The Catch-22 of companies and technology

水能载舟，亦能覆舟 (water can float a boat, or sink it). The same applies to technology and organisations.

Your company had recently decided to leverage technology to do business. "Sure, why not?" you quipped. The widespread use of computers and technology have been propagated due to the constant evangelising that its use will have more pros than cons. But just how many people really understand the pitfalls of technology? Granted, proper use of technology allows companies to cut costs and improve efficiency. The question is: How long will the technology last? And will you have the manpower familiar with it?

As with any software development life cycle, the process begins with the requirements gathering. Budgets, time, effort and all resources are factored into consideration. Then ultimately, the group settles on a specific technology out of a few select candidates. The decision may seem to make sense at that time. But can this decision still apply five or ten years down the road?

A very long time ago, FORTRAN, C and Visual Basic were seen as forefront of technology in programming. Nowadays, C++, Java, C# are the usual suspects. The newcomers to the arena include Ruby, Python and even Cocoa is getting in on the act. In using technology to enable their businesses, companies must play catch-up with technology. This means a revamp of the entire system every decade or so. Wouldn't this boils down to added cost? By introducing new technologies that better older generations, designers of programming languages inevitably force companies to abandon their legacy systems in favour of newer, better performing ones. From scratch!

Now, I'm sure you don't see much of a problem in doing so. The company may not even decide to update themselves despite being at risk labelled as old fogeys. Would this be any more convenient? This is where it gets tricky. In order to maintain support for the old system, the company would need to hire an employee familiar with the technology of that system they use. This person will handle operational support, bug fixes and occasional change requests. Not a problem you say? Until the person decides to go job hunting.

Assuming the company can survive for more than 10 years without folding, good for them. But unless they have sufficient capital to fund a revamp of their system, they're stuck with what they have. The question I have at this stage is: will the company be able to hire a replacement that can suitably take up the role of the person that had left for greener pastures? You see, older technologies get phased out in schools in favour of educating the younger generation with newer techs. This means the pool of talent in the job market that knows Visual Basic ages with your company and basically stagnates easily.

The bottom line, technology can certainly help companies in their businesses, but unless the organisation can rake in big money with the aid of technology, they better tread wisely, making sure they are utilising something that won't die off so easily, or pay handsomely to their IT employees to keep them from running. If all else fails, these companies should probably stick to using pen and paper to do their business.

(yeah sure, i may well just be rambling on about something biased and illogical. go ahead and let me know what you think.)

4/20 rants of the day

Ken "the more things change, the more they stay the same." http://on.fb.me/ehEArd
11:53 AM April 20th via twitterfeed
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Ken 苏州过后没艇搭. http://on.fb.me/hqgHG2
1:22 AM April 20th via twitterfeed
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Ken happy birthday Chew Yuen Onn, Chris Lim Miao Juan & Erryqqa Rysell. http://on.fb.me/eXBOp3
12:17 AM April 20th via twitterfeed
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Ken 有早知,没乞儿... http://on.fb.me/fu1KI9
10:09 PM April 19th via twitterfeed
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Ken the noose! the noose! the noose! http://on.fb.me/fvTfER
9:00 PM April 19th via twitterfeed
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Ken has 52 days... http://on.fb.me/gvnUCN
6:49 PM April 19th via twitterfeed

4/19 rants of the day

Ken doesn't care if the parliament was dissolved today. just declare the election day asap and don't expect a ... http://on.fb.me/hnU8Qk
4:42 PM April 19th via twitterfeed
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@Xiaxue malnutritioned much? hopefully everything else goes down one size concurrently...
4:30 PM April 19th via PockeTwit
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Ken needs stimpacks... http://on.fb.me/f3uTVi
4:11 PM April 19th via twitterfeed
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Ken says happy birthday to domo~ ;D. http://on.fb.me/hoqxyX
1:19 AM April 19th via twitterfeed

4/18 rants of the day

Ken performing 东游记 today wor... http://on.fb.me/gIQ6QV
8:47 AM April 18th via twitterfeed

4/17 rants of the day

Ken the wise simpleton has a relaxed life of labour... http://on.fb.me/gq2YnZ
11:50 PM April 16th via twitterfeed

4/16 rants of the day

Ken is enjoying a sun tan lol. http://on.fb.me/gSNab4
12:18 PM April 16th via twitterfeed
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Ken http://bit.ly/g30oFS (Watch "Stanton Warriors - Get Up ft. Ruby Goe & Hollywood Holt" on YouTube). http://on.fb.me/e34iPW
10:46 AM April 16th via twitterfeed
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Ken :~ just working on the right eye for howl's moving castle alone committed 2 major mistakes... in real life... http://on.fb.me/fjVamX
11:54 PM April 15th via twitterfeed
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Ken just submitted his taxes... 3 more days to go. have you done yours? http://on.fb.me/gApSqp
9:19 PM April 15th via twitterfeed
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@FabesLau that includes me. sometimes.
5:59 PM April 15th via PockeTwit
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Ken counting... 62 days... http://on.fb.me/faAeXT
5:44 PM April 15th via twitterfeed
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@EeElain ;D
5:41 PM April 15th via web
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@EeElain eat too much bazhang, become bazhang yourself. ;x
4:59 PM April 15th via PockeTwit
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Ken whatever i talk about: half of you don't know, half of you don't care, half of you hovers undecidedly over... http://on.fb.me/hlfDHb
2:39 PM April 15th via twitterfeed

4/15 rants of the day

Ken feels life is so inconvenient without irfanview... http://on.fb.me/eWdfB3
10:32 AM April 15th via twitterfeed
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Ken omg the dao huay from bukit merah hawker centre is damn smooth to the max this morning can! http://on.fb.me/gV99Fb
10:01 AM April 15th via twitterfeed
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@WinnieJoyy maybe cos e liver is too dry for her taste. afterall it is a "gan"...
9:25 AM April 15th via PockeTwit
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Ken is experiencing intermittent DNS resolution issues... it's the same on windows/mac, ie8/safari/firefox... ... http://on.fb.me/gOXtog
11:16 PM April 14th via twitterfeed
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Ken feels like the week flew by in an instant... need more time! D:. http://on.fb.me/gM5cRc
4:05 PM April 14th via twitterfeed

4/14 rants of the day

Ken still has a haunting image of the old singapore world trade centre, in his head for the past one week... http://on.fb.me/dXFR9F
12:29 PM April 14th via twitterfeed
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@EeElain can lah as long you signal you're safe :D
6:28 PM April 13th via web
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@EeElain just do it! just stick to the middle lane and keep away from right most lane unless turning.
6:16 PM April 13th via PockeTwit

4/13 rants of the day

Ken gonna go for impromptu #2... power... http://on.fb.me/eHTf5s
12:03 PM April 13th via twitterfeed
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Ken misplaced the dumb papers and found it again... #goldfishmemory. http://on.fb.me/gkyXuj
11:17 PM April 12th via twitterfeed
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Ken ... aight so who wants to see what i waxed lyrical about for that longwinded question just now? http://on.fb.me/hQ78bP
4:37 PM April 12th via twitterfeed
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Ken gonna take an English test? Oh joy is me. Im thrilled... http://on.fb.me/fS3JH6
3:36 PM April 12th via twitterfeed
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Ken forever misplacing the damn cert... D:. http://on.fb.me/ibYEtZ
2:03 PM April 12th via twitterfeed

4/12 rants of the day

Ken just kio sai to help clear nephew's remaining half-plate of instant noodles... >_>." http://on.fb.me/hB4jRj
11:28 AM April 12th via twitterfeed
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Ken ain't working today :D. http://on.fb.me/ga7Auc
10:27 AM April 12th via twitterfeed
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Ken had a dream about receiving a parking summons... for 1 demerit. Fml. Oh, and i was buying breakfast for wi... http://on.fb.me/eYdS2c
8:54 AM April 12th via twitterfeed

4/11 rants of the day

Ken whether life gives you lemons, or you've just stepped in poop, stay classy! :D. http://on.fb.me/eZ15rm
11:32 AM April 11th via twitterfeed
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@FabesLau u mean they don't make you not spin?
11:23 AM April 11th via PockeTwit
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Ken the trip looks like it wants to stay... power came back on and died again moments after... http://on.fb.me/dU7fNB
11:01 AM April 11th via twitterfeed
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Ken power trip! happy new year! :D. http://on.fb.me/gv3RsH
11:01 AM April 11th via twitterfeed
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@EeElain your stomach knows it's monday... :P
10:54 AM April 11th via web
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@WinnieJoyy or alien abduction dreams... o.o
9:41 AM April 11th via PockeTwit
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@xoozlez wa lao! strong in you the force is.
8:31 AM April 11th via PockeTwit

4/10 rants of the day

Ken having dimsum for my dolly, and her mummy! http://on.fb.me/f5wPJ2
12:13 PM April 10th via twitterfeed
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Ken gawd the golf video spam is spreading like an epidemic. don't be a victim people! http://on.fb.me/g7V2n5
10:53 PM April 9th via twitterfeed
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Ken Spotted @ wilkie edge: 2 angmohs on segways!? http://on.fb.me/fNQ7UC
4:07 PM April 9th via twitterfeed
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Ken Drivers who fear being cut in front of don't belong in lane 1. http://on.fb.me/fhFb8o
12:29 PM April 9th via twitterfeed

4/9 rants of the day

为什么每一次都像是我的错？我想要这样子的吗？
11:28 PM April 8th via web
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@EeElain sg wear hat for what? so hot. hat is to keep head warm de leh.
11:22 PM April 8th via web
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@beiyi_gu close eyes also can pass lah!
10:40 PM April 8th via web
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Ken feels like amnesia is a good thing to happen, sometimes... http://on.fb.me/gWzrYe
7:59 PM April 8th via twitterfeed
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Ken why this one take action so fast one... need to decide over weekend... ~_~." http://on.fb.me/e9Vl5y
6:23 PM April 8th via twitterfeed
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@Xiaxue moving into mainstream media are we?
4:53 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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why these 3gb worth of files take forever to copy over the network!!?
3:18 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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Ken "青春就是本钱"... how i wish i'm the see geen na i used to be... http://on.fb.me/fHgFbJ
3:15 PM April 8th via twitterfeed
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@EeElain =.=" wokay. obviously i'm too free right now...
2:19 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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waiting for bus back to office alone. cos my colleague left without me. cos i went toilet. lol!
2:18 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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@FabesLau they _are_ being paid to say such stuff...
2:10 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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@EeElain =.=" 讲了一大堆, 却... it cant connect to yr macbook now?
2:08 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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Ken hates this thing that's going in an infinite loop... D:. http://on.fb.me/iiAl0U
1:42 PM April 8th via twitterfeed
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@EeElain pic pls. duno how yr chargerhead looks like now otherwise.
1:29 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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@r4cha3l sentosa? i'm staring across at resorts world...
1:16 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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@beiyi_gu no la she wun scream de. only use domo to bite me!
12:57 PM April 8th via PockeTwit
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@EeElain inception!
12:56 PM April 8th via PockeTwit

4/8 rants of the day

@xoozlez didn't know you swing the other way now! =x
12:16 PM April 8th via web
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Ken feels that the week flew past especially quick with all the running around these days... http://on.fb.me/hdIVlQ
10:36 AM April 8th via twitterfeed

4/7 rants of the day

Ken shall i sleep or shall i sleep? http://on.fb.me/dSEEQb
5:04 PM April 5th via twitterfeed

4/6 rants of the day

Ken shall i sleep or shall i sleep? http://on.fb.me/dSEEQb
5:04 PM April 5th via twitterfeed

4/5 rants of the day

Ken is (still) high from last night's flu med... or something... Orz. http://on.fb.me/ibjL1n
11:55 AM April 5th via twitterfeed
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Ken *sniff*. http://on.fb.me/dE2ErE
9:49 PM April 4th via twitterfeed

4/4 rants of the day

Ken is currently equipped for warfare in the office! =x. http://on.fb.me/hus2ak
2:19 PM April 4th via twitterfeed
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Ken happy birthday Gerald Seow & Peng Yong :D. http://on.fb.me/h8GJ9W
11:45 AM April 4th via twitterfeed
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Ken is going to get carpal tunnel syndrome one of these days... http://on.fb.me/gpsBWu
9:12 AM April 4th via twitterfeed
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Ken 12hrs ago, had slept for 12hrs. Now i can't sleep. Crap. http://on.fb.me/grw3Az
2:32 AM April 4th via twitterfeed

4/3 rants of the day

Ken doesn't understand how can the thai national fall on to the MRT track accidentally... anyone? http://on.fb.me/g4JCl7
7:18 PM April 3rd via twitterfeed
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Ken Bag springcleaning in progress... her and her "precious ones"... o.o. http://on.fb.me/haxSXH
6:17 PM April 3rd via twitterfeed
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Ken now has (faux) grass in his mailbox :D. http://on.fb.me/ihHgDh
8:44 PM April 2nd via twitterfeed

4/2 rants of the day

Ken R͇̗̪̾̑Ȩͭ͒̏̐͒ͨJ̶̎͂͌͐͗O҉̻̹̖͖͇̼I̼͇͙̹̼̘ͧ̆͆ͯ̐C̨̣̒ͫͮ͛̊ͣE!̤̯̱͊ͯ ̾̎̑͟
̛̭̫̈̄̒̇͐f̶̮̲̭̤͖̹̫̒ͧ͌̄ȯ̂ṟ ̱̩͎̺̗̏̑ͨt̶͔̥̊̀h̆... http://on.fb.me/ghtbC3
3:36 PM April 2nd via twitterfeed
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Ken after a long hiatus, a leisurely 4km + 200m... feeling out of touch! D:. http://on.fb.me/dIBzRn
3:05 PM April 2nd via twitterfeed
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Ken figures he likes Ke$ha because she apparently is known to be able to sing sanely but produces autotune thr... http://on.fb.me/ggNXc5
1:34 PM April 2nd via twitterfeed
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Ken as punishment for my car downpayment april fool's earlier, rach is playing "Friday" by rebecca black on re... http://on.fb.me/dO7aeQ
8:04 PM April 1st via twitterfeed
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Ken yay! downpayment settled for my 307CC. so excited, can't wait! :D. http://on.fb.me/eLcuNw
7:02 PM April 1st via twitterfeed

4/1 rants of the day

Ken masking tape under mouse gag works on non-IT professionals... ;x. http://on.fb.me/fyyggc
2:25 PM April 1st via twitterfeed
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Ken saw lots of nice ferraris, jeeps and chryslers in the showroom next door... http://on.fb.me/hNMnjL
12:23 PM April 1st via twitterfeed
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Ken 爬的够高，要懂得放下来。 (after climbing high enough, one must know when to put everything down). http://on.fb.me/gyxwdu
1:07 AM April 1st via twitterfeed
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Ken wondering... should i get a pair of vibrams...? http://on.fb.me/eQ6rFv
8:56 PM March 31st via twitterfeed

3/31 rants of the day

@Xiaxue angmoh ghosts or asian ones? i'd send you sunshine from singapore instantly... but my work phone is non-camera...
3:48 PM March 31st via PockeTwit
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@LeticiaBongnino Terry can buy you a Cat and buy you a Spade. no need jealous of Kat Spade.
3:40 PM March 31st via PockeTwit
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Ken . http://on.fb.me/eexw0X
12:42 PM March 31st via twitterfeed
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Ken tuppai always is Joane Low & Joanne Chow spotted my moonstones within 10minutes can... http://on.fb.me/e7dTD8
1:26 AM March 31st via twitterfeed

3/30 rants of the day

Ken would you rather be forgetful and not recall things that upset you? or have a good sense of what happens s... http://on.fb.me/dIh5Fm
3:10 PM March 30th via twitterfeed
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Ken Had a waking nightmare mumbling one word tthat woke up rachel: "Jboss." http://on.fb.me/eOIeYQ
9:00 AM March 30th via twitterfeed
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Ken the opposition alliance is going all out online this year... http://on.fb.me/eVF7fF
2:21 AM March 30th via twitterfeed
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Ken Words with friends, add me: poonaniken! ;D. http://on.fb.me/h38NEl
8:40 PM March 29th via twitterfeed

3/29 rants of the day

Ken loves the smell of onion in his mouth... onion onion, poot poot poot. bawang bawang, toot toot toot. onion... http://on.fb.me/dPCffp
2:31 PM March 29th via twitterfeed
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Ken is actually a genie, because with me, dreams ken kum true! *hides*. http://on.fb.me/el1sFI
10:25 AM March 29th via twitterfeed
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Ken is secretary for the night... boss haven't sleep so secretary cannot sleep yet... http://on.fb.me/hpJjxN
2:13 AM March 29th via twitterfeed
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Ken everything nowadays can have "ing" added behind them... google-ing, youtube-ing, facebooking, zoboh-ing, o... http://on.fb.me/i8KY5p
5:50 PM March 28th via twitterfeed

3/28 rants of the day

Ken has brain constipation... http://on.fb.me/gwxm34
11:30 AM March 28th via twitterfeed
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Ken tried to google for images for one word: "japanese"... gawd... http://on.fb.me/ftzyOK
9:50 PM March 27th via twitterfeed

3/27 rants of the day

Ken goodz morningz... zzz... http://on.fb.me/feFEtu
2:24 PM March 27th via twitterfeed
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Ken sez... hadouken. http://on.fb.me/gKPtSP
2:21 AM March 27th via twitterfeed

3/26 rants of the day

Ken happy birthday Ferina Willes and Lars Lundtoft :D. http://on.fb.me/gp8ZlC
1:57 AM March 26th via twitterfeed

3/25 rants of the day

Ken does the term "slut" refer to females only? what is the male version called? http://on.fb.me/ihSgiB
12:56 PM March 25th via twitterfeed
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Ken happy birthday Eva Lam, Gevelle Cheng & Vera Tan! http://on.fb.me/htVtZw
12:37 AM March 25th via twitterfeed
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Ken Notice that the main menu of the android facebook app finally rotates with the screen! Whee~. http://on.fb.me/g3AhUa
8:05 PM March 24th via twitterfeed
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Ken Bunch of upper secondary school boys one table away beside me kept repeating "精虫, 精虫"... http://on.fb.me/ewcSVV
7:30 PM March 24th via twitterfeed
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Ken Just spotted someone who looked like Charlyn who won channel U's Superhost join her friends @ Hey hey hotp... http://on.fb.me/elVuET
7:30 PM March 24th via twitterfeed
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Ken broken shoes... time to buy a new pair... $_$ anything to recommend besides pedro? http://on.fb.me/hCT6HS
6:22 PM March 24th via twitterfeed

3/24 rants of the day

Ken thinks the movie "I Am Number Four" is about the camouflage uniform of a Singapore soldier. http://on.fb.me/gkkjxS
1:53 PM March 24th via twitterfeed
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Ken let's name my first-born "Kum Plawith Mee'); DROP Table Students;--"! xD. http://on.fb.me/eh8Auc
11:40 AM March 24th via twitterfeed
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Ken why is my chest hurting? am i growing moobs? http://on.fb.me/gzxiWI
10:34 AM March 24th via twitterfeed
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Ken send send send, send send send... http://on.fb.me/hc8SSN
2:13 AM March 24th via twitterfeed
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Ken trials and tribulations of the animator... http://on.fb.me/hJRXeL
12:31 AM March 24th via twitterfeed

3/23 rants of the day

Ken they should name our subway system something cooler, such as Mass Singaporean Rapid Transit: MSRT... and a... http://on.fb.me/i8UiMf
12:17 PM March 23rd via twitterfeed
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Ken one arrives at a conclusion, that appears to be of great importance, and with an earthly heart and a heavy... http://on.fb.me/esFnpE
2:55 AM March 23rd via twitterfeed
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Ken can anyone please tell me, what is the starting age of the car insurance "safe zone" age group in sg? http://on.fb.me/et5rC5
12:43 AM March 23rd via twitterfeed
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Ken suddenly feel the urge to go back to school... are there any courses on bio-architectural-engineering-hosp... http://on.fb.me/f8ILi6
8:13 PM March 22nd via twitterfeed

3/22 rants of the day

Ken "Most of the practical advice is redundant, but there's value in it even as such—if you hear the same thin... http://on.fb.me/fSUN23
10:41 AM March 22nd via twitterfeed
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Ken Fallen @ AYE after lower delta occupying lanes 2 & 3 wor... http://on.fb.me/dVRgLy
9:34 AM March 22nd via twitterfeed

3/21 rants of the day

Ken universal studios wants us to believe that bunnies poop jelly beans! http://on.fb.me/hCoQAJ
8:51 PM March 21st via twitterfeed
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Ken Thanks to the groom, we managed to get in and out for the silent mob and carry on with the events... lovel... http://on.fb.me/hdYIko
6:41 PM March 19th via twitterfeed