[MyAppleMenu] May 31, 2012

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Adds Mobile Tools But Neglects Core Web Technologies ****
<http://www.macworld.com/article/1166980/adobe_dreamweaver_cs6_adds_mobile_tools_but_neglects_core_web_technologies.html#lsrc.rss_main>
David Sawyer McFarland, Macworld


> Dreamweaver CS6 is a powerful Web builder with great code-editing, CSS, and site management capabilities. It introduces great additions for working with a couple of CSS3 properties and for building mobile-friendly websites. However, this version seems to be slipping behind in some of the core technologies Web designers depend on. Lack of HTML 5 tools, disorganized CSS creation, and an ineffective design view make it difficult to build sites using current standards and techniques.



**** Paper For iPad Update Adds PDF Sharing And Extends Rewind History ****
<http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/31/3054356/paper-for-ipad-update-pdf-sharing-extended-rewind>
Sam yford, The Verge



**** Apple: Publishers "Expressed Varying Degrees Of Unhappiness" With Amazon ****
<http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/05/apple-publishers-expressed-varying-degrees-of-unhappiness-with-amazon/>
Jacqui Cheng, Ars Technica


> Apple has acknowledged that yes, part of its motivation to launch the iBookstore was to make money, but says its agreements with e-book publishers were a result of individual negotiations.



**** Beneath Contempt: The Apple TV Business Model ****
<http://www.asymco.com/2012/05/30/beneath-contempt-the-apple-tv-business-model/>
Horace Dediu, Asymco


> What we should think about however is this “polar opposite” business model. Apple is running this as a “hobby” or as an internal experiment. Sales are (relatively) tiny but it generates some profit. Volumes are small but they are growing. It’s taking a heck of a long time. It’s asymmetric to the prevailing model the company relies upon. It’s beneath contempt from all observers. Sounds familiar?

Apple TV, for now, is mainly a U.S.-only business, as opposed to the iPhone/iPad/Mac/App-Stores business. If we believe there's potential in Apple TV, that potential is huge.


**** Let’s Have Some Fun Reading Way Too Much Into The Preliminary Schedule For WWDC 2012 ****
<http://daringfireball.net/2012/05/reading_way_too_much_into_wwdc_schedule>
John Gruber, Daring Fireball


> To me, this is what a preliminary WWDC conference schedule would look like if Apple were set to announce a <i>new</i> developer platform, like, say, apps for Apple TV.

Can't wait.
And if the Apple TV is not going to change fundamentally, that it is still using an up-down-left-right-select remote control, the apps potentially can also be used in the non-iPod-touch line of iPods.


**** Fantastical 1.3 Adds Reminders Integration ****
<http://www.macstories.net/reviews/fantastical-1-3-adds-reminders-integration/>
Federico Viticci, MacStories


> Flexibits’ Fantastical, a menubar-based calendar application to quickly enter new events with natural language recognition, has today been updated to include native integration with Reminders, a feature that Apple rolled out with its own app in iOS 5 last year.



**** Quip: A New iPad Twitter App With A Focus On Conversations ****
<http://www.macstories.net/reviews/quip-a-new-ipad-twitter-app-with-a-focus-on-conversations/>
Federico Viticci, MacStories


> Quip, a new Twitter app by Glasshouse Apps (makers of The Early Edition), takes a unique approach at filtering the typical Twitter timeline by conversations, images, and retweets.






The Tomorrow Weblog
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**** Oops! Now You Can Track The Tweets Politicians Tried To Delete ****
<http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/05/oops-now-you-can-track-the-tweets-politicians-tried-to-delete/257853/>
Megan Garber, The Atlantic



**** Is This The Key To Vastly Better Batteries? ****
<http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/40480/>
Kevin Bullis, Technology Review


> One company thinks it's solved a key problem that's been holding back new energy technology.






MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** False Fronts In The Language Wars ****
<http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/the_good_word/2012/05/steven_pinker_on_the_false_fronts_in_the_language_wars_.html>
Steven Pinker, Slate


> If you didn’t already know that euphonious dichotomies are usually phony dichotomies, you need only check out the latest round in the supposed clash between “prescriptivist” and “descriptivist” theories of language.



**** The Old Ways By Robert Macfarlane – Review ****
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/may/31/old-ways-robert-macfarlane-review>
Alexandra Harris, The Guardian


> "A Journey on Foot", reads the subtitle, but this is the story of many journeys. Fifteen of them are made by Macfarlane himself, along paths in the British Isles and, further afield, in Spain, Palestine and Tibet. He invokes, as he goes, hundreds of previous walkers, and hundreds of pathways – across silt, sand, granite, water, snow – each with its different rhythms and secrets. So the book is a tribute to the variety and complexity of the "old ways" that are often now forgotten as we go past in the car, but which were marked out by the footfall of generations. And it is an affirmation of their connectedness as part of a great network linking ways and wayfarers of every sort. Following Macfarlane's many travels, one understands why he thinks of his project as "a journey", singular rather than plural. In this intricate, sensuous, haunted book, each journey is part of other journeys and there are no clear divisions to be made.






SingaporeSurf
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**** Singapore Still Hostile To Immigrants ****
<http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=107983>
Kalinga Seneviratne, IPS


> Local journalist Jaya Prakash argued that the number of foreigners in Singapore has reached an "unacceptable" level. He believes that the government is biased towards foreigners, allowing them to sweep up jobs that should be given to locals and fill places in schools meant for Singaporeans. 

> As a result, he said, the latter are forced to accept lower pay, for less desirable work, which ultimately results in a lower quality of life for many locals. 



**** The Media In Singapore: A Structural Problem ****
<http://article14.blogspot.com/2012/05/media-in-singapore-structural-problem.html>
Article 14


> Journalists and reporters may want to perform their job impartially. But, there are structural aspects to our print media that prevent the aspiration for media independence to be truly realised.



**** Priorities, Priorities ****
<http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/7214/>
Alex Au, Yawning Bread


> Little things like television channels in hospital wards and where to wash one’s hands on Ubin can lead to much bigger questions about our priorities in Singapore. The sorry thing is that they tend to point to answers that can be quite disgraceful.

I was hospitalized recently in a public hospital, and I don't recall any arabic channels on the television.


**** Abuse Of The Process Of Court For Hougang Hearing To Go On: AGC ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1204758/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia


> The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) maintained that it would be an abuse of the court process for the hearing on the Hougang by-election petition to go on, now that the by-election has been called and concluded.



**** Singapore Drops To 4Th Spot In IMD World Competitiveness Study ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_805307.html>
Aaron Low, Straits Times


> The Republic's ranking in the IMD World Competitiveness study was dragged down by fast-rising prices, a slowing economy and falling productivity.

Also:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://sbr.com.sg/economy/news/should-singapore-learn-thing-or-two-hong-kong">Should Singapore learn a thing or two from Hong Kong?</a> (Singapore Business Review)</li>
<li><a href="http://unbrandedbreadnbutter.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/good-thing-that-singapore-is-losing-its-edge/">Good thing that Singapore is losing its edge</a> (Unbranded Bread n Butter)</li>
</ul>


**** NTUC Foodfare Extends S$1.99 Meals To More Heartlanders ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1204734/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia


> The co-operative has opened its second stall, Warong Rice Garden, at a coffeeshop in Lorong 7, Toa Payoh. Both stalls serve a selection of affordable meals at S$2.50 for the public.

On the one hand, this is good news for the customer. On the other hand, I wonder if the <i>other</i> stall owners renting from NTUC Foodfare will see this as a serious conflict of interest.


**** Steven Chong To Be Singapore's New Attorney-General ****
<http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1204740/1/.html>
S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia


> Justice Steven Chong Horng Siong, who will be Singapore's new Attorney-General (AG) from 25 June, said he is now moving on to a new chapter in his career in law as the country's AG after spending more than 25 years in private practice before joining the Bench.



**** All Bets Are Off At Singapore’s Fake Casinos ****
<http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2012/05/31/all-bets-are-off-at-singapores-fake-casinos/>
Chun Han Wong, Wall Street Journal


> The equipment is genuine enough, as are the dealers, who are professionally trained. The players, though, are party goers who are dressed to the nines to rub shoulders at a private function.

> It’s a near-authentic, no-stakes gambling experience offered by events company The Casino Royale, which stages themed parties capitalizing on the novelty of Singapore’s fledging casino industry.



**** Hey Poor Families, Here Are Some One-year ST Subscriptions For You! ****
<http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2012/05/hey-poor-families-here-are-some-one-year-st-subscriptions-for-you.html>
Lee Kin Mun, mrbrown


> I am sure poor families are dying to read your paper, Warren Fernandez, but giving cash or groceries is probably more helpful, no? They can read your papers at the RC, CC or library what.

If you have some money to spare, and you want to help out some <i>other</i> charities in Singapore, why not visit <a href="https://www.sggives.org/SGGives_P_Home.aspx">SG Gives</a> and see how you can help out?


**** We Hate To Say This, But Employees Have No Bonus To Expect ****
<http://sbr.com.sg/hr-education/news/we-hate-say-employees-have-no-bonus-expect>
Singapore Business Review


> Incentives as a percentage of base salary in Singapore slumps in 2011 and the downtrend is expected to continue moving forward amid declining business confidence.



**** Registered Parcel Missing And SingPost Cannot Tell What's Happened ****
<http://boo-n-bouquet.blogspot.com/2012/05/registered-parcel-missing-and-singpost.html>
Boo-n-Bouquet



**** The Difference Between Hougang And Potong Pasir ****
<http://www.publichouse.sg/categories/topstory/item/623-the-difference-between-hougang-and-potong-pasir>
Tan Kian Hwee, Publichouse.sg



**** Parliamentary Approval Of Loans: A Case Of Déjà Vu? ****
<http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/05/parliamentary-approval-of-loans-a-case-of-deja-vu/>
Kenneth Jeyaretnam, The Online Citizen



**** Build Eldercare Facilities On Under-used Land ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_805134.html>
Ang Chin Guan, Straits Times


> There is no need to squeeze nursing homes between already cluttered housing blocks when there is still plenty of poorly utilised land.

The suggestion of the "empty plot next to Eunos MRT station" makes me laugh. Do you think this government will "waste" the potential higher returns from this plot of land to build a nursing home? Today, even polyclinics fail to enjoy being situated right next to MRT stations.
Also: <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_805129.html">Don't isolate those in need of care and love</a> (Chen Sen Lenn, Straits Times)


**** Vital To Locate Nursing Homes In Heartland ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_805133.html>
Manmohan Singh, Asian Women's Welfare Association Centre for Caregivers, Straits Times


> We stand with current and future family caregivers in urging Singaporeans to be more accepting of nursing homes, just as we have embraced essential childcare services, schools, shopping malls, wet markets and food centres in our estates.

Going forward, maybe it's time for HDB to stop the practice of reserving plots of land for future development.


**** No Drop In Pump Prices: Case Seeking Explanation From Oil Firms ****
<http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_805199.html>
Seah Seng Choon, Consumers Associaton of Asingapore (Case), Straits Times


> We have also written to these companies to seek an explanation for the absence of a significant drop in prices despite the fall in oil prices, and are waiting for their response.



**** 没有所谓“地方选举” ****
<http://www.zaobao.com.sg/yl/jl120531_003.shtml>
å¼ å›½å¼º, 联合早报


> æ–°åŠ å¡çš„è¡Œæ”¿ç»“æž„æ˜¯ä¸€çº§æ”¿åºœï¼Œä¹Ÿå°±æ˜¯è¯´æˆ‘ä»¬æ²¡æœ‰å¸‚åŽ¿ä¹‹ç±»çš„è¡Œæ”¿æœºæž„ï¼Œè€Œåªæœ‰ä¸€ä¸ªä¸­å¤®æ”¿åºœã€‚è¿™ä¸ªæ”¿åºœåœ¨å¤§é€‰ä¸­å¾—åˆ°å¤§å¤šæ•°é€‰æ°‘çš„å§”æ‰˜ä¸ºå…¨æ°‘å·¥ä½œã€‚

> 市政理事会没有权也没有钱，更没有资源。市政理事会收的是管理费，不能和税收混淆，两者是完全不同的性质和属性。

I am only aware of one single set of law that is applied differently: you can legally ride a bicycle on pedestrian walkways in Tampines, but not elsewhere.


**** Rules Of The PR Game ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120531-0000073/Rules-of-the-PR-game>
Tan Si An, Today


> While Singaporeans welcome PRs and new citizens, the rules are clear when they receive their PR status or citizenship.

Non-Singaporeans parents opt in to NS for their children, Singaporeans parents will need to opt out instead. And it is not easy at all to opt out.


**** National Service Is Here To Stay ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120531-0000017/National-Service-is-here-to-stay>
Francis Valentine Tan, Today


> What would our national defence be if it were to attract only sign-on personnel? Would our young men appreciate the intent of protecting our nation?

The question is not about the intention. The questions increasingly are: what's fair, and what's there to protect?


**** Only S$5 For Yellow Ribbon Fund? ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120531-0000060/Only-S$5-for-Yellow-Ribbon-Fund?>
M Lukshumayeh, Today


> The registration fees this year are S$30 and S$35 for the 6km Fun Run and 10km Competitive Run, respectively. It is shocking that only S$5 of the fee goes to the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Don't participate in the run if you feel that the ratio is unfair. <a href="http://www.yellowribbon.org.sg/singapore-volunteer-opportunities/prison-charity-donate.html">Donate directly</a> to the Yellow Ribbon Project instead.


**** Property Developers Countering Govt Policy ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120531-0000041/Property-developers-countering-govt-policy>
Edwin Lim, Today


> The government should make it illegal for property developers to absorb any stamp duty.



**** Shoddy Journalism ****
<http://singaporedesk.blogspot.com/2012/05/shoddy-journalism.html>
Singapore Notes


> The newspaper that was once ranked 154th out of 195 in the "2007 Freedom of the Press World Ranking" by "Freedom House" is crying foul. Never mind if a United States diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks once quoted Chua Chin Hon, the Straits Times' U.S. bureau chief, saying that the paper's "editors have all been groomed as pro-government supporters and are careful to ensure that reporting of local events adheres closely to the official line", and that "the government exerts significant pressure on ST editors to ensure that published articles follow the government's line".

Who do you believe, the freedom of the press ranking, or some ruling-party MP's claim that SPH is free of government intervention?
Also: <a href="http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/05/the-by-elections-and-the-msm-saga/">The by-elections and the MSM Saga<?a> (Loh Wei Wen, The Online Citizen)


**** Three Reservist Call-ups The Norm? ****
<http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC120530-0000159/Three-reservist-call-ups-the-norm?>
Angeline Seah, Today


> My husband, 36, had reservist training from Jan 5 to 19, when my eldest daughter started in Primary 1 and my four-year-old was diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease. It was also just before Chinese New Year.

> His second reservist training is this week, the first week of the school holiday, and his third is from Dec 7 to 26, which will deprive our three children of their father for most of their holidays, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

How many PRs who complain that their child can't get priority treatment in school selection but still have to do NS when they grow up will want to do reservist?


**** Do This, Straits Times, And Maybe You’ll Be Credible And Believable ****
<http://andrewlohhp.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/do-this-straits-times-and-maybe-youll-be-credible-and-believable/>
Andrew Loh


> What does such blatant stupidity by the editors do for our country? Ask yourself. It brings us back to the old times of blatant bully tactics, and drags our country down with it – just because some people think they know better than everyone else and attempt to shove their stupidity down our throats.