LifeMinder

If you think going green is expensive, then you simply wrong

I need a back up mobile phone, with very minimum features, call and sms only. Bunch of features only add the price and would consume unnecessary power.

Why I need a back up? Besides anticipating run out of power on the road, I'm aware of possible incident such as recent catasthrope in Padang Indonesia where power availability is critial. I could buy a car charger or spare battery for my blackberry but I learned also that its not a bad idea to have another handset with different operator, which again might be critical in emergency situation. So.. I should get another cheap, minimum feature, small size, good battery, branded mobile phone (dont give me scrap lousy unbrand product from China)

Its funny when a friend told me that its too ideal.. - wow.. I just heard there is an "ideal" thing for a cheap barebones kind of product..

But it doesn't take that long to find it. A $45 phone, Samsung E1107 Crest Solar, with less-add-on except radio -so far I don't have mobile radio, so its just cool.

The main bonus is the solar panel at the back. they say it would give you 10-15 minutes talk on 1 hour solar charge. Even this is not the main power source, but this gives you extra cushion. The battery I believe isn't a powerful one, but the solar is just unexpected. Another bonus: it made from recycled material. Let see if I really have to salute Samsung.

Yesterday, I was having conversation with colleagues on how environmental friendly  so called "green" materials relate with the price. The common perception which taken for granted is that green product is most likely expensive. Now I get kinda green product, very functional, and cheap.

Will see how good Samsung deal with this..

Gallery of savagery, Lapindo

A friend of mine shared some nice, satirical yet ironic composition pics in weblog Galeri Kebiadaban Lapindo. Recent posting is a love letter to Adinda Bakrie.

Sympathy to Lapindo victims.

No new toll road please...

empty lane vs traffic, originally uploaded by A_ndre mobile's pics.

The city administration of Jakarta is planning to build six inner city toll roads which will cost more than IDR 40 trillion. Jakarta now is one of the highest motorcycle ownership about 339 units/1000 people. Cars is about 180 cars/1000 people, in contrast with one of the most advance city in Asia, Shanghai's 50.

Food (in)security

It should be an enjoyable morning with a healthy breakfast, low GI muesli, blendered LSA beans and soybean milk. But to my surprise.. no soybean. The milk seller apparently wasn't show up for several days.. At the dinner, everyone's favorites, tempe, was out too.  The fermented soybean cake had been missing in the nearby wet market for several days. In East Java, police arrested group of people that were accumulating a large amount of soybean in their warehouse.

Last week, soybean price was increase up to IDR 8500/kg from IDR 5000/kg or 70% increase. Cooking oil's raise from IDR 8500/kg to IDR 11000/kg at local wet market. In Sulawesi, local bean rose from IDR 2000/kg to IDR 7000/kg Some seller claimed that their sales was down to 30%. Former President Megawati who is running for the 2009 election wasn't forget to blow up 'tempe' issue during her informal campaign last week.

Ketika lahan mulai tandus..

I read very interesting article in Kompas yesterday.. highlighting agriculture problems in Indonesia. Why we no longer self contained in basic commodities in this case is rice. Since 1984, we no longer able to fulfill demand for that basic commodity. 'Green revolution" .. one century ago was being said as survivor for most Asian countries including Indonesia. "Green revolution" was supported by three key factors i.e.: improved varieties, irrigation, and fertilizer.