May 2009 - Ryan McLaughlin

Living without trust

This is really a topic I’ve been thinking about since back in December/January when our dog Addie died. I wasn’t sure how to put to words my feelings about it and so have shelved it until now. I don’t know that I’m any closer to knowing how to verbalize it, but maybe this post will …

May 27, 2009

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Comparing China, US Internet usage

A couple of days ago Silicon Alley Insider posted a chart displaying the differences and similarities between Chinese and US Web usership. The chart mines and melds data from the Pew Research Center and China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC, why isn’t it CINIC?). There were no huge surprises, but it does give a pretty …

May 25, 2009

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Apple Snow Leopard allows Chinese writing with trackpad

While I’m still relatively new to the Mac world, and haven’t fully embraced the hype surrounding an unquestioning allegiance to everything Apple, I absolutely adore my MacBook’s trackpad. The multitouch glass trackpad could school any of its contemporaries on how to do it right. The big and beautiful button allows me to use my digit …

May 20, 2009

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Review: The Wikipedia Revolution

When I first heard of Andrew Lih‘s new book about Wikipedia, I’m certain there was a questioning look on my face. I couldn’t help but think that a book about an encyclopedia wouldn’t be anything more than an exercise in pedantry. Much like the rest of the globe’s Netizens, of course, I knew about Wikipedia. …

May 18, 2009

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Chinese space program — boldly going where others have gone before

I understand that the Chinese space program is a stepping stone of pride and development for the country, and I really don’t mean to trounce it. However, is it too much to expect that a space program would at least be above the IP-infringing rife on the ground? I mean, the space program isn’t exactly …

May 14, 2009

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Murder in the Hood

Murders in the news are as common as the weather report, and are rarely read with any greater attention. It is not often that they touch your life in some way, even if just remotely. Unfortunately, such is not the case with Suzhou’s most recent homicide, as it happened only a couple hundred metres from …

May 10, 2009

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10,000 years of China tech–celebrating Chinese invention

Lets face it, in our break-neck, high-tech, don’t look back culture, China tends to get a lot of flack for being–ahem–under-innovative. The number of articles written about China’s IP infringement/piracy and massive shanzhai industry are too numerous to count. With this in mind, I thought I’d take a moment and a post to reflect on …

May 7, 2009

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My ChinaTravel.net Feature on Suzhou

A while back I was approached by the fine folks at ChinaTravel.net, an English-language travel site about China that is “editorially independent” but strongly affiliated with Ctrip.com — one of China’s largest online travel booking Web sites. The site’s editors wanted me to put together a summary article on “my Suzhou”, and as of last …

May 4, 2009

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On seabugs, mother-in-laws and holidays

As many of my friends pack up and head out to face the torrent of travel over the May Holiday, I’m just happy to finally have a moment to sit down and type randomness on here. My mother-in-law arrived from Dalian Thursday evening and while Maggie and her enter day three of non-stop-family-gossip, I’m hiding …

May 2, 2009

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