Saving McDonald's

Though billions and billions served... McDonald's sales are falling. (Yea you can easily find some reference article on that).

Now McDonald's has been trying many new things... yet can't easily change it reputation as junk food. Yes, that food is high fat, high calories, high sugar, high salt. (But so are many other restaurants). Think Chipotle is healthier? but that huge portion is going to give you large number of calories too. Chipotle is just too big for lunch. Dinner maybe.

Now back to McDonald's... many people give various ideas to save it... including breakfast all day (?!). Now I am not so sure if you want to really eat breakfast items all day. (I really would like something easier to chew on than that gosh tough-as-steel muffin and less fat like things like that biscuit and McGriddle.).

You got to give them some credit for trying out things... one day I walked in and tried to order a quarter pounder and the cashier suggested some Sirolin sandwiches instead. Big portion! But unfortunately it seems like not taste as good as those made in a grill. How do they make sandwiches? microwave? if microwave then i'm-not-lovin'-it.

Some people suggested vegetarian meals: excellent idea. But that salad they used to make didn't work so well? But I think things like veggie burger may be interesting. They already serve fried potato burger in another country?

I got some suggestions to make it a bit healthier: 1. Get light on that salt. See that salt machine like cranks out salt like watering your lawn? Give customers little salt packs. 2. Offer less sugar drinks. How about carbonated water with some lemon?

Taking out Ronald Mcdonald and add McCafe didn't seem to work... that coffee is too light! Need a darker roast... and some good snacks that goes well with coffee (such as coffee cake?) Hamurger isn't it.

But here is one thing that McDonald's beat everyone else: the price. (Ok except 7-11 hotdogs) For ~$6 I am well fed, with drinks and fries. You need at least $8 just to get food without side or drink in other places.

Singapore Prime Minister can write a program to solve Sudoku

You gotta be impressed. A prime minister not only know how to run a country but write code: http://www.itworld.com/article/2917587/open-source-tools/singapores-prime-minister-shares-his-c-sudoku-solver-code.html to solve Sudoku.

You can see his source too. See that link above.

I ensure you not too many people can actually do this despite their degrees in computer science and having inflated titles like "architect" or "software director".

I did this years ago, first a text version, then a GUI version on Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.optimal.solutions.sudokusolver..

Nobody cared because I am no prime minister. There are much better sudoku solvers out there. Some can even take a picture of puzzle and solve for you. Sudoku however seems to lose its magic... haven't seen people play with one on the train lately. I guess phone games are lot more fun.

But this Sudoku problem really should interest computer science students. Something that involves systematic trial and error deserves a programmatic solution.

So I am impressed, Prime Minister.

Lately, the US is much obsessed of being like Singapore. "Singapore Math" is now a buzzword for teaching math... they are the top of chart, Americans are much more behind. But if I take a brief look at it here... I actually don't see anything too special with it?

But look, math knows no political boundary. There isn't Singapore math or American math... It is just... math. If the media focus less on mocking students who knows a thing or two as nerds, have an environment that encourage learning, of course Americans can do better. If the environment is: football players are cool, math students are uncool nerds, Americans can remain the bottom of the bottom. Gotta lift the status of matheletes! You test test test them and declare them failure... how about telling them right answers. Standardized tests should have a follow up explanation session! That will alone transform education: so kids know what they do wrong and know how to do better next time.

Now another thing about Singapore... The delicious Singapore noodles is actually a Hong Kong invention.