Speeding up the iPhone So my iPhone 3G was starting to feel very sluggish - I could literally start counting the seconds off between clicking on the Safari or iPod icons and when I could actually do anything in either app. Didn't remember it being this slow, but I thought it might be just me justifying to myself why I needed a 3GS, especially since neither powering off and restarting nor clearing the Safari cache didn't speed it up. But then I tried loading and force-quitting all the apps I use with any regularity, particularly Safari/iPod/Mail, and it has dramatically sped up the loading of each of these apps (based on the time-honoured method of counting off "one-Mississippi" between load times).  I wonder if that means the iPhone apps could be hogging some resources, even if they don't seem to be running? Well, whatever works. View from the Mimolette carpark. There was something about how wild this landscape seemed, right in the middle of Singapore. That, and the dramatic leave-lorn tree. Oscar thoughts I watched The Hurt Locker last night. A deserving Best Picture. Bigelow is a great action director. You always have a sense of space, where all the action is taking place, and where all the known threats could come from. The pendulum of the film's rhythm swings between tension and release, much, one supposes, like the work and life of the protagonists.Kathryn Bigelow, incidentally, turns 59 this year. James Cameron does seem to fall for strong, capable women. Staying with them - not his forte, apparently.Single transferable voting was used for the Best Pic decision. Hendrik Hertzberg over at the New Yorker predicted it would bode well for The Hurt Locker. Probably spot on in his analysis. Was this used for the other categories?Much has been made of the fact that there were 10 Best Picture nominees this year, but I can't get too worked up over that. There are 10 actors nominated, split by gender; 10 supporting actors nominated, again split by gender; and 10 screenplays nominated, split by whether they were original or adapted works.Speaking of adapted works, I've concluded from the mentions of "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire" that if I ever write anything that gets adapted into a screenplay, I should negotiate to include my own name in the film's title.Finally, Sandra Bullock's performance may not have been great. (I have no clue - I didn't see The Blind Side.) But she's always good fun at awards ceremonies. A Razzie and an Oscar in the same year, and she showed up for both! Toby and Amber The li'l bunnies. Toby's the shy one on the left. Amber's the impish one on the right. Okay, not that impish in this shot, but the number of wires she's bitten through is a veritable trail of destruction. Blogger removing FTP support All right, this might not be of interest to anyone but fellow Blogger users, but Blogger basically is pulling the plug on FTP support, which this blog has hitherto been publishing with. And asking us to use Google Custom Domains. Which is all fine and dandy, since they made a Migration Tool for it. Except - wonder of wonders - the Migration Tool pretty much is crap if you're publishing on www. Groan.The long and short of it: tell me if any files appear missing! Location-Based Services I love GPS, and I love Google Maps, and I'm the first to think that there could be more done with location-based services in Singapore. (Aside: Some day I'll do my own Google Maps mashup to find out where I can take my recycling. In the meantime, I managed to get the number of the local karang guni man.) I like the idea of using something as non-geographical as the Internet to promote hyperlocal things, such as figuring out restaurants near you and the like, and I like the idea that my phone can help me do that.But even so, I don't get Foursquare or Google Buzz for Mobile, which I played around with for a while. Via sparklette, I found "Please Rob Me", which figures out who's not at home using foursquare. (Technically, since it tells you where people aren't, not where they are, it should be "please burglarise me", but I guess that's not as catchy a name.) It may be facetious, but it helps make a good point - why do you want to broadcast your location? I get that people exchange privacy for services a lot - Gmail etc. - but what exactly is one getting in return for telling people where you are? The odd chance that a friend might be serendipitously nearby and come over and say hi? Salinger remembered Lillian Ross on her friendship with J. D. Salinger in the New Yorker. A lovely portrait of the man as man, not recluse. Also some photos. Chinese New Year In honour of the tradition of not using scissors on Chinese New Year, I will eschew cutting. I will only copy and paste. iPad If the iPad comes to this region, will we see an iPad Thai? iPad If the iPad comes to this region, will we see an iPad Thai? Happy birthday, Mum I pass by the current Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy building once in a while. It's gone through many incarnations in its life, starting as the University of Singapore. But to me it will always be the IE building, i.e. (ha) the Institute of Education Building, because that's what my Mum called it when she worked there, in a branch of the Ministry of Education, working on the "Helping Underachievers Programme".My Mum worked almost all her life, once she got her A-levels and finished Teachers Training College. She taught in Balestier Mixed School, where she met my Dad. She taught in Anglo-Chinese School (Primary), up until her retirement in 2005. And in between there were various schools and stints at MOE. So, occasionally, after Primary School finished, when I wasn't parked at the National Library waiting for her (the family didn't have babysitting), I would go to her office in the IE Building, and get parked in the library there. I discovered the lovely graphic novel style of Raymond Briggs' "When the Wind Blows" there. Plus, while my memory grows fuzzy, I think they had a good collection of Asterix comics.But I would also go up to her office, where to keep me entertained she would give me some paper and an electric typewriter to use, and I would type things out. It was such a revelation, compared to the manual typewriter we had back home, which was exceedingly tough to use for my little-boy-hands. Plus the ability to backspace in a line was astounding. No Tipp-Ex! And so that was where I learnt to type, by my Mum's side, up in that little room in the IE building.She was always proud of me. But in so many ways she helped me become who I am today, and sacrificed so much to give me all these opportunities to learn. And I hope somewhere she remains proud of me. Happy birthday, Mum. Happy birthday, Mum I pass by the current Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy building once in a while. It's gone through many incarnations in its life, starting as the University of Singapore. But to me it will always be the IE building, i.e. (ha) the Institute of Education Building, because that's what my Mum called it when she worked there, in a branch of the Ministry of Education, working on the "Helping Underachievers Programme".My Mum worked almost all her life, once she got her A-levels and finished Teachers Training College. She taught in Balestier Mixed School, where she met my Dad. She taught in Anglo-Chinese School (Primary), up until her retirement in 2005. And in between there were various schools and stints at MOE. So, occasionally, after Primary School finished, when I wasn't parked at the National Library waiting for her (the family didn't have babysitting), I would go to her office in the IE Building, and get parked in the library there. I discovered the lovely graphic novel style of Raymond Briggs' "When the Wind Blows" there. Plus, while my memory grows fuzzy, I think they had a good collection of Asterix comics.But I would also go up to her office, where to keep me entertained she would give me some paper and an electric typewriter to use, and I would type things out. It was such a revelation, compared to the manual typewriter we had back home, which was exceedingly tough to use for my little-boy-hands. Plus the ability to backspace in a line was astounding. No Tipp-Ex! And so that was where I learnt to type, by my Mum's side, up in that little room in the IE building.She was always proud of me. But in so many ways she helped me become who I am today, and sacrificed so much to give me all these opportunities to learn. And I hope somewhere she remains proud of me. Happy birthday, Mum. Movies of the Decade My top 10 movies of the 2000s, inspired by Chris Wisniewski's writeup on Before Sunset on Reverse Shot:Before SunsetEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindY Tu Mama TambienCity of GodBrokeback MountainIn the Mood for LoveFar From HeavenAlmost FamousHigh FidelityMementoHonourable mentions: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Children of Men; The Wrestler; The Squid and the Whale; Juno; Up; State of Play; The Bourne Ultimatum, Once. Movies of the Decade My top 10 movies of the 2000s, inspired by Chris Wisniewski's writeup on Before Sunset on Reverse Shot:Before SunsetEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindY Tu Mama TambienCity of GodBrokeback MountainIn the Mood for LoveFar From HeavenAlmost FamousHigh FidelityMementoHonourable mentions: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; Children of Men; The Wrestler; The Squid and the Whale; Juno; Up; State of Play; The Bourne Ultimatum, Once. Oh Open House Went to the Oh! Open House on Friday. Great to tour Niven Road shophouses. But to be honest the works that caught my eye were in the companion exhibition at Wilkie Edge - "Blink" by George Wong and a couple of works by Marissa Keller. Oh Open House Went to the Oh! Open House on Friday. Great to tour Niven Road shophouses. But to be honest the works that caught my eye were in the companion exhibition at Wilkie Edge - "Blink" by George Wong and a couple of works by Marissa Keller. On SMSs and spelling Scientific American's 60-Second Psych podcast points out an interesting study from the academic journal Reading and Writing that shows that texting / SMSing does not have any impact on spelling ability. Indeed, apparently those who spell well in standard English spell well in "textese".When I posted this link on Facebook, I got a couple of queries on whether the results worked for those for whom English is not a first language. I don't know, but it seems that the same complaint on "textese" apparently affecting spelling is common in environments where English is the primary language, which is probably why there was even interest in the experiment. So I would certainly not rule out the idea that something other than "textese" is affecting standards of spelling, and that there is some confusion of correlation and causation. Another possible cause, for example, could be a general reduction in the value that society as a whole places on spelling, perhaps because of the existence of easily available spell-checking and the like, causing students growing up in such a society to not care about spelling.Also found this interesting story about another study on SMSs and language. On SMSs and spelling Scientific American's 60-Second Psych podcast points out an interesting study from the academic journal Reading and Writing that shows that texting / SMSing does not have any impact on spelling ability. Indeed, apparently those who spell well in standard English spell well in "textese".When I posted this link on Facebook, I got a couple of queries on whether the results worked for those for whom English is not a first language. I don't know, but it seems that the same complaint on "textese" apparently affecting spelling is common in environments where English is the primary language, which is probably why there was even interest in the experiment. So I would certainly not rule out the idea that something other than "textese" is affecting standards of spelling, and that there is some confusion of correlation and causation. Another possible cause, for example, could be a general reduction in the value that society as a whole places on spelling, perhaps because of the existence of easily available spell-checking and the like, causing students growing up in such a society to not care about spelling.Also found this interesting story about another study on SMSs and language. Same old show Tessa Wong's piece on how every mall in Singapore tends to have the same shops these days is right on the money. Although it leads to questions about whether malls should be the sites of diversity, versus individual shops that extend out onto the street. Even the festival markets of the US - Quincy Market etc. - seem to have lots of chains in my experience.As an aside in this Jane Jacobs vein: I do like that the ground-level shops of Ion and Orchard Central have doors that actually open out onto the street, rather than just a window display that forces you to enter the mall first. I'm not sold on the luxury goods being sold at Ion, but this is a good trend.The most interesting shopping centres in Singapore to me are the old ones - Peninsula Plaza and Shopping Centre, Far East Plaza (and Far East Shopping Centre, come to think of it), Tanglin Shopping Centre. All these old shops, selling niche products and services. Same old show Tessa Wong's piece on how every mall in Singapore tends to have the same shops these days is right on the money. Although it leads to questions about whether malls should be the sites of diversity, versus individual shops that extend out onto the street. Even the festival markets of the US - Quincy Market etc. - seem to have lots of chains in my experience.As an aside in this Jane Jacobs vein: I do like that the ground-level shops of Ion and Orchard Central have doors that actually open out onto the street, rather than just a window display that forces you to enter the mall first. I'm not sold on the luxury goods being sold at Ion, but this is a good trend.The most interesting shopping centres in Singapore to me are the old ones - Peninsula Plaza and Shopping Centre, Far East Plaza (and Far East Shopping Centre, come to think of it), Tanglin Shopping Centre. All these old shops, selling niche products and services. District 10 Saw that District 10, the restaurant, was reviewed in the Sunday Times today. Agree that their ribs could do with a touch less mustard. But my pressing question is: why is it called District 10 when its postal sector is 22 and thus it is very much in District 9? District 10 Saw that District 10, the restaurant, was reviewed in the Sunday Times today. Agree that their ribs could do with a touch less mustard. But my pressing question is: why is it called District 10 when its postal sector is 22 and thus it is very much in District 9? Top 10 of the 2000s Yeah, it's a bit early and opinions may change by December, but this is my current round up of the decade, largely on artistic merit, with the inevitable dollop of the personal:Albums:The Postal Service - Give UpFeist - Let It DieArcade Fire - FuneralJose Gonzalez - VeneerSufjan Stevens - IllinoisRyan Adams - GoldThe New Pornographers - Mass RomanticThe Streets - Original Pirate MaterialThe Avalanches - Since I Left YouOutkast - StankoniaSingles:The Postal Service - "Such Great Heights"Ryan Adams - "Answering Bell"The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Bang"Outkast - "Hey Ya!"Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"Eminem - "Stan"Kanye West - "Gold Digger"Arcade Fire - "Rebellion (Lies)"Sufjan Stevens - "Casimir Pulaski Day"Death Cab for Cutie - "I Will Follow You into the Dark" Top 10 of the 2000s Yeah, it's a bit early and opinions may change by December, but this is my current round up of the decade, largely on artistic merit, with the inevitable dollop of the personal:Albums:The Postal Service - Give UpFeist - Let It DieArcade Fire - FuneralJose Gonzalez - VeneerSufjan Stevens - IllinoisRyan Adams - GoldThe New Pornographers - Mass RomanticThe Streets - Original Pirate MaterialThe Avalanches - Since I Left YouOutkast - StankoniaSingles:The Postal Service - "Such Great Heights"Ryan Adams - "Answering Bell"The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Bang"Outkast - "Hey Ya!"Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"Eminem - "Stan"Kanye West - "Gold Digger"Arcade Fire - "Rebellion (Lies)"Sufjan Stevens - "Casimir Pulaski Day"Death Cab for Cutie - "I Will Follow You into the Dark" Are we there yet? There's another Final Destination? Each sequel makes a lie out of the title of its predecessor. Are we there yet? There's another Final Destination? Each sequel makes a lie out of the title of its predecessor. Swell Season I've heard/seen the Swell Season's Tiny Desk Concert so many times the songs feel like old favourites. Songs from their upcoming Strict Joy album (I like "Back Broke", in particular), plus an encore version of "When Your Mind's Made Up". Lovely stuff, as always. Swell Season I've heard/seen the Swell Season's Tiny Desk Concert so many times the songs feel like old favourites. Songs from their upcoming Strict Joy album (I like "Back Broke", in particular), plus an encore version of "When Your Mind's Made Up". Lovely stuff, as always. iPhone, data roaming, and maps An iPhone tip: When I was travelling last month I needed handy maps of places but didn't want to payinternational data roaming costs on my iPhone. My quick and dirty solution was to load up the maps needed pretrip or when I had a wifi connection, press the power/home button combo to take screenshots of the maps, and essentially use the Photos page as a maps page when I was walking around. Not elegant, but certainly money saving. iPhone, data roaming, and maps An iPhone tip: When I was travelling last month I needed handy maps of places but didn't want to payinternational data roaming costs on my iPhone. My quick and dirty solution was to load up the maps needed pretrip or when I had a wifi connection, press the power/home button combo to take screenshots of the maps, and essentially use the Photos page as a maps page when I was walking around. Not elegant, but certainly money saving.