Rapid Penang Looks Promising

I intended to take a ride on the new Rapid Penang buses today but the plan didn't work out as intended but what I saw in that one hour when I was out on the road was enough to convince me this could (finally) actually work.

Everyone and their pets know how screwed up the public transportation system is here in Penang. I gave up taking the bus many years ago and never looked back. However, I'm an advocate of public transport and I look forward to the day I can leave my car at home and jump on the public transportation system to commute easily to wherever I want to go. Looks like it may materialise soon enough. Maybe Penang's traffic woes will improve from now on.

With the launch of the new bus service and Penang being earmarked as the transportation and logistic hub for the four northern states of Malaysia, things are really looking up for downtrodden Penang. Rapid Penang really looks very promising and I do hope the Penang Monorail will not disappoint when it eventually kicks off in a few years time.

I was travelling in my car for about an hour this afternoon and I saw at least five (possibly more than ten) Rapid Penang buses in that short period of time! As I left my neighbourhood, I saw a Rapid Penang bus. As I was driving on the road, I saw a few more. As I waited at a traffic lights, I saw one passed by. This is what it should be like! This is how it is like in Singapore, well-known for their efficient public transportation system.

During that same duration, I saw none of the old stages buses or mini buses plying the roads. Maybe they were on strike? Come to think of it, everytime I'm on the road trying to spot a public bus would seem like a really arduous task! I really can't remember the last time I saw a bus on the road. Yes, it's that bad. That's why I'm as blunt as to suggest that the bus companies be left to bleed financially for their lacklustre performance thus far which has caused much hardship for Penangites. This is retribution, this is payback time.

I really like what I see in Rapid Penang. It's a refreshing change. A very much needed and overdue one. I see many happy faces on the buses this afternoon. I'm looking at tomorrow or the day after to try out the new buses and it's free till then. Maybe I'll be able to comment further after experiencing the service first hand. Rapid Penang looks very promising and I hope it stays that way, if not better. Based on my observations so far, good job Rapid Penang!

Keywords: Rapid Penang bus service public transport public transportation system Penang Malaysia traffic woes

Seven Habits Of Highly Effective Ah Bengs

You've heard and probably read Stephen Covey's best-seller 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Now let me introduce to you the less known but equally powerful and relevant 7 Habits of Highly Effective Ah Bengs!


(click to enlarge)

This is not the first time I've received this through email but I just had to post this up this time around. Have a great week ahead.

Keywords: Stephen Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 7 Habits of Highly Effective Ah Bengs parody funny joke inspirational books

A Boy Without Email

After reading this, would you still want to own an email?

A jobless man applied for the position of "office boy" at Microsoft. The HR manager interviewed him then watched him cleaning the floor as a test. "You are employed."

He said, "Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the application to fill in, as well as date when you may start."

The man replied, "But I don't have a computer, neither an email." "I'm sorry," said the HR manager, "If you don't have an email, that means you do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job."

The man left with no hope at all. He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket. He then decided to go to the supermarket and buy a 10kg tomato crate.

He then sold the tomatoes in a door to door round. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital. He repeated the operation three times, and returned home with $60. The man realised that he can survive by this way, and started to go everyday earlier, and return late Thus, his money doubled or tripled every day. Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles.

5 years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US . He started to plan his family's future. He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man replied, "I don't have an email." The broker answered curiously, "You don't have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!!"

The man thought for a while and replied, "Yes, I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!"

Moral of the story:

- Internet is not the solution to your life
- If you don't have internet, and work hard, you can still be a millionaire
- If you have an email, you are closer to being an office boy than a millionaire

Have a great weekend!

Keywords: Microsoft joke moral inspirational email

Make Your Own Online Store With OblinQ

If you're looking to jump on the e-commerce bandwagon, you may want to give OblinQ a look at. The best thing about this is, you don't even need to have any products to sell! All you have to do is refer the products you think others may be interested in and if any purchase is done through your OblinQ store, you will receive a commission for the sale.

I find the concept very interesting. Friends and relatives usually ask my opinion before purchasing products such as digital cameras, handphones, computers, laptops and other gadgets. I always provide such "services" for free. Some were kind enough to give me a treat. Now, with OblinQ, I could potentially receive a small commission if they eventually decide to purchase the products compiled at my store. However, most of the retailers are located in the United States and making such purchases online (especially when it's to be shipped from so far away and involving higher costs due to shipping fees and all) hasn't really taken off with Malaysians yet.

Among the participating retailers are Amazon, Macy's, Walmart, Target and Dell with products ranging from electronics, health & beauty, baby, sports and travel. You can easily add products to your own store and they even have a widget you can install to simplify the process further.

The site is still new and is currently an alpha release. Hopefully, with this paid review and others, more people will get to know this service and start cashing in on their "word of mouth" expertise.

Keywords: OblinQ ReviewMe review word of mouth online store e-commerce