No more Gantry Bars

Today, whilst I was driving into the carpark, I saw 10 cars lining up to get out. There was a problem with the exist gantry. Lucky, I was going to buy lunch, so, by the time I came out, the cars were all gone. And the gantry was in the up position.

Why is there a need for gantry bars when you enter car park. ERP system can collect money from me whilst I am traveling at 90km/hr. So, why can't Carpark toll readers?

So, I think I should set up a company to do 3G car park management system. i.e. multistory Carparks without the gantry bars. Just the ERP readers.

You go in, I read and deduct accordingly.

There is no way to cheat, cause I will have camera to read your number plate.

I have seen so many gantry problems. That inconvenience drivers. Need to stop car, call the attendant to help.

If there are problems, you get to park for free. No need to call to get out.

If you cheat, I get staff to leave a note on your windscreens with instructions on how you can pay your outstanding carpark bills.

The first reminder will be white color, the second one yellow color and the third one onwards will be "RED".

Make sure all other car driver can see the note against your car windscreen.

Any investors interested to pursue this idea with me?

What do you love and fear most

9th Prize- VOICE Expands Horizons (Story)

I won nothing at last week's office Dinner party. But got 9th Prize for my article.

http://blog.nus.edu.sg/qblog/2011/02/18/voice-crazy-10-results/

Trolley from Supermarket

Found these two trolleys under our flat. It's been there for 2 days already. These shoppers are ingenious. Bring two back, push the device to the side and link them out. Tada, both coins can be removed easily. Shop & Save, come save your trolleys.

Hans Rosling mentions about Singapore Healthcare win Against Sweden.

It interesting to know that Singapore has managed to Singaporean healthcare system well. Do preview this Hans Rosling: Let my dataset change your mindset TALK.

BTW, I once had a lecturer like him in NUS. (Environmental Economics lecturer.) He was just as motivating.

Creative Vado Camera

I just visited the Creative Shop at the HQ in Singapore today. It looks like their retail or display shop there is very EMPTY. The place is too big compared to the items they have displayed there for sale. In fact, the place looks pretty temporarily set up. There was even a corner selling some children educational stuff. And in front of that, a small CRT TV with a paper on it saying "Not for Sale" Hmmmmm.

Anyway, I was there specifically to see the Creative Vado HD camera. Went there during lunch time. Thought there would be crowd there because of the sale creative was having. But there was like 4 customers in the shop only. Hmmmm. Not a good sign.

Looked around the place for the Creative Vado Camera. Saw it right in front of the cashier counter. (BTW, the cashier did not have anything to do then. And I requested him to help plug the Vado onto the TV for me using the hdmi cable).

The first time I picked up the Vado camera, it felt really light. Minus point is that it feels very plastic. I'd prefer a hard metalic feel than a plasticly feeling.

The plus point is that it is light and small enough to fit into my pocket. (You should see my HP, it is full of scratches because I place it together with my keys. Poor SE hp. I always kenna complain by my wife that I do not take care of things.)

I tried the video capturing 'technology' (wah, big word. As if I am expert) First thing I tried is taking close up of what I am touching with my hands. The first look through the SMALL display screen was, not fun. It makes me stare hard to make out of what I am capturing on the video. The display screen was too small compared to what I can see with my eyes directly. So, the feeling was not too good. When I plug in the camera onto the HD tv, the picture quality of what I have captured did not come up very clear. Strangly, it looks clear on the small display screen. Maybe that is why they made the display screen so small. So that you don't see that the captured result is blur.

When I used to camera to capture the surrounding and the few people in the store, and see the result on the TV, it looks very clear. The HD quality is obvious.

I think overall, this camera is useful if you are taking videos of group of people.

I don't think I did justice to the camera trial. I think it is because of the lack of on hand sales staff to guide me through the works of the camera. Did not want to disturb the cashier who was DOING nothing. At least he was helpful enough to help me plug in the camera.

I recommend a buy for this camera if you are a family man like me. Who loves to take video of your kids. It works as expected. But lacks in macro function only. Which should not be of any big deal for most users.

Go buy it. I'd recommend you go to department store for shopping than the Creative shop at their Jurong HQ.

I feel short changed by the Cord Life Promotion

I recently received a eNewsletter from Cord Life regarding on a promotion where the 1st 50 to sign up will receive a beautiful Maclaren Stroller from Mothercare absolutely FREE!

So, what I did was rushed to email and call the sales rep to make payment for my third child's cord blood (signed up in advance although due date in end August).

After I signed on the dotted line. Then the sales rep explained to me that the promotion is for new sign ups only. And since I am a repeat customer, I am not entitled for the promotion.

The back office also latter explained to me that since I am repeat customer, I already get $600 discount which does not make sence for the company to further reward me with a free stroller.

Next time, I should read the fine print in detail.

Really big "goondu" of me. Sigh.