[MyAppleMenu] Dec 18, 2011

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Apple Logs In To School Labs <http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/apple-logs-in-to-school-labs/458906/>
M Saraswathy, Business Standard

**** Apple Releases New Santa-Themed Ad For iPhone 4S And Siri <http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/18/apple-releases-new-santa-themed-ad-for-iphone-4s-and-siri/>
Eric Slivka, MacRumors

Apple today released a new commercial for the iPhone 4S ahead of the Christmas holiday, showing Santa using Siri to find such information as directions and weather, search for an email with his "naughty or nice" list, and hear an email from Mrs. Claus reminding him to "go easy on the cookies".



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Making Science Leap From The Page <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/business/online-textbooks-aim-to-make-science-leap-from-the-page.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss>
Anne Eisenberg, New York Times

The pages have some pizazz: they are replete with punchy, interactive electronic features — from dynamic illustrations to short quizzes meant to involve students rather than letting them plod, glassy-eyed, from one section to the next. Audio and video clips are woven into the text.

**** TUM Rosie And PR2 James Add Popcorn And Sandwiches To Their Accomplishments <http://www.willowgarage.com/blog/2011/12/12/tum-rosie-and-pr2-james-add-popcorn-and-sandwiches-their-accomplishments>
Willow Garage

xkcd fans rejoice, sudo make me a sandwich has become a reality.



SingaporeSurf
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**** East-West Line Resumes Service <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1172023/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

SMRT said the East-West Line resumed service at 11.00 am, but the North-South Line will resume service later.

SMRT said that when services do resume, commuters at a few stations which are further from the depots may have to wait for up to 45 minutes for the trains to arrive.

**** WP’s Statement On MRT Service Disruptions <http://wp.sg/2011/12/wp’s-statement-on-mrt-service-disruptions/>
The Workers' Party

We question whether these service disruptions were due to insufficient investments in maintenance and upgrades, considering that the MRT system has come under heavy strain over the past 10 years due to the rapid increase in population and ridership. If so, were the lack of essential investments a result of pressure on the public listed MRT operators to minimise costs and maximise profits for the benefit of their shareholders, at the expense of the 2.3 million commuters?

A more immediate concern is the apparent inability of the MRT operators and the relevant government agencies to deal with crises of this scale, despite several large scale civil emergency exercises held in recent years, like Exercise Northstar. We dread to think how much worse the situation could be in the event of a terrorist attack or train collision.

**** The Take-charge Minister <http://singaporelifetimes.blogspot.com/2011/12/take-charge-minister.html>
Singapore Life And Times

That said, I must credit Mr Lui for taking over this problem so swiftly. You need ministerial muscle for this - to call time on one of the most important infrastructure on the island - to do what needs to be done, something that SMRT, to its discredit and shame, seem not to have nor been able to do. 

**** A System Off The Rails <http://thebluesweater.blogspot.com/2011/12/system-off-rails.html>
The Blue Sweater

An even more fundamental reason, perhaps, is the lack of empathy on the part of our leaders and management. It is doubtful that a CEO running a public transport company who drives to work is able to empathise with the concerns of her customers. Come to think of it, it’s symptomatic of the relationship between our technocratic leaders and the people, and reflective of the overall reality of our socio-political system.

**** Pushing Singaporeans To A Corner, In The Name Of Progress <http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/2011/12/pushing-singaporeans-to-corner-in-name.html>
Chua Chin Leng, My Singapore News

**** MRT Breakdown: Quiet Morning For Orchard Shops <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746308.html>
Huang Lijie, Straits Times

Many other shops in Orchard Road experienced a similar lull, with sales slashed by as much as half.

**** MRT Breakdown: 7-hour Outage, 7 Trains Damaged <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746305.html>
Royston Sim, Straits Times

SMRT's third disruption in four days on Saturday affected more trains and lasted longer than Thursday's shutdown on the North-South Line, crimping the start of many people's weekend.

**** MRT Breakdown: Learn From Other Operators, Say Analysts <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746310.html>
Feng Zengkun, Straits Times

They added that it has much to learn from operators in other cities with extensive train networks, such as Hong Kong, New York and Taipei.

**** MRT Breakdown: Tracking The Woman In The Rail Hot Seat <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746312.html>
Judith Tan, Straits Times

Nine years later, the plot has taken a decidedly dire twist and Ms Saw now finds herself very much the villain.

Internally, there has also been talk of instability within the ranks of top management. Recent departures include deputy CEO Yeo Meng Hin and senior vice-president of finance Catherine Kuan.

**** MRT Breakdown: Call For SMRT Chief Saw Phaik Hwa To Resign <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746311.html>
Rachel Chang, Straits Times

Despite the wet weather, about 80 people gathered at Hong Lim Park where calls were made for SMRT chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa to resign.

At the Speakers' Corner event on Saturday, organised by socio-political blog The Online Citizen (TOC), a demand to reverse the recent 1per cent rise in public transport fares was also made.

**** MRT Breakdown: SMRT Offers More Help For Passengers <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746306.html>
Shuli Sudderuddin, Straits Times

Announcements - made only in English on Thursday - were given in both English and Mandarin at all stations and trains. Directional signs, a problem two days earlier, were also displayed, and directions to free shuttle buses were announced over the PA system.

**** Fridae.com Website Founder Sues Firms, Directors <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_746298.html>
Feng Zengkun, Straits Times

**** Confusion, Frustration For Commuters On Sunday Morning <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746268.html>
Lin Zhaowei, Straits Times

At 5.30am, about 20 people had gathered at the station, but they did not know where to take the shuttle bus services. There were no signboards put up to tell them where to go.

**** Early Bus From Joo Koon To Raffles Place Fills Up Quickly <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_746322.html>
Jalelah Abu Baker, Straits Times

The virtually empty bus filled up to more than 40 Passengers by the time it reached Lakeside three stations away.

**** Catching The Runaway IP Train <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/12/18/focus/10105956&sec=focus>
Straits Times

The through-train that started out as a niche programme for a small elite group risks becoming a runaway train.

Some fixes are needed to reduce undue pressure on students racing to be admitted to the IP at Secondary 1.

**** Delays For Commuters As Morning Routines Affected <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746324.html>
Straits Times

He was late for work despite having set off from home two hours in advance, anticipating a delay due to the line closures.

**** The MRT Train Breakdown - Passing The Buck In A Blame Game <http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/12/mrt-train-breakdown-passing-buck-in.html>
Gilbert Koh, Mr Wang Says So

So I read the news, and I see that Mr Lui Tuck Yew, the Transport Minister, is making a big hue and cry. Oh, how clever. Immediately, he shoves all the potential blame at SMRT and talks about how he's going to get a panel of experts to inspect SMRT and find out the problems yadda yadda yadda.

Well, I'm sure that SMRT is to blame. But hey, what about the government itself? This is public transport, you know. Mr Lui, do you mean to say that the government has no regular role in ensuring that the public transport system actually works, that the trains run properly, that buses are safe, and so on? Come on, Mr Transport Minister. What has your Ministry been doing all this time?

**** A Rail Security Threat: SMRT's Failure To To Heed Wake-up Call From London Bombings, Learn Lessons From Exercise Northstar V <http://kementah.blogspot.com/2011/12/rail-security-threat-smrts-failure-to.html>
David Boey, Senang Diri

At a minimum, it should have identified a need to put shuttle buses on short notice for bridging services between train stations that are taken out of service (whether due to known knowns or unknown unknowns). In the Singaporean military, standby units are assigned are assigned a NTM and have to be ready to move within a specified time.

In a city state where citizens are discouraged from owning cars, isn't such an investment worthwhile? Is the profit motive for SMRT such an overriding concern that they are happy to bet against Murphy's Law?

The company's failure to tackle crisis communications exacerbated the situation, fraying tempers and derailing the credibility of SMRT's corporate mouthpiece.

**** Taipei Refutes News Report On Row With Singapore <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_746301.html>
Lee Seok Hwai, Straits Times

Taiwan on Saturday refuted a Taiwanese media report about a diplomatic spat with Singapore, saying that bilateral relations were good and talks on a free trade deal were going smoothly.

**** Why Singapore Government Become Like That? <http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2011/12/18/why-singapore-government-become-like-that/>
Elvin Ong, New Mandala

**** Singapore: Efficient Vs Resilient City <http://encounteringurbanization.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/singapore-efficient-vs-resilient-city/>
Encountering Urbanization

How have I so quickly forgotten how NYC’s subway system would frequently have disruptions? Of course I could argue that NYC train disruptions were not as traumatic because there were many more subway route options than Singapore. However the difference seems to be more about our expectations of service as city dwellers in a city state that prides itself on efficiency. Instead of having more train lines that encompass a larger area of the island and provide more service options Singapore prides itself on being able to do more with less. But in times like these when one train line down paralyzes the whole system I can’t help but ask, is the resiliency of a city’s infrastructure ever considered over efficiency?

**** 3 Strikes To SMRT <http://kkyz14.blogspot.com/2011/12/3-strikes-to-smrt.html>
Kenneth Koh, The Temple Of Thoughts 3

Look at how many bus services run parallel to the train system. There are very few left. How are you suppose to tell people to look for alternative transport routes when you removed the routes in the first place?

**** SMRT’s Efficiency & Common Sense Level = POOR/ZERO? <http://breadandbuttersg.wordpress.com/2011/12/17/smrts-efficiency-common-sense-level-poorzero/>
Everyday Life Of A Singaporean

**** SMRT SVP Is Great Believer In Shareholder Value? <http://atans1.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/smrt-svp-is-great-believer-in-shareholder-value/>
Thoughts Of A Cynical Investor

The reasonable implication of what Mr Goh says is that SMRT (remember he is SVP) prefers S’poreans to suffer great discomfort or die rather than damage SMRT property.

**** Heads Should Wait <http://hardhitting-nobs.blogspot.com/2011/12/heads-should-wait.html>
Musings From The Lion City

Frankly, I’m more interested in why there are so many faults all of the sudden. Like I said earlier, I find the reasons given by the SMRT to be very strange and I believe I’m not the only one. I believe Singaporeans should wait. Yes, heads should roll but we need to find out why the trains stopped in the first place and then put in procedures to prevent it from happening again.

Once those are done, then heads should roll. This mess happened on the watch of Saw Phaik Hwa and Lui Tuck Yew, so it’s only right that they be the ones who fix the problems. After that…

**** How Should Our MPs Handle Social Media? <http://www.visakanv.com/blog/3520/how-should-our-mps-handle-social-media/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-should-our-mps-handle-social-media>
Visakan Veerasamy.

**** Long Lines, Waiting Times At Taxi Stands Near MRT Stations <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746339.html>
Lin Zhaowei, Cheryl Ong, Jalelah Abu Baker, Straits Times

The spillover from the delay of service resumption has resulted in long queues and waiting times at taxi-stands, bus-stops and the shuttle bus pick-up points near stations along the affected rail lines.

By 10am, most shuttle buses plying the train routes were packed with people. It also appears that not all bus drivers were familiar with the routes.

**** SBS Deploys More Buses & Trains To Cope With MRT Lines Delay <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1172063/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

In all, SBS Transit is deploying some 150 extra buses and about 250 additional staff to help ease the public transport situation for commuters affected by the train service disruption.

**** A Change Of Leadership Will Be Good For SMRT <http://tauhuayboy.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/a-change-of-leadership-will-be-good-for-smrt/>
The Tau Huay Boy

Let’s put it this way. Ms Saw has forgotten the very core of SMRT. Which is to provide and serve Singaporeans with trains as a form of transportation. 61 rail defects and 13 defective trains is just totally unacceptable.

That is why I’m calling for a change of leadership at the top of SMRT. It needs a leader that puts commuters first before making money. Honestly, Singaporeans don’t need Xchanges or ‘lifestyle hubs’ at MRT stations. All we need is a safe mode of transport home after a hard day of work.

**** Does SMRT Value Its Property Over The Well-being Of Commuters? <http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=7269>
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net

Any thinking, right-minded reader cannot not help but come to the conclusion that SMRT’s first instinct, its first impulse, is to safeguard its property, rather than pay attention to the lives and well-being of the commuters. That is the pathetic and sorry state that Singaporeans are faced with today. It is more important to SMRT that windows remain intact rather than that lives be saved.

The pathetic and silly state of affairs does not end here. According to media reports again, the driver refused to open the train doors to let in some air, as it was against SMRT regulations. The driver refused to compromise and insisted that ventilation was still operational, even though commuters had told him clearly that it was not operational.

**** MRT Trains To Go Slower, Frequency Reduced <http://www.readability.com/read?url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC111218-0000034/MRT-trains-to-go-slower,-frequency-reduced>
Ng Jing Yng, Today

The slower speeds will translate to an additional travelling time of about five minutes for a train ride from one end to the other on the North South Line and East West line. For morning commuters, the waiting times for the trains will also go up by about 10 per cent - as a result of the removal from service of damaged trains.

**** Does CEO Saw Phaik Hwa Have Time For SMRT? <http://www.tremeritus.com/2011/12/18/does-ceo-saw-phaik-hwa-have-time-for-smrt/>
TR Emeritus

**** Investigations Should Uncover Adequacy Of Train Maintenance: Analysts <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1172081/1/.html>
Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia

Analysts said besides dealing with technical faults, the Committee of Inquiry should also determine if the current system of maintenance is adequate.

**** SMRT CEO Not Stepping Down <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1172082/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

She said she's truly sorry for the inconvenience and discomfort faced by commuters, and that as CEO she's naturally responsible. But she said being responsible does not mean walking away, instead it means doing all she can to get the problem fixed.

**** Discrimination Against Poor Singaporeans With Foreign Spouses.... <http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2011/12/discrimination-against-poor.html>
Diary Of A Singaporean Mind

Making the poor struggle and undermining the well being  of Singaporean children with foreign mothers, harms thousands of families in our country.  It exacerbates the pain of poverty for these families without any gains for our society. 

**** Some Policies Change As PAP Government Paddles Furiously <http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/some-policies-change-as-pap-government-paddles-furiously/>
Alex Au, Yawning Bread

Taken together, what we have is a picture of a government is that almost purely reactive. Their policies and actions will be determined by a calculation of what pressures they can resist and what other pressures they need to yield to. Gone is a coherent vision of what Singapore ought to be in terms of values, economic model, social weave. It has now become a rudderless boat, but the PAP government will work very hard, paddling furiously.