I am not a blogger

I would never claim myself to be a blogger. Especially since the last time I posted anything on blogspot was probably years ago. Ever since the first appearance of blogs, the hype of the web 2.0 and the introduction of "new media" threatening to replace traditional news media and change the business model or the way people view the world through social media, my world hasn't changed much.

With a couple of "old" friends setting up our so called" resistance force" against the adoption of Facebook when we were all flabbergasted by the immense speed of adoption by the people around us, it is scary for us "infidels" and possibly equally exciting for the folks within the network, though I suspect in the beginning they were busier trying to bite or poke each other and their adopted human pets.

Close to half a decade has passed since then. WOW!!! And the world hasn't changed too much for me. Not yet at least. I'm still not on Facebook despite having watched The Social Network. Yet, it is hard to deny the impact of the virtual and social media on our lives. While not tweeting or blogging regularly, I am a frequent visitor of an online hobbyist forum for fishkeeping. Amassing a heap of information and resources, the forum provided an avenue for learning and sharing among hobbyists. But not just that, it also serves as an excellent tool for PR and marketing.

In the past half a year, the posts by myself and another individual on the forum saved an almost bankrupt company. By writing reviews, posting available stocklists, taking pictures and showcasing the company's goods, we generated interest for the company. From a little known fish shop in the east side of the island, the shop now has visitors travelling all the way from Woodlands. It is no doubt that online presence has become a necessary evil these days, and managing your online presence is no longer a just hobby or something you do during your free time but rather, potentially a proper full-time job.

With the emergence of online PR firms, social media tracking companies, the reputation of companies online has become an issue important enough to keep track, important enough to even affect election results. This post today is in essence to recognise and congratulate a special company that had the foresight to capitalise on this, Brandtology. I shall not elaborate too much on the company since I'm not their PR firm but would just like to congratulate them on the deal and salute them for putting Singapore on the map for the IT and technology community worldwide.

Random pictures taken this Sunday while wandering in town with my iPod touch

malicious words

Its amazing the damage words can bring... and with blogs ever the more we should be more careful with the kind of words people, or companies spread about us. Or for that matter, what we sa about others. While blogs and non-reviewed publications like forums etc. allow for freedom of expression, one should also not abuse it and discretion should be taken when reading information form such sources. Especially since it may not be verified.

Unfortunately, there are individuals or companies which irresponsibly engage such tactics to injure or attempt to distort the reputation of others. While we cannot stop such expressions of opinions or skewed representations, we should always keep a watchful eye so we may be prepared to react to comments about such posts. Should such comments take to the extremity of defamation, we should also be ready to stand up for our rights as opposed to accepting such slander. Singapore is not afraid to engage legal means to protect its own interests.

Anyway, this post is in response to certain individuals who have attempted to spread malicious blogs about our company. My only response to them is that their act has been rather childish and unprofessional. I believe we have been rather gracious and tolerant towards their multiple attempts to injure us. We value your freedom of expression and speech, but then again, please grow up.

Sometimes... I feel like blogging what I'm thinking or feeling and frankly, but lately... it has probably too messy to put into words...

Photos part VI (Dubai 2006)

Photos part V (US Road Trips 2005/2006)

Photos part IV (Philly 2004/05)