[MyAppleMenu] Apr 2, 2012

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Apple’s Chief Puts Stamp On Labor Issues ****
<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/technology/apple-presses-its-suppliers-to-improve-conditions.html?_r=1&ref=technology>
Nick Wingfield, New York Times


> When he became chief, many people wondered whether Mr. Cook, a skilled manager of Apple’s operations, could ever rival the visionary influence of Mr. Jobs on Apple products. Instead, it appears Mr. Cook could make his earliest and most significant mark by changing how Apple’s products are made.

Both CEO have different strength, but both of them surround themselves with other talented people that have other complementary strengths.


**** Sandvox 2 Review ****
<http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac-creative/reviews/?reviewid=3348322&olo=rss>
Karl Hodge, Macworld UK


> Sandvox is a tool for casual web builders. Though there are lots of plug-ins supporting social media and dynamic services, we’re now living in an age of content management systems rather than standalone websites. Still, for a modest, personal presence this is a program that can get the job done if you haven’t the time or inclination to learn any coding.



**** Rebellious Tinkerers Dress Up The iPhone’s Uniform ****
<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/02/business/dressing-up-the-iphones-dull-uniform.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss%3f>
Jenna Wortham, New York Times


> Most people are happy to personalize their phones with, say, a case covered in plastic jewels. But some opt for surgical modifications.



**** Adobe Lightroom 4 Reviewed ****
<http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/reviews/2012/04/ars-reviews-adobe-lightroom-4.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss>
Dave Girard, Ars Technica


> Lightroom 4 doesn't make big strides on the quality front, but the new features are significant and well executed. Lightroom 3 users have little reason not to upgrade—the Maps, Books, and rejigged tonal adjustments should appeal to both professionals and hobbyists. If you're looking for the best option for video handling in a photo management app, this is definitely it. The evaluative chromatic aberration sounded promising but Lightroom's results aren't as good as the other RAW apps that have this feature. This is the only underwhelming part of version 4. Overall, this is a great update to a great application.



**** Lion OS Making Gains In Mac Installed Base ****
<http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/lion-os-making-gains-in-mac-installed-base/12661?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zdnet%2FApple+%28ZDNet+The+Apple+Core%29>
David Morgenstern, ZDNet


> Depending upon where you look for results, Mac OS X Lion is running on 30 or 40 or whatever percent of machines in the Mac installed base. All agree that this number keeps climbing.






The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Computer Science For The Rest Of Us ****
<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/business/computer-science-for-non-majors-takes-many-forms.html?ref=technology>
Randall Stross, New York Times


> Many professors of computer science say college graduates in every major should understand software fundamentals. They don’t argue that everyone needs to be a skilled programmer. Rather, they seek to teach “computational thinking” — the general concepts programming languages employ.






MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Deflecting Asteroids ****
<http://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/space-flight/deflecting-asteroids/0>
Gregory L. Matloff, IEEE Spectrum


> We humans need not wait, like dinosaurs, for the next big rock to drop. We have an advanced understanding of the heavens and a spacefaring technology that could soon enable us to alter the orbits of any celestial object on a collision path with us. That capability just might come in handy.






SingaporeSurf
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**** Singapore Policy Approach: The Search For A New Sensible ****
<http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/04/singapore-policy-search-for-new-sensible/>
Eugene Lim, The Online Citizen


> Should we really just pursue our policies blindly in the most economically efficient manner? Shouldn’t we leave some room for the important societal considerations? Should equity and social justice always be sacrficed for efficiency? Shouldn't we also provide more help to those struggling with healthcare, transportation, housing or even just trying to make ends meet? It is obvious that we, as a society, need a new, sensible way of thinking through our policies.



**** ASEAN Countries Will Not Side US Or China: ESM Goh ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120402-0000125/ASEAN-countries-will-not-side-US-or-China--ESM-Goh>
Kristine Lim, Today



**** Singapore Home Prices Drop ****
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303816504577318743643504960.html>
Chun Han Wong, Wall Street Journal


> Analysts say a gloomy economic outlook in Singapore and elsewhere has dampened sentiment in recent months, even as the property market retains support from low interest rates and resilient mass-market demand. Officials expect the island nation's economy to grow 1% to 3% this year, after a 4.9% expansion in 2011.



**** 5 Assisting Police Investigation On Child Abduction Posts ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_784490.html>
Elizabeth Soh, Straits Times


> Five people have been contacted by the police here for posting unsubstantiated information about child abductions on the Internet and by SMS.

> They are currently assisting the police in their investigations into a series of online postings about alleged child kidnap attempts in the heartland.



**** Town Councils To Be Assessed On Two New Performance Indicators ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1192641/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia


> The 16 town councils will now be assessed on their corporate governance and financial adequacy, in addition to four other existing indicators.

> The ministry will appoint a professional consultant to develop an appropriate assessment methodology on town councils' financial adequacy.



**** Key Learnings - SG Immigration No U-Turn Policy - Travellers Take Note! ****
<http://www.aussiepete.com/2012/03/key-learnings-sg-immigration-no-u-turn.html>
Aussie Pete


> As a partner to MICA (ministry of communications and the arts) to promote Singapore to foreigners and locals alike, as a great place to work, live, study and play, I find it unfortunate and disappointing to write the following article.



**** Conquering Singapore’s Tallest Peak ****
<http://wanderme.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/conquering-singapores-tallest-peak/>
I Wander


> Few major cities in the world can lay claim to having relatively undisturbed tropical rainforests lying within the metropolis. Places like Rio de Jaineiro and Mumbai come to mind. There is another city, which very few people outside of it would include in the list I just mentioned. Surprise, surprise. That place is Singapore.



**** Better To Discipline Than To Punish ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_784287.html>
Matthew Ong, Straits Times


> Punishing someone is easy. Constructive disciplinary action requires more effort, but if our goal is to eliminate unwanted behaviour, then disciplining someone rather than outright punishment is preferable.



**** Singapore Exercising Care With Junkets ****
<http://www.lvrj.com/business/singapore-exercising-care-with-junkets-145471575.html>
Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal


> Singapore, it seems, is taking steps so there is no confusion between its International Market Agents and Macau's tainted junket businesses.



**** Singapore’s Stunted National Anthem (And Maybe Identity) ****
<http://ayummysliceoflife.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/singapores-stunted-national-anthem-and-maybe-identity/>
A Yummy Slice Of Life


> And, if this caricature of the Singapore identity as the “acquisition of personal material wealth” is true, then, the Singaporean identity, by that definition, and by our singing of the national anthem, has no meaning.