[MyAppleMenu] May 12, 2011

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Creative Design Tips For E-mail Signatures <http://www.macworld.com/article/159496/2011/05/emailsig.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Jay J. Nelson, Macworld

If you consider yourself creative, you've likely considered designing a fancy signature line for your e-mail messages. It's a terrific opportunity to express a bit of your personality without requiring any additional work when composing your message—and without adding extra file size to your e-mail. (Your recipients will appreciate that!) Plus, it makes the e-mail more distinctive, acting almost as a business card, if your recipient wants to print it out.

**** Apple Releases Software Update 4.2.2 For Apple TV <http://www.macworld.com/article/159840/2011/05/apple_tv_422.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Lex Friedman, Macworld

The update address issues where audio and video are occasionally missing when playing back certain content. A new audio output setting allows you to switch to 16-bit audio, for increased compatibility with some TVs and AV receivers. Fast-forwarding and rewinding of live events is improved, too.

**** Monitoring Internet Usage <http://www.macworld.com/article/159836/2011/05/monitor_internet_usage.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Christopher Breen, Macworld

**** Microsoft Leaves Mac Office Users In The Lurch, Says Researcher <http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9216620/Microsoft_leaves_Mac_Office_users_in_the_lurch_says_researcher?source=rss_operatingsystems&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+computerworld%2Fs%2Ffeed%2Ftopic%2F123+%28Computerworld+Mac+OS+News%29>
Gregg Keizer, Computerworld

Microsoft yesterday told Mac Office users it doesn't yet have a fix for a PowerPoint bug that it patched for Windows customers. Tuesday was not the first time that Microsoft has released fixes for Office on Windows without corresponding patches for Mac users.

**** Corel Unveils Painter 12 <http://www.macworld.com/article/159780/2011/05/painter12.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Jackie Dove, Macworld

Corel has released Painter 12, a new version of the company’s flagship painting software. The upgrade features new brushes and art tools, customizable workspaces, and a performance boost.

**** Options For Removing The System-wide Flash Plug-in <http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20110511053223955>
Macworld

**** iPhoto Updated To Version 9.1.3 <http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/11/iphoto-updated-to-version-9-1-3/>
Mike Schramm, TUAW

The update is pretty thin -- it simply fixes an issue where split events could be merged back together.

**** Music Labels To Google: We're Counting On Apple <http://www.zdnetasia.com/music-labels-to-google-we-re-counting-on-apple-62300321.htm>
Greg Sandoval, CNET

The services offered by Amazon and Google are not all that they can be because those companies had to tippy-toe around copyright issues. Since neither company was either able or willing to obtain licenses from the four major labels, neither of them could deliver the same range of options that Apple will be able to offer with its upcoming cloud service, according to multiple music industry sources.

**** Twitter For Mac 2.1 Adds Multi-window "Clone," UI Changes <http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/12/twitter-for-mac-2-1-adds-multi-window-clone-ui-changes/>
Dave Caolo, TUAW

**** Review: Acorn 3 Image Editor <http://www.macworld.com/article/159847/2011/05/acorn3review.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Ben Long, Macworld

**** Apple Needs To Press Play On Game Center <http://www.macworld.com/article/159833/2011/05/game_center_flaws.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Dan Moren, Macworld

iOS gaming social network shows promise, but needs tender love and care to prosper.

**** Abandonment Issues <http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/05/smartphones>
G.f., The Economist

Apple has not created an expectation that its phones, handhelds and tablets have a period of time during which they work. They are sold on the implict assumption of futureproofing, at least for a few years. And by providing iOS 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2, but not 4.3, to iPhone 3G users, the company may have led its customers on.

**** Apple Should Clarify iOS Subscription Policy <http://www.macworld.com/article/159828/2011/05/apple_ios_subscriptions_clarification.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Lex Friedman, Macworld

It seems obvious, given all this evidence, that Apple is treating big publishers differently from other potential providers of App Store subscriptions—perhaps even taking them on a case-by-case basis.

**** OWC: Replacing Main Hard Drive With Third Party Is Not An Option In New iMacs <http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/12/owc-replacing-main-hard-drive-with-third-party-is-not-an-option/>
Megan Lavey-Heaton, TUAW

**** Alfred 0.9 Adds Global Hotkeys, Preference Sync And More <http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/12/alfred-0-9-adds-global-hotkeys-preference-sync-and-more/>
Dave Caolo, TUAW

This version adds global hotkeys, sync options, custom terminal commands, improved iTunes DJ and more.

**** OmniOutliner For iPad Is Now Available <http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/12/omnioutliner-for-ipad-is-now-available/>
Dave Caolo, TUAW

The app is more of a collection of functions that allow you to gather, categorize and later reference a variety of information. In fact, you can use OmniOutliner for spreadsheets, documents and even photo management. Putting all of that power on the ultra-powerful iPad will appeal to many people.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** On Being An Only Child <http://www.threepennyreview.com/samples/dyer_sp11.html>
Geoff Dyer, Three Penny Review

My mother often quoted with approval the maxim “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” Unfortunately she thought this was intended as exhortation rather than warning.



SingaporeSurf
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**** Elections Department Releases Final Tally Of Votes <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1128229/1/.html>
Sharon See, Channel NewsAsia

Even after factoring in overseas votes which were counted on Wednesday afternoon, the margin for Potong Pasir remains at 114 votes or 0.72 per cent. There were 19 votes for the People's Action Party and 19 for the Singapore People's Party.

**** Feedback To Challenging Times By Aljunied Resident <http://thinkhappiness.blogspot.com/2011/05/feedback-to-challenging-times-by.html>
Think Happiness

**** Reflections On GE 2011 <http://singaporealternatives.blogspot.com/2011/05/reflections-on-ge-2011.html>
Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives

I think the Minister-Specific Strategy has worked, though not to its fuller extend. Both Tampines and Marine Parade teams have applied minister-specific strategy and they have yielded better results as compared to other NSP teams.  However issue-based minister-specific strategy is just necessary but insufficient strategy for parties without strong branding to win the elections.

**** Another One Bites The Dust <http://singaporedesk.blogspot.com/2011/05/another-one-bites-dust.html>
Singapore Notes

oday, Lim said she does not believe anything she did differently in her Serangoon Gardens division would have changed the outcome of her fate. "People feel they are not being listened to sufficiently and that the party makes policies based on their intellect and does not seem to listen," she said. What she did not say was that she was part of the groupthink, and supporting Mah in 2008 would certainly not deter her promotion in 2009. Like the rest, she has mastered the art of obfuscation, masking the truth from the people, and maybe herself as well: "The Serangoon Gardens episode was a good experience – residents got a better understanding of the macro needs whilst being assured that the disamenities, if any, would be minimized, through constant interaction among all stakeholders." Cocooned for 15 years of smug self-adulation at The Party, she was enlightened only at the 9 days in May, "It is a surpirse for us that the resentment is so deep."

**** SDP Queries Inconsistent Polling Regulations <http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4826-sdp-queries-inconsistent-polling-regulations>
Singapore Democratic Party

**** Respecting The Democratic Process <http://chaptertworeload.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/respecting-the-democratic-process/>
Aaron Ng, Chapter Two: Reload

Emotions run high during elections, but Singaporeans should respect the democratic process and accept the results of the elections with grace.

**** PAP And The New Media <http://www.pressrun.net/weblog/2011/05/pap-communications-outsourced-self-promotion-time.html>
Pressrun.net

Communication is important. And yet the PAP has not even got around to thanking the voters on the internet.

**** The Fences Are Down So Look Inside: Singapore Biennale 2011′s Old Kallang Airport – Picture Feast <http://artradarjournal.com/2011/05/11/the-fences-are-down-so-look-inside-singapore-biennale-2011s-old-kallang-airport-picture-feast/>
Art Radar Asia

Since its closure 66 years ago, what lied inside Kallang Airport in Singapore had been a mystery to the city’s residents and visitors alike. For the duration of  the Singapore Biennale 2011 (13 March to 15 May), the airport has been reopened, transformed into an exhibition venue and renamed Old Kallang Airport.

**** Analyzing The Singapore Election <http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3185&Itemid=164>
Garry Rodan, Asia Sentinel

It is this denial of organic links to civil society by opposition parties and the confinement of political competition to the consequently stunted competition of electoralism that stands in the way of genuine political competition and pluralism in Singapore.

**** George Yeo And His True Legacy For Singapore <http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/05/george-yeo-and-his-true-legacy-for.html>
Gilbert Koh, Mr Wang Says So

Instead I will remember George Yeo as the minister who brought the casinos to Singapore. Yes, in case you've forgotten, George was the guy who first proposed the idea and pushed for it. Even within the PAP, there was plenty of debate and resistance about the casino proposal (to such an extent that another ex-minister, Lim Boon Heng, recently broke down in tears when he revisited those memories). But in the end George prevailed.

**** GST Is Unnecessary And Bad <http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2011/05/gst-is-unnecessary-and-bad.html>
Tan Kin Lian

**** What A Shame <http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com/2011/05/what-shame.html>
Chua Chin Leng, My Singapore News

I had a dream last night. I was walking along the void deck of some HDB flats and came face to face with some sign boards. One read ‘No football allowed’. Another one read ‘No meet the people session allowed’. Then I woke up only to know that it was a bad dream. I know that a first world country would not allow such things to happen when we can pay ministers in millions and with world class offices in the heart of town. 

**** Will There Be A Transformation? <http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/transformation-062335212.html>
PN Balji, Yahoo!

A transformation needs an advocate. And with Mr Yeo not having the cachet after losing Aljunied GRC, who else can articulate and drive that change?

As we ponder the question, we can ask another: Where else can it come from?

**** Reflections On The Singapore General Election <http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/05/12/reflections-on-the-singapore-general-election/>
K Kesavapany, East Asia Forum

Instead of the traditional reliance on GDP growth rates as a fundamental and largely conclusive index of Singapore’s success, this General Election suggested that many Singaporeans prefer a more inclusive set of indices that reflect the redistribution of wealth in society.

**** Thoughts On Singapore’s Election <http://blogs.cfr.org/asia/2011/05/11/thoughts-on-singapores-election/>
Joshua Kurlantzick, Council On Foreign Relations

Though the PAP certainly has many smart and skillful ministers, much of the strength of Singapore comes from its career civil servants, who rise up through a highly meritocratic system that rewards talent and expertise. Anyone who has worked in Southeast Asia for years, for example, knows that the Singaporean diplomatic corps is by far the savviest, most thoughtful group of analysts in the region – no other country’s diplomats even come close.

**** A Word Of Advice To The Politicians <http://goodmorningyesterday.blogspot.com/2011/05/word-of-advice-to-politicians.html>
Lam Chun See, Good Morning Yesterday

To quote my favourite platoon sergeant major in OCS, Encik Rahman from more than thirty years ago,: “Don’t every time say say but never do!”

**** Chiang Ching-Kuo Vs Lee Kwan Yew - A Tale Of Two Strongmen <http://ahmadintaiwan.blogspot.com/2011/05/chiang-ching-kuo-vs-lee-kwan-yew-tale.html>
Ahmad In Taiwan

I believe few Singaporeans will disagree with MM Lee's contributions to bring Singapore to where it is today. But his stubbornness to retain as much power as possible, not willing to relinquish some of it to set up a true democracy like Chiang Ching-Kuo to allow Singaporeans to decide on their own fate, what kind of Singapore will he be leaving behind after he passes?

**** We Have A Different Dream <https://dailybreaks.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/a-different-dream/>
Daily Breaks

It may be your dream – but did you ask if it is ours?

We remember.

We just do not like what we see now.

**** The Real Generation That Does Not Remember <http://chaptertworeload.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/the-real-generation-that-does-not-remember/>
Aaron Ng, Chapter Two: Reload

The younger generation are more critical not because they forgot, but because they have passion and drive to make their home a better one for the future. Woe betide Singapore if its young take comfort in enjoying the fruits of their parents and not labour to cultivate fruits for the future generations.

**** The GRC System – I Don’t Know What To Say… <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/05/the-grc-system-–-i-don’t-know-what-to-say…/>
Elliot Aruldoss, The Online Citizen

**** Consider Reverting To Three-member GRCs <http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC110512-0000770/Consider-reverting-to-three-member-GRCs>
Vincent Chin, Today

**** ‘Time To Discard Policies That Divide S’poreans’ <http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/time-discard-policies-divide-poreans-093909214.html>
Andrew Loh, Yahoo!

**** SPP's Lina Chiam To Take Up NCMP Offer <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1128423/1/.html>
Mustafa Shafawi / Sharon See, Channel NewsAsia

The Singapore People's Party's central executive committee has given approval to Mrs Lina Chiam to take up the Non-Constituency MP seat in Parliament. The party said it believes that this NCMP post is critical for it to ensure one other additional alternative party voice in Parliament, to stay engaged with national issues through Parliamentary debates, and to remain publicly visible in the eyes of all Singaporeans for the next five years.

**** ‘We Almost Had To Pull Him Off The Plane’ <http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/we-almost-had-to-pull-him-off-the-plane/>
Au Waipang, Yawning Bread

How many others have been fleeced by employers mindless about dishonouring our common honour as Singaporeans, mindless about doing the right thing by another human being?