Kuantan Trip 201008

Kuantan sign on the other side of the river, which I made a joke with my brother that we're at the wrong side of Kuantan.



Sate from Satay Zul. Never miss this one if you're in Kuantan.


Kuantan's Wan Fo Tien Temple Garden.



At Teluk Cempedak beach at night. Nothing much to see except there is a small firework on that day. Firework photo taken by my brother.


Salted fish shop. Lots of variety.There is a another shop on the same block but this one is usually where we get our famous dried food, Keropok.



Mouse on bike. I wouldn't say that is Mickey because there is nothing resemble of it, especially the size.

There are more places for visit and food to be tried out for but it's a shame that I didn't know how to get there. Anyway, I will do more homework before go back to Kuantan again, especially the famous cendol stall. :P

Nokia Ovi Suite is terrible

Last week, I bought a Nokia 2730 and so far the phone was working much as I expected until I tried to work on the Ovi Suite ver 2.2.0.245. Before I go into the software detail, I'll just recap why I need this software.

The last working phone I used was a Sony Ericsson W910. The phone died suddenly so I bought this Nokia 2730. Unfortunately, all my contacts having strange name (e.g. Wang;Ivan/1). This problem is serious because sometime I couldn't locate the name I wanted to call.

Back to our Ovi Suite story. I needed the software to re-organize my contact name again and the problem is, to link up the phone with my PC is a pain. First, the USB cable wasn't included in the phone package. So, I went out and bought one. Second, I downloaded the Ovi Suite (~98mb) using my 512k DSL broadband and it took me 45 mins. Finally, I got everything in place but the phone still not able to link up. My Windows XP SP3 keep telling there is a unknown USB device and the Ovi software couldn't find my phone.

Here's my question, does Nokia's QA team really test this software thoroughly?

I tried couple of times using the software until I found a way to link up my phone.

Update 31/08/2010: Start the ovi software. Connect the phone to PC until you can select the 'PC suite' option in phone and WAIT til the ovi software able to detect the phone.

1. Disconnect the phone. Close the Ovi software (Minimized to tray).
2. Go to device manager, then uninstall the Nokia 2730 Classic driver and unknown USB driver.
3. Connect the phone and let the software reinstall the driver again.
4. Try couple of times until the Software recognize the phone.

This really a pain and story didn't end here. Organize your calender requires Windows Calender or Microsoft Office Outlook to be installed. I don't have Windows 7 nor Microsoft Office Outlook (Office 2007 home edition doesn't come with Outlook) and therefore I couldn't fully use the calender and tasks app in my phone. Furthermore, there's a new firmware update for 2730 (from 9.41 to 10.40. Update 14/08/2010: There's a new firmware release, which is the 10.45, has fixed the bluetooth issue. ). After the update, my bluetooth headset's sound become terrible. Choppy music track and songs become silent after 5 seconds play. Calls quality also suffers the same except it manage to get pass 5 seconds.

In my past experience with Sony Ericsson PC suite, the experience is way much better than Ovi. Although the Sony phone has some issue on reliability, but on the software side, it is much superior compare to Nokia's Ovi Suite in term of stability.

In short, if you're a person who like to sync your phone with your computer and do a lot stuff using the phone PC suite, consider other phone manufacturer before getting a Nokia.

Update 31/08/2010: I thought I'm the one who complaining, on Ovi blog website there are a lot user complaint about the Ovi software. I think Nokia is going to lose more customer if this keeps going.

3 new things for today

First thing is the new job. I have gone thru the induction day today and somehow I got a mix feeling. One thing is the internet access is not available in the workstation, which will kinda make the job a little boring (:p). However, the good side is, I'm driving to work now and there are no more congestion experience like in KTM train station on peak hours. There are no traffic jam driving from Subang to Cyberjaya and I can reached my office in 35 mins.

Second thing is I got is a new wardrobe, which I hammered it myself with some help from my wife. We bought the wardrobe from Carrefour and it was delivered on yesterday morning. The problem is, it took us 3 hours to assemble the thing and believe me, you don't want to do this again. Anyway, my new job requires me to wear formal and the new wardrobe really helps me to organize my shirts.

The third thing is I got is a new mobile. I thought of getting a smartphone but somehow I don't think the market is yet mature. I don't like Apple which is too common and propriety. Android is keep updating and some phone maker didn't update their old android phone (thought of getting the old model for cheaper price). Blackberry does not suit me because of the screen size and their new OS also just around the corner. So, in the end, I went for a classic Nokia phone, which has 3G and bluetooth, just what I wanted. I started using the new phone today and it worked charmingly.

Tomorrow it will be another training day. I hope it will be fun and perhaps more new things to be discovered.

Now I'm at Cyprus airport lounge

My flight's gate will be open in another hour and my Emirate membership is just upgraded to Gold. The airline gives me the priviledge to use the Cyprus airport lounge. That's really nice of them.

Before that, I was working from 1 am till 3 pm and bit farewell to my colleague. I wished my manager and colleague good luck on mid of August where the project will be go live. Although I will be going back to my office in KL this Friday (to hand back the laptop, security cards and stuff), nevertheless it was a great (and stressful) experience to be here to make the project dress rehearsal a success (it still on going at this moment but I guess there is not much of issue found).

I felt heavy hearted but when I went out the building door and spread my arm, it was a really nice feeling. Tons of burden seems to dropped off from my shoulder and I never breath easier starting from that moment. I'm looking forward on my new job on Monday and starting over again with new colleague, new manager and new job environment.

Unable to sleep

I have been in Cyprus now for a week plus and later at 1 am Cyprus time, I will go to work until 10 am. I have been doing this for more than a week. Tomorrow morning is my last day of support and perhaps that's why I can't sleep now. Maybe due to eagerness on going back to Malaysia tomorrow after support or perhaps because of happiness that I felt that I'm finally leaving this stressful project for good.

I'll be arrived to Malaysia on Thursday afternoon and my last day with my current company is on Friday. Next week Monday I will be starting my new job in Cyberjaya and I'm looking forward for it.

Due to a hectic schedule on this project, it really took up my time to update this blog (actually, I spend more time on updating my technical blog). Hopefully, the new job will  gives me chances to travel or perhaps more time for myself to do my own travel. Good night.