Today my family had an experience with a failure of the Distance Fare system.
The bus we took somehow had its fare system not working after a couple of stops. So, all existing passengers could not tap out. After quite some time trying to reset it, and later more time spent trying to resolve the problem by talking to their technical support, still cannot make it work. In the end, almost all alighted and took another bus because we didn't want to waste time waiting for the issue to resolve, which seemed unlikely. Thus, all will be charged the maximum fare, and need to make claim in the following week. Then other bus captain told us that without a ticket from the first bus, we will have to tap in again.
Now, is $ the only issue here?
Showing posts with label system. Show all posts
Showing posts with label system. Show all posts
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The new distance-based fares
The new distance fare reminds me of the good old days (before MRT) when, as a student, I can make as many as transfers as I need with a monthly student bus stamp. With the new distance fare, I can again feel free, almost free, to transfer buses.
Previously, from Buona Vista to Toa Payoh, I used to take bus 105, which waiting time can be as long as 30 mins or more. Now, I have several options. My ultimate aim is to go via Whitley road, so my options are:
Take buses 100 147 196 198 to Mujahidin Mosque, transfer to buses 153 to TPY, or buses 93 855 to Farrer road, transfer to buses 153 to TPY, or buses 48 186 to Whitley road, transfer to buses 105 153 to TPY, or 151, 154 to Jalan TPY, transfer to the many buses that go into TPY.
Another example
Previously, from Buona Vista to Toa Payoh, I used to take bus 105, which waiting time can be as long as 30 mins or more. Now, I have several options. My ultimate aim is to go via Whitley road, so my options are:
Take buses 100 147 196 198 to Mujahidin Mosque, transfer to buses 153 to TPY, or buses 93 855 to Farrer road, transfer to buses 153 to TPY, or buses 48 186 to Whitley road, transfer to buses 105 153 to TPY, or 151, 154 to Jalan TPY, transfer to the many buses that go into TPY.
Another example
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Work and play. Upsized.
Months have passed since I changed my phone from Nokia N80ie to Samsung Omnia II i8000. Another rather big step just as I had previously moved from Nokia 3250 to N80ie.
My verdict after just using for only a few days still stands today, which is that hardware wise, it is a good phone but Windows Mobile 6.1 OS does not match up to it. Now that Apple iPhone 3GS and Google Nexus One just come out more recently, I feel Omnia II is
My verdict after just using for only a few days still stands today, which is that hardware wise, it is a good phone but Windows Mobile 6.1 OS does not match up to it. Now that Apple iPhone 3GS and Google Nexus One just come out more recently, I feel Omnia II is
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Are traffic rules meant for safety?
I read in Be a cyclist in Singapore? No chance at all that
Traffic engineer Hans Monderman, who reworked Drachten's roads, believes that clear lanes and street signs give drivers a false sense of security. Drivers speed down these lanes thinking there are no obstructions, which increases the severity of accidents should something catch them unawares.He has the luxury to reworked Drachten's roads. Here, the LTA seems quite reluctant to make any changes. Now, by the logic of Monderman, it might be better for LTA not to do anything. I think as most infrastructures and traffic rules were not there for safety, but rather for speed, and the by-product of false sense of security.
Monday, November 16, 2009
KPI
Recently I have some thoughts about KPI. KPI is a quantifiable measure to reflect progress. To progress is the real objective. To have a nice KPI is not. If there is progress but KPI doesn't reflect, the KPI needs to be tuned or changed. On the other hand, if there is no progress or even regress but KPI suggests progress, then more important to correct the KPI.
However, very often, attaining a nice KPI became ...
the objective instead, while the real objective was forgotten. I am seeing this happening all over the places, in different fields, from education (test/exams), management, and etc. Here, lets just look at fever.
Fever in itself is not bad.
The so called western medicine is also termed as evidence based medicine. It has its strength as drugs are tested. The problem is the limitation of tests. Usually, they are targeted at a single symptom. Furthermore, may even only based on one or very limited quantitative measures of the symptom. A typical example is body temperature. As time passes, the measure is being seen as the problem. Instead of focusing on restoring health, it became focusing on restoring these measurements.
By the way, 37 degree Celcius, the so called normal body temperature is actually the average temperature. Each individual probably has his/her own normal body temperature.
However, very often, attaining a nice KPI became ...
the objective instead, while the real objective was forgotten. I am seeing this happening all over the places, in different fields, from education (test/exams), management, and etc. Here, lets just look at fever.
Fever in itself is not bad.
The so called western medicine is also termed as evidence based medicine. It has its strength as drugs are tested. The problem is the limitation of tests. Usually, they are targeted at a single symptom. Furthermore, may even only based on one or very limited quantitative measures of the symptom. A typical example is body temperature. As time passes, the measure is being seen as the problem. Instead of focusing on restoring health, it became focusing on restoring these measurements.
By the way, 37 degree Celcius, the so called normal body temperature is actually the average temperature. Each individual probably has his/her own normal body temperature.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Close interval multiple thresholds system
We are in a digital age, and ironically, digital advancements allow less digital systems with multiple thresholds at close intervals.
A good example is the gradual increase and decrease of the ERP charges, instead of just one threshold timing that separates two periods of with and without ERP charges initially. Another not so direct example is some telcos charge by the seconds instead of minutes. These would not have been possible if done manually.
Sadly, that's about all I know about such systems. Here, I just mention one area where close intervals multiple threshold should be implemented: ... incentives cut off date, especially when the incentives are high.
E.g. before or after 17 Aug 2008 borned 1st and 5th child meant a difference in maximum matching government contribution of S$6000 and S$18000, respectively! Thus, a minute different of recorded birth between 16 Aug 2008 2359hr and 17 Aug 2008 0000hr makes a big difference.
I would like suggest a gradual increase by an amount small enough that virtually no pain would be felt, over a period of 1 or 2 months is much better. E.g. $5 increment over a period of 30 days. Thus, it will require 6000/5=1200 increments, for the case of the 1st child in the example above. This means 30/1200 = 0.025 days or 30*24/1200 = 0.6 hours or at 36 minutes interval.
A good example is the gradual increase and decrease of the ERP charges, instead of just one threshold timing that separates two periods of with and without ERP charges initially. Another not so direct example is some telcos charge by the seconds instead of minutes. These would not have been possible if done manually.
Sadly, that's about all I know about such systems. Here, I just mention one area where close intervals multiple threshold should be implemented: ... incentives cut off date, especially when the incentives are high.
E.g. before or after 17 Aug 2008 borned 1st and 5th child meant a difference in maximum matching government contribution of S$6000 and S$18000, respectively! Thus, a minute different of recorded birth between 16 Aug 2008 2359hr and 17 Aug 2008 0000hr makes a big difference.
I would like suggest a gradual increase by an amount small enough that virtually no pain would be felt, over a period of 1 or 2 months is much better. E.g. $5 increment over a period of 30 days. Thus, it will require 6000/5=1200 increments, for the case of the 1st child in the example above. This means 30/1200 = 0.025 days or 30*24/1200 = 0.6 hours or at 36 minutes interval.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Not in your backyard, then in whose backyard?
Recently, there are voices against converting an unused school into dormitory for foreign workers. It is a real concern. However, by voicing against it won't do the whole situation better. I think some of the more fundamental issues are:
The second point is about the current employment arrangement. I think the concept of employee is quite modern, around the time of the industrial revolution. Traditionally, family as a unit is very important, and I notice it in the Oriental culture that I am from. For e.g., it is crucial for maid to made public that she does not intend to get married because it is obvious that being a maid means one cannot afford to be a wife and a mother. The recent developments in the past few decades gave the illusion that it could be done, but it couldn't. Another example, in some Korean drama I watched, stories depict that in the last generations, the boss will house the whole family of the domestic helper within their own house. Basically, to view a person as just a person is fundamentally wrong. Family should be the unit within employment arrangement. Thus, the foreign workers' families must be taken into consideration when arranging for one or some of them to work here.
The third point can also be termed as plain selfishness. By pushing a problem away doesn't solve or make it better, but only make those who managed to push it away better. Especially here, the government have policies to ensure a mix of races in each public housing block. Now, if we ignore the importance of mixing foreign workers into our community, then those conflicts we only watch in the news in other neighboring countries will soon start to appear here.
Nevertheless, there are real concerns that triggered the petition against the move by the residents. However, the concerns should trigger solutions and ways to improve or manage the new arrangement instead of just simply asking for the problem to go to somebody else backyard.
- Uneven prosperity among nations.
- Employees wholesome care is not catered for.
- Reluctant to embrace changes and others.
The second point is about the current employment arrangement. I think the concept of employee is quite modern, around the time of the industrial revolution. Traditionally, family as a unit is very important, and I notice it in the Oriental culture that I am from. For e.g., it is crucial for maid to made public that she does not intend to get married because it is obvious that being a maid means one cannot afford to be a wife and a mother. The recent developments in the past few decades gave the illusion that it could be done, but it couldn't. Another example, in some Korean drama I watched, stories depict that in the last generations, the boss will house the whole family of the domestic helper within their own house. Basically, to view a person as just a person is fundamentally wrong. Family should be the unit within employment arrangement. Thus, the foreign workers' families must be taken into consideration when arranging for one or some of them to work here.
The third point can also be termed as plain selfishness. By pushing a problem away doesn't solve or make it better, but only make those who managed to push it away better. Especially here, the government have policies to ensure a mix of races in each public housing block. Now, if we ignore the importance of mixing foreign workers into our community, then those conflicts we only watch in the news in other neighboring countries will soon start to appear here.
Nevertheless, there are real concerns that triggered the petition against the move by the residents. However, the concerns should trigger solutions and ways to improve or manage the new arrangement instead of just simply asking for the problem to go to somebody else backyard.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Notes from my 10 over years riding in Singapore
Inspired by Mr. Brown’s blog entry Things I Learned Riding Every Day to Work for a Year in Singapore, here are some notes from my 10 over years riding to work and many places in Singapore and sometime to JB. Although I like it and find it usually faster than public transport, I don't encourage ... friends to do likewise because the danger is very real.
1. I sense improvement in the attitude of drivers towards cyclists since 1996, but majority still quite poor.
2. TIBS buses seem wider than SBS ones, so be careful.
3. Those CatEye front light seems not economical if I were to switch it on throughout regular night trips. Those white LED lights are more suitable since bicycle front light in Singapore is not really for lighting up the road but to let people/drivers see us.
4. I know how to change inner tube, but usually took 20-30 minutes, while nice uncles do it in 5 minutes and workmanship ~S$1 only. By the way, if a new inner tube leaks after few days, it is time to change the tire.
5. The trip that triggered me to ride more often is when I was trying to find a safe parking for my bike in Clementi as I need to go to Tanjong Pagar, but eventually decided to cycle there. It took me 45 minutes on a 24” MTB. Indeed, it isn’t that far as I thought. After I lost the 24” bike and gotten a 26”, I realized it is faster and easier to ride bigger wheel bikes. No wonder those Ah-bek bikes are 28”.
6. I learned clouds analysis to decide what kind of rain and the direction of rain. First time, when the rain has stopped, I just moved on wondering why those motorcyclists still not moving out? I rode into the rain a few minutes later. Thus, I realized that rain don’t stop, it is the clouds that move away. Rain also don’t start and stop, it is some holes in the clouds that passes my location.
7. Once upon a time, riding bicycle to cross the causeways during peak hours is the fastest way. However, after the improvement on Singapore side, I have to jam together with the motorcyclists.
8. I managed to attain silver award for my IPPT without any training before the test during those years that I cycle regularly average of 1.5 hours per day when I need to go out.
9. Many bicycle facilities and rules are designed by people who don’t ride bicycles. Our bicycle stands is not secured enough easily only front wheel remains. To ask cyclists to dismount before using pedestrian crossing a road is like asking drivers to stop at stop signs, which I think 99.9% don’t. It is safer, less space occupying to ask cyclists to slow to walking speed when approaching, and crossing pedestrian crossings.
10. Wearing rain coat keep me from the rain water but doesn’t keep me dry. I will still be wet from the trapped humid and sweat.
11. Indeed, helmet and gloves are no substitute. The minimum standard is zero accident and zero almost accident situation. I find gloves are inconvenience to carry and use. I only used a helmet during my 80 minutes trips to and fro Toa Payoh and NTU, for safety and also, actually more, for blocking the sun.
12. Racers are fast and light, but it is meant for racing. I find it not suitable on non-racing paths/roads. Tumbling over a fist size object at the high speeds of racers should be quite bad.
13. Send clear signal, not hand signal which reduce your control and responsiveness. E.g. I filter rightwards riding into the left lane when I don’t expect drivers to overtake me. I stopped few meters away from zebra crossing when I don’t need drivers to stop for me.
14. Pavements are more dangerous than roads to the cyclists because it is not built for wheels and pedestrians don’t have walking rules to follow, and no need license to walk. I trust drivers more. However, this is not always true when the pavements are well maintained and pedestrians are less or used to share it with cyclists. Nevertheless, I don’t expect pedestrians to give way to me, and when I am a pedestrian, I don’t give way to those cyclists who keep ringing bell or expect me to give way. I will give way when I am ready, the cyclists slowed down.
15. Another reason that pavements are dangerous, and it also applies to cycling lane is that drivers usually are unaware of what’s happening on pavements and cycling lane and do not expect cyclists to ride on to the road suddenly.
16. An advice to pedestrians: if you want to give way, don’t do it suddenly and immediately. Take your time. Remain on your original route, direction and speed. Decide on the safer side you would like to move towards, and filter slowly.
17. Just as pedestrians are angry when a cyclist rode pass them at close distance even though the cyclist had made proper judgment and therefore didn’t hurt the pedestrians, cyclists are angry when a driver drove pass them at close distance even though the driver had done it safely and no one is hurt. Nevertheless, it is better to overtake at comfortably safe distances.
18. I think having driving experiences is an important advantage for riding safely on roads.
1. I sense improvement in the attitude of drivers towards cyclists since 1996, but majority still quite poor.
2. TIBS buses seem wider than SBS ones, so be careful.
3. Those CatEye front light seems not economical if I were to switch it on throughout regular night trips. Those white LED lights are more suitable since bicycle front light in Singapore is not really for lighting up the road but to let people/drivers see us.
4. I know how to change inner tube, but usually took 20-30 minutes, while nice uncles do it in 5 minutes and workmanship ~S$1 only. By the way, if a new inner tube leaks after few days, it is time to change the tire.
5. The trip that triggered me to ride more often is when I was trying to find a safe parking for my bike in Clementi as I need to go to Tanjong Pagar, but eventually decided to cycle there. It took me 45 minutes on a 24” MTB. Indeed, it isn’t that far as I thought. After I lost the 24” bike and gotten a 26”, I realized it is faster and easier to ride bigger wheel bikes. No wonder those Ah-bek bikes are 28”.
6. I learned clouds analysis to decide what kind of rain and the direction of rain. First time, when the rain has stopped, I just moved on wondering why those motorcyclists still not moving out? I rode into the rain a few minutes later. Thus, I realized that rain don’t stop, it is the clouds that move away. Rain also don’t start and stop, it is some holes in the clouds that passes my location.
7. Once upon a time, riding bicycle to cross the causeways during peak hours is the fastest way. However, after the improvement on Singapore side, I have to jam together with the motorcyclists.
8. I managed to attain silver award for my IPPT without any training before the test during those years that I cycle regularly average of 1.5 hours per day when I need to go out.
9. Many bicycle facilities and rules are designed by people who don’t ride bicycles. Our bicycle stands is not secured enough easily only front wheel remains. To ask cyclists to dismount before using pedestrian crossing a road is like asking drivers to stop at stop signs, which I think 99.9% don’t. It is safer, less space occupying to ask cyclists to slow to walking speed when approaching, and crossing pedestrian crossings.
10. Wearing rain coat keep me from the rain water but doesn’t keep me dry. I will still be wet from the trapped humid and sweat.
11. Indeed, helmet and gloves are no substitute. The minimum standard is zero accident and zero almost accident situation. I find gloves are inconvenience to carry and use. I only used a helmet during my 80 minutes trips to and fro Toa Payoh and NTU, for safety and also, actually more, for blocking the sun.
12. Racers are fast and light, but it is meant for racing. I find it not suitable on non-racing paths/roads. Tumbling over a fist size object at the high speeds of racers should be quite bad.
13. Send clear signal, not hand signal which reduce your control and responsiveness. E.g. I filter rightwards riding into the left lane when I don’t expect drivers to overtake me. I stopped few meters away from zebra crossing when I don’t need drivers to stop for me.
14. Pavements are more dangerous than roads to the cyclists because it is not built for wheels and pedestrians don’t have walking rules to follow, and no need license to walk. I trust drivers more. However, this is not always true when the pavements are well maintained and pedestrians are less or used to share it with cyclists. Nevertheless, I don’t expect pedestrians to give way to me, and when I am a pedestrian, I don’t give way to those cyclists who keep ringing bell or expect me to give way. I will give way when I am ready, the cyclists slowed down.
15. Another reason that pavements are dangerous, and it also applies to cycling lane is that drivers usually are unaware of what’s happening on pavements and cycling lane and do not expect cyclists to ride on to the road suddenly.
16. An advice to pedestrians: if you want to give way, don’t do it suddenly and immediately. Take your time. Remain on your original route, direction and speed. Decide on the safer side you would like to move towards, and filter slowly.
17. Just as pedestrians are angry when a cyclist rode pass them at close distance even though the cyclist had made proper judgment and therefore didn’t hurt the pedestrians, cyclists are angry when a driver drove pass them at close distance even though the driver had done it safely and no one is hurt. Nevertheless, it is better to overtake at comfortably safe distances.
18. I think having driving experiences is an important advantage for riding safely on roads.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
An innovative platform for bloggers
I am happy to tell people about SocialSpark! I have been seeing this name for many months, wondering what is it but didn't really read up about it. Finally, I was among the very first people they invited to join in their invite-only Alpha version 9 Apr. Since then, I started to understand better about them through own experience in using it.
They have started the successful PayPerPost about 2 years ago, recently launched IZEArank, and now this latest brainchild ... what's this brainchild about?. After using it, I think I have a much better idea of what is SocialSpark.
There are many community sites such as friendster, and the very recent FaceBook. I think SocialSpark is also a kind of community site -- community of bloggers. Doesn't matter if you are interested in blogging for money, you can too join. As it itself is not a blogging platform, unlike most community sites that also offers a blogging features, you don't need to create and maintain another blog to interact with the bloggers here. You can also list your blogs from various blogging platforms here.
As for those interested in blogging for money, you will like this very innovative place for you to earn, both by advertising for other people, or advertise your own blog or products to increase your revenue.
SocialSpark allows several types of opportunities. Other than normal money paying per post type called sponsored posts, there are also blog sponsorships where you allow a 'welcome mat' and persistent sponsorship banner on your blog for a period of time. Also, there are Sparks, which are free opportunities that serve as ideas/topics for blog posts, but many offer to blog you back if you blog about the suggested topic.
They have started the successful PayPerPost about 2 years ago, recently launched IZEArank, and now this latest brainchild ... what's this brainchild about?. After using it, I think I have a much better idea of what is SocialSpark.
There are many community sites such as friendster, and the very recent FaceBook. I think SocialSpark is also a kind of community site -- community of bloggers. Doesn't matter if you are interested in blogging for money, you can too join. As it itself is not a blogging platform, unlike most community sites that also offers a blogging features, you don't need to create and maintain another blog to interact with the bloggers here. You can also list your blogs from various blogging platforms here.
As for those interested in blogging for money, you will like this very innovative place for you to earn, both by advertising for other people, or advertise your own blog or products to increase your revenue.
SocialSpark allows several types of opportunities. Other than normal money paying per post type called sponsored posts, there are also blog sponsorships where you allow a 'welcome mat' and persistent sponsorship banner on your blog for a period of time. Also, there are Sparks, which are free opportunities that serve as ideas/topics for blog posts, but many offer to blog you back if you blog about the suggested topic.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The 3gb communities
Is this just another community-networking site? Sort of, I guess.
If you like to be among the first people to join a new community, this is an opportunity to do so. According to its statistics, it is quite new with less than 500 members, under 100 albums and just over 500 photos now.
Nonetheless, its "Recent news" announces two new systems... , a new MP3 system and a new Chat system. However, these are not new in Internet.
I'm curious what do they mean by 3gb? Typically it means 3 Gigabytes. So, are they saying that they provide freely this amount of storage for members to upload photos and mp3? Is it their intention to let people join 3gb community www.3gb.biz out of curiosity to find out more? Or is it they are so new to have yet to come up with an "About us" section?
Post Sponsored by 3gb Communities.
If you like to be among the first people to join a new community, this is an opportunity to do so. According to its statistics, it is quite new with less than 500 members, under 100 albums and just over 500 photos now.
Nonetheless, its "Recent news" announces two new systems... , a new MP3 system and a new Chat system. However, these are not new in Internet.
I'm curious what do they mean by 3gb? Typically it means 3 Gigabytes. So, are they saying that they provide freely this amount of storage for members to upload photos and mp3? Is it their intention to let people join 3gb community www.3gb.biz out of curiosity to find out more? Or is it they are so new to have yet to come up with an "About us" section?
Post Sponsored by 3gb Communities.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Family Rights
Read an article about TNT babies, which are babies born from Filipino moms who are not allowed to get pregnant. I always do not like the arrangement of foreign maid. What happen to their families, or even their life?
When we are tired of sweeping the floor, we can get a vacuum machine to ease the job. When we are tired of hand washing clothes, we can get a washing machine to ease the job. When we are tired of washing dishes, we can get a dish washer machine to ease the job. But, ... maids are not machines.
When we need help in caring for kids, we get nanny to helpout. However, it is OK if the nanny is part time. May be the kids go to the family of the nanny, which is OK for the nanny, though not so OK for the kids. May be, the nanny comes over but go home daily. But, foreign maids can't go home daily, some not even able to afford to do so yearly.
When will the world, and societies realize clearly the importance of Family Rights? We have Human Rights for many decades. Some "Human Rights", or I call them individual rights, are destroying Family Rights. Put it technically, when will more decisions be make in alignment to system thinking.
Everyone should have come from a family, and shall have the goal of setting up his own family. Having a foreign maid to sacrifice her family life for years so that my family life can be easier is quite terrible, I think. Some may think this is a win-win arrangment, but I say this is like only looking at revenues, but not all expenses. Or, I think such is a terrible "win-win" arrangment, while better ways must exist for a better win-win.
When we are tired of sweeping the floor, we can get a vacuum machine to ease the job. When we are tired of hand washing clothes, we can get a washing machine to ease the job. When we are tired of washing dishes, we can get a dish washer machine to ease the job. But, ... maids are not machines.
When we need help in caring for kids, we get nanny to helpout. However, it is OK if the nanny is part time. May be the kids go to the family of the nanny, which is OK for the nanny, though not so OK for the kids. May be, the nanny comes over but go home daily. But, foreign maids can't go home daily, some not even able to afford to do so yearly.
When will the world, and societies realize clearly the importance of Family Rights? We have Human Rights for many decades. Some "Human Rights", or I call them individual rights, are destroying Family Rights. Put it technically, when will more decisions be make in alignment to system thinking.
Everyone should have come from a family, and shall have the goal of setting up his own family. Having a foreign maid to sacrifice her family life for years so that my family life can be easier is quite terrible, I think. Some may think this is a win-win arrangment, but I say this is like only looking at revenues, but not all expenses. Or, I think such is a terrible "win-win" arrangment, while better ways must exist for a better win-win.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Computer computes
I always feel that a very basic advantage brought by the use of computers is under utilized. Computers do calculations well, and they can easily do complicated conditional computations. Here, it was only after months of motorists slowing down and waiting before ERP gantries then the system of gradual increase and decrease of ERP charges was implemented.
I like this approach, the 15by2015 ... 15by2015 - A Campaign to Strengthen Primary Healthcare Around the World. Most administration procedures seem to remain in the pre-computer era where rules are clear and simple. Follow the link to read how a patient has to pay 7 days of hospital stay because he was fortunately not having HIV, because AIDS/HIV related donations will pay for him if he were HIV positive. This is quite typical in many administrative procedures.
I hope the number 15% is just a guideline, while it can be 17.98% or any more optimal figures since computer does not require a nice number in order to do the calculations correctly.
Furthermore, I suggest a minimum portion of such donations be used for education and prevention.
I like this approach, the 15by2015 ... 15by2015 - A Campaign to Strengthen Primary Healthcare Around the World. Most administration procedures seem to remain in the pre-computer era where rules are clear and simple. Follow the link to read how a patient has to pay 7 days of hospital stay because he was fortunately not having HIV, because AIDS/HIV related donations will pay for him if he were HIV positive. This is quite typical in many administrative procedures.
I hope the number 15% is just a guideline, while it can be 17.98% or any more optimal figures since computer does not require a nice number in order to do the calculations correctly.
Furthermore, I suggest a minimum portion of such donations be used for education and prevention.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Two months experience in "using" the Aductions platform
Aductions has grown since my first review on it. There are more messages in the forum, a couple more reviews done up by bloggers, and two new features, namely "The Lowest Effective CPM Watchlist", and "The Automated Media Planning and Buying Tool".
However, these new features are mainly for advertisers, which I am not. May be, I'll buy some ad spaces next month to experience first hand these Aductions' features.
In terms of using it as a publisher ... How did I find their services? , I didn't really need to use it after I put up my ad spaces. The rest are quite automated. Yes, I login more than necessary to look at how my earnings is increasing, and check out who else are putting up their ad spaces. Basically, there isn't much "work" I need to perform when using Aductions.
I just checked that my ad spaces that have been sold in their platform have been fully materialized. That is to say, my gross balance is now equal to my available funds for withdrawal.
Oh, I almost forget! I did use the Withdraw Funds interface this month for the prize money of US$25 I won in the January Review Competition. It was easy and smooth. I just keyed in the amount, followed a few simple and standard instructions, and very soon after that I saw the money in my PayPal balance :) However, I'm a bit sad that they charge a fee for the payment.
Another thing worth mentioning is their responsiveness. They replied promptly to my questions through emails. Also, as you might have noticed, they left comments about my first review on them.
Nevertheless, I have to be frank that I do feel the progress is slower than my expectation. I am looking forward to my 3rd month with Aductions in getting more sales of my ad spaces, and also hopefully seeing more trades happening on their platform.
Finally, may I put my link here in case any interested readers would like to let me earning some credits by joining Aductions through me :)
However, these new features are mainly for advertisers, which I am not. May be, I'll buy some ad spaces next month to experience first hand these Aductions' features.
In terms of using it as a publisher ... How did I find their services? , I didn't really need to use it after I put up my ad spaces. The rest are quite automated. Yes, I login more than necessary to look at how my earnings is increasing, and check out who else are putting up their ad spaces. Basically, there isn't much "work" I need to perform when using Aductions.
I just checked that my ad spaces that have been sold in their platform have been fully materialized. That is to say, my gross balance is now equal to my available funds for withdrawal.
Oh, I almost forget! I did use the Withdraw Funds interface this month for the prize money of US$25 I won in the January Review Competition. It was easy and smooth. I just keyed in the amount, followed a few simple and standard instructions, and very soon after that I saw the money in my PayPal balance :) However, I'm a bit sad that they charge a fee for the payment.
Another thing worth mentioning is their responsiveness. They replied promptly to my questions through emails. Also, as you might have noticed, they left comments about my first review on them.
Nevertheless, I have to be frank that I do feel the progress is slower than my expectation. I am looking forward to my 3rd month with Aductions in getting more sales of my ad spaces, and also hopefully seeing more trades happening on their platform.
Finally, may I put my link here in case any interested readers would like to let me earning some credits by joining Aductions through me :)
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Unless your identity is worth much more than $1M
Identity theft is not new. In a 1 Feb 2008 article on Herald-Mail, Identity theft puts ugly face on your good name:
"According to the FBI, more than 10 million people in the U.S. experienced identity theft in 2005" and "The Federal Trade Commission reports that 54 percent of the victims of identity theft uncover the theft while monitoring their own accounts. Twenty-six percent are alerted by companies they previously have done business with, and 8 percent learned of the theft when they applied for credit and were refused."
I just learned much about it from LifeLock's, that guarantee your good name. Before reading more in this blog about it, you might want to sign up first using LifeLock promotion codes to get yourself protected first!
OK, most people would like to consider how to DIY first. The above article mentioned a few ways of reducing the risk of identity theft, such as memorize your Social Security number, add a photo ID to credit and debit cards, remove personal information and identification from a purse or pockets in clothing before donating them to second-hand shops, and such. Note that these can only reduce, not eliminate.
So, what do you think? For me, I doubt I am able to do all those tasks, just to reduce the risk. If you think likewise, can stop reading now and check out LifeLock promo code!
Have you returned after clicking on the above link? Or you still don't feel like utilizing the LifeLock Code for them to guarantee your good name at a discount? They are offering 30 days free and $21 saving a year! Mind you, $21 is actually quite a high percentage discount.
Still haven't visited their site? OK, let me state the best feature: their guarantee is up to One Million Dollars! Thus, unless your identity is worth much more than that (which I am delighted to have someone like you reading my humble blog), you should seriously consider subscribing to their service. I will have to check out their plans of going international.
"According to the FBI, more than 10 million people in the U.S. experienced identity theft in 2005" and "The Federal Trade Commission reports that 54 percent of the victims of identity theft uncover the theft while monitoring their own accounts. Twenty-six percent are alerted by companies they previously have done business with, and 8 percent learned of the theft when they applied for credit and were refused."
I just learned much about it from LifeLock's, that guarantee your good name. Before reading more in this blog about it, you might want to sign up first using LifeLock promotion codes to get yourself protected first!
OK, most people would like to consider how to DIY first. The above article mentioned a few ways of reducing the risk of identity theft, such as memorize your Social Security number, add a photo ID to credit and debit cards, remove personal information and identification from a purse or pockets in clothing before donating them to second-hand shops, and such. Note that these can only reduce, not eliminate.
So, what do you think? For me, I doubt I am able to do all those tasks, just to reduce the risk. If you think likewise, can stop reading now and check out LifeLock promo code!
Have you returned after clicking on the above link? Or you still don't feel like utilizing the LifeLock Code for them to guarantee your good name at a discount? They are offering 30 days free and $21 saving a year! Mind you, $21 is actually quite a high percentage discount.
Still haven't visited their site? OK, let me state the best feature: their guarantee is up to One Million Dollars! Thus, unless your identity is worth much more than that (which I am delighted to have someone like you reading my humble blog), you should seriously consider subscribing to their service. I will have to check out their plans of going international.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Ad + Auctions = Aductions
What is Aductions? According to their words, it is
i) the Search n Trade Ad Platform;
ii) a patent pending, Advertising Platform that connects advertisers to publishers through a search engine;
iii) a search engine that helps advertisers find the best ad spaces;
iv) a transparent ad platform that promotes publishers;
v) an online trading platform where advertising inventory can be traded freely.
Although none of the above mention the word auction, but the name Aductions seem to suggest it has something to do with auction, unless it was intersection of Ad + Abduction instead. Although all of the above goals are good, it kind of leaves me a little unclear about what fundamentally are they trying to achieve. May be that's not important, as long as they can generate value for advertisers, publishers, and not forgetting the traders.
Then, what advantages it offers to the advertisers, publishers, and traders?
For the advertisers, you can check out the statistics of the ad space before committing your money. I believe they will come up with new strategies and ways to let advertisers feel secure to buy ad space through Aductions.
For the established publishers, its transparency provides a better way to valuate your ad space. Of course you can always show case your statistics, but wouldn't it be better that this be done by a 3rd party?
For publishers like me who don't have good statistics, this transparency would probably work against us since advertisers can filter us out. However, as a whole, I have to support such transparency for the good of the online advertising industry.
For the traders, you have a new market to explore. However, you might have to wait as this market is so new that its chance of survival is still unknown. While writing this, I realize the value of traders. I think you are the ones who make the pricing fair. For example, if you find my selling price too low, you would buy it and resell it at a higher price to advertisers, and these activities determine the fair market price.
Lastly, its payment is the fastest I have come across. From the usual minimum US$100 or monthly such as AdSense, to S$11 such as EmailCashPro, to fortnightly such as SponsoredReviews, to weekly such as Smorty, this one is at any time with minimum amount more than US$1.00! I really hope this arrangement is sustainable.
Let me end with a note tht I am surprise to learned that I have earned 1 cents. I know, that's a very very very small amount. Still, it is greater than zero :D
i) the Search n Trade Ad Platform;
ii) a patent pending, Advertising Platform that connects advertisers to publishers through a search engine;
iii) a search engine that helps advertisers find the best ad spaces;
iv) a transparent ad platform that promotes publishers;
v) an online trading platform where advertising inventory can be traded freely.
Although none of the above mention the word auction, but the name Aductions seem to suggest it has something to do with auction, unless it was intersection of Ad + Abduction instead. Although all of the above goals are good, it kind of leaves me a little unclear about what fundamentally are they trying to achieve. May be that's not important, as long as they can generate value for advertisers, publishers, and not forgetting the traders.
Then, what advantages it offers to the advertisers, publishers, and traders?
For the advertisers, you can check out the statistics of the ad space before committing your money. I believe they will come up with new strategies and ways to let advertisers feel secure to buy ad space through Aductions.
For the established publishers, its transparency provides a better way to valuate your ad space. Of course you can always show case your statistics, but wouldn't it be better that this be done by a 3rd party?
For publishers like me who don't have good statistics, this transparency would probably work against us since advertisers can filter us out. However, as a whole, I have to support such transparency for the good of the online advertising industry.
For the traders, you have a new market to explore. However, you might have to wait as this market is so new that its chance of survival is still unknown. While writing this, I realize the value of traders. I think you are the ones who make the pricing fair. For example, if you find my selling price too low, you would buy it and resell it at a higher price to advertisers, and these activities determine the fair market price.
Lastly, its payment is the fastest I have come across. From the usual minimum US$100 or monthly such as AdSense, to S$11 such as EmailCashPro, to fortnightly such as SponsoredReviews, to weekly such as Smorty, this one is at any time with minimum amount more than US$1.00! I really hope this arrangement is sustainable.
Let me end with a note tht I am surprise to learned that I have earned 1 cents. I know, that's a very very very small amount. Still, it is greater than zero :D
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Don't play play
Wow, this is exciting! The Wall Street Journal, something that is quite unrelated with my quiet life is now kind of linked to me via the new advertising system that I joined, Pay Per Play. How is it so? According to its blog, Pay-Per-Play is Ramping Up,
"Kelly K. Spors of the Wall Street Journal visited with Mike Knox for over 30 minutes to discuss PPP. This means that collectively we are shaking things up. The WSJ wouldn't have even noticed us if we weren't making such a large wake in the IM community. Best of all the WSJ came to us, we didn't seek them."
You can read the article, New Services Help Bloggers Bring in Ad Revenue.
Hey, earning money from blog is not a play play thing, else the WSJ won't be concerned. So, don't anyhow play, but play the audio ads from Pay Per Play!
"Kelly K. Spors of the Wall Street Journal visited with Mike Knox for over 30 minutes to discuss PPP. This means that collectively we are shaking things up. The WSJ wouldn't have even noticed us if we weren't making such a large wake in the IM community. Best of all the WSJ came to us, we didn't seek them."
You can read the article, New Services Help Bloggers Bring in Ad Revenue.
Hey, earning money from blog is not a play play thing, else the WSJ won't be concerned. So, don't anyhow play, but play the audio ads from Pay Per Play!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
When MRT truly means MASS Rapid Transit
Many things that we take for granted were not around in recent history. I learned from a documentary some months ago that the concept and system of stocks and shares was invented only about 4 hundred odd years ago. Being creative, the human race has kept inventing new alternatives to existing practices.
Transportation has been a headache in many cities. The massiness [sic] of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), a main public transportation in Singapore, is increasing and approaching that in places like Japan and Hong Kong. At the same time, owning a car here is very costly. I believe quite similar situation in the UK too: being over-massed.
An alternative in the UK is car leasing, where you can lease a brand new car and dealers listed on BuyYourCar have agree to deliver it right to your front door, free of charge.
How much? I did a search at their site and found £80/month + VAT is among the cheapest rate for a Chevrolet Matiz Hatchback 1.0 SE+ 5dr, contract hire term for 24 Months and annual Mileage of 10000 miles.
That should be about S$300/month. Compare this to a daily MRT fare of roughly S$2/trip x 2 trips/day = S$4/day = S$100/month for a person, and may be roughly 2.5 x S$100 = S$250/month for a family. I would say it is quite comparable. We can consider the additional cost if any, buy us the additional comfort in having a private car.
Post Sponsored by BuyYourCar.
Transportation has been a headache in many cities. The massiness [sic] of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), a main public transportation in Singapore, is increasing and approaching that in places like Japan and Hong Kong. At the same time, owning a car here is very costly. I believe quite similar situation in the UK too: being over-massed.
An alternative in the UK is car leasing, where you can lease a brand new car and dealers listed on BuyYourCar have agree to deliver it right to your front door, free of charge.
How much? I did a search at their site and found £80/month + VAT is among the cheapest rate for a Chevrolet Matiz Hatchback 1.0 SE+ 5dr, contract hire term for 24 Months and annual Mileage of 10000 miles.
That should be about S$300/month. Compare this to a daily MRT fare of roughly S$2/trip x 2 trips/day = S$4/day = S$100/month for a person, and may be roughly 2.5 x S$100 = S$250/month for a family. I would say it is quite comparable. We can consider the additional cost if any, buy us the additional comfort in having a private car.
Post Sponsored by BuyYourCar.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Wanna set up a shop?
Now almost anyone can do it easily!
A quick look at the Ashop Commerce site already impresses me with its fullness of features.
I believe they have all the necessary and relevant tools in any good ecommerce software. Other than the many standard stuffs that a normal shop in the real world should have, such as database and accounting systems, it also provides cyberworld necessities related to traffic to site, from search engines and what are the keywords being searched; visitors language and country; fraud protection; and many others.
They also feature some of their client sites so that you can go and experience their system, and may be even buy something from some of these sites. Now is the era of outsourcing and offshoring. Bosses can start to consider outsourcing and offshoring netters all over the world to run their [cyber-]shops.
Ashop Commerce sponsored this post.
A quick look at the Ashop Commerce site already impresses me with its fullness of features.
I believe they have all the necessary and relevant tools in any good ecommerce software. Other than the many standard stuffs that a normal shop in the real world should have, such as database and accounting systems, it also provides cyberworld necessities related to traffic to site, from search engines and what are the keywords being searched; visitors language and country; fraud protection; and many others.
They also feature some of their client sites so that you can go and experience their system, and may be even buy something from some of these sites. Now is the era of outsourcing and offshoring. Bosses can start to consider outsourcing and offshoring netters all over the world to run their [cyber-]shops.
Ashop Commerce sponsored this post.
Friday, January 4, 2008
"Don't waste food!" but say it to people in the kitchen, not in the dinning hall.
I like this Minister, Mr. Mah, whom I heard many dislike. My brother also have to thumb up to him for covering up many loop holes in policies, although that cost him many money making opportunities.
On the issue of insufficient public housing for rental to the needs, and in relation to the high divorce rate, the Today newspaper reported:
-----
... But a harder and more worrying problem to resolve is the impact of rising divorce rates on housing options, he added.
Said Mr Mah: "We are looking at more cases where couples break up and the flat has to be sold due to a court order. Either the husband or wife, with custody of the children, will not be able to afford a new flat and come to us for a rental flat.
"We'll have to look at it from the more fundamental issue of why divorces are going up, and other things like housing options for a family that has broken up."
-----
Some might think he is pushing away responsibilities, but I say he is clear about who should handle what and problems should be handled at their roots.
I feel similarly for the issues on single moms. Yes, they are having a difficult life. While the society shouldn't cause them further problems, I prefer resources to be used in the area of reducing the number of single moms rather than making the lifes of single moms as nice as the average person.
As I have realized only a couple of years ago that many like me have been wrongly accused of wasting food when not able to finish everything on our plate, which was filled by someone else with more food than we need, and sometime with reasons such as there were more than abundance food prepared.
On the issue of insufficient public housing for rental to the needs, and in relation to the high divorce rate, the Today newspaper reported:
-----
... But a harder and more worrying problem to resolve is the impact of rising divorce rates on housing options, he added.
Said Mr Mah: "We are looking at more cases where couples break up and the flat has to be sold due to a court order. Either the husband or wife, with custody of the children, will not be able to afford a new flat and come to us for a rental flat.
"We'll have to look at it from the more fundamental issue of why divorces are going up, and other things like housing options for a family that has broken up."
-----
Some might think he is pushing away responsibilities, but I say he is clear about who should handle what and problems should be handled at their roots.
I feel similarly for the issues on single moms. Yes, they are having a difficult life. While the society shouldn't cause them further problems, I prefer resources to be used in the area of reducing the number of single moms rather than making the lifes of single moms as nice as the average person.
As I have realized only a couple of years ago that many like me have been wrongly accused of wasting food when not able to finish everything on our plate, which was filled by someone else with more food than we need, and sometime with reasons such as there were more than abundance food prepared.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Easy = Difficult
Recently weeks there are discussions on a difficult mathematics examination paper in this year PSLE.
It seems that some questions in it were difficult.
To me, there is not much different if an easy or a difficult question is set. If it is easy, then most will probably score. If it is difficult, then most will probably not score. Overall, it doesn't really affect my score/grade. Rather, I dislike easy question because I must make the efforts to do and get it right, whereas for a difficult question, I may choose to skip it but my score for it may be the same with many who spent time doing it yet didn't get it right.
Furthermore, I am one of those [selfish ones] who when spotted a faulty question will keep quiet and move on, since eventually the teachers have to void that question. I hate it when at later times, especially near to the end of the given time, someone raise the issue and the teacher announce an correction to the question. I think that is being unfair by making correction half way through an examination.
What matters is when a question is easy or difficult only to you or a small group of students. Otherwise, no problem.
Thinking further, I suspect it was the nice but unrealistic pictures that parents/teachers have given to students that causes some of them to be annoyed by not being able to score 100% due to some out of scope difficult question. I think this is an issue that should be addressed. The over ideal system in school is harmful in terms of getting students ready for the world. People who grew up in system-less environment probably have much higher ability to adapt and excel in the real world.
It seems that some questions in it were difficult.
To me, there is not much different if an easy or a difficult question is set. If it is easy, then most will probably score. If it is difficult, then most will probably not score. Overall, it doesn't really affect my score/grade. Rather, I dislike easy question because I must make the efforts to do and get it right, whereas for a difficult question, I may choose to skip it but my score for it may be the same with many who spent time doing it yet didn't get it right.
Furthermore, I am one of those [selfish ones] who when spotted a faulty question will keep quiet and move on, since eventually the teachers have to void that question. I hate it when at later times, especially near to the end of the given time, someone raise the issue and the teacher announce an correction to the question. I think that is being unfair by making correction half way through an examination.
What matters is when a question is easy or difficult only to you or a small group of students. Otherwise, no problem.
Thinking further, I suspect it was the nice but unrealistic pictures that parents/teachers have given to students that causes some of them to be annoyed by not being able to score 100% due to some out of scope difficult question. I think this is an issue that should be addressed. The over ideal system in school is harmful in terms of getting students ready for the world. People who grew up in system-less environment probably have much higher ability to adapt and excel in the real world.
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