[MyAppleMenu] Apr 23, 2012

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
====================================
**** New Dropbox Learns To Show And Share ****
<http://www.myapplemenu.comhttps://www.macworld.com/article/1166492/new_dropbox_learns_to_show_and_share.html>
Glenn Fleishman, Macworld


> Dropbox, the Internet-hosted file-synchronization service, updated its desktop, mobile, and Web app software on Monday to allow any file or folder stored in a user’s sync folder to be shared with other people via a Web-accessible link. The shared files and folders make use of Web-based previewing that allows images, videos, and documents to be viewed, heard, or paged-through without an external application, as well as simply downloaded.



**** Guy Sues Apple And Wins — But Here’s Why His Victory Is A Bummer ****
<http://moneyland.time.com/2012/04/23/guy-sues-apple-and-wins-but-heres-why-his-victory-is-a-bummer/>
Martha C. White, Time


> A Seattle blogger who goes by the handle Rex won a small-claims lawsuit he filed against Apple after it reneged on a promise to fix his defective computer. This kind of man-bites-dog moment is rare, but in the wake of legislation that allows companies to prohibit customers from filing class-action suits against them, watchdog groups say small-claims court is the only weapon consumers have left. 



**** Live TV Streaming Scam App Slips Past Apple ****
<http://www.macworld.co.uk/ipad-iphone/news/?newsid=3353058>
Ashleigh Allsopp, Macworld UK


> A 69p iOS app appeared on Apple’s iTunes Store on 20 April, enabling users to stream 55 TV channels straight to their iPad or iPhone without any additional cost. It was downloaded by thousands, and received over 2000 five star reviews. The app, however, has now been revealed as a scam.



**** New Java Trojan And Old MS Word Vulnerabilities Need Patching ****
<http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/new-java-trojan-and-old-ms-word-vulnerabilities-need-patching/12803>
David Morgenstern, ZDNet


> According to fresh warnings by security vendor Intego, another Java vulnerability is attacking Macs that haven’t been patched with Apple’s Java for OS X Lion 2012-002 and Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 7, released earlier this month. Meanwhile, the security analysts warned that many copies of older versions of MS Word haven’t been patched and are being infected.



**** Adobe Creative Suite 6 Launch Propels Design, Web, And Video Apps Onto Center Stage ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/1166456/adobe_creative_suite_6_launch_propels_design_web_and_video_apps_onto_center_stage.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Jackie Dove, Macworld


> With the launch of Creative Suite 6 (CS6), Adobe has realigned, tightened, and refocused its collection of software and targeted bundles into four disciplined groups. With Photoshop CS6 at the helm, CS6 reflects the updated, streamlined, real-world workflow of many creative operations. Adobe has long acknowledged that print and online creative projects were converging, and this version of Creative Suite demonstrates that.



**** Adobe Launches Creative Suite 6 Alongside New Creative Cloud Subscription Service ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/1166487/adobe_launches_creative_suite_6_alongside_new_creative_cloud_subscription_service.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Jackie Dove, Macworld


> Adobe has launched the much-anticipated sixth version of its Creative Suite—14 separate applications, including two companion apps—spanning a vast range of creative workflows and pursuits, targeting artists, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, multimedia specialists, and Web designers.

> At the same time, Adobe has debuted Creative Cloud, an overarching collection of products and services of which the new Creative Suite 6 (CS6) is a huge part. Creative Cloud encompasses all of CS6 and throws in a broad selection of new online applications and services that will be available only by subscription.



**** Justice Department Bites Apple ****
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303513404577357891071400670.html>
L. Gordon Crovitz, Wall Street Journal


> Allegations of price fixing are hard enough to prove in mature industries such as steel or railroads, where arguably executives could control prices by dining together in posh restaurants. The highly dynamic digital economy is different. A more humble, more technology-savvy Justice Department would have exercised restraint by letting the e-book market evolve instead of ordering it to freeze into a single model with a single provider at a single price point for consumers.



**** For Today's IT Professional, The iPad Is An Addition, Not A Replacement ****
<http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/reviews/2012/04/the-ipad-as-a-sysadmins-tool.ars>
John C. Welch, Ars Technica


> While I have a solid collection of tools on my iPad, the real advantage isn’t what it runs. It’s the way the size and form contribute to how I use it.



**** Carrier Trade Is Still In Apple's Favor ****
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304331204577356292511990210.html>
Rolfe Winkler, Wall Street Journal


> One option for carriers is to push other devices in stores. An Android device from Samsung, say, or the new Nokia Lumia running Windows, is more profitable for them than selling an iPhone.

> But don't expect the carriers to hurt Apple's lucrative mobile-phone franchise any time soon. That is because consumers still want iPhones. The best way for carriers to reduce iPhone sales would be to make them noticeably pricier than rival devices.






The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Start-Up Aims To Stream Pay TV Onto Web Devices ****
<http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/23/business/media/nimbletv-aims-to-stream-tv-on-devices.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all>
Brian Stelter, New York Times


> In a move that could hasten the slow pace of so-called TV Everywhere, a technology start-up is introducing a way to move a whole subscription’s worth of TV onto the Web, with or without the subscription company’s permission.



**** Intel's Ivy Bridge Chips Launch Using '3D Transistors' ****
<http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-17785464>
Leo Kelion, BBC






MyAppleMenu Reader
====================================
**** A Point Of View: In Defence Of Obscure Words ****
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17777556>
Will Self, BBC


> Without the bar to jump over set high, we'll all end up simply playing in the sandpit.



**** Hand On The Shoulder ****
<http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2012/04/30/120430fi_fiction_mcewan>
Ian McEwan, New Yorker



**** Get Rich U. ****
<http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/04/30/120430fa_fact_auletta>
Ken Auletta, New Yorker


> There are no walls between Stanford and Silicon Valley. Should there be?






SingaporeSurf
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**** Singapore Inflation Jumps ****
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303592404577361262759735648.html>
Gaurav Raghuvanshi, Wall Street Journal


> "It's a tricky one for policy," said Robert Prior-Wandesforde, an economist at Credit Suisse. "What this is doing is effectively making Singapore less competitive—Singapore's inflation is one of the highest in Asia, and that is unusual, if not unprecedented. Singapore is losing some competitiveness here, and its nominal exchange rate is appreciating rapidly as well."



**** æ–°åŠ å¡äººå£é—®é¢˜ä¸Žå‘å±•ç†å¿µ ****
<http://theory.gmw.cn/2012-04/23/content_4020241.htm>
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**** PM Lee Responds To Netizens On Facebook ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1196998/1/.html>
Hon Jing Yi, Channel NewsAsia


> Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said he has sent some of the feedback he received via his Facebook page to the various ministries to consider.

> In his latest status update, Mr Lee said he takes netizens' views "very seriously".



**** Singapore Inflation Accelerates More Than Estimated To 5.2% ****
<http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-23/singapore-inflation-quickens-justifying-central-bank-tightening.html>
Shamim Adam And Sarina Yoo, Bloomberg


> Singapore’s inflation accelerated more than economists estimated in March, justifying the central bank’s decision to tighten monetary policy this month.

> The consumer price index rose 5.2 percent from a year earlier, after climbing 4.6 percent in February, the Department of Statistics said in a statement today. That exceeded the predictions of 17 of 18 economists in a Bloomberg News survey, where the median estimate was for a 4.7 percent increase. The core inflation rate was 2.9 percent in March.

> “What’s been messing things up are the COE prices,” said Edward Teather, a Singapore-based economist at UBS AG, referring to the car permits known as certificates of entitlements. “If COE prices keep going up at their current pace, it’s going to make it difficult for the headline inflation numbers to fall.”



**** $500 Fee To Import A $10 Medical Device? ****
<http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/04/500-fee-to-import-a-10-device/>
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen



**** Be Wary Of Online Rumours: Yaacob ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120423-0000080/Be-wary-of-online-rumours--Yaacob>
Tan Weizhen, Today


> Site owners, moderators, teachers, parents and the government have to work together of what it wants as a society, in dealing with such downsides of the Internet, said Dr Yaacob, who stressed that the government is still looking at regulating the Internet with a light touch.

Light touch doesn't mean you don't work with the government.


**** Traditional Media Must Not Lose Sight Of Key Strengths: Yaacob Ibrahim ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1196917/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia


> He said Singapore's media model is based on consensus and facilitating nation building, as well as preserving social cohesion and empowering audiences to make informed decisions as a society.

> He said in this aspect, the major media companies which have an established presence can set the right tone online, with good practices of information sharing and moderation of the various online platforms.

Be our mouthpiece, but be smart about that.


**** Public Inquiry Into SMRT Disruptions Continues ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1196910/1/.html>
Hetty Musfirah, Channel NewsAsia


> Crowd control measures and providing ample information to passengers on alternative routes in the event of a disruption were among issues raised as the public inquiry into last December's train disruptions enters week two.



**** Don't Let Maids Clean Outside Of Windows: Halimah ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_791714.html>
Straits Times


> The call went out on Sunday for employers not to insist that their domestic workers clean the outside of windows in high-rise homes.

> Madam Halimah Yacob, the Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, said there is no need for the outside of windows to be cleaned if they are already clean on the inside.



**** A Walk Through The Old Neighbourhood – Serangoon Gardens ****
<http://remembersingapore.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/old-neighbourhood-serangoon-gardens/>
Remember Singapore



**** The Uneasy Expats ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120423-0000001/The-uneasy-expats>
Richard Hartung, Today


> While there is plenty of discussion in Singapore about having too many foreigners here, the buzz in the expat community is about how uncertain it is whether they can continue to live here. 

> Whether the number of rejected applications is actually large or small isn't clear. Regardless of reality, word has gotten around about passes not being renewed and rumours about the reasons are flowing fast. As one blogger wrote: "It's pot luck … Doesn't seem to be any rhyme nor reason." 



**** That US 4 Billion To The IMF: Is It Unconstitutional? ****
<http://article14.blogspot.com/2012/04/that-us-4-billion-to-imf-is-it.html>
Article 14


> I wonder if the President was consulted. I wonder if he has given his consent. Given that this is one of the areas of the President's discretionary powers and given the fact that he is an Elected President, I would expect some transparency and accountability here simply in the form of an official request for the President's consent and the President's communication of such consent with reasons stated. This would ensure that the people can judge the President's record when it comes to the next Presidential Election.



**** Supermarts May Start Charging For Plastic Bags ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_791715.html>
Lee Jia Xin, Straits Times


> The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) is studying ways to cut down on the excessive use of plastic bags here.

> One of the options being considered is for supermarkets to start charging for plastic bags daily or on alternate days, The Straits Times has learnt.



**** GPS Trackers For Your Kids? ****
<http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/23/asia/11157468&sec=asia>
Straits Times


> The child abduction scares last month have struck a nerve in Singapore parents, prompting some to err on the side of caution by buying child-locator alarms and GPS trackers for their young children.



**** The Government’s Knee-jerk Reaction To Wage Proposals ****
<http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/04/government-reaction-to-wage-proposals/>
Gordon Lee, The Online Citizen


> A 50% pay increase of someone earning $1000 a month will bring that to merely $1500 after three years. If a business cannot afford to pay workers more than $1500 a month, should the government really be subsidising these businesses through securing for them cheap labour, and co-paying through their WIS bailout fund?



**** History Or Heritage: The Belitung Shipwreck And Bukit Brown ****
<http://minimyna.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/history-or-heritage/>
Mini Myna



**** The Good Thing About Singapore. ****
<http://sgmaesai.com/journal/2012/4/22/the-good-thing-about-singapore.html>
A Singaporean [Quitter] In Maesal



**** Smallness: A Uniquely Singaporean Trait ****
<http://yamscribbly.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/smallness-a-uniquely-singaporean-trait/>
Scribbly-Doo-Da


> I have a genuine fear that this small country of ours is breeding small-minded people: that Singaporeans are all too content to settle that these four walls are just that, and that we can’t choose to break them down.



**** Is This My Singapore? My Home And My Country? ****
<http://gintai.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/is-this-my-singapore/>
Gintai_昇泰


> We are not proud to be Singaoreans. We curse our fate as citizens of this country. How to have an inclusive society when there is no morale? How to fight and win a war when citizens are dishearten and felt cheated?



**** The Island That Was ****
<http://singaporelifetimes.blogspot.com/2012/04/island-that-was.html>
Singapore Life And Times


> But we have become complacent, even arrogant in our perceived resiliency. We have gotten drunk on the praise that the international community has lavished on us for years that we have begun to believe in our own invincibility.



**** Singapore Still On Qantas Radar ****
<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/singapore-still-on-qantas-radar/story-e6frg95x-1226335696196>
Lisa Macnamara, The Australian


> Problems obtaining traffic rights are thought to have killed off the Singapore option, with focus turning to Malaysia.

> However, Mr Joyce said yesterday that Qantas remained in dialogue with the Singapore government about the issue.

Why does Singapore have issues with Qantas setting up a base in Singapore? I hope it is not for protecting Singapore Airlines' growth.