Lack of transparency for Google Chrome update

If there is one thing strange about Google Chrome, it is a lack of transparency - something I thought Google is rather fond of portraying. I just updated my version of Google Chrome from 1.0.154.53 to 1.0.154.59. And after the browser is updated, I am still none the wiser what the changes are. Take a look at Firefox for instance, after any update, an "updated" page will auto load and we can see the changes made leading to the new version. Arguably, this page is no big deal for most people but it is still kinda nice to be able to know what have changed. It would be indeed sweet for Google Chrome to follow this example or do something similar. Then again, it might well be that the lack of ready apparent transparency is deliberate. After all, Chrome was touted as a browser simplified for the "IT-illiterate" masses - so why confuse with information that you most likely can't make sense of? If so, alright, I rest my case. :P PS.: I did not allow Chrome to auto-update like, I think, most Chrome users (since auto-update is the default option). Since I do my updating manually, I guess perhaps most will have no idea when and if their browsers have updated (I think updating was touted to be seamless, non-obtrusive and in the background) and so no information needs to be provided thus. :PP

whoCelebsTweet.com - Celebrities on Twitter

Twitter is all the rage these days. WhoCelsbsTweet.com allows you to see what celebs are saying and who they're saying it about.

Axe some processes and make your Windows run faster today

Want to make your computer run faster? Desire to have a smoother computing experience? Tweaked your operating system lately? I first chanced upon Black Viper's website when I was looking for a way to speed up my computer. Windows starts many processes by default even though many are completely redundant. I was using Windows XP and I was glad to find a comprehensive guide of the processes I can simply axe. The Black Viper site has undergone a complete overhaul since then and it now looks much slicker than before - and it is remarkably faster too. If you are on Windows XP, check out the Windows XP Service Pack 2 Service Configurations guide. If you are unfortunate enough to be using Windows Vista, then see this Windows Vista Service Configurations guide. A Windows 2000 Service Configurations guide is also available. Black Viper (real name: Charles M. Sparks) has also written a whole lot of guides on operating systems and mother boards. If you are looking for some software or game reviews, they are there too. So what are you waiting for? Get cracking and make your computer run faster now! :P

SpitzTunes -- Boyle-n' Over!

Let's suspend all those User Questions about 'what's your favorite genre', 'who's your favorite singer', 'do you like the xyz group' 'can you live without music' ... instead, please get into the conversation, understand it, feel it, think about it, and ask a question that applies to your life, your network. Here are some examples of what I consider a really good User Questions from our most recent SpitzTunes: "Do you think powerful concert mania equates to great singers?" "Do you enjoy outdoor summer concerts or do you find them packed and crazy?" "How much would you pay for a ticket to see Michael Jackson in concert?" "When does mania go over the top?"

Prison Mail

You know, I really love this joke. I came across it quite a few times before and still enjoy it each fresh read. :-) --- A prisoner in jail receives a letter from his wife: "Dear husband, I have decided to plant some lettuce in the back garden. When is the best time to plant them?" The prisoner, knowing that the prison guards read all mail, replies in a letter: "Dear wife, whatever you do, do not touch the back garden. That is where I hid all the money." A week or so later, he receives another letter from his wife. "Dear husband, you wouldn't believe what happened. Some men came with shovels to the house and dug up the back garden." The prisoner writes back: "Dear wife, now is the best time to plant the lettuce." Moral of the story: Criminals are far from stupid. :P

Cuba -- Is It Time?

Are diplomatic and economic ties with Cuba the right thing for the U.S.? Obama and supporters say "Yes"; some Cuban-Americans say "No". Broad economic sanctions against Cuba have been in place since 1962, with the original goal being to bring down Fidel Castro's Marxist regime. Has that goal been met? Is it time to change?

Your Fortune at Birth

Here's another forward I received. Looks pretty neat but I am not sure how true it is. :P --- Your Fortune at Birth From the Imperial Tung Shu comes this incredible poem of the four seasons ascribed to the legendary Yellow Emperor. From the poem can be obtained general indications of what life holds in store for a newborn baby. It is believed that depending on your season of birth, your life can be full of burdens or full of abundance. It all depends on which part of the Emperor's body you were born on. We present here brief predictive details of the four seasons poem for those wishing to investigate how, and at what stage of their life, they will enjoy the patronage and goodwill of the Emperor. The incredible Chinese Tung Shu is filled with the most fascinating esoteric information relating to destiny analysis, as well as the meanings of signs, marks and symbols. One of the more tantalizing chapters relate to making a quick and general forecast of a person's life destiny, based on the seat assigned to us when we are born. This is based on the season of one's birth, as well as the time of birth i.e. the exact time when the baby is expelled or removed from the mother's womb. Thus you first need to determine the season of birth - spring, summer, autumn or winter. The season of spring would be March, April and May; the season of summer would be June, July and August; the season of autumn would be September, October and November; while the season of winter would be December, January and February. Next, you will need to determine your hour of birth based on the 12 earthly branches. This divides a 24-hour day into twelve time segments of two hours each, with each time segment representing one of the Chinese astrological animals. With these two pieces of information, you then need to look at the illustrations of the Yellow Emperor wearing the robes of the seasons - green robes for the spring, red robes for the summer, white robes for the fall and blue robes for the winter. Look at the Emperor that corresponds with your season of birth, then locate on which part of the Emperor you were born based on your time of birth. Note from the time chart of the twelve time segments that each two-hour period has a special name. Locate the hour name on the Emperor's body and then check against the meaning given. For example, if your hour pillar is Mao in the season of summer, you look for the illustration of the Emperor in the summer season, locate where your hour name is located on his body and then read the meaning given under summer. Use the table and diagram here to determine on which part of the Emperor you were born, then refer to the descriptions below to find your destiny. Born in the Spring (March, April, May) Cher Born on the Emperor's Head You will hold a high position in life. You have power and great intellectual capability. You are also blessed with wisdom. This person has authority, power and responsibility. Such a person must be well brought up and properly educated. Tze & Wei Born on the Emperor's Hands Your attainments will be average and it is more beneficial if you work at starting your projects as the second-in-command and not as the leader. You can rise up high being the right-hand-man of someone powerful and wealthy. Yu & Mao Born on the Emperor's Shoulders You will never be short of clothes on your back, which means you will always be able to make a good living. There will be no shortage of the basic necessities of life, including owning a home and property. Wu Born on the Emperor's Stomach Your serious good fortune begins only in middle age when you will enjoy great good fortune in terms of the luxuries of life. There is plenty of food, clothing and all the material pleasures in this life. Choh & Hai Born on the Emperor's Girth You will go through many changes in your life and as you get higher up the social ladder, you will transform a great deal. This transformation may be for good or bad and it is advisable that if you are in this situation, you should strive to change for the better and become more humble as you become more important in your work and life. Shen & Shih Born on the Emperor's Knee You will have to travel a great deal in your life, so you can view this as good or bad depending on whether you enjoy travelling or not. Professionally, your life will be full of journeys. And like the wanderer, life is unsettled and transient. Sen & Yiu Born on the Emperor's Feet This indicates that there will be two marriages in your life. This is especially true for women born into this position. For men, being born on the Emperor's feet suggests a restless nature that is not easy to please. Born in the Summer (June, July, August) Wu Born on the Emperor's Head This is an auspicious indication, since anyone born on the Emperor's head in the Summer will never have any worries. There are no obstacles and difficulties in this person's entire life. This also suggests a person who will have an excellent intellect, and who is good at strategic thinking and planning. Tze & Choh Born on the Emperor's Hands This birth situation suggests that you will have more than sufficient money and business luck. Your good fortune improves with the years and you will attain great success during the later stages of your life. Mao & Yu Born on the Emperor's Shoulders You are so lucky if you have this birth situation, since it brings you a lifetime of wealth and prosperity, lacking for nothing. You will amass a fortune during your lifetime, and in your old age, you will own plenty of properties. If you live an honourable life, you will be blessed with plenty of grandchildren and live to an old age. Cher Born on the Emperor's Stomach This birth situation indicates there is plenty to eat and more than sufficient clothes to wear and to enjoy. There is good fortune luck from your late forties onwards. You will not have to worry about your old age for you will be well looked after. Wei & Hai Born on the Emperor's Girth This birth situation suggests that you will have loving parents and be surrounded by noblemen and important people. What you make of your good fortune at birth will depend on your own efforts. Shen & Shih Born on the Emperor's Knees It will be hard for you to be given the recognition for the work you do. There will be obstacles that can stand in your way and unless you can overcome this lack of recognition luck, by middle age, you will be exhausted. Yiu & Sen Born on the Emperor's Feet This birth situation brings an easy life where everything comes easily, especially to those born male. Also, if you are of the male gender, it is likely you will have more than one wife. Women will find you irresistible. You will be blessed if you have a good attitude and a pure motivation. Born in the Autumn (September, October, November) Hai Born on the Emperor's Head This birth situation is especially beneficial for girls, as it indicates you will have a very comfortable and stable life with plenty of good fortune and prosperity luck. But both genders will benefit from the wonderful good fortune of being born on the emperor's head in autumn. Tze & Choh Born on the Emperor's Hands This is an extremely auspicious situation of birth, as there is the promise of wealth coming from the four directions. Each time you travel, you will meet with a person of high standing who will help and assist you. You will benefit by going overseas to study or to work. Cher & Wu Born on the Emperor's Shoulders This birth situation suggests that there is prosperity luck and you will become rich in your middle age. You will also have the help of your siblings, especially your brothers. You are blessed with many genuine friends. Sen Born on the Emperor's Stomach This birth situation indicates that you will keep company with many clever people. They are people who excel in their career and their study and their presence in your life will inspire you to be ambitious. Happiness brings good fortune, so you must develop a happy disposition and be smiling at all times. Mao & Wei Born on the Emperor's Girth You will enjoy an abundance of food and clothing during your middle age. Your sons and grandsons will bring you much happiness and contentment, so you have quite outstanding descendants luck. Those with this birth situation will benefit if they get married at a young age and start a family in their twenties. Yiu & Yu Born on the Emperor's Knee You will need to work very hard during your early years and there may be some setbacks, but you are blessed with good fortune in later life. Those who have this birth situation should rejoice and never feel discouraged, as their success when they are older will more than make up for setbacks they may experience in their early years. Shih & Shen Born on the Emperor's Feet Your whole life will be safe and peaceful and there is nothing to fear in terms of being hurt by others. If you are ambitious and have the determination to succeed, you can reach great heights professionally. Even if you do not reach the top, you will nevertheless be content with what you have. Therein lies the secret of your happiness. Born in the Winter (December, January, February) Tze Born on the Emperor's Head If you are born on the Emperor's head in winter, you will make a brilliant marriage. Your spouse will be a well respected person who comes from a highly regarded family background. You will have luxury in your life with enough food and clothes. Hai & Wu Born on the Emperor's Hands You will have good family surroundings and there will always be occasions for rejoicing. You will be especially successful in your old age, when you have passed your 60th birthday Yu & Mao Born on the Emperor's Shoulders You are blessed with exceptional descendants luck, so there are many sons and grandsons in your life. You will have some problems and setbacks during your growing-up and early career years, but you will enjoy good luck in later life. A great deal of your luck will be brought to you by your spouse and then by your sons and grandsons. Cher Born on the Emperor's Stomach You are one person who is sure to enjoy singing, socializing and glamorous parties. And you have the luck to enjoy this lifestyle, as there is both prosperity and longevity in your life. It is however important for you to undertake some charitable work or donate to charity during your middle-aged years. This will bring you even more good fortune. Yiu & Sen Born on the Emperor's Girth You will be blessed with exceptional good fortune in your old age when there is gold, asset accumulation and a thriving business in your family. You have the luck to grow old with someone you care for and love. Choh & Wei Born on the Emperor's Knees You will have enough to eat and survive on, but little left over, and during your middle-aged years, there will be some truly trying times. It is incredibly vital for you to do charity and devote some time to caring for others. This will dissolve much of the negative chi that surrounds you. Shen & Shih Born on the Emperor's Feet You should live away from your parents and grandparents, as it benefits you to have your own dwelling place. If you have your own home, you will enjoy good fortune. The further away you are from your ancestral home, the better it will be for you.

SpitzTunes -- Concert Mania!

Mania- what is it? "excitement manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood" ... you know when you see it, feel it, participate in it ... live performances generate the heat ... not all of them ... but concert mania happens when artsts like the Beatles, Cream, Rolling Stone, Michael Jackson, U2, Metallica, and even Miley Cyrus take the stage ... let's talk about the kind of mania that makes us feel really good!

Hug - Shortest Distance

Age - Mind over Matter

Has Creative Technology stooped so low?

In these tough economic times (when are times not tough? O.o), I have read that Creative Technology has not been doing too well (like many other companies too). It also has its share of pay cuts and retrenchment and this email flyer I received from them might possibly be an indication of how long the company has stooped. Qmax is a subsidiary of Creative - Creative being the major stockholder. When Qmax first entered the foray into the Wireless@SG market, we all know it is Creative (and not "Qmax"). When I signed up for a Qmax account for wireless internet surfing, I created a special alias for it - username+qmax@gmail.com - and never had I used the alias for any other signups. Lo and behold, this flyer dealing with Pepp was sent to this alias. Pepp is a drug for alcohol drinkers and you can read all about its claims in the flyer above. The point here is Creative as a technology company has abused its email database. As things seem to look, unless Creative has gone into the pharmaceutical field, it has sold its database to others without users' permission for who knows how much. Yet I used to have a certain amount of goodwill towards Creative. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. It is not impossible that Creative's database was stolen or one or more of their employees grew itchy hands. How much can Creative get from this? Is Creative that short of money? I just think it is not worth their reputation which I think is more than what they can get for selling a database. Yet, if you look at the advertised telephone number, it says 6796 0355. If you pull up Qmax's website, they have 3 numbers listed: Sales - 6796 0313 Customer Service - 6796 0350 Technical Support - 6796 0360 All these 3 numbers start with "6796 0" like the advertised number and the ending "355" falls in the range of the 3 numbers (313 - 360). Further to this, the email was sent through adv.qmax.com.sg which adds further credence that this Pepp selling is an official effort. Therefore one of the following seems possible: (1) Qmax/Creative has gone into the pharmaceutical line (yet I think they need a separate licence from ACRA for that) (2) A competitor is trying to sully the image of Qmax/Creative (3) One or more of their employees be moonlighting and be audacious enough to steal the company database AND direct customers to his personal line to solicit business for personal gain during office hours. (4) A lousy April Fools' Day joke because it was sent late on 5 Apr 09 (5) A bizarre marketing gimmick to get customers to sit up and take notice (6) What else?

Change to Amazon Associates program

Dear Amazon Associate: We’re writing to let you know about a change to the Amazon Associates Program. After careful review of how we are investing our advertising resources, we have made the decision to no longer pay referral fees to Associates who send users to www.amazon.com, www.amazon.ca, or www.endless.com through keyword bidding and other paid search on Google, Yahoo, MSN, and other search engines, and their extended search networks. If you're not sure if this change affects you, please visit this page for FAQs. As of May 1, 2009, Associates will not be paid referral fees for paid search traffic. Also, in connection with this change, as of May 1, 2009, Amazon will no longer make data feeds available to Associates for the purpose of sending users to the Amazon websites in the US or Canada via paid search. This change applies only to the Associates programs in North America. If you are conducting paid search activities in connection with one of Amazon’s Associates Programs outside of the US and Canada, please refer to the applicable country’s Associates Program Operating Agreement for relevant terms and conditions. We appreciate your continued support and participation in this advertising Program. If you have questions or concerns, please write to us by using the Contact Us form available on Associates Central. Sincerely, The Amazon Associates Program Wow. What a change. Is Amazon now on a war path with Google (and others)? Though I have not been feeding pennies into Google Adwords or kind to direct users to my Amazon affiliate links, I do know a significant group of people who have been doing so - and counting it their livelihood. With this change, this group's stream of income will slowly trickle to a complete stop ultimately on 1 May 09. After that, the stream will dry up and... that's it. These people will have to find a new way to adapt without infringing Amazon's policies. Most likely though, they would have to find a new non-Amazon rice bowl.

Obama ... dNeero ... Twitter ... You!

dNeero is now igniting conversations inside of Twitter ... we try to choose topical questions, and it seems that over the last couple of weeks it's been the Obama Tweet for dNeero. So, we thought we'd bring those dNeero/Twitter questions and answers here, to a dNeero convo. Some of you may already follow us on Twitter. For those that don't yet do that, it's pretty simple: get a Twitter account, follow dNeero on Twitter, and add your Twitter username to you dNeero profile (in Account Settings).

Clarity in Instructions

I thought this is real cute. Got in as one of those mass emails. Thought I would share. :-) --- OFFICE MEMO: All members of staff - please note that due to recession, there will only be one drink per person at this year's Annual Party. And please bring your own cup! Regards, Management * * * * * * * * And what happened at the annual party !!! (Scroll down) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The specifications were missing in the memo (size of cup). Moral of the story: Be very specific in your daily life including project work. Give specific specifications.

SpitzTunes -- I am a Boy!

Really appreciate all of you joining in on these convos ... hope they add a lot to your social media, and hope they get you thinking ... I know they get me thinking! Beyonce's "If I Were A Boy" is definitely one of those mind benders, and on may levels. Please remember that when your post the dNeero widget, you have to add your own text ... make the entry interesting for your readers. And, oh yeah, make sure that you post the widget in your main content area.

Starhub chooses interesting translator(s)

I was checking the program guide for hot shows to anticipate. Unfortunately as expected, Starhub loves to recycle old shows (that aren't even nice). I clicked on this show "Crazy Companies" to see what it is about. I didn't exactly choose this particular show because of its title. Rather, I just clicked on every link to see if any bears a decent enough plot to watch. This show is starring Andy Lau (=old show) (he really can't act so when the media pits him against Tony Leung, it gets hilarious) (how can a lousy actor complain about not getting a prize?) (but I digress) and as I was reading the description, I saw this phrase "best damaged friends". Lol... what is it supposed to mean? DAMAGED FRIENDS? I don't know where Starhub found its translator. Or perhaps, the company simply dumped the Chinese characters into an engine like Google Translate or Babel Fish. Anyway, what 损友 really means is bad company. You know, those "friends" who lead you "astray" and teach you all those "bad" things. Really, I have never heard of a friend being described as "damaged". Unless of course, you mean he is spruced up like a pretty vegetable on the hospital bed. Or, his body is so messed up that he is better off dead. Or, his mind has a few screws loose and all the DIY shops have run out of stock. O.O

Lung Cancer - It's Not Only For Smokers!

Lung cancer kills more people annually than breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, and kidney cancer combined! The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is only 15 percent. Sixty percent of lung cancer cases are now diagnosed as nonsmokers or former smokers. Two-thirds of nonsmokers diagnosed with lung cancer are women.