Archive: 22 December 2003
79 articles found
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
RI faces obstacles after IMF exit
RI faces obstacles after IMF exitThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The International Monetary Fund has concluded its high-profile role in designing the country's economic reform program over six years with the announcement late last week of its last loan tranche.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Local cafes offer sensational night to party goers
Local cafes offer sensational night to party goersMany entertainment venues in the city are gearing up for New Year's Eve celebrations, with several promising to surprise their patrons with a special twist or a little bit of "magic" in the air.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
1. CORRUPTION: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 23
1. CORRUPTION: 32 pt, 3 cols, 2 x 23 People, businesses urged to form anticorruption coalition 2. KPU: 48 pt, 4 cols, 2 x 24 Chinese-Indonesians want discrimination abolished 3. EDICT: 28 pt, 3 cols, 1 x 28 MUI allays fears over interest edict 4. SUSUL: 28 pt, 4 cols, 1 x 38 5.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Open Kitchen: A new dining concept at major restaurants
Open Kitchen: A new dining concept at major restaurantsRudijanto Contributor JakartaGood background music, suitable interior design, quality furniture and tableware have long been important factors that enhance a dining experience, but what about if the hectic activity and full environment of a...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Two injured in political clash
Two injured in political clash WAMENA, Papua: Two people were injured after the supporters and the opponents of an elected regent and deputy regent of Jayawijaya regency here clashed on Saturday morning in front of the Jayapura legislative council building.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Cerebral palsy not always a threat to intelligence
Cerebral palsy not always a threat to intelligenceDewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Children with cerebral palsy are no less intelligent than other children and can go to school, provided that they receive therapeutic treatment as early as possible in life, a doctor says.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Nakata could join Bologna: Report
Nakata could join Bologna: Report TOKYO: Japan captain Hidetoshi Nakata could leave cash- strapped Parma and join Italian rivals Bologna on loan, a Japanese newspaper reported on Saturday.Bologna are interested in signing the 26-year-old on a six- month contract running from January until the end...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Open Kitchen: A new dining concept at major restaurants
Open Kitchen: A new dining concept at major restaurantsRudijanto Contributor JakartaGood background music, suitable interior design, quality furniture and tableware have long been important factors that enhance a dining experience, but what about if the hectic activity and full environment of a...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
1. BOMB -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 2/2 (2x20)
1. BOMB -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 2/2 (2x20) Mukhlas to testify in JI leader's trial 2. BUSWAY -- 48pt Bodoni Bold 5/1 (1x30) Busway feeder services downgraded 3. AIDS -- 28pt Bodoni Bold 5/1 (1x50) Schools reluctant to join HIV/AIDS discussions P.C. Naommy The Jakarta Post Jakarta4.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Thorough maritime foreign policy needed
Thorough maritime foreign policy neededSiswo Pramono, Deputy Director for Global Politics, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta Navy Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, an American historian and naval strategist, inferred in 1890, that whoever controlled the sea would likewise control global politics.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Nakata could join Bologna: Report
Nakata could join Bologna: Report TOKYO: Japan captain Hidetoshi Nakata could leave cash- strapped Parma and join Italian rivals Bologna on loan, a Japanese newspaper reported on Saturday.Bologna are interested in signing the 26-year-old on a six- month contract running from January until the end...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Permata Bank's biased service
Permata Bank's biased service Until my relocation to Batam earlier this year, I had been receiving monthly credit card statements from Permata Bank.Unfortunately, once I informed Permata Bank of my new mailing address, monthly statements were replaced by threatening phone calls from the Permata...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Indosat to spend $1.1b in 2004
Indosat to spend $1.1b in 2004 PT Indonesian Satellite Corp., the country's main overseas call operator, said it's spending as much as US$1.1 billion through the end of 2004 expanding its cellular business and wireless network.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
RI to produce drinking sea water
RI to produce drinking sea water MEDAN, North Sumatra: Indonesia is planning to build a plant to bottle water from the deep sea.Such water is believed to contain more minerals than spring water.Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Rochmin Dahuri said on Saturday the raw material for the plant...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
KL blasts U.S. over religious freedom report
KL blasts U.S. over religious freedom reportAgence France-Presse, Kuala Lumpur Mainly-Muslim Malaysia blasted the U.S. government on Sunday over a report accusing it of restricting religious freedom, with a deputy minister describing it as "irresponsible and untruthful.""It is shocking for the U.S.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Indonesia has progressed in religious freedom: U.S.
Indonesia has progressed in religious freedom: U.S.The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Indonesia made progress in promoting respect for religious freedom, but in a number of cases the government failed to punish extremists responsible for murder and other crimes.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Helicopter cuts power line
Helicopter cuts power lineMUARA TEWEH, Central Kalimantan: A helicopter struck a power line in North Barito regency, and has been transported by land to the East Kalimantan capital of Balikpapan for repairs.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
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Mahathir's house opened to public KUALA LUMPUR: The official residence where former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad lived was opened to the public Saturday.Mahathir, 78, who became prime minister in 1981, lived with his family in the Sri Perdana in Kuala Lumpur between 1983 to 1999...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Batam to export water to Singapore
Batam to export water to SingaporeBATAM: The Batam administration is planning to export clean water to an industrial park in Singapore, an official said on Saturday.The decision was taken following a recent request from the management of the industrial park, said Freddy Tanoto, head of the local...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Blood donors in action again
Blood donors in action again JAKARTA: As many as 500 members of the Lippo Karawaci Blood Donor Club took part on Saturday in a blood donor event jointly organized by the club, the Tangerang branch of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), the Siloam Gleneagles hospital, AIG Lippo insurance, Matahari...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Jakarta's market to higher
Jakarta's market to higherAgence France-Presse, Jakarta Indonesia's stock market, which rose 2.3 percent last week, is likely to strengthen further this week on third-quarter window- dressing and attractive valuations in blue chips, analysts said on Friday.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Enjoy the countdown at five-star hotels
Enjoy the countdown at five-star hotels Debbie A. Lubis Contributor Jakarta Most people are aware of something they would like to change about themselves, and new year's resolutions are considered to be an effective instrument for personal improvement.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
MUI allays fears over interest edict
MUI allays fears over interest edictThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta In a bid to allay fears and confusion, the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) has moved to assure the public that the ban against bank interest issued by the council's edict commission was not yet final.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Schools reluctant to join the HIV/AIDS discussion
Schools reluctant to join the HIV/AIDS discussionP.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta An activist said that most schools in Jakarta would not allow their students to join a talkshow about HIV/AIDS and sex education because "they are too young to know and understand those issues".
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Busway feeder service downgraded
Busway feeder service downgradedBambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Jakarta Transportation Agency has failed to fulfill its promise to provide air-conditioned and comfortable buses for the feeder services to support the busway project.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Chinese-Indonesians want discrimination abolished
Chinese-Indonesians want discrimination abolishedUrip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta With the elections fast approaching, Indonesians of Chinese origin have set conditions for legislative and presidential candidates to win their support, namely the ending of all discriminatory policies and...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
13 parties mull forging coalition
13 parties mull forging coalitionKurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta A group of 13 political parties, mostly Muslim-based, have agreed to form a coalition immediately after the legislative election on April 5 next year, one party leader confirmed.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Workers angry with Korean manager
Workers angry with Korean manager TANGERANG: About 600 workers from the PT Bumi Indah Garmindo garment factory staged a protest rally at the Tangerang municipal council building on Friday, demanding the authorities to intervene in a beating case allegedly perpetrated by their South Korean manager.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Hotel Borobudur Jakarta
Hotel Borobudur JakartaDiners enjoy lunch at Pendopo Lounge, one of the restaurants at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta. Successful restaurants usually place customers and their satisfaction beyond everything else.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Bantar Gebang dump
Bantar Gebang dumpFrom Warta Kota The issue of the final dumping place for garbage from Jakarta in Bantar Gebang, Bekasi, has always been politicized. The Jakarta administration seems likely to continue using Bantar Gebang as a final dumping ground.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Gus Dur condemns Palestinian suicide bombings
Gus Dur condemns Palestinian suicide bombingsLaurie Copans, Associated Press, Jerusalem Former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid condemned Palestinian suicide bombings on Sunday at an interfaith gathering in Jerusalem designed to push the people of the region toward peace.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Mayor told to obey decision of councillors
Mayor told to obey decision of councillorsNana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Kuningan, West Java West Java governor Danny Setiawan urged on Saturday Cirebon mayor Subardi and deputy mayor Agus Al Wafier, to obey a recent decision by the Cirebon Legislative Council in which they were prohibited from...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Chinese firm to take over Ssangyong
Chinese firm to take over Ssangyong SEOUL: Creditors of Ssangyong Motors have endorsed a Chinese firm as preferred bidder to take over the South Korean corporation, which specializes in sports utility and recreational vehicles, reports said on Sunday.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Civil society, businessmen urged to form anticorruption coalition
Civil society, businessmen urged to form anticorruption coalitionThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Noted scholar Emil Salim urged on Saturday civil society groups and the business community to form an anticorruption alliance to fight against what he called the "coalition of corrupters" ahead of elections...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Malaysia defers Iqbal's deportation
Malaysia defers Iqbal's deportationMALAYSIA: Malaysian immigration authorities have deferred the planned deportation early on Sunday of an Indonesian preacher suspected of being a senior member of the Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) terror network, his wife said.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Chhouk Rin appeals life sentence
Chhouk Rin appeals life sentenceCAMBODIA: Former Khmer Rouge commander Chhouk Rin said on Sunday he had launched an appeal against his conviction and life sentence handed down for the 1994 abduction and murder of three Western backpackers.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Major events during IMF program:
Major events during IMF program:1. October 1997: The government invites the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help it cushion the economic impacts of the massive depreciation of the rupiah.2. November 1997: The government closes down 16 troubled banks as part of the IMF's recipe to help cure the...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Army told to improve accountability, skill
Army told to improve accountability, skillA'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Army, which is the most dominant service within the ranks of the Indonesian Military (TNI), has been praised for keeping its distance from politics and better respecting human rights.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
IBRA to transfer all unsold assets to state-owned firms
IBRA to transfer all unsold assets to state-owned firmsThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) said that it would transfer all remaining unsold assets to new companies operating under the Office of State Minister of State Enterprises.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
State treasury management
State treasury management Legislation alone will not be effective in preventing corruption and curbing inefficiency within public finance management, because the efficacy of the law, finally, depends on the mentality of the officials implementing it.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Explosives used in bid on Musharraf 'same' as Bali
Explosives used in bid on Musharraf 'same' as BaliReuters, Lahore, Pakistan Explosives used in an attempt to assassinate Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf a week ago were the same type as those used in the Bali bombings, Pakistani intelligence sources said on Sunday.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Cerebral palsy not always a threat to intelligence
Cerebral palsy not always a threat to intelligenceDewi Santoso The Jakarta Post JakartaChildren with cerebral palsy are no less intelligent than other children and can go to school, provided that they receive therapeutic treatment as early as possible in life, a doctor says.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
300 ulemas to meet police chief
300 ulemas to meet police chief JAKARTA: Some 300 Central Java and Yogyakarta ulemas from the country's biggest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), are expected to meet National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar for talks on Wednesday.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
BCA clarifies
BCA clarifies With regards to the circulating news that several accounts belonging to the alleged suspects of the most recent BRI bank scam have been located in various branches of Bank BCA, we would like to inform the public that in principle, BCA fully supports every effort of the Chief Public...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Prosecutors to be trained for KPK
Prosecutors to be trained for KPK JAKARTA: The Attorney General's Office has assigned a second batch of 30 senior prosecutors to undergo special training on the handling of corruption cases probed by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which is expected to be inaugurated on Dec. 27.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Convicted Papuans to be brought to Jakarta
Convicted Papuans to be brought to JakartaNethy Dharma Somba , The Jakarta Post, Jayapura, Papua Human rights lawyers in Papua lodged a protest with the local office of the justice and human rights ministry on Sunday for trying to "abduct" 13 people convicted of hoisting separatist flags in Wamena...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
New parties struggling to recruit candidates
New parties struggling to recruit candidatesAhmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Facing difficulties in recruiting vote getters, the political parties that will make their electoral debuts next year have urged the General Elections Commissions (KPU) to extend the registration period for their...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Painters long for peaceful elections
Painters long for peaceful electionsWahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali Some 100 painters and artists gathered here on Sunday to express hope for a peaceful general election in 2004 by painting on a 100-meter long, seamless white canvas.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Enigmatic Gadhafi lets people rule
Enigmatic Gadhafi lets people ruleAgence France Presse, Tripoli, Libya Libya's mercurial leader Moamar Gadhafi, who has led the north African country for 34 years, has again surprised the world by renouncing his weapons of mass destruction and vowing to allow international experts to inspect...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Nation facing uphill task to boost sugar output
Nation facing uphill task to boost sugar outputEva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has launched a program to boost sugar output in a bid to reach self-sufficiency by 2007, but industry players say this will be an uphill struggle.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
1. 5CIREBON (3x13)
1. 5CIREBON (3x13) Mayor told to obey decision of councillors 2. 5MANADO (2x25) Storm causes massive blackout in Manado Five inmates break out of prison in Pontianak regency
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Briton sets new scuba dive record: Report
Briton sets new scuba dive record: ReportAssociated Press, Bangkok A British dive instructor plunged to a depth of 313 meters (1,026.9 feet) off the Thai coast to set a new world record for the deepest scuba dive, a news report said on Sunday.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
TV Program: Monday, Dec. 22, 2003
TV Program: Monday, Dec. 22, 2003TVRI .TB.30" .90" 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Pagi8:00 TV Drama10:30 Quiz: Dibisikin11:30 Singing Contest: Konteswara 12:30 p.m. Music1:00 News: Berita Siang1:30 Documentary2:00 Music2:30 English News Service3:00 Comedy Drama4:00 News4:30 Film5:30 TV Drama6:00 Children's...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Darkness over nation brings rage
Darkness over nation brings rageIlluminating the Dark Side of Our HumanityBenny Susetyo, Pr Catholic Priest Malang It seems that the political confusion in the present reform era has become a vicious circle.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
* Headlines:Chinese-Indonesians want discrimination ended 2
* Headlines:Chinese-Indonesians want discrimination ended 2 * National:New parties struggling to recruit candidates 4 * Archipelago:Storm causes massive blackout in Manado 5 * Opinion:Police-military clashes: Untold and unsettled problems 6 * City:Busway feeder services downgraded 8 * Sports:Briton...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Train museum a hit with foreigners
Train museum a hit with foreignersSEMARANG: Many foreign tourists have visited the Ambarawa Train Museum to view its locomotive collection, which includes 21 steam locomotives which date back to the Dutch colonial period.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Police-military repeated clashes: The untolf and unsettled old problems
Police-military repeated clashes: The untolf and unsettled old problemsImanuddin Razak, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta iman@thejakartapost.com Clashes among security officers have occurred repeatedly in the country in the past few years.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Army to parade new special unit on special day
Army to parade new special unit on special dayMuninggar Sri Saraswati The Jakarta Post JakartaThe maiden public appearance of 10 battalions of Raider combat troops will highlight the Army Day celebration in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta on Monday.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Edict on bank interest not final
Edict on bank interest not finalThe Jakarta Post JakartaThe ban against bank interest issued by the edict commission of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) is not yet final, the council's chairman said on Saturday.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Five inmates break out of prison in Pontianak
Five inmates break out of prison in PontianakThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta Five inmates broke out of a prison on Jl. Adisucipto in the West Kalimantan regency of Pontianak on Saturday at 3 a.m. The escape was the second this year, after other five inmates escaped the same prison four months ago.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Minister opens China business expo
Minister opens China business expoSari P. Setiogi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Minister of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi urged China's manufacturers to maintain the quality of their products and after sales service when exporting them to this country.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Job expo to offer 2,500 vacancies
Job expo to offer 2,500 vacancies JAKARTA: Over 2,500 vacancies from dozens of national and multinational companies will be offered during the ninth Job Expo on Jan. 27 and Jan. 28 at the Wisma Serbaguna in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Controversial busway lane
Controversial busway laneFrom Media Indonesia Jakarta will soon have its special busway, a project that, according to the Jakarta provincial administration, meets the aspirations of Jakarta's residents as was evident from the great enthusiasm visitors to the Jakarta Fair expressed when they were...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
ADB gives $188.6m loans to Indonesia
ADB gives $188.6m loans to Indonesia MANILA: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on Saturday that it was extending two loans worth US$188.6 million to Indonesia.The first package, of two loans totaling $100 million, will go to improving primary health care in the Indonesian provinces of...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Second ASEAN Para Games kick off in Vietnam
Second ASEAN Para Games kick off in VietnamAgence France-Presse HanoiThe second ASEAN Para Games were formally opened in Hanoi on Sunday evening, eight days after Vietnam successfully organized and won the Southeast Asian Games.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
RI needs Rp 613t in infrastructure investment
RI needs Rp 613t in infrastructure investmentSandy Darmosumarto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian government will need much more assistance from the private sector to help finance the development of the country's sub-standard infrastructure, which is seen as crucial to boosting economic...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Heading for Page 4
Heading for Page 41. Party (4 X 12) New parties struggling to recruit candidates 2. Free (2 X 24) Indonesia has progressed in religious freedom: U.S. 3, Botox (2 X 24) Cerebral palsy not always a threat to intelligence 4. Papua (2 X 20) Convicted Papuans to be brought to Jakarta
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Dec. 22, 2003
Where to go in Jakarta: Monday, Dec. 22, 2003Exhibitions* Painting Sentuhan Kepedulian Lingkungan Hidup by 100 female painters, InterContinental MidPlaza Jakarta, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10 - 11, South Jakarta (Tel. 2510888), until Dec. 22.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
'Check out result of traffic policy first'
'Check out result of traffic policy first'Chronic traffic congestion around the capital has long been bedeviling the city administration. The latter then determined to develop its busway project connecting Blok M in South Jakarta and Kota in West Jakarta.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
BP sees no need for extra LNG trains
BP sees no need for extra LNG trainsFitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta BP Indonesia, a unit of Anglo-American energy giant BP Plc., said it does not have any plans to build additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains although it had secured LNG supply contracts that were larger than...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Mukhlas to testify in Jamaah Islamiyah leader
Mukhlas to testify in Jamaah Islamiyah leader Death row convict Mukhlas alias Ali Gufron is in Jakarta to take the stand as a vital witness in the trial of Abu Rusydan, who is charged with harboring him during the police manhunt earlier this year.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Nationalist spirit needed
Nationalist spirit neededFrom Suara KaryaThe human rights (HAM) institution in settling national issues arising in Indonesia applies methods that lack a sense of nationalism. In other words, it has apparently never struggled for national interests.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Batik course revives city's Textile Museum
Batik course revives city's Textile MuseumM. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Where is the best place in the capital to get first-hand experience in dyeing batik, traditional Indonesian fabric, for only Rp 250,000 (US$29.41)?Such a program is offered by the city-run Textile Museum on Jl. K.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Two die in toll accident
Two die in toll accident JAKARTA: Two people died in a fatal collision between a Kijang minivan and a bus at the kilometer 37 mark on the Cikampek- Jakarta toll road, near Cikarang, Bekasi, on Sunday morning.The minivan driver, police officer Brig. Jumari, died instantly in the accident.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Panasonic focuses on rebuilding brand in RI
Panasonic focuses on rebuilding brand in RI One of the most famous brands here for electronic products, the National Panasonic Gobel Group has recently decided to use a single name -- Panasonic -- for all its products from home appliances to audio-visual equipment.
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Storm causes massive blackout in Manado
Storm causes massive blackout in ManadoJongker Rumteh, The Jakarta Post, Manado, North Sulawesi A storm that hit Manado in the past few days has incapacitated some 50 percent of the total 117 megawatt installed electricity capacity in the city, leading to a massive blackout here, an official said...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Indonesian maritime issues get greater attention
Indonesian maritime issues get greater attentionJan R. Scheele, Maritime Consultant, Jakarta Is empowerment of the maritime transportation services the only medicine the government is willing to inject in the ailing national maritime industry? Which quality assurances are built in to guarantee...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
The threat to women: When decision makers play deaf
The threat to women: When decision makers play deafJacqueline Mackenzie, Contributor, JakartaGadis Arivia is the Executive Director of Yayasan Jurnal Perempuan (YJP, Women's Journal Foundation), which initiated the Suara Ibu Peduli (Voice of Concerned Mothers), among the crucial movements...
Mon, 22 Dec 2003
Christmas gifts for tech-geeks
Christmas gifts for tech-geeksVishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta vmahmud@yahoo.com Christmas is the season of giving, even if you don't celebrate the holiday. In fact, the year-end holidays are a perfect excuse to buy something for yourself in order to keep up with the most up-to-date...