[MyAppleMenu] Dec 19, 2011

applesurf at myapplemenu.com applesurf at myapplemenu.com
Mon Dec 19 18:59:00 EST 2011

MyAppleMenu
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**** 15-minute Refund Period Of Google, Apple Apps Irk Consumers <http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=020000&biid=2011121959598>
The Dong-A Ilbo

Extraterritoriality is applied to Android Market and App Store as they are operated by their headquarters in the U.S. Both companies have branches in Korea but they have nothing to do with mobile app store services, saying this is why Korean e-commerce law does not apply to Android Market and App Store.

**** Apple App Makers On Edge For Holidays <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/technology/app-makers-face-holiday-cutoff-for-apple-store.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Jenna Wortham, New York Times

It is hard to begrudge Apple for wanting to give its employees a break. But the App Store freeze at Christmas, and the crunch time leading up to it, underscore Apple’s power in the world of mobile apps and the lengths developers are willing to go to meet its demands.

In short, Apple is a powerful gatekeeper, and for more than a week it is keeping the gate closed.

**** QuarkXPress 9.1 Boosts Mobile App Publishing Power, But The Process Is Far From Easy <http://www.macworld.com/article/164118/2011/12/quarkxpress_9_1_boosts_mobile_app_publishing_power_but_the_process_is_far_from_easy.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Michael Baumgardt, Macworld

The callout, outline, and conditional styles tools are essential features that will greatly improve productivity, and ShapeMaker is a wonderful, visually creative addition. I rarely say this, but working on my first eBook with QuarkXPress 9.1 was a lot of fun, and that by itself justifies an upgrade for me.

**** iPhone 4S-specific iOS Build Is For "No SIM Card Installed" Errors <http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/19/iphone-4s-specific-ios-build-is-for-no-sim-card-installed-erro/>
Michael Grothaus, TUAW



The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** The Internet Gets Physical <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/sunday-review/the-internet-gets-physical.html?_r=1>
Steve Lohr, New York Times

The concept has been around for years, sometimes called the Internet of Things or the Industrial Internet. Yet it takes time for the economics and engineering to catch up with the predictions. And that moment is upon us.

**** A Comic Distributes Himself <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/business/media/louis-ck-plays-a-serious-joke-on-tv-the-media-equation.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
David Carr, New York Times

Louis C. K. is something of a pirate in the entertainment world, a man who has ignored propriety on his way to building a huge comic franchise. So it’s odd to see him put one of his shows for sale on the Web and politely ask fans not to rip him off.

The weirder thing? It seems to be working.

**** Wearing Your Computer On Your Sleeve <http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/18/wearing-your-computer-on-your-sleeve/?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Nick Bilton, New York Times



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Ain’t Miscuratin’ <http://dismagazine.com/discussion/26771/ain’t-miscuratin’/>
Cat Kron, DIS Magazine

Everyone’s a critic but who’s a curator?

**** You Need Me <http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/12/poetry-by-people.html>
Gilbert Koh



SingaporeSurf
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**** Provide Effective Alert System <http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_746436.html>
Lee Kai Yin, Straits Times

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and our public transport operators could learn from the National Environment Agency and national water agency PUB, which provide effective and timely round-the-clock SMS alert services for heavy rain and high water levels.

**** Have We Become A Template Nation? <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC111219-0000021/Have-we-become-a-template-nation?>
Eugene K B Tan, Today

One hopes that all public transport stakeholders do not get caught up with making important capital investments and relegate to second place the need to invest in the "software" of people and mindsets so vital to a nation with aspirations of a world-class public transport system.

**** Have A Parliament App To Reach Out To More Savvy Singaporeans <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC111219-0000011/Have-a-Parliament-App-to-reach-out-to-more-savvy-Singaporeans>
Colin Ong Tau Shien, Today

I propose that the Parliament provide live streaming of its proceedings as a free, downloadable App for both iPhone and Android platforms,.

**** Will SMRT Act On Principle? <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC111219-0000039/Will-SMRT-act-on-principle?>
Sanjay Perera, Today

As a matter of principled leadership, would they forgo and return any bonuses they are receiving for this year? Would they even take half-pay for this month?

**** To Improve Public Transport ... <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC111219-0000041/To-improve-public-transport-,,,>
Wong Boon Hong, Today

To correct the situation, either real competition could be introduced by forcing SBS and SMRT to ply all routes, even those covered by the other party, or public transport could be made truly public again.

**** Govt Urged To Ratify UN Treaty On Human Trafficking <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_746550.html>
Amanda Tan, Straits Times

The group - Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home) - also urged the Government to, among other things, put in place a 'specialised anti-human trafficking law' in its statement on Sunday to mark International Migrants Day.

**** 6 Things I Love About Living In Singapore <http://www.ben-rush.com/6-things-i-love-about-living-in-singapore/>
Ben Rush

**** Transport Woes Re-amplified <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/12/transport-woes-re-amplified/>
Howard Lee, The Online Citizen

The first is the lack of alternatives. The Ministry of Transport has deliberately priced most citizens out of affordable private transport. We are at the mercy of a virtually monopolistic public transport system, which still has yet to completely connect us around our island state to provide alternative routes. When the train stops, commuters feel trapped, in all manners of the word.

The second has to do with a fundamental difference between societies. I have heard stories of employers that require employees to produce a formal letter from SMRT to prove that the train has broken down, should they be late for work. Personally, we are also concerned about getting back home for some already stunted family time.

As such, commuters feel trapped when struggling to be productive in a Grade A Tier 1 economy, that also happens to be home to a Grade A (full air-conditioned) Tier 3 (cramped, and sometimes late and broken) transport system. Anything short of a matching up of the two is an absolute mockery of all that we strive to be as a world-class economy.

**** Relatively Smooth Ride For Morning Rush Hour Crowd <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_746601.html>
Daryl Chin, Poon Chian Hui, Lin Wenjian & Janice Tai, Straits Times

**** Getting To The Bottom Of The Matter <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC111219-0000019/Getting-to-the-bottom-of-the-matter>
Tanya Fong, Today

While preliminary investigation attributed the recent MRT disruptions to mechanical faults, the soon-to-be-convened Committee of Inquiry (COI) should also look into the human aspects of the breakdowns, including SMRT's crisis management and communication plans, observers told Today.

**** Shuttle Buses Were Late And Some Drivers Also Got Lost <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746566.html>
Cheryl Ong , Lin Zhaowei And Jalelah Abu Baker, Straits Times

Thousands switched to the buses, but had to put up with long queues and waiting times, adding to their anxiety and confusion as commuters found their patience tested yet again.

**** Singapore Transit CEO Says No Plan To Resign - Paper <http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/19/smrt-idUSL3E7NI2Q020111219>
Charmian Kok), Reuters

**** Opposition Parties Express Concern Over SMRT Train Breakdowns <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746570.html>
Cai Haoxiang, Straits Times

In statements at the weekend, both the Workers' Party (WP) and Singapore People's Party (SPP) asked if the train disruptions reflected deeper structural problems in the 24-year-old MRT system.

They were also concerned that the lack of preparedness for the breakdowns bode ill for the management of worse crises like a terrorist attack or a train collision.

**** Analysts Question If Maintenance Regimes Were Followed Properly <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746581.html>
Royston Sim, Straits Times

Even as LTA officials revealed the results of their checks overnight, transport experts questioned if SMRT had been diligent with maintenance checks and if it had been distracted by the running of the new Circle Line.

**** Man Who Smashed Window Says: It Was Just Common Sense <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746571.html>
Lim Yan Liang, Straits Times

Mr Teh said he took such a drastic step only after repeated pleas to the train driver to 'do something about the ventilation' had been rejected, and after there had been a complete power shutdown, which came 20 minutes after the train ground to a halt. The intercom stopped working, the train became pitch-black and there was 'zero ventilation'.

**** Track Inspection Reveals More Clues <http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_746583.html>
Royston Sim, Straits Times

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew, who chaired the media briefing on Sunday, said: 'There is now some indication that we ought to focus more of our attention and analysis on the floating slab track.'

The LTA intends measuring vibration levels at those sections, and also plans to retrieve and check samples of the bearings below the floating slab tracks to see if they are still in good condition.

**** 李总理的莫名其妙！ <http://yennyhanaike.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/李总理的莫名其妙！/>
白马非马

一路来，相信统计数字的国人，就这样一直被数字精英玩弄，像耍猴子一样的戏弄于股掌之间。不是吗？你要是相信了，还真是不可救药的愚昧。事实是，当127,000人被瘫痪的地铁延阻、延缓了时间，所影响的，不仅仅是本身。对于下班回家的人来说，还有他们的父母、儿女、兄弟姐妹的焦虑。而对于商家来说，傍晚正是热闹的时刻。那些被地铁瘫痪打消了购物心情的消费者，无形中减少了许多收入。据说，这两天，乌节路的店门都清冷了许多就是个明证。

李总理在表示在社交媒体的使用越来越普遍的今天，未经证实的消息流传又快又广，地铁业者要迅速发布准确的信息是个不小的挑战。他说:“如果地铁业者只求快速发出信息，后来证明不正确，将导致更多问题，所以他们要很小心… – 阿斗总是阿斗、无厘头总是无厘头。试想，地铁业者自己本身发出信息，竟然还能够“后来证明不正确” — 这是一种什么态度？什么逻辑呢？

**** 新加坡的英文独大局面 <http://xinguozhi.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/新加坡的英文独大局面/>
新国志

所以“工作语言的英语”在新加坡是个“剪不断理还乱”的骗局，大家似乎都不懂要到哪儿为止。不懂英语的百姓只有在大灾难、致命病毒蔓延、敌人来袭的时候才能分享一些他们听得懂、看得懂的信息，这不是很悲哀吗？

因此建议早报在搞自己一家独大的年度汉字时，应该考虑“盲”字，因为在新加坡，“工作语言”已经代替了“官方语言”（虽然没有人肯承认是他干的），不懂英文、英语，基本上都如盲。

**** SMRT CEO Not (Yet) Stepping Down <http://anonymousxwrites.blogspot.com/2011/12/smrt-ceo-not-yet-stepping-down.html>
Anonymous_X

Even better, to show her sincerity, she should make it clear that while she's 'doing all she can to get the problem fixed', she's doing it without getting her salary. Donate the salary. That may perhaps demonstrate your sincerity better than just 'empty words', Ms Saw!

**** SMRT Breakdown Is Not A Technical Problem But Mainly A Political One <http://bigtalksingapore.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/smrt-breakdown-is-not-a-technical-problem-but-mainly-a-political-one/>
Big Talk Singapore

**** Trains On N-S Line Slow, Stalling <http://sg.news.yahoo.com/trains-on-n-s-line-slow--sometimes-stall.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term=wikyou&utm_content=http://wikyou.org/info/ituneBEST100/iTunes.php>
Jeanette Tan, Yahoo!

Southbound trains on the North-South Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line were slow and stalling at times on Monday morning amid an otherwise business-as-usual start to the work week.

**** Restore The Public’s Trust In SMRT <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/12/restore-the-publics-trust-in-smrt/>
The Online Citizen

**** 多美歌站 地铁今早停顿11分钟后通行 <http://realtime.zaobao.com.sg/2011/12/js111219_035.shtml>
联合晚报

今早多美歌站的列车发生故障，地铁停顿11分钟后通行，搭客面面相觑，网民大呼丧失信心。

**** Singapore, 1961 – 20/4 Marsiling Road <http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2011/12/singapore-1961-204-marsiling-road-by.html>
Tim Light, Good Morning Yesterday

My father worked for the Metal Box Company. He served his apprenticeship at the factory in Shipley, Yorkshire, where the can-making machinery was made. In 1961 he was posted to Singapore as factory engineer for the Metal Box factory at Woodlands.

Metal Box owned some bungalows on Marsiling Road. One of these was our home for the first few months of our stay. Marsiling Road in 1961 was a completely different road to Marsiling Road today. The old road has been lost to development. The old street map shows its position. The red cross shows the approximate location of the bungalows.

**** Did SMRT Cut Corners? <http://www.publichouse.sg/categories/community/item/323-did-smrt-cut-corners?>
Andrew Loh, Publichouse.sg

If checks were carried out every day and every week, why were so many dislodged and damaged parts of the tracks not found, identified and rectified?

Did the SMRT cut corners so as to show a better bottomline each year, at the expense of commuters’ safety and well-being?

**** Fault On Train Causes MRT Delay Again <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1172232/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

A fault on a northbound train is believed to have caused some delays for commuters at around 7pm on Monday.

**** SMRT Losing Sense Of Responsibility To Commuters: NSP <http://www.publichouse.sg/categories/topstory/item/324-smrt-losing-sense-of-responsibility-to-commuters-nsp>
National Solidarity Party, Publichouse.sg

Duplication in essential goods and services should not be looked upon as waste, but as a measure of security. The two incidences of vandalism of SMRT trains have already shown us that SMRT is not immune to acts of sabotage. This being the case, building redundancies into the system is a must.

**** Award For Asia’s ‘Forgotten’ Man <http://www.mmail.com.my/content/87589-award-asia’s-‘forgotten’-man>
Ram Anand, Malay Mail

Chia Thye Poh may be forgiven for thinking that after 33 years in confinement, people from both ends of the Causeway have relegated him to the annals of history.

On the evidence of the reception he received at the Confucian Private Secondary School in Lorong Hang Jebat here yesterday, the 70-year-old is still fondly remembered, at least by the 400 people attending an award presentation.

**** Singapore Subway Woes Add Pressure On PM Lee <http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/19/uk-singapore-smrt-idUKLNE7BI00T20111219>
Kevin Lim, Reuters

Singapore's multiple train breakdowns have become a political hot potato for prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who must now take steps to assure an angry public that there is accountability in government and that authorities can cope with emergencies.

"A breakdown in train services is in itself no big deal. That happens all over the world. However, foreign investors are looking with great interest at how the government is dealing with an electorate that seems to demand more accountability," said Hans Vriens, the managing partner of a Singapore-based corporate advisory firm.

The incident also puts into spotlight on whether some of Singapore state companies are behind the times.

**** SMRT CEO Saw Phaik Hwa Needs To Go <http://ryangoh.wordpress.com/2011/12/19/smrt-ceo-saw-phaik-hwa-needs-to-go/>
Ryan Goh




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