Of frightful little secrets and unlimited downloads
Sep 18, 2009 10:57I've got a little secret. One that most people do not really know, or rather, not one I would like letting on about. It's a fear that has been gnawing at me ever since I got my first shiny ATM card, which has slowly multiplied to a creepy number that threatens to go over the 1-0 figures.
In Singapore alone, I have two ATM cards, a debit card, two credit cards (with minimal limits), and now in Australia, I have one shared account, one savings account, a co-signed account and probably a debit card. Oh, and the terror of remembering all the passwords as well as telephone and banking passwords? Shocking.
Over here, they call it an EF Post card, and you get to do something as miraculous as when Jesus was able to conjure up fish and bread for all to eat. What does this mysterious EF Post do? It allows you to draw out money from your account with no additional charges, right from the cashier's counter! Ok, perhaps not so miraculous as free money gotten from a winning 4D streak. But the point is it saves the user the hassle of having to queue at a snaking POSB queue under the hot sun.
Having just arrived in Melbourne on the 14th, and trying to get all my stuff organized, I realized something brilliant that someone left in my comment box the other day. Australia, at least in Melbourne, and hopefully, Sydney since it is the No. 1 city of Oz after all, has UNLIMITED Internet downloads.
Yes, surprise, surprise. This discovery opened my eyes to a few new downloads of open-source programs that I could try on my new Windows 7 OS. Mmm. The catch is that during peak hours I get only 5GB, but from 8pm to 8am, it is free for all, and all for free! No caps or hidden connection charges, or slowing down your Internet for over-downloading. It is simply FOC. Who said Australia was backdated in technological know-how?
Going to venture into signing up for a mobile plan tomorrow. Still musing over the various plans: To get a data blaster or call-intensive turbo charge plan? Prepaid option or post-paid? Bundled with home line and Internet or simply a standalone mobile plan? And the worse and most delectable choice of all, should I get a mobile of choice while signing up for a two-year plan, or simply go ahead wih just a A$0 phone with a low-cost line?
Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.
- Talkback
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I Dont Know Who Can Say That Countries Like Australia Is Backdated In Technology . But I Think Who Say Things Such As That , Take A Look At My Country , Iran , Conditions . For Example , We Use 128 Kb Adsl Internet For Home Use . ( Higher Speeds Not Given To Home users ) . Thats All .Good Luck
Sep 18, 2009 15:25
@Sep: yea I've heard quite a few people say that ozzie just isn't keeping up to Tech these days, and seriously that's not what I see. you're right in that sense.
Sep 23, 2009 09:35
I remember those EF P card too well. At first I was like "What? You're gonna give me money?" Then after the initial joy, I only realized that it was coming from my own account. Too convenient if you ask me. Takes away the "spend only what you have on you" rule.
Sep 19, 2009 01:38
@Jesadac: Yes! I was so happy but as you realized already before I did, if you are poor, you shouldn't make yourself any poorer by over spending. Especially, in the super market. That's a very tempting way to get fat quick.
Sep 23, 2009 09:36
A truly advanced cashless society shouldn't need to withdraw cash from a card anyway. In Hong Kong for instance, you can use the Octopus smartcard practically everywhere from taking the subway or bus, to paying for your lunch at the restaurant, and everything in-between. This they've been doing for about 20 years!
Sep 20, 2009 09:15
@Scoobydoo: perhaps you are right but you can't really denote a society as not advanced based solely on the lack of the use of cash. I actually dislike that mostly because it takes the kick out of the 'real thing' so to speak. Singapore has that Ez Link system in place and even cash cards, but think of the hassle of losing the card when you have just topped its value up to a T. Frightening. I like my money where I can see and feel it. In my pocket. lols!
Sep 23, 2009 09:38
@puraime: hm...but have you other cards that require passwords? For e.g. your library card when you want to log on line? Or your hotmail accounts that also require a bit of forethought as well? Passwords are the nemesis to majority of online thefts. Hence, you have got to always remember to make passwords that are hard to remember and yet memorable? Lols.
Sep 29, 2009 06:20
About marielwong
Mariel Wong is a budding photo enthusiast who used to be the editor for the Singaporean version of T3 Magazine. That was before she embarked on a life-long journey of passion to seek out Kangaroos in the land Down-Under and attain certain life-goals, namely her Masters in Media and Communications, and fulfilling her dream to backpack around Oz. She is also an avid Facebook voyeur who enjoys maintaining long-distance relationships and meeting new friends, on a global-scale. She also compulsively updates mini-news of her every move via twitter, as well as blast out self-created melodies recorded through her now rather dowdy iPod Belkin recorder, located on her website.
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