Google Changes

Google _________.
Are you googling ________?
Do you ________ Google?
I googled ________.

Google is officially a word that has a meaning of its own (at least I think so).
HAHAHA!
From social network to cloud storage, it practically covers every thing an online user would ask for! :D
Some popular features of Google are Google search, Google translate, Gmail, Google Earth, Google Maps, and the list goes on!

Thinking back now, I realized that I will definitely cross paths with Google every single day. Hahahaha! :D
And I am grateful for its existence!! :D

Look at this pretty design! Heehee! :)

As we retain the perfect image of Google, it is interesting to know that Google has faced failures tooo!
Here's a quirky compilation of what this designer calls, Google Deaths. HAHAHAHAHHA!

With all these crazy innovation and creativity going on with Google, I would like to elaborate about 3 Google innovations which are amazinggggggggggggggg yet underrated!

A. GOOGLE SKY MAP 
Those stars above us have always been ambiguous and mysterious. And every time they say a particular planet would be visible from Earth and only occurs every century, I can never seem to find it among all those shining. BUT NOW I CAN!!! Thanks to this crazy app! :D

This video is a relatively comprehensive summary of its functions and abilities! :D But you still got to try it for yourself to feel its awesomeness! :D

B. Google AdSense

I don't run any business on my own, but I seriously feel so super tempted when I know that there's a really affordable and effective method of advertising!! 

ADSENSE ADSENSE ADSENSE 

C. Google Balloon. Also known as Project Loon :D

It is really really amazing because these Loon balloons would float in the stratosphere, and people can connect to the balloon network via an unique Internet antenna attached to their building! :D Signal transfers would occur between the antenna on Earth and the balloon network! :D 

For 2/3 of the world's population that does not have access to the Internet, this project is the deal!! 

It would be able to reach out to rural and remote areas, and provide a whole new experience for people who live there! :) 

Watch this video about Project Loon to learn more!!! :D 

"someday soon, everyone, really will mean, everyone" 

and this is how Google is changing the world. 

Our very own citizen journalism

When you think of Singapore's journalism industry, The Straits Times, The New Paper and TODAY would probably come to mind. ST is known to everyone because it is the only, main newspaper in Singapore. TNP is well known too, for its gossips and sensationalized news. Hahahhaha!

And of course TODAY, which is free, and feels like a smaller version of ST :D All three are good for some reasons and not so for others. Thanks to the Internet, Citizen Journalism comes along and begins to fill in the gaps of these journalism outlets. However, I wouldn't say CJ is all perfect either.

Forms of Citizen journalism in Singapore:

1. Personal blogs. One really really great example is Diane, a Singaporean who is currently based in Melbourne. One of her entries went extremely viral, for it was a crucial personal encounter of the plight of the elderly in Singapore. People were sharing, liking and commenting on Facebook, her blog and it was definitely a pretty huge thing for quite some time. Read the entry here! :) 
   


2. STOMP, The Real Singapore, The Online Citizen - these platforms focus on user-generated information, where anyone can submit information which they find are news-worthy or should be revealed. 
   
   
   
   
   
   


3. A platform for a cause. One close-hearted example is People We Remember. It is an initiative set up by my friend! :D and focuses on the theme of Lost. Individuals could submit their stories and it will be posted on this blog as how it was originally submitted. 
   

~

A Presidential speech on Youtube?

New media is changing our way of lives is crazy, unthinkable and unexpected ways. In just a span of a decade, this mad invention has impacted us so much that it has invaded almost every aspect of our lives. In context of Politics - which exists EVERYWHERE, IN EVERY COUNTRY, IN EVERY HUMAN LIFE IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER, it is changing tremendously due to Five Key Platforms.

1. Freedom to choose / Totally spoilt for choice!
2. Share it
3. LIKE IT
4. Connection connection and more connection

1.
With widely raved applications like Youtube, Google, Spotify, cable TV, app stores and so on, users have the ability to be selective. Similarly, users approach politics in the same manner. They only listen and watch what they would wanna know. Unlike in the past where politicians convey their messages across to the people via traditional methods such as radio, television, posters and flyers, politicans today have to realize that people have a taken a liking for the new media. They have to incorporate their messages and campaigns into what most people in the world are using today. Between having to sit down and watch an entire speech made by a candidate on the television versus watching a youtube video by a candidate who included tags (e.g. #gayrights #abortion) that are in line with your concerns, which would you be more willing to spend your time on? The first one where you do not know if he/she would matter to you or the second one where you know for sure that he/she would address your area of interest?

2.
This Share function may be just another button on your screen, but it should not be belittled! There billions of users on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr and so on, and these people simply love to Share, Retweet, Reblog. Today, we see political institutions like The White House and the US Labor Department which have Twitter accounts, and apparently it has 4.75MILLION and 157K Followers respectively. Moreover, they retweet each others' tweets too. Hahahhahahha!

In the local context, PM Lee also has his own Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts!!!!!!
And it's really interesting to stalk my own Prime Minister HAHAHHAHAHHA!!
It's nice to know that a significant figure like him is connecting to his people via these platforms. Like super cool to like a photo he posts on Instagram. HMMMMM okay naybe that sounds weird :P

Lets ignore the possibility that all these may be propaganda or filled with underlying motives, but look at how it is inevitable to eventually be part of New and social media, thanks to its rapid growth and enormous influence.

3. LIKING
Showing your support for a cause, decision, change or to conduct a poll becomes soooo easy and sooo convenient! :D Besides, it would be much faster and cheaper than making personal telephone calls.

4. Connecting with others has never been easier.
If you would like to create a political movement, protest, town hall meeting or basically to update  others of political events, new and social media is the way to go!~

Take for example the "CREATE AN EVENT" function in Facebook and Pink Dot 2014!
This event is really significant in Singapore and thanks to Facebook, it becomes sooo much simpler for organizers to invite people, spread awareness of the event and so on! :D

 



So we see that connecting to people has become sooo much easier. And politicians/political institutions have to weave their ideas and messages to fit into these platforms and reach out to more people across the world.

~

Augmented Reality X Singapore

Hi, good afternoon!
I've never witnessed augmented reality (AR) for myself in Singapore.

Ultimate confession hahahhaha!
So I was surprised to find lots of news coverage and ideas on AR when I googled it! :D

Here are some interesting events/ideas I found:

#1 WINTER WONDERLAND AT MARINA SQUARE
Firstly, Marina square is one of my longest favourite shopping mall hahhaha!! Korean bbq, yummy food court food, and the newest addition to my favourite list: LADY M. Delicious Green tea cakes mmmm. So in 2013, Christmas was a crazy wild experience for many @ Marina Sq!
People could actually immerse themselves in 3D AR of the North Pole! and see polar bears!!
I wished I knew about this hahaha!



#2 AR in Shopping. I repeat, shopping!!! hahahah! 
So cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This whole was based in the UK, so I guess Sg doesn't have it yet.



To be honest, I still cannot tell if someone looks good in an apparel, so this idea is not completely flawless. But it is fun hahhhaa! and definitely a new experience for shoppers. I wonder if they would take into account body type of an indidual,HEHEHE! :)

So, what is Augmented Reality??!
Fusing the real and virtual world by overlaying digital data on to the real-world analogue views. Anyone with a mobile phone or laptop with built-in video capability can augment and extend their reality with easy-to-use applications :D

How does Augmented Reality works?!??
It's like magic! Hahahahaha!~
Basically, it uses two approaches: Marker-based or Location-based

Markers work by having software recognise a particular pattern, such as a barcode or symbol, when a camera points at it, and overlaying a digital image at that point on the screen. If the image is three-dimensional or animated, the effect is of a digital experience unfolding on the surface upon which the pattern is printed.

Location-based applications use the ability of a particular device to record its position in the world and then offer data that’s relevant to that location: finding your way around a city, remembering where you parked the car, naming the mountains around you or the stars in the sky. 

What skills would you need to be the AR MASTER? 
☼     A mixture of advanced computer vision skills

      ☼     3D modelling - includes texturing, shading and rendering

      ☼     Desktop, web or mobile programming

      ☼     Preferred programming languages can vary according to the platform but are usually C++ and C#

      ☼     A passion for pushing the boundaries of new technologies

      ☼     Open to new research in the field 

What are some platforms for you to experiment AR? :)
DOWNLOAD LAYAR ON YOUR SMARTPHONE. RIGHT NOW. AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I MEAN. HEEHEE!~


Till then. Lets await for Augmented reality to seep into our lives :)

Find out more here! :)

Types of Cyber Crimes

A common, local and take-for-granted impression is: Singapore is safe. Apart from some MRT hiccups, haze and road accidents, Singapore is a safe country. 

Which is somewhat true, especially since the crime rate last year fell 4.3 per cent to 29,668 cases from 31,015 cases in 2012. This is a 30-year low in 2013!! This is definitely positive, though the negative part is 

According to the 2013 Norton Report, the average cost per victim was the highest in the world, at SGD$1448; this cost is almost 4X the global average at SGD$377. 

CHEATING CASES
Cheating cases include luring victims into making multiple payments for cheap smartphones or tablets after being informed by the "seller" of Customs mix-ups or delivery problems.

In 2012, there were only 14 such cases but in 2013, there were 231. About 2/3 of the victims are working professionals ranging from ages 20 to 39. 

In Singapore, there's a blog dedicated to list out scams and to warn people of them! 

http://scams-singapore.blogspot.sg/

INTERNET LOVE SCAMS 
They first surfaced in Singapore in 2008, with seven reported cases. There were 81 cases last year, up from 50 cases in 2012. Victims handed over a whopping sum of $5.8 million, up from $1.18 million in 2012.

Such cases are definitely avoidable, and very often people are tempted by how certain products or services are so much cheaper than the market prices. Hence, it is necessary to be aware of such crimes and the methods to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.

CYBER BULLYING - SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AND EMAILS

Another form of cyber crime occurs in conjunction to the rising use of social media like YouTube and Facebook. Such platforms are easily accessible to anyone, from kids to adults. As long as you know how to type and search for keywords, you can reach out to any videos or news on the Internet. 
One example of how an individual made a mockery of two Singaporeans via YouTube is this video below:


This video went viral and accumulated a total of 93000 views!! From the point of view of cyber bullying,  this clip is offensive and a violation of privacy. Just imagine how embarrassing it must be for both ladies.

Another video below depicts how this young teenager was bullied physically and online, so much so that she committed suicide.



Perhaps these crimes are considered to be a first world problem. But since we are aware that smartphones are everywhere and the Internet is so so sooooo easily accessible, it is necessary to be careful and take necessary precautions when we are out and during our daily use of the Internet.

Prevention is better than cure. 

***

http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/overall-crime-rate-falls-30-year-low

http://www.ida.gov.sg/blog/insg/featured/tackling-cyber-crime/

http://www.cybercrimejournal.com/Jiow2013janijcc.pdf

http://www.zdnet.com/sg/cybercrime-rate-in-singapore-dips-but-victims-losing-75-percent-more-7000021680/

An afternoon video

Good afternoon folks! Do enjoy the video I made with Malcolm (the dude on your left) below! :D



HAHAHHAA SO HOW WAS IT? :)
As much as it was embarassing for both of us, it was a crazy & fun process :D
And hopefully it made you smile ;)

The process of making this video is rather straightforward and simple. Perhaps cause it's a really simple video, as you can see. HEHE.

STEPS

1. Using my digital camera and the help of my bro, Sheng-he, we placed it on top of a biscuit box.
2. Adjust the camera such that the screen fits Malcolm and I nicely
3. Press START!!
4. filming in process
5. Press STOP!!
6. Transfer the video from my camera to my laptop
7. Open WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER and upload the video there
8. Add in a part for the Title
9. Add in a part for the Credits
10. Upload a piece of music from my laptop onto the WMM
11. Adjust the volume to make sure the music does not overpower our voices
12. Review the video a few times to ensure that it is smooth!
13. SAVE PROJECT AS ______ so that I can re-edit it if needed
14. SAVE MOVIE AS ______ so that I can permanently convert it to an actual MP4 video which can be posted on sites like Youtube
15. Log in to Youtube and upload the video. Fill in the necessary details such as the title of the video, tags, and category it belongs to.
16. Preview the video on Youtube to ensure that it streams smoothly! :)
17. Last but not least, I embedded it on my blog right here! :)

CHALLENGES

1. MAL'S FACE WAS CROPPED OUT OF THE SCREEN after I saved it permanently as a MP4 video =.=
2. I couldn't find a way to make the volume of the music louder initially and then let it fade out afterwards :(
3. The camera I used occasionally went out of focus on its own.

THINGS I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY FOR FUTURE VIDEOS

1. Provide more headroom during video taking. In other words, place the video further away from the subjects. This would ensure that a similar problem like cropping Malcolm's head away would not occur again! :)
2. Go to a quieter place to film. Since I would be placing the camera further away, and we cannot possibly speak much louder or that would sound like shouting, the next best option to ensure clear recording of our voices would be to film in a quieter environment.

So yep, I appreciate this chance to do this video and learn about areas I am unsure of! :D
Shall work on them.
TATA~

Why I am not so favorable of a digital education

Undoubtedly, Digital approaches to education has its benefits. From being able to 'attend class' in Starbucks with your favorite drink to saving the Earth cause you could reduce on transporting yourself to school and on paper for notes. Nevertheless, at this moment it seems to me that there is more harm than benefit in this method of learning.

#1 The Rise of Social Media 

Social media sites such as Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Pinterest are equivalent to a youth's haven. We find pleasure in chatting with friends online, and posting photos of our daily lives. We seek refuge in watching youtube videos in the comfort of our homes. With all these within a click away, how is a student going to concentrate? Suppose the lesson induces sleep and is really boring, other distractions such as scrolling through the news feed on FB or Twitter are definitely more attractive. 

Social Media Statistics 2013

#2 Becoming connected in an increasingly disconnect world 

Ironically. As we start to feel comfortable in front of our computers, we shy away from the awkwardness of meeting people face to face. We call less, write less, talk less and share less. We use short cuts, abbreviations, instant messaging and  status updates. We focus more ourselves and letting others know about us, us and us. We subconsciously forget that our online behavior is visible to everyone. On a personal and physical level, we are becoming increasingly disconnected. Therefore, imagine education becoming digitized. To me, I view education as a platform for individuals to learn from each other, make mistakes and to discover themselves; individuals could brainstorm, share their knowledge and grow together. Digitizing it does not enhance these aspects of education, in fact it neglects them. To discuss a topic online with my group mates, I am unable to see them and to understand them. Even if I work with them for a project, I will never understand them for who they are.

Over time, if everything allows for the Internet to be a medium, how would physical interaction play a role in our social life?

#3 There's so much information on the Internet. This has a few consequences. Firstly, we can click click and easily get information. We need not go through a tedious thinking process to understand a certain concept because there are bound to be others who have already simplified it for us. Therefore, there's almost no reason for us to practice our critical thinking skills! :( Whether the info is credible or not, that's another point, and another risk. As we are more susceptible to receiving and taking in information, some of them could be dangerous but unknown to us.

As a student, college life is not just alllll about education. I believe it is the nitty gritty details such as having lunch with my friends, whispering during lessons and chit chatting with my teachers that make it enjoyable and meaningful. However, a digitized learning environment only allows for such activities to happen virtually. 



Seriously?