[MyAppleMenu] Feb 27, 2011

[applesurf at myapplemenu.com]

MyAppleMenu
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**** Inside Mac OS X 10.7 Lion: New Dock, Finder & Desktop <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/26/inside_mac_os_x_10_7_lion_new_dock_finderdesktop.html>
AppleInsider

**** Mac OS X Lion Adds New iOS-like About This Mac App <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/26/mac_os_x_lion_adds_new_ios_like_about_this_mac_app.html>
Prince McLean, AppleInsider

The command now launches a simple new app titled System Information, which provides an Overview panel linking to both Software Updates and a hardware System Report (which launches the existing System Profiler for more detailed information).

**** Mac OS X Lion Drops Front Row, Java Runtime, Rosetta <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/26/mac_os_x_lion_drops_front_row_java_runtime_rosetta.html>
AppleInsider

The latest developer release of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion excludes support for Rosetta (used to run PowerPC code on Intel Macs), Front Row, and Oracle's Java runtime, although Apple includes a mechanism to automatically download an updated Java runtime for Lion.

**** Mac OS X Lion To Aid Windows PC Switchers With New Migration Assistant <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/26/mac_os_x_lion_to_aid_windows_pc_switchers_with_new_migration_assistant.html>
Prince McLean, AppleInsider

**** Lab Report: 2011 MacBook Pro Benchmark Results <http://www.macworld.com/article/157893/2011/02/2011macbookpro_benchmarks.html>
James Galbraith, Macworld

The benchmark results for Apple's latest MacBook Pros are in—and they’re impressive. In testing conducted by Macworld Lab, the laptops released Thursday turned in Speedmark scores between 13 and 53 percent faster than the systems they replace.

**** Secrets Of Thunderbolt And Lion <http://db.tidbits.com/article/11993?rss>
Glenn Fleishman, TidBITS

You can read 1,000 articles about the new Thunderbolt input/output bus in Apple’s latest revision to MacBook Pro laptops, and the new revelations from Apple about Mac OS X Lion. But via Twitter, I discovered that many people are unaware of or concerned about certain features close to their heart. From online sources and a briefing with Apple last week, I can provide some reassurance.

**** On Stage And Afterward, Spotlight On Apple In China <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/27/us/27bcculture.html?src=twrhp>
Jeanne Carstensen, New York Times

Mike Daisey’s “The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs,” a provocative monologue that challenges Apple Computer over labor conditions in the factories in China where the iPhone and other devices are produced, ends a successful run at Berkeley Repertory Theater today.

But Mr. Daisey is only beginning a long conversation about what he called “a charged ethical dilemma that is literally in our pockets.”

**** There's Lots To Be Said For Getting A New Mac <http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/feb/26/theres-lots-to-be-said-for-getting-a-new-mac/?>
Bill Husted, Ventura County Star

**** Mac OS X Lion iChat Supports Yahoo Messenger Video And Voice Chat <http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/02/26/mac_os_x_lion_ichat_supports_yahoo_messenger_video_and_voice_chat.html>
AppleInsider

Apple has added support for Yahoo Messenger to Mac OS X Lion's iChat app, reportedly enabling text, voice and video chat over Yahoo's instant messenger protocol. 

**** Boot Camp: Apple's Refreshed MacBook Pro And Air Models Windows 7 Only <http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/boot-camp-apples-refreshed-macbook-pro-and-air-models-windows-7-only/9656>
David Morgenstern, ZDNet

According to an Apple support note released Friday, the new MacBook Pro models and the recently refreshed MacBook Air won’t support Windows XP and Windows Vista.



MyAppleMenu Reader
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**** Caradoc King: 'A Happy Childhood Doesn't Prepare You For The Real World' <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/feb/27/caradoc-king-interview-problem-child?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
Lisa O'Kelly, The Guardian

"When things settled down again I think I simply realised I didn't know who I was. I had no blood ties, no connections to anybody. My gene pool was an unknown quantity. I wouldn't go so far as to say I was a made-up person but I had sort of built myself from what I'd got to hand, and that wasn't much."

**** The Afterparty By Leo Benedictus – Review <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/feb/27/afterparty-leo-benedictus-review?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Fbooks%2Frss+%28Books%29>
Sam Leith, The Guardian

Strap yourselves in, postmodernism fans. This is a book within a book, based on a true story. Well, not true-true. That is to say, the true story that is fictionalised in "The Afterparty" (the book-within-a-book) isn't actually true: it is a figment of the imagination of the author of The Afterparty (the book under review here).

**** Smart Food <http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2011/02/27/smart_food/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Ideas+section>
Margot Sanger-Katz, Boston Globe

An ingenious way to get kids to eat healthy: Give cafeterias a psychology lesson.

**** The Devil Strip <http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2011/02/27/the_devil_strip/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Ideas+section>
Jan Freeman, Boston Globe

Learning to love regionalisms.

**** Four Poems <http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/four-poems-lamorna-elmer/>
Lamorna Elmer, 3:AM Magazine



SingaporeSurf
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**** WP Hints At Possible Nee Soon Contenders <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_639430.html>
Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times

A group of 12 went on a two-hour walkabout in Chong Pang market from 8.45am, the first since the release of the new electoral map last Thursday.

They included Dr Poh Lee Guan, 50, a lecturer at the East Asia Institute of Management, who contested the Nee Soon East single seat in 2006. Also present were WP organising secretary Yaw Shin Leong, 34, who stood in Ang Mo Kio GRC; WP North Area Committee chairman John Yam, 48; and new party member Angela Oon, 32, a researcher.

**** Civil Servants – No Longer Politically Neutral? <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/02/civil-servants-–-no-longer-politically-neutral/>
Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen

As the civil service itself has stressed, civil servants are expected to conduct themselves with impartiality and honesty. And I may add, they must also be seen to be doing so. Any derogation of this will indeed subvert the very values the civil service holds dear.

The Public Service Division should explain to the public its stand on the matter so that there is clarity – and that the civil service is not and has not become a partisan political player.

**** Singapore Political Parties’ Positions On LGBT Concerns – General Election 2011 <http://thinkingbetterthinkingmeta.blogspot.com/2011/02/singapore-political-parties-positions.html>
Sam's Thoughts

The LGBT community in Singapore has sent a letter to various political parties, seeking their position on issues concerning sexual minority citizens.

**** Next PM In New Batch Of PAP Candidates? <http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/02/27/next-pm-in-new-batch-of-pap-candidates/>
Ewen Boey, Yahoo!

The People’s Action Party (PAP) cannot say for sure if anyone of its line-up of new faces will succeed the current prime minister, said deputy prime minister Teo Chee Hean.

“We can never tell,” said the MP from Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC when quizzed by reporters if PM Lee Hsien Loong’s replacement is among the new batch of PAP candidates.

**** GE: Electoral Boundary Redraw "Not Critical Factor" <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1113265/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

Senior minister Goh Chok Tong has said the re-drawing of Singapore's electoral boundaries is not a critical factor for the coming General Election. He said the most important factor would be the quality of the candidates being fielded and the reputation of the political party.

He added that the changes "disadvantaged" the People's Action Party (PAP) more than the opposition candidates.

**** Is The Average Singaporean Keen On Voting? <http://kelvintan73.livejournal.com/135158.html>
Nacchi

**** The Political Character Of The SDP Shadow Budget 2011 <http://onnationandstate.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/the-political-character-of-the-sdp-shadow-budget-2011/>
On Nation And State

**** How The Game Is Played In Singapore <http://onesingaporean.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/how-the-game-is-played-in-singapore/>
One Singaporean

My dear Singaporeans, there is only one thing you can, you should, and you must do – not because you want to spike the PAP, or even because you hate the PAP. It is simply because you have seen how the game is played – and you are always at the losing end.

**** GE: Is He A New PAP Candidate? <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1113281/1/.html>
Qiuyi Tan, Channel NewsAsia

NTUC assistant secretary-general Ong Ye Kung said political work will be complementary to his responsibilities in the labour movement.

In another strong indication that he would be fielded as a new candidate in the People's Action Party team for the upcoming General Election, Mr Ong said if participation in politics helps him serve workers better, then it's something he'll be honoured to do.

**** Former ISA Detainee Teo Soh Lung Quits RP <http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/02/breaking-news-former-isa-detainee-teo-soh-lung-quits-rp/>
The Onilne Citizen

The Online Citizen learnt today that former ISA(Internal Security Act) detainee Teo Soh Lung had resigned from the Reform Party.

Ms Teo, who joined last December,  was believed to have left shortly after Tan Tee Seng, another former ISA detainee and former chairman of the party resigned on 25th February.

**** Why Is SDP Excluded From CNA Programme Again? <http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4639-why-is-sdp-excluded-from-cna-programme-again->
Singapore Democratic Party

We have been the ones to advocate Minimim Wage in place of the PAP's Workfare and we have proposed the Singaporeans First Policy instead of the present Foreign Talent Policy. We have also taken clear positions on various issues on National Service, the COE system, education, etc. 

These are substantive alternatives to the PAP's policies. Aren't they all worth debating? And yet the PAP has repeatedly refused to answer our calls for a public debate, both on the traditional and new media.  And when it does debate opposition parties, it leaves out the SDP. 

The obvious question that one must ask is: What is the PAP afraid of? Why does it fear letting voters hear our ideas and proposals? 

**** GE: Kenneth Jeyaretnam Eyeing Radin Mas SMC? <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1113301/1/.html>
Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia

The Reform Party's secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam said he may contest in a Single Member Constituency (SMC). A party member and observers said it could be Radin Mas.

**** Population Policy All At Sea <http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/population-policy-all-at-sea/>
Yawning Bread

This suggests why Wong Kan Seng’s policy unit is all at sea. They fail to realise that one can only have two of these attributes, not all three:

1. Sustainable birthrate

2. Modern, developed economy

3. Traditional cultural attitudes and social models

We have to choose.

**** GE: Parties Start Walkabouts <http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1113328/1/.html>
Channel NewsAsia

Following the release of the new electoral boundaries this week, political parties were out doing walkabouts on Sunday morning, in several constituencies.

**** PAP Confirms Mountbatten Candidate <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_639523.html>
Goh Shi Ting, Straits Times

Forty-seven-year-old mp Lim Biow Chuan has been working in the Mountbatten ward, which was part of the Marine Parade GRC, for the last five years.

Now, he is stepping up and out on his own as the Peoples' Action Party candidate for the Mountbatten Single Member Constituency (SMC).

**** Moulmein-Kallang GRC, Here We Come! <http://yawshinleong.blogspot.com/2011/02/moulmein-kallang-grc-here-we-come.html>
Yaw Shin Leong

**** Where Is Mr Chiam Contesting? <http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_639528.html>
Kor Kian Beng, Straits Times

Uncertainty lingers over where Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong will contest in the coming polls, after the opposition veteran skipped a joint walkabout on Sunday with the Reform Party (RP) in the West Coast GRC.

His absence suggests that he and his wife, Mrs Lina Chiam, had last-minute reservations and did not want 'to give residents the wrong impression as his preference remains Bishan-Toa Payoh', an opposition source said.

**** Govt Wants Riau Islands To Be Main Supplier Of Vegetables, Fruits To Singapore <http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/02/27/govt-wants-riau-islands-be-main-supplier-vegetables-fruits-singapore.html>
The Jakarta Post

The government is planning to make Riau Islands the main supplier of vegetables and fruits to Singapore. “Singapore needs thousands of tons of vegetables, fruits and other goods. Why not supply them from this place, which is only 45 minutes away from Singapore?” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Sunday while addressing a Cabinet meeting in Riau Islands capital of Tanjungpinang.

**** Electoral Boundaries Review – PAP 1 : Singapore 0 <http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/02/28/electoral-boundaries-review-–-pap-1-singapore-0/>
Edmund Khor, The Temasek Review

It is very disappointing that the EBRC has failed to detail the reasoning and justifications for their various recommendations. Singaporeans are entitled to know why boundaries are drawn, and how they are done.  To this end, the EBRC headed by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Tan Kee Yong, has let Singaporeans down. The electoral boundaries redrawing process has undermined Singaporeans’ confidence and legitimacy in the electoral process.

Fundamental electoral reforms are needed for the long-term political stability of Singapore. What Singapore needs is an independent electoral commission with constitutional standing to run the electoral process, and not an Elections Department under the Prime Minister’s Office that reports to the PM (himself a candidate during the General Elections).