Sorry sir, we don't spin.

I guess it takes silly statements from government officials to rouse this blog from its comatose slumber.

Our Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim today said that our country needs better "Spin Doctors."

The Star says: "He also proposed that local public relations practitioners use blogs to compete with local bloggers who spin stories on all sorts of issues."

Alright, what does our dear Minister know about Public Relations? Our job is to compete with bloggers?

I'm sorry sir, you've got the whole point of having a public relations department all wrong. It's about being transparent and truthful. It's about authenticity and genuineness. If you think PR is spin-doctoring, and you're representative of our whole government's mentality, then it's no wonder the government is the way it is. Flash not substance, perception not reality.

PR's job is to correct misconceptions, not create wrong perceptions that deceive people. Sadly, yes, there are those who get this the other way around. They think PR is a tool to cover-up their mistakes, hype their shoddy products and misinform the public. Those people aren't PR practitioners.

Another quote that really riled me was:

“The more influential they are, the higher their paychecks. It’s time for Malaysia to have public relations practitioners who are well trained and knowledgable.”

Well, sir, actually we do. I've met people who are really good, skillful PR people. They know how to bring up issues, and correct misconceptions with some really brilliant communications campaigns. They know how to change sentiments and build communities.

Oh, did you mean "political" lobbyists? Err...which kind were you referring to? The kind that (does whatever it takes) to push through a favourable resolution for the client?

PM improving on Twitter. Okay, just a little.

Perhaps we've been cruel in laughing at our PM's twitter account. Arguably, it's justified. Following only one twitter account. Not engaging people. Tweeting his schedule and generally nonsensical stuff no one's interested in listening to.

Today, I'm pleased to say he's improving. At least he's started replying people.

At the risk of becoming a daddy blog...

May I present you with the second ultrasound picture of The Kid:

(Click on picture to see it bigger.)

Yes, it's two posts about The Kid in a row. Yes, I know, we need to get back technology, social media and some snarky social commentary at some point. But if you were in my shoes today, you'd understand too.

So let me give you the run-down of the report:

Head. Checked - it's that large oval thing. Little feet and hands. Well, you can't actually see them. Normal spine - the doc did something interesting that X-rayed the kid, and showed us the spine. And yes, a brain too.

Kid, if you're reading this sometime in the future, congratulate yourself. Your dad has a sense of humor.

The post where I announce...

...that I'm a dad-to-be.

The news broke over Twitter a while a go and I made an announcement so at least "some" people can hear it first-hand for the first time.

So the vital facts are as follows:

• The kid is about 10 - 12 weeks now.
• Expected to be delivered in May. If we can hit May 22, then s/he'll share my birthday.
• Names? We kinda like Josiah for a boy. I wanted to give some bimbo name like Tiffany if its a girl, but the wife violently objects.
• Some people have been suggesting names though. Percival, Bambi, Optimus - and other wierd un-nameables coming up.
• What if I just named he/she "Ah". Full name on passport? Ah Lian.

I've also started thinking up some goals for my kid. Serving God in church is a given, but here are some other goals / ideals all parents surely come up with:

• If he's a boy, I'll introduce him to his first space marine when he's 6. By 7, we'll be playing chess with space marines and orks and he'll learn to hold a paint brush. I promise not to laugh at his pink space marines.
  
• If she's a girl, I'll introduce her to her first space marine when she's 6. By 7, we'll be playing chess with space marines and orks and she'll learn to hold a paint brush. I promise not to laugh at her pink space marines.

Yeah, I have very varied goals for my kid.

Welcome Windows 7

That's right. That's a brand new shiny install of Windows 7 on my desktop. I got a copy of Windows 7 64-bit in advance from a source that wishes to remain unnamed (and so shall he be.) Let's just say its amazing how friends from 20 years past can become a valuable tech resource.

That said, I am excited to get my grubby hands on this latest version of Windows and you can expect a bit of a review and thoughts of Win 7 on my blog soon. First impressions are that it boots up amazingly fast compared to XP or Vista and even Ubuntu. I didn't do a timer test and am too lazy to reboot now, but suffice to say, it felt superfast.

In any case, look out for a review in coming days. Oh, there are also a couple of contests running for people who want to get Windows 7 eventually. Check out http://www.win7.com.my as well as The Star In.Tech who will soon be giving away 5 copies of Windows 7 Ultimate Edition.