China & Hong Kong Bloggers

Few of the China/Hong Kong bloggers that are quite famous in the blogosphere and also amongst non-bloggers looking for interesting news to read:-

EastSouthWestNorth's Roland Soong reads an astonishing number of newspaper article each day. He selects those that have news value and translates them into English on his blog so that the English-language reader can read about what is happening in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan. EastSouthWestNorth has a certain influence among foreign media. The foreign newspapers reported on "Bus Uncle" through the translation on EastSouthWestNorth.

Hong Kong Media Buster has a stated goal of criticizing Hong Kong media. In order to make powerful criticisms and reflections, the basic requirement is knowledge and information. The two-man team at Hong Kong Media Busters cites information from foreign media and United Nations official sources.

Diuman Park is also run by two persons. They are critical but also informative. Their sarcastic tone offers a different kind of attraction. They do draw around 1,000 readers per day.

Isaac Mao shared his views about blogger culture with us and showed that mainland netizens are using blogs to communicate and receive information that the traditional media would not provide. As one of the earliest bloggers in the Chinese community, Isaac is not only co-founder of CNBlog.org which is the earliest evangelizing site in China on grassroots publishing, but also the co-organizer of Chinese Blogger Conference (2005 in Shanghai, 2006 in Hangzhou).

Another classical example of blogger culture is the One More Kilogram project. 1kg More (short for “1 kilogram more in your travel pack”) is a non-official cause of charity crossing over travel.
It runs behind the idea of travelers bringing 1kg of inexpensive educational materials in addition to their package to give away to some one that needs it along their journey, e.g. kids that cannot even afford a pencil rubber.

Jacky's Blog said: "One uses one's personal power to influence society and change the world."
Tags: China Bloggers, Hong Kong Bloggers, EastSouthWestNorth, Roland Soong, Hong Kong Media Buster, Diuman Park, Isaac Mao, One More Kilogram, Jacky's Blog, Jacky See, Blogosphere, Blogger Culture

Malaysia's SMART Tunnel

With all the recent bad construction cases in Malaysia's goverment offices (where pipes burst, sewage system got stucked, roof came crashing down), we thought it was over.

So, smart thinkings must come up to overcome it. Came the SMART Tunnel project (short for Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel). Malaysia has built one of the smartest tunnel in linking two areas with heavy traffic, a way to cut down congestion. Regarded as the only such tunnel in the world.

Sadly, after the soft opening on 14 May 2007, it has shown its true colours. Cracks could be seen on the ceiling, side walls and the road itself. At the side, water could be seen dripping into the tunnel. Hello, I thought the water compartment at the third level has not started operations yet but water has already seeped in???? From where? You can see it for yourself in this youtube video link.

How does the tunnel works?
This part of the tunnel comprises of three compartment. The top two are for traffic whilst the lowest is used solely for drainage. During conditions of certain storms, both the lower and the traffic compartments would be required for water passage. At these times, the tunnel would be sealed from traffic before it is flooded.

Toll operations has started since 15 May 2007, RM2.00 one way for a 4km road trail. I'm using it ....hehehe but am I paying for something which didn't come properly built? Breach of contract by the construction companies that built this?

What if they open the lower level to storm water and it burst its compartment and flood the 2nd level? Though the SMART Tunnel could clear the tunnel in a few minutes if it intends to flood the 2nd level, is it ready for any water that could breach in from the 3rd level? So, I'm supposed to leave my car and run up the emergency staircase? Of course I'll do it if it really happens. People could say "Why am I questioning it now since I'm using it.....". I'm questioning it because I paid for the service it provided - consumers' rights!!

Was there a design flaw? The detailed engineering design was done by Matt MacDonald, a tunnel expertise in their field.
Tags: SMART Tunnel, Stormwater, Road Tunnel, Malaysia, Engineering, Engineering Design, Toll Operation, Matt MacDonald

Unfortunate Event

Was trying to log in on Friday night (at home) and the laptop suddenly went blank. Unable to get it switched on again.

On Saturday morning, called the office's IT Manager and was hoping there was something up his sleeve but the laptop was not co-operative enough. Sadly, no updates in my blog since Friday night.

Today, when I brought it to the IT Manager, the laptop was ............. IN A NORMAL CONDITION. So, nobody could check what went wrong....... and the joke was on me as the IT Dept guys said that I could have dabbled with the internal system or I downloaded something which I was not supposed to....... hehehehehe (the effect of Wahaha)
Tags: IT Manager, Laptop

Wahaha ...... hahahahaha

Came across this company's products by the name of Wahaha located in Hangzhou, China ..........hahahaha

I would say that the owner, Zong Qinghou, and his wife (former teachers) are laughing all the way to the bank...hahahahaha. From a minnow company selling beverages and ice-creams, they have diversified to many other types of beverages and one of which is Wahaha's Future Coke.

Future Coke, a similar carbonated drink to Coca-Cola, was launched in 1998 and today, it's giving sleepless nights to Coca-Cola and Pepsi in rural China areas. Now, you have to know that the rural areas are definitely much larger than the urban/established areas.

Their business could generate an annual revenue of US$1.37 billion (11.4 billion yuan) and profits of US$162.7 million (1.34 billion yuan) per year.

Seeing this potential, it has prompted Group Danone SA to increase their investment in Wahaha......hahahahahahhaha. Somehow, the investment didn't go as planned and has generated wide protests from the Wahaha local workers.......for once Wahaha staff are not laughing. Their founder, Zong Qinghou, has resigned amidst the takeover by Group Danone SA.

Wahaha is famous enough to attract Wang Lee Hom to become their products' ambassador. So, Lee Hom is also hahahhahahahah all the way to the bank as well.

Guess who's laughing lately ...hahahaha
Reading: Wahaha - Taking the fizz out of the giant cola brands! - Venture Republic

Tags: Wahaha, Hangzhou, China, Zong Qinghou, Future Coke, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Group Danone SA, Wang Lee Hom, Beverage

Jesus Wants You To Drive 4x4

Jesus wants you to drive 4x4 - that was the sermon being preached at the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God ("UCKG") located at Soweto in South Africa. UCKG is now known as the biggest church in Africa where their new cathedral could fit in 8,000 that comes with a large underground car park. Wow!!

UCKG explicitly teaches their worshippers to dream big and that as a christian you should live in a classy house, use the latest cell phone and wear the snappiest designer clothes. The church told their worshippers to dream up money-making schemes ahead of the 2010 soccer World Cup, which South Africa is due to host.

This UCKG is one of Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus' ("IURD") new branches around the world. IURD originated from Rio de Janeiro in 1977.

How influential is IURD and what do they own?

Their presence are felt in Los Angeles, New York, Manila, Tokyo, Paris, Antwerp, Brussels and Rotterdam. It is also active in the England, Switzerland, Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal, Paraguay, USA, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Congo, Mozambique, Japan, Phillipines and India. Next target - Russia!

The IURD own 2,000 temples, 22 radio stations and 16 television stations around the world. Founded a bank called Banco Credito Metropolitano that has been beset with many financial issues.

What else they do? You have to read the article found in Apologetics Index. Extensive news on IURG's activities throughout the world. The report, in French and Dutch, is available in its entirety online.

What does IURD claims?

That the Kingdom of God is here on earth and that it can offer a solution for all manner of ills, depressions, joblessness, family- and financial problems. Promotes word-faith teachings, with a particular emphasis on the seed-faith doctrine. Since its theology and practices are far outside those of normal, biblical Christianity, this movement is considered to be a cult of Christianity.

Their founder - Edir Macedo, a former lottery worker in Rio de Janeiro, who elected himself bishop and now lives in the United States.

Reading: Jesus wants you to drive 4×4, says South African church - Religion News Blog

Reading: Jesus wants you to drive 4x4, says S.African church - Reuters

Tags: Christianity, Church, Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, UCKG, Soweto, South Africa, Jesus, Nissan Navara, Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Banco Credito Metropolitano, Edir Macedo, Cult

Saggy Trousers

The Mayor of Delcambre town council of Louisiana state will sign a law to make wearing saggy trousers a crime......... my my there must be tons of americans adopting that fashion craze in Delcambre itself until it could prompt the town council declaring it a CRIME????

No more showing your underwear when you walk around the town, get it?
Tags: Delcambre, Louisiana, Saggy Trousers, Crime, Fashion

Registration as Voter

Anyone who is 21 years old and above are eligible to vote at any general elections held in Malaysia. In order for you to vote on that particular day, your name has to be registered with the Election Commission ("EC"). Failure to do so, even though you are aged 99, you can't vote at all.

You could register as a voter at computerised post offices. If possible, do it before 30 June 2007 to stand a chance of being included in the electoral roll. The general election may be held in November, and if so, gives the EC around 4-5 months to update the roll because we all know they're not the most efficient of 'government body'.

There have been regular registration booths at SS2 pasar malam (Monday) and Cheow Yang (Thursday). There is one at Bangsar pasar malam this coming Sunday too.

FYI:
1. For those of you whose MyKad address is your hometown or old address, you can register and go back to vote at that voting locality.

2. If you are not planning to go back there to vote, then you have to go update to your current address at the IC department (JPN). Next, you have to go to the post office and register there with your new address. Only then can you vote at your new address.

3. If you are already a registered voter, but your current MyKad address is different to the area you previously voted in, then you also have to go to the post office to update to your preferred voting locality (current MyKad address). Only then can you vote using your current address.

4. For registered voters, check your status at http://daftarj.spr.gov.my/daftarbi.asp. If you can, check it every 2 months until the election. In the event you are a registered voter but can't find your details on the EC site, you should lodge a complaint to the EC or any political party. There have been too many instances where people have been voting for decades but have been booted off the electoral roll.

That's all. Thank you. Remember, try to do it before 30 June 2007 to be on the safe side.

Tags: Voter, Election Commission, Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya, Malaysia, MyKad, Registered Voter, Electoral Roll, General Election