[MyAppleMenu] Oct 6, 2006

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
==================================================
<http://www.myapplemenu.com/>
Mac news for Mac people

[News]

*** MacBook Shutdown Is Heat Sink?
<http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=16085&Page=1&pagePos=4>
Jonny Evans, Macworld UK

*** Yamaha Reveals iPod Cube
<http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=16080>
Macworld UK

*** Apple Not Out Of The Woods In Options Probe
<http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/rss/15692845.htm?source=rss&channel=siliconvalley_rss>
Scott Duke Harris, San Jose Mercury News

Apple and Steve Jobs can expect sharp scrutiny by federal authortiies despite Apple's announcement that an internal review of stock option irregularities found "no misconduct" by Jobs and other members of the current management team, legal observers said Thursday.

*** Can Ignorance Put Apple's Jobs In Clear?
<http://dwb.sacbee.com/content/business/24hour_tech_business/story/3388987p-12461668c.html>
May Wong, Associated Press

Ignorance can be bliss, but it's not a tight defense, lawyers say.

*** Apple Admits iPod Nano Colours May 'Change Over Time'
<http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/10/05/hw_ipod_nano_discolour/>
Reg Hardware

What's this I read at the end of the small print on the back after the battery charge and storage capacity caveats? "Like a fine pair of jeans, iPod Nano colours may vary and change over time."

*** Apple's Options Disclosure Raises Concerns About Earning sRestatements
<http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/siliconvalley/rss/15686767.htm?source=rss&channel=siliconvalley_rss>
Associated Press

*** Wall Street Unmoved By Apple Stock Troubles
<http://www.techweb.com/wire/ebiz/193104848/>
Antone Gonsalves, TechWeb

*** Former Apple Legal Chief Suspected In Options Scandal
<http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2112>
Katie Marsal, AppleInsider

*** Starbucks Strikes Music Deal With iTunes
<http://www.macuser.com/itms/starbucks_strikes_music_deal_w.php?lsrc=murss>
Dan Moren, MacUser

[Opinion]

*** Apple Following In Dell's Hellish Footsteps
<http://www.siliconvalleysleuth.com/2006/10/apple_following.html>
Silicon Valley Sleuth

*** Mac And It's OS X - And My Problems With It
<http://pdimeglio.blogspot.com/2006/10/mac-and-its-os-x-and-my-problems-with.html>
The Meanderings Of A Pretentious Genius Fool

Mac users tend to explain that the transition is an easy one. This may be true for someone who simply uses their computer to send email. For an advanced user like myself however, this is simply not the case.

*** Backin' It Up With Customer Service And Care
<http://www.straightupsearch.com/archives/2006/10/backin_it_up_wi_1.html>
Straight Up Search

Long story short, Amy was put on hold for close to a half an hour, finally spoke to a representative, and was sent a replacement iPod... that was also partially broken.

*** Apple: Rotten At The Core
<http://www.fool.com/news/commentary/2006/commentary06100515.htm>
Seth Jayson, Motley Fool

Something other than a pain-free apology is in order.

*** Some Assembly Required
<http://daringfireball.net/2006/10/some_assembly_required>
John Gruber, Daring Fireball

One of my favorite programming slogans is from Larry Wall, regarding his goals for Perl: "Easy things should be easy, and hard things should be possible."

*** Pimp My Code, Part 12: Frozen In Carbonite
<http://wilshipley.com/blog/2006/10/pimp-my-code-part-12-frozen-in.html>
Wil Shipley, Call Me Fishmeal

I want youto take this to your manager, and say, "Look, see! We've got to get to Cocoa! This has got to be a priority! We can't keep slapping tar on a boart made out of milk cartons!"

*** Apple's Time Machine: Forward Into The Past?
<http://www.macworld.com/news/2006/10/05/timemachine/index.php?lsrc=mwrss>
Ryan Faas, Computerworld

All in all, there is a great deal of reason to be excited about Tme Machine.

[Review]

*** The Lockdown: The Targus iPod Lock, Or Modicum Of Security
<http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/05/the-lockdown-the-targus-ipod-lock-or-a-modicum-of-security/>
Marc Weber Tobias, Engadget

The iPod owner may also do damage if he is not careful in the way he removes the insert, and more importantly a co-worker or someone who just wants to be malicious can easily do damage by remove and inserting the connector.

*** Redline
<http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=742>
Franklin Pride, Inside Mac Games

With its combination of reasonably realistic physics, beautiful graphics, enjoyable sound, and solid gameplay, this is the best racing Mac game I've ever played.

*** Bejeweled: Gem-Swapping Puzzler Is Sadly Not The Jewel In iPod's Gaming Crown
<http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/iPod/Bejeweled/review.asp?c=1640>
Stuart Dredge, Pocket Gamer

The fact is it simply doesn't suit the device. It seems daft to bring it to iPod when it clearly doesn't work well with the controls available.

[Sidetrack]

*** Things I Don't Understand: Why Bother Reverse-Engineer Apple's DRM
Heng-Cheong Leong

First Real. Now DVD Jon. Both have came up with... er... anti-anti-DRM workarounds that allows content providers to put "FairPlay-compatible" DRM around their content, so that the content is protected by DRM, will play on iTunes and iPod with DRM intact, and Apple will not get a cut in the sale.

By reverse-engineering Apple's FairPlay DRM, the point is that third-party can create DRM-protected content that is identical to DRM-protected content purchased from iTunes Store. And by virtual of being identical, Apple have no choice, technically, but to support both DRM-protected content purchased from iTunes Store and third parties. In newer versions of iTunes and iPods, Apple cannot simply modify its DRM and disable older content, the argument goes.

This reasoning breaks down, unfortunately, for one very simple fact: this is not PlayForSure. By that, what I mean is that there is only one place in the entire world that one can purchased FairPlay DRM-protected content: Apple. Simply put, Apple knows which piece of content is purchased from iTunes Store, and which piece of content is not purchased from iTunes Store, even when the DRM in place is totally identical. This is not advance crypto technology, simply good record keeping.

There is nothing to prevent the next version of iTunes to simply dial home to Apple, check which content is purchased from iTunes Store, upgrade the DRM to a newer version, and disable playback of content that is encoded with the older version of DRM. Boom!

(Sorry.)

Yes, Apple has locked everyone in. Either you sell your content through Apple or Audible, or you sell without DRM, or you negotiate with Apple. You cannot simply hack your way in.

The Tomorrow Weblog
==================================================
<http://www.myapplemenu.com/tomorrow/>
Emerging Technologies. Innovative Applications. New Economy

[News]

*** Will The eBook Finally Replace Paper?
<http://technology.guardian.co.uk/weekly/story/0,,1887261,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=20>
George Cole, The Guardian

Four major hurdles have restricted the electronic book market: construction, cost, content and culture.

*** Google Releases Code Search Service
<http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061005-7918.html>
Ryan Paul, Ars Technica

MyAppleMenu Reader
==================================================
<http://www.myapplemenu.com/reader/>
The other things in life

[World]

*** New Indonesia Calamity, A Mud Bath, Is Man-Made
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/06/world/asia/06mud.html?ex=1317787200&en=e8f66400ae5b9991&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss>
Raymond Bonner and Muktita Suhartono, New York Times

It started as a natural gas well. It has become geysers of mud and water, and in a country plagued by earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis another calamity in the making, though this one is largely man-made.

[Tech & Science]

*** The Amateur's Revenge
<http://www.slate.com/id/2150974/>
Jon Lackman, Slate

Posing as a physicist -- and getting away with it.

[Life]

*** The Bloomberg Lesson
<http://www.slate.com/id/2150961/>
Jack Shafer, Slate

How a fledging news organization got big while others shrank.

*** Eight Rooms, Well, Nine, But That's Their Secret
<http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/05/garden/05hidden.html?ex=1317700800&en=0fc4a05861b975fa&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss>
Matthew Summers-Sparks, New York Times

Although hard data is not available, architects report an increase over the last five years in the number of clients installing concealed rooms.

SingaporeSurf
==================================================
<http://www.myapplemenu.com/singapore/>
Life in the city

[Ramblings]

*** The Terrorists Are Coming!
Heng-Cheong Leong

How to discourage the practice of "chop-ing seats" with tissue papers, the practice that is oh-so-common <http://oneinchtaller.blogspot.com/2006/09/chope-seat.html> in the fine city of Singapore (especially downtown)?

Start spreading a rumour that Terrorists are targeting these tissue papers by putting who-knows-what invisbile thingy on them around the food courts of Singapore...

:-)

*** Highway Code Available At All Good Bookstores (And Maybe NTUC Fairprice Too)
Heng-Cheong Leong

I'm not sure which is worse: whining in a public forum <http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/portal/site/STI/menuitem.c2aef3d65baca16abb31f610a06310a0/?vgnextoid=7532758920e39010VgnVCM1000000a35010aRCRD&vgnextfmt=vgnartid:eebcecbe5a91e010VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD> that public buses (which moves tens and tens of people per bus) having higher priority on the roads than your car (which moves only between one to five person), or showing off your ignorance of the traffic code, and demonstrating that perhaps you shouldn't really be driving on Singapore roads.

(By the way, the red bus lane <http://www.aas.com.sg/features/archive/i01065.htm> indicates a full day bus lane, which is in operationg fro 7.30 am to 8.00 pm, Mondays to Saturdays, excluding public holidays. Offenders will face a fine of $130.)

[News]

*** Editor Says Banned, Sued Magazine Ready To Fight In Singapore
<http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/06/asia/AS_GEN_Singapore_Magazine_Ban.php>
Associated Press

The editor of the Far Eastern Economic Review magazine on Friday called a defamation lawsuit filed by Singapore's prime minister and a government ban on the magazine a coordinated attack.

*** Coup Is A Set Back For Country And Democracy: Singapore
<http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/06/headlines/headlines_30015535.php>
The Nation

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Friday that the power seizure on 19 September was "a setback for Thailand" and its democracy. His comment came after Singapore was the first Asean country to send a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Surayuth Julanont, who was appointed the Thai new leader over the weekend.

*** Singapore Politician Seen Edging Out Of Bankruptcy
<http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061006/wl_asia_afp/singaporepolitics_061006062743>
AFP

J.B. Jeyaretnam, 80, had been told by the court to pay 11,500 Singapore dollars to creditors and the official in charge of his bankruptcy.

*** Taxi Driver Economics
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5407384.stm>
Karishma Vaswani, BBC News

Barely 40 years after Singapore's independence, its citizens are now the richest in Asia. But ask them whether they're feeling that wealthy - and you get a completely different picture.

*** Singapore Placates Indonesia Over Lee's Race Remarks
<http://www.thebalitimes.com/2006/10/06/singapore-placates-indonesia-over-lees-race-remarks/>
The Bali Times

Singapore has moved to placate Indonesia after comments made by Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew on Jakarta's treatment of its ethnic Chinese.

*** 'Singapore Knows Our Stand'
<http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Friday/National/20061006090446/Article/local1_html>
New Straits Times

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri najib Razak said the Singapore Minister Mentor should translate his feelings for good bilateral relations into action. "Singapore knows our stand and we hope that this does not recur," he said.

*** Singapore Authortiies May Keep Stronger Currency Bias
<http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=acZ2xbACw22o&refer=asia>
Yumi Kuramitsu and Jake Lee, Bloomberg

Singapore dollar may gain for a fifth quarter as the central bank next week will probably keep a policy of seeking a stronger currency to combat inflation, a survey by Blomberg News shows.

*** Suvarnabhumi Can Compete Against Changi: Singapore Airport Chief
<http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015469>
The Nation

Suvarnabhumi Airport could become a "formidable competitor" to the award-winning Changi Airport, according to Singapore airport's managing director Foo Sek Min.

*** Temasek Could Be The Biggest Loser
<http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/06/business/business_30015470.php>
The Nation

Not only would Singapore's investment arm Temasek Holdings suffer if yesterday's ruling by the Supreme Administrative Court eventually leads to the revocation of concessions or licences held by Shin Corp's subsidiaries, but so would all minor shareholders who hold Shin and its subsidiaries' shares.

[Opinion]

*** The Culture Of Feer
<http://fabianlua.blogspot.com/2006/10/culture-of-feer.html>
Fabian Lua

The decision is regressive for Singapore because, as WSJ puts it best, "this is not the behavior of a prosperous, self-confident nation."

*** The Charade Of Meritocracy
<http://www.feer.com/articles1/2006/0610/free/p018.html>
Michael D. Barr, Far Eastern Economic Review

Singapore's system of promotion disguises and even facilitates tremendous biases againast women, the poor and non-Chinese. Singapore's administrative and its political elites -- especially the younger ones who have come through school in the last 20 or so years -- are not the cream of Singapore's talent as claimed, but are merely a dominant social class, resting on systemic biases to perpetuate regime regeneration based on gender, class and race.

*** From The Editor - October 2006
<http://www.feer.com/articles1/2006/0610/free/p006.html>
Far Eastern Economic Review

When honest criticism is forbidden, balance is hard to attain.

*** Financial Center Pipedreams
<http://feer.com/articles1/2006/0610/free/p023.html>
Hugo Restall, Far Eastern Economic Review

Singapore is thus paying a price for its government-led economic model, which is interwined with its system of social control at home. Instead of nurturing a domestic entrepreneurial class with its own vested interests, it has kept the commanding heights of the economy under the control of Singapore Inc. Therefore its financial institutions have not been welcomed abroad in the way that Switzerland's have.

*** Singapore's Founding Myths Vs. Freedom
<http://www.feer.com/articles1/2006/0610/free/p013.html>
Garry Dodan, Far Eastern Economic Review

Clearly the PAP's determination to insulate its foundational myths remains resolute and attempts to challenge these continue to attract a harsh response from Singapore's authorities. However, because of economic globalization and the use of new technologies, that exercise is likely to require continued refinement and creative energy.

*** Singapore Mps To Perform On Bar Tops, Government May Rethink Ban On Gay Parties
<http://www.yawningbread.org/guest_2006/guw-120.htm>
Yawningbread.org

"Despite its name, the Chingay is not gay at all."

*** Hip Hop - Are We Trying Too Hard?
<http://www.p65.sg/2006/10/06/hip-hop-are-we-trying-too-hard/>
Michael Palmer, P65 Blog

If we just stick to what we're good at, then we're going to limit the scope of our connectivity.

*** Andy Xie: The Purported Text Of His Leaked E-mail
<http://www.littlespeck.com/content/economy/CTrendsEconomy-061005.htm>
Little Speck

*** "Chope" : Is This Uniquely Singapore?
<http://theory.isthereason.com/?p=1306>
Theory.IsTheReason

*** M Ravi Discharged From Hospital And Still On MC
<http://singaporeelection.blogspot.com/2006/10/m-ravi-discharged-from-hospital-and.html>
Singapore Election Watch

I believe he had been framed and harassed by ISD to be in the hospital.

*** Second Chances With The Civil Service
<http://www.todayonline.com/articles/146978.asp>
Teo Wee Seng, Prime Minister's Office, Today

The civil service supports the government's policy to give ex-offenders a second chance.

*** A Sure-Fire Recipe For Stress
<http://www.todayonline.com/articles/146976.asp>
Tabitha Wang, Today

We should give ourselves permission to let standards slip a little.

*** Building Up To A 2007 Collapse?
<http://www.todayonline.com/articles/146999.asp>
Andy Mukherjee, Today

Left unchecked, developers' en bloc excesses could lead to a property bubble burst.

*** A Country Based Solely On Meritocracy
<http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/57786>
Malaysiakini

I feel that many who made the statement that Malays are marginalised in Singapore don't really know their facts well. I lived in Singapore for the past few years and truth be told, Singapore is strictly a country based on meritocracy and nothing else.

*** LKY's Remarks: Double Standards From Umno Leaders
<http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/57787>
Sooton, Malaysiakini

It seems to me that many of our government leaders have no moral ground to tell others on how to speak and behave.

*** Longer Wait For Payment With New Govt System
<http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/portal/site/STI/menuitem.c2aef3d65baca16abb31f610a06310a0/?vgnextoid=7532758920e39010VgnVCM1000000a35010aRCRD&vgnextfmt=vgnartid:679cecbe5a91e010VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD>
Harold Egbert Arthur Mathieu, Straits Times

*** Tax System Doesn't Work Against Older Workers
<http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/portal/site/STI/menuitem.c2aef3d65baca16abb31f610a06310a0/?vgnextoid=7532758920e39010VgnVCM1000000a35010aRCRD&vgnextfmt=vgnartid:e08cecbe5a91e010VgnVCM100000430a0a0aRCRD>
Cheong Swee Ying, Ministry of Finance, Straits Times

[Technology]

*** Free Broadband In Singapore?
<http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/blog/ginstonic/0,39059294,61957661,00.htm>
Oo Gin Lee, CNET Asia

Anyone can simply walk into a StarHub shop and purchase a cable modem for under $80, go home and plug it into the SCV wall socket, and start surfing. Users will only be able to surf at selected web sites.

[Entertainment]

*** Bishan 13 Chicken Rice
<http://makati.blogspot.com/2006/10/bishan-13-chicken-rice.html>
Sleepless In Singapore

Continuing our exploration of Singapore's "heartlands", we set off in search of a Bishan chicken rice stall emphatically recommended by a local taxi driver.

The Shuffle by MyAppleMenu
==================================================
<http://www.myapplemenu.com/podcast/>
Life is random. More tunes, less talk.

[Tunes]

*** Going Home
<http://www.satellite66.com/mp3s.html>
Satellite 66
<http://www.satellite66.com/mp3s/GoingHome.mp3>