[MyAppleMenu] Jan 3, 2008

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Talk Of 'Super-Thin' Laptop Whets Apple Aficionados' Appetite <http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/technology/article3121574.ece>
by Rhys Blakely, The Times
Apple is set to unveil a new ultraportable laptop on Janaury 15, according to the army of online pundits dedicated to tracking the iPod maker's every move.

**** Anxiety 1.0 <http://www.macworld.com/article/131369/2008/01/anxiety.html>
by Dan Frakes, Macworld
Anxiety succeeds-perhaps better than any other to-do program I've used. It doesn't have as many features as ToDO X or other products, but it serves its intended purpose well: It's just noticeable enough that you don't forget about your tasks, but it doesn't dominate your screen or require you to switch back and forth between your to-do list and other applications.

**** First Look: PowerPoint 2008 <http://www.macworld.com/article/131349/2008/01/powerpoint08fl.html>
by Franklin N. Tessler, Macworld
I'm impressed by what I've seen so far. PowerPoint 2008 has clearly narrowed the gap with Keynote in many areas and supassed it in some.

**** First Look: Entourage 2008 <http://www.macworld.com/article/131362/2008/01/entourage2008_fl.html>
by Tom Negrino, Macworld
For most users, its improvements will be welcome, but hardly revolutionary. Still, it earns its place in Office 2008.

**** iCab 4.0 Meters Out Universality And New Features <http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/01/02/icab-4-0-meters-out-universality-and-new-features>
by Erik Kennedy, Ars Technica
A complete rewrite using the Cocoa frameworks for OS X gives it a new snappiness along with a glistening sheen that won't leave your dishes all spotted.

**** Sonic The Hedgehog For iPod <http://www.macworld.com/article/131358/2008/01/sonic.html>
by Peter Cohen, Macworld
Sonic the Hedgehog for iPod is a great trip down memory lane and superbly well done, but proof positive that some games just shouldn't be made for the iPod.

MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Auntie's Awakening <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/01/AR2008010102081.html?nav=most_emailed>
by Tamara Jones, Washington Post
She overcame heartbreak and made a whole lot of dough in pretzels. NowA nne Beiler serves life lessons to others in Pennsylvania's Amish country.

**** The Scourge Of The Builable Hour <http://www.slate.com/id/2180420/fr/rss/>
by Lisa Lerer, Slate
Could law firm cliemts finally kill it off?

SingaporeSurf
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**** China Backs Singapore Bid For China Eastern Stake <http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/story.aspx?guid=%7B9C4FDA53%2DEDF2%2D4408%2DB459%2D5EC27793E646%7D>
by MarketWatch
The Chinese government is pressuring shareholders of mainland carrier China Eastern Airlines to approve an investment by Singapore Airlines COrp., according to reports.

**** First Ride Of 2008: Coastal Park Connector <http://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2008/01/first-ride-of-2.html>
by mrbrown

**** Odex, PacNet Summoned To High Court For Meeting With Judge <http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_192406.html>
by Straits Times

**** Ministerial Pay: Bonus Is Part Of The Benchmark
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
The following is my response to the article, Ministerial Pay: Uniquely Singapore, F1 Or F9 <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2008/01/03/ministerial-pay-uniquely-singapore-f1-or-f9/>, whhich the author misinterpreted the figures for recent ministerial salary increment.
The 77-percent-benchmark already includes the GDP and performance bonuses. See: Speech By Teo Chee Hean <http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/20070409992.htm>. "The revisions will be effected through adjustments to both monthly salaries and annual components... With the above revisions, close to half (47%) of the annual package of MR4 grades and above will be variable compared to about one-third (34%) today. 20% of their salaries will be predicated on the GDP bonus. Another quarter of their salary is performance dependent. The Prime Minister decides on the level of performance bonus each minister receives."
There is a cap on the maximum /total/ salary, which includes GDP and performance bonuses. If GDP growth is bad, the ministers will not receive up to 20% of their annual salary. If the minister is performing badly, he will not receive up to 25% of their annual salary.
The benchmark is against the /total/ salary, which is the monthly salary + GDP bonus + performance bonus. A minister can get the full 77%-benchmark-ed salary only if the GDP is 10% or more, and if the prime minister is very happy with his performance.
A minister cannot get higher salary than the 77%-benchmark as the bonuses are capped. So although no one can accurately predict what the bonuses will be like, it is already known in advance the bonuses cannot exceed a certain amount.
Monthly salary is 55% of total. GDP bonus is up to 20% of total. Performance bonus is up to 25% of total. Hence, the maximum bonus that can be given out is 9.8 months.
<p class="permlink">Permanent Link to This Post <http://www.myapplemenu.com/singapore/2008/01/03/id0010/>

**** NTUC: A Study In Greed <http://statestimes.wordpress.com/2008/01/02/ntuc-a-study-in-greed/>
by The States Times

**** Prime Minister's New Year Message 2008 <http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/20080101998.htm>
by Singapore Government

**** Seelan Palay's 5-Day Fast <http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2008/yax-831.htm>
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
People do have a right to protest peaceably &mdash; it is part of the right to freedom of expression &mdash; and few Singaporeans have accepted the legitimacy of hte government's attempt to take that right away.