more work *chiong*
Pub Date: 02/04/2007 Pub: ST Page: 4
Day: Monday
Edition: IN
Headline: TIME TO JAM IT UP
By: NURUL LIYANA YEO
Page Heading: IN
Picture Caption:
Better teen bands get added exposure through competitions like The Straits
Times School Of Rock.
Source: SPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INANDAROUND
YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
MORE STUDENTS ARE FORMING ROCK BANDS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, AS NURUL LIYANA YEO
DISCOVERS
There’s no denying that music is a universal language, and something everyone
enjoys.
Almost everyone owns either an iPod or an MP3 player these days, and our local
music industry is booming with songs by Electrico and The Great Spy Experiment
riding high on our airwaves.
So it is no surprise that more students are now keen on forming their own rock
bands – while still in school.
“We do it because we feel the passion and drive to make music,” says Fahmi
Sharin Shariff, 17, a Bukit Batok Secondary 5 student who plays bass for rock
band Darkrossa.
Many of these bands have their schools to thank for providing them with a
platform to showcase their skills. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see these
bands rock out at school events such as Chinese New Year celebrations.
If they are good enough, they get more exposure through band competitions, such
as The Straits Times School Of Rock competition, and varsity events.
Wisteria, which comprises Secondary 4 students from Bukit Batok Secondary
School, has successfully played a gig at the Singapore Management University.
“We did it for an experience we wouldn’t have ordinarily got from our school,”
said lead guitarist Lee Jing, 15.
Such exposure has allowed them to gain confidence in facing large crowds.
Many of them use these experiences as a springboard into the music industry.
A check with jamming studio Nuradee Bros. found that seven student bands have
recorded demos with them.
Said a studio spokesman: “They’re not too bad, and some are really outstanding.
As teenagers, they have big potential.”
But teachers have their concerns about these student rockers.
“I know they’re really passionate, and it’s goodto see students directing their
energy to music. But they should apportion some time to studies as well,” said
Mrs Ruth Tan, an English Teacher from Bukit Batok Secondary.
But the student musicians say such worries are unfounded. They say that adults
do not know that bands have made many sacrifices like cutting down time spent
watching TV and playing computer, in order to juggle their studies and band
commitments.
The student bands practise once a week at jamming studios for up to three hours
on average to polish their skills. They pay anything from $14 to $18 an hour.
“We’re students, and not loaded. But my parents support me and my group, so
they sponsor a bit of our fees,” said Sec 5 student Muhammad Firdaus Saladi,
17, rhythm guitarist of Darkrossa.
He added: “The band knows that we do not have the luxury of money nor time, so
when we practise, it’s super-serious.”
REFLECTION:
Most of us teenagers are impressionable and while chasing after trends, yes, this is one way we express ourselves. Even a music junkie like myself hopes to be a big star to rival and even surpass my idols in death and black metal. However such a career while being glamourous and stuff, it is also extremely stressful, to have pepperazzi's chasing you 24/7 for all sorts of hot news. If you do anything, preferably embarrassing, I doubt most can live with such humiliation. Such a game can only be played by veterans and professionals. Us teens also lament about how people don't understand us, well, for most part, I feel that it is not that people don't understand, but we refuse to let them in on ourselves. If this is one way of expressing what is really inside, you parents better jump at the chance to understand what's inside! But because music is our passion, not just as a consumer but to be one of those contributing to our entertainment, we of course would put in extra effort to practice hard and seriously go along with this. Not just because of our idols, but for ourselves, our inner peace, peace that we have finally found something which we really like, something we can live for. And that is what defines the happy-go-lucky teenagers in this industry.
However, there are always people trying to put you down, no matter what you do. In this case it best defines the teachers and school and mostloy parents. Society expects us to just stay at home and study for the 'good of our nation', well hello. I'm tired of being what you want me to be. If everyone contributes to the society in his or her own way, then the true sprit of giving is there. While most teachers are concerned with studies and the like, I feel that such a thing that defines our future has been already paid enough attention to, even as teens, we all secretly know in our hearts that studies are important. And so with the passion of music in our hearts as well, we would put aside time and manage it well so that we can balance both our work and our hobbies. Even as such, is it guranteed that we would enjoy as much fame and glamour as Avril Lavigne or Dimmu Borgir? There are just that many bands that are unheard of, who are trying to earn their keep, who continue making music even though they know they're dying in this industry. And that is the true sprit of the passion in life.
In conclusion, I support the teen's choice of forming bands, making music, so long as it does not affect one's present committments.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Term 2 Online Reading Portfolio(AGAIN) a.k.a. WORK(again)
more work *chiong*
Pub Date: 02/04/2007 Pub: ST Page: 4
Day: Monday
Edition: IN
Headline: TIME TO JAM IT UP
By: NURUL LIYANA YEO
Page Heading: IN
Picture Caption:
Better teen bands get added exposure through competitions like The Straits
Times School Of Rock.
Source: SPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INANDAROUND
YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
MORE STUDENTS ARE FORMING ROCK BANDS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, AS NURUL LIYANA YEO
DISCOVERS
There’s no denying that music is a universal language, and something everyone
enjoys.
Almost everyone owns either an iPod or an MP3 player these days, and our local
music industry is booming with songs by Electrico and The Great Spy Experiment
riding high on our airwaves.
So it is no surprise that more students are now keen on forming their own rock
bands – while still in school.
“We do it because we feel the passion and drive to make music,” says Fahmi
Sharin Shariff, 17, a Bukit Batok Secondary 5 student who plays bass for rock
band Darkrossa.
Many of these bands have their schools to thank for providing them with a
platform to showcase their skills. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see these
bands rock out at school events such as Chinese New Year celebrations.
If they are good enough, they get more exposure through band competitions, such
as The Straits Times School Of Rock competition, and varsity events.
Wisteria, which comprises Secondary 4 students from Bukit Batok Secondary
School, has successfully played a gig at the Singapore Management University.
“We did it for an experience we wouldn’t have ordinarily got from our school,”
said lead guitarist Lee Jing, 15.
Such exposure has allowed them to gain confidence in facing large crowds.
Many of them use these experiences as a springboard into the music industry.
A check with jamming studio Nuradee Bros. found that seven student bands have
recorded demos with them.
Said a studio spokesman: “They’re not too bad, and some are really outstanding.
As teenagers, they have big potential.”
But teachers have their concerns about these student rockers.
“I know they’re really passionate, and it’s goodto see students directing their
energy to music. But they should apportion some time to studies as well,” said
Mrs Ruth Tan, an English Teacher from Bukit Batok Secondary.
But the student musicians say such worries are unfounded. They say that adults
do not know that bands have made many sacrifices like cutting down time spent
watching TV and playing computer, in order to juggle their studies and band
commitments.
The student bands practise once a week at jamming studios for up to three hours
on average to polish their skills. They pay anything from $14 to $18 an hour.
“We’re students, and not loaded. But my parents support me and my group, so
they sponsor a bit of our fees,” said Sec 5 student Muhammad Firdaus Saladi,
17, rhythm guitarist of Darkrossa.
He added: “The band knows that we do not have the luxury of money nor time, so
when we practise, it’s super-serious.”
REFLECTION:
Most of us teenagers are impressionable and while chasing after trends, yes, this is one way we express ourselves. Even a music junkie like myself hopes to be a big star to rival and even surpass my idols in death and black metal. However such a career while being glamourous and stuff, it is also extremely stressful, to have pepperazzi's chasing you 24/7 for all sorts of hot news. If you do anything, preferably embarrassing, I doubt most can live with such humiliation. Such a game can only be played by veterans and professionals. Us teens also lament about how people don't understand us, well, for most part, I feel that it is not that people don't understand, but we refuse to let them in on ourselves. If this is one way of expressing what is really inside, you parents better jump at the chance to understand what's inside! But because music is our passion, not just as a consumer but to be one of those contributing to our entertainment, we of course would put in extra effort to practice hard and seriously go along with this. Not just because of our idols, but for ourselves, our inner peace, peace that we have finally found something which we really like, something we can live for. And that is what defines the happy-go-lucky teenagers in this industry.
However, there are always people trying to put you down, no matter what you do. In this case it best defines the teachers and school and mostloy parents. Society expects us to just stay at home and study for the 'good of our nation', well hello. I'm tired of being what you want me to be. If everyone contributes to the society in his or her own way, then the true sprit of giving is there. While most teachers are concerned with studies and the like, I feel that such a thing that defines our future has been already paid enough attention to, even as teens, we all secretly know in our hearts that studies are important. And so with the passion of music in our hearts as well, we would put aside time and manage it well so that we can balance both our work and our hobbies. Even as such, is it guranteed that we would enjoy as much fame and glamour as Avril Lavigne or Dimmu Borgir? There are just that many bands that are unheard of, who are trying to earn their keep, who continue making music even though they know they're dying in this industry. And that is the true sprit of the passion in life.
In conclusion, I support the teen's choice of forming bands, making music, so long as it does not affect one's present committments.
Pub Date: 02/04/2007 Pub: ST Page: 4
Day: Monday
Edition: IN
Headline: TIME TO JAM IT UP
By: NURUL LIYANA YEO
Page Heading: IN
Picture Caption:
Better teen bands get added exposure through competitions like The Straits
Times School Of Rock.
Source: SPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INANDAROUND
YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
MORE STUDENTS ARE FORMING ROCK BANDS TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, AS NURUL LIYANA YEO
DISCOVERS
There’s no denying that music is a universal language, and something everyone
enjoys.
Almost everyone owns either an iPod or an MP3 player these days, and our local
music industry is booming with songs by Electrico and The Great Spy Experiment
riding high on our airwaves.
So it is no surprise that more students are now keen on forming their own rock
bands – while still in school.
“We do it because we feel the passion and drive to make music,” says Fahmi
Sharin Shariff, 17, a Bukit Batok Secondary 5 student who plays bass for rock
band Darkrossa.
Many of these bands have their schools to thank for providing them with a
platform to showcase their skills. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see these
bands rock out at school events such as Chinese New Year celebrations.
If they are good enough, they get more exposure through band competitions, such
as The Straits Times School Of Rock competition, and varsity events.
Wisteria, which comprises Secondary 4 students from Bukit Batok Secondary
School, has successfully played a gig at the Singapore Management University.
“We did it for an experience we wouldn’t have ordinarily got from our school,”
said lead guitarist Lee Jing, 15.
Such exposure has allowed them to gain confidence in facing large crowds.
Many of them use these experiences as a springboard into the music industry.
A check with jamming studio Nuradee Bros. found that seven student bands have
recorded demos with them.
Said a studio spokesman: “They’re not too bad, and some are really outstanding.
As teenagers, they have big potential.”
But teachers have their concerns about these student rockers.
“I know they’re really passionate, and it’s goodto see students directing their
energy to music. But they should apportion some time to studies as well,” said
Mrs Ruth Tan, an English Teacher from Bukit Batok Secondary.
But the student musicians say such worries are unfounded. They say that adults
do not know that bands have made many sacrifices like cutting down time spent
watching TV and playing computer, in order to juggle their studies and band
commitments.
The student bands practise once a week at jamming studios for up to three hours
on average to polish their skills. They pay anything from $14 to $18 an hour.
“We’re students, and not loaded. But my parents support me and my group, so
they sponsor a bit of our fees,” said Sec 5 student Muhammad Firdaus Saladi,
17, rhythm guitarist of Darkrossa.
He added: “The band knows that we do not have the luxury of money nor time, so
when we practise, it’s super-serious.”
REFLECTION:
Most of us teenagers are impressionable and while chasing after trends, yes, this is one way we express ourselves. Even a music junkie like myself hopes to be a big star to rival and even surpass my idols in death and black metal. However such a career while being glamourous and stuff, it is also extremely stressful, to have pepperazzi's chasing you 24/7 for all sorts of hot news. If you do anything, preferably embarrassing, I doubt most can live with such humiliation. Such a game can only be played by veterans and professionals. Us teens also lament about how people don't understand us, well, for most part, I feel that it is not that people don't understand, but we refuse to let them in on ourselves. If this is one way of expressing what is really inside, you parents better jump at the chance to understand what's inside! But because music is our passion, not just as a consumer but to be one of those contributing to our entertainment, we of course would put in extra effort to practice hard and seriously go along with this. Not just because of our idols, but for ourselves, our inner peace, peace that we have finally found something which we really like, something we can live for. And that is what defines the happy-go-lucky teenagers in this industry.
However, there are always people trying to put you down, no matter what you do. In this case it best defines the teachers and school and mostloy parents. Society expects us to just stay at home and study for the 'good of our nation', well hello. I'm tired of being what you want me to be. If everyone contributes to the society in his or her own way, then the true sprit of giving is there. While most teachers are concerned with studies and the like, I feel that such a thing that defines our future has been already paid enough attention to, even as teens, we all secretly know in our hearts that studies are important. And so with the passion of music in our hearts as well, we would put aside time and manage it well so that we can balance both our work and our hobbies. Even as such, is it guranteed that we would enjoy as much fame and glamour as Avril Lavigne or Dimmu Borgir? There are just that many bands that are unheard of, who are trying to earn their keep, who continue making music even though they know they're dying in this industry. And that is the true sprit of the passion in life.
In conclusion, I support the teen's choice of forming bands, making music, so long as it does not affect one's present committments.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Term 2 '07 Blogging Online Portfolio a.k.a. WORK
now what, work. Okay, time to get serious again -.-
Article:
Pub Date: 08/04/2007 Pub: ST Page: 40
Day: Sunday
Edition: FIRST
Headline: Nipping online piracy in the bud
By: JESSICA LIM#EMILY LEK
Page Heading: gen y
Source: SPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many youngsters do not know the risks and implications of sharing files. A
public education drive aims to change this.
MUHAMMAD Mahriazul gets his weekly music fix by downloading at least a song a
week from his classmates’ computers.
And he helps his friends out, too, by letting them download songs from his
computer just as frequently. He and his classmates use a technology called
“peer-to-peer” (P2P) file-sharing.
It is based on the cooperative sharing of thousands of individual users. It
works by having participants voluntarily install special file-sharing software
on their machines.
Once that software is in place, these users start to trade music MP3 and AVI
files of their favourite songs and movies with others using the same software.
Some of these programs are Morpheus, Kazaa, LimeWire and iMesh.
There is no charge, no cost.
When The Sunday Times asked Muhammad to define “piracy”, the 16-year-old
thought it referred to pirates at sea.
He pointed out that he often saw the word pop up when he was downloading
software but did not know what it meant.
Thus it was not surprising that the Sec 4 student also did not realise it was
illegal.
The Greenview Secondary School student said: “But it is our music from our own
computers. What is wrong with that?”
Quite a number of the activities of these boys and many other teens like them
are illegal – as revealed in a Motion Pictures Association brochure launched in
a public education drive last week.
The brochure points out that peer-to-peer file-sharing devices, through which
most of illegal file-sharing occurs, also exposes computers to harmful viruses,
worms, Trojan horses and annoying pop-ups.
It also brought attention to the risk of sharing personal data, which can lead
to identity theft.
Not forgetting that it is against the law.
Three men, aged 16 to 22 were arrested in their homes in 2005 for sharing more
than 20,000 pirated digital music files over a local Internet relay chat (IRC)
channel.
And in October last year, content owners swooped in on Internet users trading
songs and movies illegally online. They reported 25 offenders here to the
police, part of a worldwide haul that netted 8,000 file-swappers.
Offenders face jail terms of up to five years and fines of up to $100,000. And
although one or two songs may not be on a large enough scale to warrant a
criminal offence, it can attract civil liabilities when infringement is
established.
Still, some who know they are stepping on the other side of the law could not
care less.
A polytechnic student who wants to be known only as Xue Wen stopped downloading
songs for a year because it gave her computer a virus. The student, who started
downloading songs when she was 15, has downloaded about 500 songs in all.
She said: “I would definitely continue downloading songs if not for the virus.
It’s free as well. Now I have to get my friends to send songs to me.”
The 18-year-old “rarely” buys CDs and is not swayed by “those anti-piracy ads”.
Another student, who is known to her friends as Quan, 18, downloads songs
because she thinks it is ridiculous to “buy the entire album for just one
song”. She has downloaded about 50 songs so far and stopped for a month because
she feared getting caught, but started downloading again when “the hype died
down”.
Others simply do it because they do not know the risks. Said Sitee Quraishah,
15, a Sec 4 student at Ang Mo Kio Secondary School: “I used to think that
downloading music was legal and that piracy meant burning DVDs and CDs for
sale. It was only after my teacher taught us what piracy was that I knew.”
Another teenager, who wants to be known as VV, lets others download songs from
her computer because she “can help people save money”.
Intellectual Property Organisation of Singapore (IPOS) director Liew Woon Yin
said in a speech at the launch of the brochure: “Copyrighted material is the
result of someone’s creativity and hard work.
“When distributed on file-sharing systems, the original creators do not receive
due rewards because they are being distributed freely. The creators may
therefore feel less motivated to continue their creativity blitz.”
But such illegal online activity is difficult to curb, say experts here. Said
Mr Michael Ellis, the senior vice-president of the Motion Picture Association
(MPA): “People downloading from their own homes make it difficult to clamp down
on the problem.
“We can’t compete with free. Nobody can. We have to educate and help people
understand the consequences of their actions.”
Parents agree with this.
Said Mr Bernard Wan, who has two daughters aged eight and 14 : “I can’t monitor
my children around the clock, but as a parent I have to remind them about the
seriousness of piracy and how you might get arrested. Then they have the tools
they need to make their own decision.” Both his children are on the computer at
least two hours a day.
Education and information might well be the key.
Students like Mahriazul say the sharing and downloading will cease now that
they know the legal implications.
For others, it is about understanding.
Said Lestor Chua, 13, a Sec 2 student at Maris Stella High School who was
present at the talk: “I didn’t understand how piracy hurts an artist at first,
but now I do. It’s difficult to stop ripping off songs through the Internet
unless you can relate to the person suffering on the other side.”
limjess@sph.com.sg
Additional reporting by Emily Lek
SOURCE: http://enewslink.asia1.com.sg/brsweb/read_44.brsw?this=result&QDT=1&QFLST=HD%3AHG%3APD&DB=BT%3AST%4005-07&QSTR=teen&DTSTR=%28%28PD+%3E=+20051126%29+and+%28PD+%3C=+20070428%29%29&PSZ=10&MAXL=200&SUMY=1&HLT=0&LSTN=40&ID=000016244@ST07
REFLECTIONS:
It's online piracy again. The subject that has been on many tongues for the past decade. But only now has it become some really serious topic. Wow. Really interesting. But what's more interesting is that the IT-savvy generation has found even more ways of downloading illegal music and movies and games and other software. Basically, for the side of the consumers, who really has that much $$ to buy all this digital media anyway? Maybe Bill Gates or even Warren Buffet. But to the oppressed underprevelieged general consumer population such as myself, the rich people made their day of the general population, who is still trying to get by day by day. If you guys won't let us continue letting us enjoying the simple pleasures of life, well, thank you very much. Most of us actually, well, maybe know what piracy is, but who would admit they had moral knowledge but no moral courage? Even if the artists 'stop' their 'creativity blitz', more will join the ranks of the knowingly scammed, there's just that many people in the world. If you quit today, someone will replace you the next. If the long arm of law tries to actually start to take action to track down and arrest everyone, even if they download one song illegally. Good luck to everyone, half of singapore will be in prison, 99.9% of our generation will be behind bars, and then, who will lead singapore to it's 'bright' future? Really, if the law starts to mobilise it's police forces, good luck to it's waste of energy catching and arresting every citizen for the merest offense, taking them to trial which will take months, and then obtaining the funds to feed the prisoners, to clothe them, to accomadate them etc. Now that may be abit exaggerating, but it is painfully true, it is just too troublesome to catch everyone.
However, to empathize with those artists who painfully try to make a living, not to mention they already have better conditions than we do, but then, if you find out you are not making as much $$ as you should have because some lame person out there is copying your creative product, distributing for free or even making YOUR MONEY, now if i were Josh Groban I'd be pretty pissed off too.
But the real threat is the viruses that may infect your computer. Where there's something free, there's always a catch. Just like the insurance companies who have 'terms and conditions apply', all these free things are bound to come with a virus. Some just attach themselves to the file, others just disguise themselves as the file with nothing useful inside. Lame. So my conclusion to those who consider themselves 'virtous' and 'upright', no matter what, don't download illegal music and software. And to those that prefer their own survival and entertainment, don't download illegal music unless you want to spend another thousand on a new computer.
Article:
Pub Date: 08/04/2007 Pub: ST Page: 40
Day: Sunday
Edition: FIRST
Headline: Nipping online piracy in the bud
By: JESSICA LIM#EMILY LEK
Page Heading: gen y
Source: SPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many youngsters do not know the risks and implications of sharing files. A
public education drive aims to change this.
MUHAMMAD Mahriazul gets his weekly music fix by downloading at least a song a
week from his classmates’ computers.
And he helps his friends out, too, by letting them download songs from his
computer just as frequently. He and his classmates use a technology called
“peer-to-peer” (P2P) file-sharing.
It is based on the cooperative sharing of thousands of individual users. It
works by having participants voluntarily install special file-sharing software
on their machines.
Once that software is in place, these users start to trade music MP3 and AVI
files of their favourite songs and movies with others using the same software.
Some of these programs are Morpheus, Kazaa, LimeWire and iMesh.
There is no charge, no cost.
When The Sunday Times asked Muhammad to define “piracy”, the 16-year-old
thought it referred to pirates at sea.
He pointed out that he often saw the word pop up when he was downloading
software but did not know what it meant.
Thus it was not surprising that the Sec 4 student also did not realise it was
illegal.
The Greenview Secondary School student said: “But it is our music from our own
computers. What is wrong with that?”
Quite a number of the activities of these boys and many other teens like them
are illegal – as revealed in a Motion Pictures Association brochure launched in
a public education drive last week.
The brochure points out that peer-to-peer file-sharing devices, through which
most of illegal file-sharing occurs, also exposes computers to harmful viruses,
worms, Trojan horses and annoying pop-ups.
It also brought attention to the risk of sharing personal data, which can lead
to identity theft.
Not forgetting that it is against the law.
Three men, aged 16 to 22 were arrested in their homes in 2005 for sharing more
than 20,000 pirated digital music files over a local Internet relay chat (IRC)
channel.
And in October last year, content owners swooped in on Internet users trading
songs and movies illegally online. They reported 25 offenders here to the
police, part of a worldwide haul that netted 8,000 file-swappers.
Offenders face jail terms of up to five years and fines of up to $100,000. And
although one or two songs may not be on a large enough scale to warrant a
criminal offence, it can attract civil liabilities when infringement is
established.
Still, some who know they are stepping on the other side of the law could not
care less.
A polytechnic student who wants to be known only as Xue Wen stopped downloading
songs for a year because it gave her computer a virus. The student, who started
downloading songs when she was 15, has downloaded about 500 songs in all.
She said: “I would definitely continue downloading songs if not for the virus.
It’s free as well. Now I have to get my friends to send songs to me.”
The 18-year-old “rarely” buys CDs and is not swayed by “those anti-piracy ads”.
Another student, who is known to her friends as Quan, 18, downloads songs
because she thinks it is ridiculous to “buy the entire album for just one
song”. She has downloaded about 50 songs so far and stopped for a month because
she feared getting caught, but started downloading again when “the hype died
down”.
Others simply do it because they do not know the risks. Said Sitee Quraishah,
15, a Sec 4 student at Ang Mo Kio Secondary School: “I used to think that
downloading music was legal and that piracy meant burning DVDs and CDs for
sale. It was only after my teacher taught us what piracy was that I knew.”
Another teenager, who wants to be known as VV, lets others download songs from
her computer because she “can help people save money”.
Intellectual Property Organisation of Singapore (IPOS) director Liew Woon Yin
said in a speech at the launch of the brochure: “Copyrighted material is the
result of someone’s creativity and hard work.
“When distributed on file-sharing systems, the original creators do not receive
due rewards because they are being distributed freely. The creators may
therefore feel less motivated to continue their creativity blitz.”
But such illegal online activity is difficult to curb, say experts here. Said
Mr Michael Ellis, the senior vice-president of the Motion Picture Association
(MPA): “People downloading from their own homes make it difficult to clamp down
on the problem.
“We can’t compete with free. Nobody can. We have to educate and help people
understand the consequences of their actions.”
Parents agree with this.
Said Mr Bernard Wan, who has two daughters aged eight and 14 : “I can’t monitor
my children around the clock, but as a parent I have to remind them about the
seriousness of piracy and how you might get arrested. Then they have the tools
they need to make their own decision.” Both his children are on the computer at
least two hours a day.
Education and information might well be the key.
Students like Mahriazul say the sharing and downloading will cease now that
they know the legal implications.
For others, it is about understanding.
Said Lestor Chua, 13, a Sec 2 student at Maris Stella High School who was
present at the talk: “I didn’t understand how piracy hurts an artist at first,
but now I do. It’s difficult to stop ripping off songs through the Internet
unless you can relate to the person suffering on the other side.”
limjess@sph.com.sg
Additional reporting by Emily Lek
SOURCE: http://enewslink.asia1.com.sg/brsweb/read_44.brsw?this=result&QDT=1&QFLST=HD%3AHG%3APD&DB=BT%3AST%4005-07&QSTR=teen&DTSTR=%28%28PD+%3E=+20051126%29+and+%28PD+%3C=+20070428%29%29&PSZ=10&MAXL=200&SUMY=1&HLT=0&LSTN=40&ID=000016244@ST07
REFLECTIONS:
It's online piracy again. The subject that has been on many tongues for the past decade. But only now has it become some really serious topic. Wow. Really interesting. But what's more interesting is that the IT-savvy generation has found even more ways of downloading illegal music and movies and games and other software. Basically, for the side of the consumers, who really has that much $$ to buy all this digital media anyway? Maybe Bill Gates or even Warren Buffet. But to the oppressed underprevelieged general consumer population such as myself, the rich people made their day of the general population, who is still trying to get by day by day. If you guys won't let us continue letting us enjoying the simple pleasures of life, well, thank you very much. Most of us actually, well, maybe know what piracy is, but who would admit they had moral knowledge but no moral courage? Even if the artists 'stop' their 'creativity blitz', more will join the ranks of the knowingly scammed, there's just that many people in the world. If you quit today, someone will replace you the next. If the long arm of law tries to actually start to take action to track down and arrest everyone, even if they download one song illegally. Good luck to everyone, half of singapore will be in prison, 99.9% of our generation will be behind bars, and then, who will lead singapore to it's 'bright' future? Really, if the law starts to mobilise it's police forces, good luck to it's waste of energy catching and arresting every citizen for the merest offense, taking them to trial which will take months, and then obtaining the funds to feed the prisoners, to clothe them, to accomadate them etc. Now that may be abit exaggerating, but it is painfully true, it is just too troublesome to catch everyone.
However, to empathize with those artists who painfully try to make a living, not to mention they already have better conditions than we do, but then, if you find out you are not making as much $$ as you should have because some lame person out there is copying your creative product, distributing for free or even making YOUR MONEY, now if i were Josh Groban I'd be pretty pissed off too.
But the real threat is the viruses that may infect your computer. Where there's something free, there's always a catch. Just like the insurance companies who have 'terms and conditions apply', all these free things are bound to come with a virus. Some just attach themselves to the file, others just disguise themselves as the file with nothing useful inside. Lame. So my conclusion to those who consider themselves 'virtous' and 'upright', no matter what, don't download illegal music and software. And to those that prefer their own survival and entertainment, don't download illegal music unless you want to spend another thousand on a new computer.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
For Those Who Have Suffered
I got my brace yesterday, maths test is tmr. Good for me, suffering.
Learning Journey Day, not bad. War memorials, Labrador park and everything, the sounds and stuff at the second floor is seriously not bad. War Memorial at Kranji was the most emo of all.
For those who have suffered, 58 billion people have died on this earth so far. This number is expected to increase(duh), 58+9 billion people have suffered so far. everyone's suffering, for what? I don't know, but still, we're still doing it. Good luck to our fates.
Learning Journey Day, not bad. War memorials, Labrador park and everything, the sounds and stuff at the second floor is seriously not bad. War Memorial at Kranji was the most emo of all.
For those who have suffered, 58 billion people have died on this earth so far. This number is expected to increase(duh), 58+9 billion people have suffered so far. everyone's suffering, for what? I don't know, but still, we're still doing it. Good luck to our fates.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Na na na
Cadets please note that Friday's CIP has been postponed to 18th of May, a Friday. Since we postpone it, we expect every to be there. And the training tomorrow is still canceled.
now back to proper blogging xD
walked home today..yay..don't believe? Ask Romeo.
Anyway, nothing much to note today, except the possibility to be a few hundred dollars richer xD.
Other than that, there's not much use for a blog except to do online reading portfolios ._.
I'll do them, later.
now back to proper blogging xD
walked home today..yay..don't believe? Ask Romeo.
Anyway, nothing much to note today, except the possibility to be a few hundred dollars richer xD.
Other than that, there's not much use for a blog except to do online reading portfolios ._.
I'll do them, later.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Conflict
My internal fortress is crumbling...
The first time you enter leadership training is just like having sex.
You don't know what you're doing, but somehow you enjoy what you're aiming for, and while you do it you're facing conflict of stopping or continuing, and before you know it, it's all over way too fast.
My parents are gonna stop me from this lifestyle of RIRC soon. I don't know how long i can hold out. Yea, my internal fortress is crumbling, and I still haven't done the 2 newspaper articles yet. Oh well, screw it.
My parents think buying me stuff can make me do what they want me to do. Guess what, they thought wrong lol, it takes more than that -.-
Whatever lah, that emotional acceptance you get from your batchmates, batch 56, is more than what your parents can give you. Your friends, those you've been through good and bad times with. Those are the ones that matter. My parents are just wanting me to grow up way too fast..
Did a chinese article today about ppl making children grow up too fast. It's comepletey F***ING TRUE!!!! Just see the stupid Raffles Programme...can't even cater for those students like yours truly who are weak in their academics and build some bullcrap like RA...why...to cater for those students of higher academic ability of course. And what about those students who come in by special talent? What about those who are struggling? You work us soo hard, you embarrass us, brainwash us into thinking that we deserve better, thus we should work harder in our passion. Even if it's unintentional, it's unknowingly done, it's DONE. Congrats, you happy now? Raffles is now a world premier school, thanks to the students that were made into Japanese-WWII-like soldiers. YAY. I LOVE RED CROSS!! THEY'RE OVERWORKING ME AND I LOVE IT!! YAY I LOVE MY COMMITTEE!!! YAY!!YAAAAAAAAAAA
I got bitten by an ant today. >_> Wonder why I didn't kill it..
The first time you enter leadership training is just like having sex.
You don't know what you're doing, but somehow you enjoy what you're aiming for, and while you do it you're facing conflict of stopping or continuing, and before you know it, it's all over way too fast.
My parents are gonna stop me from this lifestyle of RIRC soon. I don't know how long i can hold out. Yea, my internal fortress is crumbling, and I still haven't done the 2 newspaper articles yet. Oh well, screw it.
My parents think buying me stuff can make me do what they want me to do. Guess what, they thought wrong lol, it takes more than that -.-
Whatever lah, that emotional acceptance you get from your batchmates, batch 56, is more than what your parents can give you. Your friends, those you've been through good and bad times with. Those are the ones that matter. My parents are just wanting me to grow up way too fast..
Did a chinese article today about ppl making children grow up too fast. It's comepletey F***ING TRUE!!!! Just see the stupid Raffles Programme...can't even cater for those students like yours truly who are weak in their academics and build some bullcrap like RA...why...to cater for those students of higher academic ability of course. And what about those students who come in by special talent? What about those who are struggling? You work us soo hard, you embarrass us, brainwash us into thinking that we deserve better, thus we should work harder in our passion. Even if it's unintentional, it's unknowingly done, it's DONE. Congrats, you happy now? Raffles is now a world premier school, thanks to the students that were made into Japanese-WWII-like soldiers. YAY. I LOVE RED CROSS!! THEY'RE OVERWORKING ME AND I LOVE IT!! YAY I LOVE MY COMMITTEE!!! YAY!!YAAAAAAAAAAA
I got bitten by an ant today. >_> Wonder why I didn't kill it..
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Friends
I've been trying to get this song outta my head, but to no avail. It keeps ringing in my head and won't go away instead. But nvm, it's a nice song.
It's called 朋友 by 周华健.
You can hear it here:
http://www.pingyin.net/music/sound/xygq/008.mp3
Anyway it's nice, and so here are the lyrics.
朋友
演唱:周华健
这些年一个人
风也过雨也走
有过泪有过错
还记得坚持甚麽
真爱过才会懂
会寂寞会回首
终有梦终有你在心中
朋友一生一起走
那些日子不再有
一句话一辈子
一生情一杯酒
朋友不曾孤单过
一声朋友你会懂
还有伤还有痛
还要走还有我
Yea I know this song is old, but my mum told me i was singing this song like mad when i was really young, and so...i think i'll do it again.
It's a really nice song. lols.
It's called 朋友 by 周华健.
You can hear it here:
http://www.pingyin.net/music/sound/xygq/008.mp3
Anyway it's nice, and so here are the lyrics.
朋友
演唱:周华健
这些年一个人
风也过雨也走
有过泪有过错
还记得坚持甚麽
真爱过才会懂
会寂寞会回首
终有梦终有你在心中
朋友一生一起走
那些日子不再有
一句话一辈子
一生情一杯酒
朋友不曾孤单过
一声朋友你会懂
还有伤还有痛
还要走还有我
Yea I know this song is old, but my mum told me i was singing this song like mad when i was really young, and so...i think i'll do it again.
It's a really nice song. lols.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Change
Drastic Changes to My
Academic Life
CCA Life
Physical Life
I have too many tests.(As Usual)
LOL RED CROSS.(That's all I can say)
Physical Life, I have thoracolumbar scoliosis. To those who don't know, find out for yourself.
Good Night.
Academic Life
CCA Life
Physical Life
I have too many tests.(As Usual)
LOL RED CROSS.(That's all I can say)
Physical Life, I have thoracolumbar scoliosis. To those who don't know, find out for yourself.
Good Night.
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