I quote from Jimmy Dean:
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
Sometimes if life throws you a path that is seemingly blocked with many obstacles, keep your sight on the end goal and who knows, there might be a hidden path branching out that would be less treacherous. Slow and steady wins the race.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Inflation is down 0.3%
Topic(s):
Economic Ramblings,
Singapore Ramblings
These are the Singapore inflation rates for 2009:
January: 2.9%
February: 1.9%
March: 1.6%
April: -0.7%
May: -0.3%
Food and Health Care is leading the charge, rising by 2.6% and 3.5% respectively year on year. I have over estimated the housing inflation previously. Not taking into account the Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates, the inflation for housing was only 0.7% instead of my estimated 4% year on year. Other than that, the inflation rates are largely similar to April.
Going forward based on this housing inflation data, it would seems that the inflation will be hovering around this negative level until at least June. The inflation may be back to positive (still close to 0) from July onwards though.
January: 2.9%
February: 1.9%
March: 1.6%
April: -0.7%
May: -0.3%
Food and Health Care is leading the charge, rising by 2.6% and 3.5% respectively year on year. I have over estimated the housing inflation previously. Not taking into account the Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates, the inflation for housing was only 0.7% instead of my estimated 4% year on year. Other than that, the inflation rates are largely similar to April.
Going forward based on this housing inflation data, it would seems that the inflation will be hovering around this negative level until at least June. The inflation may be back to positive (still close to 0) from July onwards though.
Monday, June 22, 2009
No news on Windows 7 pricing
Topic(s):
Technology Ramblings
Apple has already announced the price of Snow Leopard for almost 2 weeks. Till now, there has been no news of the pricing of Windows 7. Will it be around USD29? Looking at the history of Windows 98, Windows 98SE, and Windows ME, I don't think so.
It's a lose lose situation for Microsoft. They can meet the USD29 pricing, but I'm half certain that Snow Leopard has tricks up its sleeves, which would only be unveiled in September (The Apple way). Go above USD29, and risk the customers' wrath over paying so much for "an update". USD29 is not even OEM pricing for Snow Leopard. It's retail pricing.
Microsoft is definitely in trouble.
It's a lose lose situation for Microsoft. They can meet the USD29 pricing, but I'm half certain that Snow Leopard has tricks up its sleeves, which would only be unveiled in September (The Apple way). Go above USD29, and risk the customers' wrath over paying so much for "an update". USD29 is not even OEM pricing for Snow Leopard. It's retail pricing.
Microsoft is definitely in trouble.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
8 cases from 2 clusters of local transmission
Topic(s):
Singapore Ramblings
It has finally happened. 2 clusters of local transmission have been identified as of today. They are from:
As of today, Singapore has a total of 126 confirmed cases. Once it starts to hit students, I think it's a matter of time before it spreads widely. The only consolation is that the H1N1 flu seems to be no different in severity than the common flu.
However, since there is evidence of local transmission, and it happened in a school no less, I think it's a matter of time before MOH raises the alert back to Orange. Another point to note is that one of the latest cases seem to have came from Malaysia (Tioman). That's pretty near us.
- Riverlife Church (5 students)
- NUS (3 students)
As of today, Singapore has a total of 126 confirmed cases. Once it starts to hit students, I think it's a matter of time before it spreads widely. The only consolation is that the H1N1 flu seems to be no different in severity than the common flu.
However, since there is evidence of local transmission, and it happened in a school no less, I think it's a matter of time before MOH raises the alert back to Orange. Another point to note is that one of the latest cases seem to have came from Malaysia (Tioman). That's pretty near us.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Enable Tethering in iPhone 3.0
Topic(s):
iPhone Tips
iPhone 3.0 was widely available since yesterday. One of the most awaited feature is tethering, which generally means you are treating your iPhone like a modem.
You have the following options that works out of the box, to connect your iPhone to your computer (Requires Mac OSX v10.5.7 for Mac computers):
To enable tethering in your iPhone 3.0, do the following:
That's it...
Note: Some seems to have encountered problems where they are unable to see the Internet Tethering setting. Generally, resetting the settings at Settings > General > Reset will enable you to see this option. This is assuming that you've upgraded to iPhone 3.0 through the normal iTunes update
You have the following options that works out of the box, to connect your iPhone to your computer (Requires Mac OSX v10.5.7 for Mac computers):
- Doc connector to USB cable (cable provided when you purchase your iPhone)
- Bluetooth
To enable tethering in your iPhone 3.0, do the following:
- Tap on Settings > General > Network > Internet Tethering
- Ensure your Internet Tethering is ON
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using one of the methods above.
Note that for Bluetooth, you will need to first enable the feature in your iPhone at Settings > General > Bluetooth
That's it...
Note: Some seems to have encountered problems where they are unable to see the Internet Tethering setting. Generally, resetting the settings at Settings > General > Reset will enable you to see this option. This is assuming that you've upgraded to iPhone 3.0 through the normal iTunes update
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Only Thing I Agree With Cloud Computing
Topic(s):
Technology Ramblings
I tend to disagree with most of the cloud computing articles that I read because I felt that the articles are mostly looking at the technology, and trying to fit it into the business. However, truly successful businesses use IT to enable their processes. The investment into IT is as a result of the business needs, and not just to use the latest technology.
However, there is one point which I agree out of the many articles that I read. Open source will drive cloud computing. The reason is very simple. Costs. The focus of cloud computing are the services that the cloud can render, and the ability to scale as and when there is a need. The cloud computing operator should concentrate on the building of services, and should not worry needlessly whether an increase of 100 users will affect the licencing cost of a particular platform. (Hint: CAL)
The way to go for cloud computing is open source. The focus should be on the functionality of the services rendered, and not on those complicated user licencing costs (especially if you need to scale up) that can be set as a Maths exam question.
However, there is one point which I agree out of the many articles that I read. Open source will drive cloud computing. The reason is very simple. Costs. The focus of cloud computing are the services that the cloud can render, and the ability to scale as and when there is a need. The cloud computing operator should concentrate on the building of services, and should not worry needlessly whether an increase of 100 users will affect the licencing cost of a particular platform. (Hint: CAL)
The way to go for cloud computing is open source. The focus should be on the functionality of the services rendered, and not on those complicated user licencing costs (especially if you need to scale up) that can be set as a Maths exam question.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Price fixing for private buses??
Topic(s):
Thoughts
Sometimes, I wonder what are basis for the complaints of price fixing. To me, price fixing is very subjective. This the definition from Wikipedia:
Price fixing is an agreement between business competitors to sell the same product or service at the same price.
The keyword is agreement. It seems that many take the word price fixing literally. For example, all companies sell the product or service at $x. Does that mean they are engaged in price fixing? From what I read in the news, it seems that the prices for the private bus are not even the same. So where does this complaint originate from?
If the complaint is against taxis, I will understand the logic behind it. So many taxi providers but all the same basic flag-down prices. Is that price fixing?
You can even expand this "price fixing" out to other products. All the bubble tea I've seen so far is sold at $1.50. How about $10 T-Shirts from Hang Ten, Giordarno, etc? Price of coffee? Different travel agencies selling the same package to a country for the same price? Is Retail Selling Price (RSP) considered as price fixing?
Sometimes people just have to understand that the market or the dominant company dictates the price. That's called business. That's called life.
Price fixing is an agreement between business competitors to sell the same product or service at the same price.
The keyword is agreement. It seems that many take the word price fixing literally. For example, all companies sell the product or service at $x. Does that mean they are engaged in price fixing? From what I read in the news, it seems that the prices for the private bus are not even the same. So where does this complaint originate from?
If the complaint is against taxis, I will understand the logic behind it. So many taxi providers but all the same basic flag-down prices. Is that price fixing?
You can even expand this "price fixing" out to other products. All the bubble tea I've seen so far is sold at $1.50. How about $10 T-Shirts from Hang Ten, Giordarno, etc? Price of coffee? Different travel agencies selling the same package to a country for the same price? Is Retail Selling Price (RSP) considered as price fixing?
Sometimes people just have to understand that the market or the dominant company dictates the price. That's called business. That's called life.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Windows without IE
Topic(s):
Technology Ramblings
Recently due to the EU's ruling, Microsoft is finally separating IE from Windows, and may offer a version of Windows without IE for Europe. Yes... It's only for Europe, but I believe they will not offer a different version. My guess is that the Windows 7 will come with IE8 for the rest of the world, but you can uninstall it if you wish to. Knowing the patch Tuesday track record, it will be a nightmare for Microsoft to create another version for Europe.
However, I see a chicken and egg problem. How do you access the internet to download your favorite browser, without a browser? It's impossible, so as long as you have Windows, you will get to use Internet Explorer at least once. There's no running away from that.
I find that the EU ruling is focussing on the wrong area. The correct area that they should focus on is whether Microsoft has through any licencing agreements, prevent OEM manufacturers from providing other browsers in their machines.
If the answer is no, then the problem is actually not with Microsoft, but with the other browser vendors who did not negotiate with the OEM manufacturers to include their browsers in the machine setup. Granted that the OEM manufacturers will ask for some kind of concession, but that's life. If you want your product to reach people, be prepared to pay for it.
I think this ruling though will have an indirect effect. It serves as a message to the OEM manufacturers that since Windows 7 can exist without IE, you're free to install any browser you wish on Windows.
I just hope they got the message.
However, I see a chicken and egg problem. How do you access the internet to download your favorite browser, without a browser? It's impossible, so as long as you have Windows, you will get to use Internet Explorer at least once. There's no running away from that.
I find that the EU ruling is focussing on the wrong area. The correct area that they should focus on is whether Microsoft has through any licencing agreements, prevent OEM manufacturers from providing other browsers in their machines.
If the answer is no, then the problem is actually not with Microsoft, but with the other browser vendors who did not negotiate with the OEM manufacturers to include their browsers in the machine setup. Granted that the OEM manufacturers will ask for some kind of concession, but that's life. If you want your product to reach people, be prepared to pay for it.
I think this ruling though will have an indirect effect. It serves as a message to the OEM manufacturers that since Windows 7 can exist without IE, you're free to install any browser you wish on Windows.
I just hope they got the message.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Aim for Success
Topic(s):
Self Improvement
I quote from Dr David M. Burns:
Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.
Indirectly, I believe it's saying that everyone will make mistakes. To make and learn from your mistakes is normal. Striving for perfection sometimes take too much effort, which results in inefficient usage of time. The way that you do it may not be the best way of doing it. Sometimes by aiming just for success, you can learn more from the mistakes than if you did not make any.
Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.
Indirectly, I believe it's saying that everyone will make mistakes. To make and learn from your mistakes is normal. Striving for perfection sometimes take too much effort, which results in inefficient usage of time. The way that you do it may not be the best way of doing it. Sometimes by aiming just for success, you can learn more from the mistakes than if you did not make any.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Cabby dumped 14 year old girls in deserted Lim Chu Kang
Topic(s):
Singapore Ramblings
I've happened to read an article in the New Paper about a Comfort taxi driver dumping two 14 year old passengers in a deserted dirt-track in Lim Chu Kang at night.
To me, I think it's totally nonsense that the taxi driver is "afraid of the dark". You're in a taxi for goodness sake! How dark can it get? Don't tell me the taxi driver do not know that the area around Lim Chu Kang is dark at night. This is well known among all guys who have undergone army training.
The only conclusion that I can make after reading this article is that the taxi driver is ripping off the two girls!
The girls paid for a service. The service is to bring them safely to Singapore Girl Guides Association Camp at Jalan Bahtera. If you are unable to provide this service, how could you still charge for it? If you do not know the location, then you should not provide the service.
Even if you're afraid of the dark, the decent thing that you should do is to let the girls alight at the main road, or ask them to call the teachers so that the teachers can guide them to the location. Was this done? The taxi driver still has the cheek to collect payment from them!
And to top it all off, Comfort only reprimanded the taxi driver with a final warning and demerit points!!! That's totally unacceptable. Why didn't Comfort investigate why the taxi driver think that the camp is located at the end of a dirt-track? Even army camps are not accessed through dirt tracks. To me, that's the number one reason why I think this is a total rip off!
The taxi driver should be identified and fined if a valid explanation is not given. We're talking about teenagers here, not adults. If there's no deterrence, how do you ensure other taxi drivers will not do the same?
Must it lead to a serious accident before something is done about it?
To me, I think it's totally nonsense that the taxi driver is "afraid of the dark". You're in a taxi for goodness sake! How dark can it get? Don't tell me the taxi driver do not know that the area around Lim Chu Kang is dark at night. This is well known among all guys who have undergone army training.
The only conclusion that I can make after reading this article is that the taxi driver is ripping off the two girls!
The girls paid for a service. The service is to bring them safely to Singapore Girl Guides Association Camp at Jalan Bahtera. If you are unable to provide this service, how could you still charge for it? If you do not know the location, then you should not provide the service.
Even if you're afraid of the dark, the decent thing that you should do is to let the girls alight at the main road, or ask them to call the teachers so that the teachers can guide them to the location. Was this done? The taxi driver still has the cheek to collect payment from them!
And to top it all off, Comfort only reprimanded the taxi driver with a final warning and demerit points!!! That's totally unacceptable. Why didn't Comfort investigate why the taxi driver think that the camp is located at the end of a dirt-track? Even army camps are not accessed through dirt tracks. To me, that's the number one reason why I think this is a total rip off!
The taxi driver should be identified and fined if a valid explanation is not given. We're talking about teenagers here, not adults. If there's no deterrence, how do you ensure other taxi drivers will not do the same?
Must it lead to a serious accident before something is done about it?
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