[MyAppleMenu] Dec 16, 2009

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** PastryKit <http://daringfireball.net/2009/12/pastrykit>
John Gruber, Daring Fireball

The $64,000 question, though, is whether PastryKit is something Apple intends (or that a team within Apple hopes) to ship publicly. It seems like a lot of effort to build a framework this rich just for this iPhone User Guide, so I’m hopeful the answer is yes. Perhaps something integrated with the next major release of Dashcode? And, perhaps with integrated UI layout tools, along the lines of Interface Builder?

Here's hoping that Apple will not hesitate to allow web apps to cannibalize native apps.

**** Apple Approves Video Recording App For iPhone 2G And 3G <http://theappleblog.com/2009/12/15/apple-approves-video-recording-app-for-iphone-2g-and-3g/>
Darrell Etherington, The Apple Blog

Even if this particular app isn’t outstanding right now, this approval sets a terrific precedent for App Store policy. If iVideoCamera is allowed access, then in theory there’s nothing stopping Cycorder from coming in from the cold, so to speak, and being offered through legit channels.

**** Improve Wi-Fi Performance In The 5 GHz Band <http://db.tidbits.com/article/10849?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tidbits_main+%28TidBITS%3A+Mac+News+for+the+Rest+of+Us%29>
Glenn Fleishman, TidBITS

**** Apple Gestapo: How Apple Hunts Down Leaks <http://gizmodo.com/5427058/apple-gestapo-how-apple-hunts-down-leaks?skyline=true&s=x>
Gizmodo

"Apple has these moles working everywhere, especially in departments where leaks are suspected. Management is not aware of them," he told me, "once they suspect a leak, the special forces—as we call them—will walk in the office at any hour, especially in the mornings. They will contact whoever was the most senior manager in the building, and ask them to coordinate the operation."

**** Apple Wins Order Barring Psystar Sales Of Mac Software Copies <http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aeJzP_vasb34>
Karen Gullo, Bloomberg

Apple Inc. won a federal court order preventing Mac computer clone maker Psystar Corp. from selling copies of Apple’s operating system or products that circumvent technologies that control access to the software.

**** Macworld's Favorite Podcast Tools <http://rss.macworld.com/click.phdo?i=66682cbf69632e98ddbfe60bc2b0c76f>
Christopher Breen, Macworld

The days of recording a podcast with your MacBook's microphone are over. Look to these tools to help improve your sound.



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Microsoft Tackles The Child Pornography Problem <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/microsoft-tackles-the-child-pornography-problem/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Steve Lohr, New York Times

Microsoft is releasing new image-matching software that promises to streamline and automate the difficult task of monitoring child pornography on the Internet.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** The Accidental Empire Of Fast Food <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/16/dining/16Shake.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss>
Glenn Collins, New York Times

Consider, now, the not-so-fast-food rollout. Of the anti-chain chain.

Indeed, to comprehend the prudent and eccentric global-expansion vision of Shake Shack, Danny Meyer’s mini-chain of burger-and-custard stands, it is useful to consider the essence of contemporary American fast food.

**** The Exotic Flavour Of Literary Food <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/dec/16/exotic-flavour-literary-food?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
Phil Hall, The Guardian

Literature stimulates the taste buds as well as more abstract senses – but it's not always very realistic.



SingaporeSurf
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**** 付费电视　一国两制 <http://www.zaobao.com/yl/yl091216_003.shtml>
高极登, 联合早报

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**** Economy Recovering, But Labour Statistics Getting Worse? <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/12/economy-recovering-but-labour-statistics-getting-worse/>
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen

**** HDB Flat Prices: Affordable To Who? <http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=3687>
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net

Today, the Pinnacle at Duxton stands in place of the basic 10-storey rental housing blocks built in March 1963, not as a shining example of the success of home ownership, but as a testament to how the PAP Government has gradually lost its sense of responsibility towards citizens over the years.

But even with the high prices for some of the high profile projects that HDB have embarked on, are there still alternatives from the government that are 'affordable'? Just because the government is selling some flats at a high price doesn't imply there aren't other affordable flats for sale.

**** Grads Dealt Harder Job Blow <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_466988.html>
Kor Kian Beng, Straits Times

Part of the reason is that they often tend to seek jobs that pay close to what they used to earn, said labour MP Josephine Teo, who is also assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

**** The Singapore Solution <http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/01/singapore/jacobson-text>
Mark Jacobson, National Geographic

How did a sleepy little island transform into a high-tech powerhouse in one generation? It was all in the plan.

**** SIA Quits Penang-Singapore Route After 30 Years <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/12/16/nation/5312176&sec=nation>
Eddie Chua and Christina Chin, The Star

After three decades of serving the Penang-Singapore air route, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has finally called it a day.

SilkAir, SIA’s regional wing, has taken over the route. SilkAir now flies three times daily between the two islands.

**** Singapore Air Shuffles Routes <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704541004574599703314817672.html>
Se Young Lee, Wall Street Journal

Singapore Airlines Ltd. on Wednesday said it will adjust its route network in coming months and said the operating environment remains challenging despite signs of improving demand.

**** Town Council Officers Empowered To Take Errant Cyclists To Task <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1025176/1/.html>
Lian Cheong/ Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

The Tampines Town Council will empower its officers to take action against errant cyclists from next March when the estate allows cycling on footpaths. But if there're persistent complaints on reckless cycling, the town council will rope in auxilliary police officers.

**** Rudd Gives Singapore Air Hope For Pacific Route <http://www.smh.com.au/business/rudd-gives-singapore-air-hope-for-pacific-route-20091216-kxms.html>
Matt O'Sullivan, Sydney Morning Herald

The Federal Government has left the door open to Singapore Airlines getting the right to fly on the highly competitive Australia-US route once Virgin Blue's long-haul carrier, V Australia, becomes established.

**** Purchase Of Content Rights For World Cup Is A Commercial Decision: MDA <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1025236/1/.html>
S.Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) said the purchase of content rights such as for the World Cup is a commercial decision. Its head for Competition and Market Access, Eileen Ang, said MDA will let market forces unfold.

Does this imply that the ministry responsible for sports development will not step in to help fund this sports entertainment?