We’ve created a generic user “sigir2008″ (with the SIGIR 2008 wireless internet password – ie “inS******2008″)  to allow *you* to write up your own blog post.  Please write any comments you have to address to the general SIGIR 2008 public and/or to the organizers.  We just ask that you limit editing to your own posts, as a courtesy to others.

We’ve also created a Google Map of places around the Copthorne Waterfront to help you get around town.  This is also open to the public and your annotations are more than welcomed!

1. Clothes to wear. Singapore’s unofficial uniform is t-shirt-bermudas-sandals (Bermudas are the same as “shorts”). There was a recent Straits Times article on this a few week’s ago. You can go practically anywhere in this outfit. However, for dressing up and going out, slacks and a short-sleeved dress shirt with shoes are just fine for all occasions. Jeans here are adapted for the climate and are made of particularly thin materials, which makes them suitable for casual, going out dress.

2. Electrical components. Singapore’s AC plugs are the same as the UK (for the obvious historically related reason, just like Hong Kong). Bring your trusty AC universal adapter. Upscale hoteliers may be able to provide such adapters for you at the concierge, or have universal plugs in the rooms. We advise that you come with an adapter.

Personally, I recommend bringing a charged second battery that you can switch to during the conference. We will have WiFi throughout the area, but finding a spare electrical socket may be more of a problem.

If you’re buying consumer electronics to take back (say from Sim Lim), please note that the electrical properties may make it difficult or not worthwhile to bring a product back. Please check with your store before purchasing. Another problem that people have encountered is that TV transmissions here are in PAL format (e.g., the United States uses NTSC format), so TVs and game consoles used here may not work when used in other countries. Caveat emptor.

3. Exchange rate and money: Plus and Maestro systems for ATM are everywhere and can be used to withdraw monies from your home bank account (thank you for supporting our economy!). Currently, 1 USD buys 1.34 SGD, 1 Euro buys 2.14 SGD, 1 GBP buys 2.70 SGD.

Got more questions? Fire away…