My iBook’s partner

We all know that the MacBook is the new replacement for the old iBook, which I am using.

My iBook has all along been the only baby in my family. But last Saturday, that changed.

My iBook had a partner!!

My dad purchased the entry level MacBook for work purposes, together with a HP Officejet 6310 with wireless printing capabilities. But after looking at the MacBook, I decided to comfort myself that I’d still prefer my iBook which I’ve grown so attached to. After all, not everybody has the opportunity to own a classic Mac just before production stops. My iBook was one of the last PowerPCs, so it’s still unique.


But seriously, MacBook and iBook – not a great difference. Aesthetics wise, perhaps the glossy 13.3 inch widescreen would catch your attention, together with the 45% reduced thickness and the new keyboard design. I must admit that the mouse button has a nicer touch now, but one thing I find surreal is that the speakers are located behind the notebook, almost hidden by the screen.

And I somehow doubt Apple’s statistics. They claim a five times faster overall speed improvement for the Intel MacBook over the iBook, but all I see is one time faster. Truly, Core Duo’s are not fantastically fast. I dare say that my one year old iBook has speeds comparable or even faster than the 1.83 Core Duo. Probably it’s due to the Intel Graphics Media Acceleration (GMA) 950 which sucks out ram from the main memory. But with such a small frame, you don’t expect a good graphics card like an ATI Radeon or a Nividia GeForce.

Still, speed wise, it is manageable, even good.

Here are the specifications of my dad’s MacBook:

1) 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo main processor
2) 512MB X 2 DDR2 SDRAM
3) 60GB rpm serial ATA hard drive with Sudden Motion Sensor (for shock protection)
4) iSight integrated webcam (my family had fun with Photo Booth and the effects)
5) iLife 06, Mac OS X Tiger AND WINDOWS XP service pack 2
6) Front Row with Apple Remote
7) Built-in 54-Mbps 802.11g AirPort Extreme wireless
8) Bluetooth 2.0
9) Magnetic latch and MagSafe


In terms of software range, my iBook beats the new MacBook. There’s no World Book, free AppleWorks, and my games are much better than the Big Bang Board Games. But well, never forget that the price has gone down tremendously. The whole notebook, complete with an external mini DV to VGA adapter, Windows XP and ram upgrade only costs $2,250.

Well, Mu Yao if you’re reading this you’d probably start your long speech again about how you got more for a lower price…so please keep quiet. I am a good customer unlike the kiasu you which so aptly reflects the typical Singaporean attitude.

I thought it would be good just to illustrate how the MacBook is an engineering marvel.

Compare the thickness of the two Macs (the black dot on the MacBook’s side is the infrared receiver):


Thin, isn’t it?

But from the top, from afar, you can’t really differentiate them:


External looks bears much similarity to the iBook, but I do like the placement of the MacBook’s lithium ion battery right at the bottom – at least I don’t get to see part of it like in the iBook, giving those unsightly lines.

But under the hood, it’s a revolution. The best things are hidden, and only those few who can see that the future of computing is not Vista will get a Mac.

My iBook shall never be lonely now!
Ian

S2006: The great misrepresentation

Now that the IMF and WB meetings here have finally come to a close, the excitement has died down, and finally we can go to town without those infuriating jams.

I would like to express an opposing viewpoint on Singapore as a host to these meetings.

No doubt, we have been an outstanding host to these foreign delegates. Brilliant job we have done. It was surely a success.

Each delegate had a chauffeur specially trained by BMW to professionally handle the flagship 7 series limos. These limos were spanking new, totally new off the production line, and they were reserved for the delegates. On expressways, my dad commented that the flowers and plants suddenly started to flourish. They had special attention and extra fertilizer. At Suntec, many booths were set up; there were countless temporary rooms, and a few thousand computers in all. Even the computer wallpaper was that of the IMF meetings – the blue background with the leave-like logo at the side. At the airport, cabbies who dressed formally were waiting patiently in their diesel Mercedes E200 sedans to ferry these visitors to town. Hotels paid exceptional care to food. I heard that each plate they use costs $90. Buses are covered with the four million smiles poster, with each face so minute that the buses look like a patch of beige. 12000 staff and volunteers were employed in all to manage this mammoth event.

But stop. Let us reflect.

Have we overdone this event?

I think we have. We have dressed up Singapore to look so vibrant, the decorations and aesthetics and the cleanliness…does it accurately represent Singapore? Is it a misrepresentation of our country?

Yes, it is necessary to do up our country to welcome delegates. When a visitor comes to our school, we are told to behave well. Same concept here. But have we overdone it? Did the delegates truly understand Singapore? We have put up a false facade to entertain these special people and gain worldwide attention that we are a wonderful nation. But is that how Singapore really is? Do the plants on expressways always blossom with such colour?

I am disappointed that while we try our very best to make them feel at home, we have forgotten about the essence of it all, which is to let them experience Singapore as it truly is.

S2006 has been a big misrepresentation.
Ian

A few announcements

1) I’m officially FAT. But don’t worry, far from obese. I’m 70kg, or 700N. Heavier by 8kg. Quite unbelievable, but this is the result of me eating extremely heavy dinners. The tummy is protruding…

2) I’ve got a new Toshiba thumb drive. 1GB, very slim. But most importantly, it’s white. Complements my Mac perfectly. The old one’s chunky and spoilt. I think it’s similar to the one Weng has. Haha, pretty satisfied with it so far.


3) I think this is amazing. I only studied SS test for 2 hours the night before the exam, and I’m one of the three people who passed. 12.5/25. Just made it. Funny? This goes to show that it is not so much content, but skills. But I’ve got to thank the Lord for blessing me so abundantly.

4) I failed bio test, like most of the others. 8/20. Extremely dismal results. Gotta improve.

5) The focus group discussion yesterday was great. Talked about some very interesting issues. National Education – that was the topic. Made 3 new friends in the process.

6) My dad’s getting a MacBook, entry level. For work purposes. Yet another Windows convert. Plus a printer and fax machine together. We’re sticking to Hp for that because Hp makes good printers.

7) I’m getting wireless internet and a new cheap Windows CPU to replaced the old Hp (for my sis actually). Pentium 4 most probably, although D would be good. Next year, I’m thinking of begging for an iMac when Leopard arrives.

That’s my life so far.
Ian

By His power and might

I have not been faithful in my daily quiet time these 2 months, and I regret it. Work, assignments and projects have taken away my time with God. And this has just led me to realise that I have not fully gotten my priorities right. Every night I sleep without hearing from the Bible, without being replenished and renewed by His Word.

Work still comes before God. How is this ever possible? How can I ever let such a trivial thing as work take over an eternal relationship with this special someone?

And today, it has finally dawned upon me that I have strayed off too far, and it's time to hold on to my faith again and draw near to my Master.

Tonight, I finally did my quiet time for once in a few months. And I feel ashamed, disappointed at myself, and this just exposes my vulnerability in trying times – how I can succumb to worldly pressures.

From today onwards, I will never ever want to go on a ‘quiet time holiday’ for 2 months again.

The Bible really comforts me. It encouraged me to trust in the Lord in everything and never feel fearful. I give up all my worries to God: my exams, stress, troubles, problems…I give them all unto the Lord, and by His might, He will crush them all.

I trust in the Lord that if it is in accordance with His plan for my life, and if it is His desire for me to do well, then by faith, I believe that I will do well. Not by my brains or intellectual capacity, but purely by faith, and faith alone is all that is needed.

Sometimes I do well not because of my brains, but it is by the Lord who just amazingly enables me to score. It is Him who is working through me; I’m being controlled and led by Him.

I ended off my quiet time with a long prayer. And tonight, the most wonderful thing happened. I felt the Lord’s presence with me. He was there sitting beside me. I knew it. Silently listening to my prayers.

Because as I knelt and prayed, I wept.

I wept. I Cried.

Tears dripped down from my eyes as I proclaimed his wondrous love for me, how undeserving I am of this love, yet my God is gracious enough to love a sinner such as me, for life.

Nothing on earth is ever better than God’s love. I hereby testify to that. Nothing. Not even getting good grades. I would trade my all just for this special relationship, my all.

Perhaps this song best sums it up:

I called
You answered
And You came to my rescue and I
Wanna be where You are...

I’m burning on passion for God once again.
Ian

Tough music player battle

The vast majority of American use iPods. 75% to be specific. Even I use a nano.

And I knew for sure way beforehand that Apple had to defend itself when Zune released. That's the most logical thing the world's largest music player maker has to do to keep status quo.

By the way, Zune is Microsoft's iPod killer MP3 player which is going to be manufactured by Toshiba. It is so inspired by the iPod:


Zune has some wonderful innovations such as wi-fi which allows one to transfer music wirelessly. But can Microsoft, that old and uncool company that many has come to associate with, successfully overthrow the iPod and dominate the music player market?

Logically, I'd say no. It is not possible to overthrow the world's most popular music player in an impulsive overnight attempt. No way.

But just to play safe, Apple has just released a new iPod, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iTunes online movie shop, iTunes 7.00 and Quicktime 7.1.3, with Software Update, surprisingly. There are new packaging and new headphones too. Just to ensure that Microsoft doesn't stand the slightest chance or smell the smell of success. If these preventive measures are not taken, and Zune really succeeds, Apple will suffer a major blow. iPods are Apple’s lifeline.


And the new products are great. I love the gapless playback feature. At least my Hillsong tracks play seamlessly finally. Apple suddenly has become very active in coming up with new products. First, it was the Mac Pro and Xserve at WWDC. Then came the new Intel Core 2 Duo iMacs, up to a whopping 24-inch. The Mac Mini Intel Core Duo chip upgrade followed, abandoning the Core Solos. Now, the new magnificent iPods.

And boy, they are cool stuff. The iPod clip design has made a statement being the world's smallest music player around, and selling at under $150 for 1GB, you're bound to be tempted to get one. The new nano, the world’s best selling player, however, seems to have taken a step back to revive those good old iPod Mini days, with the memorable cheery coloured aluminum bodies. But it is now more powerful than ever. With a 40% brighter screen and a generous 8GB of storage all in a body smaller than a handphone, it's not hard to see why Zune would be a potential flop.

Damn Microsoft, just because Apple owns the entire MP3 market share is not a reason for them to jump on the bandwagon. Zune will be a failure. I can safety assert with confidence.

So don't waste your bloody time, Microsoft. Just focus on getting your damned it Vista right and please the majority of PC users out there and that would be a tough enough job. Accept the fact that Windows Media Player will be increasingly replaced with iTunes instead. No one will use WMP 11 beta. You cannot stop the great Apple from progressing. In the first place, why does Microsoft even venture into the MP3 market when they can’t do their OS well?

Luckily, Apple was not stupid enough to put wireless technology in the new iPods. See, Apple is original. They don't imitate.

And Althea, I'm sorry to say that your month old iPod is no longer new anymore. We live in a fast technological world, and competition is stronger than ever.

But I believe Apple will emerge triumphant.

If you’re free, I encourage you to watch the webcast of the special event from Apple website.
Ian

One Year Old

Scream Out Loud turns one year old today!!!!

Yes! Today marks the end of the first year since I started blogging! Well, I hope that you all do enjoy reading my posts…however much macky it may be, but be rest assured that I will try to control my love towards Apple and talk about other things instead.

Yeah! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Scream Out Loud!, happy birthday to you.

It has been a great blogging year.
Ian

2 movies and my thumb

For the first time in my life, I actually watched two movies on two consecutive days at the same place. Thursday was Barnyard, and yesterday was Monster House. Monster House is better than Barnyard, but both movies are still not up to my standard of amazing. I would give Barnyard 2.5/5 stars, while Monster House deserves 3/5 stars. Thursday, I went out with primary school friends, which I promise I would think twice before agreeing next time. Friday, it was with VS people. All at Plaza Sing.

And somehow LJJ's cold war with me has ended...haha. We're friends again.

Today, my thumb drive malfunctioned. After a gentle kick at the front USB port when I was turning around. How unlucky can I get. Lost all the work I've done this morning, but luckily I printed them out already. Lost my WWDC 06 printscreens, and probably 3 pictures. But that's all...

But to look at it from the bright side of things, I can use this excuse to ditch my Kingston Data Traveler 256MB and maybe get a 512MB or a 1GB one.

And this time round I will make sure it is a proper thumb drive...the size of my THUMB. Not the size of 2 thumbs.
Ian