COM 101 Week 4: NDP Song 2009

What do you See (Official National Day Parade Theme Song: 2009) Electrico

Naturally, any audience will be able to comprehend the meaning of this official parade song.

This is another version by Mr Brown and band Electrician: Le Kua Simi.

Imagine if a local and foreigner were to view the second music video (MV) at the same instance, what would their reactions would be? A possible conclusion: the local viewer would probably be laughing while the foreigner might be thinking, “What exactly is the MV trying to convey”?

What is the connection between the local viewer and the second MV? What makes the first MV more understandable than the second MV? Let us analyze the different factors.

Similarities in Style

Both MVs uses informal words. The first MV uses “cos” while the second MV uses jargons, slangs and Singapore’s signature language, Singlish, such as “liddat”, “chiongster”, “ger” etc. to communicate his message to the viewers. The usage of these terms forms a culture identity, to distinguish the country from others.

Language

To begin with, the first MV uses Standard English and there is no issue in understanding, while the second MV title, “Le Kua Simi” itself forms miscommunication. It is likely that Singaporeans and dialect communities are the only groups that are able to understand the language. We are the only group of people who could probably make meaning out of the whole MV. Foreigners who do not understand the language will find it difficult to relate to the MV, which leads them to think, “What exactly is the MV trying to convey”?

Non-Verbal

Usage of the non-verbal language in the MV, can be identified before the first chorus; “Le Kua Simi?” means, “What are you looking at!” The main actor – Mr Brown, conveyed a “None of your business” look – the use of Oculesics, with his eyes. Following which he also showed a non-verbal hand sign under “See what See”, the use of Kinesics; which signifies body language.

Meaning

The first MV coincides with the parade theme: Reaching Out. Reaching Up, while the second MV represents a part of the dysfunctional side of Singapore. Things such as the “I know my car is not last forever, because of COE”. COE is a representative of Singaporean’s lifestyle, a certificate that determines the car’s lifespan and value. Example the term “chiongster” is a reflection of Singapore’s kiasu-ism. It mean “to work very hard”, reflects part of Singapore’s lifestyle.

Overall the shared experience a local viewer has, allows him or her to understand the meaning behind the second MV while Foreigners will need some time and explanation before they can fully relate it. Perhaps the author of the second MV can include some text to explain the Singlish terms.

MOBTVSG - A Substitute or an Alternate way to Conventional Television?

Recently, I chanced upon an online subscription promotion for MOBTVSG Mediacorp Channels Package, and I decided to try the service. So what exactly is MOBTVSG? MOBTV (MediaCorp Online Broadband Television) allows users to download or stream digital television programs from a wide range of genres: such as comedy, children, current affairs, info-ed, drama, variety and specials through paid subscription. Users can choose from two different packages; one is Mediacorp Channels Package, and the other is Asian Channels Package. Mediacorp Channels Package caters both local and international users while Asian Channels Package caters only to local users.

Remember to check your system configuration before subscribing to any services. To determine whether your computer's configuration is compatible to MOBTVSG services, go through an automated "Step-By-Step Pre-Registration Wizard" by MOBTVSG.

	Conventional Television	MOBTVSG
Cost	TV License - $110 per annum.	Mediacorp Channels Package- and Asian Channels Package- $10 and $9 per month respectively
Variety	Mediacorp Channels + Asian Dramas	Current Mediacorp Channels + titles broadcast in the previous years.
Access	Access per scheduled	Local and International Access Unlimited viewing; until the media expire.
Convenience	Only at subscribed place, does not require internet access	Anywhere and anytime. Requires internet access to download the video
Quality	Analog Standard Quality	Digital When screen resolution enlarges, video becomes blur on a PC
Compatibility	Conventional Television.	SnaZio* Net Cinema HD, Archos AV500 and AV700 Windows XP and above Not compatible to MAC OS
User-friendly	Viewed as per scheduled	Media can be downloaded and viewed later. Able to rewind and fast – forwarded

A comparison- based on Mediacorp Channels, between conventional television and MOBTVSG.

Although MOBTVSG's Mediacorp Channels offer international access, certain areas block the access. For example, certain parts of China cannot gain access to MOBTVSG due to the country's access rights.

Similarly, the quality of videos viewed on a PC may be compromised, but it seems that the issue has been resolved. MOBTVSG collaborated with V One Multimedia Pte Ltd to present
Snazio Net Cinema HD. This allows downloaded media titles to have the same viewing quality as conventional TV.

Unfortunately, good things do not last. MOBTVSG periodically review titles offered to users by including an expiry date. Once it reaches the expiry, media titles will be removed from the database.

In today's modernized society, I find that this service is more useful to busy people like you and me. There are many a times when we find ourselves saying, "Oh no = (, I totally forget about today's episode", or "I can't return on time to catch the last episode of XX drama because of YYYY event!" MOBTVSG service instantly solves this issue. We can now gain instant and unlimited access by downloading our favorite shows or episodes that we have missed. Just by pre-downloading the video, we can access the content anywhere and anytime.

MOBTVSG also appeals to users who like to enjoy customizing their own programmes. With the introduction of Snazio Net Cinema HD, users can choose to enjoy quality medias at their own timing without comprising the viewing quality through broadband.

Sources: http://www.mobtv.sg/Faq.aspx

http://www.snazio.com/Links/SnaZio_Mobtv_Home.asp

COM101 Week 2: The First 7 Days of a Hamster Life

Day 1 - Birth of the Baby Hamsters

Name: 宝贝 (báo bèi)
Species: Dwarf Russian Hamster (Winter White)
      Age: close to 6 Months.

Her First Pregnancy - giving birth to 5 babies; who are born blind, deaf and without fur on 5th September 2009. This video just basically showcase her transporting her babies to its feeding place, the tunnel.

P.S. This is my first video editing as well.

Traces of birth-giving

Day 2 - Missing Mother Hamster
Mother hamster "took a private holiday" by escaping through one of the tunnels, that was not securely intact; leaving only the babies in the tunnel.  (partly due to my overlook). It was around 12pm when I found out about its escape.

At the end of the day around 8.49pm, Mother hamster reunites with her babies, with the help of some her favorite treats.


Day 3 - Loss
Unfortunately, we lost one of the babies at 4.10am.


When I took out the baby to examine, there wasn't any sign of being endeavored : Its legs, head and hands were still intact. =)

Still unsure if its death was related to yesterday's incident. Anyway I returned the baby back to the cage; hoping that it will provide Mother hamster with the additional nutrients needed, for her as a nursing hamster.

Aftermath
When I returned home at 6.50pm, part of the dead baby was already eaten by the Mother Hamster.

http://i725.photobucket.com/albums/ww252/TaoKaeNoi/Hamster/CIMG2639.jpg

Sayonara, little baby~

Day 4 -  4 remaining babies
Colors and shades of the babies began to show distinctively and ears start to develop.



Day 5 - Babies begin their 1st step
Babies attempted to walk on their own, but still feeling wobbly and not able to stand on the ground firmly.


Day 6 - Babies legs are more firmed.
Babies have grown in size and legs are well developed.


Day 7 - 3 Winter White, 1 Sapphire
I have finalized the colors of the 4 babies - 3 Winter White (like its mum) and 1 Sapphire (grayish with black dorsal strip - like its dad)


As earlier mentioned, the babies are born blind, deaf and without fur; therefore they are solely dependent on their mother for nutrients and warmth. It is such an amazing act of love: Snuggling the babies under her belly provide the babies with both warmth and milk.

My only regrets were: Not able to witness the birth of the babies with my own eyes. It was my wish to be able to witness the birth of the babies; however both pregnancy and the babies came too sudden, and I was simply not prepared for it.

Why? It was an unexpected pregnancy that was not pre-planned beforehand. Besides, the signs of pregnancy were not obvious until the day before she deliver.

No doubt, knowing about the babies’ arrival brings joy to one’s life; yet on the other hand facing the death of a baby brings about unfound sorrow.

Please beware of Emails Starting with : Fotos dd/mm

DELETE them immediately and do not click on the links.

Such emails have been circulating since July 2009 and Senders are usually Friends / Email Contacts.

Sample:


(Contacts/emails are edited due to respecting other's privacy)

Yoz fellow schoolmates, friends and readers~

Wonder why am I blogging? Purpose is for SCHOOL Assignment.

Sounds Boring?

Okay what's with the change of attitude prior to my previous post?
Never will it be boring! I hope to introduce the best part of my Life in here. However I am totally new to Blogging so I really need you guys/gals help. Do comment or tag me whenever. Many thanks ^o^.