Monday, August 18, 2008

Unethical Business

Vote and win for Iphone....
That was the attraction.
Send in one sms and stand a chance to win a sparkling Iphone.

This unscrupulous company in Singapore used this tactics to lure mobile phone users to giving away their numbers..

By sending the SMS as a vote to their database, the law allows them to send the user sms at $4 a month at no more than 10 sms sent each month.

This means they can earn up to $40 from each user without the user permission as the permission was granted the moment the user sent the VOTE SMS.

Attached is a copy of their fine print..

Wixawin is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any of the listed products or retailers. Trademarks, service marks, logos, (including, without limitation, the individual names of products and retailers) are the property of their respective owners This is an ongoing subscription service until user quits. This service operates according to the Singapore code of practice for SMS services. By sending an SMS to 72233, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the ‘Terms & Conditions’ and agree to be bound by these 'Terms & Conditions' To stop service? Text STOP to 72233. Subscription: Maximum 10 SMS questions per month, S$4 per question. Competition ends 31-12-'08 Age: 18+ only – obtain bill payer's permission Helpdesk: 6571 3999 Technical Service Provider: Sybase 365 Pte Ltd.

I urge everyone whom stumble across my blog to remind their friends and family..
Blog it, forum it, share it with others so they won't fall prey to this unscrupulous company that stoop to unethical tactics and charging for services which the user didn't opt for.

To stop their services, send "STOP" to 72233.
I hope the people whom work in this company die a painful and slow death for cheating young people. It's as good as those scammers sending out emails telling everyone they got tons of money in the bank and need someone from Singapore to help them unlock the bank etc etc.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Pause and Mourn a great passing

A great man borned 23rd Oct 1960.
In Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Pursued academic interests,
Not known to many except those whom he taught as a Professor.
Married with 3 young children,
Cancer struck.

During his treatment,
He wrote a book "The Last Lecture" where he gave advice to all,
Citing examples from his life as reference.
And taught all how to "Really Achieve the Childhood Dream".

His legacy will outlive the generations to come.
He passed on, battling pancreatic cancer for close to a year.
I dedicate this post to him.

I bought 2 copies of his book,
Because I misplaced one on the plane.
I hope the finder will benefit from his teachings and continue to pass on his legacy.

Death comes to us all.
But each and everyone's legacy lives on.

A book about life without religious context.
About living on, even in the last moments.

Thank you , Randolf Pausch.

Today is 12 August 2008
Time is 10:23 am

Randy passed on 25th July 2008.
http://www.thelastlecture.com/

Friday, August 01, 2008

National Birth Rate

Singapore has raised the issue with birth rate again.

Declining birth rates and how employers and national policies can help push for a high birthrate.

It has always been the over-successfulness of the 2 child policy in the 70s where the same government imposed a myriad of benefits and penalties of having the third and fourth child.

And so the idea got stuck with the nation. IT IS ONLY ENOUGH TO REPLACE OURSELVES. ie a couple give birth to a couple. Since then the same government has accelerated our economy to what it was today. The 2 child policy ensured that both parents can afford to work while retired grandparents look after their 2 children. At the same time, as both parents worked, they were able to provide the 2 children with quality education and afford better luxuries for themselves and their kids.

A World Class nation, with both adult members of the basic family cell working.
An accelerated economy that made the country became a developed nation in 20 over years.
The almost strongest currency in ASEAN.
The working class gotta account for some of the achievements above.

However, it has become an evil cycle.
As parents work harder to afford simple luxuries and better education for their children, they have inadvertently set the wheels of inflation into motion. Work harder, earn more, employers pay more for staff and inevitably raising cost of products to ensure business continuity.

Of course, this phenomenon is global. Better economy also means higher cost of living.
Simple luxuries such as owning a car becomes an expensive luxury.

I recalled about a decade ago, there was a speech given my Ex-PM, the father of the current Prime Minister. I vaguely remembered the details, but one sentence got stuck in my head for good. The statement he made was , "Singaporeans must be greedy!".

There were several articles and comments about that statement in all newspapers the following few days. And it is exactly this greed that ensured Singapore's continued strive for success.
And it was also this greed that made the nation worked harder to afford the desired luxuries such as owning a car and a private apartment. It is also this greed that made Singaporean employees more attractive to hire.

So here we all are now, consumed by our greed to strive for better jobs and better salaries so we can chase our dream luxuries...

The stress of the upwards spiraling economy coupled with the rising cost of living and transport.....HOW CAN WE HAVE A GOOD BIRTH RATE??

And encouraging the nation to be greedy, this somehow succeeded, many strived and manage to attain their desired luxuries, owning cars and private apartments. Now seeing that the nation can afford cars, even with its expensive costs, toll charges and insurance premiums are increased, making sure the nation doesn't slack by always increasing the cost of living a notch higher than what the working class can afford. Keeping us on our toes... HOW CAN WE HAVE A GOOD BIRTH RATE??


A greedy nation bred by a greedier administration. Again they are a notch higher in greed.
A recent report shown about 1000 people give up their citizenship every year.

I congratulate them on their escape.

Singapore is an island,
But I can safely say that it is not a resort.

FarBird's Wisdom

Farbird sez...


"If you are not earning money, then you must be spending money!"


Today is 1st August 2008.
Time is 0955 hrs.