[MyAppleMenu] Sep 15, 2010

applesurf at myapplemenu.com applesurf at myapplemenu.com
Wed Sep 15 18:59:00 EDT 2010

MyAppleMenu
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**** Three Mac Photo Apps That Add Creative Effects <http://rss.macworld.com/click.phdo?i=d50578d674d8c630c150e571a79a80d8>
Beau Colburn, Macworld

Often times in photography, the image that you capture isn't quite as exciting as what you had in mind. Beyond the subtle tone or cropping changes you can make in Preview or iPhoto, try adding a more unusual effect to give an image a whole new look. These three applications offer inexpensive ways to turn bland photos into cool creations.

**** IVacation Chronicles, Pt. 4: Text Entry <http://www.betalogue.com/2010/09/14/ipad-textentry/>
Pierre Igot, Betalogue

Well, it turns out that neither my wife nor I ever really felt the need for a hardware keyboard. The on-screen software keyboard was adequate to meet our needs.

**** 6G iPod Nano: An Apple Marketing Misstep? <http://lowendmac.com/nash/10tn/6g-ipod-nano-markets.html>
Tim Nash, Low End Mac

This year's iPod nano has gained an iOS-like multitouch interface, but how many people are willing to pay for better controls on an iPod that offers less features? It's an attempt to take the iOS interface to ever cheaper devices, to devices that don't need a large screen, but to succeed, the Nano needs to be seen as value for money and, if possible, enter new markets.

**** Is The Apple iTunes Store A Victim Of Its Own Success? <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-ross/is-the-apple-itunes-store_b_716054.html>
Brian Ross, Huffington Post

For folks with multiple devices, the iTunes store can be a huge pain. Downloadable content can end up in a variety of devices, and has to be moved around using the iTunes application on the computer, which is slow and inconvenient.

**** Third Italian Apple Store To Open On Saturday <http://www.macnn.com/articles/10/09/14/torino.store.may.target.student.based.economy/>
MacNN

**** MarsEdit 3.1 Gets Better With Media, 64-bit Support <http://rss.macworld.com/click.phdo?i=7d017dc646c9c7d54cfbc99ac4231ff5>
David Chartier, Macworld

New in this multiplatform, offline blogging client are some media management features, including per-blog image dimension settings, support for Lightroom 3 media libraries, and a “Paste HTML Source” command so you can paste in things like YouTube videos while editing in rich text.

**** Apple: Steve Jobs Is No Ninja Star Smuggler <http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-20016360-71.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=News-Apple>
Chris Matyszczyk, CNET

"Steve did visit Japan this summer for a vacation in Kyoto, but the incidents described at the airport are pure fiction. Steve had a great time and hopes to visit Japan again soon."

**** Hands-on With Parallels 6 <http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20016354-263.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=MacFixIt>
Topher Kessler, CNET

The latest version has a few small quirks, and I am not able to test it in all configurations or its full capabilities, but overall it does live up to the advertised improvements over the prior version.

**** Thoughts On The Apple TV <http://www.neilturner.me.uk/2010/09/14/thoughts_on_the_apple_tv.html>
Neil Turner's Blog

In fact, there's no other region-specific services, despite the Apple TV now running on a similar operating system as the iPhone.

**** Epic To Release Unreal Development Kit For Apple's IOS <http://feeds.appleinsider.com/click.phdo?i=a06350299dd16ee9ad345c4b4330274b>
AppleInsider

Epic Games has announced that the software development kit for its Unreal 3 engine will soon add iOS support.

**** School Bus Fees To Go Up <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578738.html>
Straits Times

The Singapore School Transport Association (SSTA) and school bus operators said they are 'seriously considering' raising prices by 10 per cent to 20 per cent a month next year.

**** Best Buy To Sell Apple iPad In All U.S. Stores <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2369164,00.asp>
Mark Hachman, PC Magazine

Best Buy will sell the Apple iPad in all of its 1,093 U.S. stores beginning Sept. 26, the retailer said on Tuesday.

**** Feature: iPod Touch Camera Review: Can't Top iPhone 4; Better Than Nothing <http://feeds.arstechnica.com/~r/arstechnica/apple/~3/Nd9wfczZPKs/ipod-touch-4-vs-iphone-4-camera-fight-no-contest.ars>
Chris Foresman, Ars Technica

iPod touch users will have the ability to take some decent if wimpy images where before they could take none. Progress is marching slowly—it took Apple almost four years to add any camera hardware to the iPod touch at all—but at least it's marching in the right direction.

**** Extensis Unveils Portfolio Studio <http://rss.macworld.com/click.phdo?i=a95a98b073b8787790f79a9d5eec3355>
Jackie Dove, Macworld

Extensis has launched Portfolio Studio, a new application and server that lets small creative teams automatically archive and centralize access to photos and other digital media files with consistent metadata.

**** Organize Playlists In iTunes <http://rss.macworld.com/click.phdo?i=3ad35c710952978a5cda13bea6a087d8>
Kirk McElhearn, Macworld

**** A Canadian Perspective On Apple TV <http://www.torontosun.com/blogs/techblog/2010/09/14/15346566.html>
Toronto Sun

The new Apple TV could have me dancing in the street while cancelling my cable bill if we get the networks renting TV shows, and I’ll be cartwheeling if they deal with the other aforementioned issues. But right now it’s more of a wait and see, and in Canada we’re kinda used to that by now. Let’s just hope it isn’t a wait similar to that of getting the iPhone.

**** Saving Wild Tigers Cheaply, With Apple's Help? <http://feeds.nytimes.com/click.phdo?i=ee977e3591ec6d98ddd31e91ae9faa7e>
Andrew C. Revkin, New York Times

I have yet to receive an answer to a query I posed to press people at Apple after the launch of the Snow Leopard operating system last year — about whether they feel any obligation to help conserve the cats whose names they adopt for products. Maybe they can start with a tiny sliver of the profits from sales of OS X Tiger.



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** 'Smart' Credit Cards Get Closer To Consumers' Wallets <http://news.cnet.com/8301-19882_3-20016433-250.html?part=rss&amp;subj=news&amp;tag=2547-1_3-0-20>
Rafe Needleman, CNET



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Are You Game? <http://feeds.slate.com/click.phdo?i=14cfefd5c7b814f7e1900bee133bb2f3>
Justin Peters, Slate Magazine

I've had relatively few experiences with exotic meats: occasional visits to a fancy sausage stand in Chicago, a regrettable plate of undercooked venison in 2004, and presents from my gun- and game-enthusiast uncle (The pheasant pie I got last Thanksgiving was delicious, though peppered with birdshot.) But since I'm partial to all things ground into patties, I was intrigued to hear that Fuddruckers recently put an elk burger on its menu. It's part of a new line called Fudd's Exotics—a name that summons images of a disreputable zoo—featuring adventurous, lean meats such as ostrich, buffalo, and wild boar.

**** Christo vs. Colorado <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703453804575480071045889864.html?mod=WSJ_ArtsEnt_LifestyleArtEnt_2>
Kelly Crow, Wall Street Journal

The artist famous for draping monuments in cloth is fighting for what may be his last major project — suspending fabric over 42 miles of the Arkansas River. The catch: convincing the locals.



SingaporeSurf
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**** Tommy Koh Weighs In <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578507.html>
Zakir Hussain, Straits Times

'The growing disparity and the hardship faced by the lowest 20 per cent of our workers is a threat to our social cohesion and inconsistent with our policy of inclusive growth,' he said at a book launch.

'As a Straits Times correspondent has recently commented, Singapore is a First World country with a Third World wage structure.'

**** Even Tommy Koh Supports Minimum Wage.... <http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2010/09/even-tommy-koh-supports-minimum-wage.html>
Diary of A Singaporean Mind

GDP growth does not benefit ordinary Singaporeans unless the wealth created is shared more equally. We know the standard argument against minimum wage that it is not good for economic growth and job creation. This standard argument does not make sense if your goal is something else, say, enhances social equity, prevent the spread of poverty or raise the quality of life for the people at the bottom.

**** IRs Allowed To Change Nature Of Business? <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100915-0000052/IRs-allowed-to-change-nature-o?f-business?-?>
Dennis Distant, Today

When Singaporeans raised objections to plans to allow casinos to open in Singapore, we were assured they would be integrated resorts with casinos.

That being the case, why have we been told suddenly that Singaporeans who visited the IR in Sentosa using the free shuttle buses provided by Resorts World Sentosa were going there to gamble, not withstanding the $100-per-day levy needed to enter the casino?

**** 7.5m Too Many <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC100915-0000046/7,5m-too-many>
Narayana Narayana, Today

Dr Liu's experience in the housing sector may have blinkered him into thinking only of providing accommodation for any increase in numbers.

**** Another Knee Jerk Response? <http://www.todayonline.com/Columns/EDC100915-0000083/Another-knee-jerk-response?>
Today

If the service was in violation of the casino rules, why did it take some three months for the CRA to act? Is this also another case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing, given that the LTA had given the go ahead?

As a result of the cessation of the free rides, the bus owners stand to lose heavily on their gamble to buy two dozen new buses to service the routes. And a number of bus drivers may be out of job following the CRA move. Can they claim compensation from the CRA considering that initial approval had been given by the LTA?

**** Singapore – Cloud Hub Or Just A Vapour Trail? <http://www.telecomtv.com/comspace_newsDetail.aspx?n=46671&id=e9381817-0593-417a-8639-c4c53e2a2a10>
Melissa Chua, Telecom TV

**** I've Never Heard Umno Leaders Say Malays Are Superior - Chua <http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newspolitic.php?id=527942>
Bernama

**** MCYS Has Hidden Agenda For Stopping Of Ir Shuttle Buses? <http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/09/15/mcys-stopping-of-ir-shuttle-buses-a-conspiracy/>
The Temasek Review

**** 许通美声援最低工资制 <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp100915_010.shtml>
林慧慧, 联合早报

新加坡是否应立法实行最低工资制来保护低薪工人的课题近来在媒体上引起热议，继工会和政府官员公开表明反对立场之后，巡回大使许通美教授昨天也加入这场辩论，声援最低工资制的支持者。

他说，反对最低工资制的论者认为我们应该让市场力量来调节工人工资水平，但他反驳说市场也有失灵（market failure）的时候。“出现市场失灵情况的时候，难道政府不应干预以便使市场更公平吗？”

**** 昇菘将出租三分二摊位 白沙湿巴刹近期或重开 <http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp100915_020.shtml>
郑景祥, 联合早报

昇菘今年3月份收购了白沙伊萊雅路湿巴刹至今，半年来已经三度向建屋发展局提交湿巴刹的规划建议书。经过多次的商议与协调，昇菘做出让步，只包下三分之一的摊位自己做，其余三分之二的摊位将开放给摊贩来承租。虽然建屋局表示还在评估昇菘的建议书，但昇菘告诉本报，他们私下获得的信息是，建屋局这几天会做出决定，白沙湿巴刹应该会获准以全新的面貌重开。

**** Rising Food Prices Pinch RP, Asian Households <http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/world/09/15/10/rising-food-prices-pinch-asian-households>
AFP

Millions of Asians like Nursiah are spending more to put food on the table as a result of supply disruptions from floods and drought, while changing patterns of consumption are expected to put long-term pressure on prices.

**** Malaysia According To LKY <http://chedet.co.cc/chedetblog/2010/09/malaysia-according-to-lky.html>
Mahathir Mohamad

In 1963 Singapore became a part of Malaysia. Despite having promised that the PAP will not participate in Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak politics, Kwan Yew reneged and the PAP tried to displace the MCA in the Alliance by appealing to Chinese sentiments in the Peninsular. Of course the slogan was "Malaysian Malaysia" which implied that the Chinese were not having equal rights with the Malays. If this appeal to Chinese sentiments against the Malays was not racial, I do not know what is racial. But the Peninsular Chinese favoured working with the Malays in UMNO. They totally rejected PAP in 1964.

Whether the PAP admits it or not, the party has always been led and dominated by ethnic Chinese and have won elections principally because of Chinese votes. The others are not even icing on the cake.

**** Singapore Hotel Rooms Most Expensive In Asia - Survey <http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-51499020100915>
Eveline Danubrata, Reuters

Singapore is the most expensive city in the Asia-Pacific region for hotel rooms, according to a survey of hotel prices in major destinations across the world.

**** Who Really Sowed The Seeds Of Racism? <http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/142667>
Malaysia Kini

Singapore may be smaller, but the problems they faced were definitely more complex, urgent and protracted. If Malaysian politicians were to manage Singapore from day one, I think Singapore would be a city slum today.

We can accuse LKY for being dictatorial. We shall let history be the final judge whether what he did was justifiable. I believe history will be on his side, not Mahathir's.

**** Theories Of A Little Bird <http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/2010/09/theories-of-little-bird.html>
My Singapore News

**** Politically Correct <http://day_dreams.blogspot.com/2010/09/politically-correct.html>
DayDreams

The point that I want to drive home is this – politics is a dirty game.

**** Mahatir Versus Lee Kuan Yew <http://potpouricauseway.blogspot.com/2010/09/mahatir-versus-lee-kuan-yew.html>
Potpouri At Causeway

Lee can rule the island state of Singapore with his own prejudice but not a much diverse and bigger country like Malaysia.

**** Singapore's Employment Rate Rises For Fourth Consecutive Quarter <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1081313/1/.html>
Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia

**** Beyond Minimum Wage <http://www.raviphilemon.net/2010/09/beyond-minimum-wage.html>
Ravi Philemon

**** Govt Under-costs YOG <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578820.html>
Straits Times

Replying to questions from several MPs on the YOG budget, Dr Balakrishnan said: 'Our initial budget estimates during the bid phase were inaccurate. This was the first ever Youth Olympic Games. Quite frankly, both the IOC and us were starting from scratch."

'We had underestimated the requirements and cost for several major functional areas in hosting the Games. In fact, the finalised specifications and standards for the YOG events were only determined after we were selected to host the Games."

**** Mandatory Internet Filters Recommended <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1081382/1/.html>
Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia

The Censorship Review Committee has issued its report after nearly a year of deliberations. Among its recommendations are mandatory Internet filters to give parents more control and responsibility over what their children can access online.

The filters would replace the current symbolic ban on 100 websites, but the government should retain the power to ban websites that are seen as a threat to national security, for example, terrorism and extreme racial or religious hate sites.

**** Written Answer To Parliamentary Question On Whether The Government Has Detained Under The Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act Any Person Believed To Have Been Organising Drug Trafficking Activities Which Involved Yong Vui Kong, An Inmate On Death Row, 15 September 2010 <http://app4.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTgxMg%3d%3d-gNepoVBykE0%3d>
Ministry Of Home Affairs, Singapore Government

**** R21 Films In Heartlands? <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578829.html>
Adeline Chia and Hannah Koh, Straits Times

In a bold suggestion that may raise eyebrows, the panel wants R21 content to be made available on more platforms - at home and in heartland cinemas, the panel has recommended that such films be screened in HDB estates, the videos to be sold in video stores, provided the industry can enforce the restriction of sale to minors.

It also suggests that R21 content be available on subscription TV and video-on-demand with a default parental lock.

**** More Than One Million Visits By Locals To Casinos In IRs <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1081392/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

In the seven months since the opening of the two integrated resorts in Singapore, there have been more than one million visits by locals to the casinos there. This was revealed on Wednesday by community development, youth and sports minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Parliament.

**** Govt Prepared To Use Criminal Law Act For Drug Trafficking Activities: DPM Wong <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1081398/1/.html>
Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia

The government has said it is prepared to use the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLTPA) for drug trafficking activities.

The CLTPA allows for detention without trial.

**** LTA Takes Over Five Traffic Police Functions <http://app.lta.gov.sg/corp_press_content.asp?start=30ya12oiic8h2s624yawxxh1606jmz24xsox2uovg6b1miaf42>
Land Transport Authority, Singapore Government

**** Govt Disbursed S$126m In Paid-maternity-leave Benefits In FY 2009 <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1081402/1/.html>
Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia

The amount of government-paid maternity leave benefit disbursed rose from S$65 million in FY08 to S$126 million in the last financial year.

**** Why Gov’t Had To Shut Down Free Shuttle Rides To IRs Immediately: Dr Balakrishnan <http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/09/15/why-govt-had-to-shut-down-free-shuttle-rides-to-irs-immediately-dr-balakrishnan/>
Ion Danker, Yahoo!

“Our action conveys clearly to both integrated operators to confine promotional efforts for the casinos (to) tourists only,” said the minister.

“We will not allow any promotions aimed at Singaporeans especially in our heartlands. The integrated resort operators have been reminded that they must comply strictly with our rules against casino advertising to locals.”

**** CRC 2010 Urges Greater Tripartite Collaboration And Consumer Empowerment <http://www.crc2009.sg/news.html>
Censorship Review Committee, Singapore Government

The accelerating digital revolution and Singapore’s changing social and artistic landscape necessitate a mindset change on the key question of who should be primarily responsible for the regulation of media content. In the new media environment, with ever-increasing content streaming through the largely unregulated Internet, existing gate-keeping methods of media regulation will become less effective. Responsibility must shift further over time towards a tripartite collaboration of government, industry and community, with the populace empowered with relevant skills and tools to enhance their ability to make more informed media choices, for themselves and for their children.

**** Shuttle Bus Services By Integrated Resorts <http://app1.mcys.gov.sg/PressRoom/ShuttleBusServicesbyIntegratedResorts.aspx>
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore Government

Mr Speaker, our action conveys a clear signal to both IR operators to confine promotional efforts for the casinos to tourists only. We will not allow any promotions aimed at Singaporeans, especially in our heartlands. The IR operators have been reminded that they must comply strictly to our rules against casino advertising to locals. These rules will be tightened as necessary in the light of experience.

**** Mandatory Living Wage – No More Cheap Excuses, Please <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/09/mandatory-living-wage-no-more-cheap-excuses-please/>
Stephanie Chok, The Online Citizen

It is important to strengthen legislative frameworks so that all workers are protected and overall labour standards (including wage levels) are improved. This is something the “free market” will not resolve on its own, not in a competitive, pro-business environment such as Singapore.

**** Power To Parents <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_578854.html>
Hannah Koh, Straits Times

The Censorship Review Committee (CRC) has called for parental empowerment' in regulating their children's exposure to media content, and wants it to be supported by media literacy programmes in schools.

**** <http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jVIg9ar0azzFuwIX2CZVB20a18zQ>
Alex Kennedy, The Canadian Press

A government-appointed panel urged Singapore to lift a ban on websites Wednesday, saying that Internet filters are a better way of protecting children from "objectionable content."

Singapore is known for its restrictions on public speech, which the government says are necessary to maintain political stability in the multiethnic, multi-religious city-state. Critics say the laws clamp down dissent.

**** Dr M Rebuts MM Lee <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_578748.html>
Straits Times

**** Singapore July Retail Sales Fall Less Than Expected <http://www.rttnews.com/Content/ForexTopStory.aspx?Id=1419148&SM=1>
RTT News

Singapore retail sales declined less than expected in July. Although at a slower pace, the negative trend in overall retail trade continued, largely led by plunging sales in the auto segment.

**** Singapore Defends Youth Games Budget Blowout <http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5isEugxEMJbqDINVBuPfobyowZ3Ew>
AFP

The Singapore government on Wednesday confessed to underestimating the operating costs at last month's inaugural Youth Olympics, but insisted the benefits it reaped were worth the costs.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge hailed the Games as exceeding all expectations

**** Singapore Considers Intervening <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703743504575493001115100576.html?mod=googlenews_wsj>
Dow Jones

The Monetary Authority of Singapore could intervene to bring down the Singaporean dollar for the second time in a month if the currency rises to S$1.33 to the U.S. dollar, a person familiar with the matter said.

**** Shanghai Overtakes Singapore As 'World's Busiest Container Port' <http://www.portworld.com/news/i96543/Shanghai_overtakes_Singapore_as_world_s_busiest_container_port>
PortWorld

Shanghai has overtaken Singapore as the world's busiest container port after its container throughput surpassed that of the Southeast Asian port for the first eight months of the year.

**** Singapore May Punish Casinos For Free Buses For Locals <http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-51507020100915>
Nopporn Wong-Anan, Reuters

Singapore's two casinos have breached regulations that prohibit promotional activities aimed at locals and may be penalised by the local regulator, a government minister said in parliament on Wednesday.

"I can't speak for the Casino Regulatory Authority whether they are contemplating any penalties to be imposed. There is a due process. They will make appropriate decisions at the regulatory level."




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