Article in Wall Street Journal yesterday (2003.11.19) describe domestic helps in Hong Kong often include computer work as part of the domestic chores. Cleaning virus, uploading pictures, data entry are just part of the job. There are domestic helper specific computer classes offer at YMCA and other schools. It is a booming business. Hong Kong just have the smartest and biz savy people in the world...
Ghost in the Shell 2
From Slashdot, Ghost in the Shell 2
VIP
As I was leaving one of my favorite hotels in Singapore, I saw some kid of VIP reception at the entrance. All the staff were lining up (queuing up) outside. This lady got out of a mercedes. They proceeded to introduce everyone, handed her flowers, and more introduction. Being Singapore, it was English, Cantonese, Mandarin switching back and forth. The guest seems almost too gracous to be a movie star or something. After they went inside I asked the valet guy. She is the event planning from a major brokerage houses in Singapore. She could bring them a lot of business. Lesson learn, event planner could be a glamorous job!
Humidifier for Airplanes
Today's Wall Street Journal ran an article talking about the dry air on airplanes. The air's humidity can be as low as 10% according to WSJ. Technology is available to humify planes. The Swedish company CTT makes humidifiers for planes. Big commercial airlines are just not installing them. They should !
Convergent Products
I was cleaning out my notes and found the following piece of observation. Unfortunately I couldn't find the original source. If you are the author let me know! In japan, product designers tend to listen more to consumers ("the customer is God"), and rarely allow their egos or individuality to interfere with customer needs.
One way to make tech fashionable is to make it wearable.
Another reason for Japan's love of converged appliances is the combination of complexity and subtlety -- always a central theme in Japanese culture
A good converged product reflects both these elements. It can be complex in function, yet condensed so it's efficient in use and appearance."
Twilight Zone
I am sitting on an American Airline 777 on the way to Frankfurt. Looking at the movie list in business class. Nothing good to watch during dinner. Unusual. I flip through the channels anyway and noticed the movie Italian Job. I always wanted to see it. That was not on the list of movies in the program guide. Who cares. I started watching it. A fun clean movie. I recommend it.
After the meal the guy sitting next to me asked me how to turn to that movie. I thought he does not know how to use the system. I showed him. But on his screen he gets the movie listed in the guide. Strange. We realized that on my seat I have a completely different set of movies from everyone else.
I am not complaining. But he alerted the onboard staff. After the movie the staff came over and try to troubleshoot the issue. They insisted that there is only one tape for the entire plane and for that channel it is for a different movie. How can my seat gets something else? Twilight Zone moment....
My Dad is a genius
A household tip -- We were having family dinner Sunday evening. During cleanup time Dad offered this brilliant tip: Do you know how difficult it is to clean grease off plastic containers? Tuperware, etc? The trick is to use detergent and a dish cloth, not a spong. I tried this and it works perfectly -- I use a paper towel with detergent instead of dish cloth, so less cleanup. Try it. It works!
Starbucks Home Delivery
I signed up for Starbucks Home Delivery years ago. You get a pound of coffee in the mail every few months (or every month if you want). I never seems to use the all the beans before the next one arrives, so I decided to save some money and cancel the service. Funny enough, independently I got mail from Starbucks saying that they are discountinuing that service, and as a show of appreciation, or to get you into the store, they sent me a starbucks card preloaded with $12 for a pound of coffee. Very nice of them !
Softpro Burlington is Moving
A bit of local geek news -- One of the few technical book stores,Softpro at Burlington is moving, from their e-newsletter:
Softpro/Burlington will be moving to Waltham.
After 20 years in our current location, Softpro/Burlington is getting ready to move to Waltham.
Our new address will be 75 Third Avenue, at Exit 27A on 128/95. We will be in the 'Prospect Hill' building, across Third Ave. from the Westin Hotel. We'll be sending more details as the move date nears -- most likely in late August or early September.
For those of you in the Burlington area (and points north) who have been loyal customers for 20 years, we apologize if this is not quite as convenient as it has been. We have no choice but to move. Our lease is up and we can no longer afford to stay. By moving to Waltham we have sought a location that will be affordable to us and as easy-to-get-to as possible for you, our customers. As always, we appreciate your support.
t-mobile customer service
The Sony Ericsson T610 phone is now available at t-mobile. I went into a t-mobile store and they told me I can upgrade to it for only $250 since I am an existing customer. But they said it is easier to call customer service to get the phone sent to me. So I called. First rep said the phone is not available and he has never heard of it. First rule of customer service -- your reps should know and be interested in the market place. Anyone who watches the cell market would know about the T610. I asked to speak to someone else, and the usual long hold for the manager followed by a hang up occurred. I called back, got a different rep, which was nicer and explained that the phone is a few days new at t-mobile and it has not worked through the channels to make it available via customer service yet. She told me to try the stores. This is in direct contradiction to what the guy at the store said. At least she is nice about it.
metacongition, or the lack of
see this article
How can we help?
This is the phrase of the day/week/month/year/century. "How can we help?", "Help may I help you?", "What can I do for you"? Useful phrases to put users at ease?
my iPod, soon
Dell has informed me that my iPod has shipped and will get here next week. Is it good back Mini Disc? And which windows software should I use? I already own MusicMatch, and actually think it is an ok program. You have to wait for my review once I get the iPod. A side note -- for all those ebay transactions, shipping and packing materials from BubbleFast may be the solution.
Fairwell Denis
Today was a travel day. So to busy to know what's going on in the world. Picked up a UK newspaper in the airport lounge and found that Denis Thatcher just died. Flying through London though, there was not much attention paid to this news. I guess he is old news for England. Oh well. Here's a quote from him, looking back on his marriage at aged 80: "All I could produce, small as it may be, was love and loyalty" -- Sir Denis Thatcher.
Holding Mail
The United State's Postal Service is actually quite web enabled. You can issue hold mail request on the web (For certain zip codes) here.
The world according to Esprit
A recent Forbes article talks about the new Esprit, the clothing company. I did not know this, but the U.S. Esprit was going very badly, and eventually the independent Hong Kong based subsidary went public as Esprit Far east, then bought out the rest of Esprit. Then Michael Ying stepped aside and now Esprit is run by a Czech-born German, Heinz Krogner, has a Chinese-Canadian CFO based in HK, an American global retail manager, a Singaporean image director, and German wholesale manager. Krogner said "Five years ago, Hong kong was more Japanese, Europe was more dressed up,and America was sporty. But people have become more international. They travel, and their taste level has become more similar". At first I thought that was a good observation. But thinking about this more I would disagree. The more people travel, the more they would be expose to different styles. They may ended up select a style originated from a region that is not their base, but not necessary become homogenized. So if Esprit trys to use the same product line for the entire global market, maybe they will not make it after all.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is doing some pro active marketing to remind people what a wonderful place it is for business and pleasure !
Honda Commercial
Take a look at the cog commercial here. It is very cool.
Buffy no more
Well, last night marks the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I do wish Sarah Michele Gellar would continue to do the show. Until then, you can go buy some memorabilia from the show at ebay. Pretty smart move from UPN I thought. Or better still, pick up the series DVD first season, second season, third season, or preorder thefourth season. The XBox game is actually quite fun and easy.
TechTV's Screensavers site have some good links on Buffy. NY Times interview with Joss Whedon
Best line from the finale? Willow to Kennedy, on Buffy "Sweet girl, not too bright".
Universal Truth #92
Adding to the list of Universal Truth of living -- Do not smell the fish sauce. During dim sum at lunch today, we entered into a extended dicussion on why we love eating foods with fish sauce, but never, never, smell it straight up. Do you know how fish sauce is made?