March 2008 – nickpan.com

29th March, 20086th April, 2008

Web 2.0 at NUS

Web 2.0 Emerging Industries

Was at Start-Up@Singapore’s Emerging Industry Series about Web 2.0. The 3 speakers there were Stuart Tan, Vanessa Tan and Kelvin Lim virtually.

It was interesting to hear people talk about Web 2.0, cuz we all hear it all the time and its one of those terms that we don’t really know for sure if we have the correct definition but use all the time.

Web 2.0 is a trend in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to facilitate creativity, information sharing, and, most notably, collaboration among users.
~ Wikipedia

Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online. Web 2.0 basically refers to the transition from static HTML Web pages to a more dynamic Web that is more organized and is based on serving Web applications to users.
~ Webopedia

Clearly “Web 2.0? means different things to different journalists on different days. Mostly it means nothing—except a bigger paycheck.
~ Zeldman

Web 2.0 Emerging Industries

14th March, 20084th April, 2008

Flowers for the lady

Its been a tough few months for the both of us. Work, kids, family, the maid situation, life in general.

I had sometime on my hands, so i had a whole day planned out to surprise my wife at work and date her for the evening.

I called her at her office, interrupted her meeting by asking her to come out to meet me at her lift lobby and passed her a bouquet of pink roses. She was totally surprised!! Mission well done.

We then met up after her work and went for Sushi at Paragon.

The whole mood of the evening was totally different. We enjoyed each other’s company and the conversations were lively as compared the things we talk to one another about for the past few months. She then asked me how long will i treat her like that. My answer was “from now on”. I hope i can live up to it. Its not going to be easy, but i shall try.

Till the next exciting date.

11th March, 200823rd March, 2008

Desaru 08

Cleo on Beach

Earlier this month we made a trip up to Desaru and stayed at The Pulai together with our friends Kelvin and Laurine.

The drive up was long as we did not really know how far it was. When we left JB, the signboard showed “Desaru 92km”. Being an unexperienced driver in Malaysia, i had to follow Kelvin’s car closely.

Clié on Beach

It was a pity as when we were there, it was mainly raining, hence we could not play in the pool for too long and the beach had the red flag up. With waves crashing harshly, the kids also kept their distance.

Clié at Pool

We managed somehow to jump into the pool for about an hour, but it was cold. How i wished the sun was bright and chirpy.

Clié and Daddy in pool

Clié and Daddy floating in pool

Cleo sitting in Pool

Clié in room

When we got our keys, apparently the room that we were assigned to had people inside painting the room, very strange, hence we went back to the front desk to get another room. Room 312, thats where we spent the night.

Clié and Cleo in cot

The kids were excited knowing that they are actually on a holiday and that they are sleeping in a hotel room. We got an extra cot for Cleo, not that she needed a cot, its just that the cot is free. hee… Cleo wanted to sleep in the cot, Clié wanted to sleep on the bed. Perfect. No fighting.

thepans having seafood

Kelvin also brought us to Jade Garden Seafood Corner which is apparently very popular with Singaporeans who travel up to Desaru for seafood. Channel U even did a review on them.

The drive back at night from the seafood place back to the resort was challenging as it was pitch black and with only 1 lane both ways, over taking seems to be like a game of chicken.

We only stayed at the resort for 1 night and it does feel super short, but it was a special deal and we really needed to spend time with kids, so we went for it. However we did stop over at Jusco for lunch on the way back and did some shopping. Next time, minimum have to 2 nights, else quite pointless.

During the drive back, it was pouring, hence visibility was bad and when cruising at 130km/h its hard to fall asleep at the wheel.

It was overall a nice trip and i do look forward for the next one with kids. Would love to bring them to take a plane soon.

10th March, 200823rd March, 2008

Kids Pics

Cleo at Church

Just thought i share some photos that Brenda took of my kids.

Clié at Church

Cleo at Church. What a darling.

Below are photos by Anne.

Clié and Cleo at Ikea

Clié at Ikea

Cleo at Ikea

Kids grow up so fast. Just a while back i was looking forward to having chats with them, now we are talking to each other every day. ok… some shouting at times too.

9th March, 20089th March, 2008

Ginger

Netvibes

Netvibes is the best start page tool now and come to think of it, its my most used web2.0 app. I think i use netvibes at least 5 – 10 times more than Facebook. I know its not a fair comparison as both have different usage.

Ginger

Introducing Ginger: the new Netvibes. Its got loads of tools and its universal. It aims to put everything you have online all in one place and I think they may just succeed. I’ve set up my Universe, so if you do use Netvibes, set yours up too and if i know you, add me as your contact. Visit me at http://www.netvibes.com/nickpan. Have fun.