Don't say it if you're not willing to be responsible for it

I quote from Earl Wilson:

If you wouldn't write it and sign it, don't say it. 

Now in this Internet and social media era, people have to take note that you have to be responsible to whatever you've written or said. This fundamental rule seems to have been forgotten, or people are ignorant that the Internet is never anonymous.

Be responsible, and you'll be respected.

Redefine yourself to move forward

I quote from Patrick Warburton:

I do believe that we have the opportunity to continue - I repeat myself over and over again with this - to redefine and reinvent ourselves and as long as we do that, then I think we've got some pretty good odds in our favor, because we're not always presenting the same thing. 


Redefining yourself will help you in moving forward when you feel stuck in your current situation. Problems may result due to you representing yourself in a certain way. Redefine yourself and the problem may disappear. However, don't redefine yourself too many times. You'll have an identity crisis. :)

Windows 8 Demo

Windows 8 looks like what HTC did to Android. To me, it seems to look similar to HTC Sense UI, where they put an interface on top of Windows 7. The funny thing is if you try to use Office, you'll get back the familiar Windows 7 interface.

I think that an interface designed for the keyboard and an interface designed for a touch-screen tablet will be different because they are both designed for different inputs. The interface that uses the keyboard and mouse for the primary means of input will be designed quite differently from an interface that uses your fingers. It's not ideal to have both these interfaces coded into the same application because it will cause the application to be over-bloated, reducing performance. Moreover, the way you execute the functions will most probably be different if you use a keyboard and mouse, or by using your fingers. The type of functions also differ.

Anyway, Windows 8 do look quite different. Until I get to touch an actual Windows 8 machine, I think its too early to say how it will be like. Below are 2 videos of a Windows 8 Demo:


Windows 8 Demo Part 1

Windows 8 Demo Part 2

iCloud preview

iCloud was also announced in Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) 2011.This will replace MobileMe. iCloud basically stores your music, photos, apps, calendars, documents and more in the cloud, and wireless push and sync the information to all your Apple devices.

You will automatically get 5GB of storage space free upon signing up for iCloud. Your purchased apps, music, books as well as your Photo Stream (photos) do not count against your 5GB so it should be more than enough. This information can be stored in the Cloud and can be restored back to your device.

The following are the information stored in the cloud:

1. Purchased music, apps, and books
2. Photos and videos in the camera roll
3. Device settings
4. App data
5. Home screen and App organisation
6. Text and MMS messages
7. Ringtones

Upon getting a iCloud account, you will get a free me.com account. Your calendar can also be updated to the iCloud and can be shared with other iCloud users. Your entire address book is also stored in iCloud and can be synced to all your devices.

iCloud will also be available in the fall of 2011 (September to November 2011). It will most probably be available at the same time as iOS 5.

iOS 5 preview

iOS 5.0 was announced in Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) 2011. Surprisingly for the first time, no new iPhone hardware is being announced in WWDC. To me, I believe it's due to the Japan's disruption that may have changed Apple's plans in introducing a new iPhone. Oh well, no one will know except for the Steve Jobs.

iOS 5 will be available in the fall of 2011 (September to November 2011). iOS 5 will be available on the same devices as iOS 4. Below is the summary of some of the key new features of iOS 5:

1. Central Notification Centre
   All notifications in one place. Swipe down from the top of the screen to enter Notification Centre. The notifications will also appear in the lock screen.
   
   
2. iMessage
   Free WhatsApp, but it only works for Apple devices. However, it seems that it only works in 3G and Wifi, not 2.5G.
   
   
3. NewsStand
   iBooks for magazine and newspapers app subscriptions
   
   
4. Reminders
   Finally a To-do list for the iPhone. Not only does it have due dates, it also tracks the location. For example, you may want to trigger a reminder when you leave a certain location.
   
   
5. Twitter directly from Safari, Photos, Camera, YouTube, or Maps
   
   
6. Camera
   Use your camera directly from the lock screen, using your volume-up button to snap a photo. Use also grid lines, pinch-to-zoom gestures, and single-tap focus and exposure locks to compose a picture on the fly.
   
   
7. Enhanced in-built photo enhancements
   Crop, rotate, enhance, and remove red-eye without leaving the Photos app
   
   
8. Safari Reader and Reading List
   Safari Reader displays web articles sans ads or clutter so you can read without distractions. Reading List lets you save interesting articles to peruse later
   
   
9. Independence for all iOS devices
   You no longer need a computer to own an iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. Activate and set up your device wirelessly, right out of the box with iCloud.
   
   
10. Format your text in your Mail
    
11. Year view on iPad and Week view on iPhone and iPod touch in your Calendar
    
12. Wi-Fi Sync
    Wirelessly sync your iOS device to your Mac or PC's iTunes over a shared Wi-Fi connection
    
13. Multi-tasking gestures for iPadUsing four or five fingers, swipe up to reveal the multitasking bar, pinch to return to the Home screen, and swipe left or right to switch between apps.

Anyway, it's also not clear what features are not available on the iPhone 3GS. My only gripe. Why the multi-tasking gestures for iPad are not available for the iPhone? :(

Household Per Capita Income is a better gauge

Currently, household income is being used as a gauge for distributing any "goodies" to Singaporeans every budget year. However, I find that the usage of this measurement indirectly caused a problem. Singaporeans are now choosing the type of HDB flats based on the "goodies" they may receive from the budget. The kiasu mentality has set in.

Therefore, I feel that the best way to "throw one stone at 2 birds" is to remove this measurement for household goodies. Instead, Household Per Capita Income is a better gauge of the household income and should be used instead. Basically, household per capita income will measure the income based on the number of people in the household for the particular flat. For example, if your household consists of 2 people earning a total of $5,000, the per capita income will be $2,500.

This will remove the incentive for couples to choose the HDB flat size based on the goodies they are able to get, and to even out the demand for HDB flats. This measurement is also more fair as it takes into account the number of the people being supported by the household income, especially useful if you have school going children or your parents stay with you.

I do not see the point in tiering by the annual value of your house because it is not the correct representative of your income. I do not have the statistics for household income, but I believe that based on the information collected, the government should not have any problems tiering the goodies. A simple goodies tier can be as follows:

• $800: $0 - $1,000 per HDB household capita income
• $600: $1,001 - $2,000 per HDB household capita income
• $400: $2,001 - $3,000 per HDB household capita income
• $200: >$3,000 per household capita income (others)
• +$100: NSF

Something to think about...

Singpost should do a BPR exercise

I was at Singpost on saturday to send a registered article and the familiar snaking queue was there again. While queuing, I could see several problems with the process that caused this queue.

The main problem is with the collection of registered articles or parcels. As these are only delivered during office hours, it is next to impossible to successfully deliver it to anyone as most homes are empty during that period of time.

There are 2 ways to cut down this queue. First is to extend delivery time of such articles or parcels to 8pm everyday. I believe this will allow majority of the people to make arrangements to be at home for the collection. At the same time, they can also extend the operating hours of the post office to 8pm to facilitate working adults to collect their items after work. Singpost could follow up with a call to check with the recipient if they are in at that time. This will optimise the delivery for the postmen.

Next is a separate queue for this collection at the post office. For the post office that I went to, the person will need to walk back to the delivery room to find the article or parcel, wasting valuable time. To shorten this process, they can emulate the medicine dispensary / laundry shops where the queue is situated at / near the delivery room.

I was also analyzing the process of sending a registered article and find that it can be greatly improved. Very often, the people who are sending these items are not aware of the procedures to follow so to make it seamless, one should model the process on these procedures. There should also be minimal duplication of information filled in.

For example, there is a form that needs to be filled in for sending of registered article and for some weird reason, they only give it to you at the counter. They should emulate the bank where such forms can be filled at a dedicated form counter before you even join the queue.

At the counter, all that needs to be done is to verify the information and key it in a system. The reason behind this is because I noticed that you will need to write the recipient address several times, wasting time. By keying it into a system, you can print out the information as many times as you want.

During the period where the person is keying in the information, you can also take the opportunity to find the box or letter to contain your registered item if needed. I noticed that the setting up of the box to contain your parcel takes some time too, and you may also need to secure it with scotch tape.

I guess Singpost should do a business process re-engineering (BPR) exercise to optimise their processes and improve the efficiency. I've seen some unnecessary repetitive work done while I was in the queue for half an hour.

Shorter wait = Happier customers and employees.

The Magical "Shift" Key

It seems that Windows like the Shift key quite a bit, and it's most commonly used to stop some process/program that is triggered automatically.

The most commonly used is to prevent CDs/DVDs from autoloading when it is inserted into your machine. To do that, just hold down the Shift key after inserting your CD/DVD.

The other not so commonly used is to stop your programs from auto-loading after login. To do that, just hold down the Shift key after keying in your password to your user account. If your machine auto-logins and doesn't have a password, then I guess you have to time your Shift key. This is useful if you have an auto-loading program that crashes/slow-down your machine.

Hope this helps.

Japan is going to mandate building solar panels on rooftops of all new buildings

This piece of news brings back memories of what I've talked about back in 2007 in one of the forums. I was lamenting the fact that Singapore, despite being smack down near the equator, has not taken advantage of its position to research on solar panels on rooftops and make buildings energy sufficient.

One of the reasons I heard of not going into solar power is due to our cloud cover. However, do they know that Germany, despite being a typical cloudy country, is one of world's biggest use of solar power and they have villages equipped with solar panels that produce more energy that they use? In fact, I believe with a light sensor, you can position the panels such that it gets maximum efficiency throughout the day. You can read more about the Germany's push towards solar energy here.

The sad fact is that it took a very big earthquake and a nuclear meltdown for Japan to make this decision. Singapore fortunately has already embarked on this initiative but it seems to be half-hearted. More work and research needs to be done before we're truly self-sufficient in energy. I just hope that we can be a leader in this, just like our home-grown Hyflux.

New Bid Size & Forced Orders on Jul 4 2011

SGX has came out with a new bid size & forced order spreads that will be effective from Jul 4 2011. Does it result in savings for investors? Personally I don't think so. The new bid size may result in more transactions being executed but savings for investors?

Anyway, new information as follows:

Securities (excl. exchange traded funds)

Price Range (S$)	Bid Size (S$)	Forced Orders (Bids)
Below 0.20	0.001	+/- 20
0.20 – 0.995	0.005
1.00 – 1.99	0.005
2.00 – 9.99	0.01
10 and above	0.01

Debentures (excl. loan stocks and bonds)

Price Range (S$)	Bid Size (S$)	Forced Orders (Bids)
All	0.01 or 0.001 as determined by SGX-ST	+/-30