I've started a Group on Singapore Social Media, and I invited my friends who are on Twitter and Facebook to join.
Within a few seconds, I realized that I actually have a lot of friends on Facebook whom I'm not following on Twitter, and I would like to add my friends on Twitter to Facebook as well.
I have a Singapore Twitter list. Where I listed a lots of interesting Singaporean Tweeps to follow.
I hope this helps businesses in Singapore to look for influencers in Singapore as I believe a lot of them are indeed very influencial!
I'm still testing out how Groups work on Facebook, and I will share more information soon.
I have the pleasure to try out these fantastic devices over the weekend, and I was indeed pleased with most of them. Here are some of the reviews.
Monster turbine pro high-performance in-ear speakers gold
These babies are simply insane. The separation is very clear, and they seem to have the best base you can ever get. I mean -- Subwoofer base -- right in your ear! Listened to Hip Hop and it felt like you are in a show car with all that BASE! For most other headphones with base, the other ranges of sound usually suffers, however these babies are crisp and clear.
I'm really impressed with the technology, and this headphone is the only one you need to listen to hip hop, opera or classical music! (However the price is rather intimidating)
Shure SE535 Sound Isolating Earphones
Triple High-Definition MicroDrivers
Featuring Triple High-Definition MicroDrivers, the SE535 utilizes dedicated tweeter and dual woofers to deliver spacious sound with rich bass. A detachable cable with wire-form fit enables easy replacement, both extending the life of your investment and providing a secure, comfortable fit. Sound Isolating sleeves in multiple sizes provide up to 37 dB of isolation, and a wide assortment of accessories offer premium customization.
In short, this is INSANE. Though the base was not as deep as the monster turbine, it was very rich, and when used in crowded areas and loud places, the sound isolation REALLY works. Very comfortable and GREAT quality. It comes with a lot of accessories as well. The removable cables is indeed cool, but the price is SCARY.
Klipsch Image X10 Noise-Isolating Earphone
These headphones don't look impressive. They are indeed light and could be the smallest audiophile quality headphones ever! I was shocked by the clarity of the sound this headphone produced, and the sound isolation and base is relatively top grade as well.
They are so small and light, I forgot that the are on my ears sometimes. Very comfortable to wear! Again, price is a major consideration, and a tad $$$$$$.
The High-fidelity Sennheiser IE 8 Premium Audiophile
Ok, I don't really get this. The owner I borrowed it from bragged about the quality, and the reviews I read were stunning. However, when I put them on, they did not fit perfectly like the other headphones, and I felt it was lacking in base. I could not tell that it actually had more frequencies in the inaudible range than the other headphones (As I'm not a dog) and I frankly do not care.
It produces a good sound, however when compared to the rest, and at the price of these headphones, I did not like it at all, perhaps because of the fit.
Grado GR8
Initially, I did not feel that this was in the same range of headphones I've tested, but after seeing the name Grado, I realized that there must be something great behind this babies. Although they feel a little plastic, they were actually the most comfortable of the lot, and the sound is nothing but stunning. The build quality is rather good, and the cables feel sturdy with certain parts reinforced and strong. I like them, but again, I feel that this is just a "cheap" Grado product, something pretty affordable, while giving you all that good sound.
Still cheaper than the SE535, these seemed like good value for money, when you put on the brand.
I've been using the New Twitter for some time now, and I would say, it has been an improvement from the previous Twitter.
Some features are pretty nifty, and when you click on a person's Tweet, their last tweets will be shown.
The window on the right also shows much more information like the #Hashtags used, Retweets, and your replies, making it more useful than before.
I feel that the direct messages portion, though it may be more fancy than before, is harder for you to delete messages, especially spam. It is still not useful for me as I have too many spam in my DM box, and I can't be bothered to check.
The Retweet still feels weird to me, as I much prefer the standard way of using RT, even it does cost 3 characters.
For many people, even @Mashable, their backgrounds definitely need to be edited to fit the new Twitter, but otherwise, I would say its fun, and an improvement.
This is the new Donny Yen movie, and yes, it is with fast punches, parkour, and of course... Super Heroes.
Seven years after the apparent death of Chen Zhen, who was shot after discovering who was responsible for his teacher's death (Huo Yuanjia) in Japanese-occupied Shanghai. A mysterious stranger arrives from overseas and befriends a local mafia boss. That man is a disguised Chen Zhen, who intends to infiltrate the mob when they form an alliance with the Japanese. Disguising himself as a caped fighter by night, Chen intends to take out everyone involved as well as get his hands on an assassination list prepared by the Japanese.
Not to be confused with the Fist of Legend, this new Gordon Chan movie is about Chen Zhen, after he returns from France, being a "war labour" and somehow also a hero, and he is indeed a Superhero.
This is the sequel to the Fist of Fury, made popular by Bruce Lee, and is set in Shanghai before the Second Sino-Japanese War, seven years after the apparent death of Chen Zhen, who was shot after avenging his teacher (Huo Yuanjia).
In the spirit of the good old Bruce Lee movies, it brings out the incompetence of White people, and the arrogance of the Japanese, and how all of them should be killed with the fist!
To make things more interesting and Superhero like, Donny Yen puts on a ridiculous fake mustache or a black mask (like the Green Hornet), and the action in the movie is also making Chen Zhen look like just another invincible Superhero.
I must admit, the action is quite interesting, however, it fails to deliver much message like Ip Man, and the characters are indeed pretty flat. There are a few characters(Shawn Yue) in the movie that does not do much, and are simply a distraction.
Many of the action scene are simply over the top -- like Crank, and simply too hilarious. It is a good action flick, and should be just taken as that if you intend to go catch it.
I've watched it a few days ago, but decided to review it only after a few requests.
I would give it a 7.5/10 for action and 3/10 for story.
The last villian fight is indeed fast like any other Donny Yen movie, and I feel like when you watch Ip Man, you probably recognize some of the similar scenes. I`d say LEGEND OF THE FIST is a damn solid Donnie Yen movie(If you are a fan), and a kung-fu extravaganza to please all fans of the genre. While I prefer both IP MAN films, as well as SPL, and FLASHPOINT, it would be a great way to de-stress and watch Donny beat the Japanese to a pulp...
If you love Gore, you will love this movie! (It needs lightly more blood... to qualify as a B-movie)
Rosarito Beach October Mariachi Festival To Feature Grammy-Winning Super Group
ROSARITO BEACH, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO – An October mariachi spectacular will feature the first Mexican concert by the Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas as well as competition between music and dance groups from Mexico and the U.S.
In addition to the chance to hear great mariachi music, the thousands expected to attend from both Mexican and the U.S. will know that their ticket purchases will go toward helping build Rosarito’s first Boys & Girls Club.
The Oct. 2 and 3 beachfront spectacular on the grounds of the Rosarito Beach Hotel will feature both mariachi and folkloric ballet competitions starting at 10 each day with groups from junior high through college age from both countries.
U.S. competitors include groups from Chula Vista, Anaheim and Tucson.
From 6 to 9 on Saturday, the Los Angeles-Based Mariachi Divas will headline a three-hour concert. In 2009 the 20-member group was awarded the Grammy for Best Regional Mexican Music for its album “Canciones de Amor.”
“We have many fans in Mexico and are looking forward to seeing them at our first public concert there, as well as many of our friends from the U.S.,” said Diva leader Cindy Shea.
Maya, Timoteo – El Charro Negro, Olga Flores, Folklorico Ixtlazihuatl, Genesis, and Beto Jimenez Maeda will also be performing. The event also will feature wine, food and VIP areas.
“This truly will be a spectacular event,” said organizer Gil Sperry, author of several books including “Mariachi for Gringos.”
Tickets for various portions of the event begin at $7.50 for children and $10 for adults, with complete packages priced at $25 and $45. Details are available at www.clubdeninosyninansderosarito.com, www.rosarito.org and clubrosarito@hotmail.com
Tickets also can be purchased in advance at the Rosarito Beach Hotel, the Rosarito Convention & Visitors Bureau or, if still available, at the event itself.
Proceeds from the Mariachi festival will go toward the $1.3 million needed for the construction and operation of the Rosarito Boys and Girls Club. Ground already has been broken and about $200,000 raised.
Members of Rosarito’s large expatriate community will be helping as event volunteers and the Rosarito Beach Hotel is offering special lodging packages.
“We are so grateful to Gil Sperry, the Mariachi Divas and all the participants for their help,” said club president Rosy Torres. “As well as helping children, we know that those who attend to will have the chance to enjoy one of the best shows ever in Rosarito.”
The mariachi festival has been named an official event of Mexico’s bicentennial. The state department of tourism and city are among sponsors.
“We are proud to have this prestigious event in our city and look forward to it becoming an annual showcase,” said Rosarito Mayor Hugo Torres.
(Writers & Assignment Editors: The Divas are available for advance interviews as well as San Diego appearances on Oct. 29)
MEDIA CONTACT: Ron Raposa
(619)948-3740
ronraposa@hotmail.com
I have been importing and exporting products, and the cost of shipping seems to be on the rise since I started shipping in 2005.
The Singapore post office costs are getting more and more unreasonable, and for shipping goods outside Singapore, SAL (Surface Airlifted) is no longer an option, and parcel posts are also sometimes not available.
Recently, as the cost of shipping and freight for import was a little unacceptable, I decided to try to import the products myself. This is what I have learned.
1) FOB
FOB is an initialism which pertains to the shipping of goods. Depending on specific usage, it may stand for Free On Board or Freight On Board, with similar but distinct implications. FOB specifies which party (buyer or seller) pays for which shipment and loading costs, and/or where responsibility for the goods is transferred. The last distinction is important for determining liability for goods lost or damaged in transit from the seller to the buyer.
Free on board means that the seller delivers when the goods pass the ship's rail at the named port of shipment. This means that the buyer has to bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that point. The FOB term requires the seller to clear the goods for export. Buyer is responsible for all the costs incurred after the cargo has been LOADED on board.
FOB is one of the most common way of shipping for most manufacturers. What is usually means to me is that the manufacturer will absorb all the loading cost of the cargo, and usually it also means that the manufacturer will pay all the cost of the shipment, including documentation fees and shipment to the port for export.
I recently have a shipment of 100 sandals made by amputees, which I shipped from Jakarta to Singapore. The cost for collecting the goods, bringing it to the port and loading it on the ship is the FOB cost.
A bill of lading (sometimes referred to as a BOL,or B/L) is a document issued by a carrier to a shipper, acknowledging that specified goods have been received on board as cargo for conveyance to a named place for delivery to the consignee who is usually identified. A thorough bill of lading involves the use of at least two different modes of transport from road, rail, air, and sea. The term derives from the verb "to lade" which means to load a cargo onto a ship or other form of transportation.
In general, non-controlled goods may be imported into Singapore without the need for licences.
What Permits Do I Need?
* For each shipment of goods, you must apply for an Import Permit through TradeNet®, your freight forwarder or cargo agent.
* If you are importing controlled goods, your Import Permit must be routed to the Competent Authorities (CAs) for approval. CAs are Government agencies that regulate controlled goods.
* Under certain circumstances, you do not need to apply for an Import Permit, e.g. importing trade samples that are worth less than S$400. A full list of these exemption scenarios are available on TradeNet® - Import/Export Procedures.
1) Get your UEN by activation of your Customs Account. -> Link <-
You need a Singpass for this, but otherwise, it is free.
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After you products are shipped from overseas, you will get the B/L.
With your invoice and your B/L, you can apply for your permit.
2) Apply for the Permit (And pay custom taxes -- usually GST)
With the information, you can
a) Get a Tradenet Account and apply for the permit online.
Less than container load (LCL) is a shipment that is not large enough to fill a standard cargo container. The abbreviation LCL formerly applied to "Less than (railway) Car Load" for quantities of material from different shippers or for delivery to different destinations which might be carried in a single railway car for efficiency. LCL freight was often sorted and redistributed into different railway cars at intermediate railway terminals enroute to final destination.
When your goods arrive, it will be at customs of your shipping company. There will be import charges incurred. These import charges would include Port fees, LCL unload charges, Documentation Fees uncrating fees and many other charges.
When your shipment comes, you can claim your shipment yourself from the customs, and you will need.
1) B/L
2) Invoice
3) Permit (See above)
4) Letter of authorization with company letter head to claim on behalf of your company, to enter the "Free trade zone" (restricted area) to collect the goods. -- This letter varies so check with the customs pass issue office on what is required.
5) Identity card. (Apparently Passport or driving license with photo is not enough)
6) D/O (Delivery order) If you pay the charges of unloading and port charges to your shipping company (The company warehousing the goods) they will give you your D/O
With all the items above, you are ready to go to the warehouse to collect the goods and then upon exiting, you need to give the proper documentation (show that tax and duties paid) and you can leave the customs area with your goods.
This process is not so simple, however it can save you a hefty amount of money.
