[MyAppleMenu] Mar 24, 2009

applesurf at myapplemenu.com applesurf at myapplemenu.com
Tue Mar 24 18:59:00 EDT 2009

MyAppleMenu
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**** Apple Aggressively Pursues 'Pod' Trademarks <http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/03/apple-calls-leg.html>
by Brian X. Chen, Wired

What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but if its name ended in "pod," it might attract the ire of Apple's shark-like legal team.

Apple's obsession with the blockbuster success of its iPod has driven the corporation to chase down many companies attempting to use the media player's three-letter suffix in their product or business names.

**** Pocket God For iPhone: Sadistic Glee, Updated Weekly <http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2009/03/pocket-god-simple-sadistic-glee-updated-weekly.ars>
by Erica Sadun, Ars Technica

If that were all there was to Pocket God, we would sum up the application by saying: "cute for five minutes, possibly worth the one-dollar price, no good long-term gameplay." However, there's far more to the whole Pocket God experience, and that's due to the designers behind the product.

**** The Five Most Underused Finder Tools <http://www.macworld.com/article/139348/2009/03/findertools.html>
by Kirk McElhearn, Macworld

Looking for some quick time-savers? Chances are you don’t need to hunt down a new utility, you just need to take advantage of the tools OS X already offers.

**** AT&T Execs Said Touting New, Faster iPhone For Mid-June <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/03/23/att_execs_said_touting_new_faster_iphone_for_mid_june.html>
by Aidan Malley, AppleInsider

One or more of AT&T's more senior officials have reportedly slipped important details about the next iPhone, including a June unveiling and a continued emphasis on speed.

**** 17-Inch iMac Still Available To Education Institutions <http://www.macworld.com/article/139562/2009/03/imac_17.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Dan Moren, Macworld

Reports over the weekend suggested that the 17-inch model still remains available, for some—specifically, the education market.

**** Quad-Core And Eight-Core Mac Pros (2009 Editions) <http://www.macworld.com/article/139507/2009/03/macpro2009.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by James Galbraith, Macworld

The new Mac Pros, with their cutting-edge Nehalem processor technology, are able to execute more tasks at a faster clip, despite lower processor speeds. And their new internal design makes adding hard drives, memory cards, and PCI Express 2.0 cards easier than ever. Apple’s most expandable Mac is the pro platform for power users.

**** Command &amp; Conquer: Red Alert 3 Ships For Mac <http://www.macworld.com/article/139575/2009/03/redalert3.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld

**** Why Even IT Pros Are Demanding Macs <http://www.macworld.com/article/139559/2009/03/itpros.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Mel Beckman, InfoWorld

**** Apple Says Sorry For Mac Perl Breakage <http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/03/23/apple_perl_breakage_apology/>
by Cade Metz, The Register

Apple has apologized for breaking Perl with its latest Mac OS X security update, saying it will distribute a solution to the problem with a future update.

**** Paging Dr. iPhone: Tapping A Physician's Digital Reference <http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2009/tc20090320_545550.htm>
by Arik Hesseldahl, BusinessWeek

This family doctor is using Apple's smartphone and numerous medical mobile apps to save time, see more patients, and provide better care.

**** Topple 2 For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/139564/2009/03/topple2.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Lex Friedman, Macworld

With great art, new modes, multiplayer options, and genuinely fun gameplay, Topple 2 is a worthy sequel to the first version and an easy game to recommend.

**** When Apple Marches On <http://www.macworld.com/article/139576/2009/03/applemarcheson.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Christopher Breen, Macworld

**** Espresso Streamlines Web Development Workflows <http://www.macworld.com/article/139579/2009/03/espresso.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld

Espresso streamlines the development of Web projects by combining coding, project management, publishing and synchronization features in one application.



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** A Color E-Reader <http://www.technologyreview.com/computing/22332/?a=f>
by Kate Greene, MIT Technology Review

The new Fujitsu color e-reader uses LCD technology but has some of the advantages of e-paper.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Land Of Promise, Home Of The Bedeviled And Bewildered <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/24/books/24kaku.html?_r=1>
by Michiko Kaktuani, New York Times

In Wells Tower’s sad-funny-disturbing stories, the world is a precarious place, where the innocent have bad dreams, and even the not-so-innocent worry about “the things the world will do to them” and their loved ones.

**** The Age <http://www.slate.com/id/2214362/?from=rss>
by Gail Mazur, Slate



SingaporeSurf
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**** No Boundaries Panel Yet <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_353857.html>
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times

The prime minister has not appointed the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, nor has he decided when to do so.

Deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng yesterday gave this categorical answer to non-constituency MP Sylvia Lim, who wanted to know if the committee - seen as a precursor to a general election - had been appointed.

**** The New Public Order Act - More Arbitrary Powers, More Tyranny <http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=2558>
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net

Today, over 5 decades later, those values of democracy and freedom have been distorted and perverted by the ruling party beyond recognition in the name of security and public order. Let us all strongly condemn this tyranny.

**** PAP Cha Cha - One Step Forward Three Steps Back <http://singaporealternatives.blogspot.com/2009/03/pap-cha-cha-one-step-forward-three.html>
by Goh Meng Seng

Don't be fooled by such sweet sugar coating of words like "Openness", "Loosening of rules" etc etc. The real poisoned beef lies in the details.

**** Why Singapore Is Another Model For Teaching Excellence <http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0324/p12s01-ussc.html>
by Stacy Teicher Khadaroo, Christian Science Monitor

It's an honored and very selective profession – and teachers are highly paid.

**** ION Orchard Mall To Open In July 2009 <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/417193/1/.html>
by Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia

ION Orchard, one of Singapore's largest shopping malls, is set to open this July amid the dismal economic outlook and falling consumer confidence.

**** 星鬆綁政黨影片限制 但擬緊縮戶外集會自由 <http://www.rti.org.tw/News/NewsContentHome.aspx?t=1&NewsID=148572>
by 楊明娟, 中央社

新加坡當局23日出現政治上的一鬆一緊。國會通過影片法修正草案，放寬政黨政治影片播映，並修改選舉條例放寬網路上的選舉廣告；但內政部正研擬法案，緊縮戶外集會自由。

**** Temasek Offers Hedge Funds Hope <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/5038663/Temasek-offers-hedge-funds-hope.html>
by Philip Aldrick, Telegraph

Temasek, Singapore’s state-backed investment fund, has offered the beleaguered hedge fund industry a rare show of support by pledging to commit more money to the sector this year.

**** Singapore Inflation Rate Highest In 28 Years <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gY7ZJ1KpdzdcYgP8-izQcCJpHWYA>
by AFP

**** Films Amendment Bill <http://www.wp.sg/wordpress/2009/03/films-amendment-bill/>
by Sylvia Lim, The Workers' Party

In my view, the ability to take criticism and laugh at one self is a sign of society’s maturity, humility and magnanimity. I urge this Government to cultivate such qualities and accept political films as nothing more than an expression of diverse opinion in a healthy democracy.

Singapore has a high literacy rate and high Internet connectivity. Singaporeans have many channels to obtain official and unofficial information. There are also many other laws in place such as the defamation laws, Penal Code and Sedition Act to catch content which is objectionable. Our society should be ready for and work towards a removal of the ban on political films altogether i.e. repealing S 33 of the Act.

**** Singapore Eases Law On Political Films <http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSTRE52M29320090323>
by Nopporn Wong-Anan, Reuters

Singapore passed an amended law on Monday to ease an 11-year-old ban on films that promote a politician or political party, but the amendments also introduce restrictions on dramatized political videos.

**** A Bad Law Just Got Worse <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/03/toc-editorial-a-bad-law-just-got-worse/>
by Choo Zheng Xi, The Online Citizen

The final nail in the coffin of liberalizing the legal regime on online political films was driven in today, as amendments to the Films Act were passed by Parliament.

Although TOC disagreed with the extent of the amendments AIMS recommended, the final amendment that passed in Parliament was a complete repudiation of the process of consultation that bloggers, academics, and members of the public had been engaged in for more than a year and a half.

**** Singapore Air's Empty Business Class Seats Cost It Top Ranking <http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=alKOjvmjXBXE&refer=asia>
by Chan Sue Ling, Bloomberg

**** CNA Spinning Positive Stories About PAP To Placate Public Outrage Over CDC Bonuses <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6852>
by Eugene Yeo, The Wayang Party Club

Singaporeans do not have to be thankful to the PAP for giving us what is rightfully ours. And don’t forget that they always have the means to take back much more from us later on after they are done with the dispensation of the leftover “crumbs”.

**** A Government In A Forbidden City <http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/2009/03/govt-in-forbidden-city.html>
by My Singapore News

How and when have we reached this state of being when ministers and MPs are afraid of the people?

**** Global Trade 'Will Shrink By 9%' <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7960416.stm>
by BBC News

Global trade flows are set to shrink by 9% during 2009, according to a forecast by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO blames the deepening recession for the downturn, but says trade could be "a potent tool" for recovery.

**** Woman Killed After Being Hit By Train At Clementi <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/417290/1/.html>
by 938 Live

A woman was killed after being hit by a train at Clementi MRT station early Tuesday morning.

**** Hawkers Leave Orchard <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_353923.html>
by Melissa Sim &amp; Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times

Hawkers who do not hold the correct licence have been warned to take their business away from Orchard Road.

**** 车资原本可能调高6至7分钱…… <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp090324_518.shtml>
by 联合早报

如果两家公共交通公司今年申请调高车资、没把它们在财政预算案省下的营运成本同乘客分享，今年的巴士和地铁车资恐怕会上涨多达6至7分钱。

交通部长林双吉昨天在国会回答议员潘惜玉（阿裕尼集选区）有关车资调整幅度的询问时指出，有些舆论者把下月起生效的车资调低配套看成是只有2分钱的减幅，是具有误导性的论点。

**** 萧锦鸿：影片新法案可能制造“无辜的罪犯” <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp090324_514.shtml>
by 联合早报

下回当你碰巧路过并看到一组示威者在大街上抗议闹事时，请别因为感到新奇而拿出手机录下过程，因为这么做可能是犯法的。

官委议员萧锦鸿是参与影片(修正)法案辩论的六名议员之一，也是唯一反对法案的议员。他认为法案并没有如政府所说的放宽对政治影片的管制，反而限制可被允许的政治影片种类。

**** 外国人在本地捐肾 会否有“国民待遇” <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp090324_511.shtml>
by 联合早报

新加坡人和外国人在我国捐肾，是否应该同样获得补还，以补偿长期医疗费用、医药保险和收入损失，在国会引起激烈辩论。

**** KL Still Waiting Singapore Report On West Ponggol Incident <http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=398346>
by Bernama

Wisma Putra is still waiting for Singapore's official statement on the West Ponggol incident which reportedly killed a Malaysian and the arrest of his former brother-in-law nine days ago.

"Usually, when an incident such as this happens, our High Commissioner there will be informed but so far, the republic's authority has not done so," said foreign minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

**** Postcard From Singapore <http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/03/23/postcard_from_singapore>
by Stephen M. Walt, Foreign Policy

I found myself wondering today whether Singapore might be something of a canary in the coal mine on the issues of energy security and adaptation to climate change.

**** To Cane Or Not To Cane? <http://www.todayonline.com/articles/309147.asp>
by Rachel S Kraut, Today

The adage “Spare the rod and spoil the child” may have some validity, but as an educational philosophy, it certainly doesn’t contribute to creating a self-confident, free-thinking, creative populace.

**** A Call For Setting Up Of A Commission Of Inquiry To Investigate The Circumstances Leading To Dr Allan Ooi's Suicide <http://wayangparty.com/?p=6891>
by Fang Zhi Yuan, The Wayang Party Club

MINDEF’s official statement is grossly inadequate, given that it fails to address the crux of the entire matter: why wasn’t Dr Allan Ooi allowed to break his bond?

**** Hey, Straits Times, Where's The Gaming Addiction Now? <http://singaporecitizen.wordpress.com/2009/03/23/hey-straits-times-wheres-the-gaming-addiction-now/>
by Everyday's Life In A Snapshot - For Lesser Mortals Only

I’m still waiting for the admission that you defamed a dead person by baseless speculations and gross untruths. Whoever the reporter was, and the editor too, Shame on you. Sorry for the wrong language, but fuck you people for trying to lie to the masses and defaming a dead person.

**** Who Do You Trust? <http://singaporeanskeptic.blogspot.com/2009/03/who-do-you-trust.html>
by Singaporean Skeptic

**** Written Answer To Parliamentary Question On Singapore's Position On The ASEAN Human Rights Body <http://app.mfa.gov.sg/2006/press/view_press_email.asp?post_id=4934>
by Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Singapore Government

**** 到了新加坡才知道 <http://cplp0817chenpeng.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!644D7433C6077AE9!134.entry>
by Chen Peng

到了新加坡才知道，上白班的上班下班天都是黑的，上晚班的上班下班天都是亮.....

**** An Affront To Singapore's History <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/03/an-affront-to-singapore’s-history/>
by Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen

When a government legislates not against the person conducting an illegal activity but against the one witnessing it, and does so for clearly political purposes, one should know that the government has stepped beyond its moral responsibilities of safeguarding society and has abused its conferred privilege to enact laws.

Indeed, the Films Act amendments show that the government has overstepped the OB markers which society has prescribed for it and is an affront to the preservation of Singapore’s recorded history.

**** Singapore To Launch Tougher Public Order Law <http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-38670420090324>
by Reuters

Singapore, which already has tough restrictions on freedom of assembly, plans to tighten them further ahead of a major Asia-Pacific summit in the city-state.

Under the proposed law, police could prevent activists from leaving home if they knew they were going to a political rally. It would also allow police to order a person to leave an area if they determine he is about to break the law.

**** Charles Goodyear Identified As Potential Temasek CEO In 2007 <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/417368/1/.html>
by Irene Chan, Channel NewsAsia

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, senior minister of state for finance and transport said a subcommittee of the Temasek board had been working since 2005 with incumbent CEO Ho Ching to review successor candidates. Mrs Lim said: "It was a dynamic list. Each year new names might be added while other names might be taken out. The list included candidates from within the company as well as those from outside Temasek, both Singapore and abroad. They included Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreigners."

**** Singapore Cash-For-Organs Plan Raises Concern <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jy3DjUFGQxjupQjC35bEqVAks3HA>
by AFP

Plans by Singapore to allow payments to living organ donors have run into opposition from some lawmakers who fear they may draw indebted foreign workers, according to press reports Tuesday.

One deputy, Halimah Yacob, said the large pool of unskilled foreign workers affected by the financial crisis may turn to donating organs to pay off debts they incurred to get jobs in this affluent city-state.

**** Perils Of Globalisation <http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46243>
by Kalings Seneviratne, IPS

This tiny island republic sits on trillions of dollars in foreign reserves. Yet, prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a BBC interview this month that his country cannot spend its way out of the economic downturn, until the global economy heals.

**** Films Act: Let Us Embrace Ambiguity <http://thinkingbetterthinkingmeta.blogspot.com/2009/03/films-act-let-us-embrace-ambiguity.html>
by Sam's Thoughts

**** Singapore Cannot Accept Rohingya Refugees <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/417415/1/.html>
by Channel NewsAsia

Singapore cannot accept Rohingya refugees should they attempt to land but would help them depart for another country, a senior government official said Tuesday.




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