Myvi in the Flesh

Well, maybe metal is more appropriate compared to flesh! Finally, I went to a Perodua showroom to see the highly successful Myvi and I wasn't disappointed at all with what I saw. I was just so close to placing an order at that very moment! Oh wait...I forgot I don't have a disposable income yet. Guess I've to wait for awhile more before I can even come up with the downpayment! :p I was actually accompanying my aunt (along with her kids and my mom) who is considering buying the car to replace her old faulty car. Where do I start? The exterior is very classy and nice. Boot space not really very small, neither is it large...just acceptable. The seats are very, very roomy! Claims that the interior is larger than Proton Wira is actually very true. It's also very nicely designed, interior and exterior. Ahh...I love everything about the car!!! Well, almost everything. The large panel at the centre of the dashboard is kinda ugly but I can deal with it. It's not entirely ugly, just not pleasant to the eyes but my eyes can adapt. :) I'm dreaming of Myvi tonight!

MSN Messenger Sucks

Come to think of it, when hasn't it? For as long as I can remember, it has always been a disappointing IM, at least to me. I had no choice but to install MSN Messenger (which I've avoided like the plague, so far) because everyone else in the conference I'm part of tonight were already using it. The interface is so messy and the functions...so dysfunctional! I'm definitely going back to Yahoo! Messenger after this and uninstall MSN Messenger from my system, FOR GOOD!!!

LIVE 8 - The Long Walk To Justice

LIVE 8 begins where Live Aid left off 20 years ago with a mission to eradicate poverty in Africa. Every single day 30,000 children die needlessly of extreme poverty. On July 6th, 8 world leaders are set to gather in Scotland for the G8 summit, where they will be presented with a workable plan to double aid, drop the debt and make the trade laws fair. If these 8 men agree, then we will become the generation that made poverty history. But they'll only do it if enough people tell them to. That's why the Live 8 concerts are being staged. 8 concerts, 100 artists, a million spectators, 2 billion listening via radio and televison, and 1 message - to get those 8 men, in that 1 room, to stop 30,000 children dying every single day of extreme poverty. This is our opportunity to stop that shameful statistic. LIVE 8 is part of a day of action across the world which kick-starts The Long Walk to Justice that calls on the leaders of the world's richest countries to act when they meet in Gleneagles on 6th July.

On July 2nd in London, Edinburgh, Washington, Berlin, Paris and Rome millions will come together to call for complete debt cancellation, more and better aid and trade justice for the world's poorest people. LIVE 8 is calling for people across the world to unite in one call – in 2005 it is your voice we are after, not your money.

Those in Malaysia can catch this event live on ASTRO Channel 88 from 9pm or Mix.FM from 10pm tonight. If you prefer to catch it online, hope over to AOL Music.

Don't forget to sign the LIVE 8 list and be part of history!



(pictures from LIVE 8 and Technorati)

maxis3G - A New Vision

maxis, the largest mobile service provider in Malaysia launches its 3G services today, dubbed maxis3G. This will be the second 3G service in Malaysia after Celcom launched their own 3G services on World Telecommunications Day back in May. 3G is the next generation of mobile technology that lets you see life like never before on your mobile phone. Talk face-to-face with your loved ones via video calls and enjoy a wide variety of exciting 24x7 video services. At mobile broadband speed, 3G is six times faster than GPRS and three times faster than EDGE. Among the highlights of maxis3G are the ability to view your home surveillance from anywhere on your phone, the only 3G service available for prepaid users and free video packages for a month on all live TV and video streaming content from Hitz.tv, CNN, CNBC, Astro news, Cartoon Network and more.

maxis has yet to announce their pricing for their services but details on some promotions have been released such as monthly airtime rebates when you get 3G mobile devices from certified maxis 3G dealers, and video calls will be offered at half-price up to 30th June 2006, which will only cost as much as your current voice call charges! That will kick Celcom to the curb!

As much as I'm interested to be wired wherever I go, the prices are still exorbitant for my liking. Until the prices of both the service charges and mobile devices drop, I'm not going anywhere near this technology yet. Unless of course I receive a financial windfall all of a sudden. Any benefactors? ;)

UPDATE: The reason I couldn't find the service charges is because there is none! You are only charged for the content you have accessed on per subscription or per download. There are no additional data usage (transmission) charges for this content. All you need to do to migrate to maxis3G is to purchase a 3G handset and upgrade your simcard for only RM25! The only problem is, coverage is only available in the Klang Valley at the moment. Coverage in Penang and Johor is expected to be available by the end of the year.

Five-Day Week Begins

Today marks the beginning of the 5-day week for civil servants. No more work on Saturdays, replaced with longer hours during the weekdays. Below is the new working hours for USM staff:

Monday - Thursday
08.10am - 01.00pm
01.00pm - 02.00pm Lunch Break
02.00pm - 05.10pm

Friday
08.10am - 12.15pm
12.15pm - 02.45pm Lunch Break
02.45pm - 05.10pm

Of course, that doesn't include the numerous coffee, tea, susu breaks they have each day! I wouldn't be surprised if the office is closed before 5pm. Five-day week - good move? If you are working in the civil service, that is. If you have to deal with them, it's a nightmare!