Popular Bookstore has gone online, finally

Popular Bookstore in Malaysia has finally gone online, and their website is https://www.popularonline.com.my.

Although this online bookstore website has both Simplified Chinese and English version, most of the contents are in Chinese. As a result, if you switch to the English option, only the framework language of the webpage will change to English, the content will remain as Chinese.

From today until 2 August 2015, if you found any bug in this online bookstore and report to them, they will give you a 30% discount voucher.

If you register a new account in this website before 2 August 2015 (inclusive), they will also give you a RM8 cash voucher, but the redemption period is until 9 August 2015 only.

Do you really need an inverter water heater

Nowadays inverter technology applies to quite a lot of electrical appliances.

You can find inverter air-cond, inverter refrigerator, inverter washing machine, inverter fan, and even inverter water heater.

Inverter motors generally operate quieter than their a/c counterparts, and their warranty period is normally longer too. They are also suppose to save more electricity.

For many water heaters in the market, the inverter technology actually applies to the water pump in the water heater and not to the water heating mechanism, although some water heaters also apply the inverter technology in water heating.

If the inverter technology only applies to the water pump, and you seldom use the water pump to boost up the water flow during shower, then it would not be necessary for you to spend more in getting an inverter model of the water heater. It only make sense for you to buy a water heater with inverter technology if you turn on the pump almost every time you shower.

For you reference, below are 3 different models of Alpha brand water heater:

• Alpha Smart 18E (without pump) - RM410
• Alpha Smart 18EP (with pump) - RM570
• Alpha Smart 18i (with inverter pump) - RM620

Upgraded my TM UniFi Internet service from 10Mbps VIP10 to new 30Mbps package

Recently, I received a call from Telekom Malaysia Sales Centre promoting the new 30Mbps UniFi HSBB Internet service to me as an upgrade to my existing 10Mbps UniFi VIP10 package.

Today, I received an email informing that the upgrade has been successfully done.

My previous package: UniFi VIP10 @ RM179 per month +6% GST
My current package: UniFi 30 + HyppTV Aneka Pack @ RM199 per month +6% GST

A test with Ookla Speedtest website shows that my Internet download speed has increased from previous 10Mbps to 30Mbps. However, I also found out that my Internet upload speed has reduced from previous 10Mbps to 5Mbps. I have just contacted TM to clarify on this reduce in upload speed.

If you are also a UniFi subscriber and has received this upgrade offer from TM, here is the information about the RM199 upgrade package that I would like to share with you:

• 30Mbps Internet speed (but the 5Mbps upload speed yet to receive clarification from TM)
• Unlimited quota (same as existing UniFi)
• Free nationwide phone calls to TM numbers (same as existing UniFi. I heard that new subscriber will not get this anymore)
• Free TM WiFi access at over 28,000 access points (same as existing UniFi)
• HyppTV Aneka Pack (32 channels)
• HyppTV Everywhere Plan A to watch HyppTV in 2 devices (PC, Android, or Apple). Need to install the HyppTV Everywhere app. Password will be given by email when service activated.

This upgrade is done seamlessly. It uses back all the hardware devices in existing UniFi package (broadband termination unit, WiFi router, TV set top box, cordless phone), and it is not necessary for any technician to come to your house for the upgrade. All you need to do is to restart the BTU and WiFi router after receiving the email upon successful upgrade to enjoy the new Internet speed.