
• There is a quiet gym room for those looking for solidarity. Quite a large room.
• Chicks - this one no need to talk so much. Your center of KL, you know there will be hot mamas around.
• Only one thing I dislike is the abs area is under the staircase. You are like crunching and then you get to see people's ass chugging up and down the stairs. Come to think of it, its not that bad at all...

Ratings?

Check out for more reviews below
FF Island Plaza
FF Manulife
FF IOI Mall Puchong
FF Menara Axis
FF The Curve
FF DU
FF Consplant