My Nokia N8!

Since March 2010, I heard about a rumor, Nokia will come out with a new touchscreen phone with the best camera in the market. I believe the rumor had been around for quite some time since last year but because I was very happy with my Nokia 5800, I heard about it a bit late.

My old Nokia 5800 is a good touchscreen phone for it budget but somehow, my 5800 camera didn’t produce nice videos and pictures as I wanted. So after more than a year of use and before its value drop, I was searching for a replacement, that’s when I first heard about N8.

A few months later...

Nokia N8 officially available on September 23, 2010 but officially arrived at Malaysia’s shore on October 16, 2010 after a few delays. Yup, I wait for more than half a year for this phone but still not enough money to do the pre-order. Why? The RRP is RM1690, way above my small pocket budget. But of course, for its specification, Nokia N8 should be price for more than that. So again I patiently wait till someone want to sell theirs. In the mean times, I started selling some of my gadgets including my 5800 to save up money for N8. For a while, I'm a smart person without a smart-phone.

Power problems

Unfortunately, Nokia N8 got some complaints from users around the world. They were complaining about the sudden turning off and can’t switch on problem. What worst, Nokia (Malaysia) warranty does not provide 1-to-1 exchange so for these unlucky user, they have to send the phone to Nokia Care Center and wait till the problematic spare part arrive.

Some took more than 2 weeks to get repaired.

My patient pays off

After a few weeks of waiting, I got 2 users want to sell theirs. Both bought their phone during the pre-order so the phone has 2 years of warranty which cost around RM200. It also came with black spine case. The 1st user, however, got the power problem a day before our transaction, lucky me :). So, I opt to 2nd user. An arrangement was made and on November 19, 2010, I officially own a Nokia N8.

I can’t stop smiling all night :) .

TMPoint : Worst customer service ever.

I already reapply my streamyx account transfer and upgrade on 7th June 2010, the day I wrote previous post. My nightmare doesn't end there.

1 week later
No internet connection on 14th June 2009. I went to TmPoint (how much car petrol I waste for this problem). Luckily the staff I met in previous week remember me so no need to queue. Now they ask me to wait for another week. I told him I already wait for 1 week, why I need to wait another week? After meeting with his manager, they agreed to solve the problem within 2 days and I had to fill up another form.

I just realize now that they have specific form for account transfer for both streamyx and telephone line. So, what all those forms I filled up for the last 6 months? And now I know that I even can actually transfer my old telephone line account to a new address with only RM20 fees. So why I need to terminate and subscribe new account in the first place? Now I need to pay RM75 deposit. What a **** up service center. Or they don't understand my problem? I want to transfer both my telephone and streamyx account to a new address? Tak faham soalan ker?

I bought a phone for RM8 with RM50 voucher from TMNet.

That night, I wrote an email to help@tm.net.my and explain everything.

The Next Day
I received a call from 100, TM Hotline. They said my streamyx is on, I can use it.
When I cam back home, I switched on my wireless router, I tried to browsed and yup, it is online. Again, I thought my nightmare end there.

A week later
Got a called from the guy from TMPoint. He explain that I have to hold from using my internet because my internet account still using RM20 package, not RM60 package. WTF. When I calculated, for 7 days with 24 hour of usage (I usually not turn off my router), I have to pay more than RM400.

But the guy said not to worry, just don't use the internet. Shit! It just like saying to a 4 years old kid, "Wait, don't eat that ice-cream that in your hand".

Another 2 week : Phone "rosak"
The phone I bought from them, have problem to received call. Can't ring. So, another drive to TMPoint, they give me an old telephone as temporary. Said will call me within next week.

2 weeks later
I received an email to check my last bill. Guess what...? My bill is RM401. Streamyx is really Screamyx offer by TMNut. Suck big time.

A ride to TMPoint again, a discussion with their staff again, talk with their manager. Again they promise me to solve my problem.

When ask about my broken phone, they said no record. The old phone is now my phone. Another shit for them!

When I repeatedly ask to check and give me a new phone, they give me an used phone, unclaimed by customer. I refused to accept that and demand a new phone. Finally, they give me a new phone, but old model, with no warranty.

I think every time you go to TMPoint, you should point a gun to their head before they can serve you properly.

TMPoint : Misunderstading or bad customer services

December : Start of all my problems
Last December, I moved to my new house so I want to transfer my previous telephone line+streamyx account to my new house. At the same time, because TMNet has a RM5 upgrade promotion, I want to upgrade my 512Mb combo package (RM90) to 1Mb combo package (RM95) which is cheaper than RM110 for new registration.

So, I went to TMPoint to get some advice. When I first came in, I ask a lady at the front counter (where you take ticket no.), and explain my problem. I explain to her that I'm moving to a new house and want to transfer my current streamyx combo account. I also exlpained her about my plan to take the RM5 upgrade promotion. I ask her, want should I do?

After a few minutes of checking my account, she advised me to terminate my previous telephone line and apply for a new line for my new home. But because it is a new housing area without any telephone cable installed, she explain that it will take more than a month to process my application because they need to wait for contractor to install the telephone cable first. She also said that my application will be on hold till they have enough application at my housing area before they can proceed.

So, I said "Ok" because I have no other choice. Then I ask about my streamyx account.

She suggest I downgrade to most basic package, 384kb, RM20 for 10h usage.

I ask her if I still eligible for the RM5 upgrade package, she said "Yes".

Thinking that better I sacrifice RM20/month for another 1 or 2 months than terminate my account and have to pay RM110/month (not include deposit and other processing fees) for another 2 to 3 years, I agreed. So, after I filled all the form and give it to her, I go back and wait.....

February : No telephone line
After 2 months (February), I still don't have internet access and still have to pay RM20/month. So I went back to TMPoint. This time another lady entertained me. Again after checking my account for several minutes, she explain to me that I have to wait till the contractor install the cable. So, I wait again...

April : Start installing cable
2 months later (April), I saw contractor start installing telephone cable. I wait patiently for another two weeks before going back to TMPoint. This time, I was really shocked when the lady told me they don't received any application for my new telephone line and streamyx account transfer. So again, I have to fill all the form. I also ask if I still eligible for the RM5 upgrade promotion, and they said yes.

May : Telephone line, ok. Streamyx, no ok
1 month later, which is at the end of last month (May), a contractor call me to confirm the time and date to install the telephone line in my house. Finally....

The next day after they installed the telephone line and I can receive and call out. I call 100 to ask about my streamyx account. Shockingly, the operator said in their system, I already terminate both my telephone line and streamyx account. WTF. I ask her to confirm if the info is correct or not, and of course she confirm it based on the system. I asked, "Can she do anything so I can activate my screamyx account", she answered that she can only help if there is an application. Because in their system I didn't apply for the streamyx, so she can't help. She advise me to go to the TMPoint again.

June : Start your engine, 4th visit
So, again for the fourth time, I go back to TMPoint. Then another news really make me want to burn the place, I'm not eligible for the RM5 upgrade package because it is only applicable for existing user with at least 1 year of subscription without any upgrade or downgrade during that period. Seriously, I really want to punch the guy face when I heard this. I explained to him all my problem and I said they have the worst customer service ever. They cheat my RM20/month money and expect me to accept it? This is the first time in my life I scold someone at customer service counter. WTF. 3 times I already came to their center but no one explain to me about this although I explained my situation all 3 times. I also shocked that the operator at 100 is wrong because my streamyx account still activate.

The guy also incompetent because every-time I ask an explanation, he will go to the office to discuss with his manager. 4-5 times..... Every-time when he came back, he will said he can't do anything. The 3rd times he came back, he said I have to subscribe for RM60 384kb package for a year before I can get the promotion package. I ask if the promotion still available after another year, he said yes.

Finally after more than an hour, I demand they paid back my money. I don't care what ever reasons, I want my money. After another slip trough his office, he said that they agree to give me the promotion package but for my upgrade from 384kb RM20 to 512kb RM65, not to 1Mb RM95. But first I have to upgrade to 384kb (unlimited) RM60 package before I can upgrade after I get my first bill and if only the promotion still on. :x Because I don't like 'gaduh-gaduh', I agreed.

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Actually, I don't really mind to wait for the contractor to install the telephone cable because I know it is based on demand. But what I really can't 'tahan' is how the TMNet can't really appreciate their loyal customer. I have been using streamyx for more than 6 years since I start working. And because I need to move to a new house, they treat me like a new customer although I still don't terminate the account.

Why a telecommunication company can't process customer request through telephone line or online like any other company? Why we need to go to their customer service center while in this modern time, everything can be done at home by online?

I see that for new customer, they received new wireless modem and telephone for free although I doubt it actually free. What happen to existing customer which already have modem and want to have the same benefit as new customer like combo plan? Previously, they offer different package for with and without modem. But now, like combo package, they don't give a damn thing about customer who don't need the damn extra modem.

Last time, when I change from standard package (without modem) to combo package, I didn't receive any modem. When I asked about this problem, they answered that I need to bring my old modem, they will change with new one which is wireless. They ask me to return back my own modem?

But today, they improved a little bit, existing customer also can get the free modem.

Why most Watch Ads show the time as 10:08?

Just now I read some watch brochures to find a replacement for my 12 years old broken Casio watch. Bought for RM125 in 1998 and it last longer than I expected. The original battery lasted almost 5 years and the replacement only last 2 years each. So now the hunt begins.

I still remember when my friend ask me “Why most Watch Ads show the time as 10:10?” I never realized it before and because back then I have no source to find the answer (internet still not available and library still the best place for source gathering), I just answer “I don’t know, but probably because it looks nice.”

So now, more than a decade later, I stumbled again with the question when reading the brochures. It is true, all the analogue watch showed the same time but to be exact, it is not 10:10, but 10:08! For digital watch, they also set at 10:08. A quick Google search give me this answer:

10:08, 8 minutes past 10, is roughly the time to which analog watches are set in most advertisements[dubious – discuss], though actual times shown vary between about 10:08 and 10:10. There are several reasons offered by watch companies, many of them psychological, and none of them verifiable as the actual origin of the practice:

• The position of the hands does not obscure the date on watches with a date function at 3 o'clock or any other functions at 9 or 3 o'clock.
• The position of the hands does not obscure the company logo, which is often printed under 12 o'clock. In fact, it highlights the logo by underlining it and placing it at the center of the delta formed between the clock's hands.
• The hands are nearly symmetrically balanced on the face of the dial at 10:08. The minute hand is 48° right of vertical, while the hour hand is 56° left of vertical. Exact symmetry would be achieved at 120/13 minutes past 10:00, approximately 10:09:13.8. Other symmetrical times would not meet the needs above.
• The form of the hands has a positive effect on the viewer: the short hand pointing at 10 o'clock and the long hand pointing at 8 minutes is reminiscent of a check mark, which commonly means "ok" or "fine." Some observers further identify this appearance with a smiling face. [citation needed]

Oddly enough, 10:08 is also the time at which a 12-hour digital display will have the maximum number of digit "segments" turned on. However, digital watches in commercials are more often set to 10:58. Early (mid-1970s) LCD clock ads would often show 12:08, which has a large number of "on" segments (one fewer than 10:08), showcases four different digits, and is not 10:08—a virtue in its own right, as digital clocks were marketed as a break with the past.

Urban legends are frequently heard to the effect that the watches are set to commemorate the hour at which some famous person died: often Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy. All such stories prove to be several hours off when calculated.

Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:LarryMac/10:08

IMHO, the second reasons probably the most cause for the selection of 10:08.

How to install Windows 7 using usb?

Yesterday I finally manage to fork out some money to buy Intel i3 530 system. So after installing all part, it time to install OS. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my Windows 7 Installer DVD. All I had was an .iso (DVD image) file, a laptop capable only to write CD and a 4GB USB drive.

I remember there are many article out there explaining step by step guide how to install Windows 7 using an USB drive. But most of them require me to execute several command line in Command Prompt. Fortunately, there are also a few way to use simple program.

1. UNetbootin (Please visit this link)
2. Microsoft's Official Tools (download)
3. UltraIso

I pick the 3rd option because I already have the software and here the steps.

What you need:

• 4Gb USB drive
• UltraIso (trial) download here
  
• Windows 7 Installer images files

If you don't have installer images file, you can create one using UltraIso.

The steps:

1. Start UltraISO as administrator
2. "Burn" the iso image to the USB stick by following these steps
   - Open the image of Windows 7 with UltraISO
   - Under BOOTABLE tab choose WRITE DISK IMAGE
   - Choose your USB stick under "Disk Drive"
   - Choose a method (It's recommended to use USB-HDD+)
   - Tick Verify
   - Press Write
3. After finish "Burning", restart you computer.
   
4. Make sure to change your BOOT order in BIOS to boot from your USB drive first