Let see more of it. How much you spend to fuel your bike? I used to spend RM3 for a full tank of gas but that's not the case of now. Petrol price has gone up pretty steep due great demand from China and India. USD100 per barrel is not something we can smile about considering the fact, it costs only USD75 in the last 5 years. Darn expensive though.

The sad part is, our purchase capacity remains static. So how do you survive this madness? How do you sustain your life in this abusive world? We can't beg for extra salary as our employer won't give a shit on us, aren't they? I don't know how you manage yours but here, I would like to share how I manage mine.

1. Reduce the recurring cost
The first thing was, trimmed the periodical expenses. It comes in form of monthly subscriptions-- telephone bills, internet subscription, paid channel and insurance. These four alone cost me nearly RM500. I manage to reduce it up to RM 340; giving me RM 160 in saving. Not much from the figure itself but to the fact given in the first paragraph, I finally have some money for two pack of diapers and milk!

2. Go for cheaper options
Since I don't buy any house, my liability is easily reduced. I moved to a smaller house compared to the existing, saving me another RM300. Yes, and that means, I sacrifice the comfort as well. Is it really so? Okay, let's face it. Do you live 24-hours a day inside the place you called home? I don't think so. So what the big fuss? Unless you were tighten to mortgage, then that's another sad story.

3. Move to a new company
I worked in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The transportation alone cost me around RM600 Considering the fact the area is a Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur, you do the math of how much a mere mineral water will cost me. Well, I moved to another company nearby of my home. Not a smart solution to others but it's economical to my point of view. Not only I managed to reduce three-quarters of my expenses, I also no longer caught in traffic jam! Do I forgot to mention a better salary too?

There it goes, my methods of sustaining life for the time being. It won't solve the problem in a whole but at least, I can still enjoy what I have now (...and better).

Care to give some tips?

Okay, the data was extracted from BBC last year. Quite a phenomenon wasn't it? How about blog platform? To-date, there are at least 13 blog platforms well-known to the public and each one of them comes in different language. If you are 'web-geek', it won't be a problem but what if you don't have the technical knowledge, like me? No doubt, it will cause you pain in the neck.

Without undestanding blog platform, you still can become a blogger. All you need are some basic html and css knowledge. Once there, you're done. If you master it, then it's even better. For a head start, I would recommend W3C.

So guys, enter the power of HTML, the predominant markup language for web pages. Yes, this is the most used markup language of the internet and no one can argue with it. Believe it or not, this blog stands without any blog platform. No WordPress, no Movable Type either. It stands solely by html. Read my lips--H.T.M.L.

As we know, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the publishing language of the internet while Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) is a simple mechanism for adding style to Web documents. Combining these two, you can create a great blog. By knowing some PHP knowledge, you will create an even greater blog. So here are the tips.

1. Create your blog in common website pages. Add some styles to make it looks like most blogs out there. Don't make excuses as it won't bring any good. In order to run, you need to learn how to walk first, remember?


2. Be patient. As html pages erm...mostly static, thus it takes some effort to update them. You are not getting any help from any automated software here so bear with it.


3. Plan your repeatitious pages like menus, advertising slot, header or footer. All these can be achieved by using ".php include" command. I used mine all over the place except for this content. It's very simple to use. Imagine you are modifying one link. Will you dare to update 100 pages of your file? By using this method, it helps in updating your blog a lot easier.


4. What about comment form? Sure. Why not? Of course you can have one. As comment form uses PHP language, you need to use the above codes as well as getting some helps from hypertext access (htaccess) configuration file. If you are using Unix server, read on.
   
   Open your text editor program, copy and paste the codes below:
   
   AddType application/x-httpd-php .htm .html
   php_flag register_globals off
   php_flag allow_url_include off
   
   Save the file by name it '.htaccess' (remember to include the dot). Again, I recommend you to read further on htaccess before using it. If you wish to read more on comment form, please read it here.


5. As you knowledgably familiar with HTML and CSS, learn how WordPress or Blogger works. Once you gain basic knowledge, migrate your blog to this platform. Don't push yourself in this process. Experience teaches us lots of thing, doesn't it?

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a pen and write some stuffs. Merry Blogging! ;)

I posted an article to one of the most popular blog; surprisingly I received quite a number of comments. However, these two caught my intention.

"dude your grammar totally sucks..like big time man... its not about having someone to proofread for you; but basic things you should've learned in Form 3."

"Yes, if you want to write in English, learn English first!"

How do you feel? Humiliated? Angry? Relax. There are lots of challenges when you do something beyond your capabilities. This is normal.

When I started this blog, I came across a choice. In what language should this blog represent? I cannot write using two languages at the same time. It's going to be either English or Malay. Definitely Malay is a lot easier since it is my native tongue but English has greater audience. So, I chose the latter.

If you are in the same wagon as me, don't be afraid to write in English. Of course, your post will be pampered with mistakes everywhere but don't let it hinder you. NEVER. Just write whatever you like but try your best to keep these errors at minimum. As long your audiences get your point, it describes one important note. You have successfully delivered.

Some people love to humiliate others. Well, that's normal considering we are living in a 'not-so-good' world. Some will encourage you, some will not. Just take their advice if you believe it improves you. Ignore it if you feel humiliated. That was part of blogger's life.

I will keep on writing no matter what kind of discouragement I may receive. I remember an article posted by Brian Clark - 10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer.

1. Write
2. Write more
3. Write even more
4. Write even more than that
5. Write when you don't want to
6. Write when you do
7. Write when you have something to say
8. Write when you don't
9. Write everyday
10. Keep writing.

There's an exception though. When your blog grows and generates revenues, spend some money to proof-read your articles. This will enhance your identity as a professional writer (even if you don't).

To furnish you further, head to Najib Under Siege? and browse the comments posted. You'll get what I mean.

On 09 April, I wrote an article "Najib Under Siege?" and have it posted to one of the most popular political blog in Malaysia. What happened next totally amazed me. It received overwhelming response from the readers and as the direct result; thousands of people flooded this blog.

I was surprised with the stat - 882,806 hits with 16,126 views and 8,738 unique visitors, equivalent to 3.55GB of bandwidth from that article alone. Additionally, I tracked another 6 links pointing to my internal page. That was a success if I am allowed to say it. In fact, most bloggers dream come true scenario. As a bonus, people started stumbling to one of my article; "Flame Commenter - To Deal or Not to Deal", leading to even more traffic.

What is the key? CATCHY HEADLINE. Hey, I'm not going to claim myself an expert just because of the stat says so. I just want to express that catchy headlines really play it roles in attracting visitors.

Before you started to 're-branding' your articles, please read a little bit more. Most webmasters quoted, content is king and I am one of those who agree. Catchy headlines are additional flavor to it. The hardest part is generating the traffic. Many of us rely on directories, StumbleUpon, Technorati, Reddit, Del.icio.us etc for it. Trust me, I already did and it doesn't help me much.

I often read elsewhere that a catchy headline is a must to attract readers. Catchy headlines will remain as headlines if no one knows it, especially if your blog is not so popular. I took another step to promote my article. What I did was have it posted in popular, high-demanding blogs. I request for permission to publish my article should the niche fits. Luckily it did.

The article focus on Malaysia politics thus I have it posted to related blogs. It was not going to be successful if I post it at automotive blogs. Isn't it self-explanatory? Thus, as of this case study, I can summarize it as follows:

1) Write a fair and catchy and headline
2) Submit it to directories and rss aggregator sites
3) Try as hard as possible to have your article posted in popular blogs

I'm definitely sure that you will achieve greater results with these tips. Just make sure your bandwidth able to cope with it. ;)

Surprisingly, I found some of them are stubborn enough to understand. This is internet and people can write anything if not everything. When a company sells products and you gave bad review on it, does it mean you will be held accountable? A product doesn't sell for several reasons and there must be reasons when we gave negative thoughts.

This is, after all, a blog. As this blog is related to personal views, there's nothing hinder me from doing that. If I can say that the current government doesn't perform, what more if it is a product? I believe in democracy and freedom of speech. I have a disclaimer to back me up but some of them are too lazy to look around.

Oh well, for those who fall into such category, let me put it at ease.

"What I said in the comments section may valid for today but it doesn't necessarily reflect for tomorrow. I consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind. Feel free to challenge me, disagree with me, or tell me I'm completely nuts in the comments section of each entry, but I reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason whatsoever (abusive, profane, rude, anonymous comments or SPAM) - so keep it polite, please."

While blogging has always been a medium where people don't mind a little vigorous debate - it's also got a history of flaring up into personal attack and flaming from time to time. It's easy to do - you read something that you strongly disagree with and write a comment in the heat of the moment. Your comment is misinterpreted and read by another emotional person who responds - things escalate and suddenly things get personal. No one really wins in these exchanges - in fact more often than not both people come out of it with slightly tattered egos and reputations.

So I did take some safety measures. I deleted some comments which I consider USELESS and doesn't reflect the overall point of discussion. Oh, when the commenter made himself like an idiot, the chances are even greater. There's a stubborn minority that are rude, intentionally provocative, or just plain abusive.

For those who love to post flaming comments, a general note applies. Behave yourself when in one's territory. Heck, even forums employ moderators to moderate our posts, right?

I wonder if Symantec is going to sue me since I hate their products so much.

In his article published on April 25, he incited the murder was connected to Deputy Prime Minister; Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife, Datin Rosmah Mansor.

"It seems the Affidavit also reveals that Altantuya was camped outside Razak's house and this caused him to panic. He then went running to Najib, and Rosmah summoned Najib's ADC, Musa Safri, and instructed him to solve Razak's problem. Musa then summoned the two police officers currently on trial. So, it appears like Razak and the two police officers are not the only ones involved. Najib, Rosmah and Musa have also been implicated in this entire thing. And why the need for the police officer to declare that he had already killed six people before this if murder was not what was on everyone's mind?"

I'd rather not write anything on the case as it may contradict with the current case. Let us look into something behind the curtain. Something speculative and will remain so.

The murder case was alleged to be connected with Najib as per hearsay. In previous case that made into New Straits Times, it was Jamaludin Jarjis, an ex-minister which has close connection with Najib. Yes, it was all related, pointed, and directed to Najib. I dare to say, Najib is plotted to fall. As the police force decided to charge this ex-minister under Section 354 of the Penal Code, one is made clear that someone is plotting to weaken Najib's foundations.

Let us see the bigger picture. On April, the Prime Minister made an announcement that Najib will be his predecessor. This of course, will generate an uncomfortable environment inside UMNO, especially those who are not pro-Najib. Among them is Abdullah's son in law; Khairy Jamaluddin.

Until now, I haven't heard a single statement from Khairy concerning the announcement made by his father-in-law. This confirmed my speculation--HE DID NOT AGREE.

Najib is plotted to fall and the mastermind is Khairy. One needs not to know that there is a 'hidden' war between these two. They are enemies. Although physically they are in the same party, there is a cold war between them. Just like Cold War between America and Russia (1945-1996).

Najib cannot be brought down by force. It will make UMNO looks weaker after the 'Great Lost' during 12th General Election. Najib must be pushed down by the public and to achieve this, the public need to be made aware of cases and personnel related to him. Khairy wants the Malaysian to judge Najib and put him to rest.

The article made by Raja Petra is forming the golden opportunity to Khairy. Arrest Raja Petra and the public will turn into chaotic mode. Even the 'pakcik-makcik' will observe the case. As it progresses, Malaysians will come to speculation that Najib-Rosmah was directly involved. Remind you, rumors spread very fast in this country.

According to Raja Petra, the charge made against him is not to seek justice but rather on political move. I observed Raja Petra and he is not a man who's "doing without knowing".

Yes, Najib is plotted to fall and the fall will be painful. With so many 'blessings' from others, it is a matter of time on the outcome. Whether Najib is aware or not, it's a different issue.

1) My blog has no readers
I hate it as much I hate terrorists. I have this blog runs and keep the content constantly updated but no one reads it. Without readers; to whom I shall furnish my contents?

2) My blog does not generate any income
I want to upgrade this blog further but it requires money. I place Google Adsense but no one clicks on it. I have created ads space but no one buys it. I hate it since without extra money; I cannot upgrade this beloved blog.

3) My blog doesn't appear in Google first page.
I published articles but still I cannot come close to Google first page. Without it, how my blog can be made visible to the public? I hate it since sooner or later; my effort will come to waste.

4) My blog implemented SEO but Google ignores it
I tried very hard to implement SEO tips given by 'established' webmasters in order to make Google loves my blog. However, Google doesn' seem to care and that makes my blog invisible as pointed in number #3.

5) My blog generates no friends
I have several bookmarking websites listed on my blog but I never generate any new friend from it. I hate it since blogging is about community and without community, the blogsphere is totally useless.

6) My blog doesn't have any comment
I have the comment form ready. In fact I tested it frequently to ensure my readers able to post their comment without glitch. Days past but no one seems to write any. I hate is since I love to interact with my readers. Without comments, how can a conversation establish?

7) My blog is in backward mode
I enjoy reading blogs and some of them used pretty decent technology. However, I am unable to convert this blog to WordPress. I hate it since in no time; my blog will look outdated compared to others.

8) My blog lacks of resources
I love to have this blog constantly updated but I cannot find any writer to contribute articles. I invited some writers, even offer them some money but no one seems to be interested. I hate it since without resources, how can I have this blog resourceful?

9) My blog does not appear in directories
I submitted this blog to countless directories. Most of them approved my submission, and claimed it indexed by search engines. This is very bad since I don't have any backlinks. I hate it due to the fact, without much backlinks, I will be directed to point #3 and #4.

10) My blog is losing its track
I have few categories where each of it requires constant content. Without realizing, I started to lose track on how this blog should look. I hate it since I cannot target my readers and fulfill their interest towards my blog.

There you go. 10 things I hate about my blog. What's yours have to offer?