I’ve seen gladlyCast around for quite awhile but only decided to give it a try. I’ve never wanted to try because Internet was almost available to me anytime.

My short experience with gladlyCast was smooth, but not so smooth too. Here’s why.

That’s not my number!

I purposely tested the server with a few mobile numbers. After sending in, I clicked on “That’s not my number!”, I was redirected back to the same “Confirm your number” page within seconds. That wasn’t so helpful. I don’t know why this happened and I’m making a guess that the page already discovered that I’ve sent a message to the service with the “secret message”.

Phone number display – could be improved!

I verified my mobile number with a Singapore line. Why did the site show me a Malaysian number and expected me to mouseover to find the other. I thought since the site was so sweet and simple, they could lay it side by side.

Oh, when I was shown the secret message, I was given the same screen whereby I could mouseover and select a number and click. I clicked on the Malaysian number, but confirmed with a Singaporean line. Amazingly, everything worked! I thought this would be alittle misleading. Heh.

What mobile network?

+6012795 9876 looks like it’s running on Maxis, but since Malaysia telcos allow number porting, the number could be on DiGi or even Celcom. gladlyCast, will you be able to specify the network, and maybe expand on the mobile lines? I’m on Digi and I am willing to sponsor a Digi prepaid card for a year or two. (I do know Digi has a plan that allow free smses after first 50cents each day!)

P.S I’m not trying to find fault, but my first secret message was “Jack likes Brian”. Isn’t that gay?

There are really too many complains that I’ve read online with regards to the lousy and slow Internet in Malaysia. I’ve done research and feel that the government is already slowly improving it. Following articles here, here and here, the government is already in a partnership with Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) to slowly improve and provide us with Broadband from 10Mbps to 100Mbps. God knows when that will happen.

What are your alternatives

• JARING. Back in 2001, I was surfing the Internet with Jaring’s 56k Internet. Pretty much satisfied with what I had, until 3 years later, I decided that 56k was too slow since I download quite a bit. They do have different packages running, such as wired and wireless (which comes with a free 015 line which enables really affordable International dialing!) Oh, and please ensure that the service is available in your area. As far as I know, it’s not available in my area (Johor Bahru) yet!
• P1 WiMAX. Shame on you if you haven’t heard about it. But that’s fine since it’s not so widely available to everywhere yet. Check out the availability map before you start deciding if you like it. I’ve heard of people who say it’s good and others who will never recommend that. Seriously, it depends on your area and your expectations.

I seriously only recommend the above two ISPs. There are always people unsatisfied with everything, no matter where you go. Even when you get over to Japan, with the cheapest Internet (In terms of USD per Mbps), there are people who are complaining that it’s bad in a way or another. Learn to be satisfied with what you already have.

What do I ask for?

I’m only expecting stable Internet, with less ping timeout to anywhere. The latency (or lag) cannot be prevented. 4 or 5 (or even 6) years ago when I first subscribed to TMNet Streamyx, can you imagine that I was unable to connect to certain IPs due to the incomplete route? Things definitely have improved.

I’ll ask for more speed when I know they can afford to provide. For now, I’m satisfied with 1Mbps. Oh, and I just upgraded from 512kbps to 1Mbps, which I feel is around the same, no much difference.

The government is already slowly moving into IPv6 from IPv4. What else can I ask for?

If you’ve yet to subscribe to TMNet Streamyx at home or your office and you’re reading this, you found the right article. This article shall bring you through what you might start ranting about in the future.

I got a message from someone on Windows Live Messenger (aka MSN!):

[email protected] says:
Small Favour Needed

Please help me to perform speed test on this URL

http://66.96.192.92/bigtest.tgz

Let me know what’s the speed you are getting, Internet connection speed
and ISP.

Eg: TMnet Streamyx, 1 Mbps plan, getting 100 kb/s

Thank you.

This message started me thinking.

I do know of almost 50% of my peers using Streamyx telling me that their Internet speed isn’t of satisfaction. I never ever complained that my Internet is slow. It’s totally fine to have slow Internet, but I need something stable. TMNet has done well with regards to this. *Cheers*

Before you start complaining…

1. Read Streamyx’s FAQ! Point #5 states that “Best effort” describes a service that is provided without any service level assurance. Now you see, what you get is what you should get. Complaining probably won’t improve your Internet. So stop ranting.
2. Also read the Fair Use Policy! We wish to also highlight that as an Internet Service Provider (ISP), TM only provides access to the Internet and does not guarantee content delivery and performance where it is not within the domain of TM as an ISP. In fact, our international traffic management policy is designed to cater for all our customers so they have an optimal surfing experience within the normal limits of Internet usage.

Let me simply explain what you should understand from the above text.

You should understand that you may not get the speed you subscribed and paid for unless you’re surfing www.tm.net.my/www.streamyx.com. I hope  I am right. Please correct me.

Do a speed test before you start calling over to 1300-88-9515/100 and start asking them why your Internet so slow.

Now that I’ve received my Ubuntu CD, it’s time I start burning CDs and send to anyone (probably around Malaysia and Singapore) that requests. This is my way of returning to the community.

How it goes

Drop me an email at   with your name, mailing address and email address. You can choose between the desktop or server edition; I’ll burn you a copy of the latest (for now, Ubuntu 8.10).

1. I will send you one (1) cd only. Let me know if you’ve got a special request.
2. As far as possible, I try to send it within a week (I will be away from 2nd December to 9th December 08).
3. And if you’re not from Singapore/Malaysia, try not to request as I don’t want to incur too much shipping fees. However, if you really think you need one, it’s still fine to drop me an email and I will see what I can do for you.
4. I know Fedora 10 was just released too. Personally I’m no fan of Fedora, but I will still burn you a copy if you request.
5. It’s free. Yes. To fund me, donations go to (Paypal) or   (Moneybookers). YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DONATE TO GET A CD.

Now, if you want a CD, email me. I’m friendly and I don’t bite!

Leaked Pictures: Alyssa Yin Yi (Alyssa Kwan)/ Jane Lo Li (Malaysia Lim Kok Wing University