Yesterday around 11pm when I did a few Google searches, I was shocked with Google claiming LinuxJournal.com as: “This site may harm your computer”

“ha?? How could this be possible?” However, judging from logical mind, I copied and pasted the URL manually into browser, and continue browsing to a LinuxJournal.com article, with so-called “at my own risk” :p

Apparently, the problem was, Google has mistakenly tagged all sites in the world as harmful, including Google’s own site. You can see relevant screen shot at here.

As reported by Google, the issue began appearing between 6:27am and 6:40am (GMT-08:00) and began disappearing between 7:10 and 7:25am (GMT-08:00). In other words, for Malaysia, Singapore and China Internet users, you could have faced the same issue if you did any Google search between 10:27am and 11:25am.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long time for Google to realize and take immediate action to resolve this issue.

As explained by Google, it was a human error.

What happened? Very simply, human error. We maintain a list of such sites through both manual and automated methods. We work with a non-profit called StopBadware.org to come up with criteria for maintaining this list, and to provide simple processes for webmasters to remove their site from the list.

We periodically update that list and released one such update to the site this morning. Unfortunately (and here’s the human error), the URL of ‘/’ was mistakenly checked in as a value to the file and ‘/’ expands to all URLs. Fortunately, our on-call site reliability team found the problem quickly and reverted the file. (more details at Google Blog)

While the technologically advanced infrastructure and highly optimized binaries are deriving reliable search results in fraction of a second, still, human error could ruin the process. When this issue happened, tons and tons of related tweets are flooding the Twitter-sphere.

If Google analyzes the search for “google” keyword during this time frame, I’m sure it hits the all time high, as many people were trying to verify if Google tags its own sites as harmful as well

As shown above, is my brother’s SingTel USB modem which connects him to 1Mbps/384kbps (upload/download) mobile wireless broadband in Singapore. I’m surprised that it even comes with a 1GB SanDisk MicroSD card, which has approximately 8MB occupied for the modem installer, and plenty more free space left.

I must say that quality wireless broadband is freaking cheap in Singapore. The package that my brother is subscribing to, entitles him 50GB of monthly data usage at only S$16 (approximately RM40). 50GB is more definitely more than enough for his after-work internet usage, it’s like 1.6GB for a few hours at night. If you’re working earning in Singapore Dollars, S$16 plus is really nothing!

Seeing that, I couldn’t resist but to make some comparisons with what’s available to us in Malaysia.

Maxis Wireless Broadband - 3GB monthly data usage, possibly-throttled speed, RM118 per month

Recently, in Klang Valley area, banners promoting Maxis USB modem with animal print designs are easily spotted everywhere. Ya I agree that it looks nice, adding a little “wild factor” to the otherwise plain device.

What about the internet speed? Wah quite shiok lo.. everywhere you see, the banners and brochures say “up to 3.6Mbps“, it’s like 3 times faster than the RM88 Streamyx 1.0Mbps wired broadband. But, wait till you read this page:

3.6Mbps in Maxis High Speed 3G (HSDPA) coverage areas, 384kpbs in 3G coverage areas, 247kbps on Maxis EDGE in major cities and towns, 56kpbs on Maxis GPRS nationwide

In most cases, unless you’re using it at KLCC and some (very few) hot places in KL and Klang Valley, the 3.6Mbps Maxis High Speed 3G is not available. From my experience of surfing with Maxis 3G on my phone, you can tab to the 384kbps (theoritical speed only) Maxis 3G in most of the town areas in Peninsula Malaysia. Which means, most of the time, you are paying RM118 a month for 384kbps, unless you are residing in the very limited Maxis High Speed 3G coverage areas. This is a bit unfair; Maxis should offer cheaper price for 384kbps 3G package, to users who are out of HSDPA coverage areas. Continue reading ‘I Need More Affordable Mobile Wireless Broadband’