[MyAppleMenu] Apr 30, 2012

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Apple's Tim Cook Wins Where Steve Jobs Failed: On Java ****
<http://www.infoworld.com/t/mac-os-x/apples-tim-cook-wins-where-steve-jobs-failed-java-192003>
Woody Leonhard, InfoWorld


> The headlines make it sound like Oracle, the inherited owner of Java, has generously stepped in to help protect Mac owners from infections like Flashback. There's an important backstory, though, that hasn't hit the headlines.

> Although Steve Jobs tried for years to get out from under the Java ball and chain, last week Tim Cook finally coerced Oracle into supplying updates for its own software. It only took 700,000 infected systems to convince Oracle to handle Java on OS X itself.



**** Why iOS Apps Look Better Than Android Apps ****
<http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/04/easier-design-apps-ios/>
Christina Bonnington, Wired


> Hipmunk UI/UX designer and iOS developer Danilo Campos explains it succinctly: “The very simple short answer is it’s easier to make a good-looking, attractive iOS app compared to making an Android app.”



**** How To Transition Your Website Away From MobileMe And iWeb ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/1166272/how_to_transition_your_website_away_from_mobileme_and_iweb.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Adam Berenstain, Macworld



**** Bioshock 2 Finally Lands On The Mac ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/1166593/bioshock_2_finally_lands_on_the_mac.html#lsrc.rss_main>
Cliff Joseph, Macworld



**** Does "Mastered For iTunes" Matter To Music? Ars Puts It To The Test ****
<http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2012/04/does-mastered-for-itunes-matter-to-music-ars-puts-it-to-the-test.ars>
Chris Foresman, Ars Technica



**** Flashback Malware Exposes Big Gaps In Apple Security Response ****
<http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/flashback-malware-exposes-big-gaps-in-apple-security-response/4904>
Ed Bott, ZDNet



**** How Apple Sidesteps Billions In Taxes Around The Globe: Some Personal Reflections ****
<http://www.myapplemenu.comhttps://plus.google.com/107033731246200681024/posts/JpobfLAreyo>
Tim O'Reilly, Google+


> I look at families that are successful. They love and take care of each other, and are repaid in ways that make everyone happier. 

> I look at families that are unsuccessful. Everyone looks after number one, and they gradually drift apart.



**** IT Giants In Price Probe ****
<http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/it-giants-in-price-probe-20120428-1xs16.html>
Stephanie Peatling And Jim O'rourke, The Age


> Computer giants Apple and Microsoft will be asked to defend their pricing policies at a federal parliamentary inquiry into why Australians pay far more for music and game downloads than overseas customers.

> The terms of reference are being finalised by Senator Conroy, but the inquiry will begin later this year and be conducted by the House of Representatives standing committee on infrastructure and communications.






The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Big Data's Big Problem: Little Talent ****
<http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304723304577365700368073674.html>
Ben Rooney, Wall Street Journal






MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Blood, Gore, Tourism: The Ax Murderer Who Saved A Small Town ****
<http://www.salon.com/2012/04/29/blood_gore_tourism_the_ax_murderer_who_saved_a_small_town/>
Nick Kowalczyk, Salon


> This is a story of murder and tourism and ghosts. Of civic failure and the illusion of certainty.



**** Black-Scholes: The Maths Formula Linked To The Financial Crash ****
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17866646>
Tim Harford, BBC


> It's not every day that someone writes down an equation that ends up changing the world. But it does happen sometimes, and the world doesn't always change for the better. It has been argued that one formula known as Black-Scholes, along with its descendants, helped to blow up the financial world.



**** My London, And Welcome To It ****
<http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/travel/a-profile-of-london-by-aa-gill.html>
A.A. Gill, New York Times


> London is a city of ghosts; you feel them here. Not just of people, but eras. The ghost of empire, or the blitz, the plague, the smoky ghost of the Great Fire that gave us Christopher Wren’s churches and ushered in the Georgian city. London can see the dead, and hugs them close. If New York is a wise guy, Paris a coquette, Rome a gigolo and Berlin a wicked uncle, then London is an old lady who mutters and has the second sight. She is slightly deaf, and doesn’t suffer fools gladly.






SingaporeSurf
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**** SMRT Q4 Net Profit Drops ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1198388/1/.html>
Pamela Koh, Chnnel NewsAsia


> According to SMRT interim CEO Tan Ek Kia, the lower net profit was due to higher operating expenses and impairment costs from bus operations.



**** Help Will Be Given To Those Unemployed: Tan Chuan-Jin ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1198367/1/.html>
Chnnel NewsAsia


> Mr Tan said the Manpower Ministry together with the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), e2i and the Community Development Councils (CDCS) must continue to help match those out of a job with available jobs through various means. This includes helping workers transit between jobs via retraining.



**** The New Normal: Celebrating A New Media Victory (Or 'Why We Don't Need Your COC') ****
<http://article14.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-normal-celebrating-new-media.html>
Article 14


> Do we need a COC? No. In all likelihood this move is initiated as an attempt at information management. If that is indeed the motivation, then our leaders have not understood a key driving force behind the 'new normal'. So, here is some free advice: We don't want to be told. We want to make up our own minds.



**** Raising Productivity Only Way To Sustain Better Wages, Says PM Lee ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1198357/1/.html>
Imelda Saad, Chnnel NewsAsia


> Mr Lee pointed out that this will require the effort of everyone - workers, employers and the government.

> He said workers should also be adaptable and flexible, keen to re-skill and willing to cross over to new, growing industries. Companies, he said, must support this transformation.

> Mr Lee said employers should look beyond short-term profits, treat employees as partners and invest in their development. Unions too must work hard to organise workers who need help in this uncertain environment.



**** Singapore Central Bank Flags Inflation Risks ****
<http://www.marketwatch.com/story/singapore-central-bank-flags-inflation-risks-2012-04-30>
Gaurav Raghuvanshi, MarketWatch


> Singapore's inflation is likely to stay elevated in the coming months and ease only gradually later in 2012, the island nation's central bank said in a report Monday, reiterating its existing estimates for inflation and economic growth this year.

> "While the pace of subsequent price increases will ease from the high seen earlier this year, overall inflation will remain firm," the Monetary Authority of Singapore said in its post monetary policy Macroeconomic Review, flagging tight resource constraints in the labor market and high global crude oil prices.



**** Singapore: Commute Death Sentence In Drug Case ****
<http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/04/29/singapore-commute-death-sentence-drug-case>
Human Rights Watch


> While Human Rights Watch opposes the death penalty in all circumstances because of its inherent cruelty, Yong’s case raises additional human rights, humanitarian, and due process concerns, Human Rights Watch said. Singapore’s use of the death penalty is inconsistent with international human rights law, statements of UN human rights experts, and UN bodies.

> Human rights law upholds every human being’s “inherent right to life” and limits the death penalty to “the most serious crimes,” typically crimes resulting in death. The mandatory nature of Singapore’s drug penalty has been criticized as violating international standards by eliminating the discretion of the court, making it impossible to take into account mitigating or extenuating circumstances and eliminating any individual determination of an appropriate sentence in a particular case.



**** Singapore Loves Food That Oozes ****
<http://blog.omy.sg/danielang/archives/2387>
Daniel's Food Diary



**** The Meaning Of May Day Lost In Singapore	 ****
<http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/5229-the-meaning-of-may-day-lost-in-singapore>
Singaore Democratic Party


> In Singapore, however, May Day and the labour movement has been hijacked by the PAP and used to show its 'socialist' credentials while effectively stripping Singaporean workers of every conceivable right they had. 



**** Commuters Affected By Yet Another Delay On East-West Line ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_794039.html>
Straits Times


> The delay, of nearly half an hour, was made worse by wet weather conditions, which forced MRT trains to run at a lower speed because of slippery track conditions on elevated parts of the network.

Previous: <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_786869.html"> Govt To Minimise Major MRT Disruptions: Lui Tuck Yew</a> (Straits Times, Apr 9, 2012): The Government will try to minimise major disruptions of more than 30 minutes, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said on Monday, even as he warned that some disruptions and defects on the heavily-used MRT were 'unavoidable'.


**** Singapore Signals Policy Tightening Won’t Fully Offset Prices ****
<http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-30/singapore-signals-policy-tightening-won-t-fully-offset-prices.html>
Yee Kai Pin, Bloomberg


> The tightening of Singapore’s monetary policy earlier this month won’t completely counter price pressures, as efforts to reduce foreign workers in the economy push up business costs, the central bank signaled.

> “While changes in the foreign worker policy are necessary to ensure a more efficient allocation of resources and a more productive workforce over the medium term, the latter will take time to come to fruition,” the Monetary Authority of Singapore said in its Macroeconomic Review today. The policy tightening is “intended to temper, but not fully offset, the pass-through of these supply-side cost increases,” it said.



**** 80/710 000 000 ****
<http://yuene.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/80sqm/>
Haus Of Yuene



**** Dr. Chee Soon Juan And The Oslo Freedom Forum: The View From The Ground? ****
<http://guanyinmiao.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/dr-chee-soon-juan-and-the-oslo-freedom-forum-the-view-from-the-ground/>
Kwan Jin Yao, Guanyinmiao's Musings



**** Singapore Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly In Q1 ****
<http://www.rttnews.com/1871367/singapore-unemployment-rate-rises-slightly-in-q1.aspx?type=alleco>
RTTNews


> Singapore's unemployment rate edged up to a seasonally adjusted 2.1 percent in the first quarter of 2012 from 2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, due to increased layoffs by firms towards the end of last year, the Ministry of Manpower said in a report on Monday.

> The preliminary findings showed that an estimated 59,100 residents, including 52,800 Singapore citizens were unemployed in March 2012.



**** SMRT Trains Delayed This Morning Due To ‘Bad Weather Condition’ And ‘Train Fault’ ****
<http://temasektimes.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/smrt-trains-delayed-this-morning-due-to-bad-weather-condition-and-train-fault/>
The Temasek Times



**** Offensive Comments ****
<http://singaporedesk.blogspot.com/2012/04/offensive-comments.html>
Singapore Notes



**** An Ominous Internet Omen ****
<http://singaporerecalcitrant.blogspot.com/2012/04/ominous-internet-omen.html>
Singapore Recalcitrant


> The government may not agree with this assessment but where do we go from here? Would it not be prudent for the government to allow the status quo to continue until such time when the situation warrants it to be reviewed? 



**** Singapore Inflation Spike A Growing Pain To Higher Productivity ****
<http://sbr.com.sg/economy/news/singapore-inflation-spike-growing-pain-higher-productivity>
Singapore Business Review



**** End Of Lim Chu Kang Road [林厝港路] - Wooden Jetty, Coast Guard Post & Mysterious House ****
<http://cavinteo.blogspot.com/2012/04/end-of-lim-chu-kang-road-wooden-jetty.html>
Entree Kibbles



**** Random Discourse – Wage “Shock Therapy” ****
<http://www.nowhere.per.sg/?p=1725>
The Lycan Times


> Isn’t is absurd that companies won’t blink an eye paying a CEO millions in severance and bonus after getting screwed but our so-called “labour chief” is concerned that raising the pay of just low-wage workers may cause them to move out?



**** DPM Tharman: “Average Singaporean Will Not Feel The Effects Of A Sharp Inflation” Seriously!?! ****
<http://jentrifiedcitizen.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/dpm-tharman-average-singaporean-will-not-feel-the-effects-of-a-sharp-inflation-seriously/>
Jentrified Citizen



**** Online Code Of Conduct Is Stupid ****
<http://aloadoffish.blogspot.com/2012/04/online-code-of-conduct-is-stupid.html>
A Load Of Fish


> Current laws are more than adequate enough to be applied online. The internet is just another communication medium. Technically speaking, there should be no difference if you slander someone online or offline.

The government is treating online as press, and we all know how restrictive the government on press is.


**** Proposed Online Code Of Conduct For PAP Ministers And MPs ****
<http://www.myapplemenu.comhttps://temasektimes.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/proposed-online-code-of-conduct-for-pap-ministers-and-mps/>
The Temasek Times


> Please do not hide behind your administrators. This is very misleading and irresponsible, especially when your account is under your name.



**** 拍完《大世界》《龙众舞》 ****
<http://www.zaobao.com.sg/fk/yu120430_001.shtml>
æŽäº¦ç­ , 联合早报


> æœ¬åœ°å¨±ä¹åœˆæƒŠä¼ æ–°ä¼ åª’æ——ä¸‹çš„æ˜Ÿéœ–ç”µå½±å…¬å¸å°†å…³é—­çš„æ¶ˆæ¯ï¼Œæ®è¯´æ˜Ÿéœ–çš„å‘˜å·¥å·²å‡†å¤‡å¦è°‹ä»–å°±ï¼Œæœ¬åœ°å¯¼æ¼”å”æ°¸å¥ä»Šå¹´åˆä¸å†æ‹…ä»»æ˜Ÿéœ–ç”µå½±çš„åˆ›æ„æ€»ç›‘ï¼ˆCreative Director ï¼‰ï¼Œä¹Ÿæ˜¯å› ä¸ºæ–°ä¼ åª’è®¡åˆ’å…³æŽ‰æ˜Ÿéœ–ç”µå½±ã€‚



**** The Best Way To Improve ElderShield: Keep It Relevant ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120430-0000029/The-best-way-to-improve-ElderShield--Keep-it-relevant>
Arthur Lim, Today


> With the rising cost of living, the payout, even for those who signed up for Enhanced ElderShield, would almost certainly fail to meet the needs of the elderly.



**** ElderShield Scheme Review Will Not Be Rushed ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120430-0000024/ElderShield-scheme-review-will-not-be-rushed>
Tan Weizhen, Today


> Said Mr Gan: "This year, we are reviewing MediShield, so next year we will be reviewing ElderShield."

> Mr Gan added: "But we also have to bear in mind that, with enhancement, the cost of the insurance will go up, so we have to calibrate very carefully to ensure that Eldershield remains affordable and, at the same time, the benefits remain effective to help our seniors."



**** Social Media A Function Of Democratic Evolution: Pritam Singh ****
<http://www.publichouse.sg/categories/topstory/item/577-social-media-a-function-of-democratic-evolution-pritam-singh>
Andrew Loh, Publichouse.sg


> “This development makes some governments, not just the PAP, insecure. In fact, the PAP is especially insecure because it systemically chipped away at whatever vestige of an independent mainstream media that had existed previously,” Mr Singh said. “For a number of years already, the online space has represented a bastion of free expression for so many Singaporeans who did not have such an outlet previously.”

> Mr Singh said Singapore leaders are “especially uncomfortable with social media because today they no longer are 100 per cent in control of the national discourse.”

> “We should welcome the arrival of social media as a function of our democratic evolution. And we should work with it to strengthen our national fabric, not see it as an impediment. Critical views are something we should be proud of. People want to take ownership of their country. It’s a welcome sign.”



**** People Are Angry About Control? It’s Okay, We’ll Solve It With <i>Even More Control</i>! ****
<http://kirstenhan.me/2012/04/29/people-are-angry-about-control-its-okay-well-solve-it-with-even-more-control/>
Kirsten Han, Funny Little World


> This is not a problem that a community centre kumbaya session is going to fix. And since people are really angry at the government for getting us into this situation in the first place, it seems unlikely that <i>even more control</i> is going to make the problem go away.