[MyAppleMenu] May 14, 2009

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Is The iPhone A Phone, A Computer? Or Both? <http://www.salon.com/tech/giga_om/tech_insider/2009/05/13/so_is_the_iphone_a_phone_or_a_computer_or_both/>
by Ed Sutherland, Salon

In explaining why SlingPlayer for the iPhone won’t include 3G support, AT&T broke new ground, equating the Apple device with PCs.

Personally, I use the iPhone much much much more as an internet communicator and iPod than a phone.

**** Memory Stick For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/140046/2009/05/memorystick.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Lex Friedman, Macworld

Because of Apple-imposed limitations, the iPhone can’t currently function as a true thumb drive. Memory Stick approximates something pretty similar, assuming you have wireless networks available to your device at each computer you want to move files between. The Web interface is saddled with issues, but with WebDAV allowing you to mount the iPhone right on your desktop, you don’t really need the Web at all. Once Memory Stick is more liberal in recognizing text files (and allows editing of them) and curbs that weird invisible file issue, it will become a more worthwhile tool.

**** Drivetrain Rejection Highlights App Store Approval Flaws <http://www.macworld.com/article/140589/2009/05/drivetrain.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Dan Moren, Macworld

While previous experiences suggest that the application has a good chance of making it through the second time around, in some ways that’s just as worrying, since it displays the very lack of consistent rule application that makes the approval process such a nightmare for developers to navigate.

**** Apple Now Selling iPhones Online In Bid To Clear Inventory <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/05/13/apple_now_selling_iphones_online_in_bid_to_clear_inventory.html>
by AppleInsider

In the latest sign that iPhone season is rapidly approaching and inventories of existing models need a push out the door, Apple is now offering to sell customers an iPhone 3G through its website and ship it out for free.

**** Wiki Tap For iPhone <http://www.macworld.com/article/139977/2009/05/wikitap.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Zach Okkema, Macworld

The App Store is loaded with Wikipedia apps that let you search for and read articles from the online user-produced encyclopedia. One such client, the free Wiki Tap, not only lets you access Wikipedia articles but offers a host of other cool features as well.

**** Smart Scroll 3.0 Broadens Software Support <http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/05/13/smart.scroll.30.ships/>
by MacNN

**** Researcher: Microsoft Puts Mac Users At Risk With Patch Policy <http://www.macworld.com/article/140605/2009/05/microsoft_security.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Gregg Keizer, Computerworld

A security researcher has called foul on Microsoft for doing exactly what it has thrashed hackers over for years: revealing information that can be used to hijack computers before a patch is available.

**** 10.5.7 Breaks Hackintoshes <http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=3919>
by Jason D. O'Grady, ZDNet

**** Apple Hires Former OLPC Security Architect <http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10240242-37.html?tag=mncol>
by Erica Ogg, CNET

**** Report: Apple Made Just $20-45 Million From App Store <http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=4274>
by Andrew Nusca, ZDNet

**** 33 iPhone Games For Real Gamers <http://www.gamesradar.com/f/33-iphone-games-for-real-gamers/a-200905129488638018>
by Charlie Barratt, GamesRadar

No-name apps with good user ratings are tempting, but usually disappoint once you realize the developers are amateurs and the scores were given by a casual audience. Marquee titles aren’t much better, selling you a recognizable name without any recognizable gameplay.

Some high-profile publishers, however, treat iPhone customers with respect. Some recreate your console and PC favorites with care. The trick is knowing which games to trust, and which to click away from as quickly as possible.

**** Maximizing Your Mac Mini <http://www.macworld.com/article/140575/2009/05/macmini2009upgrade.html?lsrc=rss_main>
by Dan Frakes, Macworld

Upgrading your mini is easy enough, but does it produce performance dividends?



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Experimental Touchscreen Has Physical Buttons That Can Pop Up, Disappear <http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/05/prototype-display-combines-touchscreen-morphing-buttons/>
by Priya Ganapati, Wired



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** The Luxury City Vs. The Middle Class <http://www.american.com/archive/2009/may-2009/the-luxury-city-vs-the-middle-class/>
by Joel Kotkin, The American

The rise of neighborhoods like Ditmas Park suggests that cities can still nurture and accommodate a middle class. Yet sadly this trend continues to fight an uphill battle against a host of forces from high taxes and regulation to poor schools, highly bifurcated labor markets, and the scourge of crime.

**** 'Cosby' Shows How Times Have Changed <http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118003515.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2565>
by Brian Lowry, Variety

"You're kidding, right?"

**** Call Me Ishmael. The End. <http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2009/05/14/cellphone_fiction/index.html>
by Barry Yourgrau, Salon

Cellphone novels, the rage in Japan, now have competition in America: Twitter fiction.



SingaporeSurf
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**** Parliament Now Faces &quot;Gay Test&quot; <http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2009/yax-1023.htm>
by Au Yaipang, Yawning Bread

It will be interesting to watch whether our legislature will flunk the two tests they now face: whether to reappoint Siew Kum Hong, and whether to appoint neither, one or both the new gay applicants.

**** It Ain't Easy Being Singaporean <http://groundnotes.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/it-aint-easy-being-a-singaporean/>
by Groundnotes

Pragmatism is a wonderful device. It allows you to do anything you want, however you want, and then blame it on reality. It’s an excuse for abandoning higher morals and ethics without looking like a dick.

**** Online Petition Calls For STTA President's Removal Over Coach Saga <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/429031/1/.html>
by Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia

An online petition has surfaced, calling for the removal of Lee Bee Wah as president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA). This comes amid public debate over the association's latest decision not to nominate former table tennis coach Liu Guodong for the Coach of the Year award. 

**** Abortions In Singapore Must Be Reduced <http://geraldgiam.sg/2009/05/abortions-in-spore-must-be-reduced/>
by Gerald Giam

I think there are a whole lot of interventions that can be undertaken.

I'm pro-choice; not that I believe abortions are good things, but that banning abortions or making it extremely difficult is an even horrible thing. But, I do believe what Gerald Giam proposed &mdash; better support for single mothers, poor families and adoption process &mdash; are really the healthy, positive ways in reducing abortions.

**** Wong Gets Worse <http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/component/content/article/2365-wong-gets-worse>
by Singapore Democrats

Letting our guard down? You mean like how we neglected to lock the window which the prisoner conveniently crawled through? You mean like how we strategically placed rolls of toilet paper inside the toilet with no toilet bowl so that escapee could use for a soft landing after he jumped from the window? You mean like how the security cameras were not working all at the same time?

How dare he?

**** D-Day Approaching But No Sign Of Past-Year Exam Papers <http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_376331.html>
by Goh Kian Huat, Straits Times

As exams remain an important tool to assess students' academic performance, MOE should ensure that past exam questions are available early so students can practise.

Are second-hand earlier ten-year series selling like hotcakes on eBay, I wonder.

**** Time To Tweak NMP Nomination Process <http://www.todayonline.com/Comment/Analysis/EDC090514-0000031/time-to-tweak-NMP-nomination-process>
by Loh Chee Kong, Today

Is the process by which the candidates are selected - namely the calling of nominations from six “functional groups” - outdated?

**** Three NMP Hopefuls Come Under Fire <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/429114/1/.html>
by Leong Wee Keat, Today

NMP hopefuls Loretta Chen and Beatrice Chia-Richmond – along with incumbent Siew Kum Hong, who is seeking a second term – have been accused of being "homosexuality activists" by some netizens.

**** Advocacy Groups Vs Party Politics In Singapore <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/429113/1/.html>
by Alicia Wong, Today

The line between religion and civil society has been clearly drawn, if the saga of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) is anything to go by. Should the same be done between advocacy groups and political parties?

**** STTA Hon Sec Should Be Removed As Well For His Lame Defence Of Lee Bee Wah <http://wayangparty.com/?p=9319>
by Eugene Yeo, The Wayang Party Club

**** A Response To MOE's Statement On Sexuality Education <http://thinkingbetterthinkingmeta.blogspot.com/2009/05/response-to-moes-statement-on-sexuality.html>
by Sam's Thoughts

Might I suggest MOE adopt a more polycentric approach to sexuality education and let parents and their children choose which sexuality education programme they would like to attend?

**** HOME Team And SAF, Go Reflect On Yourselves <http://singaporecitizen.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/home-team-and-saf-go-reflect-on-yourselves/>
by Everyday's Life In A Snapshot - For Lesser Mortals Only

Not only were the ISD inept, the rest of the HOME team and the SAF were equally inept in letting him run around this huge island for 4 days before letting him swim across.

**** Maids In Trouble Find Sanctuary In Singapore Shelters <http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/features/article_1476821.php/Maids_in_trouble_find_sanctuary_in_Singapore_shelters__Feature__>
by Kai Portmann, DPA

'The Singapore government has demonstrated concern about abuse of migrant domestic workers and responded with reform,' a report by Human Rights Watch said.

However, 'Singapore excludes domestic workers from the Employment Act, which protects labour rights,' it added.

**** Former National Table Tennis Coach Back In Singapore To Seek Clarification <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/429171/1/.html>
by 938 Live

**** Supporters Of Siew Kum Hong Fight Back Against Astroturfers At REACH Portal <http://wayangparty.com/?p=9314>
by The Wayang Party Club

**** Government Stand On Homosexuality Clear <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_376705.html>
by Straits Times

The government's position on homosexuality is clear and it will not be pressured into changing it, said deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng on Thursday.

**** SIA Q4 Profit Plunges 92% <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_376708.html>
by Karamjit Kaur, Straits Times

**** Government Will Step In If... <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_376730.html>
by Straits Times

As Singapore opens up more space for the people to express alternative views, more tussles over differing viewpoints will become common. But the government will not condone unbridled activism.

**** Don't Mix Religion, Politics <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_376710.html>
by Straits Times

While acknowledging that tussles are inevitable, deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng also warned that the government would intervene if activism threatens Singapore's social fabric.