Cross post Google+ posts to Twitter

About 2 weeks ago, I posted an article on using Agent G to do cross post from Google+ to Facebook and Twitter and updating Facebook from Google+ without extension. There is now yet another method to cross post from Google+ to Twitter but this time using ManageFlitter.

All ManageFlitter needs is you providing them with your Google+ profile URL and allowing Twitter account access. There is no need to include anyone agent/bot into a circle when making a post; what's needed is to make a post to Public (I see this as a limitation). The tool also provides an option to cross post only if #twt hashtag is included. Though ManageFlitter only does cross post to Twitter, there is always a workaround to get it to Facebook by using Selective Tweets but this means wasting yet another few characters in the limited 140 characters Twitter message space.

Related Readings:

• Publish Sync - Cross post Google+, Facebook, Twitter posts
• Agent G: Cross post from Google+ to Facebook and Twitter
• Update Facebook from Google+ without extension

Google +1 buttons to be 3 times faster

An update on the +1 button is going to make sharing 3 times faster.

First, we’ve begun to roll out out a set of changes that will make the button render up to 3x faster on your site. No action is required on your part, so just sit back, relax, and watch as the button loads more quickly than before.

In addition to the improvements made to the button, we’re also introducing a new asynchronous snippet, allowing you to make the +1 experience even faster. The async snippet allows your web page to continue loading while your browser downloads the +1 JavaScript. By loading these elements in parallel, we’re ensuring the HTTP request to get the +1 button JavaScript doesn’t lead to an increase in your page load time. For those of you who have already implemented the button, you’ll need to update the code to the new async snippet, and then you should see an overall improvement in your page load time.

To generate the new async snippet, simply visit the +1 Configuration Tool.

» The +1 Button: Now Faster | Google Webmaster Central Blog

Should you be buying Google +1's?

Soon after Plussems started selling Google +1's, many went into buying Google +1's. The question on should we be buying Google +1's soon come into the picture.

In my opinion, I feel buying them is not advisable because seeing hundreds of +1s a week but none the next is not going to help.

Buy Google Plus 1's

Like that also can?!?!

A new search engine optimization firm called Plussems is offering package deals on Google +1 button clicks. Plussems, which is owned by SEOShop.biz, is selling 50 clicks for $19.99, 250 clicks for $69.99, and 2,000 clicks for $359.99.

According to Plussems,

1. All +1′s come from people with a google account that has been verified by phone (Phone Verified Accounts)
2. All +1′s come from real people. No bots are being used!
3. All +1′s are being given by manually going to your website and clicking the +1 button
4. It’s untraceble because the +1′s are being given from different IP’s
5. All +1′s are given dripped over a couple of days so it looks natural

Microsoft creates "Gmail Man" to encourage moving from Gmail to Office 365

Microsoft created a character called the "Gmail Man", acting as a postman who reads people's mails and does not care about privacy in a purpose to coming out with targeted ads. This is an attempt to convince businesses to choose Office 365 instead of Google Apps. Google moving in on its rival's turf as it picks up enterprise email business with Gmail at the expense of Microsoft Exchange must have got the Redmond crew "hot".

This video could be a response to Gmail's Email Intervention campaign.

Facebook for Business

Facebook launched a new microsite to educate how Facebook can be used to improve a business. Do visit Facebook for Business if you are looking to extend your business coverage.

Gmail Email Intervention - Getting your friends to move to Gmail

Google Gmail has staged a marketing campaign on its Gmail - Email Intervention, trying to move users from other platforms e.g. Microsoft Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail to Google Gmail.

Email Intervention provides 3 email templates that can be used as the email body for the intervention email blaster.

1. Straightforward: I'm here to help

I’m writing this note in order to help you. I know you’re still comfortable with your old email program, but I’d like to invite you to try Gmail -- I’m pretty sure you’ll like it better. Gmail has world-renowned spam protection and innovative features that help you filter your mail, get to important messages more quickly, and search your entire mail history in seconds. You can even do cool stuff like video chat or call phones directly from your inbox.

All you have to do is have the courage to make the change, and I’m here to help. Are you ready?

2. Concerned: I'm worried about you

I’ve been your friend for a long time, so please know that when I say this, I am saying it from the heart.

I’m worried about you. Year after year goes by and you’re still using that outdated email program. I can’t sit idly by and watch how this is affecting you and those around you, so I’m staging an email intervention and I’m committed to helping you make the switch to Gmail.

Think about it: is there any good reason not to enjoy superior spam protection, instant search, nested conversations and cool stuff like video chat or the ability to call phones directly from your inbox?

So I say to you, bluntly but lovingly: I realize change can be scary, but it’s time to switch to Gmail. Do it for me, do it for everyone else in your life, but most importantly, do it for yourself.

I believe in you.

3. Outraged: You're embarrassing me

If you had something stuck between your teeth or tissue paper stuck to your shoe, you’d want me to tell you, right? Well, today I have to speak candidly to you about something even more embarrassing: your email address.

Yeah, I said it. It’s time to give up that email service you got when you first discovered the Internet and make the switch to Gmail.

I mean, think about it. Everyone else has tons of storage, instant search, nested conversations, even cool tools like video chat and the ability to call phones directly from your inbox.

Everyone but you, that is.

Seriously. I’m sorry its come to this, but you’ve left me no choice but to stage an intervention. Trust me, I’m doing you a favor. You don’t really want to be the only one who just doesn’t get it, do you?

No. You don’t. You really don’t. Time to suck it up and switch to Gmail.

Staging an intervention is simple:

1. Visit emailintervention.com
2. Sign in and automatically identify who from your contacts has yet to make the switch, or just enter a friend’s email address manually
3. Choose from one of three intervention message templates (“straightforward”, “concerned” or “ embarrassed”), and add your own intervention video if you’d like
4. Send a customized email and follow up as needed

Start your Email Intervention now!

» Save your friends from outdated email—help them switch to Gmail | Official Gmail Blog

Gmail Snooze with Apps Script

Google Apps Developer Blog published a snippet of code on that will help users "snooze" specific emails in Gmail, removing them from the Inbox and bringing them back for reading later.

What is Gmail Snooze?

One feature that some of us really wanted was for Gmail to let you “snooze” an email. Snoozing means archiving an email for now, but having it automatically reappear in the inbox at some specified time in the future. With Apps Script you can extend Gmail to add this functionality and a lot more yourself.

How to set it up?

1. Go to Google Docs and create a new spreadsheet, then choose "Script editor" from the "Tools" menu.

2. Save the spreadsheet.

3. Paste the following code snippet in the "Script editor".

var MARK_UNREAD = false;
var ADD_UNSNOOZED_LABEL = false;

function getLabelName(i) {
  return "Snooze/Snooze " + i + " days";
}

function setup() {
  // Create the labels we’ll need for snoozing
  GmailApp.createLabel("Snooze");
  for (var i = 1; i <= 7; ++i) {
    GmailApp.createLabel(getLabelName(i));
  }
  if (ADD_UNSNOOZED_LABEL) {
    GmailApp.createLabel("Unsnoozed");
  }
}

function moveSnoozes() {
  var oldLabel, newLabel, page;
  for (var i = 1; i <= 7; ++i) {
    newLabel = oldLabel;
    oldLabel = GmailApp.getUserLabelByName(getLabelName(i));
    page = null;
    // Get threads in "pages" of 100 at a time
    while(!page || page.length == 100) {
      page = oldLabel.getThreads(0, 100);
      if (page.length > 0) {
        if (newLabel) {
          // Move the threads into "today’s" label
          newLabel.addToThreads(page);
        } else {
          // Unless it’s time to unsnooze it
          GmailApp.moveThreadsToInbox(page);
          if (MARK_UNREAD) {
            GmailApp.markThreadsUnread(page);
          }
          if (ADD_UNSNOOZED_LABEL) {
            GmailApp.getUserLabelByName("Unsnoozed")
              .addToThreads(page);
          }          
        }     
        // Move the threads out of "yesterday’s" label
        oldLabel.removeFromThreads(page);
      }  
    }
  }
}

4. Save script.

5. Execute setup() function from Run → setup menu. This will create the Snooze labels.

6. Setup a new trigger from Triggers → Current project's triggers menu, choosing the moveSnoozes() function, a "time-driven" event, "day timer," and then "midnight to 1am".

7. Save everything when done.

There are a whole load of services available Google Apps Script can do e.g. Calendar, Mail and Maps.

» Gmail Snooze with Apps Script | Official Gmail Blog

PRC video parody on Singapore disgraceful and certainly distasteful

The student who posted a video parody about Singaporeans has attracted the attention of foreign media. The student is believed to have returned (escaped) to China after his expulsion on the grounds of "gross misconduct".

As quoted on New Asia Republic,

A police report was lodged against Mr Wang Peng Fei on 24th July 2011 for allegedly uttering racist remarks against Singapore women in a self-made video clip posted on YouTube. After learning about the police report, Mr Wang fled Singapore and returned to China. He was also expelled by the East Asia School of Business for his act. Appended below is the translated transcript of the video clip.

The offensive video is as follows:

Appended below is the translated transcript of the video clip.

They say coming to Singapore is the f**king path to good fortune. Why is it the f**king path to good fortune?

You sign an indenture to sell yourself. Sometimes you sign away six years of your life, sometimes three. You graduate and you can’t leave. Aren’t there cases like that?

Is electricity free here? It’s sweltering outside and one wishes one could be topless but they wear sweaters at the drop of a hat. Here, they wear quilted jackets to the office. They wear a downcoat when it’s 32 degrees Celcius. Come see if this is the case in Singapore.

Singlish is a language on its own. For over 20 years, I have studied English, Chinese, Japanese and French and I can’t use any of those languages here. Mandarin, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka, Hokkien, Indian, Malay and English have all been combined into a unique language [in Singapore].

Over here, they don’t say someone is plump or someone is tall. Instead, they say that he is “dazhi” (big-sized).

They don’t say “gongzuo” (working) but insist on saying “zuogong” (do work). They ask you every day, where do you “zuogong”? I’m a person of culture for heaven’s sake. I’m not a coolie. I don’t “zuogong”.

They don’t call sea snails “hailuo” but call them “lala”…no they call them “gonggong”. They don’t call clams “xiazi” but call them “lala”. [In China,] father is called “gonggong” and mother is called “lala”. How can I eat them?

They pronounce 3 as “tree”. The say “one, two, tree”. Just like how we say “chuiling”.

Instead of calling 3:10 “sandian shifen”, they call it “sandian lianggezi”.

[short indecipherable sentence]

When you take the MRT, you ask them “Where’s the subway?” and they think you want a sandwich. You must ask “Where’s the MRT?”.

Is this the first time I’m in a foreign country? When I want a taxi I ask for a “dishi” and nobody understands me. They tell me it’s called a “deshi”. F** that.

And when you finally board the “deshi”, the “deshi uncle” asks you: Where are you from? You are from China? China is poor. Do you have houses there? Do you get enough to eat? F*** that. Did your grandfather not come from China? He probably came to Nanyang to be a coolie. No wonder you say “zuogong” instead of “gongzuo”.

Can’t you see that I am so “dazhi”? Love is forever, being plump is just a temporary thing. I want to become the ray of light shining on all the fatties of the world.

Singapore is like a little United Nations. On this small island are people of different skin colours and different faiths. Here’s a fair-skinned girl showing her long slim legs. There goes a dark-skinned girl showing her white teeth. There comes an Indian girl showing her fingers [unclear section]. They have that smell and then they put on perfume. Am I right?

I say to the Malay girl. Why are you so dark? So…what is this…[checks something next to screen] Why are you so dark, with such pale legs, such white teeth, and you smell of birds? Perhaps you’re just good for bearing children. You have one, and then another. Are you unsure of your childbearing ability unless you go out with at least four children in tow? You’re giving the Lee dynasty a headache don’t you know? The Chinese here don’t even have one child, and over there, you’re bearing one child after another.

Although Singapore has many races, you should know how to co-exist peacefully. They cane people here, but it’s not S&M. You may be M but you won’t be able to take it. The first stroke breaks the skin, the second breaks the flesh, the third reveals your bone and by the fourth you’re all helpless.

Cigarettes in Singapore are ten times the price of other places. Let’s not talk about this for now but can you please change the photos printed on the cigarette packs? If it’s not rotting body parts, it’s dead babies. Even non-smokers get turned off looking at this.

As for the good food in Singapore…f’**k that. When I want sliced fish soup, I have to choose from 48 possible combinations. With milk or without? Thick vermicelli or thin? Flat noodles or skinny ones? Extra fish slices or fish head? Have some chicken rice. You can have chicken rice, duck rice, char siew rice or braised pork rice. Breast, drumstick or thigh? With bone or without? I’ll starve to death before I finish ordering. But Singapore is such a pluralistic society.

Wahlau! It’s really hard being a Chinese newcomer in Singapore.

» Did PRC ‘talent’ really insult Singaporeans? | New Asia Republic

McDonald’s buy 1 get 1 FREE 1-for-1 Chicken McGrill Sandwich

McDonald is running a buy 1 get 1 FREE promotion on its Chicken McGrill Sandwich.

From 29 Jul to 8 Aug, buy any Chicken McGrill Sandwich and flash this the above e-coupon to get your FREE Chilli Chicken McGrill.

Make multiple calls in Gmail

According to the official Gmail Blog, their new multi-call capability allows you to put callers on hold with Gmail's phone service, picking up another call at the same time. This is not a conference call feature but rather, it is more like a call-waiting feature.

If you’re in a call and make a second one, your first call will be put on hold while you talk on your new call. You can switch between calls by pressing the “Resume” button on the call you want to talk on, which will automatically put the previous call on hold.

Gmail Multiple Calls

» Make multiple calls in Gmail | Official Gmail Blog

Google Translate New Look

Google Translate New Look

Google Translate is the latest Google service spotted with a new design based on Google+. Gmail, Calendar and Blogger are some other Google products that were revamped earlier.

Google Labs Discontinued

Google has announced that Google Labs is to be discontinued.

While we’ve learned a huge amount by launching very early prototypes in Labs, we believe that greater focus is crucial if we’re to make the most of the extraordinary opportunities ahead.

The closure of Google Labs is the end of the era, but it doesn’t spell the end of 20% time.

» More wood behind fewer arrows | Official Google Blog

Update Facebook from Google+ without extension

I posted a method to using +Agent G to perform cross post from Google+ to Facebook and Twitter earlier. However, the former method requires granting permission to Facebook or/and Twitter.

There is yet another method - making use of the unique Facebook mobile email address which all Facebookers will have.

Step 1: Find out your unique Facebook mobile address.

Go to http://www.facebook.com/mobile/. This email address would look like this xxxxx@m.facebook.com.

Step 2: Create a new Circle and include the noted email address.

Step 3: Cross post!

Now just post as you normally would but include your newly created circle in the post and check the notify by email checkbox. With this option set, Google+ will send an email to the @m.facebook.com email address, thus eventually making a cross post on your Facebook.

NOTE: It seems only the first 50 characters get posted on Facebook.

» How to Update Facebook From Google+ (Without Using an Extension) | But Seriously...

Related Readings:

• Publish Sync - Cross post Google+, Facebook, Twitter posts
• Agent G: Cross post from Google+ to Facebook and Twitter
• Cross post Google+ posts to Twitter

Agent G: Cross post from Google+ to Facebook and Twitter

It is possible to sync your Google+ posts to Twitter, Identi.ca and Facebook without having to install extensions. This works by simply sharing your post with +Agent G. To do that, simply follow instructions from here.

I have successfully bridged the link and tested it to work. Enjoy!

» Sync Google+ to Twitter, Identi.ca and Facebook | +Agent G

Related Readings:

• Publish Sync - Cross post Google+, Facebook, Twitter posts
• Update Facebook from Google+ without extension
• Cross post Google+ posts to Twitter

g.co to be official URL shortcut for Google websites

As of today, Google will start using a new shortened url - g.co, to promote Google websites. g.co works differently as compared to a long-time goo.gl cousin, latter used as a url shortener to compress any long hyperlinks.

The shorter a URL, the easier it is to share and remember. The downside is, you often can’t tell what website you’re going to be redirected to. We’ll only use g.co to send you to webpages that are owned by Google, and only we can create g.co shortcuts. That means you can visit a g.co shortcut confident you will always end up at a page for a Google product or service.

There’s no need to fret about the fate of goo.gl; we like it as much as you do, and nothing is changing on that front. It will continue to be our public URL shortener that anybody can use to shorten URLs across the web.

According to TechCrunch, in general single letter domains costs more than $1.5 million. Google isn’t the only company to use .co as its official URL shortener. Twitter obtained t.co last year to improve how links are shared and secured on its platform.

» g.co, the official URL shortcut for Google websites | Official Google Blog

Burger King $1 CROISSAN'WICH

Be one of the first 200 customers to present the BURGER KING® $1 CROISSAN’WICH ®advertisement and purchase the CROISSAN’WICH® Turkey Ham at just $1!

Promotion starts from 21 - 25 July 2011.

Hitler Learns of Google Plus

Something light.

Microsoft Hotmail adds "My friend's been hacked" feature

Microsoft has just beefed up its free web-based email Hotmail security with new features that make it easier to report hacked email accounts.

The next time you receive an email from a friend but realised it in fact is not sent from him after opening it, you can flag this to Microsoft by clicking on the “My friend’s been hacked!” on the “Mark as” menu.

Once the account is flagged as compromised, two things happen:

• First and foremost, the account can no longer be used by the spammer.
• When your friend attempts to access their account, they’re put through an account recovery flow that helps them take back control of the account.

Apart from the "My friend's been hacked" security feature, Microsoft has also made it harder for users to set easily hackable passwords to begin with. Common passwords like "password" and "123456" are no longer permitted. According to Microsoft, this new feature will be rolling out soon. If you're already using a common password, you may, at some point in the future, be asked to change it to a stronger password.

» Hey! My friend’s account was hacked! | The Windows Blog

Make Google+ looks like Facebook

Using a bit of CSS magic, designer Fabio Giolito has created a theme that turns Google+ into a dead-ringer for Facebook. The theme is installable as a userstyle userscript or as an add-on for the Chrome/Firefox plugin Stylish. Internet Explorer and Opera users can also install the script, which alters the design of Google+ to mimic the colors and layout of Facebook.

I personally would prefer to keep Google+ original interface.

» Make Google+ Look More Like Facebook | Mashable

UFOs spotted flying from Arizona giant dust cloud (haboob)

Two disc-shaped objects were seen flying through a massive dust cloud (haboob) that struck the US state of Arizona in a small town of Mesa last week on July 6. They were caught by one CNN News helicopter.

Source: The Straits Times [via]

The glowing orbs fly just ahead of the storm, before one ascends to the top of the cloud wall. Just before it moves out of the frame, the flying object appears to grow and change shape, with a ring of light appearing around it.

» UFOs fly out of giant haboob | The Sun

Getting the Google+ Feed for any profile in JSON

It is possible to get feeds from any Google+ in JSON, provided the feeds are opened to public.

For example,

https://plus.google.com/_/stream/getactivities/?&sp=[1,2,"109412257237874861202",null,null,10,null,"social.google.com",[]]

Courtesy of a post published here.

Google Takeout - Export Google+, +1s, Buzz, Contacts, Circles, Picasa, Profile, Stream

Using Google Takeout, it is possible to export the pages you have +1s as a html file, your Buzz, contacts, Circles, Picasa, Profile and Stream. Google Takeout is an effort by the Google's Data Liberation team.

Try Google Takeout now.

Google+ Cheat Sheet - Tips, Tricks & Shortcuts

The following are taken from this blog.

4 Ideas To Improve IIS & .NET For Technical SEO

The Search Engine Land has published an insightful article on tips to improve Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for IIS & .NET. It is worth a read.

» 4 Ideas To Improve IIS & .NET For Technical SEO | Search Engine Land

Google Docs support viewing of ZIP and RAR files

Google Docs has added support to view ZIP and RAR files in their Google Docs Viewer. The viewing is extended to nested ZIP and RAR archives that are embedded inside other archives. Files in the archive, the file types, and the size of those files will be shown during viewing.

Viewing of Archive

On top of that, Google Docs has added support to save, download and print files.

When you hover over the list you can activate a menu by clicking Actions. You’ll be able to View items supported by Google Docs Viewer and Print (PDF) those that we offer PDF support. Save to Google Docs and Download appear for all files.

Actions Menu

To test this feature, Google Docs has put up a ZIP file.

» ZIP and RAR support now available in the Google Docs Viewer | Google Docs Blog

Google News - Read More and Get Badges

Google on Thursday introduced Google News badges for voracious readers of various sorts of stories aggregated by the search giant on Google News.

Starting today, in the U.S. edition of Google News, you can see how voracious a news reader you are by earning Google News badges as you read articles about your favorite topics. The more you read, the higher level badge you’ll receive, starting with Bronze, then moving up the ladder to Silver, Gold, Platinum and finally, Ultimate.

To get started with badges, visit Google News from a signed-in account with web history enabled and then visit this page on our Help Center for instructions.

» Shareable Google News badges for your favorite topics | Official Google Blog

Dr Tony Tan on Mr Tan Jee Say's candidacy for the Elected Presidency

Bing catching up with Yahoo but still third behind

According to latest comScore figures, Microsoft search engine Bing gained grounds in the area of Search, not at the expense of Google but rather, on Yahoo!.

Explicit search, June 2011 (doesn’t include image/contextual/Google Instant)

• Google: 65.5% (essentially unchanged from May)
• Yahoo: 15.9% (essentially unchanged)
• Bing: 14.4% (up from 14.1% in May)

Core search, June 2011

• Google: 64.5% (up from 63.3% in May)
• Yahoo: 17.5% (down from 19.6% in May)
• Bing: 14.1% (up from 13.1% in May)

» Bing Hits All-Time High Market Share, But Isn’t Taking It From Google | Search Engine Land

McDonald’s 1-for-1 Chocoloate Melts (Buy 1 get 1 FREE)

McDonald’s 1-for-1 Chocoloate Melts

McDonald’s latest promotion 1-for-1 Chocoloate Melts (Buy 1 get 1 FREE) is valid from 15 to 19 July 2011 on all hours except during breakfast. It is based on availability.

New Android Market Adds Ebooks and Movie Rentals

Google has begun rolling out a new Android Market app to give you new ways to find great applications and games, purchase books, and rent movies. This new Android Market will be available on phones (Android 2.2 and higher) in phases.

It seems the ebooks and video rentals option may be available only in the U.S. for now.

As quoted from Google Mobile Blog,

You’ll be delighted to find we’ve overhauled Android Market to make it faster, easier, and more fun to discover great apps, movies, and books. We’ve created more space to feature some of the most interesting content of the week on the home page. We’ve added more top charts, with newer, more relevant items, and we’ve made it easy to swipe through these charts as you browse the store. We’ve also introduced new collections of great content, like staff picks and Editors’ Choice apps.

» A new Android Market for phones, with books and movies | Official Google Mobile Blog

Facebook + Skype vs Google+ + +1

Hilarious!

You may also be interested in another post - Angry Google+ Bird.

NDP 2011 Fun Pack Song - "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga

The complete lyrics of the Fun Pack song can be found here.

The Fun Pack Song Ultimate Survival Challenge! (10 Minutes of Horror)

The Fun Pack Song (Acoustic Version)

Osama watches NDP Fun Pack Song

The Animated Funpack Song!

Hitler reacts to "The Fun Pack" song dislikes

Angry Google+ Bird

» 一張圖講完Google+的皇圖霸業 | BillyPan 的部落格@台灣部落格協會

Infographic: Google+ vs. Facebook

Here is an infographic extracted from Technobombs.com How Google+ varies from Facebook in each field such as Privacy, Chat service, friends management etc.

Source: Technobombs.com

KFC Malaysia Video Scandal

The following 2 immediate videos showed staff members of KFC Malaysia tampering with the food while preparing it. These videos had resulted in disgust among the Malaysians.

Director of KFC Malaysia response to the video scandals

» KFC Malaysia staff in scandalous videos | Yahoo! News

Single Sign-On (SSO)

A rather easy to read and understand article on implementation of Single Sign-On (SSO).

Gmail allows you to pick your favourite inbox style

Over the coming weeks, Gmail will be rolling out several new inbox styles to help you manage your mail in the way that works best for you. You can easily choose a style from the tabs at the top of your inbox:

Tabs at the top of inbox

The several inbox styles are as such:

• Classic - This is the default inbox style most people are used to. In the Classic inbox, messages are ordered chronologically, with your most recent email at the top.
• Priority Inbox - Important and unread messages appear at the top of your inbox, then starred messages, then everything else. Each section can be customized further, so you can create your own inbox style.
• Important first - This style puts important mail at the top of the page (both read and unread messages). Everything else is in its own section at the bottom of your inbox. You may have noticed that we turned on importance arrows for everyone a few weeks ago; this inbox style separates messages with these arrows from those without.
• Unread first - Simple: unread mail at the top; everything else at the bottom.
• Starred first - Starred messages at the top; everything else at the bottom.

After you've settled on a style you like and used it for about a week, these tabs will go away, You can always change your inbox style from the drop down menu next to the Inbox label or from the Settings page.

Inbox styles selection from the left

» New! Pick your favorite inbox style | Official Gmail Blog

YouTube Cosmic Panda - New Black User Interface

YouTube has released a new interface code-named Cosmic Panda, showcasing black player's controls. On top of that, video thumbnails are spotted to be slightly bigger and playlist a complete makeover.

YouTube new Cosmic Panda UI

The new interface can be enabled and disabled at http://youtube.com/cosmicpanda.

YouTube Video "Fun Pack Song" modified from Lady Gaga "Sweet Romance" taken offline

The YouTube Video "Fun Pack Song" modified from Lady Gaga "Sweet Romance" was taken offline after being found out to have flouted copyright.

A visit to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoExTn7PC2E gives the following:

But then we still have the Animated version if you want.

The Animated Funpack Song!

The highly talked about Fun Pack Song modified from Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance". Yes, that's the one supposed to be used for Singapore National Day Parade (NDP) 2011 but was dropped after flouting copyrighting laws.

Animated Version

Thank god that this song was not going to be used and give countries all over the world for an embarrassing mockery.

Google Maps 5.7 for Android supports downloading of map

Google Maps 5.7 for Android has a few new tricks in stall and one of them is the ability to mark an area on a map and download for viewing offline.

But what if you don’t have a data signal, or you’re abroad and don’t have a data plan? We say that if you use Google Maps for mobile, you’ll never need to carry a paper map again. The “Download map area” lab in Google Maps 5.7 for Android is a step in making that statement true even when you’re offline.

Google Maps will download the map area within 10 miles (16.09 kilometres) of the selected location and outline it, saving only the base map tiles and the landmarks on the map, so you still need a data connection to see satellite view and 3D buildings, search for Places and get directions.

Left: Status screen for download. Right: Coverage of downloaded map area

All your downloaded map areas can be managed in your Google Maps cache settings so you can delete maps you no longer need or if you want to free up storage. After 30 days, all downloaded map areas will be removed from your cache; they can be re-downloaded any time.

» “Download map area” added to Labs in Google Maps for Android | Official Google Blog

Google Maps - Offline Map

Probably the most useful new feature is buried inside Google Maps Labs: on-demand maps caching. Tap the "menu" button, select "More" and then "Labs". Enable "download map area", long press on the map around the area you want save, tap on the bubble and select "Download map area". Google Maps will download the map area within 10 miles (16.09 kilometers) of the selected location and outline it. This feature only saves map tiles, so you won't be able to see satellite imagery, Street View images or get driving directions while offline.

The 10 miles limit can't be changed, but at least you can manage your downloaded maps. Use the "Cache settings" option from the menu and select "Downloaded map areas". You can rename map areas, delete them and quickly visualize them.

Download latest Google Maps for Android here via the Android Market.

» Offline Maps and Transit Navigation in Google Maps for Android | Google Operating System

Google Maps 5.7 for Android introduces Transit Navigation (Beta) and more

Google Maps 5.7 for Android have recently added Transit Navigation (Beta) with updates on access to directions, better suggested search results and a photo viewer to Place pages—all of which can help you whether you're traveling to an unfamiliar part of town or visiting a city across the world.

Transit Navigation (Beta) brings GPS guided stop-by-stop directions to over 400 cities around the globe. Using your location along the route, Transit Navigation will alert you when its time to get off at your destination or to make a transfer. Transit Navigation (Beta) requires a phone with Android 2.1+ and the latest update of Google Maps for mobile.

» Google Maps 5.7 for Android introduces Transit Navigation (Beta) and more | Official Google Blog

NDP 2011 (Fun Pack Song, "Bad Romance" - Lady Gaga) - With Lyrics

Lyrics of "Fun Pack Song"
By: Haresh Sharma

Oh o o o o o o o o
Time for the fun pack song
Oh o o o o o o o o
We like the fun pack song
Let's start with the bag
That's right, grab your bag
It's the fun pack bag
Attack the fun pack

(REPEAT)

Hold up your flag, don't you forget
You can wave it if you feel like it
Let's wave the flag
Wave wave wave
Let's wave the flag
Take out your light stick, it's two of a kind
It's interactive, means you can join
Just pretend
Oh oh oh... It's a disco

(SPOKEN)

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a wet, wet tissue

I want Newater and I want a cold drink
You and me, let's share a bit
I want a biscuit and I want a sweet
You and me, let's share this treat

Kopi-O o o o o o o o o
Time for the fun pack song
Kopi-O o o o o o o o o
We like the fun pack song

Let's start with the bag
That's right, grab your bag
It's the fun pack bag
Attack the fun pack

I want Newater and I want a cold drink
You and me, let's share a bit
I want a biscuit and I want a sweet
You and me, let's share this treat

Kopi-O o o o o o o o o
Time for the fun pack song
Kopi-O o o o o o o o o
We like the fun pack song

Let's start with the bag
That's right, grab your bag
It's the fun pack bag
Attack the fun pack!

How to obtain a shortened Google+ profile URL?

Google+ profile URLs are pretty long and cumbersome and they certainly do look crappy.

Gplus.to is a little web app that’s essentially a link shortening tool, except that it allows you to set the username shown in the URL. All you need is your Google+ ID — the long string of numbers that currently makes the URLs so ugly — and to plug in your name, and you’re good to go.

NOTE: gplus.to is not a Google product

» Get a short vanity URL for your Google+ | The Next Web

NDP 2011 (Fun Pack Song, "Bad Romance" - Lady Gaga)

What a lousy song. I hope the committee can change this song. We Singaporeans don't like this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoExTn7PC2E

Added lyrics (Jul 7): http://hongjun.blogspot.com/2011/07/ndp-2011-fun-pack-song-bad-romance-lady_07.html

SGX reduces bid size, cuts trading cost (Effective 4 Jul 2011)

Singapore Exchange (SGX) will reduce the minimum bid size for securities on 4 July 2011, leading to lower trading costs for investors.

The initiative is expected to lead to a tightening of bid-ask spreads by as much as 80%. As a result, Singapore will offer one of Asia’s most cost-competitive trading environments with an estimated $1.7 billion in annual savings, based on 2010 market turnover.

Mr Chew Sutat, Head of Securities at SGX, said, “This initiative addresses our customers’ need for more cost-efficiency and trading opportunities. Tighter spreads will encourage investors to increase their participation in SGX, the best market for accessing fast-growing Asia. This will in turn enhance liquidity here in Singapore.”

To cater to the narrowing of the bid sizes, SGX will widen the Forced Order Range for all securities to +/- 20 bids from +/- 10 bids across all price ranges. Forced Order Range is a pre-execution mechanism which helps investors to avoid error trades when entering prices of orders. Any orders outside the Forced Order Range must be confirmed by the use of the Forced Key function before those orders can be submitted.

The revised Minimum Bid Size and wider Forced Order Range will apply to all securities traded on SGX except exchange traded funds, loan stocks and bonds.

Please refer to Appendix 1 for details of the changes and Appendix 2 for an illustration of cost savings for investors.

-End-

Appendix 1

Details of the changes are as follows:

Securities

Price Range (S$)	Existing		New
	Bid Size (S$)	Forced Orders (Bids)	Bid Size (S$)	Forced Orders (Bids)
Below 0.20	0.005	+/- 10	0.001	+/- 20
0.20 – 0.995	0.005		0.005
1.00 – 1.99	0.01		0.005
2.00 – 9.99	0.01		0.01
10 and above	0.02		0.01

SGX is also revising the Minimum Bid Size for debentures.  Details of the changes are as follows:

Debentures

Price Range (S$)	Existing		New
	Bid Size (S$)	Forced Orders (Bids)	Bid Size (S$)	Forced Orders (Bids)
All	0.001	+/- 30	0.01 or 0.001 as determined by SGX-ST	+/- 30

Appendix 2

Cost savings to investors who buy or sell for an estimated $50,000 transaction:

Counters	No. of Shares*	Existing Spread	New Spread	Existing Spread Cost*	Savings ($)*	% Savings*
DBS	3,000	0.02	0.01	$60	$30	0.07%
Cosco	25,000	0.01	0.005	$249	$127	0.26%
Ossia	416,000	0.005	0.001	$1,637	$1,305	2.61%
STI 3150BNPeCW110629	294,000	0.005	0.001	$1,449	$1,155	2.31%

* Based on approximately $50,000 notional value

For CoscoCurrent bid/ask                       :           $1.95/$1.96
Revised bid/ask                      :           $1.950/$1.955 or $1.955/$1.960

Savings for buyer                   :           $127
Savings for seller                    :           $127
Total savings for investors      :           $254

» SGX reduces bid size, cuts trading cost | Singapore Exchange