indotraveltips

Satu Tarif di Semua Negara, Inovasi Layanan Terbaru bagi Pelanggan Setia XL

2011-12-22T19:28:00.000+07:00

Menjadi pelanggan setiaXL merupakan sebuah kebahagiaan tersendiri bagi saya. Hampir satu dekade XLmenemani hari-hari saya yang penuh dengan warna. Beragam layanan yang ditawarkannyamembuat saya enggan menanggalkan kartu operator seluler ini dari handphone saya, meski entah berapa kaliberganti, bahkan meski banyak tawaran tarif murah dengan seabrek iming-iminglayanan operator lain yang tentu sangat menggoda. Terlebih saat ini ketika XL kembalimengeluarkan inovasi layanan terbarunya berupa 1 Tarif di Semua Negara,kesetiaan saya terhadap operator yang memang dapat diandalkan ini tetap terjaga.

Saya membayangkan jikaakhir tahun ini saya menang lomba yang hadiahnya bertamasya keluar negeri,Singapura misalnya, tentu layanan XL 1 Tarif di Semua Negara ini dapat sayanikmati sebagai pelanggan setia yang tak pernah ingin berpisah maupunmemisahkan diri dengan operator seluler yang selama hampir sepuluh tahun inimenemani perjalanan hidup saya. Tak terbayang ketika saya bisa liburan diSingapura, saya tetap bisa menikmati komunikasi langsung dengan sanak saudaradi kampung tanpa memikirkan tarif mahal yang sering menghantui pelanggan sebuahoperator.

Bayangkan jika kitahanya di-charge Rp.3500/menit, baik ketika nelpon, ditelpon, dan sms dari dan diSingapura, tentu tarif ini cukup terjangkau. Menariknya, tarif ini berlakudi semua negara, terkecuali negara-negara di Timur Tengah dan melalui teleponsatelit, sehingga jika kita liburan di negara lain seperti Jepang, Australia,atau Amerika, tarif terjangkau ini tetap dapat kita nikmati. Enaknya lagi,layanan ini dapat dinikmati tanpa perlu ganti simcard ataupun melalui prosespendaftaran yang super ribet karena XL sangat memanjakan para pelanggannya.

Memang XL sangat pekaterhadap kebutuhan para pelanggannya. Bagi para pecinta BB, XL juga menawarkanpaket layanan BB Roaming bagi pelanggan pra bayar pertama di dunia melaluipaket Free BB Roaming yang dapat dinikmati di 10 (sepuluh) negara yaitu Jepang,Singapura, Malaysia, Kamboja, Bangladesh, Srilangka, Hongkong, Macau, Taiwan, dan Philipines. Layanan tersebut dapatdilihat secara detail di http://www.xl.co.id/LayananInternasional/RoamingInternasional/BlackberryRoaming. Sungguh layanan XL seperti ini merupakansebuah inovasi gemilang yang tentu dapat meningkatkan ikatan simbosismutualistis antara operator seluler ini dengan para pelanggan setia sepertisaya.

Kedepan, tentu kita semuaberharap agar layanan seperti ini dapat dikembangkan dan menjangkau semuanegara, termasuk Arab Saudi sehingga keinginan saya untuk menunaikan ibadahhaji suatu hari nanti dapat senantiasa ditemani XL yang telah memberikan warnalain dari hidup saya selama ini. XL memang penuh inovasi dan sebagai anaknegeri, kesetiaan saya adalah wujud apresiasi terhadap media telekomunikasiseluler ini.

Kontent Indonesia dan Perjalanan Hidup Bersama XL

2011-12-18T20:08:00.000+07:00

Berbicara mengenai VAS(Value Added Service) khususnya Konten Indonesia seperti RBT, musik, maupunvideo yang ditawarkan XL saat ini, saya sebagai salah satu pengguna setia XLsangat terkesan dengan inovasi yang nasionalis nan patriotis ini. Layananseperti ini tentu merupakan sebuah penghargaan bagi karya anak bangsa yangtentu juga menjadi kebanggaan tersendiri bagi kita bersama. Terlebihkonten-konten tersebut dihadirkan secara transparan sehingga membuat penggunaseperti saya merasa aman dan nyaman memanfaatkannya.

Pelayanan ramah daricustomer service XL yang dapat diakses 1 x 24 jam dalam sehari dan 7 hari dalamseminggu membuat para pengguna semakin yakin terhadap XL. Selama ini,kepercayaan pelanggan terhadap operator seluler ini tetap terjaga karena haltersebut, juga karena hal-hal lain dari XL yang memang mampu memberikanpelayanan optimal. Salah satu bukti dari pelayanan prima tersebut adalah responcepat XL dalam menindaklanjuti keluhan pelanggan atas kasus-kasus pencurianpulsa yang beberapa waktu lalu sempat menghantui.

Memang, jika mengulaslayanan XL yang inovatif sekaligus variatif seperti VAS ini, kita tidak bisalepas dari perjalanan operator seluler yang telah sangat membantu perkembangandunia telekomunikasi di negeri ini. Saya sendiri pun hingga saat ini tetapmemakai XL karena operator ini telah lama memberikan kemudahan dan kenyamananbagi aktivitas komunikasi saya.

Waktu itu, sekitar tahun2003 saya pertama kali mengenal XL sebagai sebuah kartu telekomunikasi seluler.Murah dengan layanan yang variatif adalah kesan pertama saya terhadap XL,terlebih ketika itu saya masih menjalani masa-masa kuliah di Kota Gudeg,Yogyakarta. Tentu dengan kondisi dan kantong mahasiswa kala itu, apapun yangbernuansa murah selalu menarik perhatian saya.

Saya masih ingat ketikapertama kali membeli perdana XL, kartu tersebut masih dibungkus dalam kemasanseperti toples snack dengan warna bening transparan dipadu dengan alas warna kuning,sebuah paket yang elegan bagi seorang mahasiswa yang hanya mengandalkan kirimanuang dari orang tua. Di balik paket perdana tersebut, saya dapat menikmatikomunikasi jernih dan stabil, meski dengan sinyal yang hanya satu bar di layar handphone jadul saya. Dengan awalan0817xxx yang terderet indah hingga sebelas digit, kartu Xl pertama kali saya dibanderol150 ribu Rupiah dan masih sangat jelas saya hafal hingga detik ini.

Beralih Nomor

Sayang,suatu hari ketika momen indah bersama XL itu mulai saya nikmati, si tanganjahil merenggut keindahan tersebut dengan membawa kabur handphone jadul lengkap dengan kartu kesayangan saya itu. Sebuahperistiwa pencopetan menimpa saya di sebuah bus antar provinsi dan memisahkansaya dengan nomor XL kesayangan. Setelah tiu, saya pun harus merelakan nomoryang saya anggap super cantik tersebut karena waktu itu tidak tahu harus mengurus kemana.

PerdanaXL kedua pun saya beli dengan sedikit perubahan nomor dan ciri fisik karenawaktu itu, XL kembali menawarkan inovasinya dengan mengeluarkan karyu perdanapaket “bening” alias transparan dengan tambahan beberapa layanan, tanpameninggalkan kualitas suara dan koneksinya yang juga super bening. Kembali,perdana XL dengan awalan 0817xxx menghiasi keseharian saya, menjadikan sebuahidentitas bagi pergaulan saya waktu itu.

Paket Inovatif XL

Beberapa tahun kemudian, XLkembali menyita perhatian saya ketika waktu itu operator seluler inimengeluarkan paket inovatif prabayar XL Bebas dan XL Jempol. Seingat saya, XLbebas diperuntukkan bagi bagi mereka yang suka telepon dengan menawarkantelepon murah dan bahkan gratis dari jam 12 malam hingga jam 5 pagi, sementaraXL Jempol memberikan layanan sms gratis kepada sesama pemakai XL. Untungnya, perdana XL saya waktu itu sudahotomatis menjadi XL Bebas sehingga saya dapat menikmati murahnya telepon kesesama pengguna XL, baik Bebas maupun Jempol.

Bahkan ketika itu saya jugasempat mengirimkan 2 kartu perdana XL, Bebas dan Jempol ke pacar saya di lainkota seraya berharap kartu tersebut dapat mendekatkan kami dalam segalaketerbatasan waktu dan tenaga untuk berjumpa. Selanjutnya, hampir tiap malamkami begadang untuk menikmati gratisan XL Bebas dari jam 12 hingga jam 5 pagi. Dengan layanan XL, hubungan kami semakin dekat meski jarak memisahkan kami.

XL Pascabayar Pertama Saya

Ketika saya lulus kuliahdari Kota Gudeg dan diterima bekerja dengan penghasilan tetap, saya beranikandiri untuk mendaftar paket pascabayar XL karena waktu itu, semua pelanggandiberi kesempatan untuk bisa memilih nomor yang disukai sesuai keinginan dandipadukan dengan ketersediaan. XL Xplor pertama pun saya nikmati dengankualitasnya suara dan koneksi yang tetap dapat diandalkan.

Nomor XL sepuluh digit sayaperoleh melalui aplikasi Xplor tersebut dan menjadi sebuah identitas baru bagisaya, sekaligus prestise bagi pergaulan saya. Beragam layanan juga tersediamelaui kartu itu, bahkan akses internet pun juga semakin nyaman.

XL dan Saya Saat ini

Waktu berlalu sedemikiancepat, beragam inovasi terus ditelurkan XL. Berbagai layanan seperti RBT yangmembuat komunikasi makin menyenangkan, akses internet murah, serta paket-paketsms dan telepon yang banyak pilihan telah saya jajal dan saya nikmati hinggasekarang.

Terlebih dengan paket-paketinternetnya yang beragam sesuai kebutuhan, Xl serasa menjadi bagian dari hidupsaya yang saat ini sedang menggeluti dan berusaha mengais rejeki dari duniamaya. Saya pun tersadar karena terhitung telah hampir satu dekade saya bersamaXL, kartu telekomunikasi seluler yang memang dapat diandalkan.

(WSO) WIFE-SEARCHING OPTIMIZATION alias Optimasi Pencarian Istri, Tips Mencari Jodoh di Era Internet

2011-11-25T10:55:00.001+07:00

Mendengar istilah ini saya ketawasendiri. Istilah yang ditelurkan seorang master Blogger Anggota KomunitasBlogger Jogja (KBJ) ini menyedot perhatian para anggota yang sebagian masih jomblo. Alih-alih membahas peningkatan traffic blog melalui optimasi mesinpencari (SEO), justru istilah itulah yang kemudian muncul sebagai kata yangsangat familiar ketika para anggota KBJ berkumpul d dunia maya. Sebenarnya,bagiamanakah tips mencari jodoh yang baik itu?

Tentu kita semua menyadari bahwajodoh itu ada di tangan Tuhan. Bagaimanapun kita berjuang mencarinya, jikaTuhan belum meridhoi, tentu pasangan hidup itupun takkan kunjung datang. Namunbegitu, kita tentu juga mengakui bahwa usaha ada di tangan manusia dan Tuhanlah yang menentukan hasil dari usaha tersebut; kata orang Barat sana “ManPurposes God Disposes.” Dengan demikian, kita juga harus berusaha mencari jodohtersebut dengan upaya nyata alias tidak menunggu durian runtuh, tiba-tibapasangan yang kita nanti-nantikan hadir di depan rumah untuk mengajak berumahtangga.

Menurut beberapa sumber yangpernah saya baca, ada beberapa tips ringan agar dalam berusaha mencari jodohtersebut, kita mendapatkan hasil yang optimal. Jodoh adalah sebuah anugrahsekalgus amanah yang dikrim Tuhan untuk memberi warna bagi kehidupan kita. Untukitu, dalam mencari jodoh, inilah beberapa hal yang hendaknya kita lakukan:

Carilah jodohkarena landasan tuntunan agama, bukan sekedar menuruti kebutuhan biologis yangsering kali hanya berorientasi fisik semata. Jodoh adalah pasangan hidup yangkita harapkan akan menemani perjalanan kita di semua alam;
Fokuskan diripada perubahan kearah yang lebih baik. Mencari jodoh berarti kita harusmenyiapkan diri untuk menerima perubahan hidup, dimana pasangan akan menjadikanhidup kita lebih berwarna, lengkap dengan suka dan dukanya;
Bersiaplahmenerima pasangan apa adanya dan jangan pernah meminta dia sesuai yang kitaharapkan. Manusia penuh dengan kekurangan, jangan pernah bercita-cita membentukkharakter manusia seperti yang kita suka, terimalah dia dengan segalakekurangan dan kelebihannya karena manusia diciptakan berbeda;
Jangan risaukanusia karena dengan begitu, tekanan psikologis untuk cepat-cepat mencaripasangan hidup justru akan menelurkan hasil yang kurang optimal alias asalcomot;
Jika pernahmemiliki pacar atau pasangan sebelumnya, jangn pernah membandingkan pasanganbaru dengan dia yang telah lalu karena pilih-pilih hanya akan mengurangi fokuskita dalam SWO tersebut;
Carilah teman sebanyak-banyaknya dan bangunkemampuan komunikasi melalui interaksi, khususnya di dunia maya yang menyimpansegudang rahasia sehingga sobat dapat mengenal beragam karakter dan perilaku.Kemampuan ini akan sangat membantu dalam proses pencarian pasangan nantinya;
Teruslahberusaha seraya berdoa agar sisa usia sobat dapat dimanfaatkan dengan optimaluntuk membangun hubungan yang harmonis dan berkah.

Seperti kata pepatah “No Pain NoGain” yang bisa diartikan tak ada keberhasilan yang tanpa perjuangan, mencarijodoh adalah sebuah proses perjuangan untuk mencari pendamping atau pasanganhidup. Jalani perjuangan tersebut dengan menerima segala suka dan dukanya .

Memanfaatkan Jejaring Sosial sebagai Media Pembudayaan Pancasila

2011-11-08T11:32:00.003+07:00

Di era informatika saat ini, ketikaglobalisasi teknologi informasi dan komunikasi telah melanda seluruh negeri,generasi muda Indonesia nampak sangat antusias memanfaatkan beragam jenis jejaringsosial melalui handphone dan internet. Bagi sebagian generasi mudaIndonesia, jejaring sosial telah menjadi bagian tak terpisahkan dari gaya hidupdan keseharian mereka. Secara langsung maupun tidak langsung, fenomena initentu dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai sebuah media pembudayaan Pancasila yang cukupefektif.

Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwasebagai falsasah bangsa, Pancasila akhir-akhir ini kurang dipahami atau bahkandiaplikasikan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Jangankan menerapkan butir-butir dalammasing-masing sila, generasi muda kita masih ada yang tidak mampu menghafaldengan lancar lima sila dalam Pancasila. Ironisnya, mereka justru mampu mengingatdi luar kepala setiap kalimat dalam updatestatus teman-teman maya mereka di jejaring sosial. Untuk itulah, melaluikebiasaan baru ini, tentunya kita dapat mengisi celah-celah antusiasme serta kegemarangenerasi muda ini dengan membudayakan Pancasila sebagai pedoman hidup berbangsadan bernegara di bawah naungan Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia.

Dengan kemasan yang unik dan sedemikianrupa mampu menarik perhatian generasi muda, grup-grup dalam jejaring sosial dapatdibentuk dan dijadikan sarana mensosialisasikan serta memupuk jiwa dan semangatnasionalisme generasi muda saat ini. Jika pelajaran sekolah banyak dianggap monoton,upaya-upaya sosialisasi butir-butir dan sila-sila Pancasila dapat dilakukanmelalui grup-grup ini sehingga langkah awal untuk memahami dan mengamalkanPancasil pun terbuka. Selaras dengan peribahasa “Tak Kenal Maka Tak Sayang,”tentu upaya mengenalkan dan mensosialisasikan nilai-nilai Pancasila kepadagenerasi muda melalui jejaring sosial ini dapat dimanfaatkan.

Namun demikian, agar upaya inibenar-benar efektif tentu kita memerlukan kerjasama lintas profesi mengingatgenerasi muda penuh dengan dinamika. Dengan kerjasama tersebut, grup-grup dalamjejaring sosial tersebut dapat hidup dan berkembang, menjadi sebuah mediapembelajaran online yang mengasyikkan.Inilah sebuah momentum yang harus kita raih untuk membudayakan Pancasila padagenerasi muda di era informatika saat ini.

Kopdar Blogger Nusantara yang Inspiratif dan Motivatif

2011-11-04T09:30:00.004+07:00

Keikutsertaan Kami di Kopdar Blogger Nusantara

Perjalanan Anggota Komunitas Blogger Jogjadari Yogyakarta ke Sidoarjo.

Mimbar Kopdar Blogger Nusantara

Kopdar(Kopi Darat) Blogger Nusantara yang dilaksanakan dari tanggal 28 hingga 30Oktober 2011 di SUNCITY Convention Hall, Jalan Pahlawan Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur yanglalu menyisakan berbagai kenangan manis bagi saya sebagai seorang bloggernewbie yang haus ilmu dan persahabatan sesama blogger. Sejumlah pengalaman danfenomena unik serta lucu mewarnai keseharian saya selama mengikuti acara yangLUAR BIASA tersebut.

Berangkat bersama rombonganKomunitas Blogger Jogja (KBJ) yang beranggotakan sekitar 35 blogger, saya menumpangbis Eka yang menurut seseorang yang kami temui di terminal memberikan pelayananyang memuaskan. Kami berangkat sekitar pukul 8 malam dengan semangat penuhuntuk segera menuju Sidoarjo, yang dalam bayangan kami akan langsung merasakanempuknya tempat tidur hotel dengan segala fasilitas mewahnya. Sedemikianantusiasnya, kami pun tidak menyadari bahwa bus yang kami tumpangi ternyatatelah disusupi oleh seorang “tante setengah normal” yang pada akhirnya memicu “salamdua jari,” sebuah salam unik yang (***censored) hanya dipahami oleh komunitaskami (KBJ).

Tiket Bus Eka yang Kami Tumpangi

Satu jam pertama dalam mediatransportasi darat itu kami habiskan dengan canda tawa dan sosialisasi dirisebagai sesama blogger yang belum sedemikian akrab. Kantuk pun mulai menyerang,satu per satu anggota KBJ lelap menjemput mimpinya, termasuk mimpi menikmatiempuknya kamar tidur hotel setelah tiba di Sidoarjo nantinya. Kami tidakmenyadari bahwa di tengah suasana hening tersebut, “Sniper” KBJ mengintai dan “menembak”pose-pose lucu anggota komutinas ini di kala tidur.

Setelah empat jam berlalu,kami tiba di Ngawi, dimana Duta, sebuah rumah makan di kota asal Wayang Kruciltersebut telah menyiapkan menu masakannya bagi para penumpang Bus Eka. Denganraut muka acak-acakan, satu persatu anggota KBJ turun dan langsung membasuhmuka. Jam di dinding menunjuk angka 12, waktu yang sulit untuk menyebut acaramakan tersebut termasuk makan pagi atau makan malam. Saya pun mulai memesanmakanan sesuai menu yang disediakan, khususnya yang menggugah selera.

Spanduk Komunitas Blogger Jogja (KBJ)

Di tengah riuh para pelayanmenyuguhkan pesanan rekan-rekan Komunitas Blogger Jogja, raut muka kami mendadak berubah. Semuamenu yang kami pesan ternyata jauh dari bayangan dalam hal rasa, yang sebagianbesar telah terbiasa dengan masakan khas Yogya yang serba manis. Kami pun akhirnyamelahap beragam makanan “asing” tersebut dengan selera yang “setengah dipaksakan.”Setelah selesai, kami pun melanjutkan perjalanan.

Pada jam 4 pagi waktuSurabaya, kami tiba di terminal Purabaya, cek anggota, dan koordinasipenjemputan dengan panitia. Di tengah kegalauan kami menunggu jemputan, seoranganggota KBJ justru menikmati moment tersebut dengan mandi super pagi,melewatkan kegelisahan anggota lain yang segera ingin menikmati kasur empukhotel yang kami bayangkan. Akhirnya, dengan menumpang empat mobil kecil yangdisediakan panitia, kami pun tiba di lokasi “hotel.”

Hotel Mewah Kami selama Kopdar

Anggota KBJ Memasuki "Hotel Mewah"nya

Bilik Toilet untuk Semua Penghuni

Ini Bilik Mesra? Bukan. Ini Ruang Ganti Kami

Raut muka semua anggota KBJ berubahtotal termasuk saya. Keceriaan yang terbesit di wajah-wajah sayu kami karenakantuk selama perjalanan tiba-tiba menjadi raut-raut kecut, hopeless, danpasrah pada keadaan ketika kami menyadari bahwa “hotel” impian yang kamiharapkan ternyata sebuah lapangan tenis indoor yang disulap jadi “hotelberbintang tujuh,” lengkap dengan berbagai fasilitas daruratnya. Kami pun berkelakar,“Semoga pengalaman menjadi pengungsi gempa dan letusan Gunung Merapi diYogyakarta beberapa waktu yang lalu dapat menjadi bekal untuk menjalanihari-hari di “hotel mewah ini,” (wkwkwkwkwk: mode tawa censored). Mulai darimoment inilah segala keunikan selama Kopdar Blogger Nusantara terjadi.

Fenomena-dan Hal-HalUnik di Sidoarjo

Anggota KBJ Mnikmati Makan Pagi

Anggota KBJ Bercengkerama Melepas Lelah

Seorang snggota KBJ yang sedang mengutak-atik Andorid barunya

HariPertama di “penampungan” kami lewati dengan penuh keakraban. Saya pun berpikir,sebagai blogger yang pernah menekuni aktivitas ke-MAPALA-an, saya mulai memahamiide “camp penampungan” ini sebagai sebuah media pengakraban bagi sesama bloggerdari seluruh nusantara, jauh dari kesan sekat atau pembatas yang mungkin sajaakan kami temui jika seandainya diinapkan di hotel, baik kelas melati maupun berbintang.Lambat laun, kami pun mulai terbiasa dengan suasana tersebut, bahkan ketikaharus tidur beralaskan kasur tipis, bersandar pada satu bantal, tanpa selimut, antrike kamar mandi, serta menikmati dengkuran rekan-rekan yang nampak kelelahan.

Hotel Impian Kami

Tempat Kopdar KBJ Berlangsung

Haripertama saya awali dengan sebuah harapan bahwa hari-hari selanjutnya dapat sayanikmati seraya menimba ilmu dari para pembicara. Kebisingan kota Sidoarjo yangsempat saya bayangkan sebagai daerah pinggiran yang dipenuhi lumpur ternyatajustru mendominasi suasana. Seperti halnya yang telah diutarakan Wakil BupatiSidoarjo pada Pembukaan Kopdar Blogger Nusantara di Suncity Convention Hall bahwahanya kurang dari 2% daerah tersebut yang tergenang lumpur, selebihnya Sidoarjomerupakan daerah industri yang padat, bahkan terpadat penduduknya di JawaTimur. Berbekal pernyataan beliau dan melihat situasi yang ada, saya dapatmerasakan optimisme yang dibalut dengan keceriaan para blogger yang “tersesat”di penampungan. Sungguh kesemuanya itu menambah riuh suasana Sidoarjo waktuitu.

Berbekal kamera saku yang salah satu hasilnya jepretannya sempat menghiasi sebuah media nasional, Kompas, saya pun berburu hal-hal unik yang tidak pernah saya temui sebelumnya. Terlebih dengan suasana penampungan plus segala pernik yang disediakan panitia, tentu banyak hal yang dapat saya abadikan dengan kamera tersebut, tentunya dibawah bayang-bayang “Si Sniper” yang terus memantau pose-pose unik yang mungkin saja saya lakukan selama di Sidoarjo. Hasilnya, inilah foto-foto yang dapat saya jepret selama Kopdar Blogger Nusantara di Sidoarjo.

Tulisan Terhapus, korban keganasan Blogger Jogja yang kepanasan

Bukan hanya tikar saja yang bisa dipake rame-rame, stop kontak pun bisa

Keterbatasan papan jemur, apapun di"MAKSIMAL"kan

"Jangan khawatir sayang, ini ga akan lama kok" xixixi

Mimpi apa ya yang satu ini? xixixxi

Aksi Si Sniper

Wah, cantik-cantik pegangannya clurit! Santai, ini cuman tarian kok

Lelap dalam Kelelahan

Mobil Pos? Bukan, itu warna angkutan di Sidoarjo

Mau benerin perut? Disini tempatnya

Maskot KBJ mau Benerin AC

Coba kalo Air Mata Buaya...Malaysia Punya!

Blogger Tertua (63 Tahun) dan Termuda (13 Tahun)

Rasanya? Coba sendiri

Menjaga Kelestarian Lingkungan dengan Ban Terbaik di Indonesia GT Radial

2011-11-04T09:09:00.000+07:00

Sebagai salah satu negara berkembang yang sangat pesatkemajuannya dalam hal pemakaian kendaraan bermotor, Indonesia dihadapkan padapermasalahan-permasalahan baru yang cukup pelik, baik kemacetan, pemborosanbahan bakar, hingga polusi udara. Untuk alasan inilah, kampanye penyelamananlingkungan dilakukan dan industri otomotif pun meresponnya dengan menawarkanberagam produk ramah lingkungannya, termasuk Ban Terbaik diIndonesia GT Radial.

Sebagai salah satu perusahaan ban terbesar di Asia Tenggara,PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk. selaku produsen Ban Terbaik diIndonesia GT Radial ikut berperanserta dalam upaya tersebut. Dengankomitmennya dalam ikut menjaga kelestarian lingkungan, PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk. telahmemproduksi ban ramah lingkungan yang harganya terjangkau bagi masyarakatIndonesia.

Saat ini, beberapa produk ramah lingkungan PT GajahTunggal Tbk. Pun telah menghiasi pasar ban di negeri ini seperti GT RadialChampiro HPY dan Champiro ECO. Inisiatif ini ternyata juga telah membawa PTGajah Tunggal Tbk meraih penghargaan dari Museum Rekor Indonesia (MURI) sebagaiprodusen ban nasional pertama yang memproduksi ban ramah lingkungan, Ban Terbaik di Indonesia GT Radial.

Diproduksi dengan menggunakan nanotek silica technology,kedua ban ramah lingkungan ini memiliki kemampuan untuk menjaga konsumsi bahanbakar di level terbaik dengan daya cengkeram di segala kondisi jalan yang tetapoptimal. Selain itu, bahan kimia yang digunakan oleh Champiro ECO dan jugaChampiro HPY tergolong non-aromatic atau bersifat karsinogenik sehingga tidakmembahayakan kesehatan. Level kesenyapan pada Ban Terbaik diIndonesia GT Radial ini jugarendah, sehingga aman, nyaman, dan cukup hening ketika dipakai.

GT Radial Champiro ECO dan juga Champiro HPY juga telahmemenuhi syarat indikator level kesenyapan (noise level) dan hambatan gulir(rolling resistance) sehingga kedua ban tersebut dikategorikan sebagai produk banberperforma tinggi kelas dunia yang sejajar dengan nama-nama besar lainnya,seperti Bridgestone dan lain sebagainya. Inilah alasan mengapa ChampiroECO dan Champiro HPY merupakan dua produk Ban Terbaik diIndonesia GT Radial.

Selain prestasi tersebut, Ban Terbaik diIndonesia GT Radial produksi PTGajah Tunggal Tbk juga telah memperoleh banyak penghargaan sebagai ban terbaikdi Indonesia maupun internasional. Hal ini membuktikan bahwa kualitas ban GajahTunggal mampu bersaing dan melampaui merek lain, bahkan dengan merek asingsekalipun.

Didukung dengan pengalamannya yang lebih dari 60 tahun, PTGajah Tunggal Tbk senantiasa konsisten menjaga kualitas produk-produknya. Bahkandi pasar domestik, dominasi merek GT Radial di segmen kendaraan penumpangtak tergoyahkan hingga detik ini. Ban mobil GT Radial digunakan sebagaiOriginal Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) oleh beberapa produsen utama kendaraan diIndonesia, seperti Toyota dan Daihatsu.

Dalam setiap peluncuran produknya, PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk. berupayakeras untuk senantiasa melibatkan konsumen dengan menyaring setiap masukanserta keinginan mereka untuk diaplikasikan pada produk-produknya. Hal itu bukanhal yang sulit karena Gajah Tunggal sebagai produsen Ban Terbaik diIndonesia GT Radial sekaligus bagiandari masyarakat dapat memainkan peran baiknya di tengah-tengah mereka.

Ban mobil Gajah Tunggal telah sangat berperan banyak dikancah domestik maupun internasional. Sebagai brand yang dilahirkan dari rahimibu pertiwi dan kini sudah go international, Ban Terbaik diIndonesia GT Radial patut menjadikebanggaan kita bersama. Beberapa penghargaan pun datang dari Harian BisnisIndonesia yang pada 15 Desember 2009 menyematkan GT Radial sebagai“Anugerah Produk Asli Indonesia” (APAI), merek asli dari Indonesia yangmendapat pengakuan dunia, dan Primaniyarta Award dari Kementerian Perdaganganyang diserahkan langsung Presiden Republik Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyonosebagai salah satu perusahaan nasional terbaik dalam hal “pengembangan merekglobal”. Untuk itu, kita tentu layak mengucap Ban Terbaik diIndonesia GT Radial.

Cheap Hotel in Bali

2011-10-13T20:05:00.000+07:00

Visiting Bali as the firsttourist-destination in Indonesia is probably your next plan. If you are aboutto follow some famous public figures like Julia Robert, Madona, and Richard Gere who have ever been amazed and enjoyedthe atmosphere of this lovely Island, many things surely you have to prepare,especially cheap yet comfortable accommodation. The question is: Can we getcheap hotel in Bali?

Being one the mostrecommended tourist destinations in the world, Bali hides so many beautifulplaces that can not be explored only for one or two days. To enjoy the beautyof Bali, tourist needs at least 1 week stay and therefore, getting cheap hotelin Bali can save more money to enjoy not only the most famous places such asKuta Beach, Ubud, or Jimbaran Bay but also Menjangan Island, Lovina Beach,Mount Batur, Tamblingan Lake, and so forth, which give you greater experienceof exploring nature and culture of Bali in complete episode.

Getting cheap hotels in Baliis not as complicated as we mighty think before. As Bali has been a favoritetourist destination for so long, many businessmen as well as local residentstry to run their business in this island by providing comfortable accommodation,including small hotels. If we might think that good hotels in Bali force us totake out at least US $30, wait, we can even find a comfortable hotel as low asless than US $10.

For example, LonelyPlanet,one of the most recommended travel books in the world, has stated that inLovina Beach, there are some cheap small hotels, which cost us only about US$8. It is true, just go to this lovely beach and begin to bargain, and that’sit, such amount of money will give us one night comfortable rest. Finding cheaphotel in Bali is possible and for this matter, do not hesitate to bargain forthe room rate.

Based on our own experience,cheap hotel in Bali can be found by bargaining. Many negotiations so far haveended in win-win solution, where tourists and hotel crews meet agreement inlowering the room rate. This possibly applies in hostel. However, big starhotels sometimes give much discount for those who order long before theirvisit. Thus, on the day tourists come, they will get cheap hotels andcomfortably explore all Bali attractions economically.

To make a conclusion,getting cheap hotel in Bali is possibly done when we know how and what to do.Prepare your journey to this Island of God and enjoy the hospitality of itsculture and nature without paying much cost for your hotel.

CONTROVERSIAL COMMEMORATION OF 911-TRAGEDY

2011-09-09T19:45:00.001+07:00

To Indonesian who are mostly Moslem, the tragedy of 911 in the U.S. in 2001 was very surprising and depressing not only because an Indonesian citizen, Eric Hartono, was one of its victims, but also many people accused Moslems was behind it. Today, after ten years the tragedy has passed, Indonesian Muslims has to face a controversial commemoration of 911-tragedy.

As reported by vivanews.com, a coloring book specially published to commemorate the 10^th terrorists’ attack on WTC has triggered the anger of American Muslims. Instead of giving education to American youth, the author and drafter of the book have in turn brought a bad image of Moslem in general, including in Indonesia. Thus, many Moslems thought that controversial commemoration of 911-tragedy through the coloring book was not fair.

Meanwhile, reacting against the controversial commemoration of 911-tragedy, some Indonesian Moslem leaders once issued their official statements, of the them is Kyai Haji Hasan Mutawakil Alallah, the chairman of PWNU (Muslim organization of Nahdlatul Ulama) for East Java. He strongly criticized the controversial commemoration of 911-tragedy as it would be done with the burning-out of Al-Qur’an, the Holy Book for Moslems, by some American people. He stated that the action would provoke Moslems in all countries and just trigger their anger, which would certainly be not good both for Moslems and also American people in common.

Regarding to the coloring book, some Indonesian Moslems also strongly criticized the picture as it showed Osama Bin Laden was hiding behind a woman wearing niqab ( a kind of veil) with a man from NAVY SEAL was shooting his gun to Osama. They thought that such a picture did not appropriately reflect the real fact that Moslems in general who apparently love peace. Even though the author of the book, Wayne Bell stated that his book did not contain any offensive material, American as well as Indonesian Moslems had an objection for the controversial commemoration of 911-tragedy through the coloring book.

TOP 1 Oli Sintetik Mobil-Motor Indonesia

2011-08-26T19:51:00.002+07:00

Siapa yang tidak kenal pelumas yang satu ini, TOP 1 Oli Sintetik Mobil-Motor Indonesia. Di tengah meningkatnya kebutuhan akan sarana transportasi pribadi saat ini, keberadaan produk pelumas seperti oli TOP 1 tentu sangat dibutuhkan untuk memenuhi perawatan kendaraan bermotor bagi masyarakat dunia, termasuk Indonesia. Namanya yang sangat tersohor didukung kualitasnya yang memang dapat diandalkan telah membawa Oli TOP 1 menjadi pelumas paling terkenal di negeri ini. Puluhan tahun Oli TOP 1 ini merajai dunia pelumas di Indonesia, bersaing dengan berbaga merk nasional maupun internasional.

Kualitas Oli TOP 1 yang sudah tidak diragukan lagi menjadi salah satu jawaban terhadap kebutuhan vital perawatan kendaraan bermotor. Beragam penghargaan telah diraih pelumas ini seperti diantaranya:

1. Superbrands (2004 - 2010);

2. Top Brand (2008 – 2010);

3. Indonesia Best Brand Award (2003 - 2010);

4. Indonesia Customer Satisfaction Award (2001 2010);

5. ICLA/Indonesian Customer Loyalty Award (2005 2006)

Penghargaan-penghargaan tersebut adalah bukti nyata bahwa TOP 1 Oli Sintetik Mobil-Motor Indonesia memang benar-benar pelumas yang mampu memenuhi kepuasan pelanggan.

Saat ini, seiring pesatnya perkembangan teknologi permesinan mobil dan motor, kinerja pelumas juga dituntut untuk mampu memenuhi dinamika standar yang ada. Dibanding pelumas biasa/ mineral, pelumas sintetik lebih tahan panas maupun oksidasi yang lebih tinggi. Selain itu, oli sintetik juga lebih menghemat bahan bakar karena kekentalannya yang lebih rendah selaras dengan tuntutan mesin-mesin yang dipakai mobil maupun motor keluaran terbaru. TOP 1 Oli Sintetik Mobil-Motor Indonesia dengan berbagai inovasinya sejauh ini telah mampu mengikuti dinamika tersebut sehingga sangat baik digunakan pada mesin mobil maupun motor saat ini.

Jka beberapa dekade lalu, mobil maupun motor masih menggunakan celah komponen yang lebih besar sehingga memerlukan oli yang lebih kental (20W-50), seiring dengan perkembangan teknologi tersebut, dan tuntutan mesin-mesin yang hemat bahan bakar, celah komponen dibuat semakin sempit sehingga konsekuensinya, pelumas yang dibutuhkan pun juga semakin encer (10W-30, 10W-40). Hal ini didasarkan penelitian bahwa semakin encer pelumas, maka akan semakin cepat pula pelumas mengalir ketika mesin dihidupkan dan semakin mudah pula bersirkulasi untuk mempercepat pendinginan mesin. Inilah yang mendasari adanya TOP 1 Oli Sintetik Mobil-Motor Indonesia.

Selain itu, kehebatan Oli TOP 1 terletak pada independensinya dalam hal sumber base oil/aditif tertentu sehingga terbuat dari bahan-bahan dasar yang memang terbaik untuk produk pelumas. Terlebih oli TOP 1 menggunakan teknologi SYNGEN 2000 dalam pemrosesan bahan dasarnya sehingga base oil sintetiknya benar-benar murni dan dapat diandalkan sesuai permintaan pasar. Dengan dukungan penanganan dari tim ahli khusus, kualitas sangat Top 1 Oli Sintetik Mobil-Motor Indonesia sulit ditiru atau dipalsukan.

Adira Asuransi Kendaraan Terbaik Indonesia

2011-08-25T21:59:00.006+07:00

Di tengah meningkatnya jumlah kendaraan di Indonesia, risiko berkendara menjadi semakin tinggi. Terlebih persentase peningkatan jumlah kendaraan tidak sebanding dengan peningkatan kualitas dan kuantitas sarana dan prasarana lalu lintas di berbagai wilayah nusantara. Fenomena ini tentunya menjadi sebuah pertimbangan tersendiri bagi para pengendara yang tentunya meski sangat hati-hati, kemungkinan risiko di jalan tetap selalu ada. Hal inilah yang mendorong Adira Insurance untuk menghadirkan Adira Asuransi Kendaraan Terbaik Indonesia.

Berdiri 24 Januari 2002 yang lalu, PT Asuransi Adira Dinamika (Adira Insurance) telah memperkenalkan beragam produk unggulannya termasuk Autocillin untuk asuransi mobil, dan Motopro untuk asuransi motor, yang dikhususkan bagi para pengendara yang ingin meminimalisir kerugian dalam berkendara. Seiring berjalannya waktu, Adira Asuransi Kendaraan Terbaik Indonesia telah mampu mewujudkan visinya yaitu Menjadi perusahaan Asuransi Umum yang paling dikagumi di Indonesia, yang dibuktikan dengan diraihnya beragam penghargaan termasuk diantaranya The Best Insurance Company 2009, Best Insurance Company 2010, Indonesia’s Most Admired Company (IMAC) 2011, serta Most 1^st Recommended Brand 2011 dalam kategori asuransi mobil.

Komitmen Adira Insurance untuk meningkatkan keselamatan bagi para pengendara kendaraan bermotor tidak hanya diwujudkan dengan menghadirkan Adira Asuransi Kendaraan Terbaik Indonesia namun juga dengan menggagas sebuah kampanye keselamatan di jalan. Dengan slogan “I Wanna Get Home Safely! (IWGHS),” Adira Insurance mengajak masyarakat Indonesia untuk berkomitmen secara tertulis di atas sebuah Commitment Letter, baik kepada diri sendiri maupun orang yang dicintainya untuk senantiasa berlaku tertib, mematuhi peraturan lalu lintas, serta berperilaku aman di jalan sehingga dapat tiba di rumah dengan selamat.

Sementara itu, dengan dukungan 38 outlet di seluruh penjuru Indonesia serta ribuan agen, Adira Insurance telah mampu melayani lebih dari 4,5 juta unit aktif dengan baik di seluruh nusantara. Hal ini mengingat Adira Insurance Indonesia bukan hanya menerapkan proses pelayanan yang prima dengan berbagai kemudahan, tanpa berbelit-belit, namun juga dukungan dari bengkel-bengkel rekanan Autocillin yang mutunya telah diakui serta mudah ditemui di berbagai kota. Filosofi pelayanan “You’ve Got A friend” yang berarti bahwa Adira Insurance akan senantiasa menjadi teman dalam segala situasi, khususnya jika pelanggan mengalami masalah dengan kendaraannya, telah ditujukkan oleh perusahaan asuransi ini melalui pelayanannya yang prima, tidak hanya dalam dunia offline namun juga online. Website Adira Insurance yang sangat profesional dengan menyuguhkan beragam menu pelayanan menjadi salah satu bukti bahwa perusahaan asuransi ini memang memiliki komitment yang kuat untuk memberikan pelayanan terbaiknya bagi para pelanggan. Oleh karena itu, tidaklah berlebihan jika dari berbagai testimoni, pelanggan mengatakan bahwa Adira Asuransi Kendaraan Terbaik Indonesia.

BLOGGER JOGJA BERHATI NYAMAN

2011-08-20T23:36:00.005+07:00

Berawal dari ketidakikutsertaan di Kopi Darat (Kopdar) Komunitas Blogger Jogja (KBJ) hari Jum’at, tanggal 19 Agustus 2011 di Joglo Abang, Mlati, Sleman, saya luangkan waktu untuk melihat hasil pertemuan para Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman tersebut melalui forum KBJ di Facebook. Alhamdulillah, Unit Reaksi Cepat para punggawa KBJ segera memposting beberapa hasil dari pertemuan tersebut yang diantaranya:

Kopdar berjalan sukses dengan 42 peserta yang mengisi form (attending) keikutsertaannya di Facebook (tidak termasuk saya yang absen, hehe);
Kopdar dihadiri oleh salah satu Master SEO Jogja, Mas Antok Suryaden;
Rencana Kopdar selanjutnya akan dilaksanakan pada Hari Minggu, 25 September 2011, dengan lokasi yang belum ditentukan;
Atas usulan Sang Master, diadakan lomba SEO kecil-kecilan dengan kata kunci (keyword) Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman yang berhadiah 3 Lisensi Norton AntiVirus Original.
Diharapkan semua anggota KBJ mengikuti kontes ini sebagai bentuk inspirasi sekaligus motivasi agar terus maju dan menjadi bagian dari kesuksesan KBJ di kemudian hari (Amin…)

(hasil pertemuan diolah dari artikel di: www.tomipurba.net dan beberapa update status di Facebook)

Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman sendiri adalah semboyan KBJ yang dihasilkan dari Lomba Logo KBJ di forum Faebook beberapa waktu lalu. Didahului dengan lomba logo KBJ yang terbuka bagi seluruh anggota, Mas Jeanot Nahasan memenangkan kontes tersebut. Dengan pertimbangan kelengkapan Logo, semboyan pun akhirnya dibuat selaras dengan semboyan Kota Yogya sendiri yakni Yogyakarta Berhati Nyaman. Harapannya bahwa semua peserta KBJ juga senantiasa memiliki hati yang nyaman meskipun blognya naik turun peringkat atau bahkan kena serudukan Panda-nya Mbah Gugel (mode ketawa lirih sambil nanya siapa saja gerangan rekan blogger yang senasib).

Mengetahui antusiasme rekan-rekan di KBJ, saya tertarik untuk mengulas tentang Komunitas Blogger Jogja yang memiliki semboyan Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman dan anggota yang mencapai 98 (database per tanggal 20 Agustus 2011) ini dalam kacamata pribadi sebagai seorang blogger. Terlebih di tengah dinamika akses internet yang semakin mudah dan murah, kemunculan KBJ menjadi salah satu sumber inspirasi sekaligus motivasi bagi blogger-blogger Jogja untuk mempererat jalinan persaudaraan dan saling berbagi informasi, menjadikan blogging sebuah aktivitas positif yang multi manfaat.

Di tengah merebaknya demam Facebook, bahkan terselip isu kantor Facebook yang akan dipindah ke Indonesia karena pesatnya peningkatan jumlah Facebookers (sebutan bagi mereka yang maniak Facebook), sejumlah anak muda justru berlomba-lomba mengasah ketrampilan menulisnya melalui aktivitas blogging dan bergabung dengan komunitas blogger, baik nasional maupun lokal, seperti halnya Komunitas Blogger Jogja yang baru saja mengumumkan semboyannya yakni Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman. Antusiasme yang terpancar dari ide-ide yang fresh, postingan yang selalu diperbaharui, serta komunikasi antar anggota menjadikan anak muda pecinta blogging di daerah ini sangat dinamis sekaligus produktif.

Tidak dapat dipungkiri bahwa blogging adalah sebuah aktivitas yang sangat mendidik sekaligus menantang. Di tangan generasi muda, blogging bukan hanya menjadi sebuah media penyalur hobi positif, namun juga produktif. Tidak sedikit anak-anak SMA yang telah meraih ribuan dollar hanya dari aktivitas ini. Namun demikian, tidak jarang para newbie (sebutan bagi mereka yang masih baru dalam dunia blogging) yang bimbang dan ragu untuk meneruskan aktivitas penuh tantangan ini karena berbagai faktor, khususnya kurangnya pendampingan dan informasi yang akurat. Disinilah letak pentingnya sebuah perkumpulan seperti halnya Komunitas Blogger Jogja dengan semboyannya Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman.

Bergabung dengan sebuah komunitas berarti masuk dalam sebuah sekolah tak resmi yang unik, dimana semua anggota siap berbagi ilmu dan membantu sesamanya untuk meraih kesuksesan bersama. Tidak seperti sekolah resmi yang dipisahkan dengan sebutan guru dan murid, di sebuah komunitas seperti KBJ yang memiliki semboyan Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman ini, semua anggota tidak memposisikan dirinya sebagai guru maupun murid. Semua anggota berbagi ilmu yang didapatkan baik dari pengalaman pribadi maupun orang lain, meski dalam beberapa kesempatan, ada blogger newbie yang meminta nasehat dari para seniornya yang sering dipanggil dengan sebutan Mastah atau Master. Inilah sebuah bentuk sinergi yang akan menjadi sebuah energi bagi perkembangan diri masing-masing anggota maupun komunitas pada umumnya.

Sebagai seorang yang belum lama menggeluti dunia blogging, melalui keanggotaan Komunitas Blogger Jogja dengan semboyannya Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman, saya sendiri pun terkesima dengan perkembangan dunia blogging di Kota Gudeg ini. Banyak sekali anak muda yang telah bertahun-tahun terjun ke dunia blogging dan meraih manfaat dari aktivitas ini, baik dalam hal pengetahuan, pertemanan, hingga finansial. Sering terbesit kekecewaan pada diri saya kenapa tidak dari dulu saya menggeluti dunia ini sehingga saya tidak harus menunggu 4 tahun untuk menyelesaikan skripsi karena kemalasan saya untuk menulis (mode ketawa kecut).

Untuk itulah, melalui artikel pendek ini saya meminta maaf kepada rekan-rekan di KBJ karena tidak ikut dalam Kopdar di Joglo Abang karena satu dan dua hal sekaligus mengucapkan terima kasih kepada segenap anggota Komunitas Blogger Jogja atas dukungannya selama ini, khususnya Bro Tomi Purba, Pakne Afif, Jeanot Nahasan, Bima Sakti, M Rifqi Sultoni, Azhie Kurozhaki, Achmad Zulfikar, dan semua anggota KBJ yang pernah ketemu di acara Blogilicious Yogya maupun yang hanya lewat Facebook. Bersama-sama, sambil menyambut matahari pagi, mari kita buktikan bahwa memang Blogger Jogja Berhati Nyaman.

ATRIUMHOSTING, LAYANAN PRIMA HOSTING GRATIS DI INDONESIA

2011-08-05T23:37:00.001+07:00

Pengalaman yang sangat berharga ini berawal dari upayaku untuk melepas ketergantungan kepada Blogger. Beberapa hari terakhir ini aku sibuk mengirim e-mail dan menerima telefon ke dan dari PayPal agar akunku dapat naik ke status verified; maklum layanan hosting sebesar Hostgator mensyaratkan pembayaran salah satunya dengan PayPal yang sudah verified. Bebarengan dengan perjuangan itu, pencarian informasi balance PayPal murah pun juga aku lakukan agar pada saatnya, layanan hosting besar tersebut dapat aku nikmati.

Di tengah upayaku menggantungkan harapan akan status PayPal Verified, tiba-tiba Mr. Tomi dengan gaya khas seorang blogger yang super helpful menawarkan sebuah layanan hosting gratis di www.atriumhosting.com. Ciiiiihaaaa, gayung bersambut, aku pun langsung ke TKP dengan semangat 45 seraya berharap “Inilah jalanku mengurangi ketergantungan kepada Blogger.”

Kamis, 4 Agustus 2011, melalui link di www.tomipurba.net, akhirnya aku mengintip jasa layanan hosting gratis itu dan ternyata, www.atriumhosting.com juga menyediakan jasa penjualan domain murah! “Alamaaak, one stop shopping,” pikirku. Langsung saja aku order satu domain seharga Rp. 74.900,00 untuk satu tahun kedepan atas namaku. Order completed, tinggal bayar, konfirmasi, beres, sebuah langkah selesai dengan sempurna.

Weit, sontoloyo, baru saja mau nutup akun, domain yang kupesan ternyata salah ketik, ada sisipan huruf “n” nyangkut ditengah domain panjangku. Sayangnya, ketika sisipan huruf “n” itu aku hilangkan, domain yang kupesan sudah tidak tersedia: bad mood: mode on. Belum sempat kutemukan tombol cancel untuk order itu, suatu hal memaksaku menutup lappy dan meninggalkan sebuah proses yang sebenarnya belum selesai.

Hari Jum’at, 5 Agustus 2011, aku kembali membuka www.atriumhosting.com untuk memesan domain baru dengan akun yang berbeda. Domain available, isi form, langsung transfer via BCA. Done! Everything is fine, sampai tiba-tiba, hal fatal terjadi. Miskomunikasi antara aku dan Customer Care jasa layanan hosting tersebut membuat domain yang baru saja kupesan tertukar dengan pesanan domain kemarin yang tentu saja tidak masuk micro niche manapun, kecuali ada yang mengulangi salah ketik seperti ketika aku memesannya, hehe.

Siapa yang salah? Dalam hal miskomunikasi, tak ada yang benar dan yang salah. Meski demikian, dengan profesionalitas yang tinggi dan pelayanan yang super responsif dari Customer Service www.atriumhosting.com, masalah tersebut teratasi dan domain baruku siap tayang. Sungguh sebuah pelayanan yang sangat jarang aku temui dan membuktikan kepadaku bahwa atriumhosting sukses bukan hanya karena layanananya yang murah, namun juga pelayanannya yang super prima.

HARAPAN AKAN KEJAYAAN SEPAKBOLA INDONESIA

2011-07-28T10:45:00.002+07:00

Gegap gempita para pendukung Tim Garuda Indonesia terdengar hingga ke pelosok negeri. Banjir warna merah akan melanda Stadion Gelora Bung Karno sore ini, Kamis, 28 Juli 2011, dengan menu utama Pertandingan antara Indonesia dengan Turkmenistan dalam Laga Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2014. Banyak pihak mengharapkan Tim Garuda dapat mengulang, atau bahkan meningkatkan prestasi tim-tim seniornya di ajang paling bergengsi tersebut. Akankan Tim Garuda mampu mengulang kejayaan sepakbola Indonesia?

Selama ini, dunia mengenal sepakbola Indonesia sebagai tim Asia pertama yang lolos ke Piala Dunia, tepatnya di Prancis 1938. Kala itu, Indonesia mengenal olahraga sepakbola melalui Kaum Kolonialist, Belanda. Di bawah bendera Dutch East Indies (Hindia Belanda), timnas ditaklukkan 6-0 di babak pertama sistem gugur oleh Hongaria, tim yang akhirnya keluar sebagai runner-up. Namun setelah itu, Indonesia hanya sekali menembus babak akhir Olimpiade.

Di Melbourne 1956, Tim Indonesia sempat menahan imbang Uni Soviet tanpa gol, sebelum kalah 4-0 pada pertandingan ulang. Di tingkat Asia Tenggara, timnas belum pernah mencicipi gelar juara dalam Piala AFF (dulu dikenal dengan Piala Tiger). Sedangkan di ASEAN Games, Indonesia hanya pernah meraih medali emas dua kali, pada 1987 dan 1991.

Dunia persepakbolaan Indonesia telah lama menjadi perbincangan umum mengingat dari segi potensi, dengan jumlah penduduk lebih dari 220 juta jiwa, tentunya mencari bibit-bibit unggul pemain sepakbola bukan hal yang sulit. Namun demikian, hingga saat inipun, Tim Sepakbola Indonesia belum mampu berkiprah dengan baik seperti tim-tim nasional negara ASEAN lainnya, khususnya Thailand.

Dari fenomena tersebut, banyak muncul spekulasi bahwa ketidakberhasilan membentuk tim nasional yang handal dan profesional banyak disebabkan oleh faktor internal, khususnya pengurus Persatuan Sepak Bola Seluruh Indonesia/ PSSI. Spekulasi ini sedikit terbantahkan mengingat dari beberapa pergantian pengurus, prestasi sepakbola Indonesia tidak juga meningkat.

Mengapa dunia sepakbola di Indonesia sedemikian sulit berkembang padahal hampir di setiap desa di seluruh Indonesia memiliki lapangan sepakbola yang siap menampung bakat para pemuda di negeri ini? Mari kita tunggu dan terus kita tunggu dengan penuh optimisme. Garuda tetap di dada kita bukan?

BLOGGING AS AN INSPIRING AND PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITY AMONG INDONESIANS

2011-07-21T08:59:00.001+07:00

As internet connection is easily accessed by most Indonesians today, many activities related to cyber world is increasing. Chatting, social networking, and surfing become daily part of many netters (a call for those who love internet-based activities). Even more, as internet access is getting cheaper, many of them try to take advantages of it, especially for productive thing like blogging.

Among Indonesian netters, blogging now becomes a favorite activity, even a hobby. Many of them get deeper involved in blogging action, be they as full-time or just part-time bloggers. So far, there is no exact data of how many Indonesian bloggers but in term of intention and motivation, these are some of their reasons of doing such an activity:

1. Having fun

Some Indonesian bloggers tend to relieve themselves after long and hard day by writing their personal notes, expressing what they have experienced. They write down any single personal story as well as other people’s stories to relieve stress, burden, or anything to bring joy and happiness.

2. Sharing information

Indonesians prefer to share anything, including news and information. They happily let other people know what is going on and sometimes ask their opinion to make it livelier. Through the synergic relation, they can motivate each other to share what they know and what they want to know.

3. Self-Actualization

Many Indonesians get interested in blogging activity as they want to be known by others. By building a blog, sharing information, and joining a community, they try to let others know about their existence. Just like a social media, blogging can unite them into a good cyber community.

4. Spreading Idealism

Some Indonesians, especially the youth, has their own idealism, apart from religion they hold. As dynamic generation, they tend to share and maintain the idealism through blogging, which they think is the best way instead of direct speech.

5. Earning extra money

This is probably what most Indonesians like from blogging: money. As blogging is a good way to earn additional income, many Indonesians try to get any piece of the cake by optimizing their blog(s). Even students, employed people, and businessmen like to build and promote blogs to get more money while doing their main activities.

6. Prestige

Blogging for some Indonesian is like a value-added in social status. Owning a blog means that he or she will get many advantages in any social aspect. Thus, blogging becomes a part of prestige among Indonesians. They believe that not all people can run a good blog. This is what has encouraged them to have their own blog (s).

7. Main job

Blogging is a part of way to earn money, even unlimited income. As now, getting jobs in Indonesia is so difficult due to various reasons, many people try to be more creative in gaining money, including from blogging. Therefore, it is understandable that some Indonesian people are focusing their attention to grab money from blogging as full-time blogger, spending almost a whole day to build, promote, and optimize their blog(s).

As an inspiring and productive activity, blogging is now very popular in Indonesia. This is also because internet access in this developing country is getting cheaper and blogging can be done free (without any additional cost) since Google offers blogger, wordpress gives free subdomain, and other companies present simplicity for Indonesian bloggers.

Kenyamanan Hidup dibalik Pencahayaan yang Tepat

2011-06-15T11:01:00.031+07:00

Hari ini saya teringat kembali perjuangan belajar saya di masa kecil. Waktu itu, ketika saya masih bersama keluarga besar di kampung, jauh sebelum saya dapat menikmati terangnya malam dengan sentuhan listrik, cahaya kuning dari lampu minyak yang sedikit redup ketika tertiup angin dengan setia menemani saat-saat indah saya dalam belajar. Sebentar-sebentar, saya tutupi lampu itu agar cahayanya kembali stabil dan melanjutkan screening terhadap buku-buku pelajaran yang antri untuk dibaca.

Beberapa hari kemudian, ayah membeli sebuah lampu petromax yang dipasang di ruang keluarga. Lampu petromax tersebut selanjutnya menjadi satu-satunya penerangan terbesar di rumah kami, dimana semua anggota keluarga nampak dengan penuh kebersamaan mengelilinginya di ruang tamu. Ayah dengan asyik membaca kitab suci, adik dengan penuh antusias mengerjakan pekerjaan rumahnya, ibu dengan teliti menjahit seragam adik yang sehari sebelumnya sobek terkena paku, sementara saya sendiri semakin tergugah untuk mengulas pelajaran hari itu.

Dari luar, suasana tersebut kelihatan temaram ketika cahaya dari lampu petromax tersebut juga menyusup melalui jendela depan, melesat keluar menuju ruang gelap beranda rumah yang memang belum terpasangi lampu apapun. Meski tidak seterang cahaya di dalam rumah, suasana beranda menjadi lebih asri dan nyaman, maklum waktu itu belum banyak tetangga yang memiliki lampu petromax sebagai penerangan utama di malam hari.

Ketika listrik masuk, kami menyambutnya dengan penuh sukacita. Setiap sudut ruangan nampak terang dengan sentuhan lampu bolam 5 watt yang sedikit redup, sementara di ruang tengah, lampu neon 40 watt setia menemani malam-malam kami selanjutnya. Malam-malam tersebut menjadi lebih hidup meskipun kadang saya merasa silau dengan cahaya lampu neon yang saya anggap terlalu terang .

Kini, saya hidup dengan keluarga baru saya, tepat ketika teknologi LED telah dapat saya nikmati. Tidak seperti lampu-lampu konvensinal lainnya, teknologi pencahayaan LED menawarkan manfaat dinamis, jauh dari kesan silau. Dengan teknologinya yang sangat canggih, lampu LED mampu memberikan pencahayaan yang tepat pada semua bidang pantul.

Selain itu, lampu LED juga memiliki kualitas yang lebih unggul, umur yang lebih panjang, daya tahan yang lebih dapat diandalkan, serta menggunakan bahan yang tidak beracun. Dengan kendali digital, lampu LED bahkan mampu dikendalikan secara cerdas dan dinamis sehingga mengeluarkan cahaya yang sesuai dengan lingkungan.

LED (Ligt Emitting Diode) sendiri adalah sebuah chip semikonduktor yang memancarkan cahaya ketika mengalirkan arus listrik. Lampu LED tergolong hemat energi karena jika bola lampu pijar hanya mengubah 8% dari listrik yang dikonsumsinya, lampu LED mampu mengolah 15% hingga 25% energi listrik yang diterimanya menjadi cahaya. Disamping itu, lampu LED juga sangat fleksibel karena kemampuannya mengeluarkan hampir semua spektrum cahaya sehingga lampu ini banyak digunakan untuk berbagai keperluan, bukan hanya terbatas pada keperluan rumah tangga.

Sebagai sebuah terobosan baru dalam teknologi pencahayaan ruang, sayapun tergugah untuk kembali melestarikan nuansa kekeluargaan dan kebersamaan yang pernah saya rasakan dulu bersama keluarga besar di kampung dengan memanfaatkan kecanggihan teknologi lampu LED yang telah banyak dimanfaatkan di banyak fasilitas publik di Amerika tersebut. Saya memahami mengapa banyak orang Amerika beralih dari lampu pijar ke lampu LED ini karena memang tidak mengandung merkuri sehingga ramah lingkungan, lebih hemat listrik sehingga tidak terlalu membebani pengeluaran keluarga, daya tahan lebih lama sehingga tidak perlu sering diganti, dan tidak menghasilkan panas sehingga tidak memunculkan efek ketidanyamanan sebagai pengguna.

Di tengah kemajuan teknologi yang sangat pesat ini, tentu kita menyadari bahwa lampu bukanlah sekedar sebagai penerangan seperti halnya ketika kita menganggap lampu minyak di waktu kecil sebagai sumber cahaya. Saat ini, pencahayaan yang bagus, elegan, dan hemat energi tentu akan memberikan nuansa hidup yang lebih dinamis, dan inilah era dimana lampu LED menjadi sebuah gaya hidup sekaligus sumber kenyamanan.

TABLET ANDROID HONEYCOMB TERBAIK MURAH

2011-06-03T22:41:00.003+07:00

Kemunculan Android sebagai sistem operasi baru di dunia gadget telah mengilhami sekian banyak vendor elektronik untuk memperkenalkan produk-produk terbaru unggulannya. Demikian halnya, Acer sebagai salah satu produsen gadget ternama di dunia juga turut berpartisipasi menikmati kue Android sebagai sistem operasi yang didukung sepenuhnya oleh Google, raksasa mesin pencari di jagat maya ini, dengan meluncurkan Tablet Android Honeycomb Terbaik Murah. Bagaimana tablet android besutan Acer ini? Mari kita kuak lebih dalam.

Tablet Android keluaran Acer yang ramai dibicarakan saat ini adalah Iconia Tab A500. Tablet Android ini diklaim sebagai Tablet Android Honeycomb Terbaik Murah di Indonesia. Hal ini didasarkan kenyataan bahwa Iconia Tab A500 telah mengadopsi sistem operasi Android termutakhir yakni versi 3.0 (Honeycomb), yang diklaim jauh lebih baik dari versi sebelumnya (Gingerbread) dalam hal tampilan antarmuka, grafik, multitasking, widget, serta browser.

Jika dibandingkan tablet-tablet lain yang telah ada di pasaran Nusantara, selain telah mengadopsi sistem Android terbaru, Tablet Android dari Acer ini juga memiliki port USB dan micro HDMI sehingga selain bisa menggunakan papan ketik eksternal, pengguna juga dapat menonton video dengan kualitas terbaik di layar yang lebih lebar. Pantas jika dengan kelebihan-kelebihan tersebut, Iconia Tab A500 disebut sebagai Tablet Android Honeycomb Terbaik Murah di Indonesia saat ini.

Secara umum, Acer telah mengumumkan bahwa Iconia Tab A500 dibekali dengan prosesor 1 Ghz versi dualcore (NVIDIA Tegra 2 Chip), 10.1 inci LCD, 1GB RAM, 5 megapiksel kamera yang menghadap ke belakang serta 2 mega piksel yang menghadap ke depan untuk video call, dan 16 GB memori internal yang bisa dikembangkan hingga 64 GB dengan kartu microSD. Selain itu, didukung oleh kecanggihan teknologi Acer, tentunya tablet android ini layak dicoba bukan hanya oleh para eksekutif muda, namun juga bagi mereka yang suka dengan aktivitas mobile. Untuk lebih jelasnya mengenai fitur-fitur Tablet Android Honeycomb Terbaik Murah dari Acer ini, kunjungi situsnya di http://www.acerid.com.

MENSIKAPI PANDANGAN BAHWA INDONESIA ADALAH BANGSA FACEBOOK

2011-05-27T13:22:00.000+07:00

Kita mungkin pernah membaca berita bahwa Indonesia dianggap sebagai Bangsa Facebook mengingat lonjakan pengguna jejaring sosial di Negara dengan penduduk lebih dari 220 juta jiwa ini sangat luar biasa. Bahkan rumor tentang akan pindahnya kantor Facebook sebagai wujud apresiasi Facebook terhadap banyaknya pengguna di Indonesia sempat menghiasi dunia maya beberapa waktu yang lalu.

Sebagai bagian dari sekian juta pengguna Facebook di negeri ini, kita tentunya memahami bahwa berita tersebut mungkin ada benarnya. Lambat laun, Facebook menjadi bagian yang tak terpisahkan dari keseharian kita. Bahkan rasanya kita akan kehilangan komunitas ketika satu hari saja tidak bisa membuka jejaring sosial yang paling popular tersebut.

Sayangnya, cukup banyak pengguna Facebook di negeri ini yang justru “terjebak” dalam sisi-sisi negatif media interaksi ini. Kasus penipuan dan penculikan pernah terjadi melalui jejaring sosial ini. Selain itu, pembajakan akun untuk kepentingan pribadi juga pernah kita dengar. Lebih lanjut, kasus-kasus kecanduan Facebook juga mulai merambah generasi muda bangsa ini sehingga para produsen handphone lokal pun saling belomba menawarkan produknya dengan iming-iming kemudahan akses ke jejaring sosial tersebut.

Namun demikian, apakah kita juga setuju jika Facebook ditutup? Sejauh mana sisi-sisi negatif tersebut dapat kita tutupi dengan sisi-sisi positifnya? Hal itu kembali ke cara pandang kita masing-masing. Dalam Bukunya “Life is Beautiful”, Arvan Pradiansyah mengajak kita untuk melihat segala sesuatu melalui kacamata positif. Selaras dengan pengarang ternama tersebut, kita akan menyadari bahwa Facebook sangat berjasa karena mempertemukan kita dengan sahabat pena, menyatukan keluarga yang telah lama terpisah, mempererat jalinan silaturahmi, bahkan hingga memajukan bisnis demi menghidupi keluarga masing-masing.

Indonesia adalah Negara besar yang akan dianggap besar jika warganya dapat menunjukkan sisi-sisi positif negaranya. Melalui Facebook, marilah kita tunjukkan kepada dunia bahwa Indonesia layak menjadi bangsa besar di tengah kebesaran anugerah-Nya. Selamat ber-Facebook ria.

MERCEDES-BENZ MOBIL MEWAH TERBAIK INDONESIA

2011-05-03T14:18:00.005+07:00

Pagi itu saya menyempatkan diri berolahraga setelah sekian lama berkutat dengan rutinitas sebagai karyawan. Dengan sepatu ket dan pakaian olahraga lengkap, jogging pun saya pilih sebagai alternatif pengenduran otot yang tegang pasca menjalani aktivitas mingguan di tempat kerja. Belum lima menit berjogging ria di seputar alun-alun kota, melintas sebuah sedan mewah dan berhenti tepat di depan saya. Ya, sebuah sedan putih elegan, dengan simbol yang paling banyak dikenal di negeri ini, Mercedes-Benz Mobil Mewah Terbaik Indonesia.

Saya termenung sejenak mengapa sejak dahulu para pemimpin di negeri ini, dari jaman Ir. Sukarno hingga Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono merasa nyaman duduk di dalam mobil dengan merk yang sangat ternama ini, Mercedes-Benz. Para pemimpin negara yang notabebe berstatus sosial kelas tinggi tersebut dikabarkan sangat menikmati laju Mercedes-Benz, bukan hanya karena mobil mewah ini terlahir dari perusahaan mobil tertua di dunia yang tentunya sangat berpengalaman dalam hal teknis, namun juga karena Mercedes-Benz memang terkenal memiliki kualitas tinggi dan kenyamanan yang optimal.

Jika banyak orang menganggap bahwa Mercedes-Benz Mobil Mewah Terbaik Indonesia, saya sangat setuju dengan penilaian tersebut karena meski saya belum memiliki sendiri mobil mewah keluaran Mercedes-Benz, kenyamanan dan kekuatan mesinnya telah saya rasakan dari bis-bis bermesin Mercedes-Benz yang hampir setiap minggu saya tumpangi. Kehalusan serta ketangguhan mesin tersebut tentu akan lebih terasa di dalam sedan mewah yang hampir menghentikan langkah jogging saya.

Memang dari masa ke masa, semakin banyak orang di negeri ini yang ingin memiliki mobil Mercedes-Benz, bukan sekedar untuk mengejar dan menikmati kenyamanan serta ketangguhannya. Dibalik desain serta interiornya yang sangat elegan, Mercedes-Benz ternyata menawarkan kebanggaan tersendiri bagi para pemiliknya, yaitu prestise. Sebagai penonton, saya sendiri pun mengakui bahwa Merci-sebutan paling familiar dari Mercedes-Benz di Indonesia-telah mampu mengangkat imej dari para pemilik mobil ini. Singkatnya, hanya dari pengalaman selama ini ditambah pemandangan saat jogging tersebut, saya menyudahi renungan seraya memahami penilaian bahwa memang Mercedes-Benz Mobil Mewah Terbaik Indonesia.

ROADBLOG – BLOGILICIOUS 2011, AN INDONESIAN BLOGGER COMMUNITY’S UNIQUE WAY TO EXPRESS THEIR SOLID UNITY

2011-04-13T12:22:00.003+07:00

Rapid development on internet access in Indonesia encourages many bloggers in this developing country to get benefits from this reach, especially to express their existence in the world of cyber. This phenomenon has inspired IBN, stands for IdBlogNetwork, to unite these blogger into a specific community and link them as publishers to advertisers who are willing to collaborate. Followed by more than 2.920 bloggers and 3.250 Facebook fans, IBN plans to hold a big event, called Roadblog-Blogilicious 2011.

According to IBN, Roadblog-Blogilicious 2011 is meant to give an offline-media for their member of bloggers as marketing partners to link with advertisers, represented by IBN staffs. As stated by an IBN staff, this big event will be held in some interesting ways, such as seminar and workshop, presented to improve Indonesian bloggers’ skill in the way they write, create design, optimize SEO, as well as monetize their blogs. The good news is that Roadblog-Blogilicious 2011 will be held widely in 7 big cities in Indonesia, namely Jakarta, Bandung, Jogjakarta, Surabaya, Makassar, Medan, and Palembang, around May and June 2011, enabling many local bloggers and also those attracted in blogging to participate and get advantages of such an inspiring event.

As bloggers, we may hope that this good event will be successful, not only for bloggers or advertisers themselves, but also all Indonesian community who put attention and care about any productive development in this country. In addition, through this event, many Indonesians expect that more people get attracted in blogging and the skill of existing Indonesian bloggers will increase so that they can give good contribution to their country in the world of cyber.

Lastly, since Indonesian people live in a variety of ethnics, religions, culture, and language, we may hope that IBN Roadblog-Blogilicious 2011 will bring an enthusiasm and optimism of more people in implementing the sense of nationality and unity among the differences, in Indonesia as well as around the world. Let us wait and see.

NORMAN KAMARU, AN INDONESIAN POLICE OFFICER WHO GOT 1 MILLION FANS IN 3 DAYS THROUGH YOUTUBE

2011-04-08T11:04:00.012+07:00

The shocking phenomenon has recently been a focus of Indonesian mass media. Like Justin Beiber, a police officer who uploaded his song-of-India lipsing in Youtube became an instant artist, getting more than 1 million fans in only three days after the uploading. Some people called this guy as Shah Rukh Khan from Gorontalo. Who is this person and why can he be so popular in a very short period? Let us go deeper.

Norman Kamaru is an Indonesian police officer from the unit of Mobile Brigade (Brimob) in Gorontalo, Sulawesi. His unique hobby of lipsing (resembling the way India singer sings) has sent him into a very unique stage. After uploading his videos to Youtube, and accessed by some journalists, Norman Kamaru became a main focus of their news. This fact made his commander plan to give a punishment since he was wearing his police uniform when doing the lipsing.

Many Indonesian people gave support to Norman Kamaru and disagree of any punishment the commander would give to him. In two days, the support became bigger and bigger, not only from the root but also from many important and influencing figures in Indonesian society. Thus, the planning punishment was stopped. Even, Norman Kamaru was sent to Indonesian Police Headquarter in Jakarta to practice his ability in front of media as well as the Chief Commander of Indonesian Police.

Many Indonesian people, public figures, artists considered the act of Norman Kamaru was in turn, bringing good image of his force, Indonesian police. They stated that the “fierce and stiff” image of Indonesian Police had been dramatically changed with Norman Kamaru’s sense of humor and art. Thus, his commander and also many Indonesian police leaders then permitted Norman Kamaru to improve and perform his ability, of course without neglecting his main responsibility and office-hours as a police officer.

Later on, after the permission, some offers came from many Indonesian TV companies. Norman Kamaru was asked to become guest star in some entertaining and news programs. Those offers inspired Norman Kamaru to choose whether he would continue becoming artist by leaving his position as a police officer or stay in his fixed job and raise his career in such very disiplined force.

Being trained well in police environment and his fully intense to serve himself in his current fixed job, Norman Kamaru strictly stated that he would rather stay becoming a police officer and perform his ability to cheer up his friends in Mobile Brigade, and if possible, use his spare time to cheer up more people outside his task force.

DOs AND DON’Ts WHEN TRAVELING TO BALI, INDONESIA

2011-03-30T12:09:00.010+07:00

Since Bali becomes the main tourist destination in Indonesia, many people come to Bali for various purposes such as for working as well as traveling. This of course has brought impacts to Bali, both to the people and also to the island itself. Thus, for tourists, such a condition has to be a concern. For that reason, these are some activities that we should and should not do during our vacation in the Island of God.

DOs :

1. Use reputable travel agent or tour operator for your own comfort and satisfaction;

2. If you happen to rent a car or taxi, use the trustable driver or at least bring local people for your guide;

3. Bring enough cash, especially when visiting villages and leave the rest in your hotel safe box;

4. Bali is relatively hot, bring as much water as you need as water in any hotel is mostly not ready to directly drink;

5. Obey any rules and laws in any place you visit, especially those related with Balinese temples;

6. Give some donation when visiting certain places for their improvement as well as development;

7. Buy necessary souvenirs from local people to help them earn more money for better life.

8. Make sure you have your own personal or travel insurance, or ask for your travel agent;

9. Bring your personal medicine since health is the main asset for getting best journey;

10. Be honest to leave any comment in any form provided by your travel agent for their improvement.

DON’Ts :

1. Never leave your very important stuffs like passport, visa, money, and wallet in your hotel room. Entrust them to safe box in the Front Office;

2. Do not be fully naked when bathing in the sun since it is forbidden;

3. Do not bring drugs and the like since Indonesia fights strictly against such thing;

4. Never cross people when they are having a traditional ceremony;

5. Do not touch or step on “sesajen” or offering, usually put around big tree, temple, etc;

6. Never take picture to a priest in his ritual using flash;

7. For women who are in period, never enter holy places, especially temples;

8. Do not underestimate cows since this animal is considered “sacred” in Balinese belief;

9. Never swear or shout rudely when something gets wrong;

10. Do not leave Bali before satisfied exploring its beauty.

Those are some recommendations for tourists who plan or have been in Bali. Certainly, local people of Bali strongly keep their tradition as well as local wisdom. However, since Bali is now inhabited and visited by many people whose their own purposes, which can be good or bad, knowing and following such suggestions will be sometimes helpful for enjoying your great vacation in Bali as the Island of God.

DUA KELINCI, INDONESIAN PRODUCT IN REAL MADRID FOOTBALL TEAM

2011-02-22T10:49:00.001+07:00

As football fever again spreads all over Indonesia, many entities try to fill some opportunities by launching and promoting their own products, including Dua Kelinci, an Indonesian leading crunchy peanut producing company. This company has successfully made sponsorship cooperation with Real Madrid, the most successful Football Team in the twentieth century according to FIFA (Federation of International Football Association).

The cooperation would last for 2 years. The deal was held in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid,

Spain

. On behalf of PT. Dua Kelinci, the President Director, Hadi Sutiono signed the cooperation with the representative of Los Blancos, Gestion de Derechos Jose Angel Sanchez Perianez and Manuel Redondo. The deal was then followed by some programs held in

Indonesia

to socialize this sponsorship, including Indonesia Menggiring Bola, which was enlivened by the coming of Luis Figo, a legend of football player in Real Madrid that played around 2000 2001.

With the sponsorship, Dua Kelinci has the right to use logo, attribute, and photo of Real Madrid football player. Nevertheless, the most important thing of this deal for Indonesian is that the cooperation will bring many effects to Indonesian football. It encourages many football players and lovers in this country to do their best, to improve and develop the football industry.

Let us see what this cooperation will be going to. Hopefully, Indonesian football will get better. Cheers.

JOHNY, AN INDONESIAN FIGURE BEHIND THE DISCOVERY OF AN ALIEN PLANET

2011-02-09T07:54:00.001+07:00

As published by vivanews.com, a couple months ago, there was a discovery in the world of astronomy; that was the discovery of a new planet done by Max Planck Institut fur Astronomie (MPIA) in Germany. As reported on Thursday, November 18, 2010, the team named the new planet HIP 13044b.

The news had spread to all over the world, but unfortunately, only few people knew that again and again, an Indonesian was involved in the research. Indonesian should be proud because this “alien” planet finder team of astronomers was led by an Indonesian, named Johny Setiawan, Dr.rer.nat. Although brilliant in foreign countries, this man was not so famous in Indonesia so that many Indonesian people do not know him clearly.

Johny Setiawan, Dr.rer.nat., who was born August 16, 1974 is now working at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA), Germany. Remarkably, he was the only non-Germans who became the chairman of the project team. Formerly, Johny joined as a post-doctoral researcher at the MPIA, in the Department of the Planet and Star Formation since June 2003. In the same year, he began leading the research in the observation of stars and planets ESO La Silla. In addition, he also worked specifically on a number of projects like ESPRI (Search for Planets with PRIMA / Phase-referenced Imaging and Micro-arcsecond Astrometry).

Before the recent discovery of HIP 13044b, Johnny and his team found about 10 new planets, although not all published. In 2008, for example, he and his team found a planet named TW Hya b. The planet was around the star TW Hydrae and located in the constellation Hydra, a distance of 180 light years from Earth. This discovery shocked the world of astronomy, because within the last 12 years, none of the planet that came from young stars.

As a native of Indonesia, Johny masters the mother tongue, Indonesian. His work and social gather in Europe makes him fluent in German, English, Spanish, and French. Besides working at the MPIA, Johnny actively gives lectures about astronomy, both in Germany and Indonesia. According to him, social and public activities in the scientific community, and the relationship between academics, science and non-science are very important to transfer knowledge in the horizontal and vertical directions. Besides busy as a scientist, Johnny also has a hobby of cooking. He can cook almost any type of traditional Indonesian cuisine, which often served to his fellow astronauts.

MORE CROP CIRCLE FOUND IN INDONESIA, ARE THEY REALLY ALIEN-MADE?

2011-01-26T09:45:00.001+07:00

Since the first crop circle was found several days ago in Jogotirto Village, in Yogyakarta Indonesia, many observations have been made by some entities, such as from LAPAN (Indonesian Aeronautics and Space Administration), BETA UFO (Indonesian UFO observers Community), paranormals, and mass media. LAPAN, BETA UFO, and Paranormals have their own interpretations but unfortunately, Indonesian society is still curious to know who exactly made such a smooth pattern until national mass media find a simple clue for the crop circle. They said that the crop circle was made by 6 students of a famous local university.

As many mass media try to reveal the mysterious phenomenon, new crop circle was found in Piyungan, about 5 kilometers from the first crop circle. The statements from a student of the famous local university about who had made the crop circle became a little bit doubtful since the second crop circle was found near local people’s houses. According to the villagers whose house is near the second crop circle, he did not hear nor see anything during the night the crop circle was made.

What the man said became a more confusing clue that the two crop circles were made by human beings. Some people still believed that the two crop circles were not human-made but some believed that they were. Many arguments came out as he student’s explanation of how he made such a smooth pattern and what reason he did that controversial activity.

Whoever has made the two crop circles, many people have their opinions. Some said that the art was very nice, yet mysterious. Meanwhile, others said that the crop circle was the sign that even Indonesian could make such a complicated art, even though it was not good for the rice farmers since they could not harvest their crop on time.

CROP CIRCLE, NEW MYSTERIOUS TRACE OF UFO IN INDONESIA?

2011-01-25T08:52:00.002+07:00

Yogyakarta people, who were just shocked by the big eruption of Mount Merapi that killed more than 100 people, now have to face new unique phenomenon that they never found before. An almost 70-meter-square crop circle had been accidentally found in local people’s rice field, Sunday, 23th of January, 2011 in Jogotirto Village, Berbah, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This mysterious pattern has been a main focus of some mass media in Indonesia recently.

Many people, from scientists, artists, and paranormals have their own interpretations of such a mysterious phenomenon. Indonesian Scientists have no exact explanation for the crop circle, but some of them said that it could be a natural effect. Some local artists did not admit of making such a complicated patter, even though they said they could make such a complicated art. Meanwhile, local paranormals said that the crop circle could be the product of unseen creatures.

A new shocking statement came from Indonesian UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) observers, known as BETA UFO. They were sure that the crop circle found in Yogyakarta was the trace of UFO ship which has just landed in the rice field. Some members of UFO Community (BETA UFO) said that such a phenomenon was ever found also in Tuban, East Java, in 1987, but the pattern was not as smooth and nice as in Yogyakarta.

They believed that the pattern was the sign of UFO because since crop circles found in England and other countries around the world, in 1970s, there were no similar patterns as well as clear and satisfying explanations of such a phenomenon. Whatever the crop circle means, Indonesian people are really shocked of crop circle since it is very mysterious and unique for them.

LOAN, NEW UNIQUE WAY OF INDONESIAN TO BE “WEALTHY LOOK”

2011-01-21T08:51:00.000+07:00

Despite multidimensional crisis that Indonesian has been facing for about 13 years, many Indonesian people now look so wealthy. In the street, so many luxury cars come and go, showing how many people can afford such an expensive property. Besides, real-estate has spread all over the country, telling people that Indonesian has grown richer.

Looking such a dramatically changes, perhaps we are so curious what Indonesian have done so far to get that properties. The key to your curiosity is loan. No more secret that now, many Indonesian live with big loan, not only taken from banks but also from finance companies that is so abundant in this developing country.

Since the demand of having own house car, motorcycle, electronics, and furniture among Indonesian society increases, many individual and companies try to fill such a business opportunity to provide and manage loans professionally for public. These bring so big impact that now most Indonesians are fond of taking loan. Therefore, do not surprised if you happen to visit some small cities, or even small villages, in Indonesia, you would find many finance companies as well as individual who become ‘loan sharks.”

In one side, by giving more than 1% rate of the loan, many finance companies and “loan sharks” survive in the tight business competition in Indonesia. They keep trying to influence people to buy some goods with their services.

In other side, many Indonesian people feel so free to have expensive goods by taking the loans. Even, with only showing their identity card and some 500 thousand rupiahs, sometimes they can bring home a motorcycle. What an easy way to buy!

NEW CHAMPION FROM INDONESIA

2010-12-19T13:03:00.000+07:00

Tri Joko Rubiyanto, a graphic designer from

Indonesia

has won the world champion IPAD application design held in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Mirage, Las Vegas, USA on last 11-14 October 2010. This achievement proved that despite his living in a developing country, Tri Joko Rubiyanto can improve his talent and expertise well.

Tri Joko Rubiyanto, in the virtual world known as Djackmania, is a graduate of Electrical Engineering Department of ITS (a state university In Surabaya, Mid Java. He works in an advertising agency office in Pancoran, South Jakarta. The man who was born in Ngawi, East Java 34 years ago, succeeded in becoming the champion in Studio 2010 Top Coder Open (TCO), the world’s tournament of computer programming and creative design. Jack scooped a prize of USD 200 thousand (approximately USD1.8 billion rupiahs at the exchange rate USD 1 = Rp 9,000).

The competition has been followed by thousands of participants from around the world. Initially, the participants were selected online for four months. They must collect some points of each design they submit. After passing the selection, 14 people will be brought to the semifinals and final.

Jack competes with the semifinalists and finalists from several countries, among them,

Venezuela

Philippines

India

, Hongkong,

Australia

Denmark

, as well as three colleagues from

Indonesia

. However, the jury finally selected Jack’ work as a champion in that competition.

INDONESIAN WELCOME OF THE COMING OF OBAMA

2010-11-17T10:05:00.004+07:00

Barack Obama,

U.S.

President, in his visit to

Indonesia

took a chance to give Public Lectures or brief speech in front of thousands of invitations in the hall of University of

Indonesia

. The speech opened with a greeting Selamat Pagi, an Indonesian sentence for Good Morning.., he then continued speech by saying Assalamualaikum and Salam Sejahtera.

The way Obama said words in Bahasa Indonesia then was replied by applause and cheers of the audience. The situation became livelier when Obama said “Pulang Kampung Nih (Come Home Here), while giving his friendly smile. Obama also had a piece telling the story of his childhood in this Indonesia. Starting from how he played kite, caught a dragonfly, and repeated the words of satay and bakso sellers.

Public Lecture Speech by Obama wa a magnet for all who watched it. Obama was very charismatic and unpretentious. The viedoa and picture how Barack Obama gave speech was immediately hunted the netter. They wanted to see again how the child who spent four years of his childhood in Menteng, Jakarta gave a public lecture at the UI. Theme or contents of the Obama’s speech was about democracy, development, pluralism, and religion.

Many Indonesian agree that Obama's Public Lecture had a very good big influence. He stressed the importance of democracy, press freedom, openness, as well as the importance of justice and equal rights for all people of

Indonesia

. Many Indonesian hope that the arrival of the president of the USA will be able to actually provide a positive impact on Indonesia.

WEDUS GEMBEL, BEHIND A NAME

2010-10-28T09:29:00.008+07:00

Indonesian again jolted by the eruption of Mount Merapi in Central Java which occurred unlike in previous years. Merapi erupted on October 26, 2010 by spreading volcanic material that was able to hit many villages around it. Of some materials coming out from Merapi, Wedus Gembel wasstill one of the forms, regarded unique but very dangerous.

Wedus Gembel itself is a name given by local residents of Yogyakarta for the hot clouds that glide from the crater of Mount Merapi. According to Wikipedia, pyroclastic flow is a fast-moving currents of extremely hot gas and rock, which travel away from a volcano at speeds Generally as great as 700 km / h (450 mph). The flows formally hug the ground and travel downhill, or spread laterally under gravity. Their speed depends upon the density of the current, the volcanic output rate, and the gradient of the slope. They are a common and devastating result of certain explosive volcanic Eruption.

The pyroclastic flow of Merapi is considered by the local people as similar to the feather of goat (wedus, in Javanese word) so they call it wedus gembel (curly goat). With compact cameras as well as professional ones, many residents and jounalists tried to photograph pyroclastic flow of Merapi.

Wedus gembel in the eruption of Mount Merapi on 26 October 2010 caused fatalities more than 30 people. However, the uniqueness of the pyroclastic flow remains a fascination for photography enthusiasts.

JOGER AND DAGADU, CREATIVITY OF INDONESIAN

2010-09-17T08:44:00.001+07:00

If you love to travel and buy souvenirs, of course, you may look for good attractions mixed with unique souvenirs. For that, come and visit the two tourist destinations in

Indonesia

, namely Bali and Yogyakarta, where you can find Joger and Dagadu.

As a form of local creativity, Joger and Dagadu presents two alternative centers of souvenirs, which you may not find in elsewhere. Joger and Dagadu offer some unique souvenirs, created in an artistic way, high value of creativity, such as t-shirts, mugs, slippers, jackets, or even cap.

For domestic tourists, Joger is the most favourite souvenir center if they visit the island of Bali. Joger is widely known by Indonesian public as the main Balinese products that can not be imitated by any entrepreneur elsewhere.

Joger as a souvenir Centre is located at Kuta Street, Kuta, Bali, only fifteen minute from Ngurah Rai Airport. Every tourist who enters the center of souvenirs will be greeted warmly and uniquely.

Similarly, Dagadu becomes one of the main attractions for tourists in Yogyakarta. Dagadu is a brand of unique souvenir from this city of culture. Many tourists shop Dagadu as the main souvenir from Yogya due to their unique appearance.

Dagadu occupies the lower ground of Matahari Mall, a shopping center in Malioboro Street, Yogyakarta. This souvenir Center also opened its main office in Pakuningratan street, about 1 kilometer north of Matahari Mall.

HUDSON, THE UNIQUE SINGER FROM INDONESIA

2010-08-16T11:05:00.005+07:00

Hudson is one of the participants of Indonesia Mencari Bakat (IMB), one of the talent searching programs owned by TransTV

Indonesia

. Hudson can sing a song with two faces and two voices, male and female.

The man who was born in March 27, 1979 in Yogyakarta can play two roles at once when singing. He calls her male side as Hudson and female side as Jessica. Unlike another two-face character like in Batman that presented both male sex, Hudson whose original name is Hudson Prananjaya can act and play his two-roles, from head to toe.

Hudson is the youngest child among his 5 brothers and sisters. He graduated from high school and began to sing in some places. He has a dream to become a singer, so he often diligently follows some singing competitions held in his town. Soprano voice (synonymous with female vocals), owned by Hudson can not be categorized in the singing contest between male soloist makes him unbeatable.

For the two characters face, Hudson alone did it since about 3 years ago. At that time, the young man from the city of Yogyakarta worked in a club or café. He was asked to present some entertaining shows for the guests. At last, the idea of the two face character singer crossed his mind and since that moment, he actively did his best for his unique talent.

NEW MYSTERY OF INDONESIA, A THREAT OF AN UNDERSEA VOLCANO

2010-07-17T10:46:00.001+07:00

An expedition held by Indonesian and

U.S.

scientists in North Sulawesi had found surprising results in the first week, an underwater volcano in the Celebes Sea, a part of Indonesian territory. This volcano became an important finding for understanding the wealth of the seas of

Indonesia

. The volcano in the sea was detected in the expedition with scientists of

Indonesia

and

United States

scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the auspices of U.S. Department of Commerce.

With its height of about 10,000 feet or approximately 3000 meters, this volcano became one of the main discussions among the scientists. As reported by them, this surprising volcano was located at a depth of 18 000 feet in the waters Kawio Islands, North Sulawesi. The discovery of this volcano was a part of the expedition of the ship Okeanos's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

This expedition had mapped 2400 square miles of seabed in

Indonesia

or the area of Delaware and would be completed on 24 August. NOAA Ship, Okeanos tried to explore the ocean in the area of West Kawio, Kawio Islands, North Sulawesi while getting a map of the volcano images. West Kawio was chosen as the area because of the elements of an expedition under the sea in abundance. Indonesian and

U.S.

scientists believed that they would find many new phenomena to understand marine ecosystems and climate change impacts.

THE TOUCH OF INDONESIAN ILLUSTRATOR IN AMERICAN MOVIE COMPANY

2010-06-05T11:38:00.001+07:00

Have you ever watched the movie of GI JOE: film illustrating an elite team of

U.S.

combat with an elite team of international crime syndicates, or TRANSFORMERS which tells the battle among robots? If yes, do you know that the very popular movies were apparently adapted from comic? More than that, do you know that one of the illustrators of GI JOE and TRANSFORMERS comics is an Indonesian? He is Chris Lie.

Chris Lie or Christiawan Lie, who was born in Bandung, 5 September 1974, is a comic illustrator from

Indonesia

that successfully penetrates the competitive world of comics. Chris Lie works every day, completing a number of comics and illustrations for the worldwide projects.

Based on his hobby, Chris is motivated to be a comic illustrator. That's what makes Chris was willing to leave his world as an architect after graduating in 1997 from Bandung Institute of Technology, and obtained cum laude. In 2003, Chris got the Fulbright Scholarship to pursue a master's program at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah,

United States

. He took a master in the field of sequential art program.
One year later, Chris received an internship at the Devil's Due Publishing (DDP) after invited by his friend who worked as an animator in the three-dimensional gaming company. When the company of Hasbro, where GI Joe and Transformers project handled, gave bid to DDP for an action figures project, ChrisHe was asked to help and it turns out Chris’ picture was surprisingly chosen by the company. That was the early success of Chris Lie, an Indonesian illustrator.

THE SECRET OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COFFEE IN THE WORLD

2010-06-04T10:26:00.000+07:00

If you are a fan of coffee, surely you've heard of Kopi Luwak (civet) coffee. This original Indonesian coffee is one of the world's most expensive coffees, according to the Guinness Book of Records. Not surprisingly, in the world market, a kilo of Civet coffee could reach 13 million dollars, more expensive than Blue Mountain coffee from

Jamaica

. Many people know the good and the expensiveness of this coffee but very few know the actual process of this Indonesian coffee.

Kopi Luwak (Civet) coffee is a type of coffee from coffee beans that have been eaten and passed through the digestive tract of animals like civet cat named Luwak (Paradoxurus Hermaphrodirus). This animal is fed with seeds of high quality coffee to make them release feces in the form of coffee beans. This process is called “drying process,” one of several other ones to make coffee. The deliciousness of this coffee is obtained from the natural drying process, very different from those using modern one. From the drying process, flavor and essential natural substances of the coffee can still be maintained.

In the

United States

, Civet Coffee normally sold with a very high price. It could reach U.S. $ 100 price per 450 grams. Civet coffee is believed to fame because of the myth in the past, when the first time a coffee plantation in

Indonesia

opened widely during the reign of the Dutch in this country. At that time, many people said that civet were delighted to find a good fruits including coffee beans as their favorite food. They chose the best quality coffee beans as their food.

HOSPITAL IN GAZA, A HUMANITARIAN MISSION FROM INDONESIA

2010-06-01T11:23:00.001+07:00

News about the tragedy Mavi Marmara ship that brought the world volunteers to Gaza, Palestine may become a new concern that in modern world today, humanitarian feeling is gradually changed. A humanitarian mission held by many volunteers, including from

Indonesia

to help their brothers in Gaza had to face high risk, including the worst one, death. This was a proof that even peace mission was not fully accepted in a certain country.

Before the tragedy, in

Indonesia

, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a meeting on Saturday, May 29, 2010 with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who was visiting

Indonesia

said that

Indonesia

planned to build a hospital for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by donating more than two million dollars. The plan was a proof that

Indonesia

was willing to play a deeper role in peace process in the Middle East.

In the peace mission to Palestine, President of the Republic of Indonesia also expressed readiness to continue contributing to establishment of an independent Palestinian state as had been in Asian-Africa countries before.

Indonesia

had the stance and consistence to support the full independence of Palestine since it would bring true justice for Palestine and also the world.

Meanwhile, day by day Indonesian society also strongly supports the efforts of peace to Palestine. Indonesian always responds all the things that happened in Palestine in the form of peaceful demonstrations as well as send volunteers like in the peace mission in this 2010. To Indonesian, peace does have to belong to everyone.

GREEN CARD, THE EARLY SUCCESS OF TANIA GUNADI FROM INDONESIA

2010-05-31T13:29:00.000+07:00

If you’ve ever watched Disney Channel with one of its comedy series entitled "Even Stevens", perhaps you know Tania Gunadi. This Hollywood actress was born in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia July 29, 1983. Tania has followed her career for nine years in the U.S. film industry and starred dozens of movies in the country.

Tania was born and spent his childhood in Indonesia. She moved to Los Angeles, United States, in 2000 after winning a lottery of green card. At that time, she was 17 years old and sitting in high school. Early of her arrival to U.S., she continued her study in senior high school while working at a fast food restaurant, Pizza Hut. Her job was sweeping floors, cleaning the kitchen, and making pizza.

Later on, Tania entered an acting school and taught by Robert F. Lyons, a a former Hollywood actor who starred several blockbusters in the era of the '70s until the '80s, like "Cease Fire", "Gunsmoke" and "Dealing". At the beginning of the films, Nia just played a little episode and acted as extra figure. But after that, she began receiving a variety of commercial bids for the production of the Disney Channel.

Tania Gunadi name was well known as a good player in a number of Disney Channel's TV production. Tania played as Allison Wong in the Disney Channel comedy series titled "Even Stevens". She once starred in Star Trek: Voyager with guest actor Tom Virtue. She also starred in the movie "Pixel Perfect" in 2004 with Brett Cullen. In addition, Tania also had a role as an officer in the alien spacecraft in the films "Star Trek".

THE GREAT ACHIEVEMENT OF INDONESIAN YOUNG SCIENTISTS

2010-05-29T11:55:00.004+07:00

As the largest country in ASEAN,

Indonesia

has many potential human resources. Unfortunately, this potential has not been widely known. However, the success of

Indonesia

on ICYS (International Conference of Young Scientists) for the last two years certainly has opened an international understanding that although living in a developing country, the people of

Indonesia

could achieve international levels of achievement.

As has been reported by Public Information Centre of Ministry of National Education,

Indonesia

managed to become the champion at the World Scientific Research Competition for the Youth or the 17th International Conference of Young Scientists (ICYS) held in Denpasar, Bali on April 12 to 17, 2010. Indonesian team could compete in all fields of competition, ie Physics, Mathematics, Computers, and Ecology. The team won seven gold medals, one silver medal and three bronze medals and two Special Awards. This achievement repeated the success of

Indonesia

in the same event in 2009 in Pszcyna,

Poland

ICYS itself is a scientific activities sponsored by the Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest,

Hungary

and the Belarussian State Univeristy Minks,

Belarus

. This event has been underway since 1994 and followed by many countries from Europe,

America

, Africa and Asia. Meanwhile, in ICYS 17^th, this event was followed by as many as 19 countries. A total of 13 countries became members and six countries as an observer. The participating countries were

Belarus

Brazil

Croatia

Germany

Georgia

Hungary

Indonesia

Netherlands

Poland

Romania

Russia

Turkey

, and

Ukraine

, while the observer countries were

Iran

, the

United Kingdom

Thailand

Nigeria

Laos

, and

Cambodia

INDONESIA AND THE POPULARITY OF GOOGLE ADSENSE

2010-05-27T11:26:00.002+07:00

The popularity of Google Adsense as one of the world's largest PPC business in internet is no way to be doubtful. Thousands or even millions of dollars have flowed from this advertising business filling almost all the famous sites in this world. However, do you know that

Indonesia

once became one of the country's largest contributors to the popularity of Google Adsense?

As a country in which internet connection experienced rapid growth in recent years, Indonesia was ranked first in contributing to Google Adsense keywords, namely in the years 2007 and 2008. This indicated that the curiosity and the involvement of Indonesian people towards this advertising business reached its peak in these two years.

However, over the last two years, the position was taken over by

Pakistan

. This shift may be because Indonesian community began pessimistic with Google Adsense since the coming of many international competitors, such as Chitika, Bidvertiser, as well as local competitors like AdsenseCamp and PPCIndo. In addition, the declining position could also be caused by the moving of many online Indonesian businessmen into other business models such as Paid to Review, Paid to Click, or Paid to Read E-mail due to their sharply decreasing income from Google Adsense.

The pessimistic of Indonesian society against Google Adsense was also due to the difficulty to be a partner in this advertising business. For new bloggers, Google Adsense business is one of their yearnings but because of the difficulty to be its members, many of them later on abandon this PPC business. Moreover, many existing Google Adsense partners from Indonesia were shocked and then became antipathy because their account were suddenly banned by Google without detailed explanations. This was a phenomenon of Google Adsense Business in

Indonesia

recently.

INDONESIA IN THE GUINESS BOOK OF RECORD

2010-05-25T11:29:00.002+07:00

Many Indonesian people are very intelligently potential but sometimes rarely acknowledged by international community. After the world recognized the intelligence of famous figures like Habibie (in

Germany

), Nelson Tansu (in

USA

), and Sri Mulyani (about to move to Washington DC), now the world community needs to rethink that

Indonesia

has many smart kids, including Brian.

Brian Dominic, 12-year-old boy born in Kuta, Bali,

Indonesia

, some time ago listed his name in the book of Guinness World Records. Brian successfully demonstrated his ability to remember 76 rows of numbers in only 60 minutes. At a record breaking event held in Bali Zoo Park, in Gianyar, Bali, August 15, 2009, representative of Asian Guinness World Records, Alex Iskandar Liew, praised Brian’s ability. According to him, Brian’s ability to memorize the row was very extraordinary. Such capabilities are rarely owned by the children of his age, and if anyone wanted to match or even surpass Brian’s ability, he had to learn and practice for a long time.

Brian Dominic admitted that he only took two months to practice remembering sequence of numbers in quick time. He practiced it three times a day. He said he would continue to practice remembering series of numbers, to be able to correct the record he made, and to prepare for the challengers. Brian targeted 104 series of number to remember since while his practicing, that was the best he ever reached.

The imposing performance graduates with my highlight.

INDONESIA AND THE TRIUMPH OF HONDA

2010-05-23T11:24:00.001+07:00

According to Indonesian daily newspaper, Kompas,

Indonesia

will become the center of research and development of the world number one motorcycle manufacturer, Honda. After previously Honda motorcycle products to

Indonesia

or to ASEAN region always oriented to

Thailand

, almost all Honda motorcycle products will later on be based on the Indonesian design. Thus, as mentioned by President Director of PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM), Yusuke Hori, in the near future,

Indonesia

will become the center of the launching of new Honda products.

Honda’s plan to make

Indonesia

as a trendsetter in Honda motorcycle products is certainly based on the historical fact that the presence of legendary Honda in

Indonesia

. Since the beginning of its presence, Honda has inspired the lives of millions of Indonesian society, and the triumph of Honda has been entrenched. Honda has becomes the chosen brand for most Indonesian communities.

Furthermore, until today, many Indonesian people still call any motorcycle as “Honda”, although the brand of the motorcycle is not Honda. Honda's triumph in

Indonesia

is more complete because of its success through its representative in

Indonesia

, PT Astra Honda Motor, which is listed on the first motor manufacturer in

Indonesia

to produce motorcycles up to 25 million by the Indonesian Record Museum (MURI).

As the third largest market after

China

and

India

Indonesia

continues to be Honda's attention with their superior motorcycle products. Especially this time when according to data from the Indonesian Motorcycle Industry Association (AISI), in 2009 Honda dominated 46.2 percent of the total sales of motorcycles in

Indonesia

. Honda should be competing with Yamaha that occupied the second position with 45.3 percent control of the motorcycle market.

THE OLDEST HUMAN IN THE WORLD WILL BE FROM INDONESIA!

2010-05-21T10:46:00.000+07:00

During this May 2010, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia through BPS (Indonesian Statistics Bureau) is holding population census. The activity of census itself is not very unique but the finding of this census is surprising. The team from BPS found the oldest citizens, not only in

Indonesia

but perhaps also in the world.

The Population Census activity has been carried out with the system of “door-to-door” where officers visit each family to be recorded. Surprisingly, in recording and collecting data, census officers in Pandeglang, West Java Province,

Indonesia

found Maemunah, who was estimated 143 years old. Maemunah lives in Kampung Jaha Girang, Rt 15/06, Kadu Dodol Village, Cimanuk, Pandeglang Regency. She was allegedly born in 1867.

Uniquely, at such an old age, Maemunah who has 10 children still can work like a 60 years-old person. According to Darwati, her eighth daughter who is now 69 years old, Maemunah always asks for her favorite food such as bread, candy, and milk. Within a day, Maemunah can spend 2-3 cans of milk and a jar of candy. Maemunah is also never sick. All her organs like body, eyes, nose, mouth, hands, and others are still functioning normally, except for her ear. Maemunah also told her experience during the eruption of Mount Krakatau in 1883. She said that the eruption was followed by a big tremor.

Currently, BPS has been collecting supporting evidence to trace Maemunah’s actual age because in the year 1876, Indonesia did not yet exist and birth certificate had not yet been issued. One of the Government's efforts to prove the truth of such data is by tracing the Maemunah’s family tree. If the data is true that Maemunah is 143 years old, of course she will remove the oldest human according to Guinness World Records, Kama Chinen, a resident of a sub-tropical island of Okinawa, Japan, who died on May 2, 2010 ago when she was 114 years 357 days, as well as beat the oldest woman in West Java, Kasliah (115 years old) from District Cikatomas, Tasikmalaya regency.

THE SUPERIORITY OF JEPARA CARVING ART

2010-05-19T11:03:00.000+07:00

If you are an art lover and love beauty, the uniqueness of Jepara carving art may be one of your admirations. Jepara carving art is the best in

Indonesia

and becomes one of the leading export commodities of

Indonesia

. Jepara carving applied in furniture provides value added so that most Indonesian furniture can compete, and even is more superior than those made by other countries such as

Vietnam

Jepara itself is the name of a region in Central Java, Indonesia which is the center of the Jepara craftsmen. Currently, nearly 80 percent of residents of Jepara still pursue carving activities that is believed to have been there since the time of Majapahit (A big Hindu Kingdom in

Indonesia

) in the 13th century. Jepara carving continues to grow, both in the design, function, and aesthetics.

Therefore, to meet the demand for such a large community inside and outside

Indonesia

, today the craftsmen begin creating three types of quality of Jepara carving art, usually called Class I, II, and III. This is done so that Jepara carving can be more popular in the community and can be purchased by various status of economic level of society. Nevertheless, for high quality carving wood, today the craftsmen of Jepara still use teak wood for the best result.

Among the current competition of export commodities, Jepara carving still exist because of their uniqueness. There is no similarity between the Jepara carving products. Because it is the art of man made or not done with modern machinery, Jepara carving art might be similar but never be same or identical. Thus, owning Jepara carving furniture and handicraft means collecting high value and aesthetic artwork.