[MyAppleMenu] Apr 27, 2010

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Editorial Cartoons Continue To Meet App Store Rejections <http://www.macworld.com/article/150858/2010/04/cartoon_rejections.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Serenity Caldwell, Macworld

After a ray of sunshine, it's back to bleak skies in the world of editorial cartoons. Just days after Mark Fiore’s application NewsToons was finally approved—after a media frenzy over the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist’s November rejection—the App Store’s reviewers are at it yet again.

**** Increase Your iPad Media Storage For Just $49 <http://db.tidbits.com/article/11222?rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tidbits_main+%28TidBITS%3A+Mac+News+for+the+Rest+of+Us%29>
Jeff Carlson, TidBITS

Instead of bringing a laptop, with its capacious hard drive, you can bring just the iPad and a pocket full of inexpensive SD memory cards.

**** Five Reasons iPhone Vs Android Isn't Mac Vs Windows <http://radar.oreilly.com/2010/04/five-reasons-iphone-v-android.html>
Mark Sigal, O'Reilly Media

Obviously a lot can change in the next couple of years. It's easy to lose sight of the fact that the mobile industry that exists today looks nothing like the one that did before iPhone came on to the scene. Just ask Nokia.

Clearly, the best case for Google with Android is that mobile technology and mobile platforms become sufficiently commoditized for its device OEM-centric, horizontal model to tip the balance in its favor. Never say never, but paint me a skeptic -- barring as yet unseen missteps by Apple.

**** Apple Addresses Keynote For iPad Formatting Problems <http://www.macworld.com/article/150843/2010/04/keynote_best_practices.html?lsrc=rss_main>
David Chartier, Macworld

If you're moving Keynote presentations from your Mac to your iPad for finishing later, a new Apple support doc covers some do's and don'ts to ensure you don't lose formatting or images.

**** Emptying iPhoto's Stubborn Trash <http://www.macworld.com/article/150849/2010/04/empty_iphoto_trash.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Christopher Breen, Macworld

Usually you can empty iPhoto's trash with a Control (right) click. Not so when iPhoto misbehaves. Here are solutions.

**** Apple Sued Over iPhone's Liquid Sensors <http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20003400-37.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=News-Apple>
Jim Dalrymple, CNET News

A class action lawsuit against Apple is alleging that the company relies on a faulty technology in its iPhones and iPods to determine whether a device has been exposed to liquid and can be repaired under warranty.

**** ITC To Investigate Multitouch Patent Complaint Against Apple <http://www.macworld.com/article/150852/2010/04/multitouch_patent.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Agam Shah, IDG News Service

The U.S. International Trade Commission on Monday said it will investigate a patent infringement complaint filed by Elan Microelectronics in Taiwan regarding Apple’s multitouch devices including the iPhone and iPad.

**** iPhone Wi-Fi Sync App Is Real, But Will Apple Approve? <http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-20003412-233.html>
Rick Broida, CNET News

Too bad you probably won't get to enjoy it.

**** TV Networks Split On Supporting Apple’s iPad <http://broadcastengineering.com/news/tv-networks-split-ipad-0426/>
Michael Grotticelli, Broadcast Engineering

**** Apple iPad: Love At First Sight, No Buyer's Remorse <http://www.pcworld.com/article/195008/apple_ipad_love_at_first_sight_no_buyers_remorse.html>
Peter Smith, PC World

The iPad is a fun device and not something you'll need at the office. The smart money is still on waiting for a second generation, or a similar Android device, but I'm not getting any younger and I've been waiting for a tablet like this since my days watching Star Trek.

**** South Korean Official’s iPad Causes A Stir <http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/04/26/south-korean-officials-ipad-causes-a-stir/>
Wall Street Journal

Technically, Mr. Yu didn’t violate regulations because he only used the iPad to demonstrate e-book software and didn’t use its Wi-Fi networking capability.

**** How Important Is The iPad? <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2363013,00.asp>
Tim Bajarin, PC Magazine

Introducing the world to the PC and the GUI have cemented Jobs's role as a visionary. But perhaps the creation of a device that makes a computer totally transparent to the user, popularizes touch computing, and offers a vast array of computing scenarios for consumers and business might actually top his other achievements so far.

**** What Is Apple Inc.'s Role In Task Force Investigating iPhone Case? <http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/ynews_ts1795>
John Cook, Yahoo! News

The raid that San Mateo area cops conducted last week on the house of Gizmodo editor Jason Chen came at the behest of a special multi-agency task force that was commissioned to work with the computer industry to tackle high-tech crimes. And  Apple Inc. sits on the task force's steering committee.

**** The Police And San Mateo County District Attorney Take Orders From Apple? <http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/04/26/macalope-cook>
John Gruber, Daring Fireball

What’s the counter-argument? That REACT should never investigate any crime against one of the companies on its steering committee? What company would sign up for that?

See Also: John Cook’s First Day On The Job At Yahoo News [http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/04/26/cook-gawker], by John Gruber, Daring Fireball. His former employer, until earlier this month? Gawker Media.

**** Why The Apple iPad Will Fail In Australia <http://www.zdnet.com.au/why-the-apple-ipad-will-fail-in-australia-339302686.htm>
Renai LeMay, ZDNet Australia

**** Japanese Online Stores Stop Shipping Apple Products <http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/042610-japanese-online-stores-stop-shipping.html>
Martyn Williams, IDG News Service

Some of Japan's biggest online electronics retailers have stopped shipping Apple products, apparently at the request of the Cupertino, California-based company.

**** Transmit 4 Gets New Interface, Faster Performance <http://www.macworld.com/article/150839/2010/04/transmit4.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Dan Moren, Macworld

Panic has released an update to their classic FTP program, Transmit, adding new features, improved performance, and an overhauled interface.

**** FileMaker Launches Bento 3 Family Organizer <http://www.macworld.com/article/150861/2010/04/bento_family_organizer.html?lsrc=rss_main>
Marco Tabini, Macworld

FileMaker has announced the release of a new package of free templates for its consumer-oriented relational database application Bento 3 aimed at organizing a family’s every activity from chores to meal planning.



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Where's My Car? <http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/wheres-my-car/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Eric A. Taub, New York Times

You can always find your car if you push the alarm button on your key’s remote control, which is found on most contemporary vehicles. But that only works if you’re within 10 or 20 yards of your car. How do you find your car when you’re really far away, and have no idea where you parked?



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** 17 Years Later, A Cancer Survivor Is Celebrating Life <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/health/27case.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Katherine Russell Rich, New York Times

When I was told I had a year or two, I didn’t want anything one might expect: no blow-out trip to the Galápagos, no perfect meal at Alain Ducasse, no defiant red Maserati. All I wanted was ordinary life back, for ordinary life, it became utterly clear, is more valuable than anything else.

**** Exploring Nerdiness, For Laughs <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/science/27bang.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Dennis Overbye, New York Times

Three years after its debut, “The Big Bang Theory” has made its case to the scientific community, earning both fans and detractors.

**** What If Jack Kevorkian Had Helped My Mom Die? <http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2010/04/26/dr_kevorkian_assisted_suicide_open2010/index.html>
Zoe FitzGerald Carter, Salon

Watching HBO's movie about Dr. Death, I couldn't stop thinking about my mother's own planned suicide.

**** Babies Suck: The Twisted History Of Pacifiers <http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2010/04/26/pacifier_anxiety/index.html>
Nicholas Day, Salon

They've been blamed for everything from masturbation to drug abuse. No wonder I can't bear to let my son use one.



SingaporeSurf
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**** More Shit On Singapore's Stand On Sharks Fins… <http://ovidiayu.wordpress.com/2010/04/26/more-shit-on-singapores-stand-on-sharks-fins/>
Writing Yoga-Living With Dogs

**** GRCs And Gerrymandering – The Root Causes Of Problems: Sylvia Lim <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/04/grcs-and-gerrymandering-the-roots-causes-of-problems-sylvia-lim/>
The Online Citizen

By this Bill, the prime minister is trying to make a bad situation better but increasing NCMPs is not the solution towards a more robust political system. The root causes of our current problems are the abuse of the GRC system and gerrymandering. These have curtailed the expression of the people’s desires at the elections and instead promoted the ruling party’s own agenda. The PAP has created the problem which it is trying to solve. But we should instead tackle the root causes for a more lasting and sustainable political future for Singapore.

**** Interpol's Arrest Order Against Ionescu Suspended <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100427-0000069/Interpols-arrest-order-against-Ionescu-suspended>
Esther Ng, Today

Interpol has suspended its Red Notice of arrest for former Romanian Charges D'Affaires Silviu Ionescu because of disagreements between Singapore and Romania over his diplomatic immunity.

**** Citizenship Committee Unnecessary: DPM Wong <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100427-0000098/Citizenship-committee-unnecessary--DPM-Wong>
Alicia Wong, Today

Deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng said the committee was set up in 1957 to ensure that people who had been in Singapore for some time were not denied the right to be voters. But the committee is now unnecessary as the current approval process is "quite rigorous".

**** NMPs Now Permanent Feature <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100427-0000113/NMPs-now-permanent-feature>
Alicia Wong, Today

Even after some 20 years, the Nominated Member of Parliament scheme still has its stiff detractors in both the ruling and Opposition parties. In yesterday's debate about the scheme, questions were asked of its relevance and the lack of transparency in its selection process.

**** Ditch The Rebate, Charge For Bags <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100427-0000097/Ditch-the-rebate,-charge-for-bags>
Tong Jee Cheng, Today

People are more adverse to parting with money than being rewarded monetarily. Charging shoppers for each bag issued will be more effective than giving a rebate.

**** Yes, Schools Should Allow Use Of Cellphones <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_519359.html>
Boon Kok Ann, Straits Times

Parents may not remember the contact numbers of the school and hence it is more convenient for them to contact their children directly.

This parent have no idea how to save a phone number in his mobile phone.

**** Train Delays: Offer Alternative Services <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_519483.html>
Teo Jin Chong, Straits Times

Technical issues are unavoidable. But given the plan to move towards the hub-and-spoke model, glitches in train services with no viable alternatives are unacceptable.

**** New Fare Policy Is Fairer, Says Transport Council <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_519485.html>
Eugene Tan, Public Transport Council, Straits Times

In effect, those who make transfers pay a 'transfer penalty' that cross-subsidises those who make direct journeys. With distance fares, all commuters will pay based on the total distance travelled, regardless of the number of transfers made during the journey. In other words, commuters who make transfers will no longer be penalised by having to cross-subsidise direct journeys. This is a fairer approach.

**** Discrimination In Singapore Is Institutionalised <http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/3644-discrimination-in-singapore-is-institutionalised>
Muhammad Shamin, Singapore Democrat Party

Discrimination against ethnic minorities, though subtle, is till very much alive in Singapore and much of this is perpetuated by the PAP government. This is the message that the SDP sent to United Nation's representative Mr Githu Muigai. By doing this, the government undermines the identity of the nation and build mistrust and resentment among citizens.

**** MOE’s Apology Leaves Vital Questions Unanswered <http://givemesometruth.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/moes-apology-leaves-vital-question-unanswered>
Alastair Su, Gimme Some Truth

**** 林瑞莲的尴尬 <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp100427_025.shtml>
游润恬, 联合早报

**** More Political Buffet… <http://groundnotes.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/more-political-buffet/>
Groundnotes

All these point to a certain mindset within the PAP elite – give the people political buffet, dazzle them with the variety, but make sure we get to choose what is laid on the table.

**** The NCMP Scheme <http://hardhitting-nobs.blogspot.com/2010/04/ncmp-scheme.html>
Musings From the Lion City

I can understand why the PAP wants the NCMP scheme but it is a waste of time and the scheme doesn’t really works. I mean be serious; I have yet to hear of any Singaporean who is fooled by it.

**** Govt Takes Al-Jazeera To Task For Misreporting On Homelessness Cases <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052851/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, community development, youth and sports minister Vivian Balakrishnan stressed that homelessness is a complex problem and that the government will continue to enable people to be self-reliant. 

“The people we have who insist on staying in beaches and parks are not first timers and not people who have bought their first flat or first rental flat. These are people who have almost always sold their second flat or a third flat, have unfortunately dissipated the subsidies and cashed them and now have run into problems."

**** Investigating Chilling Effects: News Media And Public Speech In Malaysia, Singapore, And Australia <http://ijoc.org/ojs/index.php/ijoc/article/viewFile/728/422>
Andrew T. Kenyon, International Journal of Communication

Overall, the differences in content between Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia are consistent with several strands of the existing literature. First, they support the importance of less restrictive ownership laws in allowing the potential for greater speech online. Second, they show the emergence of examples of independent journalism online; examples which, drawing as they do from domestically trained journalists, suggest that normative arguments for ASEAN media serving primarily a national-building and government-supporting role deserve critical examination and substantial modification, if not rejection. Third, and perhaps most importantly, they suggest the importance of civil society and political opposition in underpinning public speech.

(Note: Link goes to a PDF document.)

**** Sands CEO Says Singapore Casino To Break Even In 5 Yrs <http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE63P0MC20100427>
Kevin Lim and Nopporn Wong-Anan, Reuters

**** StarHub, SingTel & MediaCorp Should Ensure Reach Of World Cup To All Viewers <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1052854/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

The combined reach of StarHub, SingTel and MediaCorp's networks should ensure that all viewers will be able to watch World Cup 2010. Acting minister for information, communications and the arts, Lui Tuck Yew gave this assurance in Parliament on Tuesday. 

However, he said he still has not received any final word on the outcome of the negoitiations between SingTel, StarHub and the local agent for FIFA.

Is this guy making promises on behalf of commercial entities, or are there secret negotiations between the Singapore government and FIFA?

**** Sylvia Lim And Her NCMP Experience <http://callantham.org/blog/2010/4/27/sylvia-lim-and-her-ncmp-experience.html>
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp

It may not count for much, but it is up to her to harness these and finesse them to her advantage, and I believe she will.

**** Singapore Mentors Burma In Sham Elections <http://www.dvb.no/analysis/singapore-mentors-burma-in-sham-elections/8767>
Seelan Palay, Democratic Voice Of Burma

As preparations for the sham elections in Burma get into full swing, it is not difficult to notice similarities in electoral practices between the Burmese generals in uniform and Singapore’s leaders in civilian clothes.