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Plus

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  1. Google is a publicly traded company, they need to regularly come up with new ideas and dreams to impress investing public.

    MS has locked new/replacement PC market, so google needs to find another area of growth. With this new OS they hope that netbooks will be the next big thing. Maybe, maybe not.

    They are not going to replace powerful desktops any time soon, however.

    There's also NO WAY google can provide working drivers for billions of PC out there if it hopes to penetrate that market (their distant dream if netbooks become successful).

    Their cloud thing is too early for the popular phsyche, I think. People are still conditioned to "my pc, my files" mindset, even they give out all their personal information, photos, and videos to social networking sites already.

  2. Chang was originally brewed by Carlsberg here as a low price beer to compete with Singha (they had Carlsebrg competing with Heineken for the premium market already, but that segemnt was really small).

    They easily beat Singha because their Thai partner was also the biggest whiskey producer here, and bars and restaurants were forced to buy a number of cases of discounted Chang with every order of whiskey, after which they only had "sorry, we have enough beer already" for Singha reps.

    Carlsberg were hoping to get marketing support for Carlsberg brand, too, but got a big finger from Thai Beverage and eventually were forced to break up and close the business here. They tried to find a new partner and restart the brand but it got nowhere.

    Thai Beverage since then introduced even cheaper beer and Chang and Singha belong to the medium segment now. Their premium brand is "Fetherbrau" but I have no idea how it fares against Heineken, which pretty much rules the upper and of the market.

    Oh, and during Chang marketing offensive, beer consumption in Thailand grew 400%, if I remember correctly. Ads were everywhere, they sponsored Thai Olympic teams, had biggest singers and what not.

  3. DNS simply translates addresses like "google.com" that are easier to remember for humans into numbers like "63.203.133.27" that are understood by computers.

    It has no effect on download/upload speed whatsoever.

    If OpenDNS does this translation "faster", good for you. In reality, however, under normal circumstances, the translation time is very very very short because local DNS servers, either TOT, Maxnet, or True, keep the local copy of the "dictionary". Most of the "translation" time is spent on contacting DNS servers themselves, and fetching addresses from OpenDNS instead of local ISP will add some ten-twenty additional steps just to reach it.

    Also the translation must be done only the first time you enter "somewhere.com", the browser will remember its numerical address for a while so fiddling with DNS servers will make no difference whatsoever for the sites that are already open.

    Sometimes local DNS servers are overloaded and slow to respond, in those cases using OpenDNS might help, so I guess it makes sense to use them as a backup. OpenDNS should also give translation faster for unusual sites that are not yet stored in local ISP copy of addresses, because in that case local ISP will ask for translation from other DNS servers until it finds your translation and it might take time.

    Overall global database of ALL internet addresses is updated in a matter of minutes for ALL dns servers ALL around the world, it's an awesome system with awesome hard/software, there's little advantage in using one dns server over another.

  4. Suwwanapum is an international airport and as such, the airport and area within the surrounding perimeter, come under international law.

    As long as the airport is located in Thailand, it comes under Thai laws.

    It's an offence to seize control of an airport, disrupt the operation of an airport, or carry a weapon in the area.

    Is it? I think they main problem for the police was that there were no laws to cover these specific points, that's why the Dems pushed for the "airport law" as soons as they got in office.

    Another interesting point someone raised in today's letters to the Nation is that the airport was closed by its manager without any consultation/negotiation with PAD. Did they cause any real disruptions up to that point? Could he have prevented any possible disruptions by giving them space at the car park, for example? Airport could have functioned as usual if PAD was out of the terminal. Were there any disruptions caused by PAD at all? I mean, after the airport was closed, what was there to disrupt?

    And, of couse, there's the usual line that PAD didn't go to Suwannabhumi to close it down, they went to "greet" Somchai, taking over the airport was not the goal. It eventually happened when the management closed it down themselves.

    >>>>>

    That was off topic, as I said, there are people who think that Kasit did nothing wrong by speaking there, and there are people who think that it was ok.

    There are other points to consider when talking about his resignation, too.

  5. You mean it's an elite conspiracy again?

    There's an editorial in the Nation urging Kasit to resign "gracefully" while it's not too late, to clear his name from the position of an ordinary citizen.

    Abhisit, on the other hand, said in his TV programme that one police summon to explain his role is not enough for a resignation.

    If the chain is - summon, charges, indictment, court, then Apirak resigned at the indictment stage, Kasit promised to resign at charges stage, but it would also depend on what kind of charges. Ridiculous charges probably won't count in his view.

    >>>>

    There's also the perception of airport takeover, those who find in unacceptable demand Kasit's resignation no matter what, and they jump at a chance to bring it up again after their protest was dismissed when it first came up.

    There's certainly heat on Kasit, with opinion polls wanting him to resign (after Asean summit). There's also Suthep's retort - we do no run the country according to opinion polls. There's also a question of replacement and the impact of changing horses on Thai foreign policies, stability and international image. If Kasit rides out the internal storm, he'll look stronger on international stage, the whole government will look stronger. If he resigns, it won't be percieved as a victory for opinion polls, those don't matter much on a world stage, it will be percieved as a victory for red shirts, and that doesn't inspire much confidence in Thailand, does it?

  6. I don't think any of the 60 or so "singers" from the previous five seasons made it big in the real world, despite UBC heavily promoting them.

    Maybe there's nothing wrong with their singing, it's just that UBC is not in the music business, kids should go to Grammy or RC if they want to be professionals.

    >>>

    I don't think they should be jailed for bad singing, though. I think they should have their vocal cords surgically removed, and neutered, too.

    I'm trying to fight my prejudice against karaoke, but I'm having a hard time here.

  7. Nation Group is a publicly traded company, they rely on selling their papers and advertising. I don't see how they represent anyone but the society we live in.

    Ok, maybe not all segments of society, as I haven't seen ads for agricultural machinery or chicken feed, but they cover everything else from the middle class up pretty well.

    Oh, and don't forget that they have a bunch of Thai language publications as well.

  8. The point is that the Foreign Minister of Thailand was an active participant in what was undoubtedly a criminal act which did Thailand untold damage, both economically and reputationally.

    That's not how I see the airport closure, not how PAD sees it, not how Kasit sees it, and, apparently not how Abhisit sees it. So from our point of view - there's no case for Kasit to resign whatsoever.

    That has been discussed and decided months ago, it's a dead horse. Fresh charges might bring some new life to your argument, if they have any substance, which they apparently don't.

  9. The charge may be over the top I agree but there is definitely a case to answer.He should not have been appointed in the first place, should have resigned when his position became a cause of embarrassment to the government and most definitely should go now.He's a dead man walking.

    If the charge is over the top, there is NO CASE to answer. Speaking on a stage is not an act of terrorism by any means, he shouldn't dignify those accusations with response, so to speak. If there ever was a case, it was when Abhisit first proposed him for the post, and we discussed this already. Despite your opinion, he was appointed, he didn't resign when you expressed your opposition, and so I don't see that he should resign now, in reaction to ridiculous charges.

    In fact, the over the top charges only strengthen his point - he did nothing wrong, nothing to nail him for, ... and opinions are, you know, like <deleted>.

    He should resign if there's any substance to the charges, however, as he promised, and so I would reserve my opinion until more details emerge, if ever.

    >>>>>

    In Apirak's case it appeared he had some leeway and "free will" in signing that fire truck contract, perhaps he didn't exercise all options in opposing it, perhaps thinking that if Transport Ministry didn't listen to him once, there was no point in arguing further. He was eventually indicted and so resigned. I doubt he'll be found guilty, but who knows.

  10. Well, if no one considers Kasit to be a terrorist, then he shouldn't react to the terrorism charges.

    The argument about error of judgement is not new. It wasn't enough for Kasit to resign half a year ago, why should his attitude change now? All that is happened is that the police produced charges you don't believe yourself.

  11. It's not a ten year old engine in Civic, when it went on sale they advertised all the improvements they've made to it, I remember it very well from the motorshow it was first unveiled.

    Toyota advertises new Altis as "dual VVTi" technology, don't know what it is in Honda terms of engine developlment.

    Torque numbers alone are not indicative of things like "refinement". I don't know if there are any numbers to put on how fast the engine picks up speed/RPMs, how smooth it is, how responsive to every little tap on gas pedal. So far it seems to be a subjective opinion.

    Guys at Bangkok Post have confirmed my prediction that new Altis would produce excellent performance in real life conditions, not on race tracks. It's very easy to get more power from 2l engines, but it would come at the expense of things like fuel efficiency and that elusive "refinement".

    I don't think anyone would be disappointed by Altis performance on everyday roads.

  12. Once the offending speech by Jakrapob resulted in a court case, it would seem reasonable that the general public should have the opportunity to see the speech for themselves, so that they can form their own opinion of its content and intent. Thus, it seems to me that the FCCT was fulfilling its duty in providing copies of the speech; to self-censor runs the risk of biased representation.

    The FCCT did not broadcast the speech; they simply made copies available to those interested.

    Nonsense. As soon as they started distributing potential LM comments, they opened themselves to possible prosecution, which is exactly what happened.

    It's like "oh, this video is in the court for being a kiddy porn, I should try and distribute it to the public so they can form their own opinion".

    And it's not that the speech was unavailable via other means, free of charge, so there was absolutely no reason to keep in on sale.

    They should take it down, apologise, and promise not to make similar mistake again, and go on with their work. No need to blow it into "media prosecution scandal" - it was their own, stupid error of judgement.

    >>>>

    IJWT, I misspelled Osama/Obama a few times myself, but I think I corrected it in time. Posession of Osama's book was one of the charges against that muslim cleric. Regardless, he initially attracted interest of law enforcement agencies for his preaching, and they eventually found legal ways to take him down.

    I don't know how people have guts to state that authorities in the Western countries do not pay attention to what people say at all, with all the current monitoring of e-mail and phone calls. They DO care very much when it comes to sensitive issues, like terrorism. Why should Thailand be denied the right to protect its royal institution if it thinks it's vital to its national security?

  13. I think Kosit doesn't want to resign at the moment because charges are grossly exxagerated.

    He didn't order the march to the airport, he didn't endanger anyone's lives, didn't threaten anyone with violence or any other "terrorist" stuff.

    It's not "criminal" investigation, speaking on the stage is not a criminal activity, and I don't think they are charging him for the content of his speech either.

    In Kosit's view, the police managed to file the spurious charges, and he doesn't feel guilty of what he has been charged with in any way. My guess the next step would be indictment by prosecutors, 'cos they are not going to take a hopeless case on board. If they do, then Kosit should follow the example of Apirak.

    As for his earlier promise to resign - I suppose he meant real charges, for real offences, not fantasy like "terrorism" or "treason".

    >>>>>

    Politically it's a hot potato nevertheless, and I hope Abhisit knows what he's doing, he might pay dearly for keeping Kosit onboard, the upside could also be substantial, if the charges will turn out to be really laughable.

    >>>>>

    As far as I remember the advisor to the Science Minister Khunying Kalaya has worked as her assistant for some twenty years, why would anyone think that he/she got the position as Kalaya's advisor at the Ministry not for his/her decades of personal service but for being high-ranking PAD member?

  14. EGAT did not do their homework, and nuclear is by no measure the wisest choice

    It's your word against theirs. Unfortunately for you they are in charge of national energy policy, and I think it wasn't just Egat who made the decision.

    And there is no time for field trials and staring the decision making process all over again just because you disagree with the outcome.

    You can't "make" time, it's physically impossible.

  15. It is not unconstitutional to campaign for a republic in a constitutional monarchy, it is simply an example of the freedom of speech and thought that most people enjoy outside of this sad country.

    CHAPTER XV

    Amendment of the Constitution

    Section 291. An amendment of the Constitution may be made only under the rules and procedure as follows:

    ...

    A motion for amendment which has the effect of changing the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State or changing the form of State shall be prohibited;

    >>>

    It is unconstitutional in this "sad" country.

    Don't call me a "fool" if you are clearly wrong.

    Backpedal all you want, your initial premise is still wrong.

    Backpedal to what? My initial premise was that if you try to distribute Osama speeches in the US you'll attract all sorts of attention form counter-terrorism agencies, freedom of speech notwithstanding. Especially if you are a visiting foreigner.

    Why Thailand should be held to different standards when its security is under threat? Why Thai citizens can't inform the police of suspicios activities, like someone breaking the LM law?

  16. Taken out of context. Full quote goes like this:

    "The engine has apparently been optimised in the low- to mid-ranges, even though it allows the driver to stretch it to the redline without upshifting in manual model. Real action takes place below 5,000rpm.

    In fact, maximum power in the 2.0 is achieved at an unusually low 5,600rpm by Toyota standards. That said, don't expect performance to be as spirited as in the Civic."

    Civic is also mentioned in another place:

    "Since the 2.0 is an all-new block for Toyota cars in Thailand, it naturally shows several strengths. One is refinement which the Mazda 3 lacks and Honda Civic nearly has to match."

    Just confirms what I've been saying all along - a car for daily performance, not for racing at near redline. Lack of a few hp at the top end is compensated by better perfomance in low-mid ranges, which is more important for regular drivers, imo.

  17. Now you are only being dishonest. And UK hdoesn't have a 'first amendment' protecting free speech and has never really been a free nation. Hence why it wasn't used as an example.

    You telling why I didn't use the UK as an example? I singled out the US and Osama as the easiest to relate to, elsewhere I just talked about "west" in general.

    Right...apart from you being wrong on every count on Osama and US with Free Speech.

    Please provide source to any claim as to why Osama in any way is related to this case. Or that the US has even punished people for distributing his speeches.

    The Al Quaeda handbook is allegedly written by Osama, and it's possession was apparently related to one of the sixteen UK charges. How deep do you want to go into this case in this thread? What will it achieve?

    If terrorism related charges are not a convincing example of restricting freedom of speech/propaganda for you, there are also defamation laws in every country. LM law is just a modification related tospecifically protecting the royal family.

    The FCCT has not discredited the monarchy, and throwing around such accusations is slander.

    Yeah, sue me.

    Are you their lawyer/spokesman or what? They have been charged, there will be trial, they are entitled to defence. That's the end of the argument with you.

    Those who don't want to apply strict legal standards on anonimous discussion boards may continue.

    It was extremely stupid if they continued distributing a video for which the speaker was taken to court already. Their "foreign" status doesn't make them immune. Also the number of positive articles about the monarchy doesn't give them immunity from prosecution, it's not like earning indulgencies.

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