[MyAppleMenu] Mar 17, 2009

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Is Apple Losing The Plot? <http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/opinion/423/1051423/is-apple-losing-plot->
by Nick Farrell, The Inquirer

Things keep exploding.

**** An Explorer Drawn To, And Eventually Swallowed By, The Amazon <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/books/17kaku.html?_r=1>
by Michiko Kakutani, New York Times

“The Lost City of Z” is at once a biography, a detective story and a wonderfully vivid piece of travel writing that combines Bruce Chatwinesque powers of observation with a Waugh-like sense of the absurd.

**** Up And Downs Of The New Mac Mini, Long Live The New Mac Pro <http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=3336>
by David Morgenstern, ZDNet

The Mac Pro will hold its value and offer useful performance for many many years. A keeper.

**** Darwine: Mac Wine In New Bottles <http://lowendmac.com/mac2win/09m2w/darwine.html>
by Alan Zisman, Low End Mac

Darwine is a free and open source project to allow the use of Wine on Mac OS X installations.

**** Mac Sales Fell 16% In February Ahead Of Desktop Refresh <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/03/16/mac_sales_fell_16_in_february_ahead_of_desktop_refresh.html>
by Sam Oliver, AppleInsider

Apple saw double-digit declines in Mac unit sales last month but is nonetheless seen in good shape to pull off a March quarter that's fairly in-line with current Street estimates thanks to accelerated shipments of new desktop models this month.

**** Apple Time Capsule Review <http://i.gizmodo.com/5170096/apple-time-capsule-review>
by Brian Lam, Gizmodo

**** Backing Up And Restoring Mail Archives <http://www.macworld.com/article/139422/2009/03/backuprestoremailarchives.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Christopher Breen, Macworld

**** Mariner Calc For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/139343/2009/03/marinercalc.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Rob Griffiths, Macworld

Mariner Calc is a potentially very good iPhone spreadsheet application that’s presently hobbled by a few issues. It doesn’t support functions you may find in intermediate or advanced Excel worksheets, you can’t organize your saved files, it was somewhat unstable in my use, and you can’t transfer a file via e-mail.

**** Third-Generation iPod Shuffle <http://www.macworld.com/article/139406/2009/03/3gipodshufflereview.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Christopher Breen, Macworld

If you’re happy with Apple’s headphones and don’t care a lot about navigating your iPod, this could be the iPod for you. I, however, cherish my third-party headphones, find a controller that requires memorizing a series of button sequences an unwelcome burden, and don’t need an even smaller iPod shuffle. Like the MacBook Air and Mac mini, the 3G iPod shuffle is a product designed for a particular kind of user. You may be that user. Regrettably, I'm not.

**** Apple, Vendors Confirm iPod Headphone-Chip Rumors <http://www.macworld.com/article/139414/2009/03/appleheadphonechip.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Dan Frakes, Macworld

iPod-accessory vendors V-moda and Scosche, as well as other vendors speaking to Macworld anonymously, have confirmed these reports, though calling the circuitry a “control chip” rather than an authentication chip. As with Apple’s dock connector and—more recently—proprietary circuitry necessary for iPods to output video signals to third-party accessories, Apple will charge vendors a fee, via the Made for iPod program, to include this new control chip in headphones and other accessories.

**** Pocket God For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/139418/2009/03/pocketgod.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Lex Friedman, Macworld

There are no points in Pocket God, and there's no real goal either. There's plenty to discover, and everything looks great—but once you've "done" it all, the game’s replay value suffers. The good news: Bolt Creative has been rolling out near-weekly upgrades, adding new features (read: godly powers) with each new iteration.

**** Ten Surprising Uses Of BBEdit <http://db.tidbits.com/article/10142>
by Matt Neuburg, TidBITS

Although BBEdit, from Bare Bones Software, is not my primary text editor, I've recently observed myself using it a great deal anyway for various tasks, some which don't have all that much to do with editing text. Here, in no particular order, are the ten primary things that I do with BBEdit.

**** iPhone Cooking Mama: She's Heeeeeeeeere <http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2009/03/iphone-cooking-mama-shes-heeeeeeeeere.ars>
by Erica Sadun, Ars Technica

**** Will Ads Be Key To Free iPhone Apps? <http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3810686/Will+Ads+Be+Key+to+Free+iPhone+Apps.htm>
by David Needle, Internet News

Vdopia thinks its ad network can help keep the cost of iPhone apps low or free even as rumors of a 'Premium App Store' from Apple spread.

**** Apple And The Expectations Game <http://www.macworld.com/article/139424/2009/03/apple_events.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Philip Michaels, Macworld

Assess Apple on what it does, not on what someone says it should do.

**** Adjust The Volume Of iTunes And iPod Tracks <http://www.macworld.com/article/139415/2009/03/adjust_volume.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Kirk McElhearn, Macworld

iTunes and the iPod can work together to help you balance these differences in volume using a feature called Sound Check.

**** Google Earth 5 <http://www.macworld.com/article/139397/2009/03/googleearth5.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Nathan Alderman, Macworld

Google Earth 5 offers a wealth of educational information in a fun package. Its nonexistent price also makes its minor inconveniences far more forgivable. If you don’t object to the updater, it’s well worth a download.

**** Apple Issues Mini DisplayPort To VGA Adapter Firmware Update <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/03/17/apple_issues_mini_displayport_to_vga_adapter_firmware_update.html>
by Katie Marsal, AppleInsider

Apple appears to be distributing a new firmware update that will attempt to address flickering and blank video issues on the latest generation of MiniDisplay Port-equipped Macs connected to external displays using the company's Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter.

**** Singapore Exports Tumble, Shipments To China Rebound <http://in.reuters.com/article/asiaCompanyAndMarkets/idINSIN46708720090317>
by Nopporn Wong-Anan, Reuters

Singapore's key exports fell for the 10th straight month in February due to the global slowdown, but shipments to China rebounded, offering signs that the world's third biggest economy may be headed for a recovery.

**** Summary: iPhone 3.0 Update To Offer 100 New Features <http://www.macworld.com/article/139443/2009/03/iphone30.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Jonathan Seff, Macworld

Topping the list is the ability for users to copy and paste information. iPhone 3.0 will also bring Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) support.

**** Apple Touts iPhone And App Store Stats <http://www.macworld.com/article/139435/2009/03/iphone_stats.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Aayush Arya, Macworld

Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPod and iPhone product marketing, announced that the iPhone is now available in 80 countries around the globe, and that Apple has sold a total of 17 million iPhones—that includes sales of both the original iPhone and iPhone 3G—thus far.

**** Push Notifications Lead Changes For Third-Party Apps <http://www.macworld.com/article/139436/2009/03/appstore.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Jim Dalrymple, Macworld

The long-promised push notification feature will lead an assortment of changes to third-party apps in the upcoming iPhone 3.0 software, Apple revealed at a special event at the company’s Cupertino, Calif. campus on Tuesday.

**** Interact With Background Applications <http://www.macworld.com/article/139439/2009/03/bkgndapps.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Rob Griffiths, Macworld

**** iPhone SDK Focus: Buying Content From Within Apps <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/iphone-sdk-focus-buying-content-from-within-apps.ars>
by Erica Sadun, Ars Technica

Among Apple's announcements at today's SDK 3.0 event, Apple introduced several new business models, including subscription support and end-user purchases for expansion materials. If you own a game that ships for 10 levels, for example, users will be able to purchase additional levels directly from their game using their iTunes credentials.

**** iPhone SDK Focus: Application-Based E-Mail Sheets <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/iphone-sdk-focus-application-based-e-mail-sheets.ars>
by Erica Sadun, Ars Technica

Having built-in e-mail support means developers can let users mail items directly from within their applications.

**** iPhone SDK Focus: Maps For Your Apps <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/iphone-sdk-focus-maps-from-your-apps.ars>
by Erica Sadun, Ars Technica

Devs can now embed maps in applications and access many of the same GUI features found in the Google Maps application.

**** iPhone SDK Focus: Bluetooth Enhancements <http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/03/iphone-sdk-focus-bluetooth-enhancements.ars>
by Erica Sadun, Ars Technica

The new iPhone 3.0 SDK will offer ad-hoc connectivity built on Bonjour-powered data sharing. This means that developers can build games and utilities that communicate with nearby phones without having to be on the same network.



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Foursquare Is The Breakout Mobile App At SXSW <http://mashable.com/2009/03/16/foursquare/>
by Jennifer Van Grove, Mashable

**** Handoop, A Free Software Program, Finds Uses Beyond Search <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/technology/business-computing/17cloud.html?ref=technology>
by Ashlee Vance, New York Times



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** In Italy, A Vending Machine Even Makes The Pizza <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/business/worldbusiness/14vend.html>
by John Tagliabue, New York Times

Is Europe bringing back the automat? Claudio Torghele hopes so.

**** Australia's Dry Run <http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/murray-darling/draper-text>
by Robert Draper, Photography By Amy Toensing, National Geographic

What will happen when the climate starts to change and the rivers dry up and a whole way of life comes to an end? The people of the Murray-Darling Basin are finding out right now.

**** A Slow Boat To Anywhere <http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2009/03/a_slow_boat_to_anywhere.html>
by Roger Ebert, Chicaco Sun-Times

The point is: Get going. Spring is right around the corner. Dip your toe in the world. There's more to see in Amsterdam than at Six Flags.

**** The Commercial Republic <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/17/opinion/17brooks.html?ref=opinion>
by David Brooks, New York Times

In short, the United States will never be Europe. It was born as a commercial republic. It’s addicted to the pace of commercial enterprise. After periodic pauses, the country inevitably returns to its elemental nature.

**** Is Britain Becoming A One-Child Nation? <http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/mar/15/single-child-families>
by Damon Syson, The Guardian

Apart from the morbid rationale of equipping yourself with "an heir and a spare", what are the genuine benefits of having more than one child?

**** Persephone <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2009/mar/16/michael-longley-persephone-poem>
by Michael Longley, The Guardian



SingaporeSurf
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**** Man Behind PIE Pile-Up <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_351099.html>
by Sujin Thomas, Straits Times

This is the man who tried walking across the Pan-Island Expressway on Sunday, causing a five vehicle pile-up that left a motorcyclist dead.

**** $239 For 8 Tiger Prawns <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_351102.html>
by Judith Tan, Straits Times

Six Americans who sat down to a seafood dinner at Newton hawker centre on Saturday just about fell off their chairs when they were presented a bill for $491, including $239 for eight tiger prawns.

**** Will Democracy Bring The Demise Of The Hangman? <http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126995.100-will-democracy-bring-the-demise-of-the-hangman.html>
by David Johnson and Franklin Zimring, New Scientist

Why are some Asian countries clinging to capital punishment while the rest of the world turns away from it?

**** Singapore History: Availability Of Declassified Documents And A Possible Revision Of Our History Syllabus? <http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=1853>
by Kelvin Teo, Kent Ridge Common

**** There Is No Singapore, Just A Person Walking Through It <http://dreamsyntax.org/blog/?p=99>
by æ— è®¤å±‹

**** Victim Not Dissuaded <http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_351005.html>
by Paul Tay, Singapore Police Force, Bernadette Low, SMRT Corporation Ltd, Straits Times

Accordingly, the police officer who attended to Mr Poh had explained the situation to him and the procedures involved in lodging a Magistrate's Complaint. In the conversation, the officer had also explained that it would be more difficult for the authorities to pursue investigations if the identity of the assailant was not known.

**** Not Old Enough To Vote But Old Enough To Trade? <http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,195953,00.html?>
by Reggie J, New Paper

Most 18 to 21 years old vote more towards liberal than conservative. That should be a simple enough reason to explain why the current government will not lower the voting age from 21. And why Lee Kuan Yew once proposed votes from older folks (who tend to vote more conservative than liberal) carries more weight than younger citizens.

**** Foreigners Got 7 In 10 New Jobs <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_350898.html>
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times

Foreigners got the lion's share of jobs created last year, but nearly all of these were in the construction and service sectors.

The construction sector has not been a viable industry for local jobs for a long time. Will the service industry be next?

**** Exposed: Two Northwest CDC Staff Who Receive 8 Months Bonuse Are Managers <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6474>
by Eugene Yeo, The Wayang Party Club

The two names given to me hold mid to senior level positions in Northwest CDC. One of them is a senior manager in charge of a committee while the other is a deputy general manager. Are they low salary staff? Certainly not.

The only way to end all speculations on the ground is to be completely transparent and allow the public to scrutinize its records. If what the authorities had done is open and above board, there is no reason for them to hide anything from us at all. They should communicate openly and honestly the reason behind their decisions to us.

**** ST Spinning Headlines And Figures To Hide The Truth About Foreigners Stealing Jobs From Singaporeans <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6491>
by Eugene Yeo, The Wayang Party Club

The government’s foreign talent policy is myopic and does not serve to address long-term structural problems in our economy and society. Foreigners have no sense of belonging to Singapore. Neither do PRs many of whom just want to enjoy the best of both worlds. In the end, it is the local-born Singaporeans who are short-changed.

**** Are We Paying Performance Bonuses For Northwest CDC Staff To <i>Shout</i> At Needy Customers? <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6489>
by The Wayang Party Club

Is it reasonable for us to pay heft bonuses to CDC staff who shout at needy customers? Did the customer service officer depicted below receive months of “performance bonuses” too?

**** Should Singapore Legalise Pornography? <http://searchingforenlightenment.blogspot.com/2009/03/should-singapore-legalise-pornography.html>
by Random Thoughts Of A Free Thinker

**** Sell Singapore Dollar, Buy India Rupee, Standard Chartered Says <http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=a73uX1A2FKIo&refer=india>
by Patricia Lui, Bloomberg

Investors should sell Singapore’s dollar against the Indian rupee as the city-state’s exports collapse, while domestic consumers bolster demand in the world’s second most-populous nation, Standard Chartered Plc said.

**** Same Old Discussion <http://thinkformesingapore.blogspot.com/2009/03/same-old-discussion.html>
by Think For Me, Singapore

Being in the government is now more about making good money. Some moons ago, someone created this monster because they wanted to attract the best talent from the private sector to govern. The intentions may have been pure back then. But once you sit on a pot of gold, you are unlikely to give it up and that's where we are today.

**** Look How Disconnected They Are <http://blog.dk.sg/2009/03/17/look-how-disconnected-they-are/>
by Dee Kay Dot As Gee

So can someone please justify why some of the staff at North West CDC received 8 months bonus? Did someone managed to find to cure to Singapore’s unemployment rate or something?

**** Are We Turning Into Robbers? <http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/2009/03/are-we-turning-into-robbers.html>
by My Singapore News

Is this what we have become? These robbers are not only robbing the tourists and foreigners, they are destroying the Singapore brand and livelihoods of the decent people in the same businesses.

**** Domestic Violence, Whether Mild Or Severe, Is Not Acceptable <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/03/domestic-violence-whether-mild-or-severe-is-not-acceptable/>
by Rachel Chung, The Online Citizen

Ms Lee seemed to have missed the point that there is no excuse or justification for violence in any relationship, provoked or not.

**** Singapore February Exports Fall 24 Percent <http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/17/business/AS-Singapore-Exports.php>
by Associated Press

Singapore's non-oil exports plunged in February as global demand collapsed, a sign the country's worst recession in decades has deepened in the first quarter.

**** SingAir Sees Drop In Passengers, Cargo <http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/singair-sees-drop-in-passengers-cargo-20090317-90ui.html>
by AFP

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has reported a large drop in passenger numbers and cargo shipments as the worldwide economic slump further hits global aviation.

**** High Court Dismisses Motion To Question Police On Abuse Of Power <http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/2094-high-court-dismisses-motion-to-question-police-on-abuse-of-power->
by Singapore Democrats

The Singapore High Court dismissed another attempt by the defence to show that the police had acted in bad faith and abused its powers when they arrested Tak Boleh Tahan protesters while allowing a similar event held by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to take place.

**** Contradictions Between Lim Boon Heng, Teo Ho Pin And People's Association: Who Is Speaking The Truth? <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6499>
by The Wayang Party Club

The government should not be so defensive. I am sure Singaporeans will understand and accept its decision if it is able to communicate with us in an open, direct and coherent manner.

**** 43,600 Singaporens Check Registers Of Electors <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/415884/1/.html>
by Channel NewsAsia

The Elections Department said 27 have requested for their names to be included, while 35 objected to the names of people appearing in their constituencies' list of voters.

**** Singapore Courts Show Thin Skin - Again <http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/legalpost/archive/2009/03/17/singapore-courts-show-thin-skin-again.aspx>
by Mitch Kowalski, National Post

That's certainly one way to stifle any discussion of change.

**** Straits Times And CNA <i>Deleted</i> Online Articles On CDC Bonus Fiasco <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6542>
by Eugene Yeo, The Wayang Party Club

Less than a day later, both articles were taken down.