本來上星期已經想出帖，但今日在麥當奴食晏的時候，從 Facebook 中見有人分享了一張相，所以原先想寫的題目也轉了這一個。最近飛卜最流行的除了是畫公仔之外，恐怕要數關於拐子佬的轉載和分享。剛才食完晏回家在網上略一搜尋，發覺祇有蘋果和東方兩份報紙有報導這則新聞。其實很多香港人都知道，這兩份報紙沒有甚麼公信力可言。而若事實上如報導或飛卜中表現出那麼猖獗的話，應該早就有小孩被拐，香港警察早就有新聞發佈了。無獨有偶，早幾日警方才說有騙徒打電話給老人家，詐稱其兒子欠債被關起來云云。我想說的不是這件事與拐子佬有關，祇是想說明，無論騙徒手法有多舊總會有人上當的。同一道理，如果真的如那些報導（不管是蘋果、東方或飛卜上「朋友」的「經歷」）所描繪得那麼兇狠的話，應該早就有無知小學雞與陌生人搭訕而失蹤又或者大圍師奶在街市追不到被抱走的小孩了。故事往往就是在千鈞一髮間拐子佬知難而退，真箇比起無線的劇集更加驚險！當然，我不敢說香港沒有拐子佬，而家長不論何時何地都應該小心看管子女，但那些飛卜中無日無之的轉載和分享早已經令我煩嫌了！
當然，如果從警惕的角度看，飛卜中的分享也是有其正面之處。但不幸者是，也有其負面之效。好明顯，如果那些拐子佬的傳聞一如年初「搶 B 黨」（
見【拐子佬搶 B 原是流言】）般是沒有事實依據的話，始作俑者明顯是想深化中港矛盾。看倌怎樣看大陸雙非孕婦佔用公共醫院，老嫩大陸遊客在大街小商場便瀝等中港矛盾是閣下的觀點。但如果我被這則拐子佬的謠傳而淪為有心人的利用工具的話，那就有點笨實了；至少那些有心人應該用一則有事實根據的事件去利用我嘛！
事實上飛卜中的分享除了有其負面處之外，也有可能是個陷阱。除了是電腦病毒的陷阱之外，也可以是犯罪的陷阱。記得在農曆新年期間，網上出現了一段影片和相片，內容是一對男女在公園打野戰；當時有不少人在飛卜中互相分享。我相信絕大多數的人都不認識那對男女，自然更加不會知道對方年齡若干。假如這對一時情不自禁的男女其中一方未成年的話，那些飛卜的分享者就落了個「散播兒童色情材料」的惡罪！誰會想到按一按那個 share 的鈕就可能惹上那麼嚴重的罪名？！
Toronto woman told to put her top on
I like the two quotes in the article, very good point.
"Hot pink string bikinis are okay — a plain normal black bra is not okay."
"Martin was told that she would attract unwanted attention from men and her safety was at risk...'Deal with the guys if there is a problem,but don't come over and pre-emptively tell me that I'm going to start a problem.' "
Source: CBC News
Why Did Lulzsec Quit? One Member: "Boredom"
老實講，我不會理是甚麼原因令 Lulzsec 那些駭客停止活動，因為我跟本就不相信他們的「宣佈」！一來正常人是沒有理由相信賊的說話，不論對方說甚麼也好！就正如我不相信 WikiLeaks 的話一樣；偷來的情報既無來源又不能核實叫人怎信？二來那些駭客組織良莠不齊組織鬆散，就算核心成員有甚麼決定也不見得可以令下游成員跟隨。尤其是 Lulzsec 這種以追求互聯網自由、以無管轄無國界理念為主的組織，吸引旗下的都不會是容易馴服的人，試問又怎可以上行下效？！所以他們話會收手，就好比中共話牠的官會不貪污一樣！
討論區轉貼網上新聞罪成 海關首檢控同類侵權
【明報專訊】網民在討論區從報章網站轉載新聞報道內容乃屬侵權行為，海關日前作出首宗檢控。一名網上討論區管理員提供超連結，利用電腦程式令網民點擊時，便可存取複製自《星島日報》網上新聞的報道免費閱覽，管理員
It's important to know this! Never quote too much.
"The age of cyber war has arrived"
The scenario of multiple attacks at major infrastructure is really scary, as we have seen in Die Hard or Live Free but I think it is really unlikely. Yesterday, my IT adminstrator tried to install a new version of MATLAB on my computer. Something as routine as this should be a no-brainer but the installation did not go well. Even when a manual is sitting right in front of us, something could go wrong, or the illustrated steps on the manual simply do not match up with what we see on the screen. We even have problems (sometimes a lot of them) trying to do something legal and by-the-book, imagine how difficult it is to hack into a well-guarded computer system to launch a cyber attack. Of course, launching does not mean everything will go as planned, a damage may not ripple all the way down. Thus, the difficulty of successfully attacking several major targets simultaneously is way higher than attacking just a single one. Lucky coincidences only happen in a movie! On top of that, every software update or security patch of a system (or subsystem) probably means some hacking work has to be done all over again. As a result, a group of hackers’ knowledge on a complex system may not be up-to-date and accurate. This could limit the scope of an attack and confine any possible damage. Of course I am not saying that it is needless to protect our cyberspace. However, the risk assessment should be realistic and not based upon some magnified and distorted fear. The Iraqi weapon of mass destruction episode is a good example of this!
Source: The age of cyber war has arrived
越黑越可愛
最近看新聞先知道，原來楓葉國的 KFC （香港叫「家鄉雞」還是「肯德基」？）推出了一款新口味叫 Double Down。看倌請留意，我是說看新聞而不是看廣告；那是因為這種雞被喻為相當不健康，有人要求衛生部介入。究竟它又有幾利害呢，好奇的我於是乎早幾日冒著生命危險括出去一試！首先大家要知道，一件 Double Down 只是簡簡單單兩塊雞扒中間放了芝士和煙肉，連雜菜醬汁也沒有，被認為是不健康也可以理解。之不過原來這東西的卡路里比起牝丹樓的巨無霸還要低，只不過鹽份十分高，比巨無霸高出一半有多。不過我吃罷也不覺得它特別口乾，至少當日午餐吃的中東 Shawarma 還要比它令我口乾。無怪乎排隊購買時見不少人都選擇 Double Down，KFC 真要多得一眾傳媒的青昧！
之前好似沒有提到它的味道。其實因為那是 KFC 一般的雞，所以味道與一般的 KFC 炸雞是一模一樣，但因為雞鹹的關係，所以雞味煙肉味和芝士味相對都不重。
因為我叫的是套餐的關係，所以也不敢跟炸薯條，要了一個沙律。回到家後更加立刻食生果，保住喉嚨沒有痛！
星期六晚補：不知我這個自家製漢堡雞包又有幾多卡路里呢？
Brampton man arrested for allegedly practicing witchcraft
“... he had the ability to practice magic and by doing that he could solve people’s problems… for money.”
Mmmmm... should they arrest Steve Jobs who always says iPad is magical and his products make people look cool?
Source: Brampton man arrested for allegedly practicing witchcraft
阻拘女小販 阿伯守行為
(星島日報報道)食環署人員拘捕跪地求饒的老婦小販，七旬男途人徐威抱不平施「援手」，被指推跌販管隊人員告上法庭，昨獲控方撤銷控罪，惟要簽保守行為。徐威對做了十小時「監躉」氣憤難平，但強調是激於義憤，並不…
食環署應該好似紀律部隊般要入職員工考體能；員工被七旬老翁襲擊跌倒其實是好羞家的一件事，虧食環署好意思擺上法庭搞大件事
日本廁所
提到日本廁所，相信大家都會想到那個令人又愛又恨的噴水廁所板。雖然那支水柱噴得大家的屁股乾乾淨淨，但看倌再欣賞這十多年前的發明也只有妒忌的份兒。皆因大部份人家的抽水馬桶旁都欠了電掣一個，要安裝一套 Washlet 又要找水電師傅又要找裝修師傅好不麻煩。所以我其實想講的不是那個噴水廁所板。
話說星期五我在關西機場等待回港的航機時，人有三急需要去交水費。在男洗手間的尿槽前當我正與小弟弟在商議應該把尿撒向左邊還是右邊時… 現在姑且不談男廁內發生何事，先說撒尿方向一事。日本人的合群性之強怕且在這世界是數一數二的，上落電梯也要指定一邊企一邊供人行。不過我發現在東京的電梯是靠左邊企而在大阪則靠右方站。所以我在尿槽前舉「旗」不定也是人之常情！所以當我在尿槽前滿心疑惑之際，身後突然走過一個清潔女工就嚇了一跳。大家在香港可能見怪不怪，一位清潔大嬸會大模大樣走入男廁。不過對於西人來說，這是相當奇怪的事。我不是說西人會分別請男女清潔工去打理兩邊的洗手間，只不過女清潔工會先大大聲問清楚男廁內沒有人才封了男廁入內工作。印象中香港機場也是這般做法，只是很多其他香港廁所才會有女工亂入的情況。（當然，如果清潔嬸嬸一如很多香港人般是啞的則另作別論！）但在關西國際機場的男廁也出現這情況就未免有失大國的顏面了！
iPad Owners Visit Yahoo at 7x Increase
This is a significant jump and I never expect something like this would happen. Unfortunately, the article did not address one important question, "why?!" Is it because Yahoo does not use Adobe’s Flash? Or is it because Yahoo's web design makes it easier for mouse-less surfers? Or is it because iPad makes it difficult to connect to its rivals’ (Google, MSN, etc.) portals? The first two questions are important because they could point to the direction of next-generation web-design or HTML protocol.
The Queen
I am always amazed by the American news reports when they talked about the Queen of England. In many cases, they always use the term “The Queen” to refer to this aging woman. However, there are many queens in the world; Japan has one, Netherland has one, and so and so forth. “The Queen” is a politically ambiguous way to refer to Elizabeth II because the US nowadays has nothing to do with England politically. Unlike Canada, “The Queen” here is a politically and grammatically correct usage because she, Elizabeth II, is the head of state in Canada. Thus, whenever the American used the term this way, it just made me wonder if they subconsciously wanted to be back to their colonial days.
Back to Canada, the head of state is around the town these days. Recent poll says that over half of the Canadians feel against the idea of monarchy. I am always against the idea because the head of state is only a symbolic figure in this country. She has no real political power here. Unlike many other countries in which head of state can be a symbol of unity, the head of state here represent a symbol of division. This is because this country is basically split into anglophones and francophones, and both camps have deep and rich cultural background. Having the Queen of England to be the head of state certainly won’t get any traction among the francophones. No wonder the acceptance of monarchy is very low in Quebec. Monarchy is just another excuse for those separatists in Quebec. On top of that, our Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s prorogation of parliament really have the Canadians think twice about monarchy. It is simply undemocratic! Finally, what will happen when Elizabeth II dies? Well, I do not like calling Camilla “The Queen”!
News: Canadians lukewarm on monarchy: poll
雪糕小販阻街獲不提證供起訴
新入行的五十六歲售買雪糕小販，去年十二月於尖沙咀 天星碼頭 旁擺檔時，遭食物環境署職員票控阻街，又指他售賣牌照規定以外的棒棒糖。
雪糕小販在觀塘法院被控阻街罪，獲法官不提證供起訴，雪糕仔承認販賣違規商品棒棒糖，法官直言尊重他勤奮工作，輕判他罰款一百元，承諾下次若到尖沙咀一定光顧。
法外有情
黑色星期四 瘋狂大錯盤
(星島日報報道)美國股市遭逢「黑色星期四」，前天大部分時間受歐洲債務危機拖累下跌的杜指，尾段跌勢急轉直下，在不足十分鐘內暴挫接近一千點，創美股歷來最大單日點數跌幅；據聞禍首是花旗交易員「不慎」落錯盤，…
據聞是花旗交易員落錯盤，把「Million」按了「Billion」，把沽出一千六百萬美元（16M）變成沽出一百六十億（16B）美元的寶潔（P&G）股票。剛從維基上看到，寶潔去年的資產值也不過是 135B；一百六十億美元寶潔股票恐怕遠高於十份之一寶潔總發行的股票，看來不會有多少股票行會有一隻大藍籌的十份一股票供放盤吧？！所以這次「落錯盤」就好似話，我去銀行提款，從提取一百元「按錯掣」變成提取一百萬，而銀行查也沒有查我的帳戶就給了我一百萬元。請問有多少看倌真的衷心相信花旗真是落錯盤？
India bans Chinese telecom equipment
Chinese government always thinks that there is no consequences whatsoever of its action on the Internet. The government hacks into its people’s computers or spies on international network as if any retrieved information is free to grab. Well, I guess this time its telecommunication industry simply gets hurt for a change. Chances are India will not be the last country to put out such a ban. In fact, more Chinese products will be banned by foreign countries due to national security reasons. Will Apple set up a factory in China to build its computer? Probably not. Will Nokia manufacture its handsets in China? I doubt it. Will any foreign companies contract China to send their satellites into orbit? Fat chance! Prosperity may be able to allow Shanghai to host a World Expo but it definitely won’t make China a trustworthy nation in the world.
Source: CBC
牛栢葉譯Albert Yip 菜單失禮人 九成亂來 港酒家歸咎內地生操刀
【明報專訊】謎語一則﹕Albert Yip，猜一種食物——「答案」竟是牛栢葉！網上近日流傳天水圍 一間酒家的火鍋餐單，其英文翻譯被評為「笑爆嘴」，成為熱話，被譏為「大陸化翻譯」，如手打魚蛋是「Hand fighting fish balls」。有翻譯專家說﹕「近九成錯！這不是翻譯，是憑空揑造！我們常常笑大陸翻譯差，這次輪到香港蒙羞了！」有關酒家承認錯誤，歸咎請了內地大學生翻譯出事，已付錢找專人改正。...
其實不少香港人都有一個錯誤的想法，以為自己的英文不好。但其實一般香港人的英文水準都可以達到溝通的目的，這個已經是很足夠了。在以前港英時代，英國人自然希望製造一個環境令到他們吃喝玩樂時都有如在老家一樣，要求香港人聽得明英式英語不必令他們重複說幾遍是自然不過的事；要香港人用英式字辭不必要他們傷腦筋想想那美式字辭是甚麼意思也是方便自己居多。
以英文比英文，香港人的英文當然未達標。但英文作為第二語言，香港人的第二語言造藝實在是不俗的。英國和美國都是單語國家，自然只有一個自以為是的語文標準。以下一個真人真事是我幾年前遇到的。話說當時我在上法文班（加拿大另一官方語言是法文），老師問 "montre" 是甚麼東西，全班約十個人都不知道。但全班人除了我之外都有中學法文程度，但他們就是不知道那是「手錶」的意思。我很難想像香港中學生會不認識 "watch" 這個字呢！
當然，如果閣下打算在不久將來居住在英語為主的國家的話，只達溝通水平的英語是有待改進的。同樣地，如果閣下的職業是需要經常與外國人打交道的話，作為一份專業精神也需要提升英語水平。否則只為了應付偶爾三九唔識七的老番遊客問路的話，一係指手劃腳用不流利的英語回答，一係就對對方說 "Well, I can always answer your question in Chinese!"
16漢字歧視女性需改造
內地著名律師葉滿天發表博客文章，批評16個漢字，歧視女性，應該加以改造，引發網上爭論。
葉滿天表示，他在小學生時在翻查字典就有了一個印象——很多下流、猥褻、負面意思的中文用一聲旁，再用「女」部首做形旁，這樣的構造對女性是不公道的。
這16個歧視女性的漢字，分別是：娛、耍、婪、嫉、妒、嫌、佞、妄、妖、奴、妓、娼、姦、姘、婊和嫖，他認為，這16個字都具有一定的貶義，讓人在學習、書寫或閱讀的過程中，無形中降低了對女性的評價。
他建議改造這些字，指也許有人說這16字已經使用了幾千年，改編太麻煩，會耗費人力物力等等，但他相信，在技術上是可行的，特別用尊重女性的角度來看是值得的、應該的。
這個律師想搞文字獄？
港住宅用水量冠全球
(星島日報報道)廣東旱情未有改善，獲保證東江水供應的香港，用水量卻十分驚人，有研究指本港住宅的用水量，每日人均達二百二十公升，較全球其他地區每日人均用一百七十公升，高出兩成多。研究認為本港水費幾乎是全球最低，無助警剔減少用水，認為政府要教育公眾節約用水，並與內地商討水源問題。...
我倒不覺得香港人浪費食水。在這篇報導中，有兩點是可圈可點的。作為一個在亞熱帶的發達地區，香港又在珠江口外，與歐美國情相比較甚不公平。香港人在夏天一日沖兩次涼也不是多，這又怎能與歐美相提並論！另外香港地方小人口集中，不必如歐美地區建築長長的輸水管網絡去支援廣闊的國土，自然維持食水的成本不會高過那些大國。不過文中有提到，香港人均用水比新加坡人多，那就有深究的空間了。
Another Green Dam?
According to the news article, the Middle East wireless carrier Etisalat is asking their customers to install an "upgrade" on their Blackberries. The problem is that the new software is not authorised by RIM. To make things worse, the software is developed by a US company that is specialised in building spyware! The software can potentially turn a blackberry into a spying device for eavesdropping, data thievery and as a location beacon! My friends in China , the day your smartphones are required to install a Green Dam could be coming!
CBC News: RIM warns Mideast customers of spyware
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