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Ok was inspired by some of the bookworm threads in HWZ. Reading books maybe considered old fashioned in this day and age. I was clearing out some books and comics out from my parents' storeroom as they are undergoing renovation, so was inspired to start this thread. You can strongly recommend a book or the book you are currently reading. Of course there are sites like goodreads. But I'm curious if any of you still read actively. Any genre is fine except for tiko ones. I read mostly fantasy/urban fantasy/thrillers and more "serious" books. Currently I'm reading this. Thinking, fast and slow by Danial Kahneman. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11468377-thinking-fast-and-slow Do chip in with what you are reading or what you think is a MUST READ!

Does anyone know of which brand of reader that reads most JDM cars OBD? I haven actron OBD2 reader but it is not able to read toyota markx.

Hi bros, I'm looking for a local contact who sell OBD II reader for Mercedes W210. I think it's available quite cheaply on ebay / US websites. But I didn't want to risk having any sort of compatibility issues as I was told some OBD II doesn't work on W210?? Would be happy if this OBD II reader can also read both my W210 and my Toyota Fielder..... Any one with any ideas?

hi anyone knows where can i find cash card reader? those to read the records for the card. for company claim purpose. thanks

Where's the cheapest place to get the engine sensor for my Wish read? Warning light on - I think is a minor problem - where can I go to get it read so I know what to repair??

Hello, Any solution to a rattling IU reader while driving? Cannot take the noise.

http://www.phing.com/listing/538293-BLUETO...U-BY-SMARTPHONE

recently i had receive Reader's Digest Sweepstakes, as i had never register any of their reader diest before. just wondering does any1 receive this sweeptakes?

Hi guys, Anyone know if there's any good basic Fault Code Reader that just displays the fault code number, and can reset the ECU or better still, turn off that darn Check Engine Light (CEL) ? Please let me know where in Singapore do they sell it. Thanks in advance!!

Folks, Tired of bringing heavy books, notes, newspapers and music scores around. Thinking of storing these files in an electronic form and then read them comfortably wherever I go. It could free up some space in my bookshelf and has fewer chances for dust to collect on the hardcopy books (I have an ultra-sensitive nose). Ipad would be good but is too expensive at this the moment. A close alternative might be

Bro, 1. I'm a big fan for GoodReader PDF reader and looking for a equivalent apps for Android, I was told exPDF Reader is the most versatile, any other recommendation? GoodReader http://www.goodiware.com/goodreader.html exPDF Redaer https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?...e=search_result. 2. As for Notepad, Iphone notepad doesn't have lines limitation, but Galaxy Note's S-Memo has line limitation, I'm trying out AK Notepad, any other recommendations?

Looking for a private reader for my gal aged 4 to help her read and pronounce b4 she enter P1. Din want to put her to those school "I can Read"....not that good acc to fzds Any good recommendations.............not so ex too. thanks all

Almost 20 years ago while in U my poly classmates were already uneasy about foreign students (yes they were already admiting them then). Poly grads those days have to work for a few years before being able to apply for U. They really had to figh tooth & nail to gain entry into U so when they saw foreign students seemingly able to just apply and come in, it was a mixed feeling for them.... From ST Forum: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_692867.html The 'Singaporean first' myth IN A recent lecture on higher education at Singapore Management University, Dr Tony Tan pointed out how crucial it is not to impede international talent from coming here. He essentially voiced his preference for a 'Singaporeans first' policy for higher education, rather than 'Singaporeans only' ('Tony Tan: S'poreans first, but don't shut out talent'; yesterday). While I agree with Dr Tan's dismissal of a 'Singaporeans only' tertiary landscape, I am befuddled by his perception that Singaporeans are demanding this. On the contrary, what Singaporeans are infuriated by are government and local university measures that excessively favour foreign 'talent' for admission. For example, the National University of Singapore (NUS) does not have a clearly defined way of calculating the admissions score for international students. NUS assesses admission at its own discretion and on the students' past education transcripts. Polytechnic students, on the other hand, are admitted based on a strictly defined admissions score, comprising 80 per cent polytechnic results and 20 per cent O-level results. Obviously, polytechnic students who might have excelled in their studies, but who have done less than spectacularly in the O levels, are disadvantaged. Does NUS consider a polytechnic education less rigorous? In addition, most needy local students have had to seek financial refuge in loans and bursaries, both of which do not provide complete financial relief. The less fortunate must juggle part-time work and university studies. Contrast this situation to that of the foreign students: Financial aid for them does not only come in the shape of exclusive scholarships, but also in Education Ministry tuition grants. The penalty for most of these students who can already afford the higher costs of overseas education? Working with a Singapore-registered company for three years. Dr Tan said it is not easy to find the right balance. For a start, apply greater selectivity for the ministry's tuition grants for foreign students. Also, a clearly stipulated admissions determinant, which resembles the template imposed on Singaporeans, should be adopted. While many recognise the advantages of having an international student body, resolutely doing so without selectivity is pointless. Let those who cannot afford such an education prove their mettle, and those who can, rightfully pay for their fees. Adam Liew

...if you go along the logic of this reader even though the ruling party has dispense with it already. From ST Forum: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_691779.html There's something to be said for standing on ceremony I DISAGREE with Associate Professor Hussin Mutalib's suggestion ('Let's not stand on ceremony for MPs'; July 9). What I found somewhat discomforting was his suggestions to review or revamp practices such as 'requiring residents to gather much earlier than the scheduled arrival of the MP, and requiring them to stand when the MP arrives'. Should we dispense with the basic values of respect for people who could influence the quality of our lives? As an elected official, an MP has been entrusted by his electorate to manage their interests and concerns, and deserves a modicum of decorum and respect. While his duty is to serve, it must be recognised that he is a leader. Imagine the prime minister attending a community event in his capacity as an MP, and walking in when the audience members are not all present, or when they loiter and chat, oblivious to his arrival. In treating politicians more like servants, we may well get it wrong on principle about etiquette and good manners. By studying human association in his own community, Confucius concluded that an essential principle of social relations is that of reciprocity. This means 'persons tend to act in relation to others as others act in relation to them'. Jolly Wee

Hey guys, I have been receiving this reader digest big sweep ticket stuff that gives u chance to win $$$ even without purchase. Thing is, its getting annoying they keep sending and sending non stop the tickets and they CLAIM that only 3% of Singaporeans are lucky enough to receive the tickets. Now i m running a poll to check how many of us in MCF are in that lucky 3% At the same time, did anyone of that 3% really win anything

Last week, my friend was saying that his IU-reader was spoilt unknowingly, and he went under the ERP. Nothing happened, no flash was spotted. Until now, he has yet to receive any letter. Friend was asking, will the camera even know that a car just went pass w/o paying?

Was wanting to find a portable EZLink card reader, anyone knows if it's available? No need any top-up features, just read last balance, and recent trip deductions.

can anyone help to adv when can i get cash card reader and what to look out for? the old cash card reader my company hv can only read until 25 transaction .. if anything more than 25, it wl over write the first one ...

A few weeks ago, my father received this letter from Reader's Digest stating that he has been shortlisted for some Reader's Digest Sweepstake and he has to reply to get a place in the sweepstakes and so on... Because of greed and naivety (I have to insist that this is an overstatement), he replied to the mail through some some fancy ways which were required, like some sticker pasting thing, returning this envelope with this piece of paper inside saying that he wants to take part in the sweepstake and you know lah.. Then he did not read some of the terms which were stated as every mail would come with many different pieces of paper (letter of 'congratulation', paper needed to be submitted such that he gets a place in the sweepstake, etc.) though it is still carelessness on his part which led to this. Then came the first Reader's Digest mag. Then the second. At first we thought that it was a scam and didn't bother to foot the bill of 57 bucks. To our surprise, a cd of Mozart's music was found in our mailbox a few days ago. But still we didn't bother. Today, this parcel with some glass ornament and some rather thick book was found in the mailbox.. So I got a bit worried and went to the actualy Reader's Digest website to check if my father's subscription account stated in the bill existed.. And it does exist. So I went through the mails and read whatever sh!t that he had to pay for and they were as follows: -$57 for Reader's Digest magazine subscription -$9.90 for that thick book -$56 for every other thick book which they will send to my house every 10 weeks (the thick books belong to some Select Editions thing) There are maybe more that I am unsure of at this point in time. This is the email that I sent to them not too long ago.. Good day, I represent my father, Leong - - (subscriber of Account Number x-xxx-xxx-xxx-x) in this email and this email is typed from Leong - -'s perspective. However and regardless of my position as a minor, any allegation or criticism will still be born by me. I am one of those customers whom somehow signed up for Reader's Digest unknowingly for having misunderstood the terms and conditions laid by Reader's Digest (or rather attributed to the ambiguity of the terms and conditions which were buried within the heaps of letters which seriously gave me false alarms of me having won this particular incredible prize). But anyway, let's get to the main purpose of this email. 1. I would like to terminate my subscription to the Select Editions, as long as no conditions and penalties are attached to this action. Judging from the words as quoted from the letter of 'Closing notice for Golden Number issued above and transfer of S$10,000' - 'We will send you a new volume approximately every ten weeks for just S$56 with FREE postage and handling. If you ever decide that they're not a superb way of staying well-read (and well-informed) - just drop us a line to say so.' - I believe that I am not obliged to stay as a subscriber or the Select Editions. Hence, I will certainly appreciate the effort on Reader's Digest's part in terminating my subscription to the Select Editions - as long as I do not breach any of the terms set forth by Reader's Digest. 2. Questions on the billing of returned products. a. Will I be entirely spared from the bill of the product if I were to return the same product (reflected in the bill) to Reader's Digest? b. Are there any terms and conditions attached to the returning of products? (I.e. Penalty, return of Reader's Digest free gifts) c. What does the word 'products' encompass? Does it represent anything that is mailed to me by Reader's Digest - books, free gifts, magazines?) d. If I have the liberty to return products to Reader's Digest and have the bill for the products cancelled with no other conditions attached, can I do so with the postage costs paid by Reader's Digest, and how? (You know, postage costs are really unbearable nowadays especially for those from humble backgrounds.) These are all of the questions I have at this point in time. I hope none of them sound too atrocious or reflect my naivety and poor articulation as a teenager. Your effort to provide answers/explanations in accordance to the format above will certainly be appreciated. I am looking forward to a quick and concise reply. Thank you and have a good day! Yours truly, Leong - - Dunno if my way of inquiry sounds too childish.. First time sending this kind of email lah[laugh] The purpose of this thread is not to criticize Reader's Digest's marketing strategy or degrade their products by making them seem so unwanted (fact is that my family speaks Chinese at home and we don't really need the magazines and books), but just to send out a gentle reminder to fellow forummers to think and read thrice before taking any actions. Have a good day ahead

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singapor...nt.jsp?id=26878 Just take note of your valuables when you park your car at SLS. I thought that there are security guards stationed in the carpark? How come this can still happen?

cos the tint is too dark thats why they cut a hole? or is it the tint is very strong ie. better quality like those vkool types?

Home > ST Forum > Online Story Feb 21, 2008 " MUCH talk has gone on about transport woes and solutions in the last three weeks with great energy, ideas and discussion surfacing from the many writers writing in and participating on the web. Let me put together some views and a personal reflection from these collective thoughts. Motorist caught in a Catch 22 situation Let me quote Dr Lim Boon Hee (Feb 7): To avoid paying electronic road pricing (ERP) charges, motorists use collateral roads but once the latter becomes congested, another gantry is erected to speed up traffic. It appears we have a Catch 22 situation. This is a paradox in practice in which we become a victim regardless of the choices we make. In another case, we are encouraged to take the MRT through giving up our cars, and when we do that the MRT is already at its peak (http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_203506.html ), and we are 'left stranded on the platform'. Yet we are stuck with an ERP hike. The Emerging Consensus The views of Amos Toh (Feb 7) are indeed relevant: That our solution seems short term and that we are using the ERP to firefight. Let me quote him: Higher ERP charges would certainly result in immediate traffic improvement but the current situation may resurface in the long run if improvements to the public transport system are not made urgently. Chris Yong Yoon Kwong (Feb 6), as with several other e-contributors, recommends adopting a holistic approach in easing traffic jams. He reaffirms the need that the solution is not in using ERP hikes repeatedly but to work with other measures and facilities concurrently. Many online writers agreed. I concur. The solutions here is to look holistically with a set of initiatives, rather than looking at what was done last year that relieved the pressures somewhat, so we do the same this year (since it seemed to have worked), and so will it be the following year. Financial Stick Culture There is a strong agreement and dislike from several writers that Singapore seems to favour the 'financial stick than the carrot despite public transport still remaining a poor alternative to private cars', said one of the e-writers in ST Forum and being made to think it's for our own good. In my opinion, if this becomes an accepted value system and the financial stick is accepted as 'the way to go' in Singapore, we will soon find a gantry on every road. After all, it's 'easy money' from ERP, COE, ARF and what-have-you to build the next second generation gantry. Perhaps paying top dollars to an independent traffic/transport planning consultant to integrate the many initiatives and 'lost carrots' (see point below) may be a better use of this money than new gantries, GPS technologies, enforcement methods, etc; otherwise, we will one day find an ERP gantry at our doorstep. An ERP gantry at our doorstep? Can this happen? Think again, as what Hume Park residents found out as they rolled down Hume Avenue one morning. Turning right into Upper Bukit Timah Road, they were faced with a live ERP gantry, despite the lack of alternatives or MRT lines there. One resident commented after looking for alternatives.... 'Pay lah!' What can you do? It can happen to any estate or suburb. I raised this as an issue because it does seem a good example of a fast solution to a crowded road situation. If that's 'the way to go', we don't need to think much more for a better solution. What next? The ERP City (ST, Feb 9) Quote: >>'The next-generation ERP system is intended to have the capability to charge based on distance travelled along congested stretches of roads.' >>'A distance-based system will need to track movements of all vehicles accurately and that is where Global Positioning System (GPS) technology comes in.' Unquote Dr Chin Kian Keong Chief Engineer, Transportation Land Transport Authority e-Writers Comments: >>The truth is: ERP + GPS system = Driver pays more for new technology used that looks good and can claim some first in the world of traffic. >>Built-in speed trap function? >>Cost of business goes up >>Singapore, the driving circuit for the rich. >>Error in focusing solely on traffic engineering, rather than traffic management >>Hope we don't discover one day that frequent passing under these gantries' activating our IU units is not the cause of high incidence of cancer or infertility. Are all cities alike? This, too, has been frequently used to justify ERP hikes. London has an entry toll, New York is following us, and therefore we must be right, reinforcing the 'Village Venus Effect'. (see below) ... and justifying the ERP hike. I personally feel, we should be careful when using comparatives to expediently justify our actions as no two cities are alike. Nor should we stake our claim that we are so right that even New York or London follows us. Each city is unique and hardly the same. But since the cards have been opened, let me share my view. New York has 19 million people, traffic jams are common, and most are driven to public transport as a natural alternative. Despite their woes, they have yet become the top financial centre in the world. They never used the financial stick when they were smaller. We are 23% their size but use this as the first choice. Over the years, New York has developed some world-class transport infrastructures. The New York City Subway is the largest rapid transit system in the world when measured by the number of stations in operation, with 468. Its annual ridership is 1.4 billion passenger trips in 2005 and nearly all of the system remains open 24 hours per day. It has the longest suspension bridge in North America, the world's first mechanically ventilated vehicular tunnel, more than 12,000 yellow cabs, and an aerial tramway that transports commuters between Roosevelt Island and Manhattan. They may have something we can learn from in managing a gigantic city. Yet we only chose to say they will be taking up the financial stick like Singapore soon. If we look at Perth (hitting 2 million recently) free bus transport in and into the city has been in use for over five years. It has reduced the congestion somewhat. Their Park & Ride programme is so effective that they sometimes cannot find a spot to park. The pleasantly cool weather also allows for long walks to the trains. But the city sprawls out and thus, personal transport is more demanding as not all parts can be reached by public transport. They have problems different from Singapore. From the city centre to Joondalup suburb, just 26km north, is likely the distance from Singapore city centre to Woodlands, while the southernmost suburb Mandurah is some75 km away, doubling the length from Changi to Tuas at 42km. The city is one of the fastest growing in Australia with property prices equal to Sydney's. Another e-contributor mentioned that Texas uses an RF card with an encrypted code attached to the windshield with adhesive. When the car goes under the gantry, the ID of the RF card is read and funds deducted from an account held by the Toll Authority. One can easily update his funds by Internet via credit card or bank deduction. One may also have an 'auto-update' option. Melbourne has a somewhat similar system on a main highway but not the collateral roads. Singapore has a system but not the only one in the world. Other cities choose to approach their problems in different ways and uses fiscal means as a last resort or only on selected main highways, as in Melbourne, but with lots of collateral roads toll-free and allowing for some tolerance and market forces to manage these roads. It becomes a choice for them to choose a slower road for free or a faster one, the highway and pay the price. The 'Village Venus Effect' Is this where our problem lies? I believe many here feel we have a great ERP system. As a result it has caused planners to have the 'Village Venus Effect'. As highlighted by Edward De Bono, a very familiar name in Singapore, it is 'one of the errors hindering creative thinking'. He explains his story. Quote: Like the villagers who think that the most beautiful girl in the world is the most beautiful girl in their village, the thinkers began believing that there is no better solution other than that he has already found. This blocks creativity. Not only individuals but societies and even the whole mankind sometimes fall prey to this error. Unquote. The 'Lost Carrots' approach. Ideas gone unnoticed. In today's postmodernism era, the stick culture will draw people further away from the government. The carrot culture in responding to the postmodernist society on the other hand would seem more therapeutic and thoughtful, drawing people together to appreciate a common cause. These 'carrots' below are not exhaustive, but it leans towards being considerate, allowing for options, an offer of a helping hand to ease their woes, and thus, 'you' will be missing out on benefits and savings if you continue your old driving habits once these are in place. This would appeal to the people more and seem less arrogant. Let me elaborate. 1. Re-introduce the Park & Ride scheme with attached facilities Build multi-storey car parks above MRT lines or designated adjacent sites for Park & Ride commuters with sheltered and linked walkways, use of escalators and travellators, air-conditioned, so you don't sweat before reaching your office. A similar Park & Ride ex-Newton Circus scheme is doomed to fail unless proper underground walkways, aircon and planning routes to the MRT are designed into the plan. 2. 'Incentivising' Park & Ride Improving and 'incentivising' the Park & Ride schemes with very attractive rates or free for Park & Ride commuters parking for seven hours or more. They don't have to start at the same time but hundreds of cars will be off the roads and freeing up road space during each block. Short-term parking continues as normal. 3. Distribute parking loads >>Decentralise the Park & Ride locations to several stations. Charge less for Park & Ride locations farther away from the city to distribute parking loads >>Free MRT rides from these stations for Park & Ride commuters linked cards into the city to initially change behaviour patterns and make it worthwhile for drivers to make that switch or experience the cool convenience and savings for the 'Park & Ride-MRT' or 'Park & Ride-BUS' link. The latter to places in the city, not services by the MRT. 4. Review ERP Policy & Practices >>ERP rates could go up within the CBD when these alternatives arrive. >>The speed on collateral roads need not match the speeds of expressways proportionately and should allow people the choice of using the slower collateral roads or take the faster highways and pay the price. But with Park & Ride schemes and as a result many cars are off the roads, the collateral roads may not be so bad. >>Take a holistic approach and put money for an independent professional transport planner, free from any 'pressures' and past inhibitions to find the holistic solution with a mandate to integrate facilities and not find new fiscal measures and investments into new ERP/GPS technologies to curb and penalise usage. >>Let's shoot to be revenue neutral and put money from the ERP, COE and ARF, etc, back into the system like the Park & Ride scheme than building new infrastructure for ERP gantries, GPS research and implementation, speed monitors paired with ERP technology, enforcement methods, maintenance, etc. >>Focus on policies to change habit and 'carrotising' new behaviours, changing mindset than penalising old habits. 5. Other measures >>Working from home, with a government driven campaign to set the culture in place. Perhaps 40-50 per cent or more of executive level workers who drive spend the first hour or two of their workday dealing with e-mail. They could do this at home and come to office later without feeling guilty or victimised. Moreover, in this present technological age, with web cam and Skype, VoIP, etc, and with monitoring devices, it only takes a mindset change and identifying the criteria to qualify them for the scheme. Every little change will redistribute the traffic load. >>Staggered work hours, schools and timings to maximise transport resources. This has far wider implications. Let's put our best minds and talent pool to it. And I am sure more ideas can and will come up through organised meetings with the dedicated consultant with this mandate, and those who drive to work. These are ideas, motivators to change behaviour and provide alternatives collected from the ST e-Forum pages as well as personal ones, and will still need fine-tuning. They can work collectively but certainly not in isolation, nor having ERP working on its own. They are bold challenges and a major government decision that needs to be orchestrated, customised and adapted along the way with ideas and leadership from the talent pool in our government. I hope this letter might start the ball rolling. In Closing From the issues raised, it is good to reflect and ask 'Does the shoe fit, so far?' Which parts? Others might have different views from their on-the-road experiences that could be added on. Perhaps going back to the lost carrots can rekindle the rationale of reviewing an overall plan to integrate transport and relieve it of its woes, than to continue using the same hose on a growing fire. Or perhaps consider a transport planning specialist to overcome the 'Village Venus Effect' that can help 'sharpen the saw' and manage the problem more effectively. This is from an analogy of a woodcutter who kept dragging his saw through the tree trunk without making much progress till an outsider (a consultant in this case) suggested to him to stop and sharpen the saw. To which the woodcutter replied: 'Can't you see I am so busy. (...building a world class ERP city?). Where can I fine time to sharpen the saw?' In rounding up, lets 'begin with an end in mind' (Source: Stephen Covey) with regard to the outcomes we want, and work backwards to what we must do today. To be a world-class ERP city or .... To have a world-class integrated transport infrastructure that works. Whichever is the legacy we leave behind and be proud of, determines how we deal with the problem today. In closing, I wish to thank the many writers' comments whom I have adapted for this letter and my apologies for not seeking their permission first as I have no means to contact them. We can always 'meet' again on the web. " Rodney Wong Yu Hock RODNEY

Hi Bros, 1. Don't intend to get an ECU writer yet but looking at an ECU reader. 2. Any good one to recommend to me? I heard there are good one that can estimate your car's performance such as bhp and etc. Can an ECU reader be upgraded later to a writer without changing the hardware? Thank you. Regards,