[MyAppleMenu] Dec 16, 2011

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** iTunes Match Goes Live Internationally (For Real This Time) <http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/15/itunes-match-goes-live-internationally/>
Eric Slivka, MacRumors

See also: Apple Refunds iTunes Match Purchases For International Users After Premature 'Launch' [http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/15/apple-refunds-itunes-match-purchases-for-international-users-aft/], by Chris Rawson, TUAW.

**** TweetDeck Releases New Native Client For Windows And OS X, Isn’t Quite As Feature-Filled As The AIR Version <http://lifehacker.com/5868386/tweetdeck-releases-new-native-client-for-windows-and-os-x-isnt-quite-as-feature+filled-as-the-air-version>
Whitson Gordon, Lifehacker

**** Widespread iTunes And iCloud Apple ID "Couldn't Be Found" Outage <http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/16/widespread-itunes-and-icloud-apple-id-outage/>
Arnold Kim, MacRumors



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Can Open Source Save The Planet? <http://www.computerworlduk.com/in-depth/open-source/3325167/can-open-source-save-planet/>
Techworld Australia



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Now That Books Mean Nothing <http://www.themorningnews.org/article/now-that-books-mean-nothing>
Nell Boeschenstein, The Morning News

When you’ve long been identified as a “literary type,” how can it be that receiving books as get-well gifts leaves you feeling empty, angry, and determined to chug YouTube straight?



SingaporeSurf
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**** Circle Line Problem 'Unresolved' But Safety Not Affected: SMRT <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC111216-0000004/Circle-Line-problem-unresolved-but-safety-not-affected--SMRT>
Today

In a statement released before yesterday's massive disruption to the North South Line, SMRT said the communication network problem, which afflicted the Circle Line during its five hour disruption on Wednesday, "is still unresolved". 

**** Train Services On Northbound North-South MRT Line Resume <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1171624/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

**** Singaporeans Need Accountability For Train Breakdowns <http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=7258>
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net

But far worse than the disruption to normal life and the increased congestion of the roads was the apparent endangerment to the health and safety of passengers on the affected trains.

**** “Commuters Have A Choice. They Can Have More Trains Or Less Breakdowns.” <http://atans1.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/commuters-have-a-choice-they-can-have-more-trains-or-less-breakdowns/>
Thoughts Of A Cynical Investor

Could the breakdowns be due to skimping on maintenance to maintain profits in the face of higher oil prices? I mean if SMRT was skimmimg on security, why assume it was not skimping on routine maintence of the system?

**** Internet: Engage, Don't Regulate <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_745474.html>
Howard Lee, Straits Times

**** Desperate Commuters At Bishan MRT Rush To Get On Sole Train <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_745279.html>
Fiona Low, Straits Times

Long queues could be seen snaking from taxi stands in the vicinity. The bus stop across the road from Bishan MRT station which had buses traveling towards Ang Mo Kio was filled with desperate commuters, many of whom were spilling on to the roads.

Police had been deployed to hold the crowds back and direct traffic.

**** Wozniak: Apple Couldn’t Emerge In Singapore <http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2011/12/15/wozniak-apple-couldnt-emerge-in-singapore/>
Shibani Mahtani And Sam Holmes, Wall Street Journal

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, said a company like Apple could not emerge in societies like Singapore where “bad behavior is not tolerated” and people are not taught to think for themselves.

His comments come at a time when Singapore is actively trying to woo creative tech companies like Google and Facebook to invest in the tightly controlled city-state. Just today, Google launched a US$120 million dollar investment for a data center in Singapore, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia.

**** Singapore Signs WTO Pledge Against Protectionism <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific_business/view/1171670/1/.html>
Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia

Signatories to the pledge have committed to refrain from raising new barriers to trade in goods and services, imposing new export restrictions, or implementing WTO-inconsistent measures in all areas, including those that stimulate exports.

**** Six-pack Hunks - More Than Singapore Can Bare? <http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/15/uk-singapore-shirtless-idUSLNE7BE01J20111215>
Eveline Danubrata, Reuters

However, conservatives in the city-state are still making their voices heard.

"It is probably the response of a vocal minority, a storm in a teacup, who would use any occasion, however small, to raise the alarm," said Tan Ern Ser, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore's sociology department.

**** Dark Day For Commuting <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC111216-0000081/Dark-day-for-commuting>
Leong Wee Keat, Today

Two commuters were taken to hospital - one was semi-conscious and the other had difficulty breathing - and a window of a train was smashed as passengers stuck underground gasped for air after the train's air-conditioning shut down and lights went out. 

Adding that the "recent series of disruptions is indeed worrisome", LTA deputy chief executive Lim Bok Ngam said LTA will investigate the cause of the incidents. The expert team to be assembled will probe the "underlying issues", he added.

**** Hiring Slowdown To Hit Singapore Next Year <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_745611.html>
Cai Haoxiang, Straits Times

**** SMRT Says Sorry For 'Income Opportunity' Message To Taxi Drivers <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_745592.html>
Daryl Chin, Straits Times

An SMRT spokesman said on Thursday night: 'We are sorry for the oversight. Our staff were using a template message, and we have since corrected it.'

**** MRT Breakdown: Frustrated, Confused Commuters <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_745594.html>
Leonard Lim , Jermyn Chow , Fiona Low , Jennani Durai And Shuli Suderuddin & Elizabeth Soh, Straits Times

Several were also traumatised after encountering chaotic scenes of fellow commuters pushing and shoving on the shuttle bus bridging services. In the stations, many were frustrated by the lack of signs and directions for alternative transport.

**** MRT Breakdown: Stuck On A Dark Train In A Tunnel <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_745593.html>
Lin Zhaowei, Straits Times

It was only after 40 minutes that an announcement was made, saying the doors in the first carriage would be opened and people could walk in the tunnel to Dhoby Ghaut station.

Almost all the lights were shut off about 10 minutes after the front doors were opened and, occasionally, they could hear officials telling people to stick to one side so that those who were unwell could go ahead to the front.

'When we were walking along the tunnel, the staff told us not to take pictures. We had to keep walking because there were people behind us.'

**** Corridors Of Possibilities <http://www.poskod.sg/Posts/2011/12/15/Corridors-of-Possibilities>
Kennie Ting, Poskod.sg

The real questions were: Should Singapore continue down the track that it had taken since independence, of economic growth at all costs; or should we aim to be a more mature and gracious society, able to value history, sustainability, and quality of life? And more importantly, what could we do as average Singaporeans to bring about change? 

**** SMRT has lost their focus <http://chantc.blogspot.com/2011/12/smrt-has-lost-their-focus.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FZbxP+%28My+Little+Corner%29>
My Little Corner

Singaporeans are by and large quite well-behaved and disciplined, especially in public. For someone to use the extinguisher to break the windows of the train shows how bad the situation was within the train.

**** One Man’s Breakdown Is Another’s Income Opportunity <http://everythingalsocomplain.com/2011/12/16/one-mans-breakdown-is-anothers-income-opportunity/>
Everything Also Complain

**** MDA Reviewing Book Due To Title Error <http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/2011/12/mda-reviewing-book-due-to-title-error.html>
Chua Chin Leng, My Singapore News

It reminds of the guy who told everyone to stay 100m away from a hut that had a bomb inside but people inside the hut is okay because inside the hut is not violating the order to stay 100m away.

**** The Mountainous And Surreal Sand Reserves Of Singapore <http://singapore.untappedcities.com/2011/12/15/the-mountainous-and-surreal-sand-reserves-of-singapore/>
Ted Lin, Untapped Singapore

**** Wrong Message Sent, Prime Minister <http://www.publichouse.sg/categories/topstory/item/317-wrong-message-sent-prime-minister>
Andrew Loh, Publichouse.sg

Perhaps what would send the strongest signal yet to SMRT, which has been guilty of many service failures especially in the last two to three years, is for its chief operating officer to be fired.

Otherwise, it would seem to many that there is a lack of will, especially politically, to send the message that enough is enough, and that commuters’ interests – especially their safety – is secondary to other considerations.

And the prime minister himself should be sent this message: As a leader of a nation, you don't go on leave when something of this magnitude happens. Period.

**** Public Anger Mounts Over Train Disruptions <http://sg.news.yahoo.com/public-anger-mounts-over-train-disruptions.html>
Faris Mokhtar, Yahoo!

"SMRT's staffs' priority is to get the people out of the stuffy train as fast as possible; their concern should not be whether people are taking photos or not. Also when it is so obvious that train doors need to be opened for ventilation it should override the concern for so-called safety under normal circumstances. When will SMRT train their staff to get their priorities right?" Yahoo! user Richard G asked.

**** Train Disruption Sends Two To Hospital <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1171707/1/.html>
Alvina Soh, Channel NewsAsia

A 25-year-old woman was conveyed to the hospital from Orchard MRT station for breathing difficulties around 8:00 pm.

About two hours later, a second 41-year-old woman was also sent to SGH in a semi-conscious state from Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station. 

**** Same Old Story (The Sad Story Of SMRT） <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/12/same-old-story-the-sad-story-of-smrt）/>
Andy Soon, The Online Citizen

Instead of just putting together a team of experts to examine the system and standard operating procedures, the root of the problems had to be tackled and that is the management of the SMRT. Be it a radical overhaul of the entire system or the change of management for SMRT, one thing is clear; this is going to be Mr Lui’s biggest test since he took over as the Minister of Transport.

**** The Famous Picture <http://politicalwritings.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/the-famous-picture/>
Political Writings

If you really really want SBS, SMRT, Comfort, etc to provide “public service”, I suggest one of the following.

**** US Navy Eyes Stationing Ships In Singapore <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/16/reutersworld/20111216120059&sec=reutersworld>
Reuters

The US Navy will station several new coastal combat ships in Singapore and perhaps in the Philippines in coming years, moves likely to fuel China's fears of being encircled and pressured in the South China Sea row.

**** Lui Tuck Yew Makes Shocking Statement On MRT Breakdowns <http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/5076-lui-tuck-yew-makes-shocking-statement-on-mrt-breakdowns>
Singapore Democratic Party

Mr Lui's ignorance of the situation and the attendant inaction signals colossal incompetence.

**** #SMRTruinslives, What’s The Big Fuss? <http://kirstenhan.me/2011/12/16/smrtruinslives-whats-the-big-fuss/>
Kristen Han

When governments and companies enjoy boasting about their “world class” service (ironically, our Transport Minister was in Cambodia talking about transport systems when this whole thing went down), then why should anyone be surprised if people are unforgiving of lapses in the “world class” service?

In a country where even peaceful public protests are outlawed, and there’s only one little park where people can speak freely, public discontent and frustration manifests itself in other everyday issues. These issues may seem petty to some, but they really aren’t because they’re symptoms of unhappiness, and there’s no other way for us to express ourselves.

**** SMRT CEO Apologises For Train Disruption <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1171733/1/.html>
Alvina Soh, Channel NewsAsia

Speaking at a news conference Friday afternoon at the SMRT Headquarters, Ms Saw promised a full investigation into what caused the breakdown.

She said SMRT will learn from the incident and improve on giving better information.

**** SMRT CEO Says She Would Consider Calls To Resign <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC111216-0000109/SMRT-CEO-says-she-would-consider-calls-to-resign>
Lin Yanqin, Today

On public calls for her and other senior management to resign, Ms Saw said that while she would consider resigning if necessary, she would reserve her opinion on the matter for the time being.

**** Tell People First! <http://hardhitting-nobs.blogspot.com/2011/12/tell-people-first.html>
Musings From The Lion City

Telling your customers about a fault in your system should be your first priority. No one cares about the official statement when they are struck in the MRT station without knowledge of whether the trains are coming or not.

**** Singapore Subway Breakdowns Raise Ire <http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2011/12/16/singapore-subway-breakdowns-raise-ire/>
Shibani Mahtani And Chun Han Wong, Wall Street Journal

Public dissent is muted in this tightly controlled city-state, but many citizens are voicing strident criticism against SMRT and the transport ministry, as the rail disruptions and recent taxi-fare increases have stirred discontentment and widened distrust of public-transport providers.

**** MRT Breakdown "Extremely Serious": Lui Tuck Yew <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1171821/1/.html>
Imelda Saad/Wayne Chan, Channel NewsAsia

Transport minister Lui Tuck Yew has described Thursday evening's train breakdown as an "extremely serious" one, with the safety of commuters compromised. Mr Lui said it's justifiable that commuters are angry and concerned.