[MyAppleMenu] Jun 21, 2010

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** A Closer Look At iPhone 4's Coolest Tech <http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20008247-64.html?part=rss&amp;subj=news&amp;tag=2547-1_3-0-20>
Brooke Crothers, CNET News

The Apple iPhone 4 packs a lot of cutting-edge tech--one of the reasons preorders for the iPhone sold out immediately. Here's a second look at three standout specs that elevate the iPhone 4 above its predecessor.

**** Apple: FaceTime Video Calls Won't Use Your Carrier Minutes <http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-facetime-video-calls-wont-use-your-carrier-minutes-2010-6>
Dan Frommer, The Business Insider

Good news: Apple's new FaceTime video calls won't use up your allotment of carrier minutes, even if they're initiated from within a voice call, an Apple rep tells us.

**** The Silicon Valley's Battle Between Good And Evil <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2365301,00.asp>
Tim Bajarin, PC Magazine

Now three of the area's most stellar companies are under scrutiny from government agencies, thanks to developer and customer complaints about their policies. Apple, Google, and Facebook are facing a growing backlash. Whether or not the companies are ultimately found guilty, these complaints have returned the negative focus to the Silicon Valley.

**** Apple Begins Shipping Early iPhone 4 Orders <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/20/apple_begins_shipping_early_iphone_4_orders.html>
AppleInsider

The first batch of iPhone 4 deliveries are now in transit from China, with Apple sending FedEx notifications indicating a June 24 delivery date.

**** Review: Safari 5 <http://www.macworld.com/reviews/product/545038/review/safari_5.html?expand=true&lsrc=rss_main>
Nathan Alderman, Macworld

Tough competition has only made Safari 5 even better. Reader needs a little work, the proprietary CSS3 tricks aren’t quite kosher, and the jury’s still out on extensions. But until Google or someone else steps up for the next shot at the title, Safari 5 is still the fastest, sleekest, all-around best browser in the business.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Yes, People Still Read, But Now It’s Social <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/business/20unbox.html?hpw>
Steven Johnson, New York Times

“The point of books is to combat loneliness,” David Foster Wallace observes near the beginning of “Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself,” David Lipsky’s recently published, book-length interview with him.

If you happen to be reading the book on the Kindle from Amazon, Mr. Wallace’s observation has an extra emphasis: a dotted underline running below the phrase. Not because Mr. Wallace or Mr. Lipsky felt that the point was worth stressing, but because a dozen or so other readers have highlighted the passage on their Kindles, making it one of the more “popular” passages in the book.

**** The Sink <http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/poetry/2010/06/28/100628po_poem_bowman>
Catherine Bowman, New Yorker

**** The Young Painters <http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2010/06/28/100628fi_fiction_krauss>
Nicole Krauss, New Yorker

**** Orpheus At The Second Gate Of Hades <http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/poetry/2010/06/28/100628po_poem_komunyakaa>
Yusef Komunyakaa, New Yorker

**** On Web Video, Captions Are Coming Slowly <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/business/media/21captions.html?partner=rss&emc=rss>
Brian Stelter, New York Times



SingaporeSurf
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**** The Flash Floods: Why Singaporeans Are Angry And Fearful <http://guanyinmiao.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/the-flash-floods-why-singaporeans-are-angry-and-fearful/>
Guanyinmiao's Musings

The most puzzling aspect of this entire episode is the fact that the PUB and its executive officers have staunchly refused to apologise for the oversight; despite taking responsibility for the multitude of damages sustained by Singaporeans, the agency chose to rehash antiquated arguments about how future plans were in place to improve the drainage systems, the water infrastructure et cetera. Unfortunately, such public-relations assurances – which had already been highlighted by the PUB during the Bukit Timah flash floods – only serve to reinforce its ineffectiveness and inefficiency.

**** Farquhar — True Founder Of Singapore? <http://findmuck.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/farquhar-true-founder-of-singapore/>
The Mind Game

The National Library is currently holding an exhibition on William Farquhar to shed some light upon his role as a founding father of Singapore. While the exhibition states to “[provide] an insight into the often-untold contributions of William Farquhar in the development of early Singapore”, it seems to go beyond that. It almost seems as though the Singapore Heritage Society is almost trying to subtly (or not very subtly) portray Farquhar’s contributions to be larger than Raffles in building Singapore.  In fact, I hardly find it implicit.

**** The Sophistry Of Minister K. Shanmugam <http://singaporerecalcitrant.blogspot.com/2010/06/sophistry-of-minister-k-shanmugam.html>
Singapore Recalcitrant

It is obvious that the government is trying strenously to manage damage control as a result of the fallout from the serious security lapse at the SMRT Changi depot.

**** Cross Border Bus Svs - PSV License <http://simplelifeperson.blogspot.com/2010/06/cross-border-bus-svs-psv-license.html>
My Simple Carefree Life

Instead of collecting less, people relocate elsewhere and forget about collecting taxes and Singaporeans being employed.

**** The Great Singapore Farce – Now Showing <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/06/the-great-singapore-farce-–-now-showing/>
Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen

If the minister insists that SMRT is indeed solely responsible, why then is the government providing resources to them, which would contradict what Mr Shanmugam said – that it would be unfair “for the public, through the government, to pay for that security either in manpower terms or in terms of the costs”? Is the government not already doing so – especially through Transcom?

And since it already is, why is it so adamant in passing the responsibility to the SMRT? Should not the government accept part of the responsibility as well?

**** Shanmugam Lashed Out At SMRT For Security Lapse <http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/06/20/shanmugam-lashed-out-at-smrt-for-security-lapse/>
The Temasek Review

PAP leaders have demonstrated that they are only good at pointing fingers at others, but never themselves when things screw up.

**** Pay More For Protection <http://singaporedesk.blogspot.com/2010/06/pay-more-for-protection.html>
Singapore Notes

**** Repeat After Us: SMRT Is Not A Private Company <http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/3835-repeat-after-us-smrt-is-not-a-private-company>
Singapore Democrat Party

Singaporeans must increase pressure on the PAP, especially Home Affairs Minister Mr Wong Kan Seng, to hold it responsible for the repeated breaches in our security systems.

**** The Woodlands Emergency Prepardeness Cum Racial Harmony Family Day 2010 - Comments To The Media By Mr K. Shanmugam, Minister For Law And 2nd Minister For Home Affairs, 20 June 2010 <http://app4.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTc0Mw%3d%3d-oNPqcmnqG3E%3d>
Ministry Of Home Affairs, Singapore Government

The most effective way to organise our security framework is to identify key installations that needs the government to provide security, and to recommend a framework on how security should be provided for the rest of the buildings in Singapore. For private organisations' premises, such as the SMRT depot which has been gazetted as a protected place, the actual security of the premise would be within the control of the company. SMRT has also accepted that this is so. Hence the key for us, is to make sure, that organisations which are profits driven, pay enough attention to the security aspects of their businesses. For SMRT, it is particularly crucial that they take security seriously as they transport hundreds of thousands of people everyday.

**** Singapore Says Yuan Move Won't Affect Currency Regime <http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-06-20/singapore-says-china-yuan-policy-won-t-affect-exchange-rate.html>
Alan Soughley, Bloomberg

China’s decision to allow greater flexibility in its currency won’t affect Singapore’s exchange- rate regime, the Monetary Authority of Singapore said in an e-mailed statement today.

**** New Mood, A Reality Check For Bosses <http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100621-0000079/New-mood,-a-reality-check-for-bosses>
PN Balji, Today

As the two organisations start analysing their recovery actions, here is the bitter truth: In just one month, Singapore has seen two blemishes on its super efficient and super safe image. Our chieftains have to make sure that that reputation is not tarnished again. The public is not in the mood to accept anything less.

**** SMRT Security: Its Sole Responsibility Says Law Minister Shanmugam <http://rogerpoh.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/smrt-security-its-sole-responsibility-says-law-minister-shanmugam/>
Spotlight On Singapore

The government on its part should not sit back and assume transport operators are doing just that. It should audit and stress test their security preparedness rigorously, and heavy fines imposed for lapses.

**** Government Did Not Say It Doesn't Have A Role In SMRT's Security <http://www.myapplemenu.com/singapore/2010/06/21/IM050028/>
Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu

I think a lot of bloggers are jumping into the wrong conclusions regarding what Mr Shanmugam was saying over the weekend.

This is what he said [http://app4.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTc0Mw%3d%3d-oNPqcmnqG3E%3d]: "The most effective way to organise our security framework is to identify key installations that needs the government to provide security, and to recommend a framework on how security should be provided for the rest of the buildings in Singapore... Hence the key for us, is to make sure, that organisations which are profits driven, pay enough attention to the security aspects of their businesses."

To me, for this particular case involving SMRT, I read it as: SMRT will have to, at its own cost, ensure it is secure enough to the government's satisfaction. It is a typical regulator-private company relationship, and the role of the government is not to say that security is entirely SMRT's problem and the government doesn't care. The role of the government is to set the minimum level of security requirements, and SMRT, by hook or by crook, have to satisfy the government's requirement.

Of course, you may argue that the Singapore government is not doing a good job in its role as the regulator. And you may be right. But that's a different argument altogether.

**** *SCAPE Balloon Release – What Kind Of Message Are They Sending To Our Youth? #scapesg <http://blog.dk.sg/2010/06/21/scape-balloon-release-what-kind-of-message-are-they-sending-to-our-youth-scapesg/>
Dee Kay Dot As Gee

Yes, 500 balloons floating in the air is a beautiful sight. But what about 500 balloons floating in the open sea for weeks or months? Or 500 balloons in the drains or forest as rubbish? That is not a beautiful sight. And you know what? That 500 balloons that Scape Park released on their opening night is most likely in the sea or the forest now. Good job Scape Park. Why not just give all attendees 500 deflated balloons and let them litter on your sparking new park?

**** S$NEER Policy Band Remains Unchanged: MAS <http://www.mas.gov.sg/news_room/press_releases/2010/MAS_Press_Statement.html>
Monetary Authority Of Singapore, Singapore Government

The PBC’s announcement will not have an impact on Singapore’s exchange rate regime. MAS manages the Singapore dollar against a weighted basket of currencies of our major trading partners. This allows us to accommodate the changes within the existing framework of our exchange rate system.

**** Singapore Prime Minister Visiting Malaysia On Tuesday <http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=507460>
Bernama

According to Wisma Putra, both leaders are expected to follow up on the valuation of land and the proposal of the land swap discussed during the Leaders' Retreat in Singapore on May 23 and 24.

**** Singapore Dollar Higher Late After China's Yuan Announcement <http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100621-701804.html?mod=rss_Currencies>
Dow Jones

**** Thoughts On Singapore’s New Energy Future <http://unfcccecosingapore.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/thoughts-on-singapores-new-energy-future/>
ECO @ COP

**** Floods: Monitor Or Don’t Monitor Also Flood? <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/06/floods-monitor-or-dont-monitor-also-flood/>
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen

So, lets get this clear: The hotspot that PUB was not monitoring closely (Orchard) was flooded, and the hotspot that it was closely monitoring (Bukit Timah) was also flooded?

**** Something’s Brewing With PAP’s Secret Online Project <http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/somethings-brewing-with-paps-secret-online-project/>
Yawning Bread

It is hardly surprising that PAP members of parliament have very little to say. Between the selection process (those who are cause-driven will never get into the PAP) and the demands of party discipline (shut up! even if you disagree), content will be as elusive as snow on a Singapore beach.

**** Swiss Man Faces Caning Over Graffiti In Singapore <http://www.euronews.net/2010/06/21/swiss-man-faces-caning-over-graffiti-in-singapore-/>
Euronews

Oliver Fricker is charged with vandalising a metro train but Human Rights Watch says the punishment is inhumane.

“The issue is that it’s a moral matter, you can’t torture people. That’s something that the UN has agreed upon, that has become a norm around the world. And caning is considered a form of torture. It’s a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. And under the UN convention of torture, it’s included in that definition,” he said.