Paul Tan's Automotive News» Blogging at Paul Tan’s Automotive News

New comment system on this site – try it out!

Paul Tan — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:55:24 +0000

We are currently testing out a new commenting system on this site, powered by Intense Debate. You can now have the ability to create “threads” out of comments, which is basically a reply feature. Instead of copying and pasting comments for replies like many of us have done previously, now can now simply “Post a Reply” to someone’s comment. A reply will be displayed right after the previous comment and indented so it looks like a reply. Further replies to replies will be further indented, I’m sure you get the drift.

You can also post a regular comment of course. Adding your own avatars should also be easier to do with this new system. You can also “vote” on other people’s comments – this will allow you to vote down pointless or sensitive comments. You can also report defamatory or ISA-magnet comments easily via the report function. Pages with hundreds of comments will now have their comment pagination (split into a few pages) so the comments will be faster to load and easier to navigate/read.

Do you like it or do you prefer the old system?

UPDATE: I see that some of you like it and some of you don’t. I’ll try to solve all of your questions about how the new system works over the next 2-3 days, if its still too uncomfortable then I’ll revert back to the old system. I have replied to some of your complaints in the comments of this post, please check and reply me if you can, I’m trying to work out all the problems.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Possible Downtime

Paul Tan — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 12:27:08 +0000

This blog will be intermittently inaccessible until a server move has been completed tomorrow night. The new current dedicated server has been experiencing connectivity hiccups thanks to a certain monopoly’s total incompetence at maintaining hundreds of thousands or perhaps millions of ringgit worth of network equipment.

The server will be moving to a datacenter run by an infinitely more competent team tomorrow night, so bear with the lack of updates and difficulty to access until the move is complete. The media and video server remains at Jaring, which is run pretty well, despite being plagued by connectivity problems between their side and Streamyx occasionally, but I’m sure you can guess whose fault is that.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

New Search Function

Paul Tan — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 03:43:57 +0000

I’ve already began to act on some of the suggestions that you’ve given in the currently on-going survey. One of the most requested features was an improved search function, as Wordpress search is pretty much very basic with limited functionality, purely keyword based and chronologically ordered without any regard to relevance at all.

What I’ve done to make the search better is integrate Google’s amazing search engine into this blog. All you have to do is choose the paultan.org radio button and it will perform a search based on your keywords on all the articles in this blog. Much better, and more relevant. It make it easier for you to do whatever research you have to do.

P/S: If you haven’t done the survey, please do it if you have time! Completely 100% optional of course.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Reader Demographic Survey 2007

Paul Tan — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:44:48 +0000

I am currently conducting a reader demographic survey for all readers of this site. It will only take up a few minutes of your time, perhaps even less than five, but it will really help me alot in planning the future direction for this site’s development. So please help me out here, your time is very very much appreciated!

Take the survey!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Server Migration Complete

Paul Tan — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 02:31:03 +0000

Due to increased level of traffic for the past week or so, some of you have been having problems with your experience with this site. Sometimes you get the message saying the comment post failed even though in reality it went through, causing many double comment posts. This is because posting takes too long, and the server thinks it has failed. Obviously something taking too long is a bad thing.

To enhance your user experience, I have taken the liberty to upgrade the hosting for this site to a dedicated server. Previously it was hosted on a shared server, which is akin to taking up a few units in a condo building. A dedicated server is having the whole condo to yourself. I will continuously try to improve this blog’s performance to keep up with the traffic levels. Do let me know if you encounter any problems.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Trivial Blog Statistics

Paul Tan — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 21:05:35 +0000

I’ve just installed a new feature to track the statistics on my blog. It’s available for your viewing by clicking the Statistics link on the sidebar. Here are some of the statistics it’s gathered so far, you might find it interesting.

10 Most Commented Stories

Perodua Myvi – 513 comments
Jeremy Clarkson annihilates the Perodua Kelisa – 428 comments
Proton Savvy Photos – 368 comments
Proton Satria Neo 1.3 and 1.6 In-depth – 358 comments
Proton Gen2 1.3 in showrooms – 325 comments
Proton Chancellor 2.0 V6 – 316 comments
Joint letter by Tun Dr. M and Tengku Mahaleel – 280 comments
Proton disposes of MV Agusta for 1 Euro – 225 comments
Perodua Myvi TRD Bodykit – 193 comments
Gory Car Crash – 181 comments

Top 10 Members with the Most Comments

Joe Ooi (917)
motorhead (688)
raybrig85 (507)
mystvearn (439)
honda_driver (427)
aksMS (421)
szw (415)
protonGL (346)
DOG THE WAN (329)
SEE FU (320)

You can view all of their comments by clicking on the name used to comment on this blog. This data is as of 5.00 AM, 18th March 2007 and will definitely be outdated in the future. For updated stats, go to the Statistics page.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Wanted: Web Developer/Programmer

Paul Tan — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 18:19:42 +0000

Sorry for posting this here, but I’m running out of places to post this. Will also be running an ad in StarJobs soon, so if you know anyone who might be interested, please do let me know! Text is after the jump.

POSITION: Web Developer / Programmer

TERMS: Full-time / Part-time / Contract

START DATE: Immediate

REMUNERATION: Negotiable (RM 2,000 â€“ RM 5,000 per month)

ABOUT THE POSITION:
The candidate will work with a team of specialists to develop a new web based product for the international property industry. In addition to that, the candidate would also support the engineering, technical and design team.

This position requires someone who has built web applications in the past, preferably with open source tools and languages. Knowledge of AJAX would be advantageous as well.

The candidate we are looking for should be able to work on his/her own without any direct supervision. This position requires the need for a “startup mentality”, i.e. Do whatever it takes to get the job done. The candidate should also be a strong team player. Full-time, part-time and contract positions available.

ADVANTAGES:

- fun start-up environment, flexible working hours
- chance to be part of a new Internet & mobile product!
- excellent chances to move up the ranks with more roles & responsibilities

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Must be a kick-ass programmer, so paper qualifications is compulsory. However, it would not hurt if you possess either a Certificate, Diploma, Advanced/Higher Diploma, Bachelor Degree, Post Graduate Diploma, Professional Degree or Master Degree in Computer Science or Electrical/Electronic/Software Engineering or related field
- Language: must have good English writing & oral communication skills
- Interests in the Internet/mobile industry would be a plus point
- Ability to multitask, excellent judgment, problem solving & analytical abilities
- Must be prepared to work long hours, even weekends and public holidays if necessary
- Must be prepared to accept new responsibilities as and when necessary

SKILL SET REQUIREMENTS:

- Familiar with any combination of these Web Development Tools & Programming Languages & RDBMS (PHP, Ruby On Rails, ASP.NET, JSP, EJB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, HTML, Javascript, Flash).
- Familiar with Windows, Linux and UNIX operating systems.
- Knowledge in AJAX or RIA development is advantageous.
- Independent, Autonomous and Result-oriented work ethics.
- At least 1-year experience, nonetheless fresh graduates will be considered.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

- real-world frontend/backend web development project experience is crucial, either in the capacity as a project leader or team member
- fresh grads with non-commercial project experience will be considered

HOW TO APPLY:

- please send your CV to careers@hulksolutions.com in PDF format with the subject title: â€œApplication for Web Developer / Programmerâ€ â€¦ If you dont, our spam filter might reject your email.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Automotive Industry Discussion Forums

Paul Tan — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:18:18 +0000

Based on popular demand from readers, I’ve set up an additional discussion area here for you guys to interact. While interaction on this blog is limited to the topics I post, the new paultan.org forums will allow you to discuss anything you want, as long as it’s related to the topics I’ve defined of course.

Of course, it’s appreciated that you limit discussion on entries I’ve posted in this blog on the entries itself rather than creating a new topic in the forum, for the sake of keeping things clean and organised. This feature should be considered BETA for the moment, and I will monitor the progress on how it is performing. Please read the announcement I’ve put up here, in the forum’s News and Announcements section.

Access forum: http://paultan.org/forum/

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Siaran Tergendala

Paul Tan — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:20:25 +0000

Under the weather, so no updates today, although there’s seriously too much news for me to update in time and I need to catch up. I’m afraid I’ve not been living up to the term “internet speed” these days, referring to the speed at which news is updated on the internet, which is usually instant, or very very fast.

Normal blogging to resume the next day. In the meanwhile, the title of this post will give you a hint of what’s to come in the year 2007 for this website. In the meanwhile, let’s hear your feedback, comments, or just any general thoughts about your experience with this site throughout 2006, as well as future suggestions.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Feedback

Paul Tan — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 18:33:59 +0000

There’s something new on this page. You should see it around. Your user experience is important to me, so please use the contact form to give me feedback or thoughts.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Bloggers… again

Paul Tan — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 07:35:44 +0000

Read this.

I am beginning to be afraid of reading the newspapers, you never know what other threats against the freedom of the internet they might come up with next.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Nikkor 18-135 f/3.5-5.6G for sale

Paul Tan — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:48:07 +0000

I apologise for using this site to post this, but I have the following item for sale:

AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED

It’s an SLR lense for the Nikon F-mount, naturally. It’s a DX lense so I don’t think it can be used with film SLRs. This is the new kit lense that comes with the Nikon D80 kit. About a month old, got it with my Nikon D80 kit.

Use the contact form if you’re interested!

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Comments problem

Paul Tan — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 05:53:33 +0000

I’ve just upgraded to Wordpress 2.0.4 the moment it came out a few days ago, and apparently this new release brings on a host of commenting related problems. Have any of you had problems writing comments but it doesn’t show up? Please do let me know using the contact form. I want to see whether this affects everyone or just a few accounts. Please state your username.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Printing Presses and Publications Act

Paul Tan — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 19:20:16 +0000

This is unrelated to cars, but is important for the future of any online media here in Malaysia, such as this site you are reading now. The government is going to study if the 1984 Printing Presses and Publications Act should be amended to include electronic and Internet media. These new forms of media were not around when the act was formulated, and some have accused it of having double standards, or outdated. The act also requires media to obtain a license that must be renewed annually.

Although the act being studied does not mean it is going to be change, this brings the freedom of the internet as a medium here in Malaysia under threat. Think not just of the potential of censoring online media as how the press has been censored, but think of potential discouragement for foreign investments here.

Click here, here, and here for more details.

If you want to comment, do talk about whether you think online media or the internet should be subject to the Printing and Presses Act. Please do not mindlessly bash the government for this post’s discussion. I intend to keep this site running as long as possible and I’ve heard the ISA lock-up doesn’t have much internet facilities.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Server instability

Paul Tan — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 03:26:12 +0000

The datacenter which hosts my web server (TMNet Netmyne) has been having problems serving Streamyx users since midnight last night. Apologies to Streamyx users who are finding it hard to access this page, as evident from today’s visitor statistics.

How ironic that a TMNet datacenter has connectivity problems with their own ASDL customers (TMNet Streamyx). I have to resort to posting this announcement from Maxis GPRS.

UPDATE: At first I was using Maxis GPRS as an alternative to reach my server, but it seems right now Streamyx itself is down in the area I live, Cheras. I have a few posts lined up, but since I do not have an unlimited GPRS package it would cost me a bomb to upload the photos associated with the posts. So let me apologise first for the short hiatus on updates while I wait for TMNet to get their sorry act together.

Related Posts:
Streamyx is pointless

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Discussion Feature

Paul Tan — Wed, 03 May 2006 02:49:40 +0000

I did some thinking on any enhancements I could do to this blog. I’ve noticed alot of people manually quoting each other during discussion.

A forum would solve that. Do you prefer discussing blog posts in a forum, or in this blog comments? If I moved discussion to a forum, every blog post would have a link to a thread in a forum and you guys could discuss it there. But having the discussion posts on the same page as the post like it is currently would be more convenient, and everyone is used to it.

What do you think? Also, what other features would you like to see added to this site?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Streamyx is pointless

Paul Tan — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 12:19:53 +0000

Sorry for the lack of blog updates. TMNet Streamyx has been practically unusable for the past week or so.

I’m wondering, is the Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik going to ask us to “change our lifestyle” and depend less on internet access, just like we were told when we complained about high fuel prices?

Never have I seen such widespread performance degradation before. Connections to servers that have local peering like racks in Netmyne and Jaring are also affected. So it couldn’t be an issue of international link. Submarine cable snapped again? Aliens kidnapped the DSLAM switches? Pet goat ate your router?

And you keep is in the dark about what the problem is. All I see on your announcement page is news about some e-mail server maintenance. Who in their right mind would trust their important e-mails to your dodgy servers anyway?

Are you pretending there is no problem and hoping we’ll all get used to this and stop complaining and everything will be alright again? Have you re-allocated funds for infrastructure upgrades into overseas investments and buying new Mercedes Benz E240 sedans now that they are RM40,000 cheaper?

This is just too darn ridiculous. Buck up you GLCs. How are you supposed to achieve your Key Performance Indicators? I do not want to “change my lifestyle” and go back to dial-up.

Related:
Bloggers pissed with Streamyx

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

A question for car owners

Paul Tan — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:50:31 +0000

I would like to pose a question to any of you who purchased a car recently. The government is unhappy that car prices have not been reduced much, only in the tune of 2-5% or at most 5-10%.

If you purchased a Toyota Camry (used as an example) last year, and Toyota cuts the price of the Toyota Camry by 15-20%, how would you feel? Would your car’s value drop in the second hand market? And if yes, would you be angry? Would your brand loyalty to Toyota be affected if Toyota was the only one who gave a big price cut for their cars? Would your brand loyalty to Toyota be affected if all car manufacturers did similiar price cuts? Or would you be okay with it, considering it is an effect of the National Automotive Policy?

There are no right or wrong answers. It’s a matter of your own opinion, and I hope everyone will agree to disagree in case differences of opinions occur in the discussion. Also feel free to give your thoughts on what you think of the NAP in general, and the after-effects so far. The prices of cars in Malaysia is truly a complicated thing. Such a delicate balance must be kept.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Inefficiency and hostility of JPJ employees at JPJ Padang Jawa

Paul Tan — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 08:00:00 +0000

I’d like to bring to public attention an encounter a friend of mine had with the JPJ Padang Jawa. I’m sure it would be relevant to most of you, as being motorists you deal with the JPJ all the time in regards to your car road tax.

He was given a run-around by the JPJ staff, and when he wanted to bring up a complaint to the director, he was greeted with unnecessary hostility. This is why I hate dealing with the government for anything. Technically we pay their salary, but we get treated like dirt more often than not.

Please have a look at this: http://www.rkaru.com/?p=69

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Renault F1 Team Weblog

Paul Tan — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 22:00:58 +0000

Companies are taking blogs seriously as a communication medium. GM has it’s Fast Lane blog. If you love Formula 1 and especially if you are a fan of the Renault F1 team, do check out Renault’s F1 Team weblog.

It has information on the team’s progress as well as stuff like chat interviews with key team members, complete with photos in a nice weblog format. BTW, congrats to Renault for taking the top two spots on the podium. I suppose the Lion Dance the night before helped bring luck. Some of you might know what I mean.

Am still recuperating from an awesome Renault F1 Pit Party. Anyone went?

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

No posts until tonight.

Paul Tan — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 02:07:22 +0000

Today is a busy Monday for me, things are breaking down in all my client’s offices. And I’ve also been working on a new project over the weekend, hopefully it will be up to beta stages soon. It’s something related to cars as well.

So see you guys tonight, and if you’re bored just keep playing the Ram Rash ad on repeat heheh

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Car Jargon Dictionary

Paul Tan — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 08:06:04 +0000

I’ve started a simple one page car jargon dictionary over here. Whatever’s listed there is all I can think of at the moment. If you have any more terms you could like added, please leave a comment. It’s a work in progress.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Comments are moderated.

Paul Tan — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 07:52:48 +0000

The comments on my blog are becoming too much of a sore to the eyes for me not to do anything about it anymore.

I am sick and tired of watching people engage in mindless cheap shots at each other just because they disagree with the other’s opinion.

Opinions are opinions and everyone is allowed to have one. I’ve pleaded many times for my readers to argue constructively, and when needed to, agree to disagree.

I didn’t want to do this but now I am forced to. From now on, each and every comment will have to be approved by me first, until I change my mind. Maybe until things cool down. Personal attacks and anything else unrelated to the blog’s topic will not be accepted.

Update: As per a reader’s suggestion, I’m going to try to force registration and login to comment instead of moderating everything outright. Please please PLEASE do not abuse the discussion function of my blog. I have a life, and I don’t want to spend my whole day moderating your comments to keep this place a pleasant read for everyone else. If you want to pick fights or be obnoxious, go to a bar, get drunk and punch the ugliest person you see.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

GM’s Fast Lane

Paul Tan — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 03:37:17 +0000

The automotive industry and the blogosphere has been fused with GM launching it’s new FastLane blog.

GM says it’s FastLane blog is all about GM’s cars and trucks. GM also has another blog called the Smallblock engine blog, to celebrate Chevrolet’s successful small-block engine’s 50th birthday.

The blog is written by GM vice chairman Bob Lutz. You can read him ‘defend’ some decisions the GM board made which to most people don’t make sense and could be the final nail in the coffin for the company’s dwindling sales.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Singaporean bloggers charged under Sedition Act

Paul Tan — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 05:47:38 +0000

A small follow-up post related to the announcement I made previously. Should let you understand why I decided to do what I decided to do.

Anyway, it’s the Frankfurt Motor Show this month and I’m really excited for photos to start appearing on the internet. Alot of manufacturers are revealing new models and new concepts. I’ll be blogging about them here.

SINGAPORE : For the first time in Singapore, two bloggers have been charged under the Sedition Act for making racist remarks.

They are 25-year-old Nicholas Lim Yew and 27-year-old Benjamin Koh Song Huat.

A subordinate court was told that both their blogs had content that cast aspersions on the Malay community.

This sparked off a heated discussion online.

Both men are out on bail of S$10,000 each.

The case will be heard again on September 21.

A person is deemed to have committed an offence under the Sedition Act if he does, or conspires with any person to do, any act which has a seditious tendency.

It is also an offence to utter any seditious words or to print, publish, sell, distribute, reproduce or import any seditious publication.

Among others, a seditious tendency is defined under the Act as one to raise discontent or disaffection among the citizens or residents and to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races or classes of the population of Singapore.

First time offenders can be fined up to S$5,000 or jailed up to three years or both fined and jailed.

For subsequent offences, they can be jailed up to five years and have their seditious publications forfeited and destroyed. – CNA /ct

Malaysia has a Sedition Act too.

Source

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Announcement

Paul Tan — Fri, 09 Sep 2005 05:21:42 +0000

I am going to edit or delete any comment which mentions racial issues from now on.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Satria R3 Blog

Paul Tan — Sat, 27 Aug 2005 06:01:18 +0000

A few Satria R3 owners have started a blog called The R3gister. It’s tagline goes “The unofficial resource site for everything Satria R3 LEV”. I guess I don’t have to explain what the blog is about. Head on to The R3gister if you want to know more about the Satria R3 and read first hand reviews and ownership experiences. Good effort by Vernon, Prozac51 and Jakuuzeeman.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

WordPress 1.5.2 Released

Paul Tan — Sun, 14 Aug 2005 22:09:11 +0000

WordPress 1.5.2 is available now. It has a few bug fixes and security updates.

Refer to the codex for upgrade instructions.

WordPress users who have not patched their WordPress from the latest security vulnerability should upgrade to this version immediately. To those who have, upgrade anyway

WordPress 1.5.2 Download Link

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Lack of Updates

Paul Tan — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 02:21:50 +0000

Sorry for not updating much recently guys. I have been feeling down lately. Once I have picked myself up again I’ll come back with more news from the automotive industry. Thank you for reading my blog regularly.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.

Alternate Image Hosts for PPS Buttons

Paul Tan — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 04:22:12 +0000

Just right click and choose Copy Image Location to get the links to these buttons.

I decided to host the buttons because of PPS has been having massive bandwidth usage last month. Details here and here.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 22 Nov 09 12:12:12 +0800.