FastTelco: You are in last chance Saloon…

 

Right, that’s it. I’ve officially had enough. As some of you will already know it seems like I am having a perenial battle with my ISP - FastTelco - here in Kuwait. 

A few months back when all the Kuwaiti ISP’s were doing their ‘network coverage’ updates, FastTelco were undeniably the SLOWEST of the 3 major ISP’s to resume full service. I endured more than 9 days of painful ’dial-up’ speeds despite having a 1.5mb connection. Excuses after excuses after excuses was all that came from the ’technical support’ team’s robotic voices.

 I’m certainly not a computer slouch and I know a fair bit about the computer technicals, so can you imagine how frustrating it was to be told for 4 straight days to ‘reboot my router, reboot my computer and wait 30 minutes’?….. Can you believe the Tech-Support Team didn’t even know the real reason why we had no service until the 5th day? Even I knew the real reason, I just wanted someone to tell me the truth.

When I first signed up with FT they promised me the world; A seat in the ‘Golden Circle’ of Internet Service Providers.

•  Even though I only signed up for 1.5mbps I was ‘actually’ going to get 2mbps (as long as the bandwidth was available - whatever that means).
• I was promised that IF EVER the service went down (and it has quite a few times), they had a state of the art ‘backup service’ lined up as replacement. Yes, we saw those ’state of the art’ systems kick in twice didn’t we Ft?? Once when your offices burnt down, and the second time when the National ISP upgrades happened.
• I was promised a skilled and knowledgeable tech support team. So skilled and knowledged that the Tech Support team’s solution for everything is to ‘reboot’ your router.

Hmmmm……3 solid points - each one with more holes in it than a lump of Swiss cheese.

And so, onto the latest blunder by the fantastic FT team.

Let’s Block any and every website that exists!

I’ve been getting a little scared of opening my browser as of late. I fear the dreaded Orange ‘Screen of Death,’ which keeps on rearing its ugly head around almost each and every cyber corner I turn. 

So what’s the latest site to be blocked? Well, that little known video site called “YouTube.” When I load up the page, some of the videos are shown – others are blocked. And their excuse this time? Well apparently the new filtering software is blocking both objectionable and non-objectional websites.

So what should I do?

Apparently, fill in that little complaint form on the ‘OSD’ (Orange Screen of Death) and wait for the nice tech support guy to show up to work and unblock the URL. Yes, apparently, he does not work on a Thursday or a Friday!

I’m giving it one last shot. My patience has come to an end, and it’s either my ISP or my Laptop which is heading out the window. There are 3 or 4 major ISP’s running in Kuwait now and there is no reason why I should be subject to this constant insanity, especially as I am paying a fortune for my connection.

Nice marketing and branding FT, you certainly got me there. If only your service was as pretty as your Logo, I’m sure I wouldn’t be thinking of a new ISP. 

Officially: The World’s Most Expensive MP3 Player!

 

Well, following on from the recent diamond studded mobiles and exclusive telephone numbers I thought I would show you what’s now being dubbed the world’s most expensive Mp3 player.

Manufactured by the company TrekStor, this mp3 player is made of 18 karat Gold and comes laced with 63 individual one-karat diamonds. Equipped with a 1 gig memory card, two colour ‘OLED’ display, an FM radio transmitter and graphic equalizer, this little piece of musical madness will set you back a cool $19,999 (yes, that’s thousand).

Hmmm…I think I’ll stick to my Ipod Video which has 60 times the memory – and costs 50 times less in price!   

  

Kuwaiti Night Riders: Who are these people??

 

Every night, like clockwork, I hear the absurdly loud engines of the phantom (menace) motorbike riders who travel like packs of wolves up and down the Gulf Road. Well, nothing too odd about people ’night riding’ their bikes, so what’s the problem I hear you ask?

Well their choice of timing is very odd for a start. I usually head to sleep at about 1am, but I often hear these guys driving up and down the road well into the early morning. It’s not uncommon for me to wake up at 4 or 5am and still hear these ‘phantom menaces’ riding their bikes. I am a relatively light/medium sleeper and often get woken up by the sound of my glass shuddering like an earthquake has just hit.

Well, perhaps someone could help answer questions pertaining to this odd phenomenon:

• Who are they? Adults, Kids, Learner’s?
• Do they work? Go to School? If yes, how do they wake up!? Or don’t they sleep? 
• Is it the same ‘gang’ who drives up and down the road for hours on end, or are there multiple packs?
• Why are the mufflers so loud? I know a Harley is supposed to have a insanely loud exhaust - but they are clearly NOT riding on Harley’s – so why do they blurt out all that noise!?

I feel bad for those poor folks and families who are really light sleepers. I’m sure there are quite a few disgruntled residents who would love to find out where these bikers live, park a nice shiny new Harley outside their bedroom window – and rev like there is no tomorrow, naturally whilst munching on their favourite dunkin’ donut……..

 All addresses welcomed…..

 

Apple iPhone – Is this it?

 

Well  has the longest (and most boring) saga in computer history finally come to an end? The latest(speculative) images of the Apple iPhone have been revealed, and I at least, hope these are the final prototypes.

A cross between the new Nano and a Nokia 8800 – this sexy proposition will surely be an instant hit with the consumers if it ever gets released.

 Here are a few features I would like to see - and if they deliver - I for one would be a buyer:

• Full iTunes Compatibility / Support (plug and play)
• Bluetooth capable, to swap songs (doubt they will do this however)
• WiFi Capable, to connect up to the internet to download tunes
• Minimum of a 20 gig hard drive
• Ability to watch Video (any kind, not just Apple’s irritating .mov)
• Ability to connect to a TV and watch your Video’s

With all those features, surely Apple would set themselves up to become an instant Global Mobile Phone Player. Watch out Nokia!!

Officially: The World’s Most Expensive Mobile Phone

Well, last week we featured the World’s Most expensive mobile phone number, this week, I thought we could go one better and show you all what is now officially the World’s Most Expensive Phone!

The ‘Goldvish’ phone which is made of solid white gold and laced with an astonishing 120 karat diamonds was recently sold to a Russian Business man in Cannes, South of France.

 

There are reportedly only 3 of these phones in existence, so you had better run down to your local phone store and make your pre-booking now before they run out. Ohhh and don’t forget to sell your house on the way - the price for such exclusivity?:

$1.5 million dollars.

Kuwait ATM Machine’s – Thieves are lurking

 

As some of you will know, my CBK card was recently cancelled – infuriatingly - without any warning whilst I was away from Kuwait.

The official reason given was that certain ATM Machines in and around Kuwait had been used by thieves to steal money from unsuspecting accounts. Whilst I am not to sure of how the technology works, after a little research, it appears that certain ATM Machines are wired up with disguised ‘card readers.’ When you put your card in, the unit scans the card and collects your data.The fraudsters are then able to manufacture a fake card, go to an ATM and withdrawl money from your account by entering your pin number.

I first heard about this scam a few months back whilst I was in Dubai, but it appears that this new wave of ‘technological’ crime is spreading quickly around the region. Be careful when you head to the ATM’s - and make sure you regularly check your balance in case of any suspicious withdrawls, you never know who might be lurking.

Edit: Thanks to SKNK, who has provided us a link in the comments section as to how this scam works.

 

FatBoy Slim – Right here, Right now (2006 Remix)

 

A firm favourite from a few years back, this classic tune has been given a new lease of life by The FreeMason’s. A high tempo, hi-energy tune – this remix keeps the essential components of the original but gives it a ‘hard house’ spin.

You can listen to the song - and watch the pretty shocking video – depicting young children on an anarchistic rampage below. Pretty insane….

click me!

N.B The original Video was actually made for The Prodigy.  

$800 million donated to Lebanon – whilst Kuwaiti’s are left to die

 

I’ve just heard a truly sickening story from a friend who attempted to dial the ’777′ emergency services in Kuwait. 

After his uncle suffered a heart attack, his family dialed the emergency services repeatedly - but no one picked up the phone. They even called the hospital and also had no reply…. His uncle sadly passed away.

It’s stories like these which make my blood boil – and it highlights some fundamental problems with the existing system in Kuwait. What kind of government donates hundreds of millions of dollars to other countries - without first ensuring that their own citizens are treated to the utmost professional care and assistance? 

How do you feel about the billions of dollars getting funneled off into other more apparently ‘worthwhile’ causes – whilst Kuwaiti’s and its residents are left helpless?

How would you feel if this tragedy had happened to someone in your family? Spread the word, there is no reason why Kuwait should have these problems.

     

New iPods and Apple Products ready for launch….Confirmed

 

This info has all been confirmed via the Apple Conference:

• iTV - Wirelessly Stream your Movies from the PC onto your TV 
• New 2nd Generation Nano with longer battery life / brand new outter colours / 2, 4, 8 gig
• Price drops for iPod Video: $239 30 Gig    $349 for an 80 gig (new 80 gig model)
• iPod Shuffle Relaunched for low cost $79
• iPods with 60% brighter screens, 30% longer battery life
• Games to be launched for iPods starting at $4.99 (Electronic Arts are signed up)
• Downloadable Movies from iTunes. 75 Movies initially available for $12.99. Movies to be released at the same time as they are on DVD.
• iTunes 7

Post Comments:

*Well, there are only a couple of things in there which I would be interested in. Seems like a lot of hype but not much delivery!….. A thumbs down from me.

Apple Closes down its Apple shop and iTunes….

 

Leading up to this much anticipated news event to be held today in San Francisco, California…Apple have closed up their iTunes and Apple Shop. If you visit their website, this is what you will see. What can we expect from Steve Jobs this time? Not long to go now…..

 Rumours:

-Announcement of the next gen iPod with Widescreen capabilities

-Wireless Streaming Video Capabilities

-Bluetooth capable iPod units 

-iPhone

-iTunes to launch a downloadable Movies Section

Apple Airport Express – Review (for PC)

 

Having become tired of having to navigate my way around all the wires which lie on my floor, I decided to invest in the Apple Airport Express – which promises to stream music from my iTunes (PC) to my stereo with just one small neat box.

The ’Airport’ looks a bit like the regular iPod charger but it has a few additonal ‘insert ports’ such as an Ethernet connector (for wireless networking), a USB print server, and a Mini headphone jack – which is how the unit connects to your home stereo.

Setup: 

The setup was pretty clean and easy. The package comes with an installable, walk-through CD wizard. On a typical windows wireless system you could be up in as little as 10 minutes.

Potential pitfall: If your existing wireless setup does NOT use the Windows Generic Wireless connector, you may have a problem. My linksys, for example, over rides the Windows Wireless and uses its own config software. This makes the setup a little trickier, and if you don’t know much about wireless setup, this will be a problem.

Another initial drawback I had with this product was that it’s ’supposed’ to only work for streaming iTunes media. However, after a bit of research, I found a few software patches which will allow you to stream any media from your Windows Player, Real Audio player etc. This gives the product a lot more flexibility for those who don’t want to be confined to only using  iTunes as their media player.

So far the product works as advertised. I’m happy with the sound quality, and even though the product has been out for quite a while, it works very well. 

If I have any issues with this product, I’ll post about accordingly!     

Rating: 4/5  (wireless speed is currently only 54Mbps)

Cost: 49 Kd

Justin Timberlake makes it onto Toxy’s JamStation?

 

Well last week we had Robbie Williams and his ‘Rude Box’ get some Toxy love….and now his cross Atlantic rival ‘Justin Timberlake’ makes it onto Toxy’s jamstation!! 

The tune in question is called ’My love.’

Now don’t be put off by the crappy title. This is a Timbaland produced track featuring the the usual nasty ass synths, a trademark stuttery staccato bassline, a token rap performance by T.I.  all underpinned by the usual silky Timbo commentary.

Timbaland has a habit of pulling these kind of tunes out of the bag. This will undoubtedly be yet another monster R and B smash…..  Take a listen below:

Full song w/ Rap etc: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOrfVv54EaQ

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For a ‘Live’ performance (brief clip of the song) – with some pretty amazing dancing routines check out:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifTRWbj9GsI