A Walk in the Clouds

The term 'cloud computing' has been hot since 2011.

Instead of buying out a software or hardware for your own, now you can use the remote service from any device without spending a lot of money on upgrading. 

You can log in from any device and work under the same platform, the internet could bring everything you need at door.

For example, youtube actually counts as cloud service.

you don't need to save all the videos in your computer but just watch it through the net. That is even a better idea for sharing.

Some questions we may use for discussion:

What kind of cloud service are you using now?

What is the best cloud service you like or you expect to have?

What is the side effect this service may bring to us?

What is the threat and opportunity this trend is bringing to taiwan tech companies?

related Ref:

cloud computing as a threat to older tech companies

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/01/cloud-computing-endangers-older-tech-companies/

Taiwan Data Center

http://www.google.com/about/datacenters/locations/taiwan/

http://www.techbang.com/posts/8901-google-zhang-bin-data-centre-earth-night-remaining-energy-to-cool

The power of media

Facebook is a enormously powerful website, which was approved again this week. Business Week post a news that 7-11 decided to postpone Business Week selling just because a report which was attacked 7-11. Within less than one day, numerous webzines started to boycott 7-11. The whole news reminds me a video.  This video is from CBS WKBT News anchor, who responded viewer’s critical/advised (depends on how you see it) email on her show. 

Question:

1.  Do you see this email as a malicious critics or a neutral advice?
2.  Do you think a public personality/celebrity has responsibility to maintain health physical condition?
3. The anchor said this email could be seen as a bully behavior. Do you agree with it?
4. The anchor categorized obesity, skin color, sexual preference, and disability together. In fact, all them list above except for obesity are born of nature. However, obesity is not. People can get rid of it if they make up their minds to change lifestyle. Do you think this anchor misuse media’s power as a weapon?
5. Share with us your thought about Business Week v. 7-11 event. 

Growing Tax Burden for the Wealthiest

     The economic of the whole world is implicated by the economic of the United States.
A few weeks ago, Obama fought for fiscal cliff and striving for getting agreement with the Republican.
Finally, he made an agreement with the Republican and launch the new tax increasing plan.

According to this new plan, only the highest-earning Americans will be influenced, with about 99.3 percent of households experiencing no change in their income taxes. But the Tax Policy Center estimates that the average family in the top 1 percent will pay a federal tax rate of more than 36 percent this year, up from 28 percent in 2008. That is the highest rate since 1979.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/05/business/after-fiscal-deal-tax-code-may-be-most-progressive-since-1979.html?hp

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/01/05/business/growing-tax-burden-for-the-wealthiest.html?ref=business

Not only the United States, France also released the tax increasing plan. It seems becoming a trend.
Therefore, let's talk about the latest news this week.

How do you feel about the economic of the world now?
Are you afraid of Financial tsunami of 2008 happened again?
What's you idea of the future (since 2012 not the end of the world....)?
What's your opinion on tax system in Taiwan?

Land Expropriation

After series protests from farmers and activist, the Land
Expropriation Statute was amended in Jan 4, 2012.
The compensation mechanism has been improved in the new version law,
however, the activists are apparently not satisfied yet.

The two links below reflect the point of view from government and folks.

farmers and activists
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2011/12/17/taiwan-disconcerting-land-expropriation-act/

official media
http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=174549&ctNode=413

Land expropriation is an extreme example on how the state can use her
power to deprive citizens' right of property.

I hope you never encounter an issue like those farmers in your life.

But the conflict of personal interest and public development is always
a good topic for discussion.

I would not show the questions beforehand, but I do require you take a
side on this issue and give reasons to defend your position.

Be prepared for challenging questions from other members.

Foreign Housekeepers

This week, I would like to talk about the foreign housekeepers in Taiwan.

I was trying to find an English article which describes the current regulation of hiring a legal foreign housekeeper in Taiwan, but I couldn't find it.  So please allow me to post a Chinese article link as below:

http://www.coolloud.org.tw/node/47997

Here is another article about hiring a housekeeper:
http://www.ehow.com/how_6827021_hire-foreign-live_in-housekeeper.html

Following the mode last week, I'll leave the questions open to everyone.
Please feel free to make any comment and tell your experience related to the foreign housekeepers.

Convenience store

Amazing fact: Taiwan has the world’s highest density of convenience store per person. (2500 people/store)

After three weeks life in America, I aware that convenience store in USA is not convenient at all. They only offer awful food and colorful beverages. I really miss the familiar doorbell ring around the every corner, and services and food they provide. The following links describe the services offer by Japanese convenience store, and the contents are similar. So if you are busy, just pick one to read is enough.

Reading materials

1.     http://thisjapaneselife.org/2011/04/27/japan-convenience-konbini/

2.     http://www.tofugu.com/2012/02/03/japanese-convenience-stores/

3.     http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/07/AR2008110703512.html

Discussion

1.     How often do you go to a convenience store? Which brand do you prefer and why?

2.     The activity of sticker collecting in trade of dolls or coupons in convenience store is very popular in Taiwan. Would you buy things there more often because of the dolls or coupon?

3.     Which service they provide you like the best? Why? Or what kind of service you think they should provide in the future?

4.     What do you think about their food in terms of quality and safety?

8/26 "the ice age"

Japan used to be the second biggest economies in the world. With bloom future, countless job opportunities provided by multinational companies, such as Sony, Panasonic, Toyota, and etc..  Now, the younger in Japan face “ the ice age,” a age of opportunity freeze. Japanese culture is somehow different than others. Junior need to attend “find work activity.” If they can't find an offer before senior, then they will miss "the promised road." It will be more difficult for them to get an offer after graduation. Pls see follow link to get more story.

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/0d158be8-c633-11e1-a3d5-00144feabdc0.html#axzz202JXYG8a

Discussion:

1.     Do you think Taiwan also faces the same “ice age” as Japan? Share your opinion to us.

2.     What kinds of difficulties do you think is fresh Graduates face now? 

3.     Give some suggestions to fresh Graduates.

4.     Do you have difficulties when getting your first job? Pls share your experience.

5.     Do you want to be an entrepreneur? Say more!

6.  “Once you drop off the promised road, you’re evaluated as ‘not a good person’.”  In my opinion, it's the same in Taiwan. Do you know any story about people who  drop off the promised road?

It is a long story. If you do not have much time, the front five paragraphs will help you get a glance of Japanese problems now.