[MyAppleMenu] Apr 17, 2012

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
====================================
**** Unzip Almost Any Archive File ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/1166403/unzip_almost_any_archive_file.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Kirk McElhearn, Macworld



**** How Apple's Battle Over E-books Helps Consumers ****
<http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57413898/how-apples-battle-over-e-books-helps-consumers-update/>
Erik Sherman, MarketWatch



**** Checking For The New SabPub Malware In OS X ****
<http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-57414617-83/checking-for-the-new-sabpub-malware-in-os-x/>
Topher Kessler, CNET



**** How To Use Java Applets In OS X After Java 2012-003 Update ****
<http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57414869-263/how-to-use-java-applets-in-os-x-after-java-2012-003-update/>
Topher Kessler, CNET


> While you can turn the plug-in on or off using this setting in the Java Preferences utility, doing so will not make it stay on. Instead, regardless of how it is enabled, the system will disable the Java plug-in if you have not used any Java applets within about a month's time, and require you to re-enable it manually.



**** Why Apple's E-Book Pricing Model Might Not Be Unfair ****
<http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-16/why-apple-s-e-book-pricing-model-might-not-be-unfair>
Alexander Chernev, BusinessWeek


> It is unclear why $9.99-or-less should be considered a fair and optimal price of e-books, given that it was imposed on publishers by a retailer who at that time controlled nearly 90 percent of the e-book market—in addition to playing a major role in distributing the publishers’ physical books.

Why should one price be more fair than another? I'd say the DOJ should force book publishers to sell books under <i>both</i> agency and wholesale model, and let Apple and Amazon (and Google) fight it out among themselves.


**** Starck Confirms Project For Jobs Family, Not Apple ****
<http://www.slashgear.com/starck-confirms-project-for-jobs-family-not-apple-16223092/>
Rue Liu, SlashGear


> “It’s not a project with Apple. It’s a private project that began with Steve Jobs and that has been taken over by his wife,” said a spokesperson for Starck, confirming that the project is for a yacht that Jobs had been working on. This yacht will reportedly have an Apple-store-like aesthetic that’s sleek and minimalist along with 40-foot long glass walls.



**** iBooks, Cards Updates Add Minor Improvements, Fixes ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/1166397/ibooks_cards_updates_add_minor_improvements_fixes.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Dan Moren, Macworld



**** How To Capture Video From An iOS Device ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/1166391/ios_video_capture.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Christopher Breen, Macworld


> You […] need an application that turns your Mac into an AirPlay device—one that your iPad can mirror its display to.



**** Australian Government, Apple Still Disagree On Branding Of 4G LTE iPad ****
<http://www.tuaw.com/2012/04/16/australian-government-apple-still-disagree-on-branding-of-4g-lt/>
Kelly Hodgkins, TUAW



**** Another Java Trojan For Mac Discovered, This Time Through Microsoft Word ****
<http://www.tuaw.com/2012/04/16/another-java-trojan-for-mac-discovered-this-time-through-micros/>
Michael Grothaus, TUAW



**** Apple's Greatest Keyboard ****
<http://eggfreckles.net/files/apples-greatest-keyboard.html>
Egg Freckles



**** A Review Of The Das Keyboard For Mac ****
<http://carpeaqua.com/2012/04/15/a-review-of-the-das-keyboard-for-mac/>
Justin WIlliams, Carpeaqua






The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** How To Perfect Realtime Crowdsourcing ****
<http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/27763/?ref=rss>
Technology Review


> The new techniques behind instant crowdsourcing makes human intelligence available on demand for the first time.



**** Patent Hints At iPad-Powered Portable Ultrasound Machine ****
<http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/mimssbits/27762/?ref=rss>
Christopher Mims, Technology Review






MyAppleMenu Reader
====================================
**** The Lure Of Institutional Life ****
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/apr/16/patrick-gale-institutional-life?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
Patrick Gale, The Guardian


> Those of us who work from home and strive to live the life of the mind but find our precious days gnawed away by tedious, yet somehow urgent, displacement activities can easily fantasise that life in an institution might deprive one of Facebook, dog-walking and alphabetising the spice rack but might do so in return for blissful, uncluttered clarity of thought.






SingaporeSurf
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**** CID: Sabotage Ruled Out As Cause Of Disruptions ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/The-Big-Story/The-Big-Story-3/Story/STIStory_789569.html>
Royston Sim, Straits Times



**** Design Of Claws On North-South Line Focus Of COI Hearing ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1195776/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia


> SMRT had earlier argued that the Land Transport Authority is in charge of the MRT infrastructure and that it had inherited the first and second generation claws from its predecessors, MRT Corporation (MRTC).

> It said in 1987 during the construction of Phase 2 of the MRT network, the manufacturer, Breckner Willis, had proposed an improved claw design, which included a "split pin locking system" which can help secure the claws even with severe vibration.

> However, MRTC rejected the idea, even though there were already problems of the older claws dislodging.



**** Asian Operators Give Vegas Casino Titans Run For Their Money ****
<http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/17/business/20120417164825&sec=business>
Reuters


> “Countries like Singapore have provided a very good template for emerging jurisdictions looking to liberalize gaming entertainment,” said Steven Tight, president of international development for U.S. giant Caesars Entertainment, which owns Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.



**** Time To Demote Some Gods From The Altar ****
<http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/time-to-demote-some-gods-from-the-altar/>
Alex Au, Yawning Bread


> Redundancy and parallel systems should not be seen as wasteful, but if provided for in moderation, is valuable insurance.

We can't be winning in our economic defence.


**** Singapore Ranks How High In Trust?	 ****
<http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/perspective/special-feature/5212-singapore-ranks-how-high-in-trust->
Singaore Democratic Party


> While it exhorted "society before self" its ministers exhibit the classic me-first sysndrome with their insistence on their exhorbitant salaries.  While it promoted "nation before community", it brings into this country massive numbers of foreigners that diluted the Singaporean identity. While it advised "community support and respect for the individual" it leaves the poor and the elderly to fend for themselves while focusing their care on the wealthy. 

> These measures have created the huge inequality that we see today in Singapore. This has, in turn, bred a society that is low on trust and cohesiveness. 



**** Train Delays On East-West Line On Tuesday Morning ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_789610.html>
Christopher Tan, Straits Times


> During the morning peak hour on Tuesday, a train broke down along the East-West line before the busy Jurong East Interchange.

> This led to a massive tailback of services and thousands of commuters stranded on platforms. Several were seen rushing out of stations to try and hail a cab or catch a bus.



**** Singapore Like Home For Many Rich Indonesians ****
<http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/singapore-like-home-for-many-rich-indonesians/511905>
Francezka Nangoy, The Jakarta Globe


> Indonesia’s rich continue to show strong demand for high-end properties in Singapore as a form of investment, a property management firm based in the city-state said on Monday.



**** Round One ****
<http://singaporedesk.blogspot.com/2012/04/round-one.html>
Singapore Notes


> The lawyers will […] benefit more from this sham of a COI than the commuters who will be ultimately stuck with the bill.



**** A Lego Lesson ****
<http://daringtochange.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/a-lego-lesson/>
Daring To Change


> Surely we need to raise salary only when productivity is good. But to deprive the lower income group earners by cutting manufacturing / service costs is just as bad, if not worse.



**** Hai Nan Xing Zhou Beef Noodles At Toa Payoh Lorong 7 ****
<http://thesilverchef.blogspot.com/2012/04/hai-nan-xing-zhou-beef-noodles-at-toa.html>
The Silver Chef



**** Shock Therapy? But Where Is This Ship Headed? ****
<http://www.publichouse.sg/categories/topstory/item/569-shock-therapy?-but-where-is-this-ship-headed?>
Andrew Loh, Publichouse.sg


> So, if Prof Lim proposes “shock therapy”, perhaps there is something in his words which we should pay attention to. "Shock therapy" is perhaps the only thing which would, in Prof Lim’s words, “wake up the economy”. It may also wake up the government, the trade union (NTUC), employers and businesses too – all of whom have been fed on a diet of cheap local and foreign labour to keep the numbers up and the economy artificially humming along.



**** $5 Benefit For Every Tax Dollar A Fairytale? ****
<http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/04/5-benefit-for-every-tax-dollar-fairytale/>
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen


> The reality is that low-income families may not even be able to pay the minimum costs after the maximum subsidies, and thus such benefits may be just an academic exercise in computation. How likely is it for this low-income family, to be able to come up with the cash in the Baby Bonus Scheme (matching government contributions)?



**** Singapore Exports Unexpectedly Drop As Electronics Cool ****
<http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-17/singapore-exports-unexpectedly-drop-as-electronics-cool.html>
Shamim Adam And Sarina Yoo, Bloomberg


> Asian policy makers are juggling the need to damp inflationary pressures while bolstering growth as Europe’s debt crisis and a slowdown in China’s growth weigh on the global economic outlook. After a growth rebound last quarter, Singapore’s central bank said last week it will allow faster gains in its currency, which may make exports less competitive, even as Indonesia and South Korea kept interest rates unchanged.



**** Does The Objective Of Singapore Day Justify Its Costs? ****
<http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/04/does-the-objective-of-singapore-day-justify-its-costs/>
Ghui, The Online Citizen


> The enjoyment of good food is inextricably intertwined with Singaporean culture so as long as good Singaporean food is present, Singapore Day will achieve its objectives without the need for anything further.



**** Singapore Day 2012 - NYC, Singapore Scene ****
<http://speakspokewritewrote.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/319/>
SpeakSpokeWriteWrote


> If local Singaporeans are treated right, if there is a sense that we have a good future in our home country then why should we want to venture to a place where laksa is non-existent, and chicken rice has to be home cooked, and dependent on pastes?



**** Dialects' Disappearing Act ****
<http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120416-340111.html>
Maureen Koh, The New Paper



**** Wealthy Foreigners Can’t ‘Buy’ PR Status Anymore In S'pore ****
<http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/17/business/11115197&sec=business>
Business Times


> Now that this scheme is being axed, wealthy foreigners can still apply for PR status under the Global Investor Programme (GIP) a scheme that allows entrepreneurs from abroad to obtain PR.

> Unlike FIS, where assets held in Singapore are the main criterion, GIP is aimed at entrepreneurs who have a track record in corporate circles and is a scheme that can boost employment locally.

Before we give out PR to entrepreneurs, we should ask how many jobs will be created, and how many of the created jobs pay above a certain minimum wage.


**** SMRT's Maintenance, Dislodged Claws Among Issues At COI Public Hearings ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1195597/1/.html>
Hetty Musfirah, Channel NewsAsia


> LTA noted that SMRT's maintenance expenditure of trains and tracks did not keep pace with the increase in ridership.

> SMRT says the disruptions were due to a rare confluence of factors.

Almost <i>all</i> accidents are due to "a rare confluence of factors".


**** Finger-pointing On Day 1 Of Train Breakdown Inquiry ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120417-0000061/Finger-pointing-on-Day-1-of-train-breakdown-inquiry>
Sumita Sreedharan, Today


> Even after the Government's legal representative made it clear that the public inquiry should be a "fact-finding" exercise and not adversarial, fingers were pointed over which party - the SMRT or the Land Transport Authority (LTA) - was to blame for the major train disruptions that hit the North-South Line on Dec 15 and 17 last year. 

How can you move forward without covering your behind? :)


**** Comedy In Singapore: Can The Much-Restricted Nation Lighten Up? ****
<http://www.theworld.org/2012/04/burlesque-singapore-comedy/>
Kavita Pillay, The World


> Perhaps if the Singapore government can lighten up enough to enjoy comedians like Kumar and Kin Mun Lee, the creativity and risk taking that officials are hoping for will materialize.



**** Singapore Dollar—More Strength ****
<http://www.livemint.com/2012/04/16211905/Singapore-dollarmore-strength.html>
V. Anantha Nageswaran, Livemint.com


> If the pains of living in Singapore intensify faster than the (ample) pleasures of living here, foreigners might vote with their feet, affecting medium-term growth prospects. Thus, the Singapore dollar appreciation story is not without its share of risks. Nonetheless, for now, they look manageable and/or remote. Investors could do a lot worse than holding Singapore dollars.



**** Understanding The People’s Problems ****
<http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=7505>
Wong Wee Nam, Sgpolitics.net


> Just because they are old, poor or less educated does not mean their opinions do not count.

Lee Kuan Yew once floated the idea of giving older citizens more votes per person than younger citizens.


**** Wage Restructuring Worth Considering ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120417-0000053/Wage-restructuring-worth-considering>
Chong Lee Ming, Today


> While it appears that Singapore is able to keep living costs low, this is mainly due to depressed wages in these sectors. Conversely, the middle- to higher-income group has larger disposable income after paying less for basic services.



**** Low-wage Workers Here 'Underpaid': Lim Chong Yah ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120417-0000048/Low-wage-workers-here-underpaid--Lim-Chong-Yah>
Lin Yanqin, Today


> Lim Chong Yah clarified his position yesterday: His proposal is premised on low-wage workers in Singapore being "underpaid by much more than 100 per cent of their pay when compared with their counterparts in countries with comparable national affluence like Hong Kong, Japan or Australia". 

> The "gross underpayment", said Professor Lim in a letter to the media, is "consequent on the unlimited influx of cheap foreign labour to Singapore".

In other words, stop talking about raising productivity before wage increase. The low-income workers are already not paid what their productivity should earn.


**** Mr Lui Really, Really Doesn’t Get It! ****
<http://singaporegirl.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/mr-lui-really-really-doesnt-get-it/>
Food Fuels Me To Talk


> Maybe not a lot but for a start, let me suggest: how about not subjecting taxis to COEs? That way will allow for more Cat A COEs for those who can afford only a basic car for driving around. Another way the government can do something to make car-ownership more accessible to all is to cap car ownership to just two cars per household. To those who need more, then they can only rent.

The COE system should have one single objective: limit the number of vehicles in Singapore. Playing with numbers -- putting different cars in different categories, for example -- will not help achieve the objective.
And cheaper COE will just result in higher ERP and parking charges.