A little announcement in Singapore caught my eye today. Singapore’s largest water reclamation plant will open on June 22 during the International Water Week.
I never knew about International Water Week till now. With climate change and a growing human population, water is expected to be a valued commodity in the near future. Since asking humans to conserve is like asking for rain in a desert (possible but not likely), water reclamation is the right way to go. Singapore’s largest water reclamation plant will costs S$3.65 billion and will process 800,000 cubic metres of water once it is fully functional. If it goes well, there are plans to build another major water reclamation plant in southwest Singapore.
I strongly believe that water reclamation technology is something Singapore should focus on. Not only is it good for Singapore, chances are that water conservation technology is something that will be in big demand in the future. Instead of being an education hub, convention hub etc, the Singapore government should focus on the water technology trade
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Gaming Ideas
Recently on Gar’s Random Ramblings, Gar wrote an article about gaming. About RTS, RPG and how he got lots of ideas on new games.
Nothing surprising there. It’s my belief that everyone who has picked up a joystick, a pad, a mouse…whatever to play a game has at least one idea in his head about a game he wants to make. I know I do.
So without further ado, let me tell you about my top 2 ideas;
1) A RPG/City Builder epic called “Dynasty”. You first start out as a low level wandering warrior/mage/thief/monk who stumbled into a small village. You sleep at the small village inn when bandits came to sack the village. You can choose between saving the village from the bandits or join the bandits in conquering the village. This will set you up as either a great hero or a great villain for the game. Once that is done, you will help the village headman or the bandit chief in securing the area around the village. You will be sent to several nearby villages to convince/force them to join the villages together to form a town. Once that is done, you will be promoted to the town magistrate by the village headman or you will kill the bandit chief to take over his position. You will then rename the town to your liking. The RPG section of the game will end here.
You will have a long reign before you die in an accident and then your son will take over. You will then play as the son who will build the town into a city. Think of it like Majesty or Stronghold where you build town facilities like mills, leatherworks and farms. Of course, you must build defenses as well to protect the town from bandit attacks. You can also decide which gods to pray to; the good or the evil, the healer or the strong warrior. You decide if you want a warrior school, a mage academy, a thief guild, a monk temple in your town; you cannot have all. Once you managed to build the town to a certain size, the town will be proclaimed a city and you will be titled the Governor of the city. You will marry, have children and then when your son grows up…you will be assassinated.
Civil war has erupted in the country as chaos reigned. You will now play as the grandson of the original hero. Whereas the first character was a lone fighter, and the second character was a city planner, this character is a general. You will gather armies to defend your city as well as launched attacks against other cities. You decide what kind of troops to buy, from which temple and which faction. You also decide what to do with the conquered cities. Once you have conquered enough cities, you will have enough land and proclaimed that you have a country of your own. You will be crown king and playing from 3 generations, you would have started your own Dynasty!
*Note: this is the short version. My idea is far more detailed than this*
2) A stealth/shooter action game called “I am a Mutant Monster”. Have you ever seen movies like The Hills Have Eyes? I’ve always found it so unfair that some stupid humans unknowingly stumbled into the monster’s territory, they killed the humans to protect their territory and the next thing you know the monster is facing the police or the army who has the monster heavily outmanned and outgunned.
You will start as a mutant monster that is called by your father (another mutant monster) to go to the nearby town and kidnapped a few young women and carry them back to your home in the forest. This is to “ensure there is a next generation of mutant monsters to protect the forest”. You choose what kind of monster you want to be. An invincible but slow monster like Jason (Friday the 13th), a stealth killer who can disappear and appear like Freddy (Nightmare), or a super agile monster like…some monster I can’t remember right now.
Part 1 of the game has you sneaking around the town to kidnap the women and you must avoid the police and bring them each back safely to the forest. In Part 2, the town will launch their search for the women and you must take them out despite been outmanned and outgunned. If you managed to do that, Part 3 will start in which the army is called and you are really outmanned and outgunned. If you still managed to survive this, the army will call in a nuclear strike on your forest and you will then have to take all the women and bring them to the safety of the tunnels in the nearby mountains. With a time limit, you will need to bring them to the tunnels. All the while you must fight the soldiers still in the area as well as prevent the women from running away. If you still manage that…you deserved all the joy of the women and you are now the protector of the mountain instead of the forest.
As a mutant monster, you need to be flexible about such things. Yes, this game is a comedy.
These are my ideas for games I like to see. What’s yours?
Nothing surprising there. It’s my belief that everyone who has picked up a joystick, a pad, a mouse…whatever to play a game has at least one idea in his head about a game he wants to make. I know I do.
So without further ado, let me tell you about my top 2 ideas;
1) A RPG/City Builder epic called “Dynasty”. You first start out as a low level wandering warrior/mage/thief/monk who stumbled into a small village. You sleep at the small village inn when bandits came to sack the village. You can choose between saving the village from the bandits or join the bandits in conquering the village. This will set you up as either a great hero or a great villain for the game. Once that is done, you will help the village headman or the bandit chief in securing the area around the village. You will be sent to several nearby villages to convince/force them to join the villages together to form a town. Once that is done, you will be promoted to the town magistrate by the village headman or you will kill the bandit chief to take over his position. You will then rename the town to your liking. The RPG section of the game will end here.
You will have a long reign before you die in an accident and then your son will take over. You will then play as the son who will build the town into a city. Think of it like Majesty or Stronghold where you build town facilities like mills, leatherworks and farms. Of course, you must build defenses as well to protect the town from bandit attacks. You can also decide which gods to pray to; the good or the evil, the healer or the strong warrior. You decide if you want a warrior school, a mage academy, a thief guild, a monk temple in your town; you cannot have all. Once you managed to build the town to a certain size, the town will be proclaimed a city and you will be titled the Governor of the city. You will marry, have children and then when your son grows up…you will be assassinated.
Civil war has erupted in the country as chaos reigned. You will now play as the grandson of the original hero. Whereas the first character was a lone fighter, and the second character was a city planner, this character is a general. You will gather armies to defend your city as well as launched attacks against other cities. You decide what kind of troops to buy, from which temple and which faction. You also decide what to do with the conquered cities. Once you have conquered enough cities, you will have enough land and proclaimed that you have a country of your own. You will be crown king and playing from 3 generations, you would have started your own Dynasty!
*Note: this is the short version. My idea is far more detailed than this*
2) A stealth/shooter action game called “I am a Mutant Monster”. Have you ever seen movies like The Hills Have Eyes? I’ve always found it so unfair that some stupid humans unknowingly stumbled into the monster’s territory, they killed the humans to protect their territory and the next thing you know the monster is facing the police or the army who has the monster heavily outmanned and outgunned.
You will start as a mutant monster that is called by your father (another mutant monster) to go to the nearby town and kidnapped a few young women and carry them back to your home in the forest. This is to “ensure there is a next generation of mutant monsters to protect the forest”. You choose what kind of monster you want to be. An invincible but slow monster like Jason (Friday the 13th), a stealth killer who can disappear and appear like Freddy (Nightmare), or a super agile monster like…some monster I can’t remember right now.
Part 1 of the game has you sneaking around the town to kidnap the women and you must avoid the police and bring them each back safely to the forest. In Part 2, the town will launch their search for the women and you must take them out despite been outmanned and outgunned. If you managed to do that, Part 3 will start in which the army is called and you are really outmanned and outgunned. If you still managed to survive this, the army will call in a nuclear strike on your forest and you will then have to take all the women and bring them to the safety of the tunnels in the nearby mountains. With a time limit, you will need to bring them to the tunnels. All the while you must fight the soldiers still in the area as well as prevent the women from running away. If you still manage that…you deserved all the joy of the women and you are now the protector of the mountain instead of the forest.
As a mutant monster, you need to be flexible about such things. Yes, this game is a comedy.
These are my ideas for games I like to see. What’s yours?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Not Aggressive Enough
Singapore has an economy that is run by its' exports. Like all the export-oriented economies in Asia, this recession has hit Singapore especially hard. So it's no surprise that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced that they will be shifting the centre of the trade-weighted band for the Singapore dollar down lower. In case you are wondering, it means a devaluation of the Singapore dollar.
The MAS also made a point of saying that there's "no reason for any undue weakening of the Singapore dollar." Of course this is total nonsense because with this move, Singapore is clearly on the slope of currency devaluation. Singapore is not the first to do so and we will not be the last.
I fully support the MAS move here. If anything, I fear they were not aggressive enough in the devaluation. Currently, the Singapore dollar will be devalued by 1.5 to 2 percent after this devaluation. Singapore just reported a 20% contraction in the economy between January and March, so a devaluation of about 1.7% does not seem enough in my view.
With external demand for our goods going down, I believe that the MAS must everything necessary to make Singapore exports as attractive as possible. For all the talk about Singapore's "sound fundamentals" and improved consumption in the United States, Singapore's economy is still getting worse.
If it means a further devaluation of the Singapore dollar to get the rebound, I say go right ahead and do it aggressively.
The MAS also made a point of saying that there's "no reason for any undue weakening of the Singapore dollar." Of course this is total nonsense because with this move, Singapore is clearly on the slope of currency devaluation. Singapore is not the first to do so and we will not be the last.
I fully support the MAS move here. If anything, I fear they were not aggressive enough in the devaluation. Currently, the Singapore dollar will be devalued by 1.5 to 2 percent after this devaluation. Singapore just reported a 20% contraction in the economy between January and March, so a devaluation of about 1.7% does not seem enough in my view.
With external demand for our goods going down, I believe that the MAS must everything necessary to make Singapore exports as attractive as possible. For all the talk about Singapore's "sound fundamentals" and improved consumption in the United States, Singapore's economy is still getting worse.
If it means a further devaluation of the Singapore dollar to get the rebound, I say go right ahead and do it aggressively.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Good Tactics, Bad Strategy
As I was watching the news yesterday, I saw the section on "Today in Parliament". In it, the Singapore government was touting the conversion scheme for Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians Aged over 40 (better known as PMETs).
I know remember the number touted but there is a lot of conversion scheme for PMETs to go for retraining. The Minister look very pleased when he announced that a number of these schemes are good for PMETs so that they can be retrained in the several line of work.
I’m sure the government did a good job on the conversion scheme. They carried out their plan well but I wondered if they carried out the right plan. The big problem I have is the idea that Singapore can beat recession and job losses through retraining. I mean these people go for courses and when the courses are over, what happen then? Will jobs suddenly appear just because PMETs are better trained?
The simple fact of the matter is this; no matter how well trained PMETs are, they will not be able to get jobs as 1) the economy is still in the toilet and 2) they will be undercut by foreigner workers who are willing to work for less money than them. If you are PMETs who has a 20-30 housing loan, you cannot take any job on the table as your pay must be at a certain level or you cannot pay your housing loan. Foreigners working in Singapore do not have this problem as they pay rentals. Retraining will keep the PMETs busy, but outside that…
The Singapore government may have done a good job on the conversion scheme but it is a case of good tactics, bad strategy.
I know remember the number touted but there is a lot of conversion scheme for PMETs to go for retraining. The Minister look very pleased when he announced that a number of these schemes are good for PMETs so that they can be retrained in the several line of work.
I’m sure the government did a good job on the conversion scheme. They carried out their plan well but I wondered if they carried out the right plan. The big problem I have is the idea that Singapore can beat recession and job losses through retraining. I mean these people go for courses and when the courses are over, what happen then? Will jobs suddenly appear just because PMETs are better trained?
The simple fact of the matter is this; no matter how well trained PMETs are, they will not be able to get jobs as 1) the economy is still in the toilet and 2) they will be undercut by foreigner workers who are willing to work for less money than them. If you are PMETs who has a 20-30 housing loan, you cannot take any job on the table as your pay must be at a certain level or you cannot pay your housing loan. Foreigners working in Singapore do not have this problem as they pay rentals. Retraining will keep the PMETs busy, but outside that…
The Singapore government may have done a good job on the conversion scheme but it is a case of good tactics, bad strategy.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thai Crisis
In a case of do as I say, not as I do; Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ordered tanks onto the streets as protests against his government continued. At least 68 people were injured, after Thai troops tried to disperse the protesters in the capital Bangkok. There are conflicting reports on whether any protesters were killed in the clashes but things are going to get worse before they get better as thousands of Thai anti-government protesters are continuing to rally against the government.
For anyone who is wondering why I say this is a case of “do as I say, not as I do”, this is because the current government headed by Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power after mass protests forced the previous 2 Thai government, allies of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, out of power last year. In those cases, the protestors shut down the Thai airport causing massive losses to the Thai economy. One of the ministers in Abhisit Vejjajiva’s cabinet even addressed the protestors then in support of shutdown of the airport.
In a replay of the crisis last year, the protestors this time have forced the cancellation of the Asian summit after storming the hotel where the summit was supposed to be held. Thai authorities even had to evacuate foreign leaders by helicopter. Considering that the leaders of China, Japan, South Korea and 10 Southeast Asian nations were all there, this is a major humiliation for the current Thai government.
The shoe is on the other foot and Vejjajiva has now ordered tanks onto the streets after issuing a state of emergency in Bangkok. Usually for these cases, the most direct method to solve the crisis is to hold new elections. However it is unlikely that Abhisit Vejjajiva will do that as the embattled Prime Minister will very likely get slaughtered at the polls.
With the government unlikely to call for new polls and the demonstrators not giving up the fight, expect more blood on the streets of Thailand before the crisis is over.
For anyone who is wondering why I say this is a case of “do as I say, not as I do”, this is because the current government headed by Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power after mass protests forced the previous 2 Thai government, allies of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, out of power last year. In those cases, the protestors shut down the Thai airport causing massive losses to the Thai economy. One of the ministers in Abhisit Vejjajiva’s cabinet even addressed the protestors then in support of shutdown of the airport.
In a replay of the crisis last year, the protestors this time have forced the cancellation of the Asian summit after storming the hotel where the summit was supposed to be held. Thai authorities even had to evacuate foreign leaders by helicopter. Considering that the leaders of China, Japan, South Korea and 10 Southeast Asian nations were all there, this is a major humiliation for the current Thai government.
The shoe is on the other foot and Vejjajiva has now ordered tanks onto the streets after issuing a state of emergency in Bangkok. Usually for these cases, the most direct method to solve the crisis is to hold new elections. However it is unlikely that Abhisit Vejjajiva will do that as the embattled Prime Minister will very likely get slaughtered at the polls.
With the government unlikely to call for new polls and the demonstrators not giving up the fight, expect more blood on the streets of Thailand before the crisis is over.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Comics this week
War of Kings: Ascension #1- War of Kings: Darkhawk has somehow morph into War of Kings: Ascension. Strangely this change in the title actually makes sense. War of Kings: Darkhawk is the title where readers are reintroduce to the Darkhawk/Chris Powell character. His back-story was given and in the end he was given the needed power boost before he was sent off to space. War of Kings: Ascension is on what he is doing once he is in space. This spilt is nicely done and War of Kings: Ascension show a direction that interest me. I can just see the goldmine of stories in having a group that almost the direct opposite of the Nova Corps. Despite my expectations, this was a very good issue.
Secret Six #8 – After the first story arc, it’s time for a little R&R for the Six. Only the problem is that the Six are a group of no-good super-villains! A double-date between Deadshot and Jeanette, Scandal and her new girlfriend (who has no idea what Scandal do for a living) was hysterical as all of them had to make a promise not to kill on the night and they found this promise was harder to keep than expected. Some philosophical discussions on the nature of life and love ended the night amidst more violence when they truly had to dump the promise. Hey, we tried right?
Secret Six #8 – After the first story arc, it’s time for a little R&R for the Six. Only the problem is that the Six are a group of no-good super-villains! A double-date between Deadshot and Jeanette, Scandal and her new girlfriend (who has no idea what Scandal do for a living) was hysterical as all of them had to make a promise not to kill on the night and they found this promise was harder to keep than expected. Some philosophical discussions on the nature of life and love ended the night amidst more violence when they truly had to dump the promise. Hey, we tried right?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
STATE SECRETS!
I always find the desperate need for education funny. In Asia, especially East Asia, education is a must with higher education especially important. Places in the top universities are almost a national sport in themselves; highly competitive national events when roads can be closed and airplanes can be diverted to ensure that students has the peace and quiet needed for the exams.
China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, even Singapore are all guilty of this in various degrees. So it’s not surprise that heavy penalties are imposed on people who tried to cheat on these exams. However a case in China takes the cake. Eight Chinese parents tried to help their children cheat at university entrance exams by using high-tech communications equipment, like mobile phones and wireless earpieces. They were found out and have been jailed after being found guilty of illegally obtaining state secrets.
Yes you read that right! Exams are state secrets in China! That’s how important they are in China. They are STATE SECRETS! Say this out loud; Exams are state secrets. Laughing yet?
China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, even Singapore are all guilty of this in various degrees. So it’s not surprise that heavy penalties are imposed on people who tried to cheat on these exams. However a case in China takes the cake. Eight Chinese parents tried to help their children cheat at university entrance exams by using high-tech communications equipment, like mobile phones and wireless earpieces. They were found out and have been jailed after being found guilty of illegally obtaining state secrets.
Yes you read that right! Exams are state secrets in China! That’s how important they are in China. They are STATE SECRETS! Say this out loud; Exams are state secrets. Laughing yet?
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