ChanKelwin.com

This song, I feel the earth move by Carole King has been stuck in my head the whole evening yesterday.

Finally, there are signs that things are beginning to happen. However, I am approaching it with cautious optimism. As the saying goes, “it ain’t over ‘til the fat lady sings”.

I hate to say this but it is true. In some scenarios, Streamyx (love it or hate it) offers the best package compared to the other Internet broadband providers in Malaysia. You will disagree if you are not experiencing the optimum speed for the package you have signed up for. In that case, check out these tips on how to diagnose and solve common Streamyx problems.

I am sharing my broadband Internet access together with a few others in my rented place. Watching Youtube, networking and playing games on Facebook, downloading files from file sharing sites like Rapidshare, Megaupload, Hotfile, etc, and whatnots happen around the clock. If you are in my situation, Streamyx is the perfect choice, if not, the only choice – provided you get to enjoy the optimum bandwidth speed you subscribed for.

Today, I was asked if I agreed to convert the existing Streamyx line to Digi broadband. I was told that the Digi broadband package offers a download bandwidth of 7mbps and costs around RM188. A quick check on Digi’s website revealed that the package could be the Digi Extreme Plan. The 7 times increased bandwidth was very tempting and I did not mind the slight increase in cost. I have to admit that it all sounded too good to be true.

After reading the fine prints and FAQ, the “catch” was found. Q17 in the FAQ reads:

Question: What is the usage limit for these broadband packages?
Answer: The Extreme package comes with a data quota/usage limit of 20GB. Usage beyond 20GB will be free although the speed will be throttled to 128kbps.

The 20GB limit may be more than enough for some but definitely not in my place. I doubt it would last a week. If the guys do not mind “enjoying” a mere 128kbps bandwidth (which is equivalent to twice the speed of conventional dialup), I say go ahead. I am staying out.

 If you are in my situation, where you enjoy a stable Streamyx connection and speed but would need more bandwidth, check out their Super Upgrade Deals page. In short, you get to upgrade to the next package for free the first 4 months, and need only pay an extra RM5 to RM11 each month thereafter. The catch is that there is a 24 months minimum contract.

If I get to choose, I’d go for the Super Upgrade Deal promotion or at least an upgrade to a true unlimited 2mbps package for the same price. Never any mobile broadband packages if I am sharing my Internet connection with other heavy broadband users.

So, is Streamyx the only choice for a heavy broadband user? Worse, a group of heavy broadband users? Or did I miss some new broadband providers or promotions?

The air conditioner in my rented room has been giving me problems for quite some time now. Even with the temperature set low (22 degrees) and fan at full speed, it takes quite a long time to cool down the room.

Weekends are the worst time as I might be in while the scorching sun is just right outside my window. If the weather is really hot, the air conditioner will completely cease to operate, blowing nothing but hot air. It can be very unpleasant when that happens.

That is why I was glad when my landlord said she had called the service man to service the air conditioners in the house. My excitement was short-lived when I was told that I have to pay the service man myself. RM40 for a normal service sounded okay to me though. However, I was then told that my unit also needed a gas recharge and the bill increased to RM60.

The air conditioner is working perfectly now. There is a new problem though — it is a little too cold in my room now. Freezing cold!

It is 3am now and this song just appeared in my mind. Singing acoustic really does bring out the “feel” of the song. I like it better this way. Sometimes with all the noise (instruments), it distorts the song, bringing the focus away from the meaning and towards the music. If that makes any sense.

I was having dinner at Jaya 33 when I received news that the old Jaya supermarket building had collapsed. I had earlier noticed a few ambulance and police cars around that area but did not suspect anything. The building looked no different from the last time I saw it from where I was at.

Of course, I was looking at the part of the Jaya supermarket that was still standing firm. The part of the old building that has collapsed was at the other end of it.

These are two photos of the Jaya supermarket building that I took a couple of days before it collapsed. Below is the part of the building that had collapsed and killed seven (?) workers.

According to this report, 11 families living opposite the building has been evacuated. If I had not moved out from one of those houses a year ago, I would have had to pack my bags as well.

I wonder what goes through the minds of those who have to work at the nearby fast food restaurant and bank of the still standing part of the building.