要信任下一代 - 羅錫為
我們相信下一代嗎？我們有多信任他們？
十年前，我接受一福音機構的聘請回流香港，要把大女兒留在加拿大讀高中最後一年。臨別前，想向她講一番做人道理，她卻對我說︰「爸爸，你對自己從前所說過的話沒信心嗎？」
至於小女兒，她則隨我們夫婦回港，在國際學校唸高中。有時夜歸，做父親的我想給她訓導一下。誰知她這樣說︰「爸爸，你不信任我嗎？」
我的教會自上一任主任牧師以來，已談到栽培下一代作接棒人。我上任後繼續談這個問題，成立領袖培訓委員會，編寫領袖培練材料，卻未有「新一代」的信徒領袖冒現。為何年青一輩不成器？原因是上一代的領袖對下一代沒信心，也其實是對自己不夠信心。
有怎樣的領袖，就有怎樣的追隨者。而追隨者或有一天會當起「領頭羊」。信徒領袖和教牧領袖的交棒過程都一樣，而愈大的教會，愈不放心把責任交給年青人。
在大教會裡，不到四十歲，沒有人認為他有資格當執事、值理。今天教會的領袖，多數是在上一個世紀，乘著香港起飛而上位，在位超過四分一世紀。但是，誰是接班人？在老一輩眼中，年青人都「不夠班」，在職場上自顧不暇，人生經驗都大有不如，遑論才幹、靈性、魄力、和事主的熱誠……
警告︰這種對年青人的不信任心態，正是領袖「換屆」的最大的窒礙！
我們這些老一輩的，要信任，提攜年青人，給他們機會。沒錯，年青人容易犯錯。但誰沒犯過錯？他們確是未夠火喉，但誰生下來就懂得帶領教會？把棒子交給他們，最暢順的方法，是與他們並肩作戰，讓他們跟著去學。摩西就是這樣提拔和栽培了約書亞。
可是，約書亞提攜了誰當接班人？可從約書亞記的「續編」士師記學習一個教訓。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
Monday, July 13, 2009
THEY are different from what you think - from Christian Times 09.07.05
他們不是你想像的他們 - 余子麟
我所服務的加拿大基督使者協會，每年都會為年青人舉辦名為「贖．釋．愛」的戀愛關係研討會。去年，我們設下的題目，不是一般的講講兩性溝通，而是探討戀愛和家庭關係帶來的破碎。其中，我們設下了幾個講及性掙扎的講座。活動舉行前，有家長向我們反映，我們和年青人談性掙扎，不會教壞他們麼？所以她不會讓她十四歲的兒子來參加。我心想，到一天你發現你十四歲的兒子已經知道（或在進行）些甚麼的時候，希望你不要太驚訝。
我們常常在報紙上讀到年青人有婚前性行為、濫交、性沉溺等等的報道，但我們總覺得那不會是「我們的」年青人的問題。我想說的是，在報道中的那些一天自慰六次、四年有七個陌生的性伴侶、與十二歲網友進行性交易的人，不一定是你想像中那些讀書不成、黑社會邊青、爛蒲爛玩的壞份子。他們極可能包括讀書成績優異、在校操行良好、在教會做團契職員的「乖乖仔」。
在我們接觸的年青人中，沒有所謂邊青，大部分讀大學，成績不算差，家庭背景良好，有穩定教會生活和事奉。但他們背負的問題（當然不是所有人都是這樣），包括性沉溺、一夜情、同居、召妓、未婚懷孕、濫交、援交、同性戀，甚麼都有。但這些事他們在教會中不會說，也不會認；因為如果說穿了，後果嚴重：停事奉、停聖餐，身敗名裂，教內前途不堪設想。所以，就算有多麼困惑，也只有自己躲起來，選擇性無助。
近二十年，社會對性的觀念出現了革命性的轉變。教會對性教育的觀念，趕得上嗎？不要忘記，性罪是教會領袖失腳最多，最被撒但攻擊的領域之一。我們要怎樣裝備未來的教會領袖，面對未來的性挑戰？
（作者為加拿大基督使者溫哥華事工總監）
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
我所服務的加拿大基督使者協會，每年都會為年青人舉辦名為「贖．釋．愛」的戀愛關係研討會。去年，我們設下的題目，不是一般的講講兩性溝通，而是探討戀愛和家庭關係帶來的破碎。其中，我們設下了幾個講及性掙扎的講座。活動舉行前，有家長向我們反映，我們和年青人談性掙扎，不會教壞他們麼？所以她不會讓她十四歲的兒子來參加。我心想，到一天你發現你十四歲的兒子已經知道（或在進行）些甚麼的時候，希望你不要太驚訝。
我們常常在報紙上讀到年青人有婚前性行為、濫交、性沉溺等等的報道，但我們總覺得那不會是「我們的」年青人的問題。我想說的是，在報道中的那些一天自慰六次、四年有七個陌生的性伴侶、與十二歲網友進行性交易的人，不一定是你想像中那些讀書不成、黑社會邊青、爛蒲爛玩的壞份子。他們極可能包括讀書成績優異、在校操行良好、在教會做團契職員的「乖乖仔」。
在我們接觸的年青人中，沒有所謂邊青，大部分讀大學，成績不算差，家庭背景良好，有穩定教會生活和事奉。但他們背負的問題（當然不是所有人都是這樣），包括性沉溺、一夜情、同居、召妓、未婚懷孕、濫交、援交、同性戀，甚麼都有。但這些事他們在教會中不會說，也不會認；因為如果說穿了，後果嚴重：停事奉、停聖餐，身敗名裂，教內前途不堪設想。所以，就算有多麼困惑，也只有自己躲起來，選擇性無助。
近二十年，社會對性的觀念出現了革命性的轉變。教會對性教育的觀念，趕得上嗎？不要忘記，性罪是教會領袖失腳最多，最被撒但攻擊的領域之一。我們要怎樣裝備未來的教會領袖，面對未來的性挑戰？
（作者為加拿大基督使者溫哥華事工總監）
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
Brenda Lo - from Christian Times 09.07.05
盧業瑂
此心安處是吾鄉
"世界上，沒有任何一個完美的城市或國家。你得到此，同時也失去彼，直到在某處感覺舒心勝過擔心，於是就喜歡上它了。充滿喜樂，保持微笑，就是盧業瑂受歡迎的原因。她的笑容放射出幸福感，讓周圍的人都歡欣無比。"
時間，用在對的事上
「我樂於迎接一切到來的時光，儘管我嘗試去避免一些壞事——只要我們努力，剩下的交給上帝。我從小的夢想就是變瘦、變高（盧笑著說）；但是，話說回來，我真的希望我把時間花在正確的事情上，我希望自己是有負責心，能給聽眾帶來正面思考的一個人。如果他們笑了、開心了、放鬆了，那我就滿足了。」
盧業瑂在一九九五年移居加拿大，或許像許多人一樣，她不確定香港的未來將會如何，而移民的其中一個主要原因，是她在快節奏的生活和壓力下過了這麼多年，便下定決心要改變原來的生活。
盧業瑂早年是香港商業電台的DJ，在寶麗金、CBS Sony和EMI等唱片公司都製作過大量不同的唱片。她也曾數次演出嘉禾及新藝寶等公司出品的電影，還與明星周潤發和鍾楚紅合作演出過《秋天的童話》。
現在，盧業瑂是加拿大中文電台溫哥華分部的高級副總裁，還主持週一至週五，早上十一時至下午一時的音樂熱線節目《Brenda點唱機》，播放從六十年代至今的粵語流行音樂。多元文化電台的高級副總裁一職，只是盧業瑂眾多成就中的一個，對她來說，更重要的是尋求工作和娛樂之間的平衡。
「我很開心自己還能為聽眾服務，同時希望能在大家開始新生活的時候帶給他們一些歡樂。有時能在不平的時候呼喚正義……休假的時候，我喜歡在各個季節在加拿大轉轉。我喜歡看日出和日落、藍天、冰覆蓋著的山巒、樹林顏色的變化、草新鋤過的味道。我還喜歡不同的飲食文化。」
憑著決心和努力，盧業瑂克服了適應一個新環境的種種困難。
「祕密就是去學習、接受和實踐。當然這需要時間，時間常常讓我們回憶過去、比較，然後就抱怨當下。但是你要想到開始為甚麼選擇這條路，其中必然有你要追求的東西，我們不能只看到好的就不管壞的了，就像所謂的『一籃子交易』，就這麼簡單，多考慮正反面地生活下去。要快樂，便不要後悔、不要抱怨，因為悔恨和抱怨只會讓你更痛苦。」
共處，學習欣賞與尊重
由於文化的差異和對生活的態度，盧業瑂認為如與香港相比，加拿大的生活讓她輕鬆很多。「這裡的節奏很慢，我花了很長時間去適應。但一旦跟上了它的步伐，便能意識到必須停下來，嗅嗅這裡的玫瑰了。生命很短暫，很多事物我們必須去感覺、去欣賞。那麼有人就會說加拿大跟不上潮流又缺乏競爭力，但加拿大人會說：管它呢！我們這樣很快樂。比如，要是加拿大的銀行體系沒那麼保守和『落後』，那麼現在我們就會遭遇到比香港更嚴重的金融危機。」
「在香港工作，我們通常跟英國人打交道，還有部分美國人、中國人、菲律賓人和印度人，所以都多少要了解一下。在加拿大生活也需要這樣，畢竟這個國家聚集了大量的各國移民。」
「令人驚訝的是，我們真心嘗試共同生活在同一屋簷下，不僅僅是共處，也從其他文化中汲取營養，像希臘人、意大利人、韓國人、印度人、牙買加人、泰國人、菲律賓人、新加坡人、馬來西亞人、港台和內地的中國人、英國人、俄羅斯人、日本人，甚麼都有。每個民族都有他們流傳下來的節日和傳統，所有其他民族的人也可以去享受、欣賞和尊重它們。」
盧業瑂相信要消除隔閡，相互溝通和大眾的意願是關鍵。「這需要時間，努力和理解，到最後便會有改觀。」
「當然，我會懷念香港的節奏和效率，他們的專業作風和產業知識。最重要的是，香港民眾持續的心態，積極的態度和對卓著業績的自豪感。」
「我也想念那裡的人。香港人有一種固有的心理，他們有向前進的精力和願望。我還想念很多其他的東西，食品、時尚、科技產品，很多很多，各式各樣，物美價廉。」
放下，體驗新的經歷
盧業瑂建議當你遷往一個新國家時，便須有擱置舊我的準備，以體驗新的經歷。
「對那些新到來的香港移民，我的兩點忠告就是：了解自己的優勢和劣勢。接下來，如果可能的話，通過考察和透過當地的朋友，去了解這個國家和文化。」
盧業瑂指出，加拿大的資源相當豐富，只要你知道應該在哪裡切入這個體系，便會有一個很大的服務列表在等待著你，決不要怕去尋求指導和幫助。
「有時候，我從兒童那裡學到很多，因為他們對事沒有成見，沒有束縛。他們有鮮明和清晰的觀點。」
「盡量讓自己準備資金、技術、情商、文化差異和思維方式，丟棄那些舊的習慣（有的是惡習），注意紀律和禮貌。」
「欺詐、犯罪和糊塗事到處都有，只要善良和愛充斥著你。此心安處是吾鄉。」她說道。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
此心安處是吾鄉
"世界上，沒有任何一個完美的城市或國家。你得到此，同時也失去彼，直到在某處感覺舒心勝過擔心，於是就喜歡上它了。充滿喜樂，保持微笑，就是盧業瑂受歡迎的原因。她的笑容放射出幸福感，讓周圍的人都歡欣無比。"
時間，用在對的事上
「我樂於迎接一切到來的時光，儘管我嘗試去避免一些壞事——只要我們努力，剩下的交給上帝。我從小的夢想就是變瘦、變高（盧笑著說）；但是，話說回來，我真的希望我把時間花在正確的事情上，我希望自己是有負責心，能給聽眾帶來正面思考的一個人。如果他們笑了、開心了、放鬆了，那我就滿足了。」
盧業瑂在一九九五年移居加拿大，或許像許多人一樣，她不確定香港的未來將會如何，而移民的其中一個主要原因，是她在快節奏的生活和壓力下過了這麼多年，便下定決心要改變原來的生活。
盧業瑂早年是香港商業電台的DJ，在寶麗金、CBS Sony和EMI等唱片公司都製作過大量不同的唱片。她也曾數次演出嘉禾及新藝寶等公司出品的電影，還與明星周潤發和鍾楚紅合作演出過《秋天的童話》。
現在，盧業瑂是加拿大中文電台溫哥華分部的高級副總裁，還主持週一至週五，早上十一時至下午一時的音樂熱線節目《Brenda點唱機》，播放從六十年代至今的粵語流行音樂。多元文化電台的高級副總裁一職，只是盧業瑂眾多成就中的一個，對她來說，更重要的是尋求工作和娛樂之間的平衡。
「我很開心自己還能為聽眾服務，同時希望能在大家開始新生活的時候帶給他們一些歡樂。有時能在不平的時候呼喚正義……休假的時候，我喜歡在各個季節在加拿大轉轉。我喜歡看日出和日落、藍天、冰覆蓋著的山巒、樹林顏色的變化、草新鋤過的味道。我還喜歡不同的飲食文化。」
憑著決心和努力，盧業瑂克服了適應一個新環境的種種困難。
「祕密就是去學習、接受和實踐。當然這需要時間，時間常常讓我們回憶過去、比較，然後就抱怨當下。但是你要想到開始為甚麼選擇這條路，其中必然有你要追求的東西，我們不能只看到好的就不管壞的了，就像所謂的『一籃子交易』，就這麼簡單，多考慮正反面地生活下去。要快樂，便不要後悔、不要抱怨，因為悔恨和抱怨只會讓你更痛苦。」
共處，學習欣賞與尊重
由於文化的差異和對生活的態度，盧業瑂認為如與香港相比，加拿大的生活讓她輕鬆很多。「這裡的節奏很慢，我花了很長時間去適應。但一旦跟上了它的步伐，便能意識到必須停下來，嗅嗅這裡的玫瑰了。生命很短暫，很多事物我們必須去感覺、去欣賞。那麼有人就會說加拿大跟不上潮流又缺乏競爭力，但加拿大人會說：管它呢！我們這樣很快樂。比如，要是加拿大的銀行體系沒那麼保守和『落後』，那麼現在我們就會遭遇到比香港更嚴重的金融危機。」
「在香港工作，我們通常跟英國人打交道，還有部分美國人、中國人、菲律賓人和印度人，所以都多少要了解一下。在加拿大生活也需要這樣，畢竟這個國家聚集了大量的各國移民。」
「令人驚訝的是，我們真心嘗試共同生活在同一屋簷下，不僅僅是共處，也從其他文化中汲取營養，像希臘人、意大利人、韓國人、印度人、牙買加人、泰國人、菲律賓人、新加坡人、馬來西亞人、港台和內地的中國人、英國人、俄羅斯人、日本人，甚麼都有。每個民族都有他們流傳下來的節日和傳統，所有其他民族的人也可以去享受、欣賞和尊重它們。」
盧業瑂相信要消除隔閡，相互溝通和大眾的意願是關鍵。「這需要時間，努力和理解，到最後便會有改觀。」
「當然，我會懷念香港的節奏和效率，他們的專業作風和產業知識。最重要的是，香港民眾持續的心態，積極的態度和對卓著業績的自豪感。」
「我也想念那裡的人。香港人有一種固有的心理，他們有向前進的精力和願望。我還想念很多其他的東西，食品、時尚、科技產品，很多很多，各式各樣，物美價廉。」
放下，體驗新的經歷
盧業瑂建議當你遷往一個新國家時，便須有擱置舊我的準備，以體驗新的經歷。
「對那些新到來的香港移民，我的兩點忠告就是：了解自己的優勢和劣勢。接下來，如果可能的話，通過考察和透過當地的朋友，去了解這個國家和文化。」
盧業瑂指出，加拿大的資源相當豐富，只要你知道應該在哪裡切入這個體系，便會有一個很大的服務列表在等待著你，決不要怕去尋求指導和幫助。
「有時候，我從兒童那裡學到很多，因為他們對事沒有成見，沒有束縛。他們有鮮明和清晰的觀點。」
「盡量讓自己準備資金、技術、情商、文化差異和思維方式，丟棄那些舊的習慣（有的是惡習），注意紀律和禮貌。」
「欺詐、犯罪和糊塗事到處都有，只要善良和愛充斥著你。此心安處是吾鄉。」她說道。
第一一四○期.二○○九年七月五日
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Uneasy dream lines
This morning we walk around 25 mins back to AFC.
Under the sun, its a bit hot, but I think its good for myself to clear up my mind a bit as I don't really have a sleep last nite. I dreamt for the whole night.
Lately I have been dreaming a lot, but unlike the usual me, I cannot remember my dreams when I woke up. I know I have dreamt something but so few that I can remember. And even i can remember some, I don't quite get the meaning of it.
Just like last week, in the dream I saw the news of the death of president of USA IOC (of course, the name in the dream is definitely is not the real name), and I cannot figure out why I have that dream.
And last night, I dream that I was at a custom counter, and the custom office mistakenly send my backpack to re-check-in on transit. He was very nervous. (No way in real life that any custom office will help you, neither they will feel guilty when they find out that they are wrong.) When he was nervously figuring out what to do to fix it, there is a CCF alumni coming over and saying that she can use her authority at the airport to help me find my backpack.
Hmmm.... so strange... so here and there.
Under the sun, its a bit hot, but I think its good for myself to clear up my mind a bit as I don't really have a sleep last nite. I dreamt for the whole night.
Lately I have been dreaming a lot, but unlike the usual me, I cannot remember my dreams when I woke up. I know I have dreamt something but so few that I can remember. And even i can remember some, I don't quite get the meaning of it.
Just like last week, in the dream I saw the news of the death of president of USA IOC (of course, the name in the dream is definitely is not the real name), and I cannot figure out why I have that dream.
And last night, I dream that I was at a custom counter, and the custom office mistakenly send my backpack to re-check-in on transit. He was very nervous. (No way in real life that any custom office will help you, neither they will feel guilty when they find out that they are wrong.) When he was nervously figuring out what to do to fix it, there is a CCF alumni coming over and saying that she can use her authority at the airport to help me find my backpack.
Hmmm.... so strange... so here and there.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Jesus was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.
This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them-- since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test. But we pray to God that you may not do wrong--not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
(2Co 13:1-11)
這是我第三次要到你們那裡去。「憑兩三個人的口作見證，句句都要定準。」 我從前說過，如今不在你們那裡又說，正如我第二次見你們的時候所說的一樣，就是對那犯了罪的和其餘的人說：「我若再來，必不寬容。」 你們既然尋求基督在我裡面說話的憑據，我必不寬容。因為，基督在你們身上不是軟弱的，在你們裡面是有大能的。 他因軟弱被釘在十字架上，卻因神的大能仍然活著。我們也是這樣同他軟弱，但因神向你們所顯的大能，也必與他同活。 你們總要自己省察有信心沒有，也要自己試驗。豈不知你們若不是可棄絕的，就有耶穌基督在你們心裡嗎？ 我卻盼望你們曉得，我們不是可棄絕的人。 我們求神，叫你們一件惡事都不做；這不是要顯明我們是蒙悅納的，是要你們行事端正，任憑人看我們是被棄絕的吧！ 我們凡事不能敵擋真理，只能扶助真理。 即使我們軟弱，你們剛強，我們也歡喜；並且我們所求的，就是你們作完全人。 所以，我不在你們那裡的時候，把這話寫給你們，好叫我見你們的時候，不用照主所給我的權柄嚴厲的待你們；這權柄原是為造就人，並不是為敗壞人。 還有末了的話：願弟兄們都喜樂。要作完全人；要受安慰；要同心合意；要彼此和睦。如此，仁愛和平的神必常與你們同在。
(林後 13:1-11)
(2Co 13:1-11)
這是我第三次要到你們那裡去。「憑兩三個人的口作見證，句句都要定準。」 我從前說過，如今不在你們那裡又說，正如我第二次見你們的時候所說的一樣，就是對那犯了罪的和其餘的人說：「我若再來，必不寬容。」 你們既然尋求基督在我裡面說話的憑據，我必不寬容。因為，基督在你們身上不是軟弱的，在你們裡面是有大能的。 他因軟弱被釘在十字架上，卻因神的大能仍然活著。我們也是這樣同他軟弱，但因神向你們所顯的大能，也必與他同活。 你們總要自己省察有信心沒有，也要自己試驗。豈不知你們若不是可棄絕的，就有耶穌基督在你們心裡嗎？ 我卻盼望你們曉得，我們不是可棄絕的人。 我們求神，叫你們一件惡事都不做；這不是要顯明我們是蒙悅納的，是要你們行事端正，任憑人看我們是被棄絕的吧！ 我們凡事不能敵擋真理，只能扶助真理。 即使我們軟弱，你們剛強，我們也歡喜；並且我們所求的，就是你們作完全人。 所以，我不在你們那裡的時候，把這話寫給你們，好叫我見你們的時候，不用照主所給我的權柄嚴厲的待你們；這權柄原是為造就人，並不是為敗壞人。 還有末了的話：願弟兄們都喜樂。要作完全人；要受安慰；要同心合意；要彼此和睦。如此，仁愛和平的神必常與你們同在。
(林後 13:1-11)
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Google takes aim at Windows
Google takes aim at Windows
Jul 08, 2009 08:12 AM
MICHAEL LIEDTKE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – Google Inc. is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to wrest away Microsoft Corp.'s long-running control over people's computing experience.
The new operating system, announced late Tuesday night on Google's website, will be based on the company's nine-month-old Web browser, Chrome. Google intends to rely on help from the community of open-source programmers to develop the Chrome operating system, which is expected to begin running computers in the second half of 2010.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company disclosed its plans for the operating system shortly after an online technology news service, Ars Technica, and The New York Times telegraphed the news on their websites.
Google is designing the operating system primarily for ``netbooks," a lower-cost, less powerful breed of laptop computers that is becoming increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers primarily interested in surfing the Web.
The operating system represents Google's boldest challenge yet to its biggest nemesis – Microsoft.
A high-stakes duel between the two technology powerhouses has been steadily escalating in recent years as Google's dominance of the Internet's lucrative search market has given it the means to threaten Microsoft in ways that few other companies can.
Google already has rankled Microsoft by luring away some of its top employees and developing an online suite of computer programs that provide an alternative to Microsoft's top-selling word processing, spreadsheet and calendar applications.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been trying to thwart Google by investing billions of dollars to improve its own Internet search and advertising systems – to little avail so far. In the past month or so, though, Microsoft has been winning positive reviews and picking up more users with the latest upgrade to its search engine, now called "Bing." Microsoft is hailing the makeover with a $100 million (U.S.) marketing campaign.
Now Google is aiming for Microsoft's financial jugular with Chrome its operating system.
Microsoft has drawn much of its power – and profits – from the Windows operating system that has steered most personal computers for the past two decades.
Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, and its co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have made little attempt to conceal their disdain for Windows in recent years.
Schmidt maintains Microsoft sometimes unfairly rigs its operating system to limit consumer choices – something that Microsoft has consistently denied doing. Google fears Microsoft could limit access to its search engine and other products if Windows is set up to favour Microsoft products in the default settings.
Page and Brin have frequently derided Windows as a clunky operating system susceptible to computer viruses and other security problems.
Google made a veiled reference to Windows' perceived shortcomings in its blog posting.
"We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear – computers need to get better," wrote Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management and Linus Upson, Google's engineering director.
A Microsoft spokesman didn't immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment sent early Wednesday morning.
Schmidt and Brin are expected to discuss Google's new operating system later this week when they appear at a media conference hosted by Allen & Co. at the Sun Valley resort in Idaho.
Despite its own power and prominence, Google won't have an easy time changing the status quo that has governed the personal computing industry for so long.
As an example of how difficult it is to topple a long-established market leader, Google estimates about 30 million people are now using its Chrome browser – a fraction of those that rely on Microsoft's market-leading Internet Explorer. And there have been various attempts to develop open-source software to undermine Microsoft with relatively little effect.
The Chrome operating system will run in a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel – computer coding that has been the foundation for the open-source software movement for nearly two decades.
Google has already introduced an operating system for mobile devices, called Android, that vies against various other systems, including ones made by Microsoft and Apple Inc.
The Android system worked well enough to entice some computer makers to begin developing netbooks that will eventually run on it.
Google, though, apparently believes a Chrome-based system will be better suited for running applications in netbooks.
"We believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google," wrote Pichai and Upson.
Jul 08, 2009 08:12 AM
MICHAEL LIEDTKE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUN VALLEY, IDAHO – Google Inc. is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to wrest away Microsoft Corp.'s long-running control over people's computing experience.
The new operating system, announced late Tuesday night on Google's website, will be based on the company's nine-month-old Web browser, Chrome. Google intends to rely on help from the community of open-source programmers to develop the Chrome operating system, which is expected to begin running computers in the second half of 2010.
The Mountain View, Calif.-based company disclosed its plans for the operating system shortly after an online technology news service, Ars Technica, and The New York Times telegraphed the news on their websites.
Google is designing the operating system primarily for ``netbooks," a lower-cost, less powerful breed of laptop computers that is becoming increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers primarily interested in surfing the Web.
The operating system represents Google's boldest challenge yet to its biggest nemesis – Microsoft.
A high-stakes duel between the two technology powerhouses has been steadily escalating in recent years as Google's dominance of the Internet's lucrative search market has given it the means to threaten Microsoft in ways that few other companies can.
Google already has rankled Microsoft by luring away some of its top employees and developing an online suite of computer programs that provide an alternative to Microsoft's top-selling word processing, spreadsheet and calendar applications.
Meanwhile, Microsoft has been trying to thwart Google by investing billions of dollars to improve its own Internet search and advertising systems – to little avail so far. In the past month or so, though, Microsoft has been winning positive reviews and picking up more users with the latest upgrade to its search engine, now called "Bing." Microsoft is hailing the makeover with a $100 million (U.S.) marketing campaign.
Now Google is aiming for Microsoft's financial jugular with Chrome its operating system.
Microsoft has drawn much of its power – and profits – from the Windows operating system that has steered most personal computers for the past two decades.
Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, and its co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have made little attempt to conceal their disdain for Windows in recent years.
Schmidt maintains Microsoft sometimes unfairly rigs its operating system to limit consumer choices – something that Microsoft has consistently denied doing. Google fears Microsoft could limit access to its search engine and other products if Windows is set up to favour Microsoft products in the default settings.
Page and Brin have frequently derided Windows as a clunky operating system susceptible to computer viruses and other security problems.
Google made a veiled reference to Windows' perceived shortcomings in its blog posting.
"We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear – computers need to get better," wrote Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management and Linus Upson, Google's engineering director.
A Microsoft spokesman didn't immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment sent early Wednesday morning.
Schmidt and Brin are expected to discuss Google's new operating system later this week when they appear at a media conference hosted by Allen & Co. at the Sun Valley resort in Idaho.
Despite its own power and prominence, Google won't have an easy time changing the status quo that has governed the personal computing industry for so long.
As an example of how difficult it is to topple a long-established market leader, Google estimates about 30 million people are now using its Chrome browser – a fraction of those that rely on Microsoft's market-leading Internet Explorer. And there have been various attempts to develop open-source software to undermine Microsoft with relatively little effect.
The Chrome operating system will run in a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel – computer coding that has been the foundation for the open-source software movement for nearly two decades.
Google has already introduced an operating system for mobile devices, called Android, that vies against various other systems, including ones made by Microsoft and Apple Inc.
The Android system worked well enough to entice some computer makers to begin developing netbooks that will eventually run on it.
Google, though, apparently believes a Chrome-based system will be better suited for running applications in netbooks.
"We believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google," wrote Pichai and Upson.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Shame??? What is the reflection behind it???
This past weekend, when I saw the news of Pride Parade, my heart really fell off. Especially when I saw David Miller shout proudly,"I am really proud of our city, Toronto". I really don't know how proud will that be when SIN is being allow to march across the heart of your city.
When the high-profile-seeking politicians claiming this parade is a "celebration of diversity", do they really understand what is the word "diversity" means? Upcoming "Jesus in the City Parade" on September 19, will they carry the same smile, marching together and shouting the same wordings proudly? Thanks God that among the three main Canada political parties (PC, Lib, NDP), our PM Stephen Harper was not in the parade. This may be the only thing I feel glad about this year Pride Parade.
When NDP Leader Jack Layton saying that this is the way of showing human rights, then my question may be: Where is my right to insist my believe of same sex marriage and premarital sex is wrong? When my religious freedom, freedom of speech are part of my human right, then why will I be classified as "discrimiation" when I declare my objection to those SINs in the public?
I have to clarify, I don't hate those gays and lesbians. I do love them and accept them, making friends with them, eat and play with them, however I would also love to see them turning away from their sin at the same time.
When we talk about human rights, we are at all talking about our "rights as human". Then where is the right for the one who create human? This make me think about the Bible story of "Tower of Babel". We want ourselves to rule the world, but where will God be then? Where is God? or are we trying to prove HIS absence?
Hopefully, as Christians, we should step up and be united. Feel pride to parade for Jesus...!
When the high-profile-seeking politicians claiming this parade is a "celebration of diversity", do they really understand what is the word "diversity" means? Upcoming "Jesus in the City Parade" on September 19, will they carry the same smile, marching together and shouting the same wordings proudly? Thanks God that among the three main Canada political parties (PC, Lib, NDP), our PM Stephen Harper was not in the parade. This may be the only thing I feel glad about this year Pride Parade.
When NDP Leader Jack Layton saying that this is the way of showing human rights, then my question may be: Where is my right to insist my believe of same sex marriage and premarital sex is wrong? When my religious freedom, freedom of speech are part of my human right, then why will I be classified as "discrimiation" when I declare my objection to those SINs in the public?
I have to clarify, I don't hate those gays and lesbians. I do love them and accept them, making friends with them, eat and play with them, however I would also love to see them turning away from their sin at the same time.
When we talk about human rights, we are at all talking about our "rights as human". Then where is the right for the one who create human? This make me think about the Bible story of "Tower of Babel". We want ourselves to rule the world, but where will God be then? Where is God? or are we trying to prove HIS absence?
Hopefully, as Christians, we should step up and be united. Feel pride to parade for Jesus...!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Good reflection material...
No matter you agree with the author or not, this article from the Toronto Star should giving us something to really think about what is happening to Toronto, our home.
Toronto making me mad as hell
You've heard of road rage, air rage, cubicle rage, retail rage and even gym rage. But is it possible to suffer from city rage?
On Sunday, I returned home from a barbecue to an unpleasant discovery: A fiend had smashed into my locked shed and absconded with my lawn mower.
"Can you believe this?" I asked my wife, who seemed more concerned with the length of our grass than the actual theft. "Our Lawnhog was abducted in broad daylight. What is happening to this city?"
As I stood in the crime scene, examining the shed's mangled door frame, my blood boiled. It wasn't just the electric mower or the oversized black urns (stolen last year) or the fact someone had once squeezed through our kitchen window while we were sleeping, swiping a few household items, including the keys to our car.
No, as I walked toward the front porch, across a slab of sidewalk spray-painted with graffiti, my anger went beyond property theft.
These days, admittedly, everything about Toronto is making me mad: Construction, dirty parks, appalling customer service, endless fees, abysmal leadership, dysfunctional council, inept urban planning, potholes, expensive goods, dilapidated neighbourhoods, aggressive panhandlers, the ongoing futility of our hockey squad.
Toronto the Good has become Toronto the Enraging.
The other night, after ordering sushi, I glanced at the bill and noticed I had been charged for the plastic bag in which our food was delivered. Granted, five cents is no big deal. Still, as I choked down sashimi, I could feel a bad case of city rage burning in my mouth like wasabi.
It wasn't the money. It was the principle.
"Can you believe this?" I asked my wife. "What are we supposed to do? Courier a canvas bag to the restaurant before we order? Next time, maybe I'll ask if the poor delivery guy can balance our miso soup on his head instead of using a bag."
Then there's the municipal strike, which started yesterday. Whether this labour action is short-lived or long lasting, one thing is clear: Once again, honest, hardworking, law-abiding taxpayers are being held hostage by a system that always puts them last.
That should be Toronto's new motto: Where Citizens Are Taken For Granted.
A disruption to garbage pickup after we just started paying new fees for garbage pickup?
Charging residents with "illegal dumping" after they left bags outside a designated transfer station yesterday because pickets had blocked their access?
Sometimes I wonder if we wouldn't be better off if a crime syndicate took over our waste removal system.
Thug: "How much are you throwing out this week, bub?"
Citizen: "Ah, let's see, two bags and a box of recycling."
Thug: "That'll be three bucks. And don't worry about it. You'll never see this stuff again, if you know what I mean."
As it stands now, we do all the work – recycling, reusing, sorting, hauling freakishly big bins to the curb – and keep getting told that we're not doing enough. We pay a lot of protection money for not a lot of protection.
The shuttering of daycare centres is also galling. Shouldn't "taking care of children" be deemed an essential service in a civil society? Believe me, young parents are already struggling with a raft of recessionary realities.
That's right, I forgot, "reality" is never a factor in a municipal strike.
And let's not get started on the cancellation of island ferry service, parks maintenance or summer camps. Why, it's enough to make a person drink – assuming, that is, LCBO workers aren't also on strike tomorrow morning.
What is happening to this city? It is making us furious.
Toronto making me mad as hell
You've heard of road rage, air rage, cubicle rage, retail rage and even gym rage. But is it possible to suffer from city rage?
On Sunday, I returned home from a barbecue to an unpleasant discovery: A fiend had smashed into my locked shed and absconded with my lawn mower.
"Can you believe this?" I asked my wife, who seemed more concerned with the length of our grass than the actual theft. "Our Lawnhog was abducted in broad daylight. What is happening to this city?"
As I stood in the crime scene, examining the shed's mangled door frame, my blood boiled. It wasn't just the electric mower or the oversized black urns (stolen last year) or the fact someone had once squeezed through our kitchen window while we were sleeping, swiping a few household items, including the keys to our car.
No, as I walked toward the front porch, across a slab of sidewalk spray-painted with graffiti, my anger went beyond property theft.
These days, admittedly, everything about Toronto is making me mad: Construction, dirty parks, appalling customer service, endless fees, abysmal leadership, dysfunctional council, inept urban planning, potholes, expensive goods, dilapidated neighbourhoods, aggressive panhandlers, the ongoing futility of our hockey squad.
Toronto the Good has become Toronto the Enraging.
The other night, after ordering sushi, I glanced at the bill and noticed I had been charged for the plastic bag in which our food was delivered. Granted, five cents is no big deal. Still, as I choked down sashimi, I could feel a bad case of city rage burning in my mouth like wasabi.
It wasn't the money. It was the principle.
"Can you believe this?" I asked my wife. "What are we supposed to do? Courier a canvas bag to the restaurant before we order? Next time, maybe I'll ask if the poor delivery guy can balance our miso soup on his head instead of using a bag."
Then there's the municipal strike, which started yesterday. Whether this labour action is short-lived or long lasting, one thing is clear: Once again, honest, hardworking, law-abiding taxpayers are being held hostage by a system that always puts them last.
That should be Toronto's new motto: Where Citizens Are Taken For Granted.
A disruption to garbage pickup after we just started paying new fees for garbage pickup?
Charging residents with "illegal dumping" after they left bags outside a designated transfer station yesterday because pickets had blocked their access?
Sometimes I wonder if we wouldn't be better off if a crime syndicate took over our waste removal system.
Thug: "How much are you throwing out this week, bub?"
Citizen: "Ah, let's see, two bags and a box of recycling."
Thug: "That'll be three bucks. And don't worry about it. You'll never see this stuff again, if you know what I mean."
As it stands now, we do all the work – recycling, reusing, sorting, hauling freakishly big bins to the curb – and keep getting told that we're not doing enough. We pay a lot of protection money for not a lot of protection.
The shuttering of daycare centres is also galling. Shouldn't "taking care of children" be deemed an essential service in a civil society? Believe me, young parents are already struggling with a raft of recessionary realities.
That's right, I forgot, "reality" is never a factor in a municipal strike.
And let's not get started on the cancellation of island ferry service, parks maintenance or summer camps. Why, it's enough to make a person drink – assuming, that is, LCBO workers aren't also on strike tomorrow morning.
What is happening to this city? It is making us furious.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
L.O.V.E.
昨天<同事三分親>問了一條問題：究竟甚麼是愛情？
陸哲話係犧牲，珠珠表妹覺得係等待，明亮的答案最現實 ─ 「愛情是現在，活在當下，總之要珍惜眼前人。」
可是最痛苦的莫過於有些人好似李公子一樣，覺得愛情是其中一方需要妥協、要讓步，在於比較誰愛另一方多一點，認為喜歡對方比較多的一個，多數是處於下風。
其實我就覺得Vincent的一個問題很好：誰佔上風有甚麼關係？喜歡一個人，不是要令那個人開心，自己就開心了嗎？
唉!好坦白講，「所愛的人開心你就開心」這句話講就易，試問世上又有幾多人可以做到無怨無求呀？
我自己就覺得如果一個人可以愛對方多於對方愛你，其實都係一件好事。其實可以去到一個不求回報的愛情，實在有太多東西可以在當中的過程中學習。
得與失其實是很難衡量的。
陸哲話係犧牲，珠珠表妹覺得係等待，明亮的答案最現實 ─ 「愛情是現在，活在當下，總之要珍惜眼前人。」
可是最痛苦的莫過於有些人好似李公子一樣，覺得愛情是其中一方需要妥協、要讓步，在於比較誰愛另一方多一點，認為喜歡對方比較多的一個，多數是處於下風。
其實我就覺得Vincent的一個問題很好：誰佔上風有甚麼關係？喜歡一個人，不是要令那個人開心，自己就開心了嗎？
唉!好坦白講，「所愛的人開心你就開心」這句話講就易，試問世上又有幾多人可以做到無怨無求呀？
我自己就覺得如果一個人可以愛對方多於對方愛你，其實都係一件好事。其實可以去到一個不求回報的愛情，實在有太多東西可以在當中的過程中學習。
得與失其實是很難衡量的。
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Money can influence economy, but not our Hearts
明報新聞網
20年了，即使中國經濟騰飛，港人始終沒有忘記平反六四的心願。15萬人或坐或站，迫爆維園球場與草地，以15萬點燭光悼念六四死難者，爭取民主中國；維園場外，支聯會聲稱約5萬人未能入場，在外圍參與晚會。首次在港出席悼念晚會的學運領袖熊焱，見證港人的堅持，大為感歎，形容香港是全中國、全世界的驕傲。
15萬燭光 港人驕傲 維園爆滿5萬人未能入場
新一代發言致悼辭 平反六四薪火相傳
近半人獻出第一點光 明報民調 出席原因﹕四分一人憂下一代遺忘
「很壯觀，很有感染力！」Y世代對六四事件印象模糊，匯知中學教師昨晚帶同30名學生來到六四燭光晚會，有多年來對六四毫無認識的中六學生參加晚會後，才發現港人對平反六四有很大的決心。
17歲學生：參與可能有助平反
六四出生 左派之後﹕一日不平反 一日不慶祝
20年了，即使中國經濟騰飛，港人始終沒有忘記平反六四的心願。15萬人或坐或站，迫爆維園球場與草地，以15萬點燭光悼念六四死難者，爭取民主中國；維園場外，支聯會聲稱約5萬人未能入場，在外圍參與晚會。首次在港出席悼念晚會的學運領袖熊焱，見證港人的堅持，大為感歎，形容香港是全中國、全世界的驕傲。
15萬燭光 港人驕傲 維園爆滿5萬人未能入場
新一代發言致悼辭 平反六四薪火相傳
近半人獻出第一點光 明報民調 出席原因﹕四分一人憂下一代遺忘
「很壯觀，很有感染力！」Y世代對六四事件印象模糊，匯知中學教師昨晚帶同30名學生來到六四燭光晚會，有多年來對六四毫無認識的中六學生參加晚會後，才發現港人對平反六四有很大的決心。
17歲學生：參與可能有助平反
六四出生 左派之後﹕一日不平反 一日不慶祝
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Song of My Heart
作曲：謝國維 填詞：黃偉文 編曲：謝國維 監製：伍樂城
劉：大眾也喜歡珠光寶氣
沒有空完全明白你的美
謝：只得我 望見你 關起了心扉
猶如合上 貝殼的傳奇
若世間疏忽 從未細味
劉：讓那些蠢人 庸人嫌棄你
合：切莫讓人 影響了你 信仰你的真理
＊謝：如滄海深處 埋藏著遺珠（劉：埋藏著遺珠）
其實你好處 個個也不知
劉：唯獨我先可以 明白上帝構思
合：於沙礫裡 找到 璀璨珍珠
劉：人家冤枉你 平凡悶孩子（謝：如像孩子）
但是你心事 我不信
合：無聊沒意思
謝：沒有人識得欣賞
合：但天知 誰可以＊
劉：大概這種 非一般的美
謝：慧眼太少 旁人未賞識你
劉：因再 極客氣 差點算謙卑
謝：從來沒對 愛 有所預期
謝：若世界疏忽 從未細味
劉：讓那些蠢人 庸人忘記你
合：要是別人 都不愛你 有我這邊等你
REPEAT＊
謝：你是誰你是誰
劉：可有地方發亮
合：旁人忙著誇獎色相
劉：沒有空管你的修養
合：唯獨我 留下拍掌
劉：如滄海深處 埋藏著遺珠
謝：其實你好處 個個也不知
唯獨我先可以 明白上帝構思
劉：於沙礫裡 合：找到 璀璨珍珠
劉：人家冤枉你 平凡悶孩子
但是你心事 我不信
合：無聊沒意思
劉：就算誰都不欣賞
謝：但偏偏 合：我可以
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
What is faith?
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
(Rom 4:2-8)
Attack of the Killer Rabbits
A counselor at church camp told of his experience with a nine-year-old boy who started to cry when they turned out the cabin lights the first night. "Was he afraid of the dark?" the counselor asked. "No," the boy replied; "he just didn't want to be attacked by the 'killer rabbits.'" Some older kids at home had told him that there were "killer rabbits" who would come out at night and attack the campers.
Jesus was constantly reassuring the disciples with the words, "Fear not." Their fears betrayed their lack of faith. When one traces these words and their usage throughout the Bible, it seems that one of man's constant needs is to be reassured of the presence and comfort of God almighty. Christians can draw on this presence to find comfort and destroy their fears.
Watch out for "killer rabbits!" They can destroy your peace of mind at camp and throughout life.
(Rom 4:2-8)
Attack of the Killer Rabbits
A counselor at church camp told of his experience with a nine-year-old boy who started to cry when they turned out the cabin lights the first night. "Was he afraid of the dark?" the counselor asked. "No," the boy replied; "he just didn't want to be attacked by the 'killer rabbits.'" Some older kids at home had told him that there were "killer rabbits" who would come out at night and attack the campers.
Jesus was constantly reassuring the disciples with the words, "Fear not." Their fears betrayed their lack of faith. When one traces these words and their usage throughout the Bible, it seems that one of man's constant needs is to be reassured of the presence and comfort of God almighty. Christians can draw on this presence to find comfort and destroy their fears.
Watch out for "killer rabbits!" They can destroy your peace of mind at camp and throughout life.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Why We Chinese still don't want to face our SIN?
圖則證川校豆腐渣 鋼筋幼石屎劣 專家揭六大問題 2009年5月12日
【明報專訊】今天是四川大地震一周年，四川當局過去一直否認有人死於「豆腐渣」工程，但本報取得活埋逾千師生的北川中學的施工圖則，發現教學樓的建築質量最少出現6個問題，包括圖則不專業、部分鋼筋太幼，以及鋼筋交接的駁位太短等，全都削弱了大樓的抗震能力。3名工程師分析後，均直言學校建造質素差，更有工程師指大樓只可抵受3至4級地震。
四川大地震一周年，四川多個地區有紀念活動。據了解，國家主席胡錦濤和國務院副總理李克強會到震央映秀鎮出席紀念活動。而今午2時28分的一年前大地震發生時刻，全市會鳴笛3分鐘向死難者致哀。
料只可禦三四級地震
川震傷亡慘重，「豆腐渣」工程被視為「元兇」之一。兩名曾多次到災區察看的資深工程師，將北川中學施工圖則與現場廢墟比較，直言該圖設計不良，施工現場亦存在鋼筋過幼、間距過寬、樑柱接駁鬆散等嚴重問題，其中一人指出﹕「某些學校鋼筋都沒有，1級地震都會倒下，北川中學仍有鋼筋，但勉強只可抵受3至4級地震，與當地7級防震標準相差太遠。」
這名不願透露姓名的工程師呼籲﹕「中央必須以理性來正視普遍存在的豆腐渣問題……核心意義是展望未來，防止中國再發生同類事件。特別是上海等接近地震帶的大城市，有必要作建築質量普查，並修訂條例，嚴格檢測施工質量。」
北川中學原有4幢大樓，其中於2003年落成的北川中學教學樓，在5．12地震中粉碎性倒塌，活埋1300人。本報記者5月初於現場所見，教學樓外，另外3幢大樓損並不嚴重，如旁邊一幢1999年完工的舊校舍只有天花脫落，另一邊於70年代落成的老式建築更完好無缺。
家長得圖 公安恐嚇泄機密
學生家長母勇賢早前冒險取得教學樓施工圖，比對現場瓦礫展開調查，發現工程嚴重偷工減料。維權人士王笑冬憶述﹕「母勇賢將施工圖複印本交到四川省公安廳，第二天綿陽市公安局來了幾個警察，把他帶到賓館以『泄露國家機密』罪名威脅他。」
至於王笑冬自己則千方百計，欲將圖則交給中紀委，但其間不斷被監控及收到死亡恐嚇，3月起被迫流亡。內地媒體有關圖則的報道則被徹底封殺。
本報取得此施工圖，印有「北川建築勘察設計所」字樣、簽名等資料。今年元旦曾到過北川中學的港大建築系助理教授朱濤，看過施工圖後，認為圖則是真的。
他對照過施工圖和家長調查時於廢墟現場拍得的照片，認為家長的調查，反映中學實際施工情嚴重不符合施工圖則，如當地規定組成混凝土的「石頭子」的直徑不能大過2厘米，「但從現場的照片所見，竟有10厘米的石頭，是很嚴重的錯誤！」他解釋，石粒過大，土內空間便擴大，鋼筋等建材無法抓緊，強度下降易老化，結構便不安全。
他再指出建築物的多個問題，如用於樑柱的鋼筋數量減少、位置不對，部分鋼筋亦太幼，這些均嚴重影響該校結構，「若該調查結果是真的……便可確定是豆腐渣工程」。但他指家長的調查只反映學校的局部情，且多次餘震後，塌下的物料亦需逐一仔細查看，「要政府詳細調查才可下結論」。
朱濤補充說，90年代的建築物皆需接受質量檢查和提交檢查報告，「若詳細調查確定與施工圖嚴重不符合的範圍，那個施工隊、現場監工的人為什麼看不到問題？質量檢查的人為何發現不到問題？施工工人是否有倒賣材料？這些人都在，可逐一查出」。
朱濤表示，完全根據施工圖施工，北川中學應可抵受去年的地震，「只會出現裂痕，但不會整幢塌下來」。
對於官方對北川中學變成「廢墟」的說法，是認為教學樓的選址問題，朱濤指可透過挖開土壤探察了解這說法是否屬實。
無國界工程師召集人黎廣德認為，當局應設立類似香港的死因聆訊，公開資料及分析建築倒塌的原因，從中汲取教訓，防悲劇重演。
明報記者
【明報專訊】今天是四川大地震一周年，四川當局過去一直否認有人死於「豆腐渣」工程，但本報取得活埋逾千師生的北川中學的施工圖則，發現教學樓的建築質量最少出現6個問題，包括圖則不專業、部分鋼筋太幼，以及鋼筋交接的駁位太短等，全都削弱了大樓的抗震能力。3名工程師分析後，均直言學校建造質素差，更有工程師指大樓只可抵受3至4級地震。
四川大地震一周年，四川多個地區有紀念活動。據了解，國家主席胡錦濤和國務院副總理李克強會到震央映秀鎮出席紀念活動。而今午2時28分的一年前大地震發生時刻，全市會鳴笛3分鐘向死難者致哀。
料只可禦三四級地震
川震傷亡慘重，「豆腐渣」工程被視為「元兇」之一。兩名曾多次到災區察看的資深工程師，將北川中學施工圖則與現場廢墟比較，直言該圖設計不良，施工現場亦存在鋼筋過幼、間距過寬、樑柱接駁鬆散等嚴重問題，其中一人指出﹕「某些學校鋼筋都沒有，1級地震都會倒下，北川中學仍有鋼筋，但勉強只可抵受3至4級地震，與當地7級防震標準相差太遠。」
這名不願透露姓名的工程師呼籲﹕「中央必須以理性來正視普遍存在的豆腐渣問題……核心意義是展望未來，防止中國再發生同類事件。特別是上海等接近地震帶的大城市，有必要作建築質量普查，並修訂條例，嚴格檢測施工質量。」
北川中學原有4幢大樓，其中於2003年落成的北川中學教學樓，在5．12地震中粉碎性倒塌，活埋1300人。本報記者5月初於現場所見，教學樓外，另外3幢大樓損並不嚴重，如旁邊一幢1999年完工的舊校舍只有天花脫落，另一邊於70年代落成的老式建築更完好無缺。
家長得圖 公安恐嚇泄機密
學生家長母勇賢早前冒險取得教學樓施工圖，比對現場瓦礫展開調查，發現工程嚴重偷工減料。維權人士王笑冬憶述﹕「母勇賢將施工圖複印本交到四川省公安廳，第二天綿陽市公安局來了幾個警察，把他帶到賓館以『泄露國家機密』罪名威脅他。」
至於王笑冬自己則千方百計，欲將圖則交給中紀委，但其間不斷被監控及收到死亡恐嚇，3月起被迫流亡。內地媒體有關圖則的報道則被徹底封殺。
本報取得此施工圖，印有「北川建築勘察設計所」字樣、簽名等資料。今年元旦曾到過北川中學的港大建築系助理教授朱濤，看過施工圖後，認為圖則是真的。
他對照過施工圖和家長調查時於廢墟現場拍得的照片，認為家長的調查，反映中學實際施工情嚴重不符合施工圖則，如當地規定組成混凝土的「石頭子」的直徑不能大過2厘米，「但從現場的照片所見，竟有10厘米的石頭，是很嚴重的錯誤！」他解釋，石粒過大，土內空間便擴大，鋼筋等建材無法抓緊，強度下降易老化，結構便不安全。
他再指出建築物的多個問題，如用於樑柱的鋼筋數量減少、位置不對，部分鋼筋亦太幼，這些均嚴重影響該校結構，「若該調查結果是真的……便可確定是豆腐渣工程」。但他指家長的調查只反映學校的局部情，且多次餘震後，塌下的物料亦需逐一仔細查看，「要政府詳細調查才可下結論」。
朱濤補充說，90年代的建築物皆需接受質量檢查和提交檢查報告，「若詳細調查確定與施工圖嚴重不符合的範圍，那個施工隊、現場監工的人為什麼看不到問題？質量檢查的人為何發現不到問題？施工工人是否有倒賣材料？這些人都在，可逐一查出」。
朱濤表示，完全根據施工圖施工，北川中學應可抵受去年的地震，「只會出現裂痕，但不會整幢塌下來」。
對於官方對北川中學變成「廢墟」的說法，是認為教學樓的選址問題，朱濤指可透過挖開土壤探察了解這說法是否屬實。
無國界工程師召集人黎廣德認為，當局應設立類似香港的死因聆訊，公開資料及分析建築倒塌的原因，從中汲取教訓，防悲劇重演。
明報記者
Friday, April 10, 2009
Panama Mission Trip Recap
感謝神於今年二月至三月份，給予我及兩位於福音千里行作領袖事奉的弟兄姊妹一個到巴拿馬作短宣學習的機會。今次我們有兩個使命：(一)參與第九屆巴拿馬中西文青少年營及(二)參與巴拿馬華人基督教會(巴京堂)的青年事工。
於青少年營內，作為講員的我，抱著既興奮、又緊張的心情，一半因為過去幾次於營內多是參與遊戲或總務的角色，作講員時心情卻有點不同的感覺。另一半則是預備工作上所遇到凡困難，比較於預備加拿大的營會時多；不單是年齡領域上較大 (參加者由十一至二十歲不等) ，成長背景亦有很大的差異。可是神的恩典卻是大於我們的所想所求，我在當中所學習的亦較我想像的多。是次令會以「導向人生」為主題，在預備其中一天的資料時，神感動我應以「彼此相愛」為題，不知為何卡我內心深處卻存有很大的疑慮，可是我仍抱著信心的去分享。在最後一晚營火會內的分享時間，出乎我意料之外的，是大部份的分享都是圍繞在「彼此相愛」對他們的影響，神的意念真是較我們的意念為高。
更令人感到雀躍的是，藉著訊息、查經、遊戲、話劇、電影及各導師組長的引導，營內約五十名未信主的年青人，有三十九名決志信主，於全營會120人內，亦有18人願意奉獻作全時間的事奉的立志，請為這些巴拿馬的青少年人禱告，求神堅定他們對神的信心。
在青少年營之後，我們藉著「潑水節」假日，與巴京堂青年團契的弟兄姊妹一同到巴拿馬城以外約個半小時車程的El Valley旅行。藉著與他們在行山、游水等節目與他們多點時間相處，更深入了解他們的生活及掙扎，從而能在之後兩星期的訓練之中，給予更適合的訊息。
感謝神於這次短宣之中，讓我們學習到更多對宣教的認識，對使者福音千里行事工亦能作出適當的改善，藉此給予加拿大的學生一個更多學習的宣教體驗。
馮耀宗
多倫多學生事工助理統籌
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
永遠懷念戴紹曾牧師
我們敬愛的戴紹曾博士（Dr. James H. Taylor III，譯名：泰樂博士）
主忠心的僕人
於2009年3月20日安息主懷，榮歸天家。
謹獻上最深的謝意與敬意，感謝戴紹曾博士一生盡忠職守，不但活出僕人忠心謙卑的樣式，更以生命的見證與經歷使無數人終生受益。
戴紹曾博士生於中國開封，為人柔和謙卑，勤懇簡樸，誠信待人，是我們學習的好榜樣。他熱愛中國文化，一生委身服侍中國人，以死在中國為榮。他真正實現他曾祖父戴德生當年所說：「假使我有千條性命，決不留下一條不給中國！」
戴紹曾牧師是創辦「中國內地會」的戴德生曾孫，1929年8月12日生於中國開封，少年時代曾有近三年在山東濰坊集中營度過，長大後赴美國接受教育。1955年攜妻子戴賴恩到臺灣開始服事，三個子女（戴美琳、美溪和繼宗）也在臺灣出生。他在60-70年任高雄「聖光神學院」院長，先後在台灣及中國大陸創辦「中華福音神學院」和「國際專業服務機構」，2007年4月獲四川省昭覺縣頒「榮譽市民」，他自稱是外白裡黃的「熟雞蛋」，是蒙恩的罪人，生在戴家完全是神的恩典。他為人柔和謙卑，忠心侍主，誠信待人，熱愛中國文化，精通中國文學和歷史，一生服侍中國人，也準備死在中國。他真正實現戴德生當年所說：「假使我有千條性命，決不留下一條不給中國！」
香港地區將於4月4日上午10時在九龍城浸信會舉行安息禮拜。
(original post from 「真証傳播」之 戴紹曾牧師紀念冊 )
Thursday, March 19, 2009
nightmare...
I just have had a bad dream.
I was begging, crying, urging...
still, not able to make any changes...
I was being left out in the dark...
feeling lonely, feeling lost...
God, please don't let it happen...
please don't
I was begging, crying, urging...
still, not able to make any changes...
I was being left out in the dark...
feeling lonely, feeling lost...
God, please don't let it happen...
please don't
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
2 down, one to go?
Thanks God, with His guidance, Junior TC and Chinese TC are very successful. The Gospel flow through the hearts of more than 700 students. May TC be only their first step in experiencing God.
Today is the first of two days Senior TC, please keep all the students in your prayer.
Today is the first of two days Senior TC, please keep all the students in your prayer.
Monday, March 09, 2009
港男．講女 @ 星期日檔案 2009-03-08
港女本來是大眾傳媒用來形容香港女性的簡稱，但近年在網上開始流 行，將"港女"來形容集中了某些特質的香港女性，無論在網絡，抑 或現實生活，亦開展了一場港男港女大罵戰。
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