myHub

Integrated Retort

2009-11-06T08:36:00.003+08:00

As much as I would not have liked the casino to have even reached the shores of Singapore, it is almost becoming a reality. The Integrated Resort is going to be ready for her "Soft Opening", and no matter how "integrated" our retort to this destructive piece of structure might be...

I totally abhor the Prime Minister (and his cabinet's decision) to proceed with the construction of the IR. On the other hand, it would be unfair of me not to applaud Senior Minister Goh for his efforts - during his term as Prime Minister, he had refused to go ahead with such an outrageous and morally degrading plan.

PM Lee had acknowledged that the casino had downsides and that measures would be put in place. Presto! On came the heroic NCPG (National Council on Problem Gambling). Granted that they do have a good programme in place to help compulsive gamblers, taking a matter of such importance lightly is unwarranted.

It is akin to having a pool of contaminated water with gold hidden beneath. However, the odds of you dying before you reach the gold are very high. Yet, people still visit the contaminated pool, in hope of making a quick buck. The government's decision to bring this contaminated pool INTO Singapore will most definitely lead to more deaths by drowning.

The NCSA (National Council for Staying Afloat) would not be able to help much (if it was set up). The agency only serves to throw floats into the pool for those who request for help (or are fortunate enough to have family members requesting for help for them).

It's akin to coming up with an "unworkable solution" after deliberately "creating" a problem in the name of economic benefits.

Surely, they can't be wrong. Did I forget to mention that you had to throw some of YOUR gold into the pool before you're allowed to enter?

Wave Winners

2009-11-01T15:15:00.002+08:00

After putting all the names in a box, we've drawn FIVE winners for our Google Wave contest.

The following users have won a nomination:
* HoT_dEv1L_666
* oyvinro
* Jalevine1
* mclarenfan88
* madsenw

A tweet has been sent out to notify all winners. Please reply with your "Gmail Email". If you are concerned about your privacy, you can use the "Private Message" feature in Twitter.

I'll be hoping to wave with all of you soon!

Thanks to everyone for your participation!

Google Wave Invites

2009-10-26T08:48:00.007+08:00

**Read Below - 3 Invites to be given out**

I'm sure many of you here have heard of the revolutionary Google Wave. A quick search on Google would bring up tons of search results with tons of information.

As such, JTJM Innovation Hub will be giving away 3 free invites.

All you have to do is to leave a comment in this post, stating your Twitter Username and tell us why you want Google Wave.

All entries have to be in by 31 October 2009. The three lucky winners will be drawn on 1 November 2009 and announced in here.

Go on, make a comment (no duplicate entries), tell us why you want Google Wave, include your Twitter username and you're good to go!

Devaluing Nobel Peace Prize?

2009-10-10T11:24:00.004+08:00

In a surprising announcement by the "Nobel Peace Prize" committee, President Barack Obama of the United States of America has been conferred the "Nobel Peace Prize 2009".

For someone who has done so little to deserve it. For someone who has brought largely unfulfilled claims of 'change'. For someone who said, "I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations".

What affirmation? What aspirations?

When the President was campaigning for the Elections to be the 44th US President, he had frequently gained popularity in his speeches at the expense of George Walker Bush. He had promised change to the previous administration's security policies. He had promised the shutting down of the Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp. Empty promises.

The Organising Committee had awarded Obama the award because of
"his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".

Under Obama's fantastic leadership, the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have stalled. The Iran Nuclear issue has also been "deprogressing".

He hasn't fared any better in domestic efforts - the overhauling of the health care plan is one of the most integral areas of his Presidency. Yet, he can do little to convince the opposition to vote for it.

So what was the real reason that made the Nobel Peace Prize committee select Obama as the winner of their award? Was it to encourage America in one of the lowest periods of history? Was it to encourage Obama to carry out the reforms he had promised?

Only time will tell.

Martti Ahtisaari, winner of last year's peace prize, had had decades of experience in resolving international conflicts.

Why was Obama given this award, having only spent less than a year in his position? His empty promises (for now) and his failure to engage a number of big countries (such as India) could haunt him in the future. To make things even more amusing, he was nominated for the award 2 weeks before he had secured his Presidency. Were there no better nominees?

One thing is for sure, the prestige of the Nobel Peace Prize has dropped, at least for 2009.

jChess

2009-07-14T22:45:00.001+08:00

Tetris Cartooned

2009-07-03T20:11:00.002+08:00

Apple Globe

2009-06-20T09:42:00.003+08:00

An extraordinary piece of art by Kevin Van Aelst, featuring the Earth on an apple.

*NOTE* This blog will not be updated for the rest of next week (21/6-27/6) as I take my Preliminary 2 examinations. Stay tuned for reviews on GTA, Sims 3, Windows 7 and IE 8 when I return the following week.

How to be a Robber

2009-06-15T00:00:00.002+08:00

Well, if you do want to be a robber, get something that is more threatening (rather than flip flops and a leafy plant). Even a pair of high heels and a durian could do more damage...

Ununbium

2009-06-13T11:24:00.002+08:00

Scientists have added the heavy element (Atomic Number 112) to the Periodic Table. The new element is massive and unstable — it can only exist for fractions of a second before splitting up in radioactive decay.

It really makes me wonder how many of these "supernova" elements are going to be created.

There are more uses for artificial elements than bombs: Technetium is used in medical imaging, and Americium is used in smoke detectors.

Foreign Talent

2009-06-07T22:20:00.001+08:00

I’m not sure why there is this huge hoo-ha about removing Lee Bee Wah as the president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA). But then again, the objective of this short post is to address the issue of foreign talent, and not to gripe about something as trivial as the STTA or Bee Wah.

I would like to begin by commending the work of all the foreign construction workers in Singapore. They slog for the benefit of the people (directly). This can come in forms of better housing, better amenities etc. They are also talented in their own fields, each having an integral role to play in the construction industry. They have taken up jobs that are generally “shunned” by the typical Singaporean, worked under the blazing Sun, hoping for a better future for their families. These are the foreign talents I’m largely grateful for – without them, Singapore would not be able to increase her standard of living.

How about imported foreign talents in the area of sports? I have no idea how much the government has spent grooming them, incentivizing them and rewarding them. Question is – is it worth it?

Credit to the team for achieving the Sliver Medal in the recent Olympics. Let’s put things in perspective. They SHOULD finish second. Our republic’s team players are second-string players that have been brought over from China. Had they gotten the Gold Medal, perhaps their coach could have been considered for the Coach Award. Silver was the minimum, judging by their standards.

In what I see is a desperate bid to expand our Sport influence, we have brought a few players over from abroad. What is stopping them from bringing in the likes of Wayne Rooney, Roger Federer, Venus Williams and Tiger Woods into the country?

Do these players help our country to generate revenue, or only appear to help our country generate revenue? How have they made a difference to their lives? I’d like you to figure that one out.

Beatbox

2009-06-04T00:00:00.001+08:00

It's really exciting to see a whole lot of new videos coming up at Ted.com

Recently, I've been watching some extraordinary vodcasts, 14-year old playing the piano, Hans giving yet another compelling statistic presentation, and now, Naturally 7 doing their beatbox (this time on Ted.com)

Enjoy!

Reasons to use Vista

2009-06-02T00:00:00.003+08:00

1. You have lots of cash to spare. Vista could help you to burn some of your excess budget.

2. You love the thrill factor of having to source for separate Video and Sound hardware because they don't work on Vista.

3. You love pissing your friends off. Whenever they come to your home, they'll realize that many applications do not work on Vista (and they will not visit you ever again/mess up your place)

4. Viruses aplenty! Software developers or viral programming wannabes can use Vista as a platform to test for potential system loopholes.

5. You get to take part in the Customer Experience Improvement program (it's not as though you could opt out of it anyway - image below shows how you don't have a choice not to participate)

What are you waiting for? Get your Vista NOW!

Reasons to use IE

2009-05-31T10:02:00.002+08:00

People use Internet Explorer (any version) for a variety of activities such as surfing the internet or downloading programs.

Recently, I stumbled upon this picture, which pretty much summarizes the reasons for using Internet Explorer.

Many of you must have been wondering what the new link in the right navigation bar is for. jTalk is a new monthly initiative by JTJM Innovation Hub to offer tips on the various kinds of technology (eg. Web Development, Software Development etc.) The first issue, on Browser Compatibility, will be released on our 1st Anniversary. As you might have noticed, a countdown timer has been placed at the bottom of every page.

Many emails have been coming in regarding jTalk - I guess it'd be a good time to do a brief introduction of it today. Any comments / feedback? Click the "Post a Comment" button at the top of this post!

Apple Design Process

2009-05-27T00:00:00.001+08:00

An Apple software starts with a sketch of the interface, followed by a "prototype" done in Photoshop, and finally we have the end product. Of course, this is extremely simplified - but you get the general idea.

To see the image below in greater detail, you can "right-click" and "view image in new tab".

Credit to Techradar

Since I'm on the topic...

Adobe CS4 Ad

2009-05-25T00:00:00.000+08:00

Kudos to the production team - great manipulation of clips there :)

Witty Signs

2009-05-23T18:57:00.002+08:00

There's no better way to spice up your day then to read signs that perfectly make sense (grammatically at least).

In addition to this, you might want to check out our "Useful Tools" page. I have just added some great file hosting sites that you might want to use!

Alliteration

2009-05-21T07:24:00.000+08:00

Regally He rides to the rescue of the repressed, his resplendent regalia radiating resilience, a rakish renegade rising to retain and renew the ruined ramparts of this reprehensible repository of rancorous repugnance, the internet. The rulers of what is reportedly reality rage to retain their regal right to reject the reverie of the rabble and restrict the reach of our recognition. The rank-and-file require a ringleader to rip right through the repulsive rhetoric of those referred to as rex or regina before they would riot and rise.

The riposte rings and resonates round the realm as He renders his robust resolve to repel the reprobates. His role is a rogue’s remit, receiving no remuneration or respect. Reluctantly but resoundingly his roar rallies the riffraff. They rush recklessly to redress the ruptures and rips rent by rectors and republican rent-boys alike. He retires to his residence to remain, resting and recuperating to return when required, when the ramifications of his response are no longer renowned, for it is not reputation which he reveres. It is rectitude. He refers to himself as RBX.

Alliteration is easy. Maybe you should try harder.

**If you'd like to find out what the words mean, mac users can mouseover and do a Control-Cmd-D on the particular word. Windows Users, unfortunately, have to do it the hard way - go to dictionary.com.

By the way, the text doesn't really make sense :P

Man Utd clinch Title

2009-05-17T08:32:00.004+08:00

A historic 3rd consecutive title.

A record-equaling 18th top division title.

Despite the poor forward performance by Manchester United, whereby they did not manage to get a shot on target in a goalless draw against Arsenal, they had managed to win their 2nd EPL title on Home soil.

This renders their match against Hull unimportant, and Liverpool's matches insignificant.

Can they go on to win the quadruple by beating Barcelona in the Champions League finals?

Tweaks 2

2009-05-14T21:21:00.002+08:00

Yes - you heard it correctly!

In our final installment of upgrades for the site, I have done the following:

* Added new links in the "Useful Tools" section on the right of this page.
Many of the links that have been added are self explanatory. Do take a look at them, they will definitely make life easier for you in this technology dominated world.

* If you copy content from my site, and decide to email your friends etc, a link will automatically be generated back to my site so that your friend can view the whole article / other articles. Try it :)

Tweaks

2009-05-12T00:00:00.001+08:00

A total of 4 major and 6 minor tweaks have been made to this blog. Most of these tweaks are already obvious to you; I would like to keep you updated on what I've done.

MAJOR TWEAKS

** Addition of Comment Bars
This was probably the most obvious change you have noticed when entering the site. The spiffy bar was added to reduce the time needed to post a comment by 50%.

** Google Search
The Google Search engine customized for my blog has finally been activated and found to be working after almost 10 months of non-functionality. It is located on your left.

** Comments Page
The comments page was made to look neater and more intuitive. By clicking on the yellow bar in the comments page, you are brought directly to the comments that are located below the blog post.

** Browser Compatibility
My blog now supports an additional 2 more browsers - Google Chrome and Camino. IE6 isn't recommended.

** Load Speed
The most significant change is the loading speed. The time taken to load each page will be cut by 10% after significant optimization of the codes.

MINOR TWEAKS

++ Mascot Makeover
The mascot at the bottom of this post has been given a makeover - smoother lines + a more realistic facial expression.

++ RSS Link Fixed
The blue RSS Link button has been fixed to work on Firefox as well.

++ myHub Link
The title of my blog, right at the top of this page, is now linked to the home page.

++ Left Menu Bar
People were complaining that the bar was irritating / hard to see. I have darkened the fonts and have also included a "Collapse Bar" bar for those of you who do not wish to view the full bar.

++ Tags
The links to the tags have been moved to make way for the Google Search engine. They are not situated under the menu "Links".

++ Small Icon
For Camino users, you are able to see my blue JTJM Innovation Hub icon instead of the orange Blogger one at the top of the page. I'm not sure why this doesn't work in Firefox / Safari - will try to fix this another day.

Another piece of good news to share. This is my 141st blog post since 20 July 2008, which comes to about 3 posts per week!

That's all from me. If you have any suggestions on how to improve existing features, feel free to leave a comment!

Domino Fun

2009-05-11T10:39:00.003+08:00

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T00:00:00.002+08:00

Sometimes you make me angry
When you tell me what to do
But when I need a hand
The one who’s there is you

To pull me up when I fall
To help me start again
It doesn’t matter what I did at all
You’ll always be my friend

Loving guidance, angelic care,
For all things big, and small,
To help me shop, and brush my hair,
To help me lick my wounds if I brawl.

You’re always there, through thick and thin.
There could never be another.
So where on earth could I begin
To thank you for being an amazing Mother?

Written by Conor

England Campain

2009-05-04T22:58:00.004+08:00

1. Grammar does be important
2. Widout speling, you are going nowhere
3. Nonetheless, use your connectors wisely
4. Prefixes should be accurate to avoid disunderstandings
5. Do not use big and boondoggle words especially when you know not what they mean
6. Ensure That Famous Places And People Have Caps, mr. tan
7. Nly abbrvt th wrd whn ncssry
8. Remember to add! Punctuation marks; at the right “places)
9. Use idioms correctly - only then can you be an apple in my eye
10. Prepositions, when not used accurately, will make your effort go under the drain.

To has summary, however, impt englsh! is disspoken with much dilettante. Like father like son. Especially therefore sporke good! English in the soup.

This list was created by me. If you'd like to add your own rules, feel free to post a comment - I might conseeder addition onto the post :P

Promise of "Hope" 2

2009-04-30T20:21:00.004+08:00

For those whom are Pro-Choice, I'm not sure how you'll feel after watching this video. Just a piece of tissue we're talking about here? Think again.

This brings me back to my original post made in November 2008, titled "The Promise of 'Hope'".

AWARE Saga

2009-04-26T11:20:00.000+08:00

This poem was written by a close friend of mine, Conor. I'd have to apologise to him once again because I promised illustration for the poem. Unfortunately, time does not permit me to do so :(

The thoughts that float inside my head
They're filled with horror, and filled with dread
Because, don't you see? The world is dead
All morals are gone, it is a disaster
Every criminal, every crime, has it's own master
Everything's failing, it's a world filled with tears
Some kid's at school, are covered with jeers
Self-esteem breaks, they think nothing of themselves
No-one bends over, or offers to help
So today you people, who have a good life
Offer a hand, and help to end strife

I find that what the poem says is really true. Especially the part that reads 'All Morals are gone'.

Recently, there has been a stand-off in Singapore within AWARE between the old guards (who are supposedly for homosexual behaviour), and the new guards (who are strongly against the behaviour).

Earlier this year, I had edited an article which was related to Homosexual behaviour. Again, I wish to state my position:

I'm a strong advocate of what Josie Lau and her new team are doing. I have to admit that I'm afraid. I'm afraid that homosexuality would be taught in the Singapore education as a "socially" and "morally" accepted action. Before anyone starts talking about the rights of homosexuals, let me make this clear. I do not condemn the person with a different gender preference. Rather, I condemn the ACTION of engaging in immoral activities that harm the society in more ways then one.

For those who have given feedback to me regarding my February 2009 post, about me mixing homosexuality with Christianity, I thank you for your feedback - they have played a huge role in the crafting of this post. I will not attempt to use religion to explain my distaste for the promotion of "homosexuality as an accepted behaviour".

Firstly, someone wrote in to say that "People with gender-orientation issues are born that way". I beg to differ. From Narth.com (which is not a religious site), "The inaccurate concept that homosexuality is solely biological is extremely misleading. Many therapists tell their clients that homosexuality is biological and therefore unchangeable. These therapists encourage their clients to embrace a gay identity, even when such clients are seeking change for their orientation.". This might not necessarily be prevalent in Singapore in the present, but it might be in the future - which is the reason I applaud the new team of EXCOs for taking a stand.

Secondly, activists claim that they are being discriminated against. However, my stand is that as long as they have basic rights to what any other Singaporeans should have, they have not been discriminated against. The only thing that the society / me condemns is the action of trying to break family values etc. If we want to give every ACTION a right to exist, it would also mean that we cannot condemn terrorist acts, suicide, mutilation etc. There has to be a clear line between what should be accepted and what shouldn't .

Recent events around the world have made this issue more pressing. Ms California (Carrie) was posed a question by one of the judges on what she thought about gay marriages. This had not only cost her a title in the Ms USA pageant contest (she was a strong favourite), it had led to a public backlash. Perez Hilton, the judge, slammed her in his blog following the answer. A quick search online would bring up Perez's derogatory remarks. Again, I applaud these people for their courage in standing up against the act of marrying someone of the same gender.

Go on, I'd love to hear your comments about this issue. Please do not start by correcting my grammar or spelling. I prefer response to my content. =)