Advertise Here

This blog has reasonably good traffic and if you like to advertise here, the prices are below:

Just a link - USD5 per month
125 x 125 button - USD8 per month
200 x 200 small square - USD12 per month
250 x 250 square - USD15 per month

Since I am also a web designer, I am able to design the static button/small square/square banner for you if you don't have any for free if you intend to advertise here. To contact me, email Diana.Tan(AT)gmail.com for more information and I shall be happy to oblige you.

This blog is updated at least once a week on most Sundays. With submission to Innit, traffic will improve further. If you have any suggestions, feel free to email me and we can discuss further.

Contact Me

Based in Penang, I work in my home office as an IT executive for a small sports surfacing company while moonlighting part time as a virtual assistant, article writer and blogger. I have been working from my home office since 2004 that is equipped with multi-function printer, scanner, copier, fax machine, LCD monitor, desktop computer, laptop and digital camera. If you need articles written on any topic, feel free to email me diana.tan(AT)gmail.com I shall be happy to accommodate you.

Previously, I have worked in the banking and education sector in Singapore for about 6+ years before calling it quits and came back to settle down in Penang - my home town. I am happy to work from my home office now and have been with the same company since February, 2004.

If you want reviews of your product or services, feel free to drop me an email at diana.tan(AT)gmail.com and I shall be happy to oblige. You can also contact me if you need a virtual assistant for overflow work or any other computer work to be done like editing photos, removing background, creating PowerPoint presentations, financial calculation using MS Excel Spreadsheet, corporate profile creation, brochures on specific products, resume writing, setting blogs, web page design, etc. or just any other work do to with the computer.

Gold Bullion is Worth Your Investment

I own a few pieces of gold bullion like a gold coin, some gold jewellery like a necklace, signature designer gold ring, bracelets and pendants which were collected over the years since I was small. If you have access money to invest, then consider buying up gold bullion from the link given above which is a very good hedge against inflation. The price of gold has consistently increased over the last 30 years and will continue to be on the rising trend. Besides, gold bullion is more affordable as they are smaller in size. Buying gold is worth your investment because the yellow precious metal is needed worldwide, be it for handphone component parts, dentures, stamps and coins or jewellery.

MRT will boost property prices

PETALING JAYA: The proposed mass rapid transit (MRT) system is expected to be one of the main contributing factors to boost property prices adjacent to the MRT stations.

CB Richard Ellis (M) Sdn Bhd executive director Paul Khong said the MRT stations generally had a positive impact on nearby property values in most cases.

“Being next to the station works well for lower and middle-end residential neighbourhoods and all commercial offices or retail malls. This basically translates to better public transportation and enhanced accessibility to the relevant vicinities,” he told StarBiz.

“The MRT will benefit the lower to middle-end users the most and it makes travelling faster, cheaper and much easier.” On the expected quantum capital appreciation due to the MRT stations, Khong said it could be 10% to 15%. “More importantly, the MRT station must be less than a 1O-minute walk from the properties. Ultimately, being next door and within five minutes away will be a premium.

“Anything more will give less impact in terms of capital values,” he said. “Being next to a MRT station could be the main selling point for a new project, be it a commercial or a residential one. A good example will be Menara UOA in Bangsar.”

But, Khong said, the property prices could be affected if it was alongside the MRT tracks and not the station. “The crucial point is to be close or next to the station if possible,” he said.

The RM36bil MRT system proposal by Gamuda Bhd and MMC Corp Bhd will have up to three main lines. The first line will run through Sungai Buloh, Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur and Cheras (right up to Kajang).

The second line will connect Sungai Buloh, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur and Serdang, while the third line will loop around Kuala Lumpur’s business district – providing a link between the monorail and light rail transit (LRT) services.

The Gamuda-MMC proposal is currently undergoing technical study by a consultant and should be completed by mid-month to be presented to the Government.

At this point in time, there is no information on the exact locations of the proposed MRT stations.

According to property consultancy Khong & Jaafar Sdn Bhd managing director Elvin Fernandez, most of the areas around the LRT stations have been developed and it is axiomatic that accessibility would improve property values.

“But the impact wouldn’t be immediate as the MRT will take time to complete and the effect will be evident only from details of the exact positions of the rails and stations filtering into the market in time to come,” he said.

Based on preliminary details of the MRT, Fernandez said the Sungai Buloh area (the Guthrie Corridor townships) and the proposed Rubber Research Institute Malaysia developments could be among the first beneficiaries because both lines were expected to start from there.

“Kajang and Seri Kembangan are the next areas to flourish as they are on the other end of the line. Additionally, the Cheras corridor also has good prospects,” he said.

Nevertheless, Fernandez said, some developments might be negatively affected, especially residential developments, due to the noise or congestion if they were close to the rail lines or stations.

“But generally, the MRT should bring positive effects to the nearby areas,” he said.

According to a market source, another area that would have potential based on the proposed MRT system was the Kota Damansara corridor.

“The Kota Damansara corridor includes Kota Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Damansara Perdana and The Curve. Business and financial districts along Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Bukit Bintang and Suria KLCC also have good prospects,” said the source.

- Malaysia MRT Project

Funny “Follow Me” Twitter Song (Video)

There are lots of Twitter songs that reflect the creativity and humor of the composer and they are well directed. I just came across this very funny and rhythmic “Follow Me” twitter video song on Youtube.

The video is well done which can be split into several screens at the same time. Let me know how you feel the “Follow Me” rhythm. I am loving it ;)

Investing in Gold is Worth the Money

Investing in small gold items like bullion is worth the money. This is because gold is a good hedge against inflation. In 1970s, a gram of gold used to cost RM20 but it has increased drastically to RM130 now for a gram. That is why I opened up a Gold Investment Account (GIA) savings with Public Bank to invest in about 40gm of gold. It is less than RM5,000 and it gives better returns compared to Fixed Deposits at only 2.75% a year. And I paid about RM123 per gram at that time. Money that is invested in gold will surely increase in its value and perhaps beat the inflation.

Now Less Than 50% People Use Internet Explorer

For the first time, the browser share for Microsoft Internet Explorer has fallen below 50%, largely due to the rise and rise of Google Chrome browser which continues to gain popularity every day, attracting millions of users.

StatCounter Global Stats reveal that Microsoft IE fell to 49.87% in September followed by Firefox with 31.5%. Google’s Chrome continues to increase market share at an impressive rate and has more than tripled from 3.69% in September 2009 to 11.54% in September this year.