August 2008 – Page 3 – Vinko’s Thoughts On…

August 9, 2008

Beijing 2008 Olympic Medal Tally

It is surprising how difficult to find the latest official updates of medal counts from the Beijing 2008 Olympic.

After a Google search and ignoring all the scammers who try to make AdSense income, I finally found a list at Yahoo Sports, but the one that is most up-to-date is the 2008 Olympic Medal Count on Wikipedia. This further proves that people-power on the Internet is much faster and better, and Crowdsourcing is a practical and achievable future for project development.

As of 15:30 (HKT GMT+08:00), China is currently leading the medal count.

2008 Olympic Medal Count

August 5, 2008

iPhone Firmware 2.0.1 NOT For All

I should add “YET!”.

Apple made available firmware 2.0.1 for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

If you have an iPhone 3G (non-jailbroken), original iPhone (non-jailbroken and locked) or a pristine iPod Touch, then you should definitely upgrade to this latest firmware. So far all reports show that applications runs faster, quicker synchronization with iTunes and spiffier overall functions of the iPhone or iPod Touch.

WARNING: if you are not in the above group of Apple device owners, meaning you have jailbroken and/or unlocked your iPhone or iPod Touch you should NOT upgrade. You will need to wait for the hacking community to update their hacking methods (currently Pwnage Tool) before doing any firmware update.

The only exception will be the iPod Touch owners who had jailbroken their device and do not mind returning their iPod to Apple factory condition (ie. no more unauthorized 3rd party applications).

BTW: As I have reported on Twitter and other Social Networks, I am experimenting with a method to resolve much of the frequent crashes on the iPhone with firmware 2.0. I will be reporting here on my blog as soon as I have definite results. Please stay tune.

August 3, 2008

Hong Kong Government’s Big Idea

The Hong Kong government is again making urban planning decision with the excuse of improving the lives of the citizens, when in fact they are probably making their planning decisions base on revenue from development projects.

The latest taboo is route 4, which the government wants to build on the Western and South districts of Hong Kong island. The new highway will distroy yet another rare waterfront in Hong Kong.

According to the group, Design Hong Kong, none of the residences in Kennedy Town want this new highway. Building it will destroy the current waterfront, and most of all change the dynamics of Kennedy Town.

What the citizens want, according to Design Hong Kong, is a MTR (subway) extension to their area. Which the government had already agreed. To make it worst the stations for this new MTR extension are going to be on every sections of the proposed route 4. Making it less vital as a mass transport solution for the average citizen of HK; who doesn’t own a car.

The government’s reasons for the highway are the areas’ desparate need for truck transportation to Kennedy Town and Aberdeen, and to reduce the traffic congestions of the Aberdeen tunnel.

Since the Aberdeen tunnel is much more convienent access route from most areas of the North side of HK island. So even after route 4 is built, it is unlikely truckers will use it to get to Aberdeen area.

I don’t understand this HK government. Every time they make a public decision, it is always the least popular among HK citizens.

Does a person check in his common senses when he joins the government?

August 2, 2008

Don’t Scream

Originally uploaded by Vinko T.

I was getting my foot massage a few hours ago and saw this sign on the door of one of the treatment rooms.

I believe the intent is to ask anyone walking by to “speak softly” but instead it reads “Do Not Scream” in large red letters.

BTW: this time it is not a issue of literal translation from Chinese. Even the Chinese version say “Please don’t scream”, although more polite.

August 2, 2008

Movie Review: The Mummy – Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Poster

My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “The Mummy – Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” at UA Cinema, Time Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Give it a miss even if you don’t have something else better to waste your time on.

I never like the movies that Brendan Fraser is in, with the latest version of The Mummy that further proves my feelings.

I always say how sequels needs to keep the ties between episodes, the worst thing a sequel does is to change the main characters in the story. This episode, they went and change the female lead character, Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell from Rachel Weisz to Maria Bello.

Although, they have movie industries big wigs like Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

The short but significant appearance of my friend’s, Michael Wong brother Russell Wong was a present surprise. Mainly because I did not read the credits before attending the movie.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

August 1, 2008

When Will China Learn?

Just heard from the evening news that China is spying on guest at various mainland China hotels.

The British government is advising all British athletes to avoid using their regular mobile phones while in China. They suggest all British citizens to use disposal cell phones while in China and not to refill these cell phones after the stored value is exhausted. They also told British athletes to expect all their conversations will be monitored by third party while in mainland China.

The prime minister of China came out to address the press today, saying that all visitors are welcome to visit the sites of China, but all members of the media must abide by China laws and regulations. He also added that no one should politicalize the Olympic games.

There are still various western Internet web sites blocked by the Chinese government, such that press members working from the Olympic venue Media Center will be restricted from freely accessing information on the Internet.

The Chinese government claims that the blocking of certain Internet web sites are for the security and well being of Chinese citizens and has no way related to the Olympic events, or intentionally restrict members of the press from accessing information. The Chinese government even say that they will up hold the privacy and individual rights of all citizens and visitors.

I believe the problem is “black & white”. What we in the “free” world considered common sense does not apply to China and no matter what the Chinese government say or promise, the freedom of the press or visitors to Beijing next week will not be what we will expect. Just look at my other article about the rules and regulations that the Beijing Olympic Committee released for the attendees of the Olympic Games.

So, may be it is not China that needs to learn to do things differently, it may be us, the “western world” learn that we cannot trust what China promise.