In the corporate circles "Consolidation" implies the mergers or acquisition of one or many small companies into much larger ones. In other not so good to read words, the small rats agrees to be eaten by the big cat to the advantage of both the rat and the Cat at least, theoretically. Consolidation presents different perspectives, challenges and implications depending upon things like how big is the Cat/Rat (compared for numbers like turnover, employee count and all those financial number/ratios), is it a process driven industry like manufacturing or chemical or if it’s a people driven like information technology (IT), privately owned or public listed company.
Living successfully through the consolidation process triggered by a merger or acquisition is not only important for the cat but also for the rat, especially if the cat is not interested into eating the rat too soon. Expected outcome for the cat is to be able to get a fair return on the investment and the consolidation should be presented and viewed by the shareholders as worth while and successful. In recent times, so much has the Consolidation been happening in IT and ITES spectrum that it has developed itself as a growth model associated with a an inorganic quick growth mode. All the companies like Microsoft, Google, SAP, Oracle they all have been acquiring these small/mid-sized successful rats and adding them to there offerings – and who can forget the famous rats – PeopleSoft, Siebel, Compaq, i2 – so many of them. Some acquired to butcher and kill the competition, others to add a new feather to the CAT hat. If you can’t beat then – merge or acquire them. So much so that the companies could boast something like acquiring 11 companies in 10 years trying to sell a new acquisition deal one to the stock holders. From the looks of it everyone is up for grabs haven’t we heard the rumors floating around last week of Microsoft buying SAP and the Yahoo! negotiations are a reality for sure.
There are few things common to all the mergers and acquisitions – the announcement leads to chaos, confusion and a flow of a lot of negative energy into the organizations especially in the company being acquired. The process takes about 4-6 months and these are most difficult for the employees – emotionally. The question is what causes this and what could be done to avoid the short term immediate mental pressure for the employees of the company being acquired or merged.
Being through the four mergers and acquisitions in the last four years ironically all the time on the Rat side of it, the way the companies have handled it – there is scope for as much to be done that what all has been done. Usually, it starts with the announcement/press release. This is perhaps one of the most professionally managed and well orchestrated part – the information is crisp and happy for the stock holders of the cat company. The moment this information is published the panic strikes. This is usual and expected; employees are concerned with what will be happening to them – and then the CEO of the new company would send an Email -
"WELCOME TO THE NEW WORLD"
A lot after this depends upon what’s the motive and intention of the Cat – she wants to kill the rat and stop the competition for good or she wants to have a rat to integrate with itself. First one doesn’t require much to be done or to be managed – just fire and trigger the layoffs in one two or three, wait for few years after delaying the new releases of products or replace them and then, finally announce that after some years the support would be fully withdrawn. Poor customers of the company would take it like there bad luck and here, ends the story. There are few variants of the story but that’s where all of them end.
The problem magnifies if the objective is to retain the company and the employees and try to integrate them into the mainstream after rationalization and realignment. Remember, we are talking about an industry where the biggest investment and asset of the company is either it’s intellectual property or the employees- this is the knowledge industry. Numerous meetings and discussions would be held discussing that we must focus on our deliverables, keep this merger thing out of our head and wait for information to come – there is no need to panic blah blah. These meetings have just the opposite effect – they bring these discussions into main stream and make the message even stronger – something wrong could happen. It’s almost like shifting focus from the glass half full to half empty.
When everyone is so certain that there is nothing going to happen – why doesn’t it come from the CEO's mouth and if they are not so certain why they want to convey the message. Would it change a lot if we all thought that our words were a measure of our commitment? The first things that should come out of the talk should be a fixed time frame – I guess that would comfort people and pull them out of the immediate panic. We all know human beings are much better at taking decisions out of panic and pressure situations. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to avoid and cut this panic situation by such an announcement?
“For the next six months or year – there are going to be no layoffs. Streamlining, realignment doesn’t mean it has to be started off with layoffs in such scenarios.” – What’s wrong with this message to be put across to the employees?
After about 10-15 days of the merger the address should come for the employees preferably in person – especially with concrete plans for the company and employees – better if this dialog is in person and doesn’t talk a lot about how good the rat is. These employees know how good it is – they had built the rat. Honor them and give them a breath of fresh air. Tell them a plan of the changes and share with them the vision. They are going to reject it on first day but may be if actions translate into words – they might agree. They are rational emotional people who have just lost something they had aligned themselves for years.
If possible, I would like to hear the news not from press but from the person who manages the rat before the consolidation. If he really is a leader, it’s his responsibility to answer and tell – if not before the press just after them and he should deliver the first message. I would love to do the same – that’s my responsibility to the people who aligned with me.
Consolidations are here to stay, and soon there would be professional change management consultants who would arrange and stage the process. Corporate is interestingly strange money making stupid looking amusing machine.
Let’s enjoy the coffee and get back to work and prepare for the plan B, just in case we need it.
Aug 16, 2008
Jul 16, 2008
Credit Cards !!!
Imagine a day without credit card?
Not much of a problem you can say - yes it is so but sometimes its just quite embarrassing to explain and things just stop when you don't have a credit card. Imagine a 28 year old person in India- obviously his wallet is loaded with cash and debit card but how can one miss the omnipresent credit cards - visa or master whatever especially when there are not very strong norms in India like Singapore to prevent young and financially overburdened people to fall in the credit card trap and worst of all they are for free - for life time or free for 10 years or they give you cash back or they want to give you a $100 voucher - it's a bloody story here. Just pump credit cards up the asses of masses :P
When you don't have a credit card or you use a debit card in India - you are forced to pay a surcharge. I know how banks works and the debit cards require no extra 2-3% but still people like to extort money everywhere - just like the autos in Bangalore on a rainy day or Monday hours. Maniacs isn't it - may be if you have internet in India to read this blog you will never feel what I say you probably have a credit card in your wallet.
Somethings you can't do without a credit card
a) book something online - reservation over phone/online to a hotel
b) pay pre-authorization amount - which credit cards only can pay
I never thought credit cards were mandatory !!
PS: I have lived comfortably in Singapore for more than three years only on debit cards. The government doesn't promote credit cards and you are required to have a minimum annual income of 25000 SGD to take a credit card home.
Banks readily issue debit cards for a fees of about $20 per annum if you do not spend about 1500-1600 SGD in a year trough the gateway.
They have there own private interbank payments gateway called NETS which is accepted all over Singapore by retailers and everywhere so that VISA and MASTER don't earn for every cent transacted.
Basic common sense or rather business sense.
Not much of a problem you can say - yes it is so but sometimes its just quite embarrassing to explain and things just stop when you don't have a credit card. Imagine a 28 year old person in India- obviously his wallet is loaded with cash and debit card but how can one miss the omnipresent credit cards - visa or master whatever especially when there are not very strong norms in India like Singapore to prevent young and financially overburdened people to fall in the credit card trap and worst of all they are for free - for life time or free for 10 years or they give you cash back or they want to give you a $100 voucher - it's a bloody story here. Just pump credit cards up the asses of masses :P
When you don't have a credit card or you use a debit card in India - you are forced to pay a surcharge. I know how banks works and the debit cards require no extra 2-3% but still people like to extort money everywhere - just like the autos in Bangalore on a rainy day or Monday hours. Maniacs isn't it - may be if you have internet in India to read this blog you will never feel what I say you probably have a credit card in your wallet.
Somethings you can't do without a credit card
a) book something online - reservation over phone/online to a hotel
b) pay pre-authorization amount - which credit cards only can pay
I never thought credit cards were mandatory !!
PS: I have lived comfortably in Singapore for more than three years only on debit cards. The government doesn't promote credit cards and you are required to have a minimum annual income of 25000 SGD to take a credit card home.
Banks readily issue debit cards for a fees of about $20 per annum if you do not spend about 1500-1600 SGD in a year trough the gateway.
They have there own private interbank payments gateway called NETS which is accepted all over Singapore by retailers and everywhere so that VISA and MASTER don't earn for every cent transacted.
Basic common sense or rather business sense.
Jul 12, 2008
thats what u call good chinese food !!
"Mainland China" near the domulr flyover is the place if you want to eat good chinese food. Not like the popular chinese food but more like the authentic ones. having lived in Singapore for a few years,the tastebuds kind of long for the authentic cusine and here at most places the chinese food is like Indian Chinese served at restaurants on racecourse road in Singapore.
Mainland China experience was very close. Servings of Jasmine tea really bought back memories of chrysanthemum and jamsine tea served especially in Spas. What followed in the form of black pepper shredded rice and white rice was quiet close to what the corner shop in the Yew Tee food court used to offer.
The difference how ever is the price :(
What was so affordable there (black pepper chicken rice used to cost there about $4), here costs about INR 250 for the chicken and 120 for the rice. However there were no green chillies in vinegar to compliment.
But overall a really heartwarming mouth watering experience.
Rating 9/10
Location Near TGIF, next to Nandni just towards Indiranagar.
Mainland China experience was very close. Servings of Jasmine tea really bought back memories of chrysanthemum and jamsine tea served especially in Spas. What followed in the form of black pepper shredded rice and white rice was quiet close to what the corner shop in the Yew Tee food court used to offer.
The difference how ever is the price :(
What was so affordable there (black pepper chicken rice used to cost there about $4), here costs about INR 250 for the chicken and 120 for the rice. However there were no green chillies in vinegar to compliment.
But overall a really heartwarming mouth watering experience.
Rating 9/10
Location Near TGIF, next to Nandni just towards Indiranagar.
Jul 4, 2008
Lost Traveller and his Navigator reach Lepakshi
Internet opens up such a vast knowledge bank at the click of the search button on Google that it can lead to so many interesting things in life. Something similar happened last weekend – looking for a getaway from Bangalore we found out a place not very far off – where there were ample opportunities to shoot and a long ride to enjoy. For the city dwellers a smooth tarmac is good enough opportunity to enjoy and we got the best of everything – location, weather, birds, history, and food and last but not the least good time.
There are few compelling reasons to wake up to and travel I guess tops my list. Waking up after 5.30 AM after a hot water bath carrying our cameras – my good old S3IS and Avi’s D40, lots of water bottles, edibles, clothes and road maps were all we took and hit the Bangalore roads for the day out. It was an overcast sky and the thoughts that gripped our mind were – will we Get blue skies or will it rain?
It’s interesting to see milk vendors planning to distribute the milk stacked into plastic crates and believe me the city roads (Airport Road – Domlur – MG Road) never looked any better. Within no time we passed Yelahanka, IAF Station and ITC cigarette factory. Believe it or not with in 30 minutes or so we were near the new Bangalore Airport on the NH7 (Bangalore - Hyderabad Route). It was a nice 6 lane highway till Devanahalli. There was only one diversion where there some flyover construction. The 4/6 laning work was completed even about 10 odd kilometers after the Nandi Hills turn as part of North-South corridor of NHAI. It was exciting to see the wheels spinning in motion so that with in almost two kilometers from home we took this
Last to last week I went on a bike trip to Nandi hills testing the engines and feeling the warmth. So until the Nandi Hill turn it was a well known territory. After that the road trip really started. About 10 KMs after Nandi hills we stopped to click a few pictures just like that to put the cameras in order and to feel that we had really escaped out of the city before the traffic to catch us.
There is a small left turn just after the Andhra Pradesh RTO – be very careful it’s very easy to miss as it is a very small road. There are few petrol pumps on the left side just before the turn. Keep on heading the road until there is a statue of two birds on your left. This left road leads to Veerapuram. Keep driving on this road for 11 KMs. You will need to come back to this place to reach for Lepakshi which is about 20 KM from this place. After Lepakshi, another 15 or so KMs and you reach Hindupur. National Highway is under construction but overall the road allows you to hit 100 and beyond quiet a few times.
Just before entering Veerapuram we shot some pics of a man who was ploughing his fields. Not sure why but he got offended at us and was almost willing to hurl some stones at us .
We expected Veerapuram to be a happening village – lots of birds around some water body. So much so that we overshot the place by almost a KM. We parked our car at a corner and started to strain the cameras. The villages were cop-operative and even allowed us to use there roof tops. At 10 AM in the morning not many people were there in the village and we really looked like tourists.
We headed back to the road where we found the bird statue and look a left turn to Lepakshi, but the place was so beautiful we just stopped to click few pictures.
The red soil changes to black as we headed for Lepakshi and the huge Nandi announced the arrival to us. The Nandi is the biggest in India – 27 Feet wide and 15 feet high carved out of a single stone.
Just in front of the Nandi behind the few houses we saw a huge elevated structure and we thought it was a temple. Asked for the directions and almost struggled to climb it up only realizing later that there was a well carved out way to go up. It turned out to be a good adventure to go up – though there was no temple on the top. These local guys helped us go up but we couldn’t understand there language so not much I can tell about them.
Folk Lore Town – history, mythology, religion, culture and everything are all mixed up in Lepakshi. The place is called Le-Pakshi litereally meaning “rise” – o –“bird”. The story goes that when Ravana the King of Deamons kidnapped Sita; Jatayu fought with Ravana and this place and was brutally injured. When Rama and Lakshmana were looking for Sita – they came to this place and saw this bird lying down; Rama said “Le Pakshi” and the name stuck.
There are footprints on stones which people say belong to Sita in the main temple. We walked wrong way as expected on a trip with me to enter the temple from inside the village. The moment we reached we realized there was a wide road to the temple entrance and we walked to get our car to the parking.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra said to be another form of Shiva and Devi Shakti or Durga as she is popularly known. The temple is about 500 years old and the architecture is Vijaynagar Kingdom styled. There are beautiful painting and sculptures carved on the pillars.
Hire an English speaking guide and it will be an interesting story telling session that you would be enjoying. There is story and detail in every wall that is worth paying every penny. Our guide didn’t ask for anything and said its up to your satisfaction and we paid him Rs. 200 only for about an hour of service.
The marriage hall is still incomplete and the story goes that the finance minister who was building the temple was accused by the King of mis-appropriating the funds. The King ordered to remove his eye and when he came to know about it he just took out his eyes and threw them on the wall. The guide showed us marks on the wall and holes claiming that it has been tested by British and concluded to be blood. Anyways, they looked more like rust stains to me.
The marriage hall was never fully constructed and really would have been a beauty considering the details with which the construction was being carried out.
There is another big foot print inside the temple about 20 times bigger than my feet. When Ravana’s was fighting with Jatayu, the balance of the (airplane) tipped off and Sita just set her one foot on the ground – it’s her foot mark and as per the guide the feet always has water around the toes may be a source of water somewhere underground. Interesting isn’t it There is a story behind everything the kitchen, the plates marked in stone, the lime, the small tortoise carving on the corner wall, the paintings on the temple, the hanging pillar, the cement on the big lings because of the evil eye of the mother, pictures of Shiva's boar hunt and Arjuna's battles, picture of Kishna’s eyes which follow you where ever you go, Viranna and Virupanna.
After spending almost two hours in the temple we headed to Hindupur. We ate at the place called Palla’s – Rs 100 for two meals and water bottle and egg bhujiya followed by Rs 8 for two paan before we headed back and hit the roads.
Return trip was marked by ugly traffic on outer ring road because of an accident and we reached home at around 7 PM. A perfect trip and contentment filled our hearts and we opened up laptops and Photoshop: D.
Route Details
Total Distance: 280 Kilometers (Trusting the Maruti Swift readings)
Travel Route from Bangalore – Red Streak on the Map(Bangalore – Chikaballapur – Bagepalli – Andhra Pradesh Border (RTO) – Veerapuram – Leepakshi – Hindupur)
Return Route From Hindupur – Blue Streak on the Map
Hindupur - Gouribadinur - Dodaballapur.- Yahalanka – Bangalore
Once you are on the road from Hindupur, there is no chance you will confuse yourself or miss any turns. The road is bad just for a stretch of about 10 KMs or so but it’s not as wide as the National Highway. The road is still comparable and much more beautiful.
Every trip has something special in its own ways. When we have a good patch of tarmac we drove fast and when there were lean patches or we were into villages we drove cautiously and slowly – stretching the time we spent on the patch.
Life is like that – that’s what just came to my mind. When we have a good patch in life we just rush through it faster and faster without really enjoying it fully at times and when we hit the rough patches we feel “Oh! It’s gone too soon”. On the bad patches we can’t accelerate and struggle spending a lot more time.
Isn’t it interesting?
If you intend to do this trip do let me know your experiences.
There are few compelling reasons to wake up to and travel I guess tops my list. Waking up after 5.30 AM after a hot water bath carrying our cameras – my good old S3IS and Avi’s D40, lots of water bottles, edibles, clothes and road maps were all we took and hit the Bangalore roads for the day out. It was an overcast sky and the thoughts that gripped our mind were – will we Get blue skies or will it rain?
It’s interesting to see milk vendors planning to distribute the milk stacked into plastic crates and believe me the city roads (Airport Road – Domlur – MG Road) never looked any better. Within no time we passed Yelahanka, IAF Station and ITC cigarette factory. Believe it or not with in 30 minutes or so we were near the new Bangalore Airport on the NH7 (Bangalore - Hyderabad Route). It was a nice 6 lane highway till Devanahalli. There was only one diversion where there some flyover construction. The 4/6 laning work was completed even about 10 odd kilometers after the Nandi Hills turn as part of North-South corridor of NHAI. It was exciting to see the wheels spinning in motion so that with in almost two kilometers from home we took this
Last to last week I went on a bike trip to Nandi hills testing the engines and feeling the warmth. So until the Nandi Hill turn it was a well known territory. After that the road trip really started. About 10 KMs after Nandi hills we stopped to click a few pictures just like that to put the cameras in order and to feel that we had really escaped out of the city before the traffic to catch us.
There is a small left turn just after the Andhra Pradesh RTO – be very careful it’s very easy to miss as it is a very small road. There are few petrol pumps on the left side just before the turn. Keep on heading the road until there is a statue of two birds on your left. This left road leads to Veerapuram. Keep driving on this road for 11 KMs. You will need to come back to this place to reach for Lepakshi which is about 20 KM from this place. After Lepakshi, another 15 or so KMs and you reach Hindupur. National Highway is under construction but overall the road allows you to hit 100 and beyond quiet a few times.
Just before entering Veerapuram we shot some pics of a man who was ploughing his fields. Not sure why but he got offended at us and was almost willing to hurl some stones at us .
We expected Veerapuram to be a happening village – lots of birds around some water body. So much so that we overshot the place by almost a KM. We parked our car at a corner and started to strain the cameras. The villages were cop-operative and even allowed us to use there roof tops. At 10 AM in the morning not many people were there in the village and we really looked like tourists.
We headed back to the road where we found the bird statue and look a left turn to Lepakshi, but the place was so beautiful we just stopped to click few pictures.
The red soil changes to black as we headed for Lepakshi and the huge Nandi announced the arrival to us. The Nandi is the biggest in India – 27 Feet wide and 15 feet high carved out of a single stone.
Just in front of the Nandi behind the few houses we saw a huge elevated structure and we thought it was a temple. Asked for the directions and almost struggled to climb it up only realizing later that there was a well carved out way to go up. It turned out to be a good adventure to go up – though there was no temple on the top. These local guys helped us go up but we couldn’t understand there language so not much I can tell about them.
Folk Lore Town – history, mythology, religion, culture and everything are all mixed up in Lepakshi. The place is called Le-Pakshi litereally meaning “rise” – o –“bird”. The story goes that when Ravana the King of Deamons kidnapped Sita; Jatayu fought with Ravana and this place and was brutally injured. When Rama and Lakshmana were looking for Sita – they came to this place and saw this bird lying down; Rama said “Le Pakshi” and the name stuck.
There are footprints on stones which people say belong to Sita in the main temple. We walked wrong way as expected on a trip with me to enter the temple from inside the village. The moment we reached we realized there was a wide road to the temple entrance and we walked to get our car to the parking.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra said to be another form of Shiva and Devi Shakti or Durga as she is popularly known. The temple is about 500 years old and the architecture is Vijaynagar Kingdom styled. There are beautiful painting and sculptures carved on the pillars.
Hire an English speaking guide and it will be an interesting story telling session that you would be enjoying. There is story and detail in every wall that is worth paying every penny. Our guide didn’t ask for anything and said its up to your satisfaction and we paid him Rs. 200 only for about an hour of service.
The marriage hall is still incomplete and the story goes that the finance minister who was building the temple was accused by the King of mis-appropriating the funds. The King ordered to remove his eye and when he came to know about it he just took out his eyes and threw them on the wall. The guide showed us marks on the wall and holes claiming that it has been tested by British and concluded to be blood. Anyways, they looked more like rust stains to me.
The marriage hall was never fully constructed and really would have been a beauty considering the details with which the construction was being carried out.
There is another big foot print inside the temple about 20 times bigger than my feet. When Ravana’s was fighting with Jatayu, the balance of the (airplane) tipped off and Sita just set her one foot on the ground – it’s her foot mark and as per the guide the feet always has water around the toes may be a source of water somewhere underground. Interesting isn’t it There is a story behind everything the kitchen, the plates marked in stone, the lime, the small tortoise carving on the corner wall, the paintings on the temple, the hanging pillar, the cement on the big lings because of the evil eye of the mother, pictures of Shiva's boar hunt and Arjuna's battles, picture of Kishna’s eyes which follow you where ever you go, Viranna and Virupanna.
After spending almost two hours in the temple we headed to Hindupur. We ate at the place called Palla’s – Rs 100 for two meals and water bottle and egg bhujiya followed by Rs 8 for two paan before we headed back and hit the roads.
Return trip was marked by ugly traffic on outer ring road because of an accident and we reached home at around 7 PM. A perfect trip and contentment filled our hearts and we opened up laptops and Photoshop: D.
Route Details
Total Distance: 280 Kilometers (Trusting the Maruti Swift readings)
Travel Route from Bangalore – Red Streak on the Map(Bangalore – Chikaballapur – Bagepalli – Andhra Pradesh Border (RTO) – Veerapuram – Leepakshi – Hindupur)
Return Route From Hindupur – Blue Streak on the Map
Hindupur - Gouribadinur - Dodaballapur.- Yahalanka – Bangalore
Every trip has something special in its own ways. When we have a good patch of tarmac we drove fast and when there were lean patches or we were into villages we drove cautiously and slowly – stretching the time we spent on the patch.
Life is like that – that’s what just came to my mind. When we have a good patch in life we just rush through it faster and faster without really enjoying it fully at times and when we hit the rough patches we feel “Oh! It’s gone too soon”. On the bad patches we can’t accelerate and struggle spending a lot more time.
Isn’t it interesting?
If you intend to do this trip do let me know your experiences.
Jun 25, 2008
The FCUK Word
Last weekend was having a conversation with my little niece about the cool, hip and popular words talked amongst her school mates; not surprisingly a lot hasn't changed over the years. I was in the same grade as her in 1994 or 1993 (not sure about her grade for sure but some where there she should be - what lousy fellow I am and how short lived is my memory).
The most popular word still remains the "the F word". Not sure about the reason though, why humanity and especially teenagers have such strong affection for this word. Biologically speaking, it's one of the most important and overly enjoyed act, families are in a way based on it and if that sound's like an overkill let it be. Will surely acknowledge that there are many more important factors/causes whatever - for those who are thinking this is too much - but that's not what is the question.
The question still is what's so special about this F word?
So popular in itself that a brand has such a good recall because it's called FCUK - French Connection United Kingdom. Interestingly, the way humnas raed wodrs maeks it smae for us to read FCUK and FUCK in almost the same manner. Just in case if you doubt it just read through the previous line once again - notice the mistakes that have been deliberately put in. You can surely read it easily.
Some one has an answer? Please enlighten me.
The most popular word still remains the "the F word". Not sure about the reason though, why humanity and especially teenagers have such strong affection for this word. Biologically speaking, it's one of the most important and overly enjoyed act, families are in a way based on it and if that sound's like an overkill let it be. Will surely acknowledge that there are many more important factors/causes whatever - for those who are thinking this is too much - but that's not what is the question.
The question still is what's so special about this F word?
So popular in itself that a brand has such a good recall because it's called FCUK - French Connection United Kingdom. Interestingly, the way humnas raed wodrs maeks it smae for us to read FCUK and FUCK in almost the same manner. Just in case if you doubt it just read through the previous line once again - notice the mistakes that have been deliberately put in. You can surely read it easily.
Some one has an answer? Please enlighten me.
Jun 17, 2008
alama !!! HTC Touch problem
OMG !! that's what "alama" means in Malay. That's what happens when you buy a phone in Singapore and don't think about where you are going to use it and how easy is the service for the same going to be.
I skipped a few beats when the device started to shutdown immediately with Airtel in last three days.
Shit !!
That's what comes to my mind. Browsed the internet only to find out that the problem could be as easy as a simple glitch which should be fixed by a hard reset to something as big as a motherboard issue - which needs replacement. Being a techie myself who likes to play around - decided to go ahead with hard reset. That didn't fix the problem. Now what is to be done !!!
The phone is not under close scrutiny and am keeping my fingers crossed. I don't want to go to HTC service center and try something. Pray for me.
Technology Can Hurt and some times it does !!
I skipped a few beats when the device started to shutdown immediately with Airtel in last three days.
Shit !!
That's what comes to my mind. Browsed the internet only to find out that the problem could be as easy as a simple glitch which should be fixed by a hard reset to something as big as a motherboard issue - which needs replacement. Being a techie myself who likes to play around - decided to go ahead with hard reset. That didn't fix the problem. Now what is to be done !!!
The phone is not under close scrutiny and am keeping my fingers crossed. I don't want to go to HTC service center and try something. Pray for me.
Technology Can Hurt and some times it does !!
Jun 1, 2008
Gtalk on Mobile (HTC Touch II )
What's the point of having a Windows Mobile device if you can't get the most of it.
Have been trying to play around with the Windows Mobile 6 powered device and was surprised to find that GOOGLE didn't have a mobile version.
Oh even GOD didn't have answers - they might not have the solution but they can find it for you. Tried installing a lots of things but none of them worked for me.
There are so many results when u search for it. I decided to try out few. Google expects us to use the IE or any other browser and use the gadget for chat. Somehow I tend to disagree - matter of personal preference you can say.
Then i tried Octrotalk - well works fine. You can chat :) and even better if you don't have any bandwidth issue wow you can do voice chat as well. Wi-fi connectivity makes it even easier to do. Imagine sitting in some airport terminal without your laptop and being able to do that :) feels good
Have been trying to play around with the Windows Mobile 6 powered device and was surprised to find that GOOGLE didn't have a mobile version.
Oh even GOD didn't have answers - they might not have the solution but they can find it for you. Tried installing a lots of things but none of them worked for me.
There are so many results when u search for it. I decided to try out few. Google expects us to use the IE or any other browser and use the gadget for chat. Somehow I tend to disagree - matter of personal preference you can say.
Then i tried Octrotalk - well works fine. You can chat :) and even better if you don't have any bandwidth issue wow you can do voice chat as well. Wi-fi connectivity makes it even easier to do. Imagine sitting in some airport terminal without your laptop and being able to do that :) feels good
Apr 18, 2008
Amzing Thailand II - Street Markets - Songkran Fest
Day Four
Hotel Lobby
Q:Can we deposit our bag in the lockers?
A: No Sir. It can't fit in. You can't leave it here.
When you are expecting water on the streets what do you do?
Anyways we decided we will take the MRT to the weekend market and thus, save the water on the streets. Awesome idea !! So we buy tickets from Hua Lampong (just outside our hotel) to go to Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Imagine a place..about 9000 shops...selling everything under the sun -almost everything- fake designer stuff, antiques, food, amazing stuff, books, electronics,fluffy dogs, pets,..u just imagine whatever that could be sold or has ever been sold and am sure it would be here. Hordes of people mostly foreigners. Chatuchak has it's vendors employing every trick in the book to sell - those lanes covered under colored plastic sheets. A terribly hot day - sweating but interesting to walk around and see what all the market offers. We spent almost 4-5 hours picking up T Shirts - those lamps were so tempting but I can't carry most stuff to India so resisted the temptation. The real charm of the Chatuchak Mattel lies in the fact that you can-and should-bargain with each stall you are interested in. Whether you will snare a bargain or not is a test of your own negotiating skills. So, don' t be surprised if the same goods bought by you and your friends from the same shop carry different prices.
And out on the streets this was happening !! Street gangs with water guns fighting it out.
On a hot day buying water all the way looking out for a decent place to eat. We could only see the JJ Mall which we thought would be at least a respite from the scotching heat and air-conditioner should be available in the mall.
And we managed a Songkran special performance from a band and a dancer.
Sumptuous meal followed by an sundae ice cream (check out that corner ice cream shop near the exit) and then we walked to the MRT again - difficult walk in the SUN after the air conditioned comfort - how luxuries have spoils us :D
Day Five
Woke up really late.
Thought Chinatown could be rescue from the water everywhere and came across street warriors of bangkok.
walked out to the Lumbini Park. Another chance to catch the Songkran Special performance by Thai Artists - its interesting how close the dance is to Indian dance - even noticeable even by the Japanese tourist sitting next to me. By the way, it's interesting the guy had seen more of India then me !!
went back to sukhumvit and saw the Thailand's most vibrant festival and night crowd..perfect mix - festive spirit - brotherhood - hospitality - crowd - water - jasmine powder and beers !!!
Happy New Year !!! Cheers !!!
Day Five
Pack bags leave for airport - 400 Bhat for the trip- cool and one sleepy comfy landing at Changi.
Check out here for all pictures from the trip - FLICKR
Hotel Lobby
Q:Can we deposit our bag in the lockers?
A: No Sir. It can't fit in. You can't leave it here.
When you are expecting water on the streets what do you do?
Anyways we decided we will take the MRT to the weekend market and thus, save the water on the streets. Awesome idea !! So we buy tickets from Hua Lampong (just outside our hotel) to go to Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Imagine a place..about 9000 shops...selling everything under the sun -almost everything- fake designer stuff, antiques, food, amazing stuff, books, electronics,fluffy dogs, pets,..u just imagine whatever that could be sold or has ever been sold and am sure it would be here. Hordes of people mostly foreigners. Chatuchak has it's vendors employing every trick in the book to sell - those lanes covered under colored plastic sheets. A terribly hot day - sweating but interesting to walk around and see what all the market offers. We spent almost 4-5 hours picking up T Shirts - those lamps were so tempting but I can't carry most stuff to India so resisted the temptation. The real charm of the Chatuchak Mattel lies in the fact that you can-and should-bargain with each stall you are interested in. Whether you will snare a bargain or not is a test of your own negotiating skills. So, don' t be surprised if the same goods bought by you and your friends from the same shop carry different prices.
And out on the streets this was happening !! Street gangs with water guns fighting it out.
On a hot day buying water all the way looking out for a decent place to eat. We could only see the JJ Mall which we thought would be at least a respite from the scotching heat and air-conditioner should be available in the mall.
And we managed a Songkran special performance from a band and a dancer.
Sumptuous meal followed by an sundae ice cream (check out that corner ice cream shop near the exit) and then we walked to the MRT again - difficult walk in the SUN after the air conditioned comfort - how luxuries have spoils us :D
Day Five
Woke up really late.
Thought Chinatown could be rescue from the water everywhere and came across street warriors of bangkok.
walked out to the Lumbini Park. Another chance to catch the Songkran Special performance by Thai Artists - its interesting how close the dance is to Indian dance - even noticeable even by the Japanese tourist sitting next to me. By the way, it's interesting the guy had seen more of India then me !!
went back to sukhumvit and saw the Thailand's most vibrant festival and night crowd..perfect mix - festive spirit - brotherhood - hospitality - crowd - water - jasmine powder and beers !!!
Happy New Year !!! Cheers !!!
Day Five
Pack bags leave for airport - 400 Bhat for the trip- cool and one sleepy comfy landing at Changi.
Check out here for all pictures from the trip - FLICKR
Apr 14, 2008
Amazing Thailand Revisited
The travel bug bites again and this time an almost unplanned trip took us to the same country whose hospitality and warmth touched our hearts when I went to Phuket almost two years back. This time we flew jet star asia (amazing ticket price SGD15 though the to and fro ticket with taxes was about SGD180 - too much tax I know but still too good to miss) on Wed 9th Apr and landed in Bangkok around 10 PM and that started off with a journey which was truly amazing like the Thailand itself.
While flipping through the in flight magazine the real surprise came up - the visit coincided with the Songran Festival - the THAI NEW Year. Little bit for the back ground; Songkran is a Thai word which means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck. So, before we landed we knew there was somethign exciting to happen on the streets of bangkok and with the 2 cameras = motu's DLSR and my Canon P&S, laptop we knew things could be tricky.
Landed at Swarnabhumi Internaltional Airport
Big and spacious airport and the sheer size of the bangkok city invoked an interesting thought and just after immigration we realized that Thai people ain't that good at Engligh and our benchmark of expectations PHUKET truly was an exception. It was hard to locate the conveyor belt because the displays switched languages between Thai and English and there were far too many flights listed at that hour.
Next, big task was to locate a CAB to travel to hotel and we thought most reliable way to escape the touts and cheat taxi drivers would be to take the AOT Official Taxi. The price quoted was whopping 1350 Bhat !! and when I said thank you the lady replied 1050 Bhat !! - official bargaining without intent. A lesson at the airport itself there is room everywhere for bargaining in Thailand.
Finally we located the Public Taxi and the guy took us to the hotel for around 400 Bhat - genuine metered taxi plus we had to pay for the TOLL and all. Highways are impressive though Singapore standards are too high to meet.
Center Hotel, Bangkok
At SGD300 for 5 nights and buffet American breakfast any hotel would be good enough but for the scorching heat of Bangkok at least air-conditioner must cool the room and precisely that's what didn't happen and I couldn't sleep for the night; even after repair and next morning first option was to move to 6008 from 6003.
There after at least the hotel was not a problem and proximity to Hua Lampong MRT and Chinatown (Yaorawat) both proved to be good.
First shopping - must buy multi lingual 99 Bhat Bangkok City Map - first time in my life we followed the MAP all the way around and it was fun.
First Dinner - Hong Kong Noodle - four servings required for the appetite of two Indians - do we eat that much - I don't think so.
Day Two: Shopping Malls - mission buy sandals and see bangkok first hand
Guided with the Map - we took the streets to head for the Bangkok sight seeing - the Lost Traveler(Copyrighted 2008) Way and managed to walk through streets to reach the markets. Bangkok traffic reminded us of India but people in India understand more English for sure but hospitality and service is the strength of Thai People. One gentleman drove us to our destination just because we asked him for directions in his Mercedes - and all I could convey was - am tourist first time in Bangkok and he said "Welcome to Bangkok".
Tokyu - Siam Paragon - Discovery - Zen - Isetan -Central and many more malls- these are all cuddled together in the main shopping area of Bangkok - all from Designer stuff to luxury cars like Lotus, Maseratti, BMW. Spyker and what not - you have moolah spend it here - I just bought my Sandals for 1450 Bhat from Central. Interesting to see VAT refund and special discounts for foreigners - looks like people spend more on holiday mood because the process are almost the same as in other countries for these branded - designer stuff.
Lunch Out - KFC (Never try that in Thailand - Mirinda tastes like cough syrup !!). They also serve rice here in KFC like Malysia
Dessert - "Mango Bar" - combo of Mango Pudding, Ice cream and Fresh Mango
First Thai Massage - Well the SPA was awesome just cross the street and they have there operations in the Airport as well - for 1 hr only 300 Bhat - so relaxing that I slept while the reflexologist treated my tired feet. It must have been entertaining while a young guy snored amongst at least 10 people while a lady massaged his feet. I swear that really relaxes.
Taxi Ride - Quote from Bhat 2000 -100-80-70-60 - still not sure if we overpaid !! Taxi guys are not all very honest in Bangkok - be prepared for them.
China Town(Yaorawat)
Another walk from hotel - another body massage - a struggle for food - I don't know what -CHANG BEER with some Chinese sausage (mom says no to pork and beef has to be avoided) and rice. Chinatown is an interesting place to see in any city; I guess after seeing many of them now. Being in Singapore they kind of feel like related now. And the masseuse was an old lady - really good and cost only Bhat 300. Awesome way to end a day with a walk to hotel and sleep - Thank God the air-con was working !!
Day Three - Bangkok The Old City
Tuk Tuk - auto's travel in Bangkok everywhere and they will quote anything !!!
Beware of them and there offerings of Massage means Lady Massage with Happy Ending - so don't get trapped !! Walked all the way to experience the Bangkok alternate route - the river. Fast and really exciting way to travel. Very popular and integral part of the cities supply chain and commuting network.
Destination - "Thang Chang" - thang means pier just like "Thanon" means road.
We walked to the nearest pier and took the 15 Bhat express ride to Thang Chang to visit the Grand Palace.
Beware of the auto drivers claims - palace is closed let's go here and there which are open and exhibitions and blah blah - they are paid by exhibitors with petrol vouchers when they bring tourists in for exhibitions and factories. Trusted people are police men - though they rarely speak English and the information counters.
The great walk to the palace - Emerald Buddha and Wat Phao - all are better described with the pictures and the sweat because of the heat. Just one word - it's magnificent and the blue skies with white clouds give the impression of everything into gold like from a fantasy comic tale or an animation movie.
Millions of words will be spoken by the pictures soon.
Lunch at Chinese Restaurant - Tom Yum Soup - Shrimps replaced with Chicken, Omelette and Fried Chicken with Basil Leaves and Pepsi served in glass bottled with straws instead of CANS !
Our auto driver ditched us in one of the Wat's without telling us and claiming Bhat 40 but we later on realized he made money over the two exhibitions we visited and hence didn't care. Thus ended our only Tuk Tuk ride and by the way BEWARE of the SECURITY guys in almost all places they have ties with these AUTO GUYS !!
This paved way for the great walk across the RAMA IV statue to all the way to Khao San Road. Bangkok's interesting places are coincidently all red light districts - and the streets all packed with people - pubs, street food stalls, used stuff (thanks to budget backpackers) - fake T-shirts accessories and what not. Bargain it works well - walk grab a beer spend some time, watch the crowd.
Tank Full - petrol bunk converted into an open air restaurant and pub - fairly silent and no-nonsense pricing. Though I decided to be on Beer and Onion Rings diet rather than indulging in the curries and spice.
Drive Home - Tuk Tuk to Hua Lampong - 40 Bhat after negotiating with 2 drivers from 100 bhat to 80 to 60. It was a fun ride though - they drive like nuts in bangkok and interestingly the braking tail light are inside the TUK TUK for drivers behind to see - interesting !!
To be continued - Tales of Sukhumvit and Silom and the Water Festival
While flipping through the in flight magazine the real surprise came up - the visit coincided with the Songran Festival - the THAI NEW Year. Little bit for the back ground; Songkran is a Thai word which means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck. So, before we landed we knew there was somethign exciting to happen on the streets of bangkok and with the 2 cameras = motu's DLSR and my Canon P&S, laptop we knew things could be tricky.
Landed at Swarnabhumi Internaltional Airport
Big and spacious airport and the sheer size of the bangkok city invoked an interesting thought and just after immigration we realized that Thai people ain't that good at Engligh and our benchmark of expectations PHUKET truly was an exception. It was hard to locate the conveyor belt because the displays switched languages between Thai and English and there were far too many flights listed at that hour.
Next, big task was to locate a CAB to travel to hotel and we thought most reliable way to escape the touts and cheat taxi drivers would be to take the AOT Official Taxi. The price quoted was whopping 1350 Bhat !! and when I said thank you the lady replied 1050 Bhat !! - official bargaining without intent. A lesson at the airport itself there is room everywhere for bargaining in Thailand.
Finally we located the Public Taxi and the guy took us to the hotel for around 400 Bhat - genuine metered taxi plus we had to pay for the TOLL and all. Highways are impressive though Singapore standards are too high to meet.
Center Hotel, Bangkok
At SGD300 for 5 nights and buffet American breakfast any hotel would be good enough but for the scorching heat of Bangkok at least air-conditioner must cool the room and precisely that's what didn't happen and I couldn't sleep for the night; even after repair and next morning first option was to move to 6008 from 6003.
There after at least the hotel was not a problem and proximity to Hua Lampong MRT and Chinatown (Yaorawat) both proved to be good.
First shopping - must buy multi lingual 99 Bhat Bangkok City Map - first time in my life we followed the MAP all the way around and it was fun.
First Dinner - Hong Kong Noodle - four servings required for the appetite of two Indians - do we eat that much - I don't think so.
Day Two: Shopping Malls - mission buy sandals and see bangkok first hand
Guided with the Map - we took the streets to head for the Bangkok sight seeing - the Lost Traveler(Copyrighted 2008) Way and managed to walk through streets to reach the markets. Bangkok traffic reminded us of India but people in India understand more English for sure but hospitality and service is the strength of Thai People. One gentleman drove us to our destination just because we asked him for directions in his Mercedes - and all I could convey was - am tourist first time in Bangkok and he said "Welcome to Bangkok".
Tokyu - Siam Paragon - Discovery - Zen - Isetan -Central and many more malls- these are all cuddled together in the main shopping area of Bangkok - all from Designer stuff to luxury cars like Lotus, Maseratti, BMW. Spyker and what not - you have moolah spend it here - I just bought my Sandals for 1450 Bhat from Central. Interesting to see VAT refund and special discounts for foreigners - looks like people spend more on holiday mood because the process are almost the same as in other countries for these branded - designer stuff.
Lunch Out - KFC (Never try that in Thailand - Mirinda tastes like cough syrup !!). They also serve rice here in KFC like Malysia
Dessert - "Mango Bar" - combo of Mango Pudding, Ice cream and Fresh Mango
First Thai Massage - Well the SPA was awesome just cross the street and they have there operations in the Airport as well - for 1 hr only 300 Bhat - so relaxing that I slept while the reflexologist treated my tired feet. It must have been entertaining while a young guy snored amongst at least 10 people while a lady massaged his feet. I swear that really relaxes.
Taxi Ride - Quote from Bhat 2000 -100-80-70-60 - still not sure if we overpaid !! Taxi guys are not all very honest in Bangkok - be prepared for them.
China Town(Yaorawat)
Another walk from hotel - another body massage - a struggle for food - I don't know what -CHANG BEER with some Chinese sausage (mom says no to pork and beef has to be avoided) and rice. Chinatown is an interesting place to see in any city; I guess after seeing many of them now. Being in Singapore they kind of feel like related now. And the masseuse was an old lady - really good and cost only Bhat 300. Awesome way to end a day with a walk to hotel and sleep - Thank God the air-con was working !!
Day Three - Bangkok The Old City
Tuk Tuk - auto's travel in Bangkok everywhere and they will quote anything !!!
Beware of them and there offerings of Massage means Lady Massage with Happy Ending - so don't get trapped !! Walked all the way to experience the Bangkok alternate route - the river. Fast and really exciting way to travel. Very popular and integral part of the cities supply chain and commuting network.
Destination - "Thang Chang" - thang means pier just like "Thanon" means road.
We walked to the nearest pier and took the 15 Bhat express ride to Thang Chang to visit the Grand Palace.
Beware of the auto drivers claims - palace is closed let's go here and there which are open and exhibitions and blah blah - they are paid by exhibitors with petrol vouchers when they bring tourists in for exhibitions and factories. Trusted people are police men - though they rarely speak English and the information counters.
The great walk to the palace - Emerald Buddha and Wat Phao - all are better described with the pictures and the sweat because of the heat. Just one word - it's magnificent and the blue skies with white clouds give the impression of everything into gold like from a fantasy comic tale or an animation movie.
Millions of words will be spoken by the pictures soon.
Lunch at Chinese Restaurant - Tom Yum Soup - Shrimps replaced with Chicken, Omelette and Fried Chicken with Basil Leaves and Pepsi served in glass bottled with straws instead of CANS !
Our auto driver ditched us in one of the Wat's without telling us and claiming Bhat 40 but we later on realized he made money over the two exhibitions we visited and hence didn't care. Thus ended our only Tuk Tuk ride and by the way BEWARE of the SECURITY guys in almost all places they have ties with these AUTO GUYS !!
This paved way for the great walk across the RAMA IV statue to all the way to Khao San Road. Bangkok's interesting places are coincidently all red light districts - and the streets all packed with people - pubs, street food stalls, used stuff (thanks to budget backpackers) - fake T-shirts accessories and what not. Bargain it works well - walk grab a beer spend some time, watch the crowd.
Tank Full - petrol bunk converted into an open air restaurant and pub - fairly silent and no-nonsense pricing. Though I decided to be on Beer and Onion Rings diet rather than indulging in the curries and spice.
Drive Home - Tuk Tuk to Hua Lampong - 40 Bhat after negotiating with 2 drivers from 100 bhat to 80 to 60. It was a fun ride though - they drive like nuts in bangkok and interestingly the braking tail light are inside the TUK TUK for drivers behind to see - interesting !!
To be continued - Tales of Sukhumvit and Silom and the Water Festival
Jan 16, 2008
looks like time for another roll
How things change? How fast the things can change? Arguably more faster then we can imagine or faster then we expect for sure. Too Predictably unpredictable. Just when the sun peeped out - it rained. And pitching up gearing for another fight, we sure will fight till the end. Saying QUITS - "never say QUITS" they taught us always - that's the motto. But what's the fight for? Seems like another endless ordeal for another worthless cause. But it's OK ain't it so? Before long this frustration will be over and there will be another fight for the same causes. For now it's another fumble, another lesson - we will have another start.
Another lullaby another PIPER's tune.
From the life where the tents are dismantled before they are pitched and where the drums are rolling.
Another lullaby another PIPER's tune.
From the life where the tents are dismantled before they are pitched and where the drums are rolling.
Jan 15, 2008
Recommendation: Rolling Stones - Paint It Black
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PS: This is just a link to the Song. The Song is hosted on the popular ensips website. Please buy the song and support the Artists.
Dec 31, 2007
Adieu 2007 Welcome 2008
2007 is almost gone. As per the calendar this year has got only 2 hours left. And that's about it. It will be 2008 - like it as 2007 one year back and so on ever since we devised and started following the Georgian Calendar or for that matter any calendar.
It's interesting isn't it? Millions gather on the times Square to watch the ball fall. We count seconds, hours minutes days weeks months years and all these constitute and measure what all we do - at which rate or @. Brings back an thought, why we needed time. Why do we race? Logically, we can't live life without the time as it stands today but what if lets hypothesize - what if there was no time?
"Chaos" - initially to start with. Al those tracking and project management tools scrapped on day one. Minutes - time-lines - deadlines will become meaningless. No Sunday or Monday - no FRIDAY either. how would we predict how many days to Christmas?
How many seconds to an hour. Chaos thats what would be around.
But why will we have this Chaos? Just because we are all so used to it we anticipate that this would be Chaos. It wasn't planned to be like this - I guess. This was all started of by us and is the result of our evolution.
Who needs time? Not US but THEM.
THEM who want to benchmark us. who want to time the rats in the maze. Who comes first? Who is the fastest ? SAD but TRUE.
The fear of the future - the uncertainty and predictability made us measure the time. The fear of the future and the very same uncertainty in some ways have made our life so difficult that we fail to realize that life is good without time also. The future can be left to itself and the past has already happened. The moment is now. Moment is today - why not but enjoy it :) Why create complicated options for ourselves.
And don't think about it. Just live it.
Happy New Year !!!
It's interesting isn't it? Millions gather on the times Square to watch the ball fall. We count seconds, hours minutes days weeks months years and all these constitute and measure what all we do - at which rate or @. Brings back an thought, why we needed time. Why do we race? Logically, we can't live life without the time as it stands today but what if lets hypothesize - what if there was no time?
"Chaos" - initially to start with. Al those tracking and project management tools scrapped on day one. Minutes - time-lines - deadlines will become meaningless. No Sunday or Monday - no FRIDAY either. how would we predict how many days to Christmas?
How many seconds to an hour. Chaos thats what would be around.
But why will we have this Chaos? Just because we are all so used to it we anticipate that this would be Chaos. It wasn't planned to be like this - I guess. This was all started of by us and is the result of our evolution.
Who needs time? Not US but THEM.
THEM who want to benchmark us. who want to time the rats in the maze. Who comes first? Who is the fastest ? SAD but TRUE.
The fear of the future - the uncertainty and predictability made us measure the time. The fear of the future and the very same uncertainty in some ways have made our life so difficult that we fail to realize that life is good without time also. The future can be left to itself and the past has already happened. The moment is now. Moment is today - why not but enjoy it :) Why create complicated options for ourselves.
And don't think about it. Just live it.
Happy New Year !!!
Oct 18, 2007
Oct 8, 2007
And the application running smoothly for 1 year goes down
The nightmare - just before a major sales event the Application goes down.
It's too SLOW.
User's are complaining - no clues. You have not done any release.
Everything on servers looks OK. DB is fine.
Memory is available - every thing you can think of is fine.
Shit what happened !!!
Adhoc solution - only 4 GB of data - restore on backup application.
At least the show must go on. Lucky enough - not a big problem - can be handled in this idiotic way but cannot think of any other perfect solution - which has to be done in 1 hr. I know Dirty but thats how it works - launch - at least no one knows whats wrong.
Analysis and analysis.
Analysis and more analysis.
And then you know - one network ADMIN- trying to solve one problem. Changed the routing table !!! WTF!!
So another item added to the list.
Before you check anything - check networking too.
It's too SLOW.
User's are complaining - no clues. You have not done any release.
Everything on servers looks OK. DB is fine.
Memory is available - every thing you can think of is fine.
Shit what happened !!!
Adhoc solution - only 4 GB of data - restore on backup application.
At least the show must go on. Lucky enough - not a big problem - can be handled in this idiotic way but cannot think of any other perfect solution - which has to be done in 1 hr. I know Dirty but thats how it works - launch - at least no one knows whats wrong.
Analysis and analysis.
Analysis and more analysis.
And then you know - one network ADMIN- trying to solve one problem. Changed the routing table !!! WTF!!
So another item added to the list.
Before you check anything - check networking too.
Oct 3, 2007
Need Help
I need help regarding lenses and adapters/hood for my CANON S3 IS.
Any one to help me out.
Basically I want to do the Macros.
Contact me. Please if u have any idea !!!
Any one to help me out.
Basically I want to do the Macros.
Contact me. Please if u have any idea !!!
Sep 6, 2007
Oracle Tip: Counting ROWS for all tables in a Schema
There are quiet a few methods to find out the count of records in the schema tables.
The most obvious one is to query USER_TABLES for a list of tables - and then append 'select count(*) from ' - save a an sql script and then run it -
Select 'Select '''||table_name||' : ''||count(*) from '||table_name||';',
to_char(sysdate, 'YYYYMMDDHH24MISS') d, user u
from user_tables
order by table_name
Sorry, for those who don't like it.
Even I don't love it but it's OK as it kind of works.
The second option is using the package DBMS_STATS to gather statistics and then just use the table USER_TABLES and the value in the column NUM_ROWS is what will be the number of records. The same can also be used if ANALYZE TABLE is used.
The next one though is a beauty.
It's a wonderful way of generating the XML document then it parses the XML and gets the neat and clean list of the tables and the corresponding record list.
select table_name
,to_number(extractvalue(xmltype(
dbms_xmlgen.getxml(
'select count(*) c from '||table_name))
,'/ROWSET/ROW/C')) count
from user_tables;
Read this interesting article here about the query.
Personally the option to create a table and then store data into it by writing something like a PL/SQL or to save an output (as in option I) seem most boring and irritating to me.
So whats ur pick?
Any better ideas do let me know.
The most obvious one is to query USER_TABLES for a list of tables - and then append 'select count(*) from ' - save a an sql script and then run it -
Select 'Select '''||table_name||' : ''||count(*) from '||table_name||';',
to_char(sysdate, 'YYYYMMDDHH24MISS') d, user u
from user_tables
order by table_name
Sorry, for those who don't like it.
Even I don't love it but it's OK as it kind of works.
The second option is using the package DBMS_STATS to gather statistics and then just use the table USER_TABLES and the value in the column NUM_ROWS is what will be the number of records. The same can also be used if ANALYZE TABLE is used.
The next one though is a beauty.
It's a wonderful way of generating the XML document then it parses the XML and gets the neat and clean list of the tables and the corresponding record list.
select table_name
,to_number(extractvalue(xmltype(
dbms_xmlgen.getxml(
'select count(*) c from '||table_name))
,'/ROWSET/ROW/C')) count
from user_tables;
Read this interesting article here about the query.
Personally the option to create a table and then store data into it by writing something like a PL/SQL or to save an output (as in option I) seem most boring and irritating to me.
So whats ur pick?
Any better ideas do let me know.
Aug 18, 2007
Phaedrus is back
Walked for 5-6 hours in the streets of Singapore - the law doesn't allow to walk on the express ways else would have walked there also.
Have been reading the "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and like what happened every time I have read it - the spirit hangs over the head and the question keeps popping up.
It rained hard while I was standing at the City Hall station.
Interestingly, never noticed how people react to rain. Different people do different things. Some people run on the road to reach the other side faster.
Never thought that for Singaporeans the next best possible alternative for umbrella was Newspaper. Interestingly, people with umbrellas were more wet then the people without - reason being that those without umbrellas were either not walking in the rain - avoiding it or rather running.
Wish I could take my camera out and capture all those people.
Interestingly, Singaporean kids notice the wet shorts more than the other kinds - may be this is a too good and disciplined of a place.
On the way back on Boat Quay noticed this old man cycling across.
It had been a bad day on road - only two photographs and that two average ones.
With Phaedrus in your head - I guess life is different.
Have been reading the "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and like what happened every time I have read it - the spirit hangs over the head and the question keeps popping up.
It rained hard while I was standing at the City Hall station.
Interestingly, never noticed how people react to rain. Different people do different things. Some people run on the road to reach the other side faster.
Never thought that for Singaporeans the next best possible alternative for umbrella was Newspaper. Interestingly, people with umbrellas were more wet then the people without - reason being that those without umbrellas were either not walking in the rain - avoiding it or rather running.
Wish I could take my camera out and capture all those people.
Interestingly, Singaporean kids notice the wet shorts more than the other kinds - may be this is a too good and disciplined of a place.
On the way back on Boat Quay noticed this old man cycling across.
It had been a bad day on road - only two photographs and that two average ones.
With Phaedrus in your head - I guess life is different.
Aug 17, 2007
Aug 13, 2007
the jungle karma
The Jungle is interesting - be it concrete or be it natural.
And to find one tropical rain forest in the middle of a concrete city like Singapore is a bliss and we experience one last Saturday.
There are different shades to a jungle.
Each one is distinct - the chirping birds - the beautiful butterflies and moths, the rustling of the leaves, the humidity and the smell of vegetation dead and alive. There are not much animals to see in Singapore jungle but its a well preserved forest that gives a perfect getaway.
Obviously, without the camera the tryst would had been incomplete.
Personally to me the, Jungle represents the cycle of life and death and re-incarnation. The seeds become the sapling and the saplings become the tree, then they decay and become one with the soil and re create themselves. The leaves also follow the same and everything follows the cycle.
The karmic cycle - perfect harmony - it's nature's equilibrium which us humans will never understand or appreciate.
"aaj kafi sanata hai idhar,
log kehte hein kal yaha mela laga tha"
And to find one tropical rain forest in the middle of a concrete city like Singapore is a bliss and we experience one last Saturday.
There are different shades to a jungle.
Each one is distinct - the chirping birds - the beautiful butterflies and moths, the rustling of the leaves, the humidity and the smell of vegetation dead and alive. There are not much animals to see in Singapore jungle but its a well preserved forest that gives a perfect getaway.
Obviously, without the camera the tryst would had been incomplete.
Personally to me the, Jungle represents the cycle of life and death and re-incarnation. The seeds become the sapling and the saplings become the tree, then they decay and become one with the soil and re create themselves. The leaves also follow the same and everything follows the cycle.
The karmic cycle - perfect harmony - it's nature's equilibrium which us humans will never understand or appreciate.
"aaj kafi sanata hai idhar,
log kehte hein kal yaha mela laga tha"
Aug 8, 2007
engaging the wild beast
Perhaps you the know the subject, if you know me. Everything that has been known or unknown will loose its interest. It's the second nature to get bored and an eternal desire for more ..more and more..may be all the wines and all the soups before I die.
The eternal insatiable desire to learn and experiment.
Last Sunday was trying to set up an experiment to shoot the liquid droplets - failed miserably with the skill and set up. Wanted to do something more. Started playing with straws and clicked some shots which were at least better than the most I had been shooting lately.
Engaging this wild beast is almost impossible.
Sometimes I wonder is it some dis-order - some system malfunction but whatever it is.
Have to add fuel to this fire all the time other wise it will engulf me.
Just in case you are interested. I have also moved to flickr now. Expect selected favorite snaps on FLICKR too.
And buddies without the feedback how can I improve my skills.
The eternal insatiable desire to learn and experiment.
Last Sunday was trying to set up an experiment to shoot the liquid droplets - failed miserably with the skill and set up. Wanted to do something more. Started playing with straws and clicked some shots which were at least better than the most I had been shooting lately.
Engaging this wild beast is almost impossible.
Sometimes I wonder is it some dis-order - some system malfunction but whatever it is.
Have to add fuel to this fire all the time other wise it will engulf me.
Just in case you are interested. I have also moved to flickr now. Expect selected favorite snaps on FLICKR too.
And buddies without the feedback how can I improve my skills.
Aug 2, 2007
interesting quote
"Telling a lie is a fault for a little boy,
an art for a lover,
an accomplishment for a bachelor
and a Matter of Survival for a married man"
an art for a lover,
an accomplishment for a bachelor
and a Matter of Survival for a married man"
Aug 1, 2007
Jul 31, 2007
just a thought
A "thought" just occurs.
Just like the lights turn on - just like the darkness vanishes when u light a match.We remember the thought - some time we just forget it. Sometimes it's acknowledged and some times it brings back memories from past, sometimes it just fades away. That's the life of a thought.
Just a thought
Just like the lights turn on - just like the darkness vanishes when u light a match.We remember the thought - some time we just forget it. Sometimes it's acknowledged and some times it brings back memories from past, sometimes it just fades away. That's the life of a thought.
Just a thought
Jul 27, 2007
July 27 : 2+7 27
27 July - Another year gone by working in office.
Ever wondered why some dates are marked by many occasions in life. Makes me feel numerology holds some meaning - some way there is a pattern.
I joined IIT on 27 July - then joined Job on 27 too !!
This year am 27 too this is gonna be one helluva year some one told me long long time ago...the person is dead but 27 is here
Another Saturday is here...Another month another year..another life..another time..another universe....another what
Happy Birthday time!!
Ever wondered why some dates are marked by many occasions in life. Makes me feel numerology holds some meaning - some way there is a pattern.
I joined IIT on 27 July - then joined Job on 27 too !!
This year am 27 too this is gonna be one helluva year some one told me long long time ago...the person is dead but 27 is here
Another Saturday is here...Another month another year..another life..another time..another universe....another what
Happy Birthday time!!
Jul 26, 2007
Spirit of Simplicity
Long time back somewhere I read Osho talking about the difference between Kabeer and Buddha. He said Buddha is difficult to understand for common people because in order to think how he reached enlightenment - or even just to observe it; it's mandatory for the mind to know what it means to be a Prince. Same goes for Lord RAM also.
Mere mortals struggling in their day to day life may pretend to understand but it's like knowing for the sake of knowing. Believing what you heard.To understand buddha is to like go through the OXFORD HARVARD and read technical papers and scripts of Harappan Civilization.
Kabeer and Bhulle Shan on the other hand were common people like us. They were no princes who had lots of things to give up, weren't educated nor previliged - for them day to day life was business and business was worhsip and a way to god. They were enlightened souls and their way to reach the GOD was though daily chores. Who else can convey such strong messages in such simple words.
"Padh Padh ilm hazaar kitaaba, kadhi apne aap nu padaya nahi
ja ja padte mandir masjid, kabhi man apne padaya nahi"
"Masjid dha de, mandir dha de, dha de jo kucch dainda
Par kisi da dil na dhain, Rab dilan vich rehnda"
"Mulla tay mashaalchi dohaan ikko chit
Loukan karday chananan, aap anhairae vich"
All shades of emotion exist in the words. Every emotion for the lover and the lover is immortal.
"Naiharva Hum Ka Na Bhave
Sai Ki Nagri Param Ati Sundar,
Jahan Koi Jav Na Avey
Chand Suraj Jahan, Pavan Na Pani,
Ko Sundesh Pahunchave
Dard Yeh Sai Ko Sunave
Agey Chalo Panth Nahin Sujhe,
Peeche Dosh Lagawe
Kehi Bidhi Sasure Jau Mori Sajani,
Virha Jor Jarawe
Vishai Ras Nach Nachawe
Bin Satguru Apno Nahin Koi,
Jo Yeh Rah Batawe
Kahat Kabira Suno Bhai Sadho,
Supne Na Pitam Awey
Tapan Yeh Jiya Ki Bujhawey"
Check out Abida Parveen's rendition of Bhulle Shah's poetry on youtube and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's collection. No wonder the passion of Sufism and the visions of sufi's gets translated in such excellent compositions and performances. And jab baat chal he gayi hai Nusrat Sahab ke to, here is one of my favourite track. I just love the composition - awesome lyrics - awesome rendition
The song has multiple meanings and depending on the mood - I have experienced this one differently.
Jul 25, 2007
Hesse's Classic - Buddha and Siddharth
I have not spoken to you like this to argue with you, to argue about words. You are truly right, there is little to opinions.But let me say this one more thing: I have not doubted in you for a single moment. I have not doubted for a single moment that you are Buddha, that you have reached the goal, the highest goal towards which so many thousands of Brahmans and sons of Brahmans are on their way.
You have found salvation from death. It has come to you in the course of your own search, on your own path, through thoughts, through meditation, through realizations, through enlightenment. It has not come to you by means of teachings! And--thus is my thought, oh exalted one,--nobody will obtain salvation by means of teachings! You will not be able to convey and say to anybody, oh venerable one, in words and through teachings what has happened to you in the hour of enlightenment!
The teachings of the enlightened Buddha contain much, it teaches many to live righteously, to avoid evil. But there is one thing which these so clear, these so venerable teachings do not contain: they do not contain the mystery of what the exalted one has experienced for himself, he alone among hundreds of thousands.
This is what I have thought and realized, when I have heard the teachings. This is why I am continuing my travels--not to seek other, better teachings, for I know there are none, but to depart from all teachings and all teachers and to reach my goal by myself or to die. But often, I'll think of this day, oh exalted one, and of this hour, when my eyes beheld a holy man."
- Excerpts from the book Siddhartha.
You have found salvation from death. It has come to you in the course of your own search, on your own path, through thoughts, through meditation, through realizations, through enlightenment. It has not come to you by means of teachings! And--thus is my thought, oh exalted one,--nobody will obtain salvation by means of teachings! You will not be able to convey and say to anybody, oh venerable one, in words and through teachings what has happened to you in the hour of enlightenment!
The teachings of the enlightened Buddha contain much, it teaches many to live righteously, to avoid evil. But there is one thing which these so clear, these so venerable teachings do not contain: they do not contain the mystery of what the exalted one has experienced for himself, he alone among hundreds of thousands.
This is what I have thought and realized, when I have heard the teachings. This is why I am continuing my travels--not to seek other, better teachings, for I know there are none, but to depart from all teachings and all teachers and to reach my goal by myself or to die. But often, I'll think of this day, oh exalted one, and of this hour, when my eyes beheld a holy man."
- Excerpts from the book Siddhartha.
Jul 24, 2007
Jul 22, 2007
hailstorm rain ...dry ...rain again...what a race !!!
Nürburgring, the European Grand Prix is over.
Alonso, Massa and Webber finished the race but if u watched the race. This was the most chaotic race I ever watched. And in F1 if the race is chaotic it means a test for not only the best of the car and team but for the strategy. The ability to take risk and it is one of this kind of race where the experience matters.
There were few turning moments of the race and legendary drivers and teams moments:
a) After the qualifying crash Hamilton was back on track racing - in the first part before the race came to the start had to be craned back on track and still finished the race. And boy those two overtake maneuvers against Geancarlo - you are too good to be called a rookie now. You are the wonder boy and your time will come just wait and be patient.
b) Safety Car and Race Restart - what do you do when it doesn't rain - there are heavy rains and a hailstorm. You cannot do anything really. Everybody crashes. F1 cars are not made to sustain in this kind of weather. Excellent decisions by the F1 managers - great going.
We like speed but not at the cost of people getting hurt and injured.
c) The Ferrari Reliability problem sent Räikkönen packing. In case Ferrari wants to claim back the status quo they need to work on reliability. Would it be wrong to say that somebody has bought his luck to Ferrari !!`
c) Massa you are a brilliant driver. Thats all I will say. But, Alonso you are a bloody matador. You ripped part the race leader as if he is no one. Too good man. That was one of the best overtaking maneuvers. Alas, it was Massa who had to take the matador's sword.
d) Schumacher - you were really missed today. This was the race you would had produced a stunning performance. "Rain God" was there but as a delegate - handling over the award to Alonso's Engineer.
An awesome race.
Waiting for the race repeat telecast tomrrow....
Alonso, Massa and Webber finished the race but if u watched the race. This was the most chaotic race I ever watched. And in F1 if the race is chaotic it means a test for not only the best of the car and team but for the strategy. The ability to take risk and it is one of this kind of race where the experience matters.
There were few turning moments of the race and legendary drivers and teams moments:
a) After the qualifying crash Hamilton was back on track racing - in the first part before the race came to the start had to be craned back on track and still finished the race. And boy those two overtake maneuvers against Geancarlo - you are too good to be called a rookie now. You are the wonder boy and your time will come just wait and be patient.
b) Safety Car and Race Restart - what do you do when it doesn't rain - there are heavy rains and a hailstorm. You cannot do anything really. Everybody crashes. F1 cars are not made to sustain in this kind of weather. Excellent decisions by the F1 managers - great going.
We like speed but not at the cost of people getting hurt and injured.
c) The Ferrari Reliability problem sent Räikkönen packing. In case Ferrari wants to claim back the status quo they need to work on reliability. Would it be wrong to say that somebody has bought his luck to Ferrari !!`
c) Massa you are a brilliant driver. Thats all I will say. But, Alonso you are a bloody matador. You ripped part the race leader as if he is no one. Too good man. That was one of the best overtaking maneuvers. Alas, it was Massa who had to take the matador's sword.
d) Schumacher - you were really missed today. This was the race you would had produced a stunning performance. "Rain God" was there but as a delegate - handling over the award to Alonso's Engineer.
An awesome race.
Waiting for the race repeat telecast tomrrow....
Jul 21, 2007
Book Recommendation - Harmann Hesse - Siddhartha
"You are the best lover," she said pensively, "that I have ever known. You are stronger that others, more supple, more willing. You have leaned my art well, Siddhartha. Someday, when I am older, I want to have your child. And yet, my dear, you have remained a samana. You don not love me, you love no one. Is that so?
"It may be so," "I am like you. You do not love any one either - how else would you practice love as an art? Perhaps people like us cannot love. The child people can, that is their secret."
-excerpts from the book "SIDDHARTHA" by Hermann Hesse
You can download it for free.
Gutenberg Project - http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/2500
Star Rating: 9/10
"It may be so," "I am like you. You do not love any one either - how else would you practice love as an art? Perhaps people like us cannot love. The child people can, that is their secret."
-excerpts from the book "SIDDHARTHA" by Hermann Hesse
You can download it for free.
Gutenberg Project - http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/2500
Star Rating: 9/10
Eclipsed
Have been thinking of how to handle the changing times in my life.
Have been trying to work around with the blog layout and templates, but I guess am more in favor of the traditional layouts - they some how look better to me. Some how this change or control makes me feel that am still empowered. Even if this is the only thing that am able to change.
The new picture on the top is partly inspired by what I have been going through lately and the Pink Floyd's ECLIPSE. (In case you haven't still checked out - check out the song on You Tube).
Ever wondered, why the most beautiful sight of an eclipse are near the darkest hour?
"Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Have been trying to work around with the blog layout and templates, but I guess am more in favor of the traditional layouts - they some how look better to me. Some how this change or control makes me feel that am still empowered. Even if this is the only thing that am able to change.
The new picture on the top is partly inspired by what I have been going through lately and the Pink Floyd's ECLIPSE. (In case you haven't still checked out - check out the song on You Tube).
Ever wondered, why the most beautiful sight of an eclipse are near the darkest hour?
"Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Jun 27, 2007
the animal instincts
Hey a quick dose for people who were waiting for the ZOO trip
Here is the quickie preview.
If you are interested in more than do visit the link to the Google photo blog
Here is the quickie preview.
If you are interested in more than do visit the link to the Google photo blog
Jun 3, 2007
tuesdays with morrie - excerpts from the book
Do you know you are going to die one day.
Yes we all know that human beings have a life span.
We have read all the biology and life sciences and its another fact.
But the person we are talking about is not anyone else but "YOU".
But it's not another FACT of life.
And the moment you can relate that its not some one else we are referring to but "YOU" - a lot of things which appeal a lot will loose there meaning or they will appear as mere things.
A new paradigm will emerge, the outlook to life will change a new path will emerge - the path to salvation or a path of self discovery or the spiritual path. You have the option to ignore it to or to embrace it - whatever you do. It's a temporary decision of today. Cause tomorrow the same path will emerge again and it shall rise every time you realize you are about to die. And until one makes that choice, the same wuestion will keep popping up. one can avoid it, delay it cannot run away from it.And then only you will know what it means to LIVE
Picked up this book in the Chua Chu Kang library and now am reading it sitting in the Jurong East library. A simple book by Mitch Albom about, in his own words "an old man, a young man and life's great lessons".
"When you learn how to die, you learn how to live"
Excerpt I
Yes, I said, but if aging were so valuable, why do people always say "Oh, if I were young again". you never heard people say "I wish I were sixty-five"
He smiled. " You know what that reflects? Unsatisfied lived. Unfulfilled lives. Lives that haven't found any meaning. Because you have found any meaning in your life, you don't want to go back. You want to go forward. You want to see more, do more. You can't wait till sixty five.
"Listen you should no something.All younger people should know something. If you are battling against getting older, you are always going to be unhappy, because it will happen anyhow.
And the fact is, you are going to die eventually.
Excerpt II
We've got a form of brainwashing going in our country. "Do you know how the brain wash people? They repeat the same thing over and over again. And that's what er do in this country. Owning things is good. More money is good. more property is good. More commercialism is good. More is good. more is good. We repeat it - and have it repeated to us - over and over until no-body bothers to even think otherwise. The average person is so fogged up by all this, he has no perspective on what's important anymore.
There's a big confusion in this country over what we want and what we need.
Yes we all know that human beings have a life span.
We have read all the biology and life sciences and its another fact.
But the person we are talking about is not anyone else but "YOU".
But it's not another FACT of life.
And the moment you can relate that its not some one else we are referring to but "YOU" - a lot of things which appeal a lot will loose there meaning or they will appear as mere things.
A new paradigm will emerge, the outlook to life will change a new path will emerge - the path to salvation or a path of self discovery or the spiritual path. You have the option to ignore it to or to embrace it - whatever you do. It's a temporary decision of today. Cause tomorrow the same path will emerge again and it shall rise every time you realize you are about to die. And until one makes that choice, the same wuestion will keep popping up. one can avoid it, delay it cannot run away from it.And then only you will know what it means to LIVE
Picked up this book in the Chua Chu Kang library and now am reading it sitting in the Jurong East library. A simple book by Mitch Albom about, in his own words "an old man, a young man and life's great lessons".
"When you learn how to die, you learn how to live"
Excerpt I
Yes, I said, but if aging were so valuable, why do people always say "Oh, if I were young again". you never heard people say "I wish I were sixty-five"
He smiled. " You know what that reflects? Unsatisfied lived. Unfulfilled lives. Lives that haven't found any meaning. Because you have found any meaning in your life, you don't want to go back. You want to go forward. You want to see more, do more. You can't wait till sixty five.
"Listen you should no something.All younger people should know something. If you are battling against getting older, you are always going to be unhappy, because it will happen anyhow.
And the fact is, you are going to die eventually.
Excerpt II
We've got a form of brainwashing going in our country. "Do you know how the brain wash people? They repeat the same thing over and over again. And that's what er do in this country. Owning things is good. More money is good. more property is good. More commercialism is good. More is good. more is good. We repeat it - and have it repeated to us - over and over until no-body bothers to even think otherwise. The average person is so fogged up by all this, he has no perspective on what's important anymore.
There's a big confusion in this country over what we want and what we need.
May 29, 2007
bird park
There are not just birds in the bird park..there are people and there are opportunities and more than anything else there is something to do other than work on a weekend...
And just in case you are interested in more animals..i have a visit to the famous Singapore zoo pending.already have the tickets ...so expect some more snaps to be uploaded here soon
And just in case you are interested in more animals..i have a visit to the famous Singapore zoo pending.already have the tickets ...so expect some more snaps to be uploaded here soon
May 9, 2007
F1: McLaren or Ferrari - Catalunya !!
Pick up your side. The greatest season is here and am sure everyone is already feeling the heat.
With the exit of Schumi, hopping of Teams by both Alonso and Kimi to McLaren and Ferrari respectively; the arrival of Hamilton - the battle for the constructors and supremacy has evolved into a real good one.
Just three races - and the season is already so exciting.
Hamilton is definitely the new SPICE fueling the expectations from team McLaren and it might boil down to who is the better driver he or MASA. But considering how the podium and the pole positions are switching between the four McLaren and Ferrari drivers it's never going to be easy until each race unfolds - as the season progresses.
Another good things happening is with the BMW Sauber - the new strategy to start with a lighter car is already working out for them. And with the European circuits coming in, they might be the ones who might slip inside and might be sitting in opening the champagnes.
But whatever happens - for the fans- this is the year !!
After the years of one sided races of Michael Schumi's era when Kimi was mostly second to him - to the advent of the Alonso vs Schumi days - we have reached the climax. Its now the real test for the TEAMS and the DRIVERS - and a TREAT for the FANS....
See you at CENTALUNYA on 13th May - the Spanish Grand Prix ....
With the exit of Schumi, hopping of Teams by both Alonso and Kimi to McLaren and Ferrari respectively; the arrival of Hamilton - the battle for the constructors and supremacy has evolved into a real good one.
Just three races - and the season is already so exciting.
Hamilton is definitely the new SPICE fueling the expectations from team McLaren and it might boil down to who is the better driver he or MASA. But considering how the podium and the pole positions are switching between the four McLaren and Ferrari drivers it's never going to be easy until each race unfolds - as the season progresses.
Another good things happening is with the BMW Sauber - the new strategy to start with a lighter car is already working out for them. And with the European circuits coming in, they might be the ones who might slip inside and might be sitting in opening the champagnes.
But whatever happens - for the fans- this is the year !!
After the years of one sided races of Michael Schumi's era when Kimi was mostly second to him - to the advent of the Alonso vs Schumi days - we have reached the climax. Its now the real test for the TEAMS and the DRIVERS - and a TREAT for the FANS....
See you at CENTALUNYA on 13th May - the Spanish Grand Prix ....
Apr 30, 2007
reboot bloody REBOOT !!!
There are numerous problems associated with computers which have one solution and there ain't any other generic solutions which cures almost all diseases - the explained ones and the unexplained ones - the REBOOT.
There ain't anything in the animal or plant kingdom which acts the same way. There is no comparison of a medical solution, oh but wish there was one like this. So simple to execute and so powerful. Whatever the problem you understand it or not - you can always give REBOOT a try and be mesmerized then the order is restored.
Was watching TV sitting yesterday and all of a sudden the router dropped. The wi-fi network was up and running but I was not able to access the Internet. Being a techie guy, though oh that's easy. Some problem with a router. The little LINKSYS WRT54G status showed no IP address on the status page. Whatever number of times you try to release or renew the DHCP. Stuck !! What could have gone wrong ...
On a Sunday without internet at home is like being on a summer beach all alone, no friends no music and not even a single person in sight.
Tried
a) Renewing and releasing DHCP
b) Every goddamn configuration and logging option
c) Scanned though all options no the router's application
d) RESET router
e) Removed power for cable modem - restarted the modem
f) Removed power cable for Router - restarted the router.
g) Restarted both
Still nothing !!
Still no results - then pulled out the LAN cable from the router and started browsing for the online help. Thinking the router might have been gone !!
Then came across this term "power cycling the router".
Step 1:
Shutdown the computer.
Step 2:
Unplug the router’s power cable.
Step 3:
Unplug the Broadband modem’s power cable and wait for 30 seconds.
Step 4:
Plug in the Broadband modem’s power cable and wait for its lights to appear stable.
Step 5:
Plug in the router's power cable once the modem’s lights appear stable.
Step 6:
Power on the computer on and test the Internet connection.
And VIOLA !! It works.like every another thing in the computer world.
Some More Interesting Links in case you are stuck with your LINKSYS router:
a) Special note for users with Linksys WRT54G/GL/GS routers, there are severe problems with them when running any P2P app (read for fix)
b) The WRT54G Revival Guide.
Tips For Newbie's
In the world of computers whatever operating system you are using - windows linux or unix or mac - if there is a problem you don't know about - TRY REBOOT - if u are lucky its resolved.
And in case its windows - wow u get performance back to normal too.
Tips For Expert's
Don't know whats wrong - its obviously weird something that cannot be like this.
Try REBOOT - just for a try. Some programmer forgot to clear the stack or may be the memory leaks are too much for the garbage collector to clear up..its just an unstable state now - some smart crooks like you and me forgot the basic programming rules...let the nature clean up all the shit - REBOOT
Whatever you think is a SMART MACHINE - a modem, a router, a computer whatever that has a memory and a processor - embedded or not - will respond to this.
Whatever has been touched by a programmer ever will like this treatment.
Call it the CURSE OF A PROGRAMMER or eternal truth
There ain't anything in the animal or plant kingdom which acts the same way. There is no comparison of a medical solution, oh but wish there was one like this. So simple to execute and so powerful. Whatever the problem you understand it or not - you can always give REBOOT a try and be mesmerized then the order is restored.
Was watching TV sitting yesterday and all of a sudden the router dropped. The wi-fi network was up and running but I was not able to access the Internet. Being a techie guy, though oh that's easy. Some problem with a router. The little LINKSYS WRT54G status showed no IP address on the status page. Whatever number of times you try to release or renew the DHCP. Stuck !! What could have gone wrong ...
On a Sunday without internet at home is like being on a summer beach all alone, no friends no music and not even a single person in sight.
Tried
a) Renewing and releasing DHCP
b) Every goddamn configuration and logging option
c) Scanned though all options no the router's application
d) RESET router
e) Removed power for cable modem - restarted the modem
f) Removed power cable for Router - restarted the router.
g) Restarted both
Still nothing !!
Still no results - then pulled out the LAN cable from the router and started browsing for the online help. Thinking the router might have been gone !!
Then came across this term "power cycling the router".
Step 1:
Shutdown the computer.
Step 2:
Unplug the router’s power cable.
Step 3:
Unplug the Broadband modem’s power cable and wait for 30 seconds.
Step 4:
Plug in the Broadband modem’s power cable and wait for its lights to appear stable.
Step 5:
Plug in the router's power cable once the modem’s lights appear stable.
Step 6:
Power on the computer on and test the Internet connection.
And VIOLA !! It works.like every another thing in the computer world.
Some More Interesting Links in case you are stuck with your LINKSYS router:
a) Special note for users with Linksys WRT54G/GL/GS routers, there are severe problems with them when running any P2P app (read for fix)
b) The WRT54G Revival Guide.
Tips For Newbie's
In the world of computers whatever operating system you are using - windows linux or unix or mac - if there is a problem you don't know about - TRY REBOOT - if u are lucky its resolved.
And in case its windows - wow u get performance back to normal too.
Tips For Expert's
Don't know whats wrong - its obviously weird something that cannot be like this.
Try REBOOT - just for a try. Some programmer forgot to clear the stack or may be the memory leaks are too much for the garbage collector to clear up..its just an unstable state now - some smart crooks like you and me forgot the basic programming rules...let the nature clean up all the shit - REBOOT
Whatever you think is a SMART MACHINE - a modem, a router, a computer whatever that has a memory and a processor - embedded or not - will respond to this.
Whatever has been touched by a programmer ever will like this treatment.
Call it the CURSE OF A PROGRAMMER or eternal truth
Apr 25, 2007
what have we become...the power the money..corrupted souls currugated moralities
Boris Yeltsin is dead.
The great Russian leader is dead. But the fire is still burning and it will keep burning. "Russian colonialism" and "Chechenisation" never got over for mothers who lost their sons just one day when the so called peace returned in Chechania, the weeping wifes. Where are we heading Mr. Yeltsin and Mr. Putin - whats happening.
Two wars to save Russia and the answer to so called threat of Islamic militia in Chechnya's destroyed nothing but common people. Who died in this wars - common people. They say Grozny after the two wars didn't even have a single building which was not bombed. And they talk about the bombings and not the innocent soul - both Russian soldiers and the Chechen civilians - countless people killed in the conflict.
And what stands there - a warlord-in-chief Ramzan Kadyrov who is the president now.
The only difference being that now he is standing by the side of Mr Putin.
Pity our freedom.
Long live Russia.
Long live the Presidents and Politicians.
Rest In Peace - Mr. Putin.
The great Russian leader is dead. But the fire is still burning and it will keep burning. "Russian colonialism" and "Chechenisation" never got over for mothers who lost their sons just one day when the so called peace returned in Chechania, the weeping wifes. Where are we heading Mr. Yeltsin and Mr. Putin - whats happening.
Two wars to save Russia and the answer to so called threat of Islamic militia in Chechnya's destroyed nothing but common people. Who died in this wars - common people. They say Grozny after the two wars didn't even have a single building which was not bombed. And they talk about the bombings and not the innocent soul - both Russian soldiers and the Chechen civilians - countless people killed in the conflict.
And what stands there - a warlord-in-chief Ramzan Kadyrov who is the president now.
The only difference being that now he is standing by the side of Mr Putin.
Pity our freedom.
Long live Russia.
Long live the Presidents and Politicians.
Rest In Peace - Mr. Putin.
Apr 24, 2007
41 shots ..the tarnished great american dream
What to say..
Is it a gun..is it a knife
Its the blood of innocent people chasing their great American dream..who got laid in the Norris Hall. It shook the world. Its natural isn't it.
Words cannot describe how bad it is. It ain't a secret.
"People can get killed just for living in" .. as Bruce Springsteen puts it.."you American skin.
But its what you reap that you can sow and some times you reap something else also what you have been sowing for others.
The Americans are shook by the incident. The world is so sympathetic. But why doesn't a tear roll down for the people dying in Iraq. The girls being raped in Darfur. Why why doesn't any body care.
The incident so called is bad shook all of us because the media couldn't manipulate us. It was brute it was bad. We all cried because it came without the so called government filters. Otherwise it would have sounded sweet too. It was all draped in sorrow because it happened in USA and that the Americans died.
I ain't an ANTI AMERICAN. I ain't any one associated with Bin Laden's Army.
But I am just a human being who refuses the accept the atrocities by the American for money being done around the world.
Brothers everything is not business. And if u think it is. You don't always do good business. Alas the only problem is the loss is upon the common people.
Rest In Peace.
The students - you got killed just for living in.
Am sorry for you but am sorry for the politicians and the media baron's cause if there is an old saying in our part of the world
"jab boya beej babool to aam kaha se ho"
And forgive LORD, the poor kid who who lost it all...i am sorry for the trauma the families are going through...bro its not that u failed its the system that failed and poor us..we live to pity ourselves without any dignity to stand up and fight against the ones who called u names..who in the name of information and news kept accusing other TV Channels who called the stuff you sent to them disturbing and still kept showing it to all others..who say that everything sells..and sell it off all the time..
am sorry for you bro..we lost it once more..and we all lost bro and sisters
Is it a gun..is it a knife
Its the blood of innocent people chasing their great American dream..who got laid in the Norris Hall. It shook the world. Its natural isn't it.
Words cannot describe how bad it is. It ain't a secret.
"People can get killed just for living in" .. as Bruce Springsteen puts it.."you American skin.
But its what you reap that you can sow and some times you reap something else also what you have been sowing for others.
The Americans are shook by the incident. The world is so sympathetic. But why doesn't a tear roll down for the people dying in Iraq. The girls being raped in Darfur. Why why doesn't any body care.
The incident so called is bad shook all of us because the media couldn't manipulate us. It was brute it was bad. We all cried because it came without the so called government filters. Otherwise it would have sounded sweet too. It was all draped in sorrow because it happened in USA and that the Americans died.
I ain't an ANTI AMERICAN. I ain't any one associated with Bin Laden's Army.
But I am just a human being who refuses the accept the atrocities by the American for money being done around the world.
Brothers everything is not business. And if u think it is. You don't always do good business. Alas the only problem is the loss is upon the common people.
Rest In Peace.
The students - you got killed just for living in.
Am sorry for you but am sorry for the politicians and the media baron's cause if there is an old saying in our part of the world
"jab boya beej babool to aam kaha se ho"
And forgive LORD, the poor kid who who lost it all...i am sorry for the trauma the families are going through...bro its not that u failed its the system that failed and poor us..we live to pity ourselves without any dignity to stand up and fight against the ones who called u names..who in the name of information and news kept accusing other TV Channels who called the stuff you sent to them disturbing and still kept showing it to all others..who say that everything sells..and sell it off all the time..
am sorry for you bro..we lost it once more..and we all lost bro and sisters
Apr 5, 2007
While Suzanne holds the mirror...........
"the secret which pierces with such sweetness....
the secret we cannot hide and cannot tell...
call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter......
The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not 'in' them, it only came 'through' them, and what came through them was longing...
For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited."
C.S. Lewis wrote that and he wrote about an experience that cannot be put into any number of words and I dare to talk about the subject today. I don't fear failing miserably but the experience it self is worth talking about.
"Suzanne" is the song which is playing on the CD. Leonard Cohen is rendering the most depressing song which makes the longing come alive. No wonder as he talks about his Suzanne, every one gets touched. The inspiration for such a master piece has to be exception and the somebody of the likes of Cohen can only put into words that experience. The rest is history.
But what are these experiences and the genius who go through them to create the masterpieces. Mere mortals like me cannot even think of....
I just want to travel and I want to travel blind..
"Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges
That come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her
That you have no love to give her
Then she gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer
That you've always been her lover
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.
And Jesus was a sailor
When he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching
From his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain
Only drowning men could see him
He said "All men will be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them"
But he himself was broken
Long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human
He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him
And you want to travel blind
And you think maybe you'll trust him
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind.
Now Suzanne takes your hand
And she leads you to the river
She is wearing rags and feathers
From Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey
On our lady of the harbour
And she shows you where to look
Among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love
And they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that you can trust her
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind."
Check out the Song..may be its a song of your soul too
Oh thought why not add this interesting link for the TRUE COHEN fans
http://leonardcohenfiles.com/mirror.html
Njoy !!
the secret we cannot hide and cannot tell...
call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter......
The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not 'in' them, it only came 'through' them, and what came through them was longing...
For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited."
C.S. Lewis wrote that and he wrote about an experience that cannot be put into any number of words and I dare to talk about the subject today. I don't fear failing miserably but the experience it self is worth talking about.
"Suzanne" is the song which is playing on the CD. Leonard Cohen is rendering the most depressing song which makes the longing come alive. No wonder as he talks about his Suzanne, every one gets touched. The inspiration for such a master piece has to be exception and the somebody of the likes of Cohen can only put into words that experience. The rest is history.
But what are these experiences and the genius who go through them to create the masterpieces. Mere mortals like me cannot even think of....
I just want to travel and I want to travel blind..
"Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river
You can hear the boats go by
You can spend the night beside her
And you know that she's half crazy
But that's why you want to be there
And she feeds you tea and oranges
That come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her
That you have no love to give her
Then she gets you on her wavelength
And she lets the river answer
That you've always been her lover
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.
And Jesus was a sailor
When he walked upon the water
And he spent a long time watching
From his lonely wooden tower
And when he knew for certain
Only drowning men could see him
He said "All men will be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them"
But he himself was broken
Long before the sky would open
Forsaken, almost human
He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him
And you want to travel blind
And you think maybe you'll trust him
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind.
Now Suzanne takes your hand
And she leads you to the river
She is wearing rags and feathers
From Salvation Army counters
And the sun pours down like honey
On our lady of the harbour
And she shows you where to look
Among the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love
And they will lean that way forever
While Suzanne holds the mirror
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you know that you can trust her
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind."
Check out the Song..may be its a song of your soul too
Oh thought why not add this interesting link for the TRUE COHEN fans
http://leonardcohenfiles.com/mirror.html
Njoy !!
Feb 27, 2007
Pic Travel Blog: Reaching Langkawi
A travel without hassles is not a travel and they are better called adventure. The word for travel in hindi is "Safar" and sounds close to suffer in english.
Chinese New Year Eve: 16-Feb-2006
Scene I:
Huge traffic expected in Woodland checkpoint at Malaysia Singapore immigrations
Planned time for leaving office - 4 PM - Actual Status - Heavy showers and no taxis on the road - reach at 6 PM
Long queues at the immigrations - they dun allow photography !! otherwise its so simple to identify Singaporeans they just queue up !!
Expected Departure from Larkin by bus 9:30 PM
Scene II:
Reach Larkin at about 8:30 unlimited traffic jams in Johar.
Get down half way on the highway -- yes and walk on the expressway to the bus interchange - a sin and a criminal offense in Singapore but when everybody is going home its what it is and then its Malaysia.
Crowds at JB - Larkin Interchange crowds gathering
Poor soul on Larkin Bus Interchange
Scene III: Its almost 10 PM all buses are running late and yout JBM 9909 is nowhere to be seen and then finally it appears. Its not the VIP bus we had paid for !!
The driver understands no English or Hindi and wants us to get down.
Its all messed up.
Some interesting statements in the air:
"Muslims should be given the first seats"
"Chinese logo ke eid hai isliye its all so crowded today"
"Lets go and fight with the ticketing lady. This is the normal 40 seater not the 24 seater we had paid for"
"Bus is overbooked we cannot carry you"
"Please get down"
"We are not getting down anywhere. Am really angry now.
Bloody get me the other bus or we go on this bus"
Finally at 11:45 PM the VIP bus arrives. Its so tiring and so bloody comfortable. The chaos because the bus number was wrongly referred to and written on the tickets.
Worst Fear Realized
The bus has such comfortable seats but the AC is chilling and we have no clothes like jackets or shawls !!
I dozed off before I knew. 5 hrs before the actual journey started. Its a long way to ALOR SETAR from Johar Bahru just follow the Green Expressway on the MAP. Expected time 14 hrs :) that means 10 AM.
Image courtesy MYPLUS.COM.MY Full Detail Version Here
Chinese New Year Eve: 16-Feb-2006
Scene I:
Huge traffic expected in Woodland checkpoint at Malaysia Singapore immigrations
Planned time for leaving office - 4 PM - Actual Status - Heavy showers and no taxis on the road - reach at 6 PM
Long queues at the immigrations - they dun allow photography !! otherwise its so simple to identify Singaporeans they just queue up !!
Expected Departure from Larkin by bus 9:30 PM
Scene II:
Reach Larkin at about 8:30 unlimited traffic jams in Johar.
Get down half way on the highway -- yes and walk on the expressway to the bus interchange - a sin and a criminal offense in Singapore but when everybody is going home its what it is and then its Malaysia.
Crowds at JB - Larkin Interchange crowds gathering
Poor soul on Larkin Bus Interchange
Scene III: Its almost 10 PM all buses are running late and yout JBM 9909 is nowhere to be seen and then finally it appears. Its not the VIP bus we had paid for !!
The driver understands no English or Hindi and wants us to get down.
Its all messed up.
Some interesting statements in the air:
"Muslims should be given the first seats"
"Chinese logo ke eid hai isliye its all so crowded today"
"Lets go and fight with the ticketing lady. This is the normal 40 seater not the 24 seater we had paid for"
"Bus is overbooked we cannot carry you"
"Please get down"
"We are not getting down anywhere. Am really angry now.
Bloody get me the other bus or we go on this bus"
Finally at 11:45 PM the VIP bus arrives. Its so tiring and so bloody comfortable. The chaos because the bus number was wrongly referred to and written on the tickets.
Worst Fear Realized
The bus has such comfortable seats but the AC is chilling and we have no clothes like jackets or shawls !!
I dozed off before I knew. 5 hrs before the actual journey started. Its a long way to ALOR SETAR from Johar Bahru just follow the Green Expressway on the MAP. Expected time 14 hrs :) that means 10 AM.
Image courtesy MYPLUS.COM.MY Full Detail Version Here
langkawi travel blog better late then never: prelude I
Being located in Singapore provides an opportunity to travel to Malaysia that is like traveling to Nepal from India and its financially also viable considering Ringits are values half (almost) as compared to Singapore dollars.
But for those who know what Chinese New Year means its a hard time to plan a travel to any where in the region and that too by air with a short notice of like say one month.
After all the options including air/bus were ruled out and travel plans to Langkawi almost canceled we decided to go to Johar Bahru, Malaysis just to book tickets to Alor Setar the last place where you can go buy road to reach Pulau Langkawi.
Singapore -->MRT to Kranji -->bus to Woodlands Checkpoint --> Singapore Immigration -->bus to across the causeway---> Malaysia Immigration--> Larkin Bus Interchange
The whole journey from Kranji to Larkin takes about an hour and its interesting to know that you can feel the difference between the two places:
a) Ciggi is samn cheap in Malaysia
b) Food is cheaper
c) Feels like you are free and in some different place
Some interesting facts:
a)Indians in Singapore need valid VISA to travel to Malaysia
b)Single entry and multiple entry visas charges are the same
c)You need to declare if you are carrying in an out of Malaysia more than 1000 Ringits
d) No duty free items between Malaysia and Singapore in case you are returning from Malaysia
e) Malaysia has petrol at about 2 Ringits per litre cheaper than water in Singapore.
f) Language is sometime the biggest problem when dealing with people in Larkin like places.
But for those who know what Chinese New Year means its a hard time to plan a travel to any where in the region and that too by air with a short notice of like say one month.
After all the options including air/bus were ruled out and travel plans to Langkawi almost canceled we decided to go to Johar Bahru, Malaysis just to book tickets to Alor Setar the last place where you can go buy road to reach Pulau Langkawi.
Singapore -->MRT to Kranji -->bus to Woodlands Checkpoint --> Singapore Immigration -->bus to across the causeway---> Malaysia Immigration--> Larkin Bus Interchange
The whole journey from Kranji to Larkin takes about an hour and its interesting to know that you can feel the difference between the two places:
a) Ciggi is samn cheap in Malaysia
b) Food is cheaper
c) Feels like you are free and in some different place
Some interesting facts:
a)Indians in Singapore need valid VISA to travel to Malaysia
b)Single entry and multiple entry visas charges are the same
c)You need to declare if you are carrying in an out of Malaysia more than 1000 Ringits
d) No duty free items between Malaysia and Singapore in case you are returning from Malaysia
e) Malaysia has petrol at about 2 Ringits per litre cheaper than water in Singapore.
f) Language is sometime the biggest problem when dealing with people in Larkin like places.
Jan 27, 2007
Happy Replublic Day
Happy 58th Republic Day !!
Fellow Indians time has come for us to spread our wings and fly..
The times are changing and now its going to be our time soon...
Wanna watch the Parade..its here.
And must also watch the address of the President.
JAI HIND
Jan 8, 2007
Resolutions and New Year Prayer for Us all
May all be happy;
May all be without disease;
May all have well-being;
May none have misery of any sort.
— Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.14
And for the CHILD in us :)
Hobbes: Are you making any resolutions for the new year?
Calvin: Resolutions? ME?? Just what are you implying? That I need
to change?? Well, Buddy, as far as I'm concerned, I'm perfect the way
I am! For your information, I'm staying like this, and everyone else
can just get used to it! If people don't like me the way I am, well,
though beans! It's a free country! I don't need anyone's permission to
be the way I want! This is how I am - take it or leave it! By golly,
life's too darn short to waste time trying to please every meddlesome
moron who's got an idea how I ought to be! I don't need advice!
Everyone can just stay out of my face!
Hats off to Bill Waterson.
Calvin: Resolutions? ME?? Just what are you implying? That I need
to change?? Well, Buddy, as far as I'm concerned, I'm perfect the way
I am! For your information, I'm staying like this, and everyone else
can just get used to it! If people don't like me the way I am, well,
though beans! It's a free country! I don't need anyone's permission to
be the way I want! This is how I am - take it or leave it! By golly,
life's too darn short to waste time trying to please every meddlesome
moron who's got an idea how I ought to be! I don't need advice!
Everyone can just stay out of my face!
Hats off to Bill Waterson.
Dec 24, 2006
and all the sins were washed away
Last week it started to rain on Saturday. It rained throughout the week unlike normal thunder storm showers in Singapore. The sky was pouring its heart out.
Alas mere mortal were not able to understand what was happening. The nature was preparing Singapore for the christmas and new year celebration.
Its not a white christmas here but still it can be a rainy one. And look how beautiful it lookes just after the rain.
The rains washed away all the sins.
And today on the christmas eve alls fresh again. As it was when the child was born.
Wishing You All Merry Christmas !!
"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."
~Charles Dickens
And for all dear pals and friends
"If a fat old man comes tonight and bags you in, do not get frightened, it is just that i request Santa for a friend like you"
Enjoy!!
PS: Here is the christmas gift some one sent for me.
Thanks a TON. Nothing could have beem more flattering :)
Alas mere mortal were not able to understand what was happening. The nature was preparing Singapore for the christmas and new year celebration.
Its not a white christmas here but still it can be a rainy one. And look how beautiful it lookes just after the rain.
The rains washed away all the sins.And today on the christmas eve alls fresh again. As it was when the child was born.
Wishing You All Merry Christmas !!
"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."
~Charles Dickens
And for all dear pals and friends
"If a fat old man comes tonight and bags you in, do not get frightened, it is just that i request Santa for a friend like you"
Enjoy!!
PS: Here is the christmas gift some one sent for me.
Thanks a TON. Nothing could have beem more flattering :)
Dec 11, 2006
GOOGLE : Will the Power Corrupt !!!
Look where Google has reached today from collecting a Penny at a time - billions flowing in and every body in the world believes in the might of the company and now every body understands the might and muscle that google has. No doubt they have been accepted as the true competitors. No wonder yahoo profits are dented and what started as a simple search engine has proved to be the the biggest lesson for IT companies.
Simple is beautiful, elegant and powerful. It takes a herculean effort and understanding to built a simple solution. Google has done it just right.
But has there been a shift in the focus.
When we first logged on to the gmail service we were all happy customers. Who thought that 10 MB was too less unless the 1 GB thing came in and changed the world. No doubt every one else in the business was like shocked. Meanwhile Orkut had also started making waved by then. Imagine that both services had that exclusive feeling because one needed an invitation to join.
Google always knew how to convey the message. Don't just allow customers to walk in. Let them feel preveliged and they shall be too eager to walk in.
Orkut has all the data that all the big companies - marketing ones are always asking for. Exact demographics, your hobbies, what you like, even your picture - any one would like to buy.
Simple trick does the job. They know what you like what you hate and what not.
Its not a surprise that they had some advertise link inviting companies to advertise on orkut. It was expected.
The major surprise was not the purchase of Blogger the service which is providing me this opportunity to scribble these thoughts. The surprise was the slow gradual approach which conveys to users that how seamless it is to use the Blogger or Gmail or Gtalk or the Picasaweb or the excel sheet using the single password and username.
The truth is this is not wrong. But this has not reached the proportions when it can go wrong. Google now has become a web giant with absolute powers. The world today welcomes it. Why should the consumers be worried. Everything is free and better than it was yesterday. ( No ther e is no need to talk about the role the Google is playing in CHINA. Fully understood they are also like dying to tap the biggest population in China - this much accepted because they are also here to do business - why would they bother for the people whose statistics they are handing out to the authorities. Its like Yahoo does it - Cisco helps them - everybody does it. Its like have to do it otherwise the market is closed for them. This debate is more so emotional and about ethics. Shall take up this one seprately some other time)
The only problem is that some people are skeptical about even the good things.
Remember what some one said about trust. Unless you trust you cannot be betrayed or cheated. Some one also said "Power Corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
We just can pray that google ain't another M$. We can just pray.
Otherwise it would be like another story of capitalist bullshit.
Wait and watch as the drama unfolds.
Simple is beautiful, elegant and powerful. It takes a herculean effort and understanding to built a simple solution. Google has done it just right.
But has there been a shift in the focus.
When we first logged on to the gmail service we were all happy customers. Who thought that 10 MB was too less unless the 1 GB thing came in and changed the world. No doubt every one else in the business was like shocked. Meanwhile Orkut had also started making waved by then. Imagine that both services had that exclusive feeling because one needed an invitation to join.
Google always knew how to convey the message. Don't just allow customers to walk in. Let them feel preveliged and they shall be too eager to walk in.
Orkut has all the data that all the big companies - marketing ones are always asking for. Exact demographics, your hobbies, what you like, even your picture - any one would like to buy.
Simple trick does the job. They know what you like what you hate and what not.
Its not a surprise that they had some advertise link inviting companies to advertise on orkut. It was expected.
The major surprise was not the purchase of Blogger the service which is providing me this opportunity to scribble these thoughts. The surprise was the slow gradual approach which conveys to users that how seamless it is to use the Blogger or Gmail or Gtalk or the Picasaweb or the excel sheet using the single password and username.
The truth is this is not wrong. But this has not reached the proportions when it can go wrong. Google now has become a web giant with absolute powers. The world today welcomes it. Why should the consumers be worried. Everything is free and better than it was yesterday. ( No ther e is no need to talk about the role the Google is playing in CHINA. Fully understood they are also like dying to tap the biggest population in China - this much accepted because they are also here to do business - why would they bother for the people whose statistics they are handing out to the authorities. Its like Yahoo does it - Cisco helps them - everybody does it. Its like have to do it otherwise the market is closed for them. This debate is more so emotional and about ethics. Shall take up this one seprately some other time)
The only problem is that some people are skeptical about even the good things.
Remember what some one said about trust. Unless you trust you cannot be betrayed or cheated. Some one also said "Power Corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely."
We just can pray that google ain't another M$. We can just pray.
Otherwise it would be like another story of capitalist bullshit.
Wait and watch as the drama unfolds.
Dec 10, 2006
Just couldn't resist
Bill Waterson portray's what I always felt was so true.
For the kid in all of us.
You are a genius BILL.
For the kid in all of us.
You are a genius BILL.
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