Telkomsel makes technology more user-friendly Technology, especially information technology (IT) in the cellular telephone industry, is being developed continuously to make life smoother, allowing people to have ease to be keep well- informed and accessible. GSM operator PT Telkomsel has proven itself a leading company when it comes to adopting the latest technology to improve its services to customers. Telkomsel's director of operation, Laurens J.M.

Jaya Raya wins Inter-Club C'ship By Novan Iman Santosa BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Top seed and favorite Jaya Raya fulfilled its ambition to take over the crown from Djarum Kudus of Central Java by winning 3-1 in the Inter-club National Badminton Championship at the Hasanuddin HM Sport Hall on Saturday. Jaya Raya's mixed doubles Bambang Supriyanto and Indarti Issoliana opened the path to victory by silencing Djarum Kudus' Sigit Budiarto and Minarti Timur 15-12, 17-14 in the first match.

'InfoLinux': A story of community-based publishing By Vishnu K. Mahmud JAKARTA (JP): It is so easy to publish things nowadays. With a regular computer, one can type articles, cut and paste them onto a master layout and then ship them off to the printers (or publish it yourself with a DeskJet printer). With the advent of the Internet, people can now publish their own newsletters, web magazines or diaries online for a fraction of the cost.

Ferry Sonneville has dreams for talented youths By Ivy Susanti JAKARTA (JP): Many people at age 70 enjoy their retirement with their offsprings. When they meet fellow senior citizens, they spend time recalling their good old days. But this does not apply to Ferdinand Alexander Sonneville, better known as Ferry Sonneville, a former top badminton player who turned 70 on Jan. 3. Born in Jakarta on Jan.

Ancient pottery tradition survives in Cirebon By Mulkan Salmona CIREBON, West Java (JP): Sitiwinangun is just one of any number of small and anonymous villages, 15 kilometers east of Cirebon. But, only a few people know that the village is an ancient center for the production of precious and unique earthenware and ceramic pottery with distinguished designs. Every morning, a number of elderly men and women engross themselves in their habitual work -- producing household utensils.

Award-winning soup from Jakarta Bay JAKARTA (JP): Surprise, surprise. A team of Hotel Mercure Rekso Hayam Wuruk never in their wildest dreams imagined that a soup recipe which they created would be served up in Paris and win an international award. The team was so confident that the soup would be liked by people across all continents that when they had an opportunity to participate in an international cooking competition they brewed up their soup to represent Indonesia.

Mt. Merapi showers fine ash YOGYAKARTA (JP): The Yogyakarta Volcanic Technology and Research Development Station (BPPTK) reported on Saturday that fine ash had been flowing onto the slopes of Mount Merapi up to a radius of between 10 and 15 kilometers from the crater rim.

A day with a food hawker catering to college students Two years ago, after he had just turned 17, Trimulyanto had to give up his studies at a state-owned high school in Sukoharjo regency, Central Java, because his 57-year-old father could no longer afford the school fees. Although he never completed his studies, he cannot stay away from school. Now he sells food and beverages to university students and pedicab drivers from his small pushcart known as a warung angkringan along Jl. Prof.

Sentarum, exotic wet swampy lake in West Kalimantan By Erma S. Ranik PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): Tired with the usual holiday atmosphere? If you like ecotourism, why not visit the gorgeous Sentarum Lake National Park? Located in Kapuas Hulu district, some 700 km from Pontianak, this 132,000 hectares park has a lot to offer.

ACeS to expand to Taiwan and India JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta-based company ACeS International Limited, a regional satellite-based mobile phone operator, will expand its services to India and Taiwan later this year. Company spokesperson Wanudharia H. said that ACeS had appointed two companies, ACeS Taiwan in Taiwan and Shyam ACeS in India, as National Service Providers (NSP).

What do you need for your home office? JAKARTA (JP): Whether you work for a company that already has an intranet or you are an independent professional working from home, Internet access is a must. A dial-up connection using a phone line is the absolute minimum, while a 24-hour, broadband Internet connection is preferable. With the latter, you can set your e-mail client program to connect to your ISP's SMTP server and check your mailbox at regular intervals.

PBSI won't prioritize Sudirman Cup mixed team event BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): In light of the poor performance of its women's shuttlers over the past few years, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has decided not to make the Sudirman Cup mixed team event its top priority this year. Instead, the body wants its shuttlers to focus on the individual events in the World Championships in Seville, Spain, in May.

Siemens Indonesia: It's your life, live it in style Siemens Indonesia, a German-based mobile telecommunications company, is taking a fresh new approach to doing business in the country. It is introducing the concept of lifestyle for consumer goods in marketing its mobile phones. Siemens has targeted various segments of society, their lifestyles and what they need and want in a mobile phone, and then introduced different models that cater to these needs with various features.

RI aims to win NEC invitation JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, which will field players Hengky Lasut and Eddy Manoppo; Sance Panelewen and Robert Tobing, aims to win the NEC World Contract Bridge Invitation from Feb. 5 to Feb. 12 in Tokyo. Hengky said in Manado, North Sulawesi, as quoted by Antara that several teams from Europe and host Japan would be tough competition for the national squad to fulfill its ambition. North Sulawesi deputy governor Freddy Sualang will lead the team to Tokyo.

Agassi looks to end Clement's fairy-tale run MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters): Flamboyant defending champion Andre Agassi takes on French journeyman Arnaud Clement in a clash of styles and cultures in Sunday's Australian Open final. The match will be aired live by RCTI at 10.00 a.m. Jakarta Time.

EU mission to visit Maluku THE HAGUE (AFP): Dutch Foreign Minister Jozias van Aartsen said Friday that a European Union delegation would probably visit Indonesia's troubled Maluku islands on Feb. 10, the Dutch news agency ANP reported. The delegation would follow an EU humanitarian mission in October to the Malukus, where more than 5,000 people have been killed in clashes between Muslims and Christians since January 1999.

Gus Dur inconsistent in Brunei scam probe JAKARTA (JP): A House of Representatives special committee concluded on Saturday that President Abdurrahman Wahid gave inconsistent testimony about the US$2 million donation he received from the sultan of Brunei.

Malay excellence a transcending legacy The Malays Par Excellence ... Warts And All; An Introspection Ismail Noor and Muhammad Azaham Published by Pelanduk Publications (M) Sdn Bhd, Selangor Paperback xvii + 166 pp JAKARTA (JP): Having lived for four years in predominantly ethnic Malay areas of Malaysia, I came to this book, I must admit, with some well-formed opinions about them as a people.

Notes from a general's wife Catatan Dari Sinai: Sebuah Album Kenangan Dewi A. Rais Abin Published by Penerbit Djambatan, 2nd edition, 2000 Hardcover, xvi + 132pp JAKARTA (JP): In the late 1970s Dewi A. Rais Abin lived and traveled in the Middle East. This enlightening experience was possible because she was married to Indonesian Lt. Gen. Rais Abin, Commander of the UN Emergency Force (UNEF) in the Middle East from 1975 to 1979.

Caici: A rare, hair-raising profession By Ida Indawati Khouw JAKARTA (JP): These women can only be found during the funeral of ethic Chinese Buddhists. In the crowd they stand out for their black robes. They are often called "chanters" because throughout the funeral they chant prayers to the sound of music consisting of cymbals and gongs in a room filled with the smell of flowers and burning incense.

What you need to know about over-the-counter medicines By Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): There are hundreds of over-the-counter drugs on the market to ease various ailments like colds, coughs, diarrhea and headaches. The large variety available requires sound knowledge on how to choose, store and use them, as well as about their effects on your general health in the long term.

RI has slight chance in Davis Cup SEMARANG (JP): Indonesia has a slight chance to win the Davis Cup Group I tie against Uzbekistan on Feb. 9 to Feb. 11 in Jakarta. Uzbekistan will send its tough players of world ranked 229 Oleg Ogorodov, ranked 201 Vadim Kutsenko, ranked 367 Dmitri Tomashevich and ranked 492 Dmitry Mazur. While Indonesia will field world ranked 420 Suwandi, ranked 704 Hendri Susilo Pramono, ranked 1025 Bonit Wiryawan and Sulistyo Wibowo.

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Program 9:00 Children's Film 9:30 Sports 11:00 Talk Show 12:00 p.m. Comedy 1:30 Children's Program 3:00 News 3:30 Religious Teachings 4:00 Children's Program 5:00 News 6:00 Student's Program 7:00 Evening News 7:30 Film 9:00 Music 10:00 Variety Show 11:00 Health Program Program 2 5:30 p.m. Music 6:30 City News 7:00 News 7:30 News (in English) 8:00 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Fine Art, Galeri Nasional Indonesia (the National Gallery), Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14, Gambir, Central Jakarta (Phone: 34833954), until Feb. 6. * Photo: Milenium Moment, Anggota Galeri Cahya, Galeri Foto Cahya, Wisma Surya Kemang, Jl. Kemang Raya no. 33, South Jakarta, until Feb. 8. * Photo: Artlife on Bali: 1930-1958 by Paul Spies, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. S-3, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until Feb. 24.

'I dislike people who are backstabbers' Baby-faced Yana Julio has enjoyed success as part of the group Elfa's Singers and on his own, including at international song festivals. Now 40, the native of Bandung continues to make music with soulful ballads and up-tempo pop. He talked to The Jakarta Post's Bruce Emond about the important things in his life, including telling people what he honestly thinks of them. What would you be doing now if you had the choice?

Modern Technology: Avoiding the pitfalls of working from home By Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): One of the most prevalent challenges faced by people who work from home is loneliness. After the rest of the family has left for their respective office or school, you find yourself all alone. No one to chat with, no one to share your thoughts and feelings. So, Rule No. 1 for teleworkers, telecommuters or home workers is to set aside some time in your schedule to get out and mix with other people.

C. Java traditional couture dying out By Ahmad Solikhan MUNTILAN, Central Java (JP): Garment factories mass-producing ready-made clothes for various purposes, such as suits, office wear as well as men's and women's underwear sprang up in 1980s, a welcome phenomenon for the larger part of the community, who thought the clothes were efficient, practical and fashionable. Unfortunately, this meant bad business for the ordinary dressmakers.

Lisa, Winarni perform poorly in SEAG selection JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's Olympic medal-winning women's weightlifters Lisa Rumbewas and Winarni performed poorly on Saturday at the National Weightlifting Invitation, which also served as a selection for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. Olympic silver medalist Lisa, competing in the 53-kilogram division, only managed to lift a total of 107.5 kilograms.