[MyAppleMenu] Nov 27, 2010

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Apple's iTunes Billboards: Where Did That Beatles Photo Come From? <http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/the_big_picture/2010/11/apples-itunes-billboards-where-did-that-beatles-photo-come-from.html>
Patrick Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

I can see why Apple picked this particular photo. The band looks relaxed and confident, as if totally at home in their Beatles skin. But it's also revealing that no one is smiling. The band is nearing the end of its time together, and it's likely that by the time the photo was taken, everyone already knew it.

**** How Did The Beatles Sell 2 Million Songs On iTunes? Mostly Facebook (Not Search) <http://searchengineland.com/beatles-2-million-songs-mostly-facebook-not-search-56901?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+searchengineland+(Search+Engine+Land:+Google,+Bing,+SEO,+PPC,+SEM+%26+Search+Marketing+News)&utm_content=Twitter>
Matt McGee, Search Engine Land

**** The Only OS X Shortcut You Need To Remember <http://adamwalters.info/post/1692256250/the-only-os-x-shortcut-you-need-to-remember>
Adam Walters, Software-Related Intel

So, here’s my all time favorite OSX keyboard shortcut: Shift + CMD + /. This is the universal shortcut to toggle an application’s help menu. Not only can you search for application help topics, but menu items are also returned.

**** Apple Bars Danish Android Magazine From App Store <http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/11/26/eye.candy.models.also.a.problem.for.publishers/>
Electronista

Apple has rejected a "magazine" app from Danish publisher Mediaprovider because the content was exclusively about Android, the rival mobile OS to Apple's own iOS -- reinforcing charges that Apple's censorship is heavy-handed, arbitrary and in some cases hypocritical -- in fact, a magazine app from the Netherlands called Androidworld Reader is already available on the App Store.

**** Apple TV: My First Day Review & Impressions <http://searchengineland.com/apple-tv-my-first-day-review-impressions-56995>
Danny Sullivan, Search Engine Land



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Revolution By Jennifer Donnelly – Review <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/nov/27/revolution-jennifer-donnelly-fiction-review?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
Linda Buckley-Archer, Guardian

This is a great example of young adult fiction: beautifully written and thoroughly researched yet not, to borrow Patrick Ness's phrase, "an adjective novel". There is an emotional vividness and a delight in story that will speak strongly to teenagers.

**** The Road: Short Fiction And Essays By Vasily Grossman, Translated By Robert And Elizabeth Chandler – Review <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/nov/27/road-stories-vasily-grossman-review?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
 Gillian Slovo, Guardian

Taken together, the collection is a treasure trove that lends the reader an insider's understanding of what it was like to live through the Soviet era, at the same time as it introduces us to Grossman's enduring preoccupation with the wonder and terror of humanity.

**** Path Of Least Resistance <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/28/books/review/Wheatcroft-t.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss>
Geoffrey Wheatcroft, New York Times

Thirty years ago, while reporting on Latin America for The New York Times, Alan Riding began wondering how artists and writers responded to brutal dictatorships. He then went to live in Paris and realized that not so long before, the French intellectual and cultural elite had provided an answer, in often unlovely ways. “And the Show Went On” describes this history in gripping and painful detail.



SingaporeSurf
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**** No Reason Not To Continue Bridge Project, Says Dr M <http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=545777>
Bernama

Replacing the bridge all the way to Singapore would require the agreement of that country, which he tried to get when he was prime minister. "But two years without a response showed that they were not interested," Mahathir said Friday. "I therefore planned with the architects to build the bridge on the Malaysian side without involving Singapore and they did not object," he told reporters after receiving RM7,000 from the Kepong Muslim Youth Organisation here to help Palestinians in Gaza.

See Also: Singapore: It won’t be wise for Malaysia to replace bridge [http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/3/3/nation/13561536&sec=nation], by The Star, March 3, 2006. Singapore has reiterated yesterday that any unilateral move by Malaysia to demolish its half of the causeway and replace it with a half-bridge will bring about serious implications, “however scenic” the bridge may be.

**** Parental Support Act 'Fills Gap If Filial Piety Fails' <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC101127-0000069/Parental-support-Act-fills-gap-if-filial-piety-fails>
Zul Othman, Today

Prof Woon reiterated that filial piety "has to be taught in the home and supported by a broad societal consensus".

"The legislation is there to fill the gap when filial piety fails and (like legislation mandating the support of children) it can only ensure a minimum material standard."

**** Judge Asks For British Author's Itinerary <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC101127-0000082/Judge-asks-for-British-authors-itinerary>
Teo Xuanwei, Today

The AGC had wanted the High Court to state that the 76-year-old journalist should not leave Singapore without the court's approval, pending his appeal against a six-week jail term and a $20,000 fine for contempt of court.

Mr Ravi said on Friday this was "not fair" and that it was already standard procedure for those who are facing jail term to seek the court's approval if they wished to leave the country before their appeals are heard.

**** Family Frustrated By Red Tape <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_607794.html>
Richard Ho, Straits Times

I am stumped by the bureaucratic obstacles that stand in the way of applying for a ban on casino entry, let alone being successful in it.

What exacerbates my family's frustration is the stark contrast between the public impression created - that it is easy and convenient to obtain an order - and the reality that the process is mired in red tape - from unsatisfactory front-line service to an apparent lack of manpower in processing applications quickly.

**** Overcharged Fares: Refund Simplified, New Process In Place <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_607798.html>
Helen Lim, Land Transport Authority, Straits Times

Many commuters who told us they found the refund process 'cumbersome' were under the impression that the earlier refund process was applicable. Following commuter feedback, we simplified the process. Commuters need not file a claim or remember the details of their trips now. Our system will compute the correct refund amount.

Affected commuters can obtain their refund when they next top up their Cepas cards, so they need not make a special trip for the refund.

A minor nitpick, but Cepas cards can be topped up at ATMs, which don't do refunds.

**** A Compulsion For Property <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/27/focus/7509712&sec=focus>
Seah Chiang Nee, The Star

With wages of the average working Singaporean struggling to keep up with living costs over the last decade, one out of every 12 owners are in arrears with his HDB payments.

The government — which wants to accept more immigrants to achieve a 6.5-million population — is playing down the negative impact the “open door” policy is having on Lee’s dream of 100% home ownership

One report said that 60% of grassroots leaders of the ruling PAP recently disagreed with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s foreigner intake explanation.

**** Singapore Down From 19Th To 21St For Judicial Independence <http://www.pressrun.net/weblog/2010/11/singapore-down-from-19th-to-21st-for-judicial-independence.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rana+%28Pressrun.net+%28originally+Blowin%27+in+the+Wind%29%29>
Pressrun.net

Singapore is still first for public trust of politicians and transparency of government policymaking but slipped two places to 21st on judicial independence, falling behind Japan.

**** Next GE Will Likely See All Constituencies Contested: PAP Chairman <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1095908/1/.html>
Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia

Speaking at the PAP's annual awards ceremony on Saturday evening, Mr Lim Boon Heng said this will be a good chance for party branches to gain battle experience.

**** MSK Saga: Reform Party Calls For ISA To Be Replaced <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/11/msk-saga-reform-party-calls-for-isa-to-be-replaced/>
The Online Citizen

**** Aware Matures Into Adulthood <http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/11/27/aware-matures-into-adulthood/>
Alicia Wong, Yahoo!

**** 公务员满60岁一律减薪一成？公共部门重新雇佣准则 详情预料下周公布 <http://www.zaobao.com.sg/sp/sp101127_013.shtml>
何惜薇, 联合早报

继去年年初发表重新雇用年长员工的参考原则后，公共服务署预料将在下周公布更多有关公共部门重新雇佣的准则。据了解，该准则未必会把员工满60岁时，不会一律削减一成工资的条款包括在内。