Know more about your Mighty Mouse

Information technology changes so fast: probably every second, someone somewhere around the world has something new to offer, in terms of improving hardware or software. 

Even as I am about to post the following article on Hidden Powers of Your Mouse, I am unable to try out the examples mentioned because I have yet to change its dry-cell batteries. For those who cannot follow in English, just imagine how impossible it is to keep up with the latest knowledge.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upgrade-your-life/hidden-powers-mouse-164928637.html

Before we could digest all the apps available in smartphones (I have yet to own one), Xero has come out with an accounting software for Android...

http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/10/03/xero-officially-comes-to-android-brings-beautiful-accounting-software-to-your-mobile/

And to think not so long ago, people were advised not to bring their notebook along when on holiday. But the mobile phone is already almost indispensable. In future it is going to be difficult not to check how your business is doing when you are supposed to be relaxing.

But before you get excited over this capability, does your smartphone has what it takes? My friend offers the following guideline:

"Available FREE on Android and iPhones, this small accounting app should be interesting to most accountants, businessmen, or professional with expenses accounts and basic banking accounts.  Watch the video to get some ideas of what it can do.

My advice to such people who intends to bring the desktop powers to smartphones, is to get a new smartphone with plenty of power and resources - namely 1GB memory RAM minimum, a fast processor with a powerful battery (2000mAH min), a big display (4.7" minimum) and an expansion slot for microSD card so that you can swipe out your card for more backup storage. (Of course there is still the clouds service, but then it's open).

I'll go for 2GB RAM cuz as OS improves and get more complicated and more functional, it'll need more and more memory RAM. Compare to a 64KB memory RAM (YES, 64K, NOT 64G) for the 1st early multitasking OS in the '70s/'80s (RT-11, CPM, DOS) compared with current latest PC / smartphones (Win7, Win8 with 4GB RAM minimum to be sufficiently smooth).

Thus my wait for this Dec to see which of the 5 Google Nexus's come with the best hardware specs."

Am I glad not having to keep up with the techy Joneses! At the moment, I only need to ensure my phone has enough talk time  (as in charging battery) and to top-up my pre-paid if and when necessary.

Link

Hong Kong is a great place to grow old?

Apparently, a combination of Tai chi, mahjong sessions, 'yum cha' (eating dim sum and drinking Chinese tea) and other routines, has contributed to a healthy and long life.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g4PyLHTfsy6ZbqYK7rQkITN_IWbw?docId=CNG.fb8dd20e4b2a34dde01d223b54e3399b.331

But what appeals to me was a quote by a senior HK minister:

“Just being given the opportunity to work for my fellow citizens is already a great honour for me that does not need to be waxed with any high salary. I cannot bring the high salary with me to my grave, but I can leave this Earth with the greatest satisfaction that I have helped my fellow citizens, and I will leave behind my humble honour in Hong Kong’s history books.”

How we wish our political leaders share similar views.

Link

Braeburn is world's biggest hedge fund...

no prize for guessing which company it is connected to... Apple Inc., the world's largest corporation, in terms of market capitalization!

Started in 2006, with US$10 billion, six years later, cash horde as at June 30, 2012 was US$117 million...

More:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-09-30/presenting-worlds-biggest-hedge-fund-you-have-never-heard
Link

Egg test for freshness

No matter how many people have seen this, it is worth posting for the info of others. With the info already in the graphic, I was tempted to let the picture be self-explanatory. But upon reading the details which come with it, warm instead of cold water should be used for this test.

"A great piece of information by Klew Nu Farms 

Fill a container up with warm water. I use warm water. The reason for this is. Eggs are porous. If you put an egg in cold water, it will contract and draw any bacteria that is on the outside of the shell in through the pores. This is not good. So, if you use warm water, the egg will expand, and you will notice that little air bubbles form on the shell.

Put your eggs into the warm water, and look at them. A very fresh egg will sink to the bottom and lay on it's side. Week old eggs will rest on the bottom but the fat end of the egg will rise up slightly. Three week old eggs will be balanced on pointy end with the fat end sticking up. Old eggs will be floating, bobbing along the surface of the water. These floaters should be tossed as they aren't any good to eat."

But from a practical point, we can only test eggs after purchase. Whether those eggs could be returned would depend on the retailer.

Recently, I have problems with fresh milk bought from supermarkets. That the milk was 'off' even before expiry date put me in a no-win situation. How am I supposed to prove that it was bad when I opened it? There was a time lag between purchase and putting it in the fridge. It could have been in the car when parked, even for a short while. When I thought about my loss, I actually sympathised with the supermarket! I saw cartons reduced to Rm6, and even Rm3 (from Rm12 for a 2-litre carton). To them, unsuitable conditions during transportation from source of supply, or even at production stage would put them at risk.
Link

V used to be for Victory; now V = Gay?

Mohd Puad Zakarkashi, Deputy Minister of Education, is easily now better known internationally than his boss, Education Minister and Deputy Premier, Muhyiddin Yassin.