[MyAppleMenu] Apr 17, 2009

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** 'Through The Looking Glass' Game Resurrected For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/140031/2009/04/alicex.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld

The Macintosh’s first game was called “Through the Looking Glass.” Sometimes referred to as “Alice,” It featured pieces that looked like characters from the Lewis Carroll story. The game has made its return on the iPhone in the form of AliceX.

**** Drop7 For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/140033/2009/04/drop7.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Bonnie Ruberg, Macworld

Every so often a casual game comes along that’s entirely simple, entirely original, and entirely addictive. Area/code’s Drop7, which challenges players to line up numbered balls in a grid seven squares wide and seven squares high, definitely falls in that category. Like Tetris or Bejeweled, it’s easy to learn, difficult to master, and even harder to put down.

**** Researcher Finds Possible Bug In iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/140039/2009/04/iphone_vulnerability.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service

Charlie Miller said he’s found a way to trick the iPhone into running code that enables shellcode. To run shellcode on an iPhone, however, an attacker would first need a working exploit for an iPhone, or a way to target some software vulnerability in, for example, the Safari Web browser or the mobile’s operating system.

**** Media 100 Suite Unveiled <http://www.macworld.com/article/140047/2009/04/media100.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Jim Dalrymple, Macworld

Media 100 introduced its latest editing and postproduction system, Media 100 Suite. The suite features Multicam Editing and Boris RED, as well as a new Voice Over Tool for audio recording direct to the Media 100 timeline.

**** DivX 7 Video Software Released For Mac <http://www.macworld.com/article/140048/2009/04/divx7.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld

**** iTunes Price Changes Deliver Mixed Results <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/04/16/itunes_price_changes_deliver_mixed_results.html>
by Katie Marsal, AppleInsider

Price increases that took effect on Apple's iTunes Store last week reportedly hurt unit sales of some of the most popular songs but ultimately managed to drive marginal increases in overall revenues for the digital download service.

**** Apple Responds To Microsoft Ads: &quot;A PC Is No Bargain&quot; <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/04/16/apple_responds_to_microsoft_ads_a_pc_is_no_bargain.html>
by Prince McLean, AppleInsider

Apple has responded to the new Microsoft ads promoting low-cost generic PCs as a cheaper alternative to the Mac, stating "A PC is no bargain when it doesn't do what you want."

**** Strategery For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/140052/2009/04/strategery.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Lex Friedman, Macworld

If you like turn-based strategy games, you’ll enjoy playing Strategery. It’s attractive, quick to play, and charmingly addictive.

**** Undercover Can Track Down Your Lost Or Stolen iPhone, Kinda <http://www.macworld.com/article/140050/2009/04/iphone_undercover.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by David Chartier, Macworld

Undercover can covertly transmit your device’s location and IP address to authorities when you report it as lost or stolen. It’s a great idea with some clever features, but even this private i-detective has its limitations.

**** Evidence Suggests First Zombie Mac Botnet Is Active <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/04/evidence-suggests-first-zombie-mac-botnet-is-active.ars>
by Chris Foresman, Ars Technica

Security researchers have discovered that payloads delivered by trojans in pirated versions of iWork and Photoshop earlier this year are being used to create a Mac botnet.

**** 'Flower Garden' - Well, It's Not Really A Game <http://toucharcade.com/2009/04/16/flower-garden-well-its-not-really-a-game/>
by TouchArcade

Noel's Flower Garden app is just that — a virtual flower garden in your iPhone.

**** Cell Minute Tracker For iPhone Fills AT&T's Void <http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10220998-12.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20>
by Jessica Dolcourt, CNET

**** New Yelp For iPhone Lets You (Sort Of) Write Reviews <http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10221156-12.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20>
by Jessica Dolcourt, CNET

**** Apple's iPhone Is A Developer's Goldmine <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/5163678/Apples-iPhone-is-a-developers-goldmine.html>
by Claudine Beaumont, Telegraph

Amateur software developers are finding it easy to make thousands of pounds a day by building simple games and applications for the Apple iPhone and the iPod touch, then selling them through the iTunes store.

**** Apple's Latest Weapon In The Neighbourhood Wifi Wars <http://blogs.smh.com.au/gadgetsonthego/archives/2009/04/apples_latest_weapon_in_the_ne.html>
by Sydney Morning Herald

Apple's new dual-band Time Capsules could provide the killer punch if you're engaged in wifi warfare against your neighbours.

**** Apple's Not So Subtle Shift Over The Years <http://viewfromthemountain.typepad.com/applepeels/2009/04/apples-not-so-subtle-shift-over-the-years.html>
by Applepeels

I have seen nothing within the last few years to indicate that Apple is trying to drive down the price of computing for users. That is clearly something than many computer users would hope to see. I have seen Apple become a huge money machine.

**** Review: WSJ -- The Wall Street Journal For iPhone <http://rss.macworld.com/click.phdo?i=f023d28879453e3221efa09d0ac2bd9a>
by David Chartier, Macworld

This mobile version of The Wall Street Journal offers equal doses of appreciated polish and unfinished features in its initial release.



SingaporeSurf
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**** DBS &quot;Disappointed&quot; With Josie Lau's Disregard For Staff Code Of Conduct <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/toc-latest-dbs-“disappointed”-with-josie-lau’s-disregard-for-staff-code-of-conduct/>
by Darren Boon, The Online Citizen

In response to TOC queries, DBS spokesperson stated that in accordance to the Bank’s staff code of conduct, employees need to request and receive approval before taking on an external appointment, something which Lau failed to do.

**** $60,000 Loan From Ren Ci To PAP MP Ong Seh Hong Sparked Furore In Cyberspace <http://wayangparty.com/?p=7844>
by Fang Zhi Yuan, The Wayang Party Club

The Ren Ci fiasco took an unexpected twist today when it was revealed in the court by Ming Yi that he approved loans to several of its staff including is Chief Operating Officer Dr Ong Seh Hong who borrowed a stunning sum of $60,000.

**** Staff-In-Confidence Matters Should Be Kept That Way, DBS <http://geraldgiam.sg/2009/04/staff-in-confidence-matters-should-be-kept-that-way-dbs/>
by Gerald Giam

Is it really necessary to regulate what staff do in their own time? Can’t staff be judged by their productivity in the office and the results they achieve?

**** Reinforcing Containment <http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2009/yax-1007.htm>
by Au Yaipang, Yawning Bread

**** AWARE AGM 2009: Clarifications <http://mathialee.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/aware-agm-2009-clarifications/>
by Mathia Lee

**** No Quick Recovery For Singapore <http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/15/singapore-gdp-yew-business-oxford.html?feed=rss_story>
by Forbes

Prospects for a recovery are tied to a revival of demand in key external markets, which is unlikely to occur until well into the second half of the year. Government policies will help cushion the impact of the recession, especially on vulnerable labor sectors, but will have limited impact on the growth outlook.

**** Scholarship Bonds Need Exit Clause <http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_364689.html>
by Lee Pheng Soon, Straits Times

Beyond full disclosure, should not an exit plan - even one based purely on monetary compensation - be built into scholarships? Sometimes it is truly impossible to foresee changes in the personal circumstances of an applicant, so serious that he cannot serve out the remainder of his bond. In that case, a fair exit option prevents the scholarship bond from actually becoming bondage, if his superiors disagree and do not release him.

**** Are We Paying Too Much For Too Little Accountability? <http://wayangparty.com/?p=7835>
by Eugene Yeo, The Wayang Party Club

Years of one-party rule with literally no challenge to its political hegemony has made the PAP complacent. It doesn’t see the need to account to anybody because they can never be removed from power with the system they put in place and so public opinion counts little for them.

**** More Questions Raised Over PAP MP Dr Ong Seh Hong's Explanation Of The $60,000 Ren Ci Loan And GIC Housing Loan <http://wayangparty.com/?p=7856>
by The Wayang Party Club

**** Singapore Warns Apec Protesters <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8001534.stm>
by BBC News

Singapore has warned foreign protesters against trying to disrupt an Asia-Pacific summit in November due to be attended by US President Barack Obama.

**** &quot;Zahari 17 Years&quot; Continues To Be Banned In Singapore - BFC <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/zahari-17-years-continues-to-be-banned-in-spore-bfc/>
by The Online Citizen

"Please be informed that the film 'Zahari 17 Years' was previously gazetted by the Minister as a prohibited film under Section 35 (1) of the Films Act as the Minister was of the view that it’s possession or distribution would be contrary to the public interest. As the upcoming amendments to the Films Act do not relate to Section 35 (1), and the Minister has not changed his opinion, 'Zahari 17 Years' continues to be a prohibited film. Please note that we will not be releasing this film for your collection as it is an offence for any person to be in possession of a prohibited film under Section 35 (2)."

**** Labour Department Denies Sabah Women Forced Into Prostitution In Singapore <http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=64290>
by Daily Express

The State Labour Department (SLD) refuted claims by a non-governmental organisation that many Sabah women were manipulated by so-called employment agencies and forced into prostitution in Singapore.

**** SIA Says Passenger Numbers Dived In March <http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=726762075>
by AFP

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said on Thursday that passenger numbers plummeted in March as the global downturn continues to weigh on travel demand.

**** It Does Get Worse <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/it-does-get-worse/>
by The Online Citizen

Despite the mainstream media’s spin, chances are that things will get worse.

**** More Questions For Dr Ong <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/04/more-questions-for-dr-ong/>
by The Online Citizen

**** No E-Voting Yet <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_364804.html>
by Zakir Hussain, Straits Times

Singapore has been studying electronic voting but has no plans to introduce it yet, said the Elections Department yesterday.

It was responding to recent reports in the Indian media which said Singapore was one of several countries to have shown an interest in buying electronic voting machines from Indian company Bharat Electronics.

**** 未取得临时入伙准证 Tampines 1 Kopitiam 营业四天后关闭 <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp090417_522.shtml>
by 赖诗琳, 联合早报

Tampines 1发言人表示，购物中心在4月9æ—¥å¼€å¼ æ—¶ï¼Œæœ‰6ä¸ªç§Ÿç”¨å•ä½å› æœªå–å¾—ä¸´æ—¶å…¥ä¼™å‡†è¯ï¼ˆTOP）而不能开始营业，Kopitiam是其中之一。但不知何故，Kopitiam在隔天开始营业。

**** è¶Šæ¥è¶Šå¤šé©»å¤–æ–°åŠ å¡äººæƒ³å›žå®¶ <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp090417_518.shtml>
by 何惜薇, 联合早报

**** 'Starving' Model Offered Singapore Sex Work <http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25346113-5001021,00.html>
by Daily Telegraph

A young Sydney woman's hopes of an international modelling career are in tatters after false promises of work left her living on one can of food per day in the global economic recession-hit city of Singapore.

**** Singapore's Sinking Economy Over-Dependent On Exports <http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/04/17/2009041700617.html>
by Lee June, The Choson Ilbo

Singapore emerged relatively undamaged from the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which impacted more severely in Korea and other countries in the region. At that time, Lee boasted that Singapore was still the leader of Asian values and the Asian manufacturing model. But he probably has little to say this time. The Financial Times reported that the economy of Singapore was sinking as exports drop rapidly. This is the problem with depending wholly on exports without the support of domestic demand. It is also a problem facing Korea.

**** My Kind Of Nature Park <http://blogs.straitstimes.com/2009/4/16/my-kind-of-nature-park>
by Niki Bruce, Straits Times

HortPark was an insight into the local environment for a non-native and for a non-wild nature lover reinforced why I've chosen to live in Singapore. At least some of the 'nature' in Singapore is exactly the way I like it – tidy, green, organised and safe.

**** Singapore's Shame <http://www.todayonline.com/articles/314298.asp>
by Lucia Maes, Today

What it had actually unearthed was the negligence of the governing authorities. The food grading decals were distributed only four months after the grades were revised. And Mr Sheik’s poor food preparation skills merely uncovered the chronic problem of the presence of rats.

**** Rubbish Dumped And Burnt In St. John's Island Mangroves <http://coastalcleanup.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/rubbish-dumped-and-burnt-in-st-johns-island-mangroves/>
by News From The International Coastal Cleanup Sinapore

**** AWARE President Questions Intentions Of Veterans Unhappy Over Election Outcome <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/423051/1/.html>
by Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia

In a statement to the media, she challenged these members to disclose their motives and objectives fully and honestly.

**** Loansharking: PAP Government's Brilliant Solution <http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2009/04/loansharking-pap-govts-brilliant.html>
by Diary Of A Singaproean Mind

By criminalising borrowing from loansharks, the victims of loanshark harassment now cannot go to the police for help because they themselves will be arrested for borrowing from the loansharks. The police will see a sharp drop in the number of cases and the govt can say the problem is solved! Briliant!