"Expecting the world to treat you fairly because you are good is like expecting the bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian." ~ Dennis Wholey (1937-)

Posted by digitalk team at 06:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all.
~ Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of US (1858 - 1919)

Posted by digitalk team at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It seemed the world was divided into good and bad people. The good ones slept better... while the bad ones seemed to enjoy the waking hours much more ~ Woody Allen

Posted by digitalk team at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Wise men talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something." ~ Plato

Posted by digitalk team at 03:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ever wondered about the possibility of the existence of life on other planets or on the moons? The increasing number of scientific studies and astronomical ventures point to the likelihood of the prevalence of life elsewhere beyond this world we live in.

According to the Scholastic News, the Cassini space probe recently took photos of Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons. The photos indicate signs of water on this relatively tiny satellite.

Water on Enceladus flow through geysers, or holes in the ground through which water and steam shoot up in bursts.

"Life forms require liquid water and organic (natural) materials, and we know we have both on Enceladus now," said Carolyn Porco, a scientist working on the Cassini project.

Enceladus also seems to have been recently active with "water volcanism” or other processes that renew its surface. The fresh, clean ice that dominates its surface gives the satellite the most reflective surface of any body in the solar system.

"Enceladus is the smallest body so far found that seems to have active volcanism," said Dr. Torrence Johnson, Cassini imaging-team member at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

Cassini has also confirmed Enceladus is the major source of Saturn's largest ring, the E-ring.

For more information, this article is available in our databases:-

"Signs of Water on Saturn Moon" Scholastic News - grade 3 (English version)2006-05-08: 3.School Library Collection By NewsbankOnline. Infoweb by Newsbank, Inc. December 20, 2006.

Check out the extensive collection of eBooks on the mysteries of the Outer Space at NLB's eResources.
Here are some interesting eBooks:

The Moon
Planet Library
by Kerrod, Robin.

What's Inside the Moon?
What's Inside Library
by Kosek, Jane Kelly.

Saturn
Planet Library
by Kerrod, Robin.

Saturn
Gateway Solar System
by Vogt, Gregory.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Astronomy
by De Pree, Christopher Gordon.; Axelrod, Alan
Publication: New York Alpha Books, 1999.

DIRECT LINKS:
Scholastic News - grade 3 (English version) : Signs of Water on Saturn Moon
http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:SLCT

Wikipedia, The free Encyclopedia, December 16, 2006- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enceladus_%28moon%29

NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, July 29, 2005- http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press-release-details.cfm?newsID=592

Posted by digitalk team at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'd rather be a failure at something I love than a success at something I hate ~ George Burns (1896 - 1996)

Posted by digitalk team at 02:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The world may have just stumbled upon the answer to one of the world’s most persisting afflictions. Cervical cancer remains the second-most common cancer of women globally. According to the advisory committee of the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, girls ages 11 and 12 should routinely receive the newly licensed vaccine, called Gardasil, to protect against the human papillomavirus virus, known as HPV. Most scientific studies have found that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for more than 90% of the cases of cervical cancer.

However this issue of allowing young girls to get the vaccination has evolved into an ethical dilemma for many parents.

"I would no more get this vaccine for one of my daughters than I would give them a bottle of Jack Daniels on a Friday night just because ‘most of the other kids are drinking,’ " said Janice Dvuanich, 47, a Spokane mother of five, including three adult daughters.

Vaccinating against HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, would send the wrong message to youth, said Michael Smith, a Spokane father of two young sons.

On the other hand, there are those who are not as averse to the idea.

"As the parent of two daughters, the approval of the HPV vaccine is happy news at my house," said Cindy Fine, 50, a Spokane community health nurse and mother of daughters ages 16 and 21. "Do I think my daughters will be sexually active adults? Yes. Do I want them to be protected against cervical cancer? Yes. The ‘debate’ about causing 9-year-olds to become sexually active is nothing more than a red herring from the abstinence-only-until marriage folks who apparently value their dogma over the lives of their daughters."

Interestingly, in Singapore, according to the Ministry of Health , 256 teens aged between 10 and 19 sought help for sexually transmitted infections in 2001. Last year, the number rose to 678. These figures, though astounding, are probably understated, as there could be instances of such cases not being reported.

For more information, this article is available in our e-databases:
Spokesman-Review, The (Spokane, WA) : Cervical cancer vaccine recommended for girls http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:SLCT

Fiction from our libraries dealing with Cancer:

The Fight Against Cancer
by Patrice Pinell
How did cancer, a pathology identified for over 2000 years, turn suddenly at the beginning of the twentieth century into the scourge of our modern times?

The Cancer Pain Sourcebook
by Roger S. Cicala, M.D.
An estimated 34 million cancer patients presently battle chronic pain. In The Cancer Pain Sourcebook, top pain management specialists discuss the anatomy of pain and provide patients with a comprehensive and compassionate approach to managing pain during cancer therapies. Features a complete analysis and evaluation of common pain medications, therapies, and alternative treatments.

DIRECT LINKS:
Wikipedia, The free Encyclopedia, December 15, 2006 -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_Cancer

Ministry of Health:Statistics, Publications and Resources, Communicable Diseases Surveillance in Singapore December 2005- http://www.moh.gov.sg/cmaweb/attachments/publication/36abe4f88506/HIV_AIDS_STIs_TB_Leprosy.pdf

Newsbank JoNel Aleccia Staff writerSpokane. "Cervical cancer vaccine recommended for girls" Spokesman-Review, The (Spokane, WA)2006-06-30: 1A.School Library Collection By NewsbankOnline. http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:SLCT

Posted by digitalk team at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are no nations! There is only humanity. And if we don't come to know that soon, there will be no nations, because there will be no humanity ~ Isaac Asimov

Posted by digitalk team at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.
~ Terry Pratchett, writer.

Posted by digitalk team at 05:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The first installment of epic trilogy, Eragon, gets released this week in the theatres all over Singapore.

Based on a successful novel by Christopher Paolini, this epic inheritance trilogy’s main highlight is dragons.

The book’s most fantastical character is a dragon named Saphira. Eragon discovers a dragon egg, which transforms his life and he is soon thrust into a world of magic and power. The story concentrates on young Dragon Rider Eragon and Saphira, and the battle of good and evil.

Interested in stories about dragons, check out these eBooks:

Title: Dragon in the Stars
Author(s): Jeffrey A. Carver
Publisher: ereads.com
Subject(s): Fantasy
Language(s): English

Title: Dragonworld
Author(s): Byron Preiss, Michael Reaves & Joseph Zucker
Publisher: ibooks, Inc.
Subject(s): Adult Trade, Fantasy, Fiction
Language(s): English

Title: Dungeons & Dragons For Dummies
Author(s): Bill Slavicsek, Rich Baker & Kim Mohan
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Subject(s): Games
Language(s): English

Title: The Little Dragon Without Fire
Author(s): Laraine Ann Baker
Publisher: DiskUs Publishing
Subject(s): Children, Fiction
Language(s): English

Title: The Reluctant Dragon
Author(s): Kenneth Grahame, Various Readers
Publisher: Alcazar Audioworks
Subject(s): Juvenile Fiction, Juvenile Literature
Language(s): English

Title: Dragons of the Cuyahoga
Author(s): S. Andrew Swann
Publisher: DAW Books
Subject(s): Fantasy
Language(s): English

To access these titles & more! Click on OVERDRIVE.

Posted by digitalk team at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It is getting round to that time of year again where for some of us our wallets empty and our bellies fill up. In preparation for the feasting part can we suggest some cookbooks for your consideration?

Essential Beeton
Recipes and tips from the original domestic goddess
by
Mrs Beeton
Publisher: Summersdale Publishers Ltd

So click through to our e-books, scroll down to

Overdrive

Again just go to click through to our e-books, scroll down to

World eBook Library

Quick and Easy Low-fat Recipes From Around the World
by Mamalia-Van de Voorde, Annouk.
Publication: Allentown, PA People's Medical Society, 1997.
Introduction When I was growing up, I was strictly forbidden to use four-letter words. And diet was one of them! The word is obsolete. It conjured images of quarantine or incarceration for breaking the law. It set me apart as though I had the plague.

Again just go to click through to our e-books, scroll down to

Net Library

and finally, if you want to keep up with what everyone else is buying this year - then here are some of the current cooking creme-de-la-creme titles(1)

DIRECT LINKS

(1)"Cookbooks Bestsellers"
Library Journal; New York (0363-0277)
Dec 15, 2006. Vol.131, Iss.20; p.188
Source: ProQuest Research Library
Copy the article title, go to e-databases, scroll down to ProQuest Research Library and paste the title into the search box

Posted by digi.talk team at 04:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Researchers in the US have discovered that 14% of US Internet users have shown signs of cyber-dependence. This discovery was based on a study done, believed to be the first large-scale research for the effects of prolonged web surfing, on 2,513 people across 50 states.

So is being addicted to the cyber world as harmful as being addicted to drugs?

“Psychiatrists feel that addiction to Net is alarming as it could lead to a number of repercussions.” (4)

Addiction to online gaming can be fatal - there have been reports of at least three deaths in Korea and others in China during marathon online gaming sessions that have been directly attributed to gaming addiction. Reuters reported the case of a 28-year-old South Korean man who lost his job because of his gaming addiction and died of heart failure last year after playing online battle simulation games almost non-stop for 50 hours. (3)

Image from: Grolier - The New Book of Popular Science

Studies have shown that those who spend hours playing online fantasy games can show the same signs of addiction as drug users and gamblers. A study was done on 7000 online computer gamers, mostly male and with an average age of 21. These games were asked to fill out two questionnaires. Symptoms of dependence syndrome outlined by the World Health Organisation were taken as signs of addiction and the study found that one in nine online gamers displayed at least 3 signs of addiction. They could suffer withdrawal symptoms or cravings, show loss of control over the habit and neglect other activities. (1)

Any type of addiction has to be treated. That’s exactly what’s happening in the world we live in today. Many all over the world have started paying visits to psychiatrists to seek treatment for being addicted, not to any sort of drugs but instead of being addicted to the Internet. (4)

Several clinics have been set up to provide treatment. A game addiction clinic opened its doors to addicts in July 2006. According to that clinic, about 20 per cent of all gamers develop a dependency on gaming. Even the Chinese government has taken action, opening a clinic for Internet addiction at the Beijing Military Region Central Hospital in March 2005. (3)

Image from: Grolier - The New Book of Popular Science

In Singapore, game addicts have a place to go to for mentoring and counselling, with the newly opened 'cyber-wellness' centre. At the opening ceremony of welfare group Touch Community Services' facility in Bukit Merah, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs Ho Peng Kee noted that the Internet and video games were a 'reality for kids' today. To counter possible problems like online gaming addiction, he said, there was a need to promote 'cyber wellness on a national level' and involve different ministries and community organisations. (6)

Funded by organisations such as the Media Development Authority and Microsoft, the centre aims to help young people deal with issues such as video-game and online addiction through mentoring and counselling, helping them understand why they are drawn to games, and offering healthy alternatives.

So how does addiction happen, ever wondered?

Hemant Chandorker, a psychiatrist, mentions “usually any addiction happens when ‘happy’ hormone Endorphine tends to get released and the person feel pressurised to continue the action again and again.” (4)

One major challenge with video game addiction, experts say, is identifying it.

'It is a very quiet addiction - you don't fall down drunk, you don't chalk up gambling debts, you don't have needle tracks, and if you can control it somewhat you can still pass exams or keep a job,' said Mr Keith Bakker, director of Amsterdamn-based addiction clinic Smith & Jones, the first clinic in Europe to specialise in game addiction.

Dr Daniel Fung, a consultant psychiatrist with the Institute of Mental Health's (IMH) child guidance clinic, said he has seen a few extreme cases each year of child addicts who become so aggressive and uncontrollable they have to be admitted for treatment. (7)

The Web site for Orzack's center lists the following among the psychological symptoms of computer addiction:

- Having a sense of well-being or euphoria while at the computer.
- Craving more and more time at the computer.
- Neglect of family and friends.
- Feeling empty, depressed or irritable when not at the computer.
- Lying to employers and family about activities.
- Inability to stop the activity.
- Problems with school or job.
- Physical symptoms listed include dry eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines, backaches, skipping meals, poor personal hygiene and sleep disturbances. (5)

Image from: Grolier - The New Book of Popular Science

Need to know more? Get all the information you need in our databases here.

Direct Links:

(1) “Kids High on Games.”
Hale, Beth. Sunday Times (Perth, Australia). December 3, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(2) “Net Threat” - Health
O’Connor, Thea. Sun Herald, The (Sydney, Australia). October 22, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(3) “Magnificent Obsessions” – COVER STORY
Molloy, Fran. Age, The (Melbourne, Australia). November 16, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(4) “The Times of India: Addicted to Net!”
Jabal Shah, Ajita. Times of India, The (Bombay, India). November 7, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(5) “Caught in the Web – More People Say Heavy Internet Use Is Disrupting Their Luves, and Medical Experts Are Paying Attention.”
W. Payne, January. Washington Post, The (DC). November 14, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(6) “Centre to help kick game, Web addictions.”
Chua Hian Hou. Straits Times, The (Singapore). August 7, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

(7) “Virtual addiction is no fun and games.”
Chua Hian Hou. Straits Times, The (Singapore). August 4, 2006.
Taken from: Newsbank

Posted by digitalk team at 02:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by digitalk team at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Take a "whistlestop tour" of the wide range of databases which NLB digital library members have access to (If you are not a member you can JOIN HERE

D is for Design and Dialog

Design and Applied Arts Index (DAAI)

Offering over 130,000 annotated references from more than 500 design and craft journals and newspapers dating back to 1973 and giving inforamtion on 50,000 designers, craftspeople, studios, workshops, and firms who are concerned with every aspect of design. This is a key database for the design community and for anyone who is artisitically inclined
Available at Lee Kong Chian Reference Library only

Dialog - Material Safety Data Sheets

Material Safety is not something that appears to have much relevance to everyday life but in fact safety is a concern for all aspects of our lives. This important database resource lists 54,512 chemicals, including pure substances and mixtures. The data sheets themselves are prepared and formatted in accordance with the ANSI Z400.1 standard, a widely adopted international standard. The sheets guide organizations as they strive to satisfy regulatory and safety laws, provide employee right-to-know information, respond to chemical emergencies, and have the information available to safely handle many forms of hazardous waste.
Available at Lee Kong Chian Library only

Dialog - SciSearch

For the scientifically and technologically engaged, this international, multidisciplinary index to the literature of science, technology, biomedicine, and related disciplines contains all of the records published in the Science Citation Index® (SCI®), plus additional records in engineering technology, physical sciences, agriculture, biology, environmental sciences, clinical medicine, and the life sciences. SciSearch indexes all significant items (articles, review papers, meeting abstracts, letters, editorials, book reviews, correction notices, etc.) from more than 6,100 international scientific and technical journals.
Available at Lee Kong Chian Reference Library only

Posted by digi.talk team at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

1. "S'poreans excited by prospect of Universal Studios - Fun rides, 3-D films and high-tech effects are trademark of world-class park"
The Sunday Times (Singapore) - December 10, 2006
GENTING'S win means that Singapore will finally get a world-class theme park - by Universal Studios no less. Singaporeans who have visited the Universal parks in in the United States say the rides stand out for their interactive nature and appeal to both the young and old.

2. "Win set to boost Genting shares as company goes global"
The Business Times, The (Singapore) - December 9, 2006
By winning the right to develop the Sentosa integrated resort project, Malaysia's Genting Bhd group is poised to be re-rated as a global gaming company with operations in Malaysia, London and Singapore. More immediately, however, its triumph is expected to add considerable fizz to its share price.

3.The Business Times, (Singapore) - December 9, 2006
"A gut feeling for accessibility pays off"

The gut feeling of Genting International chairman Lim Kok Thay was that Singapore was not in the market for an avant garde integrated resort (IR), and his gut feeling has been shown to be right.Genting International and sister company Star Cruises have won the tender to build Singapore's second integrated resort with a concept that has been widely regarded as the safest.

4. The Business Times, (Singapore) - December 9, 2006
"Genting comes up trumps"
Genting International has come up trumps in the bidding for Singapore's second integrated resort, seeing off rivals Kerzner International and Eighth Wonder in the contest for the multi-billion-dollar prize.Announcing the winner yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar said Genting International - partnered by Star Cruises - submitted the 'most compelling proposal overall' that best met Singapore's economic and tourism...

5. The Business Times, (Singapore) - December 9, 2006
"Sun, surf - and Genting"
After months of hard work, things have finally come together for Genting and its partners. Here's how their winning combination for the Sentosa integrated resort looks like - in sum and in its parts.Total investment commitment: $5.2 billion Targeted completion date: early 2010 Total number of gated attractions: 4 Visitor targets: 10 million tourists by 2015 Economic benefits: Genting is expected to generate about $2.7 billion (or 0.8 per cent) of Singapore's GDP.

To access these articles copy the title, go the e-Database page, click on

Newsbank

If you want to remind yourself what the bid looks like you can access a slide show here

Posted by digi.talk team at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A mixed bag over the last few days - but the gold for Tao Li and the tender years of some of the Singapore achievers gives hope for future competitions

"A silver for brave Remy"
The Straits Times, December 11, 2006

"Michelle's in final without even trying"
The Straits Times, December 11, 2006

"Give young champs the best money can buy"
The Sunday Times(Singapore) December 10, 2006

"27 seconds and Tao Li's life changed"
Straits Times, The (Singapore) December 9, 2006

"Simon's perfect 5 out of 5"
The Straits Times, December 9, 2006

"Elsie flops despite having a top boat"
The Straits Times, December 9, 2006

"Bronzes for Valerie and the women's bowling team"
The Straits Times, December 9, 2006

Check out the medal tally at Team Singapore

To access these articles copy the title, go the e-Database page, click on

Newsbank

1. Image: Shahril Ishak of Singapore chases the ball during the 15th Asian Games 2006 Men's Group B first round soccer match against Iraq in Doha
Fadi-al-Assaad
REUTERS courtesy Factiva

Posted by digi.talk team at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just for a change we thought we would lighten the atmosphere a bit, downshift to some of our more fantastic offerings from our e-book treasures. The title is an old classic delivered through Tumblebooks in a multimedia way.


Alice has been claimed to be a satire on language, a political allegory, a parody of Victorian children's literature, or even a reflection of contemporary ecclesiastical history. It was perhaps, as the author might have said, no more than a dream, a fairy tale about the trials and tribulations of growing up or down, or all turned round-as seen through the expert eyes of a child.

So click through to our e-books, scroll down to Tumblebooks and enjoy on of the classics of children's (of all ages) fiction

Posted by digitalk team at 03:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity."
- Dorothy Parker

Posted by digi.talk team at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

That alluring aroma in your nostrils is coming from these newly baked additions to our e-databases.......

Business Resource Complete

Available at all libraries and from home

SPORTDiscus

(Limited to 20 concurrent access for both onsite and remote access)

Available at all libraries and from home

IMAGES
1. "Street vendors wait for customers near an outdoor market in Moscow"
Image courtesy of UPI via EBSCOHost Academic Search Premier;

2. Jian Tong, of China, tosses his partner Qiang Pang during the pairs free program at the World Figure Skating Championships 2001
Reuters Pictures courtesy Factiva

Posted by digi.talk team at 09:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Shining at shooting, badminton and billiards, taking a table tennis gong and then the crowning glory the gold in the bowls.

Singapore's silver medallist shooters return to hero's welcome
Channel NewsAsia, 17:58, 5 December 2006, 257 words, (English)

Bronze at least for Singapore - Gamble to split top women's doubles pair pays off as team advance into semi-finals
Straits Times, The (Singapore) - December 4, 2006

Singapore's billiards player Peter Gilchrist loses in semi-finals, to play for bronze
Channel NewsAsia, 23:00, 5 December 2006, 77 words, (English)

Singapore wins first gold at Doha through women's doubles bowling team
Channel NewsAsia, 10:32, 5 December 2006, 278 words, (English)

Silver, but Singapore are happy
Straits Times, 4 December 2006, 806 words, (English)

Singapore fall to Japan but win first Asiad badminton medal
Agence France Presse, 19:56, 4 December 2006, 423 words, (English)

Check out the medal tally at Team Singapore

To access these articles copy the title, go the e-Resources, choose

Factiva

1. Image courtesy of

Reuters

Posted by digi.talk team at 02:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Business Times, The (Singapore) - December 6, 2006 length: 531 words
Tight race seen among bidders for Sentosa IR - However, S'pore stock market's favourite appears to be Genting Int'l

1. With the race for the Sentosa integrated resort (IR) in the home stretch, Genting International and Kerzner/CapitaLand are still seen as the front-runners, though some analysts rate Eighth Wonder an outside chance.The IR winner is expected to be announced this week. And unlike the tender for the Marina Bay IR - when most gaming analysts (wrongly) tipped Harrah's Entertainment/Keppel Land as clear winners - the Sentosa contest is seen as tight. Some analysts rank all...

2. Business Times, The (Singapore) - December 6, 2006 length: 395 words
Three-Minute Digest

Tight race seen among bidders for Sentosa IR WITH the race for the Sentosa integrated resort in the home stretch, Genting International and Kerzner/CapitaLand are still seen as the front-runners, though some analysts rate Eighth Wonder an outside chance. The IR winner is expected to be announced this week.eSys closes in on strategic deal: sources COMPUTER firm eSys - founded by well-known entrepreneur Vikas Goel - is on the verge of securing a strategic investment that will help it...

3. Sunday Herald Sun (Melbourne, Australia) ... December 3, 2006
Packer game on gambling pursuits
JAMES Packer's $4.5 billion bid for Singapore's second casino is an extraordinary cavalcade of way-over-the-top extravagance. It could also prove the defining event in his personal corporate and business development -- cementing his commitment to a Pacific and then global gaming future.

Read the full story at Newsbank [cut and paste the article title above into the Newsbank search box]

Posted by digi.talk team at 01:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our sibling blog ASK! has some sage advice to offer budding bloggers and has particular relevance to the Singapore context. This provides a useful update to our more generic posts some time back on blogging and safety in the cybersurf.

Posted by digi.talk team at 09:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The dream of a Wireless Singapore came closer the other day and one of the places you can "get wireless" is through any of NLB's libraries

To sign up, all you need is a WiFi-enabled device, such as a laptop computer or a PDA, a web browser, and a registered Wireless@SG account. With a registered account, users are able to roam within any of Wireless@SG's coverage areas, regardless of the operators' network. Thereafter a single password allows you to get online at any Wireless@SG hot spot up at to 512 kilobits per second (Kbps).

So why not register online the next time you are in an NLB library with your laptop or call one of the three telecoms operators running the service - iCell Network, QMax Communications or SingTel. By the way of an incentive there are goodies to be won from most of these vendors when you sign up.

Wireless@SG is partially funded by the Singapore government and the number of hotspots will increase to 5,000 hotspots by next year.

So surfing the Web, making a phonecall(VoIP) or watching a video can be free wherever you are.

Any questions? You can check here or drop us a line

Posted by digi.talk team at 01:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision.

- Muhammad Ali

Posted by digi.talk team at 06:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here we are blowing our own trumpet again! Overdrive as you all know has a wealth of e-book and audio books but now the whole experience got more interesting with the addition of music and video titles
FROM

Handel Oxford Water Music Handel Oxford Water Music
by Brook Street Band

TO

Native American Meditations Native American Meditations
by Amanaska

The video on offer has a similar variety for the delectation of your eyes

Rapunzel, Rapunzel
by Tom Davenport
Set in the turn-of-the-century America, this timeless blending of fantasy and reality shows a young girl's struggle for independence. Imprisoned in a tall wooden tower by a witch, Rapunzel allows a...

Easy Home Massage
by Selectmedia Entertainment
A registered massage therapist's guide you through a series of lessons carefully designed to reduce aches and pains.

To access thes titles! Click on OVERDRIVE

Posted by digi.talk team at 05:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The GST hike has been the talk of the town for the past two weeks.
Don’t be left out, catch up on what’s been happening!

Read these articles [cut and paste the article title above into the Newsbank search box] and more, from database Newsbank.

Govt to freeze fees for a year : Tharman -
State to absorb GST on healthcare, education as part of hike offset package
By Michelle, Quah. Business Times, The (Singapore)
December 1, 2006.

“LOWER-INCOME Singaporeans will not suffer from an increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Second Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam said in a TV interview broadcast last night. The government will put in place measures which, taken as a whole with the GST hike, will ensure there is no regressive effect, he said…”

Who gets hit hardest by GST hike? Impact differs for tax-payers in different income brackets
By Yock Hiean, Oh. Straits Times, The (Singapore). November 23, 2006.

“In 2006, if after rebates etc. your net taxable income is $25,000, the income tax you need to pay is $187.50 (3.75%). If you spend $800 a month on goods and services, the GST paid at 5% will be $480. Total = $667.50 in tax paid.

In 2007, if after rebates etc. your net taxable income is $25,000, the income tax you need to pay is $175 (3.5%). If you spend $800 a month on goods and services, the GST paid at 7% will be $672. Total = $847 in tax paid.

From $667.50 to $847, the effective increase is 26.89%…”

Give discount, Singaporeans love it
By Jaime, Ee. Business Times, The (Singapore). November 17, 2006.

“DEAR Mr Person-in-charge,

We, the undersigned, wish to comment on the upcoming increase in the GST from 5 per cent to 7 per cent. We are the founding members of a society devoted to the constant upgrading of consumer knowledge through practical means derived from the exchange of local currency for goods of a minimum value - oh, all right, we're from Shopaholics Anonymous…”

Essential goods and services should be exempted from GST to help the poor
By Leong Khai, Seah. Straits Times, The (Singapore). November 17, 2006.

“This time it proposes to raise the GST from 5 per cent to 7 per cent from 2007. The last time it did this was in 2005 when it raised GST from 4 per cent to 5 per cent and in 2003 from 3 per cent to 4 per cent.

It is understandable that the government has to increase revenue collection to pay for a higher level of social services to help the poor.

However, there are some essential goods and services that the government should consider to exempt them from the GST in order not to adversely affect the lower-income group...”

Many caught offguard by move to up GST
By Erica, Tay & Aaron, Low. Straits Times, The (Singapore). November 14, 2006.

“YESTERDAY'S announcement of a goods and services tax (GST) hike to 7 per cent came as a surprise to most economists, MPs and political watchers, with some predicting that the public will not take kindly to the move.
While noting that this is a necessary move to raise revenue to pay for increasing social needs, they pointed out that the lower-income group is likely to feel its impact the most…”

Time for Singapore to look at distribution of wealth
By Business Times, The (Singapore). November 17, 2006.

“WAGES have continued to rise for Singapore's middle and high income earners over the past nine years - but have stagnated at the bottom. And tackling this disparity is one of the government's top priorities, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this week.

Help workers cope with wage gap, job restructuring -
MPs press for more retraining, job restructuring and help for the displaced.

THE gap between the rich and poor in Singapore is only just beginning to widen, warned the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Lee Yi Shyan yesterday…”

Posted by digitalk team at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Take a "whistlestop tour" of the wide range of databases which NLB digital library members have access to (If you are not a member you can JOIN HERE

C is for Camio, China, Consumers and Contemporary Women!

CAMIO (Catalog of Art Museum Images Online)