[MyAppleMenu] Apr 1, 2009

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Clearwire Offers iPhone WiMax Hotspot <http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Clearwire-Offers-iPhone-WiMax-Hotspot-618106/?kc=rss>
by Roy Mark, eWeek

WiMax provider Clearwire said March 31 it plans to begin offering a Wi-Fi device that allows users of Apple's iPhone and other Wi-Fi-emabled devices to tap into Clearwire's 4G mobile WiMax network. Clearwire claims its WiMax technology will deliver wireless Internet speeds several times faster than users' phones with embedded 3G technology – without having to find a Wi-Fi hotspot.

**** 'Bookworm' Sets The Standard For iPhone Word Games <http://toucharcade.com/2009/03/31/bookworm-sets-the-standard-for-iphone-word-games/>
by Eli Hodapp, TouchArcade

While there are word games on the App Store that offer similar game play–and even some fairly obvious clones–none really compare with the complete Bookworm package as it has evolved over the years.

**** My Apple Laptops: Past, Present, And Future <http://lowendmac.com/ed/moore/09cwm/past-present-future.html>
by Charles Moore, Low End Mac

**** Apple, Dell, Intel Sued Over Encryption Patent <http://www.informationweek.com/news/global-cio/legal/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=216402041&tcss=global-cio>
by Thomas Claburn, InformationWeek

The patent in question is U.S. patent No. 5,963,646, "Secure deterministic encryption key generator system and method," which describes an encryption key generator. The system allows for "the destruction of an encryption key after each use by providing for the re-creation of the key without need of key directories or other encryption key storage processes."

**** Greenpeace: Apple Greener, But Still Has A Ways To Go <http://www.siliconbeat.com/2009/03/31/greenpeace-apple-greener-but-still-has-a-ways-to-go/>
by Troy Wolverton, SiliconBeat

Greenpeace gave Apple some kudos on Tuesday for improving its environmental policies. But the environmental activists made clear that the iPhone maker still has a long way to go before earning Greenpeace’s stamp of approval.

**** Apple's App Store: A Rapidly Growing Marketplace <http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12037710?nclick_check=1>
by John Boudreau, San Jose Mercury News

Less than a year old, Apple's online App Store is on its way to becoming a billion-dollar marketplace for iPhone applications that often sell for no more than a few dollars, according to Mobclix, a startup that offers developers analytical data garnered from mobile devices.

**** Hitch Seen In Potential China Unicom Deal <http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2009/03/30/apple-hitch-seen-in-potential-china-unicom-deal/>
by Eric Savitz, Barrons

**** Apple's $500 Or Microsoft's 81% Tax? <http://blogs.zdnet.com/storage/?p=442>
by Robin Harris, ZDNet

Just the cost of anti-virus protection for Windows justifies the mythical $500.

**** VeriSign Brings Authentication Tokens To iPhone <http://db.tidbits.com/article/10180>
by Glenn Fleishman, TidBITS

**** WireTap Studio Improves AAC Recording <http://www.macworld.com/article/139752/2009/03/wts.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld

**** Playing Go On The Mac <http://www.macworld.com/article/139725/2009/03/go.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Kirk McElhearn, Macworld

Your Mac and your iPhone can give you a platform for playing this strategic board game.

**** Vicomsoft FTP Client Gains QuickLook, Growl Support <http://www.macworld.com/article/139750/2009/03/ftpclient.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld

The new 4.6 release features support for Leopard's QuickLook feature, which lets you preview the contents of a file without opening it first. Also new in this release is support for Growl, the notification software for Mac OS X.

**** SongGenie 1.1 <http://www.macworld.com/article/139745/2009/03/songgenie.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Kirk McElhearn, Macworld

If you’ve got lots of music files with incomplete or missing artist, album, or song tags, and you want to spare yourself the time of figuring out what those tags should be, SongGenie can help tidy up your music library.

**** DirecTV Releases Remote Recording Application For iPhone <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/directv-releases-remote-recording-application-for-iphone.ars>
by Justin Berka, Ars Technica

iPhone owners with DirecTV service now have an easier way to schedule recordings when they're not at home, thanks to the new DIRECTV app. The software lets users browse programs, search for shows, and record shows to any DVR associated with the account. It does it all with an interface that's tailored to the iPhone.

**** Macs In The Enterprise: The Cost Factor <http://www.macworld.com/article/139744/2009/03/costfactor.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Tom Kaneshige, CIO

Few CIOs want to shell out recession-scarce dollars for pricy Macs when a cheap PC will do just fine. Microsoft drove home this point last week with attack ads showing cash-strapped consumers choosing PCs over Macs. But are Macs really too costly in the business world?

**** Disable Support Site Help Searches In Leopard <http://www.macworld.com/article/139741/2009/03/helpsearch.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Rob Griffiths, Macworld

**** MLB.com At Bat Back For 2009, Now Includes Gameday Audio <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/mlbcom-at-bat-back-for-2009-now-includes-gameday-audio.ars>
by Justin Berka, Ars Technica

Major League Baseball's MLB.com At Bat baseball app is back for the 2009 season, now with Gameday Audio. The price has also risen, but if you don't feel like buying the new version, you'll still be able to get real-time scores via MLB.com At Bate Lite.

**** SlickEdit 2009 Debugs Perl, Python, PHP <http://www.macworld.com/article/139733/2009/03/slickedit.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld

SlickEdit is a multi-language code editor that lets programmers work in over 40 languages on seven platforms.

**** Hands-On: SelfControl For Mac Blocks Distractions&mdash;Seriously <http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2009/03/hands-on-selfcontrol-for-mac-blocks-distractionsseriously.ars>
by Jacqui Cheng, Ars Technica

SelfControl is a new, free app for Mac OS X that helps you enforce your own self control when it comes to Internet-related distractions. Create a blacklist of servers that will be blocked during a certain time period, but you had better be ready to commit, because there's no way to turn off the block until your time period has expired.

**** Diary For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/139641/2009/03/diary.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Kate Dohe, Macworld

Journal app is off to a good start, but more features are needed.

**** TimeCache 8.0 Adds Report, Invoice Improvements <http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/03/31/timecache.80.update/>
by MacNN

The update focuses on improvements to reports and invoices, and provides more customization options for sub-sorting and sub-totalling, the ability to produce instant reports and invoices from saved settings, and an option for using a PDF file as a report or invoice background.

**** Skype For iPhone: An iTunes App Store Hit <http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12261_7-10208838-51.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20>
by Jessica Dolcourt, CNET

If Skype for iPhone seems like a big deal to you, you'd be right. It's topping iPhone App Store charts for nine countries, Skype says.

**** An Apple For The Teacher <http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/an_apple_for_the_teacher_4668566.html>
by Gary J. Kunich, Kenosha News

Washington Middle School, one of Kenosha Unified’s most impoverished based on free and reduced lunches, has been honored as an Apple Distinguished School for its one-to-one laptop computer program and how it incorporates technology into class work. It is one of 33 nationwide — and the only one in Wisconsin — to receive the recognition.

**** Organizer For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/139640/2009/04/organizer.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Kate Dohe, Macworld

Feature-rich day planner is marred by clunky interface.

**** First Look: Daylite Touch <http://www.tuaw.com/2009/04/01/first-look-daylite-touch/>
by Steven Sande, The Unofficial Apple Weblog

**** TimeBridge <http://www.macworld.com/article/139747/2009/04/timebridge.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by John Brandon, Macworld

Meeting scheduler has a good concept but limited features.

**** PhotoSwap For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/139549/2009/04/photoswap.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Chester Baker, Macworld

PhotoSwap provides instant access to random pictures from random people. That said, it’s unfortunate that you cannot save contacts or jump back to old conversations.

**** Troubleshooting Back To My Mac <http://www.macworld.com/article/139612/2009/04/troubleshootbacktomymac.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Glenn Fleishman, Macworld

Frequently, getting the service to function can be maddening. In some cases, it won’t work—no matter what you try.

**** Flash'in'App Embeds Flash In Mac Apps <http://www.macworld.com/article/139766/2009/04/flashinapp.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld

Eltima Software on Wednesday introduced Flash’in’App 2.0, a new version of its programming tool that helps developers load and manage Flash movies within Mac applications.

**** Review: Skype Finally Does VoIP Right On The iPhone <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/04/review-skype-finally-does-voip-right-on-the-iphone.ars>
by David Chartier, Ars Technica

Skype for iPhone delivers on most, but not all, of the potential of Skype's VoIP service. The app is designed well, call quality is surprisingly excellent (most of the time), and this 1.0 release leaves plenty of room for the company to pick up the straggling features with a future release.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Think Outside The Carton, Homemade Ice Cream Lovers <http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-wackyicecream1-2009apr01,0,406074.story?track=rss>
by David Lebovitz, Los Angeles Times

Carrots, cocoa nibs, roasted buckwheat &mdash; just a few ingredient ideas to kick your imagination up a notch.

**** Empty Garden <http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=89c1f6fc-f89a-4113-b5d2-b640359ac889>
by Jason Zengerle, The New Republic

Why did New York stop growing basketball stars?

**** An Awkward Obituary <http://www.newsweek.com/id/191408>
by Kurt Soller, Newsweek

Seattle was a two-newspaper town until one went down. How do you cover your competitor's demise?

**** Pun For The Ages <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/opinion/28Tartakovsky.html?_r=1>
by Joseph Tartakovsky, New York Times

But low as puns may be, they have been known to appeal to the loftiest minds.

**** 'Das Kapital' As A Boy's Bedtime Story <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/books/01garn.html?_r=1>
by Dwight Garner, New York Times

Saïd Sayrafiezadeh’s memoir recounts growing up in a family of ardent members of the Socialist Workers Party, convinced that revolution was just around the corner.



SingaporeSurf
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**** Gingrich: We Should Have Singapore-Style Drug Tests For Americans <http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/gingrich-we-should-have-singapore-st>
by David Neiwert, Crooks And Liars

"Now, they have no drug problem in Singapore at all, number one, because they hang drug dealers &mdash; they execute them. And number two, the market is very thin, because when they catch you using, you go away with a mandatory rehab."

**** From Amusement Park To Cement Park <http://timesofmylife.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/from-amusement-park-to-cement-park/>
by Times Of My Life

**** Courts And Laws Do Support Joint Custody <http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_357133.html>
by Alfred Lim, Straits Times

**** Khaw Boon Wan: I Do Not Know Anything About CDC Bonuses!! <http://wayangparty.com/?p=7270>
by The Wayang Party Club

**** Why The PAP Needs To Continue Paying Obscene Salaries To Attract Unwilling Politicians <http://wayangparty.com/?p=7261>
by Fang Zhi Yuan, The Wayang Party Club

The zero sum game in Singapore politics means that you are either with or against the PAP. Given the climate of fear fostered by ISA arrests and defamation lawsuits on opposition leaders, it is little wonder that Singaporeans are generally averse to politics.

The pervasive political apathy in the populace has led to a perculiar situation in which there is a dearth of talented Singaporeans joining politics. The PAP has to go out of its way to coax Singaporeans to join its ranks.

**** One Hand Clap For The Government - Woodlands Ave 7 On The Way To Being Safe <http://www.aussiepete.com/2009/03/one-hand-clap-for-govt-woodlands-ave-7.html>
by Aussie Pete

The reason I am clapping with just one hand only, is that once again I have seen no change to behaviours... I still see cyclists speeding through crowds of pedestrians (on both paths), boldly and proudly ringing their bell to part the crowds - often without even slowing, many still talking on cell phone.

**** PAP MP In Ivory Tower, Can't See The Ground <http://seelanpalay.blogspot.com/2009/04/pap-mp-in-ivory-tower-cant-see-ground.html>
by Seelan Palay

Help us genuinely - don't make use of us to promote yourself. Sembawang GRC does owe us, and it owes us a lot. The high maintenance costs that we have to pay, continue to fatten the Town Council's bank accounts. Some of our money was recklessly lost in speculative investments in toxic financial products; are there further losses to come? At the end of the day, we are the ones who have to bear the increasing burden.

**** Family Of Dead Doctor Asks For An Inquiry <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/419304/1/.html>
by Teo Xuanwei, Today

The family of Captain (Dr) Allan Ooi Seng Teik, who was found dead under a bridge in Melbourne last month, is asking for an inquiry by an independent panel to address some of the late doctor’s concerns about his job.

**** Maids Can't Take Over Parents' Roles <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/1/focus/3598798&sec=focus>
by Peter Chong, The Star

At one time when I visited my cousin in Singapore, she told me how her own daughter almost wanted to kill her.

**** æ–°åŠ å¡æ˜‡è˜è¶…å¸‚ï¼šåŸ¹è‚²å“ç‰Œã€€è–„åˆ©å¤šé”€ <http://finance.sina.com.cn/roll/20090401/08012764425.shtml>
by 经济日报

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**** A Little Less Salty Now <http://www.todayonline.com/articles/311083.asp>
by Alicia Wong, Today

Watersports enthusiasts may soon find the waters calmer at the Marina Reservoir, although visitors to the barrage may get the occasional whiff of a strange smell. These are some of the changes that can be expected as the PUB, the national water agency, begins the desalting process at the Marina Reservoir this month.

**** Parliament Sitting April 13 <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_357274.html>
by Straits Times

**** Serving National Purposes <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/serving-national-purposes/>
by The Online Citizen

Supporting community heritage institutions are a national imperative.

**** Applications Open For Families Of Problem Gamblers To Exclude Them From Casinos <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/419418/1/.html>
by Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia

The Family Exclusion Order is available to immediate family members such as spouses, children, parents and siblings, including adopted and step relations. 

**** No Pay Leave, Wage Freeze <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_357323.html>
by Karamjit Kaur, Straits Times

More than 1,400 Singapore Airlines have volunteered to take no-pay leave but it is not enough to steer the airline through the current tough times. Next step: Compulsory leave for all, and a wage freeze for managers in the current financial year, which ends next March.

**** A Daring Take On A Wilde Play <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/02/theater/02iht-earnest.html?ref=arts>
by Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop, New York Times

Presenting Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” with an all-male cast dressed as men has raised a few eyebrows in conservative Singapore, leading the media regulator to request the company to prominently display an age advisory of “16 years and above” on all its publicity material, with the notice, “Re-interpretation, all-male cast.”

The director, Glen Goei, said he decided to recast the well-known play, which has several female characters, because he wanted to “celebrate” Oscar Wilde, a man who “dared to be true to himself and his nature” and “remind people what he stood for.”