Devari’s Corner

Sunday, September 30th, 2007

4 Langkah Mudah Miliki Website

Jika dulu kita sering ditanya “email kamu apa?” maka saat dunia internet berkembang begitu pesat seperti sekarang ini, pertanyaannya bertambah lagi menjadi “website kamu apa?”. Mempunyai website sendiri tentu akan mengasyikkan karena kita punya kontrol terhadap isinya, juga melatih cara berfikir kita dalam menguraikan ide secara tertulis. Disamping itu, kita akan dapat pengalaman baru dimana selama ini kita terbiasa dengan browsing dan berkunjung ke situs orang lain, rasanya agak lain ketika kita melihat situs kita itu sendiri baik itu dalam bentuk website ataupun blog. Kedepannya, sebuah situs bisa juga untuk dijadikan media promosi. Bagi anda yang pemula dan berminat untuk memiliki situs sendiri, kiranya langkah langkah dibawah ini bisa sedikit berguna.

1. Register Domain
Langkah pertama kali tentunya adalah menentukan terlebih dahulu nama dari situs yang anda inginkan, misalnya www.namasitus.com. Secara harfiah, domain dapat diartikan sebagai sebuah alamat situs kita di internet yang jumlahnya jutaan. Nama teknisnya adalah DOmain Name System atau DNS, DNS inilah sebagai media penterjemah alamat situs kita yang sebenarnya adalah berupa angka angka yang dinamakan IP address misalnya 62.54.212.46. Btw, internet itu sebenarnya adalah sebuah jaringan komputer yang sangat luas yang terhubung satu sama lain di seluruh dunia. Jadi semua situs di internet harus terdaftar karena ada organisasinya yang bernama IANA, Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Organisasi inilah sebagai polisinya internet yang bertugas mengontrol pengaturan IP address. IANA ini akan menunjuk/mempunyai cabang2/company di seluruh dunia tempat dimana kita akan mendaftarkan situs kita. Company2 tempat kita mendaftar biasanya disebut registar. Contoh di Indonesia adalah rumahweb.com, plasahosting.com. indoglobal.com dll. Biayanya di kisaran 100.000 - 500.000 per tahun tergantung jenis kelamin situsnya. Just kidding, maksudnya adalah tergantung type domain yang kita inginkan. Beberapa jenis domain misalnya .com (komersial), .net (biasanya berhubungan dengan jaringan), .co.id (untuk perusahaan di Indonesia), .edu (untuk lembaga pendidikan), .name (untuk personal), dll.2. Bikin Konten Situsnya.
Setelah register nama domain, maka langkah selanjutnya adalah membuat isi/konten dari domain tersebut biar nantinya menjadi sebuah situs/website yang bisa dibuka. Kalau tidak dibuatkan konten maka tidak akan bisa dibuka dan hanya akan berupa website kosong, seperti punya saya ini contohnya madesuardana.name dan devarioutlet.com
Bagaimana membuat konten sebuah website? Jika anda menguasai HTML atau Macromedia flash, anda bisa bikin sendiri, bisa juga dengan cara membeli software2 pembuat website, cari saja di Google dengan kata kunci misalnya web builder. Ada yang lebih gampang dengan jalan meminta bantuan pihak ketiga dengan biaya berkisar antara 2 jt-an sampai 10 jt-an tergantung tingkat kesulitan dan tampilan website yang mau kita buat.

3. Publish & Hosting
Apapula hosting itu? Setelah kita register domain dan sudah membuat isi dari web kita maka langkah selanjutnya adalah mempublish situs kita ke internet sehingga bisa dibuka di komputer mana saja selama masih terhubung dengan jaringan internet. Proses publishing ini memerlukan sofware berjenis FTP, file transfer protocol. Publish kemana? Disinilah kita memerlukan jasa perusahaan hosting tempat dimana kita meng-host situs kita. Hosting company ini mempunyai komputer2 yang bertindak sebagai server yang berkekuatan super dan hidup terus menerus 24 jam sehingga situs2 yang di-hostnya bisa di akses kapan saja 24/7. Company2 seperti yang disebut diatas juga melayani jasa hosting.

4. Test Drive: Gratis dan Gampang
Ada alternatif yang mudah untuk memiliki website sendiri yaitu dengan weblog/blog. Gratis dan gampang dalam membuat isinya karena sudah ada template2 yang baku. COntoh layanan blog gratis adalah blogspot.com dan wordpress.com. Ada puluhan template yang bisa dipilih sehingga design web tidak akan menjadi masalah. Sifatnya yang interaktif membuat blog berkembang pesat saat ini. Kekurangannya adalah kita tidak bisa memiliki domain independen alias masih nebeng dengan nama company blog itu. Misalnya www.namasaya.blogspot.com, www.namasaya.wordpress.com.

Posted in internet komputer | No Comments

Friday, September 28th, 2007

"Warnet" Business Plan

The author is looking for a business partner for an establishment of an internet cafe. If you are interested please drop a line. Some material of this business plan is taken from the internet and modified by the author. The budget is prepared by a friend of mine who is a network administrator. This budget displayed here is not a fixed figure since it was prepared couple weeks ago. We all know that the prices are constantly changing. However, it can be used as a starting point on how much start up cost will be needed in order to establish an internet cafe.Users Computer Specification :
Processor Pentium 4 - 1.7 GHz - Intel
Motherboard ASUS P4 - S533 MX
VGA Card ATI Alderon 256 MB (non OnBoard).
Memory SDRAM 256 MB.
Hard Disc 20 GB - Maxtor 5400CD ROM Samsung 52X
Monitor Samsung / LG 15″ (Black).
HeadSet Bufftech (BE-208MV).
Keyboard Logitech (Black)
Mouse Scroll Optical Logitech (Black).
WebCam Logitech
LAN Card

Server Computer Specification :

Processor Pentium 4 - 2,4 Ghz IntelMotherboard ASUS P4 - S533 MX
VGA Card ATI Alderon 512 MB (non OnBoard)
Memory SDRAM 512 MB
Hard Disc 80 GB - Seaget 7200
DVD-RW ROM Samsung 52X
Monitor LCD - Samsung / LG 15″ (Black)
HeadSet Bufftech (BE-208MV)
Keyboard Logitech (Black)
Mouse Scroll Optical Logitech (Black)
WebCam Logitech
LAN Card

WibiNet Bali (satellite internet)
BUSINESS PLAN

1.0 Executive Summary
WibiNet Bali, unlike a typical internet cafe, will provide a unique internet café with some additional services that could increase the value of the café, not only one service but it is more like one stop information technology services which includes internet connection service, online gaming center, translation service, English learning center, computer repair, and scanning, printing and typing services.WibiNet Bali is the answer to an increasing demand. The public wants: (1) access to the methods of communication and volumes of information now available on the Internet, and (2) access at a cost they can afford and in such a way that they aren’t socially, economically, or politically isolated. WibiNet Bali’s goal is to provide the community with a social, educational, entertaining, atmosphere for worldwide communication.

This business plan is prepared to obtain financing in the amount of $12,000. The financing is required to begin work on site preparation and modifications, equipment purchases, and to cover expenses in the first year of operations. This initial capital investment will allow WibiNet Bali to provide its customers with a full featured Internet cafe. A unique, upscale, and innovative environment is required to provide the customers with an atmosphere that will spawn socialization. Successful operation in year one will provide WibiNet Bali with a customer base that will allow it to be self sufficient in year two.

1.1 Objectives
WibiNet Bali’s objectives for the first three years of operation include:
The creation of a unique, upscale, innovative environment that will differentiate WibiNet Bali from other internet cafes, which is flourishing in Denpasar, Bali.
Educating the community on what the Internet has to offer.
Good language translation center.
Affordable access to the resources of the Internet and other online services.

1.2 Mission
As the popularity of the Internet continues to grow at an exponential rate, easy and affordable access is quickly becoming a necessity of life. WibiNet Bali provides communities with the ability to access the Internet and share Internet experiences in a comfortable environment. People of all ages and backgrounds will come to enjoy the unique, upscale, educational, and innovative environment that WibiNet Bali provides.

1.3 Keys to Success
The keys to the success for WibiNet Bali are:
a.The creation of a unique, innovative, upscale atmosphere that will differentiate WibiNet Bali from other Internet cafes.
b.The establishment of WibiNet Bali as a community hub for socialization and entertainment.
c. The creation of an environment that won’t intimidate the novice user. WibiNet Bali will position itself as an educational resource for individuals wishing to learn about the benefits the Internet has to offer.
d.The center of English Language Training
e.The center of English Indonesian Translation Service.

1.4 Risks
The risks involved with starting WibiNet Bali are:
Will there be a strong demand for the services offered by WibiNet Bali in Denpasar?
Will the popularity of the Internet continue to grow, or is the Internet a fad?
Will individuals be willing to pay for the service WibiNet Bali offers?
Will the cost of accessing the Internet from home drop so significantly that there will not be a market for Internet Cafes such as WibiNet Bali?

2.0 Company Summary
WibiNet Bali, which will be located in Jalan Akasia Denpasar, will offer the community easy and affordable access to the Internet. WibiNet Bali will provide full access to email, WWW, FTP, and other Internet applications such as Telnet. WibiNet Bali will also provide customers with English language training center, translation services and also computer repair for small damage (recovery)

WibiNet Bali will appeal to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The instructional Internet classes, and the helpful staff that WibiNet Bali provides, will appeal to the audience that does not associate themselves with the computer age. This educational aspect will attract younger and elderly members of the community who are rapidly gaining interest in the unique resources that online communications have to offer.

2.1 Company Ownership
WibiNet Bali will be privately co-owned by I Made Suardana and the future investor.

2.2 Company Location
A site has been chosen at Jalan Akasia Denpasar. This site was chosen for various reasons, including:
Proximity to the downtown business community.
Near to Warmadewa University
Near to student village/apartment
Near to English First
Near to Nusa office, local newspaper
Near to Bali Art Center
Low cost of office rental
High visibility3.0 Services
WibiNet Bali will provide full access to email, WWW, FTP, Usenet and other Internet applications such as Telnet. Printing, scanning, and introductory courses to the Internet will also be available to the customer. WibiNet Bali will also provide customers with English training service and translation center.

3.1 Services Description
WibiNet Bali will provide its customers with full access to the Internet and common computer software and hardware.

Some of the Internet and computing services available to WibiNet Bali customers are listed below:
Access to external POP3 email accounts.
Customers can sign up for a WibiNet Bali email account. This account will be managed by WibiNet Bali servers and accessible from computer systems outside the WibiNet Bali network.
FTP, Telnet and other popular Internet utilities will be available.
Access to Netscape or Internet Explorer browser.
Access to laser and color printing.
Access to popular software applications like Adobe PhotoShop and Microsoft Word.
English Training Course
Translation Services
WibiNet Bali will also provide its customers with access to introductory Internet and email classes. These classes will be held in the afternoon and late in the evening. By providing these classes, WibiNet Bali will build a client base familiar with its services. The computers, Internet access, and classes wouldn’t mean half as much if taken out of the environment WibiNet Bali will provide.

4.0 Market Analysis Summary
WibiNet Bali is faced with the exciting opportunity of being the first-mover in Jalan Akasia Denpasar and surrounding areas as a cyber-cafe and gaming center. Besides, the high demand of job vacancy in Bali which require applicant to have strong English skill, would be an asset for WibiNet Bali. Also the demand for translation of English to Indonesian has significantly been increasing in Denpasar recently.

4.1 Market Segmentation
WibiNet’s customers can be divided into two groups. The first group is familiar with the Internet. The second group is not familiar with the Internet, yet, and is just waiting for the right opportunity to enter the online community. WibiNet Bali target market falls anywhere between the ages of 18 and 50. WibiNet’s target market also can be divided into more specific market segments. The majority of these individuals are students and business people.

4.2 Business Analysis
The popularity of the Internet is growing exponentially. Those who are familiar with the Internet are well aware of how fun and addictive surfing the Net can be. Those who have not yet experienced the Internet, need a convenient, relaxed atmosphere where they can feel comfortable learning about and utilizing the current technologies. WibiNet Bali seeks to provide its customers with affordable Internet access in an innovative and supportive environment.
Due to intense competition, net cafe owners must look for ways to differentiate their place of business from others in order to achieve and maintain a competitive advantage. The founder of WibiNet Bali realizes the need for differentiation and strongly believes that combining a language training center and complete Internet service is the key to success.5. 0. Strategy and Implementation Summary
WibiNet BAli has three main strategies. The first strategy focuses on attracting new Internet users. The second, and most important, strategy focuses on pulling in power Internet users. Power Internet users are extremely familiar with the Internet and its offerings. The third strategy focuses on building a social environment for WibiNet Bali customers. The details are as follows:
For new internet user :
Providing a friendly environment. WibiNet Bali will be staffed by knowledgeable employees focused on serving the customer’s needs.
A customer service desk will always be staffed. If a customer has any type of question or concern, a WibiNet Bali employee will always be available to assist.
WibiNet Bali will offer introductory classes on the Internet and email. These classes will be designed to help new users familiarize themselves with these key tools and the WibiNet Bali computer system.

For Power Internet User:
· Providing the latest in computing technology.
· Providing scanning and printing services.
· Providing access to powerful software applications
To establish social hub:
A social environment, that provides entertainment, will serve to attract customers that wouldn’t normally think about using the Internet. Once on location at WibiNet Bali, these customers that came for the more standard entertainment offerings will realize the potential entertainment value the Internet can provide.

6.0 Management Summary
WibiNet Bali will be supervised by I Made Suardana. There will be 2 employees who will work in different shift time. The first staff/customer service will work starting 9 AM until 5 PM and the second staff/administrator/technical support will work starting 3 PM until 11 PM. The owner will supervise the operational of the café also in charge in language training class and translation center.

Posted in business | 6 Comments

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

Introduction to Nusa Penida Language

Balinese language is the official language which is used at any formal situation in the Balinese society such as community meeting, wedding ceremony, priest speech at the temple etc. Generally Balinese language is divided into three categories; the high Balinese language (HB) which is used at the situation above, middle Balinese (MB) which is usually used in the daily life situation and the low Balinese language (LB) which is used among close friends and colleague.Example: the word I in Balinese language;
titiang (HB), rage/tiang (MB) and cang/icang (LB)

There are some dialects of Balinese language in Bali, usually based on the regency it spoken, so commonly there is Gianyar dialect, Bangli dialect, Tabanan dialect, Negara dialect and so on. However, no matter what dialect it is, basically it is the same both in term of grammar and syntax. They are just slight different in the tone/rhythm and pronunciation. Most importantly, Balinese people from different dialects still can understand each other.

What about Nusa Penida language (NPL)? There is something special here. Nusa Penida supposed to have Balinese language with Klungkung dialect but its language is totally different with Balinese language. It is not just different dialect it is completely different Balinese language. So people from other regency in Bali will not be able to understand this language.

Tiang/rage/cang of Balinese is kale in NPL
Ragane/cai/ci of Balinese is ede in NPL
irage (kita) of Balinese is ebe in NPLExample;
Tiang naar tipat tuni semeng (middle Balinese).
Kale ngesop tepat tonian semungante (NPL)
I ate tipat (rice cooked with coconut leaf) this morning (English)

The analysis is
tiang = kale, naar = ngesop, tipat = tepat, tuni =tonian, semeng = semungante

Example;
Dija ragane mare? (Middle Balinese)
Jape ede bahu? (NPL)
Where have you been? (English)The analysis is dija = jape, ragene= ede, mare= bahu

Example;
Ngiring sareng –sareng irage ngae cubang (MB)
Mahe barong barong ebe ngahe cobang (NPL)
Let us dig a well (English)

The analysis is ngiring = mahe, sareng2 = barong2, irage = ebe, ngae = ngahe, cubang = cobang

Most words in NPL especially noun and verb are derived from Balinese language with different phonology (sound).

Example;
oyah = uyah
cobang = cubang
nginem = ngenom
ujan = ojan
umah = omah
nginep = ngenop
tajen = tajon
tipat = tepat
sirah = serah
uban = oban
ubad = obad
pedidi = pedihi (didian cang kemu (pedihile kemo)
sambel = sambol
sube = sobe

There is also irregular word formation which is completely different from Balinese language, example

dija = jape
duur =boboan
jeg = babar (jeg irage adi peliange = babar ebe saget pelihange)
luh = lohuhe
etc.

Please note that NPL is not used at formal situation only in daily life among Nusa Penida society.

Posted in Nusa Penida | 5 Comments

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007

Fenomena "Dadong Miami" di Desa

Silaturahmi dengan keluarga besar dan tetangga seolah menjadi satu hal yang wajib dilakukan pada saat kita liburan ‘annual leave’ dari Parrot Cay. Apalagi di kampung, dimana kultur kekeluargaannya masih cukup kental. Seperti yang penulis alami sendiri, terkadang keluarga dan tetangga berdatangan ke rumah hanya untuk sekedar bercengkerama setelah kurang lebih setahun tidak bertemu. Ada yang guyon bertanya, “Berapa karungkah kamu bawa uang pulang?”, atau ada juga yang bertanya, “Apa disana ada saljunya?, bagaimanakah bentuk salju itu?” dan segudang pertanyaan lainnya.

Ada satu pertanyaan yang terkadang penulis kesulitan menjawabnya yaitu “Dimanakah kamu bekerja?”. Pertanyaan ini sering muncul dan penulis selalu saja kurang sreg dalam menjawabnya. Kalau kebetulan yang bertanya sedikit mengerti geografi dasar atau setidak-setidaknya sering nonton TV atau baca koran maka pertanyaan itu cukup dijawab dengan “Saya bekerja di Turks Caicos Island, Carribbean”. Tapi bagi orang di desa, bisa ditebak, mereka tidak mengerti sama sekali. Tapi memang wajar, begitulah kalau orang di pedesaan, jangankan mengenal Turks Caicos Island, mendengar Carribbean saja mereka menjadi bingung. Tak mau mengecewakan mereka, penulispun membeli sebuah globe seukuran bola volley, tapi sayang TCI tidak ada di globe itu. Mungkin perlu globe yang lebih besar.

Penulis tidak kehilangan akal, penjelasanpun ditambah dengan mengatakan bahwa Turks Caicos Island itu terletak di sebelah utara negara Jamaica atau disebelah selatan Miami, kurang lebih 12 jam naik bis. Kenapa pilih analoginya naik bis? Lagi lagi harap maklum, penulis berada di kampung halaman, kalau dibilang satu jam naik pesawat, tentu bagi mereka kurang jelas karena rata rata mereka tidak pernah naik pesawat. Tetap juga mereka lanjut bertanya, Jamaica itu dimana, Miami itu dimana? Akhirnya Amerika Serikatpun menjadi senjata pamungkas. Hebat benar Amerika ya, terkenal sampai ke pelosok negeri :).

Berbekal pengalaman tersebut, sejak saat itu tiap ada orang yang bertanya maka penulis selalu jawab; Miami, AS. Gampang dan bisa meredam pertanyaan selanjutnya ditambah lebih keren kedengarannya. Sejak itulah semua orang dikampung mengganggap penulis bekerja di Miami AS. Sampai sampai ibu penulis sendiri dipanggil dengan sebutan Dadong Miami (dadong artinya nenek, yang mengasuh cucunya/anak penulis dikampung).

Rupanya kejadian yang penulis alami tidak saja berlaku di desa, dikota sekelas Denpasarpun orang masih tidak tahu dimanakah itu TCI. Mendengarpun mereka tidak pernah. Saat penulis diwawancarai lewat email oleh seorang wartawan Sarad Bali tentang geliat aktivitas orang Bali di luar negeri, sudah ditekankan sedemikian rupa tentang TCI namun sulit bagi mereka untuk memahami dan akhirnya Miamipun dibawa-bawa saat tulisan itu terbit. Artikel lengkapnya bisa dibaca di http://www.saradbali.com/edisi73/nyamabraya.htm. TCI oh TCI, adakah yang punya pengalaman lain?

Posted in Nusa Penida | 2 Comments

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

Farewell for Mr. Hot Stone!

Who is that guy? Some friends call him Ajik, Dewa, or Dewa Oka but officially he is called OKA (name tag) here at PC. He is our beloved friend, a nice guy, a senior therapist at Parrot Cay Resort & Shambhala Retreat.This posting is dedicated to him who is leaving us for good on Sunday September 23rd 2007, after almost 5 years in service with Parrot Cay. Before joining Parrot Cay in 2002, he started his career as a paramedic staff at the biggest hospital in Bali, RSUP Sanglah. Then he moved in to a five star hotel in Bali as a nurse where he began to develop his interest about working in hospitality/hotel field.

Caring people for the illness and injury has been always become his biggest interest at work. This explains a lot why a therapist is the choice of his career in this industry. With the paramedic background and having completed an intensive training at Mandara Spa Bali plus 5 years international experience at Parrot Cay, he is truly reaching at the very top of his career as a therapist, with hot stone massage as his specialty. Way to go Mr. Hot Stone!

Some of us won’t have someone anymore to go fishing with; some of us will not have someone anymore to play tennis with and to go to exercise with. Selamat Jalan my friend. All the best for you. See you in Bali.

Posted in Karibia | 12 Comments

Monday, September 17th, 2007

Ke Nusa Penida, Naik Apa?

Sebagian besar orang akan mengasosiasikan Nusa Penida dengan sebuah tempat yang kering, tandus dan kesan kerasnya kehidupan orang-orang disana. Ada benarnya juga, walaupun tidaklah 100% adanya. Nusa Penida kini sudah sedikit demi sedikit menggeliat perekonomiannya seiring dengan perkembangan sarana tranportasi menuju ke sana. Secara administratif, Nusa Penida termasuk wilayah Kabupaten Klungkung. Ada 3 kepulauan yang membentuk wilayah Nusa Penida yaitu Nusa Penida (main island), Nusa Lembongan dan Nusa Ceningan. Tulisan ini akan sedikit mengulas sisi tranposrtasi di main island saja yang locally sering disebut dengan Nusa Gede.

Karena letaknya yang diseberang lautan, maka tentu saja sarana transportasi laut menjadi tumpuan utama. Flashback sedikit, kurang lebih 1o tahun yang lalu, sarana transportasi laut dari dan ke Nusa Penida sangatlah terbatas. Yang ada hanyalah jukung-jukung kecil bermesin seadanya, juga perahu perahu barang yang sekalian juga angkut penumpang. Sungguh ironis, perahu-perahu tersebut bisa membawa berton-ton barang (hasil bumi dan rumput laut) tapi mesinnya cuman berkekuatan 50 PK. Itu dulu, bagaimana dengan sekarang?Ada berbagai macam pilihan sekarang baik dari jukung2 yang berbadan lebar sampai kapal feri. Untuk yang memilih departure dari pelabuhan Sanur, maka pilihan yang tersedia adalah naik sampan. Sampan itu setengah jukung dan setengah perahu/boat. Ukurannya lebar seperti boat tapi masih memakai ‘kantih’ seperti jukung. Waktu yang ditempuh sekitar 2 jam dan arrivalnya di pelabuhan Toyapakeh, Nusa Penida. Bagi yang memilih departure dari Pelabuhan Padangbai, Karangasem, ada dua alternatif, dengan speed boat atau naik kapal ferry roro. Bagi yang dikejar waktu, speedboat jadi pilihan yg tepat karena waktu tempuhnya cukup singkat kurang lebih 30-40 menit. Akan tetapi bagi yang membawa kendaraan roda dua/roda empat, maka kapal ferry jadi pilihan, waktu tempuhnya sekitar 1-1,5 jam. jadwalnyapun hanya sekali sehari (siang), bandingkan dengan speed boat yang bisa sampai 15 kali sehari round trip Padangbai-Penida.

Sebenarnya ada alternatif lain yang nampaknya kurang populer belakangan ini yaitu lewat pelabuhan Kusamba. Sarana yang tersedia adalah jukung berbadan lebar. Alternatif ini menjadi pilihan bagi para pedagang dari Nusa Penida karena biayanya yang relatif lebih murah. Disamping itu, Quicksilver boat juga melayani trip ke Nusa Penida, departurenya dari Pelabuhan Benoa. Alternatif terakhir, bisa juga ke Nusa Penida lewat udara dengan memakai jasa AirBali. Fasilitasnya helikopter 4 seaters dengan biaya one way sekitar USD800. Waktu tempuhnya hanya 14 menit.

Posted in Nusa Penida | 2 Comments

Monday, September 17th, 2007

Funtube, antara Fun dan Sport Jantung

Couple days ago, me and some friends were given a chance by our company, Parrot Cay Resort, to do the ‘test drive’ of the new water excursion that soon will be launched for our guest. Its called fun tube. That was a very lucky day for me. Besides having fun, I am allowed to take 2 hours off duty. Cool, thanks to Mbak T who kindly invited me to join the test drive, representing the front house staff along with FB, the spa and of course our recreation staff. It took place at the bay in front of the staff and the guest dock. Each participant was given between 10-15 minutes. Thumb up for more speed, thumb down means decrease the speed and ‘cut your throat’ sign means stop, said the captain.I am little bit nervous, as that was the first time for me to do this kind of excursion. I was getting little tense as I got the first chance to do it. yeah baby, whatever happened, I will enjoy this, and…..yahooooo…

Ini mah sport jantung euuy!!!

Posted in Karibia | No Comments

Sunday, September 9th, 2007

How to Get Your KPR Approved?

Wouldn’t be nice to have our own house? Yeah HOme sweet home baby. Thinking to buy it in cash? Good for you, thanks to your parents then or thanks to you parents in law :). But if you dont have that much cash (just like me) then getting a mortgage is the option.

5. Work Related Documents
This document including the pay/salary slip ,work contract/job letter, you also need a reference letter from the ’sister company’ in Indonesia/Bali if you work abroad (in my case I go to Pak Yusdi, matur nuhun Pak)

7. Let’s get it on.

You will need to prepare a budget for a PPAT, who will be appointed by the bank. He/she will take care the akta jual beli.

12. Personal TouchPersonal touch is never a bad idea, bring something to your loan advisor, fruit and perfume

Happy Mortgaging!

Posted in ekonomi | No Comments

Saturday, September 8th, 2007

Let’s Date Our Laptop

A date with a laptop? Are you crazy? Not at all. There is an Indonesian proverb saying “tak kenal maka tak sayang” which is literally means if you dont know it then you won’t love it. So let’s have a date with our laptop. Let’s have a little bit closure about our laptop, what are the major component of it? Hopefully, this first date will make you fall in love with your laptop but please dont m*ke love with it, OK?This posting is intended for beginner only and will focus on the main component of a laptop.

1. Screen/display
Can you read this article? Yep! Thats the screen. Today, most laptop using LCD screen. Just fyi,LCD stands for liquid crystal display. It comes with different resolutions such as 800 x 600 pixels, 1200 x 1050 pixels etc. A variant of LCD screen is called TFT-LCD stands for thin film transistor liquid crystal display.

2. Processor
Technically, processor is called CPU, central processing unit. This is the brain of your laptop. The CPU perform all the instruction, logic and mathematical processing in a computer (Wiki). There are two major companies that manufacture processor they are Intel and AMD (Advanced Micro Devices). Intel Processor such as Celeron M, Core Duo, and Core 2 Duo. AMD processor such as Sempron, Turion Dual Core and Athlon Dual Core. The measurement unit of processor is MHz or GHz.

3. RAM (Random Access Memory)
So what is it anyway? It is a device where your computer stores the programs you are currently running and data you’re currently working on. It is basically a storage device, but ONLY when your computer is ON. There are many types of RAM such as SRAM,DRAM, SD-RAM, EDO-RAM,DDR-SDRAM etc. Most laptop nowadays using DDR-SDRAM.
The measurement unit of RAM is Megabyte or Gigabyte

4. Hard Disk
Yes, its the storage of all your programs and data. In term of speed, there 3 types of hard disk; 4200 rpm, 5400 rpm and 7200 rpm. Faster rpm is always better especially for video capturing (from camcorder to laptop)

5. Graphic Card
It is also called video chipset or video card or VGA card. Just like its name, it controls the video operation of the screen (resolution, image refresh etc). You will need bigger size of VGA card if you are a gamer. Some samples of VGA card such as Graphic Media Accelerator, ATI Radeon, NVIDIA Geforce.

6. Drives
Combo Drive usually means that it can read CD, VCD and DVD, it can burn CD and VCD but it can not burn DVD. SUper Drive usually means it can read and burn CD,VCD and DVD.

7. Ports/Connectors
RJ-45 port, this is where you plug LAN cable for internet
RJ-11 port, this is where you plug your phone cable for dial up internet
VGA port, this is to connect your laptop to external display such as projector
USB port, connect your USB devices here such as jump drive, mouse, iPod etc
Firewire port, connect your firewire devices here such as camcorder
S-video, to connect your laptop to TV

8. The Operating System
This the mind of your laptop, a software which control how the laptop works. 3 major operating system are;
- Windows (such as 95, 98, 98SE, 2000, NT Server,ME, XP, and Vista)
- Macintosh (such as Phanter, Tiger, Leopard)
-Linux (such as Fedora, Ubuntu)

Posted in internet komputer | No Comments

Saturday, September 8th, 2007

iPod oh iPod: You broke my Heart

It will never be too old fashioned talking about iPod. Hare ghene?! It seems to be the part of our digital life style. Everyone here in ParrotCay has this gadget. And you know what? It just broke my heart. Two days ago, I just got my 30 GB iPod video (which is now officially called iPod classic) which I ordered online couple days ago (Thank you Mama Louis, I love you). I was so excited that evening I spent hours transferring 4500 songs, 600 photos and 150 videos into it…this is my second iPod. (The first one was the 6 GB iPod mini, and hik hik I dropped it into the sea at the staff dock. Nothing I can do. Its completely out of order.)Yeah..later that night I then accidentally browsed to apple website and oh my ghost. I cant believe what I saw. Apple just launched the new iPod generation called iPod touch. Its just like iPhone minus the phone function. D*mn Apple, you broke my heart. If only I knew, I could have waited. The good news is it is only 8GB for $299 and the 16 GB is for $399. I still thought that my iPod was still a good deal.
But Allas, I found other fact that really knock me down. the iPod classic of 80 GB is just for $249…WTF. I just ordered the 30 GB for the same price….What a day with iPod.

Posted in gadget | No Comments

Friday, September 7th, 2007

Is Your Computer SLowing Down?

So you think that your laptop/computer is slowing down? Well, if it takes forever to start up/load the operating system (I assume Windows), I am afraid the answer is YES. If it freezes constantly when doing multiple tasks, if it takes couple minutes to open an application or website, then yes is the answer.

Despite of the spec of your computer/laptop, whether it is an Intel Core 2 Duo or Pentium III, CEleron, or AMD based processor, you would need to do these steps when your laptop is slowing down.

1. Disable the startup programs

Startup program is the applications which automatically started when Windows start up/load at first time you turn your computer on. Look at the icons on the right corner of your task bar, if you have tons of icon, then you need to disable it. Most of the time, those applications are not necessary upon the start up. On the other hand, it eats your RAM so computer will take longer time to start up such as instant messaging, quicktime, iTunes etc. I think only the AntiVirus need to put at the start up program.

Click Start - Run, then type ‘msconfig’
Click the Start Up Tab and then uncheck any application that you won’t need. Then restart.But be careful, there are some application which absolutely needed by the system. Always check using google, if you uncheck wrong, your laptop wont start.

I personally have only these icons in my task bar; the battery/power icon, the antivirus icon, the graphic/VGA card icon and the LAN/wireless icon. Thats it.

2. Use Windows Classic Theme
Having fancy desktop themes maybe make your laptop look nicer but it will reduce its performance. Believe it or not, windows classic is the most effective and friendly theme for the computer.
Right click on your desktop, click properties. On the Display properties, click Themes and choose Windows Classic. Then you can also disable the screen saver, and disable the background picture.

3. Clean up your disk from junk
You can use a third party software program to do this job. But you can also use System Tools from WIndows. Start-Program-Accessories-System Tools - Disk Clean Up

4. DEfragment your hard disk
Same steps as no.3

5. Remove the adware/spyware program from your computer. A good program to do this is Search and Destroy which you can download freely.

6. Clean up your Registry Files. I usually use a program called TuneUp Utilities 2007. Its a very good program, shareware though. If you need the serial number, just drop me email.

7. Uninstall the unnecessary add-on such yahoo toolbar, google toolbar or msn toolbar, also remove programs you dont need.

Happy Computing Days!!!

Posted in internet komputer | 1 Comment