So now that it’s a brand new year, I’m woken up yet again to the fact that although I’m moving at light speed, it’s still not fast enough.

ILQ’s going to go through some amazing changes and all of which are aimed at making life in Qatar much better!

With the establishment of a fresh perspective and the inclusion of some dedicated people, I’m confident that we’ll be able to be an entertaining and life changing resource.

For now, here’s a little update for you all. Thanks to Qatar Guest from QatarVisitor (which I can honestly say is one of the good ones), I was invited back onto the twitter scene.

Why not?, I thought. However if anybody knows me, they’ll know that there was to be that extra touch to it.

To make like easy for twitter fans who want the latest news, simply go to http://twitter.com/qatarnews and enjoy getting your latest tidbits from Gulf Times, The Peninsula, Arabian Business, Zawya, GDN, Gulf News, ILQ News, and much more. (On a side note Nigel G has started Doha Daily which compresses The Pen into a nice pdf for the move!) 

While you’re at it, check out ILQ’s facebook and flickr groups.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ILQ-iloveqatarnet/22992739859#/group.php?gid=2382812401&ref=ts
All things Qatar

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ILQ-iloveqatarnet/22992739859
Events and ILQ related group

http://www.flickr.com/groups/926592@N20/
Qatar Flickr Group

I thought I’d answer some of the most common questions which are asked on ILQ related to the iPhone.

Can I read arabic messages?
The iPhone has arabic character support (the 3g version anyway) however it’s backwards and NOT connected. Update: Version 3.0 firmware fully supports arabic.

How can I read PROPER arabic?
The solution is to use Arabtaller It will have arabic displaying nicely on your iPhone AND install an arabic keyboard.

I also recommend installing SB Settings which is a useful app which you can find in the Cydia app.

What’s Cydia?
If you’re asking me that then you haven’t jailbroken your phone which you should have done a long time ago. I recommend searching and using a program called QUICKPWN which will do it all for you in one handy app.

What about internet? How can I access GPRS, Edge, Wap, 3G?

It’s actually very simple. You’re using a 3G iphone, so why are you asking about Edge or Wap? 3G Gprs is what you should be concerned about.

If you’re on Qtel, here are the settings.

Go to SETTINGS > GENERAL > NETWORK > CELLULAR DATA > APN > then input web.qtel

Thats it!! No username of password! You’re done! It’ll set up 3g gprs anda if you’re out of range for 3g then it automatically switches to edge.

For this to work you need both INTERNET and EMAIL activated on your phone. Just call your network. (In Qtel’s case, make sure you have Mobinet AND Email download access)

Sorry everyone, still on vacation. Here are some blog post titles coming soon.

“Dubai: The city of illusions”
“The invasion of peace”
“Qatar’s direction”
“The drive from Qatar to Bahrain”