Category: opinion

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Smartone-Vodafone Really Doesn’t Know

Over the past 3 months in preparation of my eventual iPhone usage on the Smartone-Vodafone network, I began testing to see which is the best combination Smartone-Vodafone data plan to subscribe to.

Prior to August of this year I subscribed to Smartone-Vodafone’s “HKD118.00/month Data Plan”, which gave me 10MB of usage per month and a HKD15.00/MB thereafter. While using my Nokia E61i at the time I frequently exceeds my 10MB allocation for the plan. I also did not use the GPRS access freely due to the limit imposed by the plan. Continue reading “Smartone-Vodafone Really Doesn’t Know”

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China’s Virtual Police

China's Virtual PoliceBeijing, China today introduced the new “Virtual Policeman and Policewoman” cartoon figures who will constantly monitor the web sites Chinese citizen visits. At the moment the Virtual Police is only monitoring 13 Chinese web sites and will eventually covers every domains registered in Beijing, China.

These Virtual Police would periodically appear on Internet surfer’s browser window reminding surfers not to visit porn sites, illegally download music and applications. If the surfers need further assistance, they just have to click on the Virtual Police figure and the surfers will immediately be redirected to the Beijing Police web site.

This is a perfect example of the cultural difference between mainland China and other western countries; particularly United States.

If this sort of government monitoring happens in Canada, United Kingdom or United States there will be a major up roar and citizen revoke. Of course, this is not to say that these government (particularly UK and USA) are not currently monitoring what their respective citizens are doing. In most cases, they are doing it much more subtly. It is well know that United States’ NSA (National Security Agency) monitors Internet traffic. In most cases, they justify the monitoring as domestic security reasons.

I think people, particularly governments, need to stop forcing their own principals onto other countries. Instead they should learn how to work with the local culture and improve the respective lives of their citizens.

read more | digg story

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Battle of Customs

Repost from: Vinko’s Satellite Blog

In recent months many of the products manufactured or grown in China had found to contain poisonous materials or chemicals. This problem was reported in many countries: United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, etc. With most of the cases reported in the United States.

China’s responds to these accusations have been a mix of spontaneous defense of China’s manufacturing, accusations of American companies not conducting proper quality control, and the media for exaggerating the serious of the problem. Continue reading “Battle of Customs”

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Battle of Customs

In recent months many of the products manufactured or grown in China had found to contain poisonous materials or chemicals. This problem was reported in many countries: United States, United Kingdom, France, Australia, etc. With most of the cases reported in the United States.

China's responds to these accusations have been a mix of spontaneous defense of China's manufacturing and accusations of American companies not conducting proper quality control and the media for exaggerating the serious of the problem. At one point the Chinese government released the statement, "… over 7 billion units of product was manufactured and exported by China, and only a small amount of these units has problems…". Doesn't the Chinese government realize that a small amount of 7 billion is still a very large number?

Either due to desperation to overcome the bad press, Yesterday China reported that a shipment of medicine "CMO – Cetyl Myristoleate" contains dangerous substance that is harmful to people taking the medicine.

Today the US Customs again refused entry of another shipment of toys from China, claiming that paint on the toys contains too much lead. This is the forth time in a week that US Customs has refused entry of large toy shipments from China. China now responded to this latest US Customs' action blaming these safety violation is the direct result of US government raising the safety standards without consulting Chinese manufactures.

As a by-stander, I am starting to wonder are all these accusation valid? Are they simply political gesturing for ulterior motive?

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The State of Government

Hong Kong PoliceAre our public officials so scare of doing the wrong thing that they forget what is the right thing to do?

Today in a press conference held by Mr Tang King-Shing, Commissioner of Police in Hong Kong, with regards to the security procedures of the 2008 Olympic (Hong Kong) test equestrian competition. He commented on yesterday’s incident of ironworker demonstrators’ clashing with police in Central district. Where hundreds of demonstrators over powered the police line and ran into the streets blocking traffic, causing a major traffic jam.

He said, “… since there are many citizens disagree with the ironworkers’ actions, he warns that they may be charges to be filed against the ironworkers for their actions…”.

I am totally confused by this statement. Is the “Commissioner of Police” taking into considerations whether the public disagrees with some individuals’ actions before he file charges against these individuals? Why doesn’t the “Commissioner of Police” just use the law as guidelines and file charges accordingly.

Is the “Commissioner of Police” a “politician” or is he a “police officer”?

Does the “Commissioner of Police” imply that Hong Kong Police takes into account public opinions before charges are lay for law violators?

Does it also imply that if a person can kills someone, he is not guilty and will not be charged, as long as the general public “believe that the person killed is justified to be killed”?

What has our society come to where the “head of police” believes that public opinions take president over “The Law”?

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Big Ben Gone Fishing

Big Ben, London, UK

Big Ben, London, UK

The British government is planning a celebration for the 150th anniversary of "Big Ben" in 2008, so they have just began (today) a scheduled 5 – 6 weeks maintenance project.

Therefore, if you are planning a visit to London and specifically "Big Ben", you may want to rethink your plans.

Fortunately, there are many other great tourist spots in London. Take a look at my Flickr photo album for London.

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Labour Unions

Do you believe in the formation of labour union at work place?

This question is not easy to answer. I believe it is not a clear cut “yes” or “no” answer in most cases. I think labour union has its justifications, while it is also one of the most disruptive establishment at a work place.

One of the most powerful labour union in the world is the “US Auto Union”. They often have labour disagreements with various different auto manufactures (General Motors, Ford, etc.), then as a result a labour strike is often called. In most cases this labour action is decided on by the management of the union; supposedly representing the membership. Although in most cases, the membership are often happy to be working rather than on strike.
Recently in Hong Kong a labour dispute arise between the ironworkers and their employers. This disagreement escalated into a major confrontation between 300+ ironworker demonstrators and the police. The ironworkers overpowered the police line into a main street, Queen’s Road, of Central district. Causing the police at the scene to call for reenforcement. Continue reading “Labour Unions”

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Choosing a New iMac (August 2007)

iMac 2007As many of your may have heard Apple Inc. released new versions of the iMac line last night (HK time).

It had been an upgrade that was anticipated and over due for the past 12 months. In my opinion, they did not disappoint.

They changed the industrial design of the machine but kept the machines the same thickness as the previous versions. There are 4 standard models to choose from, plus Built-to-order (BTO) versions, where you can choose different internal hard drive capacities and memory combinations; with the 24″ model able to upgrade the default processor also. You can see the chart below and click on it to see an enlarged version.

As I always say, one should always choose a computer based on what they intend (plan) to use the computer for, rather than choosing based on price and MHz. Having said that I will start off by describing three hypothetical users.

A. A first time computer or Macintosh user

This user will use his computer for general Internet surfing, visiting information sites, online banking sites and photo album repositories. They will have a web based email account. He will download photos from his digital camera and manage his collection of audio CDs on his computer.

B. A user who may have used the Macintosh before but definitely a computer

This user has the same requirements as user A, with the following additions. He will upload and share photos on online repositories (ie. Flickr), he will download and edit videos that he had taken with his DV (digital video) camera.

C. A user who had used the Macintosh before

Like user B, will have the same requirements as A and B, with the desire to use the computer as a primary video viewing platform.

Now based on these three hypothetical users I will now recommend the appropriate iMac (August 2007) for each. In all cases, I would suggest a minimum of 2GB of memory. Depending on where you purchase the new iMac, you can probably find cheaper memory upgrade from reseller other than Apple. If you do choose that route, make sure these memory chips (RAM) come from reliable sources and a respectable manufacture. If you have faulty RAMs that’s more problems than you will ever want to deal with.

Let’s jump into the recommendations. For User A I suggest the basic model for him. The reason is because he does not have a great need for video and hence quick redraw of the screen for images. As a result the entry level iMac (August 2007) with 2GB of total memory will be sufficient.

For User B I suggest the minimum the 2nd “standard Apple model” of the iMac (August 2007) (aka. “the 20″ model with the 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor”, since I do not want to emphasis the MHz differences of the models). This is not because of the slightly faster processor, it is mainly due to the much faster (almost twice) video card in this model. Due to this user’s need for editing and processing his home videos on his new Mac, this is the minimum configuration I would recommend.

Finally, for User C I recommend he purchase the 3rd “standard Apple model” of the iMac (August 2007) (aka. “the 24″ model with the 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor”). This is because his need for using the computer as the primary video viewing device. With the 24″ it has the screen pixel resolutions to support full HD (High Definition) video content.

Speaking of HD video content, the new line of iMacs all have video capabilities to playback protected HD video (HDCP).

I am sure your needs and computing requirements will be different than User A, B or C, but I hope you find this useful and if you need, please feel free to contact me with your specific “computing requirements” and I am happy to brainstorm the perfect Mac for you.

iMac 2007 SpecsiMac (August 2007) hardware specifications

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Vox Hunt: This Makes Me Cross!

Show us something that makes you cross.
Submitted by Rev Stan.

Lights on old billboard

Lights on old billboard

These is an old billboard location in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong.

It had one of the longest Nike ad on the side of a building one block long and 3 stories high that also wraps around the building on two faces.

The billboard had long been removed (over a month) and the 36 high power lights (just on one side) still come on each evening shining on an empty space until 23:00 each night.

This is an extreme waste of energy, especially in this day where Hong Kong’s pollution is getting worst and worst.

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QotD: Past Five Working Years


How many jobs have you had in the past five years? Where and what did you do? 
Submitted by M.  

In reverse chronological order they are:

  • "eBusiness Technology Planning Manager", Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Hong Kong
  • "Manager, Advanced Technology and Media", Arthur Andersen, Hong Kong
  • "Principal Consultant, Internet & Intranet Application Development", Hongkong Telecom, Hong Kong

More details of what I did can be found in my resume.

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