Celcom Vs Maxis – Blackberry Curve 8520 Prepaid and Postpad Comparison

Since its launch, Blackberry Curve 8520 has created a brand new smartphone experience to consumers after a long dominating corporate segment. With a low price tag, and offered to prepaid users, it becomes an instant hit, for people who want to have emails on the go, without having to dig deep to their pocket to pay for monthly bill.

So here is the list of comparisons of Blackberry Curve 8520 offered by Maxis and Celcom, with both postpaid and prepaid covered. It is up to you now to decide which one best suits your needs.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to make sure the information present here is as accurate as possible, but does not guarantee that it is up to date.

Install Blackberry App World in Restricted Countries

Thanks to this post at Crackberry Forum, I have my Blackberry 8520 installed with Blackberry App World. You don’t have to wait RIM to roll out App World to other countries, because using the workaround stated in that post will enable every Blackberry devices to have App World installed.

I know, it is annoying if you can’t install Blackberry App World if you live in countries not yet listed to receive that service. Without apps, the device is just another smart phone on the market.. without soul and boring. As I had said before, RIM is pretty slow in expanding App World, but well.. I don’t care about that anymore now.

my app world Install Blackberry App World in Restricted Countries

Here is the instruction taken from there (credit to Manuelant, member of Crackberry forum)

1. Download the following .Zip File RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting – Easy Filehosting
2. Unzip it to your desktop
3. Copy the files net_rim_bb_appworld.cod, net_rim_bb_appworld_resource_en.cod and JavaLoader.exe to the following folder depending on your Windows OS:
3.1 In Windows Vista “C:\Users\(Your User)
3.2 In Windows XP “C:\DocumentsandSettings\(Your User)
4. Start CMD (Windows Key + R and then type CMD)
5. Plug-in your BlackBerry
6. Type: javaloader -u load net_rim_bb_appworld_resource_en.cod
once done type next one:
7. Type: javaloader -u load net_rim_bb_appworld.cod

Afterwards your device will reboot and you will have it installed on your device biggrin Install Blackberry App World in Restricted Countries
Tested on Javelin and Bold so far… Not sure if it will work on other devices!

STORM Users:

1. Download the following .Zip file: RapidShare: 1-CLICK Web hosting – Easy Filehosting
2. Unzip it to your desktop
3. Run the Blackberry Desktop Manager
4. Select Application Loader
5. Select Add / Remove Applications
6. Select Browse and look at your desktop for the file “appworld.alx” and select it.
7. Click Next and then Finish.
8. ENJOY!!

Update 20-Dec-2009
Upload the copy into my skydrive folder

Update 13-Jan-2010
For OS5 -> use http://bit.ly/AppWorld at you BB browser, which downloaded the app world automatically. Installed in my BB 8520 successfully.

In case, it failed, clear the cache before retry

Other link  http://mobileapps.blackberry.com/awclient/download.shtml?code=appworld&CPID=REFERFRIEND

Update 16-March-2010
- For BB Bold2 or 9700, please download it from this link http://bit.ly/bbappsworld

Tethering From Prepaid Blackberry Curve 8520

Thinking of tethering from BIS prepaid account using Blackberry Curve 8520?? (Wondering what is tethering in the first place, please click tethering link before further reading). It is dead simple, trust me.

For Maxis and Celcom customers, there is a comprehensive guide complete with screen shots to get it done in minutes, big thanks to this post. How easy our life is nowadays, when everyone is giving their knowledge for free, right? And if you’re with Digi, refer to this post to get the APN. For other telcos, try Google or Bing icon smile Tethering From Prepaid Blackberry Curve 8520

Screen shot below shows that the test run successfully… but..

This is very IMPORTANT. If you’re subscribing to Celcom BIS prepaid advance package, tethering use Celcom WAP, so beware of the steep charge!! Browsing 2 webpages makes my credit RM10 lesser.. imagine that.. only 2 webpages.. it had already deducted the credit that much..

So although it works, but it’s not worth your penny.. better stick with the device for internet browsing purpose.

Unless you use Postpaid BIS, or Maxis BIS prepaid Premium package which include free WAP access, do not try this at home.

bb tether modem Tethering From Prepaid Blackberry Curve 8520

And for the rest of the world, here is the general instruction from Blackberry’s documentation.

Install BlackBerry Desktop Software 4.1 or later on your computer.

When you install BlackBerry Desktop Software, the drivers that allow the BlackBerry smartphone to communicate through the USB port and virtual communications port are installed. The standard modem, which is used by dial-up networking, is also installed.

Note: If upgrading BlackBerry Desktop Software from version 4.0 to 4.1, the required virtual communication port and standard modem might be removed during the upgrade process. If this is the case, run the installation for BlackBerry Desktop Software version 4.1 and choose the Repair option to reinstall these components.


To set up an Internet APN, complete the following steps:

  1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Phone and Modem Options.
  3. In the Phone and Modem Options window, click the Modems tab.
  4. Select Standard Modem and click Properties.
  5. Click Change Settings.
  6. In the Standard Modem Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
  7. In the Extra initialization commands field, type the following:+cgdcont=1,”IP”,”< your Internet APN>”Note: The following is applicable for T-Mobile® customers only:The extra initialization command is: +cgdcont=1,”IP”,”wap.voicestream.com”Note: If you do not know your Internet APN, or if you do not have an Internet APN, contact your wireless service provider.
  8. Click OK.
  9. In the Phone and Modem Options window, click OK.

To configure dial-up networking, complete the procedure that is appropriate for the operating system you are using.

Windows Vista

  1. Click Start.
  2. Select Connect To.
  3. Click Setup a connection or network.
  4. Click Setup a dialup connection.
  5. In the Dial-up phone number field type *99#.
  6. Type the user name and password provided by your wireless service provider.
  7. In the Connection Name field type BlackBerry.
  8. Click Dialing Rules.
  9. Make sure the profile created in Task 2 has been selected, and then click OK.
  10. Select Connect to establish an Internet.

Note: For instructions on connecting a computer to the Internet using a BlackBerry smartphone with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) as a tethered modem, see KB04664.

Windows XP operating system

  1. Click Start > Settings > Network Connections.
  2. Double-click New Connection Wizard. The New Connection Wizard opens.
  3. Click Next.
  4. Select the Connect to the Internet option, and then click Next.
  5. Select Set up my connection manually, and then click Next.
  6. Select Connect using a dial-up modem, and then click Next.
  7. If the Select a Device screen appears, select the Modem – Standard Modem check box, and then click Next.
  8. In the ISP Name field, type a name for your connection, and then click Next.
  9. In the Phone number field, type *99#, and then click Next.
  10. Indicate which users will have access to the connection, and then click Next.
  11. Type the user name and password provided by your wireless service provider, and then click Next.
  12. Click Finish.
  13. In the Connect window, click Properties.
  14. In the Properties window, verify that Modem – Standard Modem appears beneath the Connect using heading, and then click Configure.
  15. In the Modem Configuration window, clear the Enable hardware flow control check box and make sure none of the other check boxes are selected.
  16. Click OK.
  17. In the Properties window, click OK.

Windows 2000 operating system

  1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Network and Dial-up Connections.Note: The following is applicable for T-Mobile® customers only:Under the networking tab in the properties window for the dial-up connection, clear the Enable LCP Extensions check box, as well as all check boxes beneath the PPP Settings window.
  3. Double-click Make New Connection. The Network Connection Wizard opens.
  4. Click Next.
  5. Choose Dial-up to private network, and then click Next.
  6. In the Phone number field, type *99#, and then click Next.
  7. Indicate which users will have access to the connection, and then click Next.
  8. Type a name for your connection, and then click Finish.
  9. In the Connect window, click Properties.
  10. In the Properties window, verify that Modem – Standard Modem is selected, and then click Configure.
  11. In the Modem Configuration window, clear the Enable hardware flow control check box and make sure none of the other check boxes are selected.
  12. Click OK.
  13. In the Properties window, click OK.

Task 4

To connect to the Internet using dial-up networking, complete the following steps:

Note: During this procedure, do not operate the BlackBerry® Browser or any third-party applications on the BlackBerry smartphone. An active data session might interfere with the modem connection. Also, make sure an ethernet connection is not active at the same time.

  1. Connect the BlackBerry smartphone to the computer.
  2. Open BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
  3. Click Start > Settings > Network Connections > < name of your new connection>.
  4. Type the user name and password provided by your wireless service provider.
  5. Click Dial.

Google Sitelinks Disappear, Tips on How To Get It Back.

It’s just a coincidence that after page rank update (yeah, dropped 1 level), this blog sitelinks appear back after been briefly missing. While I have stopped trying to figure that out, the new sitelinks really pleased me. To be honest, I’m kinda worried if the sitelink disappearance is due to ‘penalty’ or ‘slap’ from Google. Glad it is back now, hopefully permanently.

Do you keep track of your sitelinks? Is there any difference? Well.. yes in my case. If you compare the new sitelinks with old sitelinks on the screen shot below, except link to ‘blog resources’, other links are totally brand new link .

How to get sitelinks?

Before that, let’s take a look at what GoogleWebmaster says about sitelinks.

We only show sitelinks for results when we think they’ll be useful to the user. If the structure of your site doesn’t allow our algorithms to find good sitelinks, or we don’t think that the sitelinks for your site are relevant for the user’s query, we won’t show them.

Well.. it’s still pretty much unclear to most I guess, but what it’s trying to say is “keep your hands off sitelinks”. Then “It runs fully automated and there is no chance to game it.. ” Sort off, but you can try it.  I found this post (need to be translated) clearly explaining about sitelinks, as well as providing quite comprehensive tips on how to get sitelinks.

Ok, back to this blog sitelinks, I’m not sure what Google really think when it made these links as sitelinks. I have no argument on other links except for ‘Celebrity’ and ‘Politics’ which has very limited coverage in this blog. But 1 thing for sure, it has something special that Google thinks these contents are very ‘useful’ to you. What do you think?

  • Google – One of the most topics that I blogged
  • Yahoo Mail – This blog has pretty good rank with this key phrase

Anyway, you can block any sitelinks that you think  irrelevant from Google Webmaster Central.

November 2009 Sitelinks
4089270349 54b390286c o Google Sitelinks Disappear, Tips on How To Get It Back.

July 2009 Sitelinks
3745537767 3a33ff5c8a o Google Sitelinks Disappear, Tips on How To Get It Back.

Tips to get sitelinks for WordPress blog

Base on my own sitelinks, if your blog runs on WordPress platform,  there are a few points to note.

  • Google lovew WordPress ‘page‘, not posts.
  • Google no longer pick single post as one of links in sitelinks
  • Sitelinks are made from pages, tags and categories
  • Write pages with quality and comprehensive contents.
  • Minimize changes on your blog – Theme, categories, tag, sitemap & etc

What should you do if your sitelinks disappear?

Sitelinks tend to disappear and then reappear on its own. Do not panic. If you think that you have not make any changes on any part of your blog at the time when the sitelinks disappeared, let it be. Sometimes, it is Google’s own algorithms that changes, not because of your blog. Furthermore, we have very little control on what would be your website sitelinks.

However, if you think it’s the changes that you have made before might be effecting the sitelinks, revert it back to the original one if you feel uncomfortable without it. Unless the change is meant for better SEO, ranking or what so ever that is positive, you have to think it very carefully.

If the sitelink disappeared followed by drastically dropped traffic, watch out, you’re in crisis. Google may has penalized or slapped your blog for some reason.

Unboxing Dell Inspiron Mini 10v

The temptation of Windows 7 came to an end with myself grabbing a unit of Inspiron Mini 10v, running on Windows 7 Starter Pack. I opt for lower end netbook and OS, because the other 2 notebooks that I currently own, running on XP and Vista are in my plan to be upgraded, after Microsoft Malaysia announced official price of Windows 7 in their website.

Why Dell?? Inspiron Mini is among the first netbook running on Windows 7 in our market. Furthermore I’m used with their notebooks before. The day I purchased this model, no HP and Acer netbook run on Windows 7 just yet, so it’s a direct decision actually, because I want a netbook running on Windows 7 in the first place. To sweeten the deal, it comes with freebies too (optical mouse, USB hub, headphone).

Generally, Inspiron Mini 10v is an average netbook, with quite sleek & sexy design. The round edge and curve in Inspiron Mini is gorgeous. It is not the thinnest or lightest netbook in the market, but it grips firmly on your hand. You’re not bound to agree with me about this icon smile Unboxing Dell Inspiron Mini 10v

Performance wise, as I just use it for few hours, it is a little bit sluggish, and intermittent when I browse the internet (could be the connection). It is noticeable especially when I’m typing this post on WordPress. Other apps seem to work just fine. But overall, it’s fair to say that I’m satisfied with what I pay for. If you’re curious how much it costs, it is RM1299 ( a week ago priced at RM1199).

Other main points on the netbook and Win 7.

  • Weighs only 1.17, I can hold and twist it with 1 hand
  • If you’re looking for fancy color netbooks, Inspiron Mini offers 6 colors
  • Keyboard size is 92% the size of a full size notebook keyboard, quite comfortable
  • 6 cells battery that can last about 5-6 hours
  • Win 7 Starter pack does not allow you to extend the view to more than 1 monitor.
  • Feel a little bit slow, and lagging when many apps open simultaneously
  • The touchpad is quite small compared with my huge palm.

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