Thanks SQ!

this has always puzzled me- why do our locals complain so much about our national air carrier? ive heard all sorts of complains, everything from lousy service to not so pretty-looking air stewerdesses! im not posting this blog entry to sing any praises about Singapore Airlines and say that they're the best in the world, but i just feel that we complain far too much sometimes...and personally, ive not experienced any lousy service of any kind on any Singapore Airlines flights that ive taken.

anyway, just want to commend on the effiency and professionalism of Singapore Airlines. my friend was supposed to leave on a midnight flight back to Sydney 2 days ago. however, upon checking in, they realised that the flight had been overbooked.after they found out that it was impossible to have him upgraded (it was a full flight) they gave him a full explanation abt the situation immediately and was extremely apologetic. They then promised to check him in on the next available flight(following morning), gave him $500 cash and issued him a complimentary upgrade pass. His luggage was still promptly checked in so that he didnt have to go through all the check-in procedures the following morning. though it was a lil inconvenient on my friend's part, i dont think he complained. Afterall, he had gotten himself a free 500 bucks and an upgrade.

As the slogan reads, Singapore Airlines- a great way to fly, but in my friend's case, it'll be Singapore Airlines- definitetly a great way to fly! :P

COM 125 Week 2: Email to Instant Messaging

From Email to Instant Messaging

The internet has played an integral role in our lives since the early 1990's. Though some might describe the birth of the internet as "accidental", we cannot deny that one will find life seemingly empty and out of place if we do not have any access to the internet today.The birth of the internet started in the 1950's when engineer Douglas Engelbart began to think about understanding an increasingly complaicated world dominated by technology. He wanted to see if computers could assist him in handling and solving many intricate problems. Hence the motivating factors behind the development of the net was cultivated by people who were keen on using the computer to intensify human thinking and communication.
(Rheingold, 1993)

It is tough for one to discuss about the internet without mentioning the functions of e-mail. Electronic Mail or e-mail for short is the pioneer of modern age internet communication. It is the improvement of snailmail as one can receive a mail in the matter of minutes, as compared to the number of days or even weeks one had to wait for a letter to be posted. The email is basically a way of storing and forwarding "method of composing, sending and receiving messages over the internet." (Wikipedia, 2006)

The email was invented in late 1971 by computer engineer named Ray Tomlinson. As an engineer, he experimented with a self-written program called SNDMSG. It was a program that researchers used to leave messages for one another using network communications. However, when using that program, one could only leave a message on the computer that you were working on for other people to read. Hence, Tomlinson created a file transfer protocol, called the CYPNET which adopted the SNDMSG program to send electonic messages on to any computer on the APRANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network). The first electronic message that was sent was actually between 2 computers that were situated next to each other! Using the ARPANET network as a connection between 2 computers, the first message that was sent was "QWERTYUIOP". As many found the email a quick and convenient way of relaying messages to people over vast geographical distances, the email grew popular amongst many. The development of email storage started with Hotmail when it offered 2MB of storage in 1996 and more recently, Google launched the Gmail 1GB storage. (Wikipedia, 2006)


To sate our never ending desire to want more, humans constantly developed improved ways of online communication. Although the email provided a quick and almost fuss-free way of delivering messages to one another, one could not communicate with the other party in real-time. In addition, one always had to go through the trouble of accessing the inbox and then retrieving the new messages from it.

Thus, the birth of "instant messaging"was born. To many, "instant messaging" seemed like an enhanced and superior way of online communication. This was because one could hold real time conversations with one another. This meant that there was no time lag when sending the message to the receiving party. The Internet Relay Chat (IRC) for example was the first world-wide chat system that allowed people to chat in real time using chat rooms. Born during Summer in 1988, it quickly became a popular way of online communication as it was a cheap way of communicating across vast geographical distances in real time. (Stenberg, 2002) The IRC also played an important role in providing information during an emergency. When Hurricane Katrin struck in 2005, the IRC was the only communication mechanism that people used to gain information about the disaster. (Kalt, 2000)


Mirabilis Ltd launched the instant messaging program, ICQ ("I Seek You") in November 1996. It was the only producer of instant messaging till May 1997 and had attained 850,000 registrations. I still vividly remember the distinct green flower as its logo and the sound produced each time one received an incoming message. In 2002, the downloads for ICQ surpassed 200 million. Other instant messaging services that followed include the American Online Messenger (AOL Instant Messanger) which was released in May 1997. The AIM is being constantly upgraded, with a new version AIM 5.5 that comes complete with live video instant messaging and is compatible with Apple's iChat AV video conferencing. However, the instant messaging service that many are most familiar with would be the MSN Messenger. Launched by Microsoft in July 1999, the MSN fever was caught by many and after only 2 years, MSN messenger has become the single most used free instant messaging throughout the world. In May 2003, the user base hit a high of 100 million active users per month.


Hence, the above shows how the development of the email has influenced the internet that we are so familiar with and use today. From a quick and convenient way of relaying messages over the internet, people started to invent ways of conveying messages in real time. This led to the development of instant messaging where people not only communicated with each other via text messages but could also conduct live video instant messaging. Hence, it is the human nature of constant improvement and upgrading our current technology that has led us to the internet we use today.

References:

Rheingold, Howard (1993). "Visionaries and Convergences: The Accidental History of the Net" Retrieved January 24, 2007 from http://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/3.html

History of World Wide Web (5 September, 2006). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 25, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_the_World_Wide_Web&oldid=73974490

Stenberg, Daniel (2002). "Internet Relay Chat". Retrieved January 25, 2007 from http://daniel.haxx.se/irchistory.html

Kalt.C (2000). "Key Features of IRC" Retrieved January 25, 2007 from http://www.livinginternet.com/r/rp.htm

Introduction of Email (n.d.) Retrieved January 26, 2007 from http://www.lyris.com/resources/whitepapers/listservers_history.pdf

Email (n.d.) Retrieved January 26, 2007 from http://inventors.about.com/od/estartinventions/a/email.htm

The Development of Email Storage (n.d.) Retrieved January 24, 2007 from

http://news.com.com/5208-1032_3-0.html?forumID=1&threadID=212&messageID=11791&start=-1

Instant Messaging and its Effects on Student Life (n.d.) Retrieved January 25, 2007 from

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~yrjiang/background.htm

Are Kids Even Kids Nowadays???

Have the Kids been Overworked?

A Korean boy whom i was tutoring fell asleep while i was teaching him today. Though that irritated me, knowing the reason behind it left me very disturbed. We had a good 45 min talk when he told me about his life and what was going on. I shant reveal his name but he's only a grade 8 (14 yrs old) boy who is studying in an international sch here. One wld expect a Grade 8 student to be happy, carefree and to focus on his studies. But not for this boy, i was shocked when he told me about the timetable that his mother prepared for him, something he has followed so religously for the past 3 years. He claimed that his mother is an over-achiever and wanted him to be perfect in almost everything. Hence, outside of his sch timetable, he has to set aside time for rugby, tennis, golf, piano, violin and clarinet classes and tuition for subjects like English, Mandarin and Math. He is constantly on the move and has no time for himself at all. In order to squeeze in all the activities, he has to be up by 7 every morning and sleeps ard 3 am or later after he completes his homework.


I didnt want to, be i cldnt help but feel sorry for this boy. He was obviously overworked and felt so exhausted!There was little i could do but to let him have a lil nap during my class, but i left his house feeling very bothered by what he told me. :(

My "MARK" from outerspace!!!

I've been "MARKED"!!!

I was greeted with a mark on my chin this morning! An unsightly mark that left me extremely puzzled.. HOW DID IT GET THERE? its not a bruise because it isnt pain when i rub it, it isnt a scratch because i dont normally scratch my chin ( i mean who does?) and its not a cut because i dont remember hurting my chin recently. oh wells...i tried my best to conceal the "mark" before going to sch but people still noticed in nevertheless. What really sucks is the fact that i dont know what caused it, so i cant figure a way to treat it (eg: applying cream to the affected area) Hopefully, the mark will lighten and fade off before the weekend arrives. I really do not wish to spend my weekend being "marked" :(

Unveiling the Haute Couture of Phone Fashion!!!

Calling In Style???

As many Mac fans (eg: my lecturer Mr Kevin Lim) lust over the new iphone, im sure many fashionistas can't wait to lay their hands on the new Prada phone! Just weeks after Karl Lagerfield revealed that Chanel will be manufacturing their own skis (sking in style), Prada announced its partnership with LG to produce the world's most stylish phone. Now, one can literally call in style. Measuring a mere 12mm thick and spotting a chic glossy black handset, this trendy phone also boasts a range of the latest technology- such as completely touch-screen, video player, high quality camera and an MP3 player. As the phone looks like it just stepped off the catwalk, im sure it'll be flying off the shelves once it is being launched in late Feb. I mean which girl wont want to be seen whipping out her Prada phone from her Hermes Birkin or Fendi Spy? Though the functions of this phone cannot compare with the iphone, im sure its style makes up for everything else. Now thats another item added on to my wish list! :)

RSS...XML..RSS FEEDS???

oh gosh...today's lesson was really quite an eye-opener for me..for the first time, i heard of terms that i've never even come into contact with! ha! for those who know me well enough, im really not the best with computers!

i must admit that i felt quite lost in today's class. on one hand i was rather excited because i wanted to find out about things i never knew about the internet, however, all the terms seemed like they came from another planet. then the next thought flashed in my mind..will i get yet another "C" grade for this subject? NO!!! my one and only pathetic "C" grade for intro to computing was bad enough.. so kevin, i really hope that you'll understand why i have this phobia towards any subject that is com related. yikes...anyway, this is what i always tell myself when i face any difficulty: If you're stuck in any situation and you know that theres no possible way out, rather than grumble and bitch about your predicament, why not learn to make the best out of it? i mean grumbling isnt going to get you anywhere is it? Praying that i'll understand more from the next class on thurs.Hopefully, i'll emerge from COM 125 with a positive and new perspective about the internet and a very happy person :)

The Novice Blogger gets EXCITED!!!

Had my first proper COM 125 class today..as the class was sceduled to be right after our lunch, i was intitally afraid that i wld have to struggle to keep my eyelids open! But i was wrong...class went on real fine! i was given a deeper insight into blogs, a brief history about it and the many wonderful little things we could actually accomplish just by using our blogs. I also related particularly well to Kevin when he mentioned abt how some individuals have this typical stereotype that a blog is just about letting people have a sneak peak into your personal life...because i was once like that too! yipee!...my interest of blogs is slowly increasing and i really hope that the next few lessons will equip me..the NOVICE blogger with more handy facts and info on how to "improve" on my blogging skills and abilities. Looking forward to the next couple of "hands-on" blogging sessions during class :)

Who's behind the little black dress? Me in a Nutshell...

Pamela Yang is the name..but everyone calls me Pam! i choose to think that im still 21 this yr (though im actually going on 22) im the baby of the a close-knit family of 4 and contrary to the belief that siblings have trouble getting along, i have an absolutely fantastic relationship with my pilot/flight instructor bro. its a pity that ive always been misunderstood when people first meet me...people say that i give others the very cold and snobbish vibes; even my SIM pals thought that of me initially. Argh!!!! someone help me please??? after getting to know me, you'll know that im really friendly and at times crazy..ha!

The 3 F's of my Life....

My life revolves around the 3 F's. Food, Fun and Fashion! yesyes...i love to eat and often have the occasional pig-out sessions with my boyfriend and other groups of friends. Though people know me to be a real health nut when it comes to food (less oil, salt and stuff..) i still enjoy my char kway teow n sambal stingray! And yes...people think im crazy but i ABSOLUTELY dislike chocalate! I bet im the first person you've met who doesnt love chocs. I love to have fun... i can go to great lengths just to seek fun n thrill (talk about climbing over my sch gate with my friends at 3am in the morn...ha!) I adore fashion, shopping n dressing up, and have always found that the fashion world has so much to offer. Its like a world that is bursting with new surprises everyday! Of course, i aspire to work in the fashion industry after i graduate, prob in the comms and business development field of luxury retail fashion. Dream companies that i hope to land myself in...LVMH, Valiram Group, FJ Benjamin etc. Though some of my friends never understand me and think its an utter waste of time or perhaps even bimbotic, i do spend quite a fair bit of time digging my face into fashion magazines and watching re-runs of runway shows on Vogue.com To supplement my additional income for shopping, (something im trying so hard to cut down), I give English tuition to 4 absolutely adorable Korean boys. Don’t get me wrong here, they’re just great company. Im thankful that my job is pretty easy. Their parents hire me mainly to baby-sit and talk to them…not really to teach…so the “English tutor” thing is really just a title.

When it comes to sports..im afraid im in the wrong dept...one quick glance at me and you'll prob know that im not the sporty sort....i used to swim quite a bit in my younger days and always had a strong passion for dance. I was a dancer before(ballet, tap n modern) but stopped when i entered JC..a real pity actually. Golf is one special sport to me because it was what brought my boyfriend and i together, but im still trying to find more time to practice my shots at the driving range :)

So thats me in a nutshell...i hope that the lil bits of info of myself havent' been too tough for you to digest... :)

I actually have a blog now..wow

I never thought of myself having a blog..oh wells its just that I was "forced" into creating a blog as it constitutes a part of my grade for a module that im taking in sch this sem. Don't really fancy using such a strong word like "forced" so maybe i'll just say that i was "strongly encouraged" to create a blog of my own?

Personally, i find it quite puzzling on why i never got down to having a blog of my own since i actually spend a fair bit of my time reading other people's blog. yup yup...its my way of getting myself updated about the lives of the people around me and perhaps also lets me in on the hottest, and most juicy gossip about others? Ha! fine i admit it..i love to gossip! ( i mean which girl doesn't? ) please...i've got guy friends who bitch n gossip more than i do...so don't you dare look at me as if ive committed the biggest sin on planet earth.

According to the first part of my "mission" for this week, (as my lecturer prefers to phrase it) im supposed to have like a mini introduction of myself. So who's actually hiding behind the little black dress? i'll leave it for another entry. tata