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Upcoming Singapore fundrasing flag days from April to December 2008 (Whole year)

Shaun
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Upcoming Singapore fundrasing flag days from April to December 2008 (Whole year)

The previous SP flag day together with the Viriya community service ones were a blast this month. If you would like to help out as a volunteer and make a difference to the lives of the least fortunate by fund raising, here are the upcoming flag days in Singapore from April 2008 (today) to December 2008.

Here are more or less all the flag days for rest of the year, courtesy of my time and effort spent checking and compiling them with details from my sources, community clubs as well as contacting the few regular flag day organizations and providers in Singapore. I’ve only added number contact and links to their website, omitting their full emails here (replace [at] with the proper @) to protect them against spam bots. Feel free to contact them directly and check out their websites to know more about each organization and their supporting causes as well.

Sree Narayana fundraising flagday for Wellness centre/ Welfare activities
Event Date: 19 April 2008
Contact person: Dr Benjie Ng
Tel: 6752 1785
Email: sreenarayana [at] sreenarayanamission.org

St. Luke’s Hospital & St.Luke Eldercare Joint Flag Day
Event Date: 26th April 2008
Contact: Adrian Lim
Email: adrianlim [at] slh.org.sg

National Arthritis Foundation Flag Day
Event Date: 24th May 2008
Contact: Wilson Chew
Email: info [at] arthritis.org.sg

Epilepsy Care Group Flag Day
Event Date: 25 May 2008
Contact:Goh Keng Hwee
Email: ecgs93 [at] singnet.com.sg
Tel: 6358 0566

Xin Yuan Community Care 208 Flag Day
Event Date: 28 May 2008
Email: xinyuancommunitycare [at] gmail.com
Tel: 9628 1374 Desmond / 9388 8272 Martha

Children’s Charities Association Annual Flag Day
Event Date: 18th June 2008
Contact Person: Dr Low Boon Yong
Email: ccassn [at] pacific.net.sg

Happy Arts Enterprise Ltd and Metta Welfare Association Joint Flag Day
Event Date: 14 June 2008
Contact:Mr Andy Lam
E-mail: andylam [at] metta.org.sg
Tel No: 6580 4688

Kidney Dialysis Foundation Flag Day (Not NKF)
Event Date: 21 June 2008
Contact: Zahara Ibrahim
Email: zahara [at] kdf.org.sg
Tel: 6225 3133 ext 23

SPCA Flag Day
Event Date: 5th July 2008
Contact: Ms Deirdre Moss
Tel: 6287 5355
Email: educationpr [at] spca.org.sg

SATA Flag Day 2008
Event Date: 26th July 2008
Contact: Ms Gift Humphrey Muze
Email: gift.muze [at] sata.com.sg

Lions Home For The Elders & Lions Befrienders Service Association Joint Flag Day 2008
Event Date: 30 August 2008
Contact: Jereen Toh
Email: jereen.toh [at] lionshome.org.sg
Tel: 63599173

Children’s Society Flag Day 2008
Event Date: 8 November 2008
Contact: Michelle Phang
Tel: 6273 2010
Email: mphang [at] childrensociety.org.sg

Kampung Senang Street Donation Drives
Event Date: 17th December 2008
Contact Person: Agnes Chong
Email: agneschong [at] kg-senang.org.sg

New Hope Flag Day 2008
Event Date: 24th December 2008
Contact Person: Warren
Email: info [at] newhopecs.org.sg

Do note that I’ve not added those by organized by our educational institutions, such as those by the various universities (NUS, NTU etc) and polytechnics as these flagdays are ultimately catered mainly to their students. Though they do open out to public volunteers, they have very limited spare slots, please check with the universities or polytechnics directly for those dates.

Do let me know if I’ve missed out any flag days, mistakes or if you want yours to be included as well.

NUS Global merit scholarship interview

Shaun
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0
NUS Global merit scholarship interview

Had my NUS Global Merit Interview, it is one of the 2 interviews conducted in consideration for the prestigious Global Merit (GM), undergrad (Merit) or the basic undergrad scholarships. The interview was conducted by 2 Proffs and a Dr, so it’s 3-1, the setting is very done typical meeting table style.

The interesting task of the day was finding the interview location to the Tan Chin Tuan Wing along 21 Kent Ridge Road, or the University Hall, which upon asking for directions come to know about being like a good mile away from my initial landing point in NUS- The Engineering block. That is where I come to learn of and appreciate the rather speedy and efficient shuttle bus service in the campus itself (Why don’t SP have such bus inter-campus bus services?). The interview was cool, reporting to the candidate gathering room on the second level prior to being dispatched to the 4th, the lifts there were awfully slow despite being endowed with 2 of them, but that was where I got to appreciate the architecture and the modern styling of the stairwell better too, ironically. It was only 5-10mins upon entering the building and going face to face with the interviewers, rather a rush job but at least I wasn’t late. It went well, no hiccups.

Strangely, though I didn’t applied for NTU, got an email from my school asking that they were rather interested in inviting me for a session where they can run me through their programs offered as well as the scholarships available for me, but isn’t the application period over already?

SP Flag Day 2008 for President’s Challenge Charity 08

Shaun
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0
SP Flag Day 2008 for President’s Challenge Charity 08
SP flagday 2008 in benefit for Presidents Challenge 08

Today is SP’s flag day and we were everywhere, including being highlighted on today’s TV news as well. If you’ve missed us, well, then where have you been? My spot was at raffles place early in the morning, there I got to meet my “class tutor” Mr Teng who I got recommended by my Materials Lecturer, Mrs Lim who joined us for the flag day as well.

Commendably as I come to learn, Mr Teng was apparently the top class fund raiser for several consecutive years, no wonder- he’s a veteran in the field with his own form of tips, tricks and motivational tools to get us all fired up for raising funds and hitting the records. No wonder some of my class members managed to even get into our 2nd donation tins even before the morning ended, with more coming in for the lunch period. I got to know the DME class I was attached too better and as a mentor- sharing experiences and highlighting critical choices they will have to make during the important streaming periods for end of year 1 and 2. Overall they are a very cheerful bunch with a rather positive attitude, a rather good start prior to their first week of school next week. I wish them all the best.

The thing about selling flags in the central business district the obvious difference and disposable expenditure of the people generally working around the area. You can get an average to a dollar, $2 to even single $10 donations from a single person, contrary to $0.20, $0.50 and the most $2 you get around orchard or general heartland mall areas. We caught the rush peak hour from 8am to 9.30am as well as the first bulk of the lunch crowd which contributed the bulk of our donations.

What a day!

Got around back at campus around 4pm for collection counting, the thing of this flag day being different from the rest is the ability to actually count your earnings at the end of the day. Collected a descent pool of about $70, above our class target of $50 each and way above the recommended $20 and $35 average, though I felt that I could have actually collected more, it simply does not go in hand with some students I heard from other classes even submitting a single $0.20 for a whole day’s of earnings. After all it’s the values and skills learnt which far outweighs the material value earned in the event as part of inculcating the SP core values. In all, my class got the best overall collection for another year round and another achievement for Mr Teng himself. The event ended with students and lecturers all meeting up for tea at the MM office, allowing me to meet up and catch up on old times with all my previous lecturers where I got to learn more of their opinions of studying aboard, particularly UK universities like Cambridge or Imperial College London.

And juts when the day was over, managed to squeeze in some gym session till late, and catching up with the gym aunite on what to expect on the upcoming graduation, which went on to another 15mins plus conversation. Apparently you can still use the gym at designated hours with an SP alumni card, but they will always welcome us old regulars to use the sport facilities anytime given priority to existing full time students and staff, good to see the flexibility on their part.

Lastly, got a call from the SP Acad department, and was also similarly informed about it through the mail today as well, with one letter addressed to me and another to my parents. And no it’s not anything bad considering how I phased it, but rather something regarding awards. I won’t be listing down the awards here however as I never like to brag about my achievements, but don’t feel suspended as you will know, come SP graduation in May.

Xiaxue, Wendy Cheng on the real and china fake iPhone (fake one wins)

Shaun
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1
Xiaxue, Wendy Cheng on the real and china fake iPhone (fake one wins)

Posted just for the moment of zen after catching this on gizmodo, don’t ask…

OMG who do not know how an iPhone looks like? Oh yes, but hey we are in Singapore right? Anyway she mentioned that she’s gonna be kinda biased throughout, so oh well, at least the producers got what they wanted from here, haha.

C&C3 Kanes Wrath – Tacitus interruptus brief mission walkthrough (Hard difficulty)

Shaun
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0
C&C3 Kanes Wrath – Tacitus interruptus brief mission walkthrough (Hard difficulty)

This mission is fairly straightforward though largely requested, so I won’t be going into too much detail on it as my previous most sought after walkthrough, The doctor vanishes due to the challenge of this mission being set on timely executions and not much on survival. So here goes, also played on hard difficulty.

You start off with your base on the Southeast, start by building at least 3 Venoms, then rush your raiders and bikes to attack the MCV before it leaves the city on the West exit, as shown on the screenshot below. There it will deploy there permanently like a sitting duck with few shatterers and zone raiders guarding it.

From here on everything is largely done easy on your pace now, build up all your defenses and strike force. Personally I prefer the use of Venoms on this mission, 3-5 squads of about 20 of them with laser capacitor upgrades will make short work or anything which comes in their way. Paired with a redeemer, you can level all the northern bases with ease. This is also on top of detonating all the base’s Tiberium veins for the bonus objective.

The main problem of this mission is getting your timings and strategies right, that is why this mission is not easy complete in a whole.

Stopping the MCV (Kanes Wrath Tacitus Interruptus mission)
Stopping the MCV
Full objective list (Kanes Wrath Tacitus Interruptus mission)
Full objective list
Full intel list you have to achieve (Kanes Wrath Tacitus Interruptus mission)
Full intel list you have to achieve

A short moment after capturing the GDI Construction yard, meteor showers will come in on the Northeast followed by a horde of Scrin attack banshees, welcome them openly with your Venoms who will take them all out with ease. For a 100% objective and Intel complete on this mission you need to play the mission a little while longer and kill some Scrin to collect more intel. Given that, do not send your MCV straight to the pickup point after capturing it. Instead send it there and wait out at the pickup point guarded by troops (as ultimately all Scrin troops will be targeting your MCV). More scrim troops will make their way in from the north east. You need to reveal a shielded harvester, kill a shard walker and reaper tripod before completing all objectives, so be patient and let them out out.

A Scrin mothership will appear on the Northwest but won’t pose any threat at all as you will be able to collect all your intel even before it can reach your MCV. You can up your score by destroying it with your Venoms too if may.

After completing the mission, a rather dramatic kane cut scene will show.

Intel LGA1160 and LGA1366 sockets to replace LGA775 by end this year

Shaun
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2
Intel LGA1160 and LGA1366 sockets to replace LGA775 by end this year
Nehalem Intels LGA1160 and LGA1366 processor pin layout and size comparison

Little background of the upcoming processors and socket, as shown on the picture on the left, the larger LGA1160/1366 chip is based on the Nehalem platform spotting between one and eight cores running on the Intel LGA1160 and LGA1366 sockets. Noteworthy is the return of Hyperthreading in this processors- capable of handling two independent software threads per core and allows a processor to execute two different code streams at pretty much the same time. So technically if it is a quad core, it’s like having almost the equivalent of four Pentium 4 CPUs in one processor. And if that is not enough, the chip will too spot integrated memory controllers for DDR3 SDRAM with 1 to 4 memory channels. Expect the see the first few Nehalems made with the using its 45nm manufacturing process out end this year.

Photo source: VR-zone forums

Nehalem Intels LGA1160 and LGA1366 processor

You know, it’s always the case in the technology sector, particularly the PC components area- just when I was about to get my first major PC upgrade in 7 years, a new LGA socket is coming around the corner making any purchases you make now this year outdated by this year end. With Intel’s processors in particular, I was eyeing the Intel’s LGA775 sockets for awhile to succeed my old socket 478 Pentium 4. But considering they had been around for many years (about 4 years now), to my dismay (yet no surprise) that is going to be replaced by the Intel LGA1160 and LGA1366 sockets coming end this year!

Yes I do need an upgrade now but I am not doing it! Come to think about sometimes I don’t practice what I peach myself- recommending people on hardware sites to get what they need now and ignore the inevitable progress of technology, but playing the waiting game myself as well. So the question now is whether I can hold till year end for the Bloomsfield or get the Yorkfield now but don’t invest so much in it (maybe a Q9300 will do).

Looking back I don’t upgrade as lavishly as most hardware enthusiasts, and prefer to get something which can last me 5 years or more at a go, I’ve skipped AGP 4x being the first few adopters in Singapore of AGP 8x from PCI graphic cards. 7 years had seen me now completely skipping and PCI-E 1.0 and the Intel’s Core 2 duo moving from a Pentium 4 to an Intel Quad Core if so. So this “tech skipping” habit is quite evident as so as I noticed. On a sideline to decisions, I might also consider investing in a more powerful and dependable PC if I were to bring it aboard for my studies as well.

Come to think about it, the only future proof item I may own could be my PC casing!

Streetdirectory.com reopens after lawsuit

Shaun
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0
Streetdirectory.com reopens after lawsuit

Few days ago, I told the story of Singapore popular street directory shutting down after losing their lawsuit and appeal against the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) over map copyright infringement last week.

Despite all that and few negotiations here and there, it looks like the all popular (not to mention indispensable) streetdirectory.com is set to reopen once again. The domain is back up now with the site is currently still down due to updates they have to make on all their maps.

I just hope they introduce bus travel guides not only for SBS but for SMRT as well now.

Youth Olympic Games Dialogue Session with Mr Jacques Rogge and the YOG Panel

Shaun
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0
Youth Olympic Games Dialogue Session with Mr Jacques Rogge and the YOG Panel

Held this morning at the Victoria Junior College, the dialogue session saw a panel of key personnel such as Mr Jacques Rogge (President IOC), Mr Sergey Bubka (Chairman, YOG Coordination Commission) and Mr Ng Ser Miang. Security was relatively tight with police presence, as hinted by the police vans and cars parked around. The gathering saw “top” students from all walks of youth as representatives from various educational institutions in one big melting pot- namely tertiary institutions, primary schools, ITE, polytechnics and JCs to raise questions for the dialogue.

The morning started with a brainstorming session in groups to think of any points or ideas we had not thought of, from the perspective from the host, athlete, volunteer, performer to even the spectators point of view, now that really brought things into perspective!

Youth Olypmics Game Dialogue Session at VJC
Points brain storming session
The packed auditorium
The packed auditorium
Mr Jacques Rogge and the YOG Panel
The panel

The dialogue session lasted roughly 60 minutes, the time limit only allowed a handful of questions to be addressed though it will be more beneficial if more time were actually allocated. The dialogue also saw questions posted by SMS as moderated by the VJC principal on stage (who was rather unnaturally on the edge of his seat throughout). The press and media were everywhere, if it was not DSLRs, video cameras, it’s all notebooks and tape recorders all aimed at the panel.

Few Interesting points includes addressing controversial questions of “Singapore’s athlete imports”, the ability of people in Singapore to recognize and appreciate unconventional sports such as beach wrestling and stunt BMX (as laughingly, not many people in Singapore actually know of these sports) to even the route the torch runner will take around Singapore. Few commendable points includes how can we see this YOG as a possible benchmark for subsequent YOGs to come and the chances of this event bringing us closer to hosting our very own Olympics.

Everything looks promising and was addressed in a rather professional manner with some occasional quirks and laughs. The event ended round noon with a reception. Everything all looks set for the event come 2010!

Final DSTA interview and NUS Global Merit Scholarship Interview on the horizon

Shaun
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0
Final DSTA interview and NUS Global Merit Scholarship Interview on the horizon

7 Interviews within a period of a month, man that have to be my lifetime record to date. There have been some good news coming in lately, and my agenda will see me through quite alot in thetime line for the coming weeks, such as my final DSTA interview as chaired by DSTA Deputy Chief Executive as well as being invited for my NUS Global Merit Scholarship Interview as well. Wow that is alot to digest in such a short time.

Only 2 scholarships? So kiasu for what!
Come to think about it, despite 7 interviews, most of them are school-related ones for awards, such as the LKY award for math and science. The only scholarship ones I’ve applied for are only the DSTA one as well as the bond-free local NUS scholarship (which I don’t think I will be accepting if I get to study overseas). Many of my peers and lecturers asked me why I didn’t apply for more scholarships, particularly the PSC scholarship, not because everyone is doing so and as many would “do so”, given “what can you lose?”.

I am not the kind who applies for scholarships just for the sake of applying, neither I am one who “follows the crowd”. The PSC scholarship just do not seem to fit my cup of tea, of course it’s highly sought after and the most prestigious scholarship you can get in Singapore, it just do not fit the purview of what I desire to do with my line of interests.

Though true that public service and job prospects of being a possible permanent secretary as a PSC scholar in your future can give you bragging rights. So even if I get awarded with it, I do not see much satisfaction myself as how as others will see it- it will be like going through a job dictated by our societal definition of “success”, which I believe is the fulfillment of your life’s objectives, which I see in my case developing cutting edge technology as a research scientist and engineer with the sciences and technology agency.

That is of course subjective and debatable, but hey at least not all the brains can be found within the public service commission, that will be shortsighted to think so!

Tomorrow will be my 2010 Youth Olympics Dialogue session with few key personnel such as Mr Jacques Rogge (President IOC) and Mr Sergey Bubka (Chairman, YOG Coordination Commission) at Victoria Junior College. I will be able to keep everyone updated on the events there after my afternoon flagday with Viriya Community Services for the day. In the meantime, have a great weekend everyone!

Virtual Map’s Streetdirectory.com shuts down after losing suit

Shaun
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4
Virtual Map’s Streetdirectory.com shuts down after losing suit

Been trying to get onto streetdirectory.com for directions around town lately, but apparently they had ceased operations after losing suit against the Singapore Land Authority. Besides considering PARF cash rebates for motorists now, guess this one is another one up for private car ownership. Regular directory nerds will get all lost taking public transport now on LOL. Or wait there are still such things called paperback street directories as well too…

Virtual Map shuts down street directory site after losing suit

By Chua Hian Hou
POPULAR online map StreetDirectory.com has shut down, after the company behind it, Virtual Map, lost its appeal against the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) over copyright infringement last week.

The SLA, which originally issued Virtual Map a licence for its maps of Singapore, sued the company in January 2007 for continuing to use the SLA maps even after the licence had expired.

Virtual Map lost it case in the District Court, and was ordered to stop using the infringing materials. It appealed to the High Court, but lost again.

The site was taken down two days ago, said Virtual Map’s managing director Firdhaus Akbar, but the company is currently working with a set of replacement, non-infringing maps, and hopes to bring the site back online in ‘about two days’.

The are based on its own surveys, he said.

The company also intends to appeal to the highest court, the Court of Appeal, to reverse the decision, he said.

An audibly bitter Mr Ackbar, who was interviewed over the phone, said the privately-held company is calling a shareholders meeting either on Friday or Saturday to assess its position.

The meeting will decide whether to continue to provide what he claimed were ‘the best maps in Singapore’, or quit the business here and ‘focus our efforts elsewhere’.

Virtual Map also offers online maps in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.

Mr Ackbar said his company has spent ‘millions’ putting in value-added data like points-of-interest, on top of the maps SLA had provided.

Alternative online maps are available at sites like the SLA’s StreetMap and Show Nearby.

Only time will tell when these other sites will go as well. Source straitstimes.com.

A chat with Advertlet’s Josh Lim

Shaun
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2
A chat with Advertlet’s Josh Lim

Got a call from Josh Lim, the CEO of Advertlets today with regards to my views about them I had on my previous blog post. He apologized for the problems they had caused, especially with the delays in payment, we ironed out fews issues I had outstanding in mind, especially on improving their customer response and that really eased many of the problems I faced with them. Ultimately, we can see negative publicity is the least constructive to their business so it was quite an anticipated but rather fruitful overseas call (KL) within such a relatively short timespan of the complaint.

We started by addressing few cases he highlighted, namely on blogs cases, especially from slowcatchupkuan.blogspot.com being exceptional as he had a case of excessive amount of click fraud, so his account was banned and therefore the flame which rippled greatly over the anti-advertlets community. He also highlighted the embarrassing incident of failing to pay for their blogging event (as told by danielfranklingomez.com) largely a regretful one given a problem rising based on assumptions and miscommunication on their part. And despite having done over 10 majors successful events, this was the one undeniably one which sticks up the most like a sore thumb and had the most lasting impression by the community, after all it’s quite a fact in life that people only remember your bad moves.

Continue

An institutional award in the mist!

Shaun
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0
An institutional award in the mist!

Along with the line of back to back interviews of the week, just came back today from an interview with the SP EXPAN reporter (the previous ones were from the other corporate comms department), they are doing up a write up of outstanding model students as well as those who won awards at institutional level, not that I was informed of an institutional award, but apparently I was teased into knowing that I won a rather prestigious award- Only awarded to the top 3 of the whole Singapore Polytechnic cohort of 05.

Ok ok, I am not playing dumb here, but I roughly know what I’ve got but can’t release any info as of yet till I get the official letter from the school itself. And no they are not telling, yet, despite receiving lots of emails and calls of congratulations: “good news is coming your way!”. Thanks everyone for your support!

Got a call from Josh Lim, the boss of Advertlets today while in the Gym in the afternoon, will talk more about that in a future blog post.

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