Follow your Passion

I quote from Howard Washington Thurman:

Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.


In another words... Follow your passion. You do not need to have the "Follow the herd" mentality. Just because it's done by everyone, need not necessarily mean that it's correct or it's the only way. Take into account your surroundings and do what you deem best.

Do not underestimate the power of passion.

iPhone cannot survive in humid weather?? Not for me.

Recently someone written in the ST forum that he/she suspect the iPhone cannot function in a humid environment like Singapore as the iPhone was spoiled due to seepage of water. I would like to say that this is highly unlikely.

Why do I say that? Very simple. My iPhone has absolutely no case, or any form of protection whatsoever. My iPhone usually will be on the table, next to my ear, or in my pocket.

The only problem I had was that the vibration button broke off. But, there is definitely no humidity problem.

Netbooks based on ARM useful?

Now it seems that there's another new trend for Netbooks. That is Netbooks with the Android OS, running on the ARM chip. The Netbook that is coming out is called Alpha 680. From what I read, it has a 7 inch screen with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, 128 MB RAM, and a 1GB SSD. The 2 cell battery last from 2 to 4 hours with WiFi enabled.

Regardless of the price, just by looking at the specs, I do not see the point of creating such a Netbook. Using the iPhone, I can use 3G for a day before charging. The iPhone is basically enough to check e-mail, browse the web, read some documents, play tons of games, etc etc. Why someone bothered to create a 7 inch netbook that only allows people to see a little clearer, type a bit better, but only last 2 to 4 hours? Just based on the battery life, I will not even bring the Netbook out. It's of no use. The battery life is too short.

Even if the Alpha 680 has a 3G option, the battery life will definitely be significantly reduced, based on my experience using the iPhone. Most probably the battery life for Alpha 680 will shorten to an hour or so using 3G.

Personally, I do not see any business case for it, or any market for it. I can't think of any reason why I would buy it over a laptop like the Thinkpad X200, or an iPhone/Android, even if it is sold cheaply.

Do you?

Windows 7 and Snow Leopard

Wondering why suddenly there are so many sales of Macs, iPhones, and even normal laptops recently? The reason is quite simple.

Coming June 8 at WWDC 2009, not only the new iPhone 3G 3.0 updates will be announced, I think Snow Leopard, the new OS for the Mac will also be announced. And guess what? Windows 7 is also targeted to be released 3Q of this year.

So have you guess the reason for the sales? Everyone is clearing stock now, waiting for the new OSes or hardware to come in.

Previously, I have remarked on my blog that Windows Vista is going the way of Windows ME. I'm still of view that Vista is a mistake. However, it seems that Windows 7 is suppose to fix that mistake. Will history repeat? Windows Vista = Windows ME? Windows 7 = Windows XP? I would think I rather wait for the egg to hatch before I comment on it, based on past experience. I have nothing against Windows. I'm currently using Windows XP Pro right now to type this post. However, I personally feel that there's a tinge of arrogance when Vista was released. It's like the take it, or leave it mentality... Look at the number of complaints and unofficial downgrades from Vista to XP and you'll know what I mean. Sorry. I don't like this kind of attitude. I do not even think the XP mode is that big a deal. It's just another way for Microsoft to make more money. Since the launch of the Intel Mac, Mac OS provided a emulator called Rosetta that is able to run any applications created for the PowerPC Macs.

I'm actually more curious about Snow Leopard. Basically, other than adding Microsoft Exchange 2007 support in Snow Leopard, the other big changes will be the 64bit compatibility, support of multi-core processors by the OS itself, and OpenCL, which allows developers to take advantage of the GPU for non-graphics computing purposes. That is interesting... Basically, it's like trying to tell all the developers. I'm changing the OS, and I will make your applications run faster, and more efficient. You do not need to do anything, or you just need to change minimally. That's what I like about the Mac platform.

Snow Leopard is targeted to be a Mac OS that will make your present Mac fly. It'll be interesting once it is released.

All of us are unique

I quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.


In simple words, this means that we're all unique. We should not make ourselves feel inferior just because someone does something better than you. Very likely, you're able to do something better than the other person.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Our strengths usually translate to something that we like to do. Build on it. Do not view your strengths with the mindset that others can do better than you. There are always different view points to the same matter. Who knows... Yours might be better.

MOH: Downgrade to Yellow Alert by 11 May

MOH has only upgraded to Orange alert just before Labour Day. If the disease remains status quo, it seems that MOH will downgrade the alert back to yellow on 11 May 2009. Hurray for that! Just recently, my colleagues were just discussing if the Orange alert is just a knee jerk kiasuism syndrome. But, you know what they say... It's better to be safe, than to be sorry.

The downgrade to Yellow alert, according to MOH:

• Stringent border controls will still be maintained, with temperature screening at air, land and sea checkpoints. Home Quarantine Orders (HQO) will still apply to persons with a travel history to Mexico in the past seven days.
  
  
• At healthcare institutions, the current tighter restrictions will continue to be in place for the time being, especially in high risk areas such as A & E and ICU.
  
  
• Lift temperature screening requirements and screening for flu-like symptoms and travel history at work places, schools, buildings and events.

Globally, the following countries have been affected as of 6 May 2009:

• Mexico
• United States
• Canada
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• New Zealand
• Israel
• Costa Rica
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• Denmark
• Portugal
• El Salvador
• France
• Ireland
• Italy
• Columbia
• Hong Kong
• Republic of Korea

It seems that there is also a private Singapore Swine Flu website setup to track the spread of the disease. I find it quite accurate. I came across some other Swine Flu websites that are inaccurate. How did I know? The dead giveaway was when it listed Singapore as one of the countries being affected. You can find the Singapore Swine Flu website here.

Hopefully it'll be downgraded to Yellow next Monday. The taking of temperature is so troublesome.

Liber Tango - Astor Piazzolla (Cello)

My friend recently SMS me about a new Korean drama called Beethoven Virus. I saw a snippet of the drama. Didn't really like what I saw compared to Nodame, but I've heard a beautiful rendition of Liber Tango by Astor Piazzolla, where the solo is played by the Cello. I love the sound of the cello in that rendition.

I did a search and I found that there's a Cello Project for Liber Tango. Below is the Youtube version that I've found. Piano and Cello. Amazing... The bridge is quite interesting.

AWARE saga is finally coming to an end

After almost a month, the AWARE (Association of Women for Action and REsearch) saga is finally coming to an end. I have refrained from going into it because it touches on one of my personal taboo topic which I do not wish to bring in. That is religion. I'm also not involved in the happenings of AWARE so it's not fair for me to comment on things that I've no knowledge of.

The recent EGM however, which was all over the news and was even on Twitter, brought up quite a few points which I felt are good learning points, without bringing in my taboo topic.

1. Do not impose your beliefs on others.
   If I feel that sleeping at 10pm, and waking up at 6am to study is good for my exam results, then it's my business. I do not impose this belief on someone else who thinks that cramming until 3am and waking up just in time to go for the exam is the magic formula.
   
   Frankly, I see no problems with the sexuality issue in question being categorised as neutral. People have the right to live the way they wish to. That's the basis of equality, which is what AWARE is fighting for.
   
   You may have strong beliefs in certain areas, but there's a lack of basic courtesy and respect for others if you try to enforce your beliefs on others. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
   
   I would also like to bring out sections of the National Pledge as a reminder to all (in bold):
   
   
   We, the citizens of Singapore,
   pledge ourselves as one united people,
   regardless of race, language or religion,
   to build a democratic society
   based on justice and equality
   so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
   progress for our nation.
   
   
   
2. Do not act rashly on things that you've heard. Act only on things that you've experienced.
   As revealed by a CSE (Comprehensive Sexuality Education) instructor during the AWARE EGM, the sexuality issue turns out to occupy only 1 and a half minutes out of a 3 hour programme. That doesn't seem to be the picture painted before.
   
   To me, it seems that there was a lack of understanding in the programmes being conducted in AWARE, and several decisions were implemented by the "new" exco based on misconceptions on what's happening.
   
   Do not act on things that you've only heard about. That's one of the basic fundamental rule I've learned since I came out in the working world.
   
   
3. Know what you can do, and cannot do in an organisation.
   I was very surprised on the lack of knowledge of the "new" exco on the constitution of AWARE. In any organisation that you work in, or even in any committee that you've joined in school, the first thing that you should do is to familiarise yourself on what you can, and what you cannot do. Being in the position of power does not give you the right to do anything you deem fit. That's called dictatorship, not leadership.
   
   To borrow a line from Spiderman:
   
   
   With power comes great responsibility
   
   
   Spending $90,000 in a month is mind boggling. Although this was offset by the surge of new memberships, one should take note that the surge of memberships were a result of the pro-activeness of people in Singapore to act on what they believe in. This surge of membership and the spending of $90,000 by the "new" exco, are 2 completely different matters. This should not be a valid reason on why the expenditure limit of $20,000 per month set out in the constitution was disregarded.
   
   What astonished me the most though is that all the recent decisions made by the "new" exco may be done without fully understanding what they can, or cannot do, and what's really happening within the organisation. That's downright dangerous, working on what you perceived to be happening.
   
   Do not work on assumptions without merit. That's another basic fundamental rule I've learned since I came out in the working world.
   

This incident though does bring out one good aspect. Singaporeans are not afraid to step out and voice out their displeasure on what they deemed as an injustice. We're not people, painted by some media and people, that takes orders and decisions from the top without understanding the implications. To borrow a terminology used often in the army. We're thinking "soldiers".

To end this post, I would like to bring up one point I've read that mentions whether the 3,000 people (Note that there are many more waiting outside who are turned away from the EGM because they were late) in the AWARE EGM held yesterday are representative of the views of women in Singapore. To do this, I would like to ask all to blow off the dust of your Mathematics textbook, and turn to the chapter on probability.

The question:
What is the probability of a 65% majority taken from a random pick of 2,175 people of different ages, and background?

MOH: Orange Alert due to Swine Flu

Seems like our Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued an Orange Alert as of 30 Apr 2009 evening, due to the Swine Flu (or Mexican Flu).

According to MOH:

• Temperature screening and screening for flu like symptoms for visitors to clinical care areas would be implemented. Hospital staff are required to don Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in all areas with patient contact. The number of visitors would also be restricted to one visitor per patient. This will help facilitate contact tracing and reduce unnecessary risk exposure in the hospitals.
  
  
• Those with a travel history to Mexico over the past seven days will be quarantined for seven days when they enter Singapore and undergo phone surveillance for symptoms for Mexican Flu.
  
  
• Members of the public who are returning from other affected areas (ie states of New York, California, Kansas and Texas in the United States and the state of Nova Scotia in Canada) are advised to stay at home for seven days upon return and check themselves for symptoms for Mexican Flu. They should practice social distancing and refrain from joining mass gatherings, e.g. going to the cinemas, shopping malls, or supermarkets etc. Those who develop respiratory illness with fever (Temperature > 38 degrees celcius) within seven days after their return should put on a surgical mask, call 993 for an ambulance. They should also disclose their travel histories to their doctors.
  
  
• MOH also encourages schools, workplaces and places of mass gathering to conduct temperature checks routinely. Those with a higher-than-normal temperature should be advised to seek treatment immediately.

Globally, the following countries have been affected as of 30 Apr 2009:

• Mexico
• United States
• Canada
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• New Zealand
• Israel
• Costa Rica
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Peru

Seems like the deaths are not confined to Mexico. USA has reported 1 death. It just makes me wonder why these kind of diseases come when there's a recession. Previously was the Asean Financial Crisis (SARS), now this Global Financial Crisis (SWINE). I wonder if it's because something has been fed to the animals during recessions (to cut cost) that caused this? The super hot weather these few weeks doesn't help either.

More information on the Mexican Flu can be found at MOH website.

Keratoconus

Today I was reading the May 2009 edition of Reader's Digest where they talk about Keratoconus (pronounced KEHR-uhtoh-KOH-nus). According to Wikipedia, it is a degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve. Serious cases could cause you to become almost blind.

Causes are unknown, but according to Reader's Digest, it seems that in some cases, wearing contact lenses for too long a time, or a habit of rubbing your eyes vigorously could cause this, as it may cause structural changes within the cornea. According to Wikipedia though, it seems that the treatment for Keratoconus also involves a special type of contact lens. Hmm...

This brought back memories. I remember some time back, I have a friend whose eyes went into "some trouble". Cause of reason. Contact lenses.

I know many people, especially girls, like to wear contact lenses. However, before you think about vanity, think about your eyes first. Becoming almost blind is no joke, and is too high a price to pay for vanity. Wearing contact lenses for too long could also cause your eyes to be starved of oxygen, causing your cornea to lose its transparency. This is especially true if you're staring at a computer screen in an air-conditioned office.

Treat your eyes well. It's your window to the world.