Infomedia

Guest in house, God in house!

2010-06-08T06:52:00.000+05:30

Two men were crossing the desert when they saw a Bedouin’s tent and asked him for shelter. Even though he did not know them, he welcomed them in the way that the conduct of nomads dictates: a camel was killed and its meat served in a sumptuous dinner.
The next day, the two strangers woke early and decided to continue on their journey. As the Bedouin was not at home, they gave his wife a hundred dinars, apologizing for not being able to wait, because if they spent any more time there, the sun would become too strong for them to travel.

They had traveled for four hours when they heard a voice calling out to them. They looked back and saw the Bedouin following them. As soon as he caught up with them, he threw the money to the ground.
“I gave you such a warm welcome! Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves?”
In surprise, the strangers said that the camel were surely worth far more than that, but that they did not have much money.

“I am not talking about the amount,” was the answer. “The desert welcomes Bedouins wherever they go, and never asks anything in return. If we had to pay, how could we live? Welcoming you to my tent is like paying back a fraction of what life has given us.

Hair Loss Myths - Busted!

2009-10-29T18:47:00.000+05:30

Hair Loss Myths - Busted!: "

‘Damage-free hair in 7 days’… As you ogle the luscious-haired model on the poster, dismissing the advertising claim, don’t you secretly wish you hair was half as pretty? With pollution and fluctuating weather conditions in the city, a healthy mane seems like a distant dream. One of the biggest and most common hair problems is hair loss. If you truly care, you must go back to the roots and understand the hair. But before you do, let me tell you that there are many myths surrounding hair loss. Believing them could actually prove to be more harmful than leaving your hair unloved. So go ahead - start the repair, right after you deflate these myths about your hair…

Myth: Standing on your head will reduce hair loss

Fact: Standing on the head is practiced as a popular yoga posture called sirshasana; it is solely aimed at increasing the blood circulation and improving the bodily balance and rhythm. The follicles need more than flowing blood to arrest hair loss! Standing on the head does not help cure hair loss (and it certainly doesn’t help in hair re-growth!!!)

Myth: Hair-washing leads to hair loss

Fact: Washing/shampooing the hair helps keep it clean and healthy. There’s no issue with washing or combing the hair. This myth arises from the fact that, after shampooing, we see lost hair in the sink and freak out. As per your individual hair growth cycle, it is normal to shed 40-50 hair strands per day. If you’re seeing too much hair in the sink, its probably due to high stress levels! But shampooing by itselft does not cause hair loss.

Myth: Towel-drying causes hair loss

Fact: One school of thought is that rubbing the hair with a towel promotes blood circulation and stimulates hair growth - sadly untrue. The other is that towel-drying the hair makes strands fall out - again, untrue! The max you can do by rubbing your hair is alleviate the fall of those strands which were due to fall out anyway. You won’t be causing any additional hair loss.

Myth: Hair loss is inherited from mom’s side

Fact: Hey that’s a sexist myth! Hair loss is genetic, no doubt - but it is a combination of the maternal as well as the paternal genes you’ve inherited.

Myth: Wearing a hat causes hair loss

Fact: This holds true only if the hat is painfully tight (which usually isn’t the case with any sane jane)! As a matter of fact, hats can be quite useful in protecting the hair from sun damage and pollution. Any well-fitting head gear which gives enough breathing space to your scalp is safe to use.

Myth: Losing 100 strands of hair a day is normal

Fact: A hair follicle grows for four to five years. In its fifth year, it stops growing and enters the ‘rest’ cycle. In the sixth year it falls out and the growth cycle starts again. The average number of follicles in your scalp is 1,50,000… 90% of which is in the growth cycle at any given time. That means around 15,000 strands are in the rest cycle, ready to fall. If you lose 100 strands a day (and about 35,600 per year) you’re losing more than 50% more hair than you’re supposed to. Phew!!! The bottomline - you can safely lose 40-50 strands a day. Anything more than that indicates a hair loss problem.

Myth: Lack of sex causes hair loss

Fact: So we can keep having sex and never worry about hair loss? Duh! So not true. Similarly, lack of sex does not cause hair loss. There is no solid evidence or biological derivation to support this claim.

Myth: Hair loss is incurable

Fact: Definitely untrue. Though it is difficult to get rid of the problem entirely, it is possible to cure it to a great extent. Your diet may be lacking some essential vitamins and minerals. Rectifying the diet and taking prescribed vitamin supplements can help reduce hair loss issues. Leading a stress-free lifestyle by means of exercise, yoga and meditation can also help.

Top Tips for Healthy Hair

2009-10-29T18:42:00.000+05:30

Top Tips for Healthy Hair: "

Now that we’ve debunked all those hair loss myths, lets move on to our next important mane mission - hair care! Treating the tresses is necessary for guys and girls alike. It should be reckoned as a part of the health and grooming regime.

As simple as it sounds, how many of us actually do a little something for our hair? Er, no boys - mommy caressing your head does not qualify as hair care! There’s slightly more to it. We’ve already spoken about how heat and pollution and pretty much everything urban is ready to assault the hair. You can run, you can hide… and you can also escape! Say goodbye to fly-aways and frizzies. Here’s how…

Have a balanced, healthy diet. Yep, healthy hair needs healthy food intake. Almonds, for instance, are a boon to the hair. Pop 4-5 almonds a day, and watch your hair growing stronger, shinier…just like they promise in ads - but for real! Green leafy veggies, turnips, carrots and apricots are rich sources of Vitamin A, which strengthens the hair at the roots. Include calcium (milk), iron (red meat, fish, leafy veggies) and protein (milk, soy, fish) in your diet. For silica, eat raw oats.

If you’re running around all day, especially in hot and humid climate, your hair is bound to get sticky and dirty which in turn could lead to hair damage. Just as you clean your skin, its important to cleanse the scalp. Shampoo your hair using a mild, preferably sulfate-free shampoo. Using herbal shampoo? Make sure its strong enough to cleanse the hair. Work up a lather with the pads of your fingers, don’t scrape the poor scalp with your finger nails!

Beer is good for the hair! It helps remove residue and dirt. Use 1 cup of warm water with 6 tablespoons beer as the final rinse.

Conditioning the hair is an indispensable ritual especially if you have dry hair. After shampoo, wring out excess water. Apply conditioner to the mid-section and ends (not the roots)… then run a comb through the hair to spread out the conditioner evenly. Avoid - if you feel you’re losing too much hair at this step. In any case, let the conditioner seep in for 5-10 minutes. Then wash off.

Been using a lot of conditioner, styling serums and gels or hair spray? Rid your hair of product build-up. Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda with your regular shampoo once a week. Rinse and dry as usual.

Towel-drying the hair? Avoid rubbing too harshly…Just ’soak’ it dry with a towel.

Using a blow-dryer? Just blast-dry instead of heat-drying and styling. It will simply take off the extra moisture without ripping your hair off the essential bit.

Its important to comb and detangle; but gently so. Use a wide-tooth comb in the downward direction (or simply use your fingers!) to even out the hair before running a comb through it.

Avoid combing when the hair is wet. This is when your hair is at its weakest!

To cut down on static electricity, dampen your comb with some water. It works

Avoid using scrunchies or clips on wet or damp hair. Believe it or not, tying up the hair when its damp could cause dandruff!

Use comfortable bands and scrunchies. Tight ones will only cause hair breakage.

Regular trimming is necessary. Chop off those split-ends to ensure your hair is growing in a healthy manner. Girls need a trim every 2-4 months. Guys could go in for a trim 1-3 months, all depending on one’s hair growth rate.

Choose a hairstyle that’s in keeping with your lifestyle. If there’s a lot of leg work involved in your job, it would be best to keep the hair short and sweet and easy to maintain.

Get 7 to 8 hours of beauty-sleep everyday. It will show, on your crown!

Dry hair? Take edible oil and honey in a 1:1 ratio, mix and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. Otherwise, get an olive-oil massage.

Oily hair? Wash your hair regularly but go easy on the conditioner. Add a tablespoon of malt vinegar and a pinch of salt in a glass of water. Pour out 2-3 tablespoons on your scalp and massage gently. Doing this twice a week will help reduce the oil on your scalp.

Dandruff? Mix lemon juice and vinegar in 1:2 ratio. Massage it on the scalp and let dry. Rinse off with cold water, using a mild shampoo.

Hair spa treatments work wonders! Get a special protein, aroma therapy or natural hair spa treatment at least once a month.

15 Common Mistakes in E-Commerce Design

2009-10-13T17:45:00.000+05:30

15 Common Mistakes in E-Commerce Design: "

Selling online can open up huge new markets for many businesses. When your store can be open 24/7 and you can reach a global market without the costs of mailings and call centers, it can be a huge boon to your business. But there are plenty of things to consider when designing an ecommerce site. It’s not as simple as throwing up some shopping cart software and plopping products into a database.

There are tons of mistakes that online retailers make every day, all of them avoidable with a little careful planning. And even if you’re already committing some of these mistakes, most of them are easy enough to fix. Avoiding them will greatly improve the experience of your customers.

Below are 15 of the most common mistakes that e-commerce sites make, as well as advice on how to avoid or fix them. Take the advice under consideration before embarking on a new e-commerce project or when thinking over your current ecommerce site, and make efforts to follow the recommendations outlined here.

1. A lack of detailed product information

When you’re shopping in a brick-and-mortar store, you have the advantage of being able to pick up an item, feel it, look at it from every angle, and read any information on the packaging or labels. Shopping online removes that interaction. Ecommerce sites need to do the best they can to improve upon the in-store shopping experience.

How often have we gone to an online store and found their descriptions to be completely lacking? And if a customer is left wondering about the specifics of a product, they’re more likely to go look for the information elsewhere. And unless your site’s price is significantly lower than your competitors’, they’ll likely just buy from the other site.

What To Do About It

Provide as much product information as you can. Sizes, materials, weight, dimensions, and any other pertinent information depending on what the product is. For example, in an online clothing store, you might include the fabric type, sizes and colors available, a size chart (usually linked from multiple products), the weight or thickness of the item, the cut and fit of the item, care instructions, and comments about the brand or designer. Using descriptive words rather than simply technical terms can have a greater impact on the consumer.

Examples

2. Hiding Contact Information

Consumers want to know that they’re dealing with a real company when they hand over their credit card information. They want to know that if they have a problem they’ll be able to talk to a real person and get the help they need. If your site doesn’t provide any contact information, or hides it so the consumer can’t find it easily, they’re less likely to trust your site, and therefore less likely to do business with you.

What To Do About It

Put your contact information in an easy-to-find place on every page of your website. The most obvious places to put your contact information are either in your header, the top of your sidebar, or in your footer. Provide multiple means of contact if possible. A contact form, email address, phone number, and mailing address all add to the level of customer trust. Remember, too, that the more expensive or technical the product you’re selling, the more likely a consumer is going to want more contact information.

Examples

3. A Long or Confusing Checkout Process

This is one of the most damaging mistakes an ecommerce site can make. You have to make it as easy as possible for your customers to hand over their credit card information and complete their order. The more steps you put between them placing an item in their cart and actually paying for it, the more opportunities you give them to leave your site without completing their purchase.

The ideal checkout process includes a single page for consumers to check their order and enter their billing and shipping information, and a confirmation page before they submit their order. Anything more than that is only an obstacle to completing the checkout process.

What To Do About It

Follow the ideal model as closely as you can. If you have to include other pages, try to make them as quick and easy to fill out as possible. Combine pages if you can, and use two-column layouts for certain sections (like putting billing and shipping information next to each other) to make pages appear shorter.

Examples

4. Requiring an Account to Order

This ties in directly to the previous item. If you require a customer to sign up for an account before they can place an order, it’s another obstacle you’ve placed in their path. Which is more important to you: getting the order or capturing customer information? Remember that the second option may mean losing some customers.

What To Do About It

There’s an easy fix for this. Instead of requiring a customer to sign up for an account before they order, offer them the option at the end of their ordering process. Give them the option to save their account information to make placing future orders easier or to track the status of their current order. Many customers will opt to save their information, and you won’t be driving away customers before they’ve completed their order.

Examples

5. An Inadequate Site Search Engine

If a customer knows exactly what they’re looking for, many will opt to use a search engine instead of sifting through categories and filters. You need to make sure that the search feature on your site works well, and preferably has filters for letting customers refine their results.

How often have you searched for a product on a large ecommerce site and been returned with hundreds of applicable results? While the variety of options can be nice, if half of those results are nothing like what you’re looking for, it’s more an inconvenience than anything else. Including a way for customers to filter their search results by category or feature eliminates this problem.

What To Do About It

Make sure the ecommerce software you’re using has a good built-in search engine, or look for plugins to extend its functionality. Ideally, an ecommerce search engine should let users search by keyword and then refine results based on the categories your site includes. Let users sort their search results based on standard criteria (most popular, highest or lowest price, newest item, etc.) as well as eliminating items that don’t fit within a certain category.

Examples

6. Poor Customer Service Options

This is similar to the hiding contact information bit above. You need to make it easy for customers to get in touch with you if they have a problem or question. Make it clear what the best way to contact you is if they have a technical question, a sales question, or they want to return an item. Offering a help request form for customers to fill out can instill more confidence than just an email address.

What To Do About It

Use a ticketing system for customer service inquiries, especially if you don’t have a phone number available. Make sure that you post a FAQ that covers common questions customers might have, like what your return policy is or what to do if they need to order parts or replacement items.

Examples

7. Tiny Product Images

Since consumers can’t physically handle the products you’re selling before placing an order on your website, you need to do as much as you can to recreate and improve upon that experience. Tiny product images don’t effectively do this.

What To Do About It

Either provide large images right on the product page or allow users to click on an image to zoom in. You want users to be able to view the image as large as is practical on an average monitor. This means an image that enlarges to 1024×768 pixels is a good size to aim for.

Examples

8. Only One Product Image

Unless your product is delivered digitally (and even sometimes if it is), you’ll want to provide multiple images from different angles. An image in each color, of the front, back, and sides, and even detailed shots of specific features can all go a long way toward making a consumer more likely to buy from you.

What To Do About It

This one’s simple: include more images. Four or five images of each product are ideal, offering enough views to allow a consumer to feel comfortable that they know exactly what they’re getting.

Examples

9. A Poor Shopping Cart Design

Your shopping cart is an incredibly important part of your ecommerce website. It needs to allow users to add multiple products, to revise the quantities or other options about those products, and it needs to remain transparent at the same time. Not exactly the easiest thing to do, right?

What To Do About It

Make sure your cart lets a user add an item and then return to the last page they were on. Even better: allow them to add an item to their cart without ever leaving the page they’re on (by using a mini cart). Let your customers edit the quantities of items in their cart or remove an item from their cart. And let them preview what shipping charges will be before they start the checkout process.

Examples

10. Lack of Payment Options

There are plenty of sites out there that only allow users to pay with Visa or MasterCard, or to only pay with a PayPal account. There’s no reason for this anymore. What about the person who has an AmEx and doesn’t have or want a PayPal account? What about the person who doesn’t have a credit card and wants to pay straight from their bank account? You need to provide as many payment solutions as is practical to optimize the number of orders you get.

What To Do About It

Use a payment service that lets customers pay with each major credit card, and preferably also with an electronic check. Adding a PayPal checkout option increases the choices your customers have, making them more likely to purchase from you. Considering different consumers have different preferences when it comes to making online payments, catering to as many as you can means you’ve expanded your customer base.

Examples

11. Not Including Related Products

You’ve probably noticed when you go to a brick and mortar store that they group similar products together, or otherwise make it easy for you to find products that are related to you. They’ll put a battery display in the electronics section, or include cell phone cases near the cell phones. The same can be done on your website, and can increase add-on sales for you business.

What To Do About It

Use an ecommerce platform that lets you include related products on product description pages. A platform that will let you manually choose related products can also give you a big advantage, since you may see relations that a software program doesn’t (such as coordinating clothing pieces to create an outfit).

Examples

12. Confusing Navigation

There’s nothing worse than trying to find a product on a site with confusing navigation. Or even worse, an online store that doesn’t use categories or otherwise separate their merchandise to make it easier to find a specific type of product. The same goes for sites that have categories with no products in them or with only one or two items. Why even bother with a category?

What To Do About It

Think through your categories and navigation elements carefully before you start putting products in your catalog. Make sure that every category has at least a few products in it, or else group smaller categories together (or include them in larger, similar categories). Make it easy for customers to look through different categories, get to their shopping cart, and otherwise move around your site.

Examples

13. Not Including Shipping Rates

There’s no good reason not to include accurate shipping rates on your site. I’ve abandoned purchases on numerous occasions because it said something like “We’ll email you with an accurate shipping quote for approval before processing your order.” When shopping online, I want to be able to complete my order all at one time, without having to wait around for an email to decide whether the shipping charges are too high. Include your rates on your site, no matter what.

What To Do About It

Most major shipping companies and the USPS offer shipping calculators on their website, and there are plugins or widgets available for most major shopping cart systems to figure shipping charges on your site. Use one. If you can’t use one for some reason, then use a flat shipping rate that’s high enough to cover whatever it is you need to ship. For particularly heavy or large items, you can always include a freight surcharge in the price (just be sure to indicate that’s where the additional cost is going).

Examples

14. Not Including Store Policies

Before a customer buys from you, they’ll likely want to know what your shipping policies, return policies, and other store rules are. And there’s no reason not to post this information in a FAQ or somewhere else on your site. Making your store policies clear upfront can save a lot of headaches later on from customers who are unhappy with an order they’ve placed.

What To Do About It

Use an FAQ or store policies section on your site to spell out exactly what your rules are for different kinds of customer interaction. It’s something that can save you tons of problems down the road.

Examples

15. Not Putting Focus on the Products

The goal of an ecommerce site is to sell products (or, at least, that’s what the goal should be). If your site puts more focus on bells and whistles or the design itself, it’s not achieving that primary goal. Make sure your site displays your products first, and everything else second.

What To Do About It

Think about how products are displayed in brick and mortar stores. While an in-store or window display may show a lot more than just the products for sale, they all contribute to showcasing the products in their most flattering light. Do the same with your website. Make sure that every design element present is doing something to showcase your products in their best possible light.

Examples

About the author

Cameron Chapman is a professional Web and graphic designer with over 6 years of experience. She also writes for a number of blogs, including her own, Cameron Chapman On Writing . She’s also the author of Internet Famous: A Practical Guide to Becoming an Online Celebrity.

How To Find Time For… Everything!

2009-09-23T20:13:00.000+05:30

How To Find Time For… Everything!:

Time management is one of the most important skills a freelance worker can learn. With a good time management system you can easily find the time to do the things that are important to you, whether in your professional or personal life.

Successful time management can be challenging, especially to those who are new to freelancing or being self-employed. When you have a boss telling you what to do and when to do it by, it’s much easier to prioritize and figure out what needs to be done and when. But when you’re not only dealing with client deadlines but also all of the day-to-day parts of running a business, on top of trying to maintain some sort of life outside of work, time management gets a whole lot trickier.

Below are sixteen tips to help you better manage your time and find the time to participate in the things that are important to you. Also included are some further resources to improve your time management.

1. Get Organized

Taking time away from your work to find things, whether on your computer or your physical desktop, can be one of the biggest time-wasters out there. This is one of those things that varies a lot by industry and personal preference, but you absolutely need to have a system in place to handle the information, files, and data that comes your way each day. This might include folders and tags on your computers, or file-folders, piles, and inboxes in your physical workspace.

Experiment with different organizational systems until you find one that really works for you. Personally, I have a folder called “work” on my desktop and within that I have folders for each client I work with on a regular basis. For one-off projects I’ll create a folder for that client while I’m working on the project, and then those folders will get moved into a “completed” folder once the project is over (and usually moved to my portable hard drive instead of remaining on my laptop’s hard drive). I have very little physical paperwork, so piles on my desk work just fine for me.

2. Separate Work Space from Everything-Else Space

You need to have a dedicated workspace. If you work in an office, this is easy enough to manage. But if you work from home, you’ll need to put a bit more effort in. Here are a few tips for creating a workspace if you don’t have space for a dedicated office:

Get a desk. Don’t try to work from your coffee table or dining room table. It’s inefficient and you’ll constantly find yourself having to pick things up just to bring them back out later. It’s better to have a space where you can leave your work things set up all the time.

Go into “work mode” when you’re in your workspace. This might mean wearing “work clothes” when you’re working. Or it might mean putting shoes on when you’re at your desk (this is one I do most of the time).

Steal unused space. Is there an unused room, corner of a room, or even closet somewhere in your home? Is it big enough for a desk? If it is, then you might have just found your dedicated office. If your space is part of a larger room, consider buying an office armoire to hide away your work stuff when you’re not using it. If it’s in a closet or other tiny space, a built-in desk and shelving might work best (otherwise you’re likely to waste space with a desk that’s smaller than the total space). Commandeer unused space in your home to carve out a dedicated work space.

3. Take Advantage of Time Management Tools

There are hundreds of tools out there for organizing and managing your time. Whether you opt for a physical date book or calendar or go for an online app, take advantage of the ready-made tools available. I use a combination of tools. Remember the Milk keeps my to-do list (with the Pro version you can also access it from an iPhone). I have a dry-erase calendar for my monthly schedule. And I flag emails that have important information in them until I’m done with that information.

Previously, I’ve used those yellow Post-It notes to keep my to-do list organized (I’d stick them to my desk in front of my keyboard) and a pocket-size black Moleskine notebook. Both tools worked well, but I finally decided I wanted to have a to-do list I could access from anywhere.

There are tons of other time management tools. Experiment with a few and see what seems to fit with the way you work. There’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution out there that will work for everyone. But there’s almost certainly a tool out there for everyone.

4. Set Goals

Setting goals is one of the most important things you can do to manage your time. If you don’t have any goals, how do you know what’s important? What deserves your time and attention? The short answer is: you don’t.

Goals don’t need to be formal. They don’t need to be long-term either (though long-term goals can also help). What they do need to do is focus your attention on what’s important.

One of my goals might be to get all of my work done by Thursday so I can take Friday off, or use Friday to work on a personal project. What that goal does is get me to focus on working more efficiently so I can finish my work in 80% of the time. Cutting 20% of my work time isn’t that big of a deal most weeks. Simply turning off TweetDeck while I work (or setting it to only pull updates every 30 or 60 minutes) can go a long way toward doing that. So can working through lunch or getting up a half hour earlier (or staying up a half hour later).

Your goals should be attainable and specific. You can set recurring goals (”I want to take every Friday off.”) or one-time goals (”I want to finish my new website design by next Tuesday.”) or any combination of the two. You might write them down somewhere or you can just keep them in your head. Just make sure you always have a goal. Your goal could even be as simple as, “finish this logo mockup before lunch.”

5. Set Deadlines

Deadlines are sort of like a built-in goal for a project. If you know something is due next Monday, then you’re more likely to structure your work on it to make sure it gets done by Monday. (If not, you definitely need this article more than most.)

If you don’t have deadlines imposed by clients or a boss, then you’ll need to have self-imposed deadlines. Think about when you want to finish something or when you’d like to move on to the next project. Put that date in your calendar or mark it on your to-do list as the deadline for your current project. For added accountability, tell someone else about your deadline. I’ll sometimes post self-imposed deadlines on Twitter or Facebook so my friends there can hound me about it if I miss a deadline. Peer pressure can go a long way toward getting you to work harder.

6. Plan Ahead

Keep some kind of big-picture plan. This might be monthly, bi-monthly, or yearly, depending on your industry and the particular types of projects you take on. As I mentioned before, I keep a dry-erase calendar with my monthly projects and deadlines. I can also mark down appointments, important dates, and other information that might interfere with my deadlines or regular work schedule. Most of my deadlines are on a weekly or semi-weekly basis, so a monthly calendar works great for me. If you have longer deadline periods (or shorter ones), you’ll need to adjust the amount of time you need to look at at once to get an idea of how much work you’ve committed yourself to at any one time.

7. Prioritize

You have to prioritize the work you do. For the most part, work due immediately (or within the next few days) should be completed first. Then comes the work due within the next week or two, and then everything else.

Don’t forget to include family priorities, too. Your child’s first soccer game is important, so make sure that gets on the list of top priorities. Doctor’s appointments, school plays, parent-teacher meetings, date nights, and parties also need to be taken into account when you’re planning your work schedule. Decide what things you absolutely must attend whether your work is finished or not (there shouldn’t be very many things on this list), what things you want to attend if you get to a certain point in your work (and note what you need to have done in order to attend), and things that you may or may not attend if all of your work is finished.

Set up a system of marking the priority of different items on your schedule. This might be using different-colored pens to write in different items, or it might be putting a star next to the most important things, or even keeping separate lists for each priority. Again, just make sure whatever you choose to do makes sense in your lifestyle.

8. Delegate or Outsource

There’s nothing wrong with bringing in a little outside help once in awhile. This might mean delegating responsibility for a project to someone else in your office, or even to an assistant. It might mean outsourcing a certain aspect of a project (research, coding, etc.) to someone else so you can focus on the more important parts.

You don’t necessarily need to outsource or delegate parts of your work to be more effective. Why not consider hiring a housekeeper to come in and clean your house once a week? Or getting someone else to wash and detail your car instead of spending Saturday afternoon doing it yourself? These kinds of outsourced services can free up your time for the important things you want to do (like hanging out with your significant other or your kids, or playing an extra round of golf).

9. Optimize Your Processes

There are almost certainly things you do on a daily or weekly basis in the course of your work that you could streamline. It might be your billing. Or maybe your archiving. Or it could be something you do on almost every project you take on.

These are the things you should streamline and optimize. Look at the way you’re currently doing things and see if there are steps you could combine or cut all together. If you’re a web designer, this might mean creating your own custom set of template files for developing sites. Or using an automated invoicing program for billing. Or any number of other things that can be made more efficient if you’re only willing to take the time to identify them.

10. Learn to Say “No”

One of the biggest time-management pitfalls you can experience is taking on too much work. You have to learn to say “no” to some people. If you take on more work than you can handle, not only will you have problems meeting deadlines, but the quality of your work and your relationships (both personal and work-related) will suffer.

Before taking on any new work, look at your schedule. Do you really have time for another project? If not, simply explain to the client that you have too many projects going to devote the time necessary for their project. Most will thank you for it. And if you really can’t bring yourself to turn down work, give them a realistic timeline for when you can complete their project. Don’t say you can have it done the following week if you already have commitments taking up your time between now and then.

The same principle goes for personal obligations, too. Nothing says you have to serve on your homeowners’ association board. You don’t have to join the PTA or your local indoor soccer league. And just because you’ve done something every year for the past ten years doesn’t mean you have to do it every year for the next ten. Learn to say no to your friends, family, neighbors, and others in your life so you have time to say “yes” to the things that are really important to you.

11. Learn When You Work Best

One of the advantages to being a freelancer is that you can set your own hours. Pay attention to when you’re mot productive. For me, that’s from about nine in the morning until around two or three, and then again from about six or seven in the evening until eleven or twelve. I don’t force myself to work in those hours when I know I’m not productive (from 2-7 most days). But I make sure that I’m in work mode in the morning and then again late in the evening so I can get more done when I am productive.

12. Set Regular Working Hours

This is related to when you work best. You should have regular working hours that you try to stick to every day. If you work best from 4:00AM until noon, then work every day during that time. That also means that you should stop work at noon and go do something else. The same goes fro weekends. Take at least two days a week off if at all possible. It doesn’t necessarily have to be Saturday and Sunday; you might choose to take Wednesday and Thursday off or Monday and Tuesday. Whatever works for you. Just make sure you have some down time when you’re not working. Otherwise you’re likely to end up burning out.

13. Don’t Waste Time

Look at the things that waste time during your day. Are you constantly checking Facebook or Twitter? Getting up to get a glass of water? Taking your dog for his sixth walk this afternoon? Whatever these things are, try to figure out ways to minimize their ability to interrupt you. Take the dog for a nice, long walk right after lunch. Only check Facebook or Twitter once an hour (or every two hours); keep them closed other than at their allotted times. Get a refillable water bottle so you only have to get up a couple times a day. Identify what you waste time doing and eliminate it.

14. Avoid Multitasking

Multitasking works in some circumstances. But when it comes to getting any substantial work done, multitasking usually does more harm than good. Work on one project at a time. This doesn’t mean you necessarily have to work on one project until it’s completely finished, but it does mean you shouldn’t skip back and forth between three projects every two minutes. Set yourself a minimum work time; it might be fifteen or twenty minutes or even an hour, and then work on just one project during that time.

The multitasking advice also applies to trying to work while you’re checking your email, playing solitaire, talking on the phone, and any other distractions that prevent you from dedicating your full attention to the task at hand.

15. Take Frequent Breaks

Burnout is a huge bar to productivity. When you get burned out you end up unable to focus or complete work as quickly as you might otherwise (if you can work at all). Taking regular breaks from your work helps prevent burnout. This might mean going for a walk in the middle of the day, taking a break to watch the news after lunch, doing your shopping in the midafternoon instead of in the evening, or even taking a week off a couple times each year for vacation.

These little breaks refresh us and keep us eager to work. Without them we grow tired and our concentration lags. I generally take a couple hours each afternoon and get out of my house. This might mean going to visit relatives, doing some shopping, going for a drive or a walk, a short hike, or swimming in the summer. I also take a few five or ten minute breaks throughout the day to recharge and rest my eyes (staring at a computer screen all day is very hazardous to your vision). And I take long weekends (3 or even 4 days off) on a regular basis to recharge.

16. Maintain

Maintenance is incredibly important to any time management system. But it’s not just your system you need to maintain. It’s all the parts of your life that you need to keep running smoothly in order to get your work done.

This means basic maintenance on your computer (backing up files, emptying your trash, cleaning out your inbox), basic maintenance on your office or workspace (dusting, emptying the trash, vacuuming, etc.) and basic household maintenance (washing dishes, doing laundry, home repairs, etc.).

Don’t overlook maintenance on yourself, either. Getting some exercise every day and eating right can go a long way toward making you more productive.

You might be asking yourself what this has to do with finding time to do things in your life. Well, here’s the thing: If you don’t maintain all the things in your life that need it, eventually something is going to fail. This might be something as simple as having to take time out on a work day to do laundry because you’re completely out of clean clothes, or it might be something more major like a preventable illness or injury. When unexpected disasters crop up, they wreak havoc on our productivity. You end up spending more time playing catch-up than you would have if you had just maintained things in the first place. And if you include regular maintenance in your schedule, they really don’t take up much time at all.

How and When to Wash Your Hands?

2009-08-22T11:13:00.000+05:30

Hand washing is a simple habit, something most people do without thinking. Yet hand washing, when done properly, is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. Infectious diseases that are commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact include the common cold, flu and several gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea. While most people will get over a cold, the flu can be much more serious. Some people with the flu, particularly older adults and people with chronic medical problems, can develop pneumonia.

How to wash your hands correctly?

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps when you want to take care of your hands and there's a right way to wash your hands. A splash of water and a drop or two of soap won't do the trick. Follow these simple steps to keep your hands clean:

Use warm water (not cold or hot).
Use whatever soap you like. Antibacterial soaps are popular but regular soap works fine. If you suspect that your hands have come into contact with someone with an infection, think about using an alcohol hand sanitizer.
Rub your hands together vigorously and scrub all surfaces: Lather up on both sides of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers, and around your nails. Continue rubbing your hands for 20 seconds.
Rinse well under warm running water and pat dry with a clean towel preferably paper towel.
In public restrooms, consider using a paper towel to flush the toilet and open the door because toilet and door handles harbor germs. Throw the towel away after you leave.

To prevent chapping or dry skin, use a mild soap with warm water, pat rather than rub hands dry, and apply a moisturizing lotion liberally afterwards.

What are alcohol rubs/gels/rinses?

Alcohol rubs/gels/rinses are excellent hand antiseptics, provided they contain more than 60% alcohol. They are widely used in the health care settings, or in situations where running water is not available. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

Apply enough antiseptic to make about the size of a quarter onto your hands, enough when you rub your hands together to cover all areas of your hands, including under your nails. Use a rubbing motion to evenly distribute the antiseptic product until your hands feel dry. Follow the steps below:

Remove hand and arm jewellery.
Ensure hands are visibly clean (if soiled, follow hand washing steps).
Apply between 1 to 2 full pumps of product, or squirt a loonie-sized amount, onto one palm.
Spread product over all surfaces of hand, concentrating on finger tips, between fingers, back of hands, and base of thumbs.
Rub hands until product is dry. This will take a minimum of 15 to 20 seconds if sufficient product is used.

When should you wash your hands?

Be sure to wash your hands:

Before preparing or eating food.
After going to the bathroom.
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom.
Before and after tending to someone who is sick.
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
After handling an animal or animal waste.
After handling garbage.
Before and after treating a cut or wound.

What are some mistakes you should avoid regarding hand washing?

Don't use a single damp cloth to wash a group of people's hands.
Don't use a standing basin of water to rinse hands.
Don't use a common hand towel. Always use disposable towels in day care or food preparation settings.
Don't use sponges or non-disposable cleaning cloths. Remember that germs thrive on moist surfaces.

Hand washing is an old and necessary ritual. Science and medicine have provided a clear understanding of what goes wrong when good hand washing routines are omitted. Now, more than ever, thorough and frequent hand washing is imperative for living a good and healthy life. Keep it that way!

2009-06-08T11:00:00.000+05:30

Fact of the Day: April Fools' Day

2009-04-02T10:00:00.000+05:30

Fact of the Day: April Fools' Day

There are several explanations for the origin of April Fools' Day, but here is the most plausible one. April 1st was once New Year's Day in France. In 1582, Pope Gregory declared the adoption of his Gregorian calendar to replace the Julian calendar and New Year's Day was officially changed to January 1st. It took awhile for everyone in France to hear the news of this major change and others obstinately refused to accept the new calendar, so a lot of people continued to celebrate New Year's Day on the first of April - earning them the name "April fools." The April fools were subjected to ridicule and practical jokes and the tradition was born. The butts of these pranks were first called poisson d'avril or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. A common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke. This evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continues on the first day of April.

Stress Management

2009-03-28T10:48:00.003+05:30

A lecturer was giving a lecture to his student on stress management. He raised a glass of water and asked the audience, “How heavy do you think this glass of water is?”

The students’ answers ranged from 20g to 500gm.

It does not matter on the absolute weight. It depends on how long you hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it is OK. If I hold it for an hour, I will have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you will have to call an ambulance.

It is the exact same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, we will not be able to carry on, the burden becoming increasingly heavier.

What you have to do is to put the glass down, rest for a while before holding it up again. We have to put down the burden periodically, so that we can be refreshed and are ! able to carry on.

So before you return home from work tonight, put the burden of work down. Don’t carry it back home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you are having now on your shoulders, let it down for a moment if you can. Pick it up again later when you have rested.

Nowadays most of the people made himself to stress by annoying about the office works, even in home. When left from the office, just left the office worries in the office itself and be refresh before entering into home.

Rest and relax. Life is short, enjoy it!! Cheers!!!!!

Withdraw cash from any ATM for free!

2009-03-27T08:35:00.001+05:30

No, it's not an April Fool's joke. Beginning April 1, you can withdraw cash from any ATM, irrespective of who you bank with, free of cost. Considering that, these days, every rupee counts, this is definitely something to cheer about.

The banks, however, will have the freedom to fix charges for withdrawal of cash from ATMs through credit cards and from ATMs abroad.

The guidelines on free ATM use, which were released by the Reserve Bank of India in March last year, were issued in pursuance of the approach paper on ATM charges brought out by RBI in December 2007. It also included abolishing the fee on cash withdrawal from ATMs from April 1, 2009.

During the intervening period, the banks have been allowed to charge a maximum ATM cash withdrawal fee of Rs 20, irrespective of the amount withdrawn.

'The charge of Rs 20... will be all inclusive and no other charges will be levied to the customers under any other head irrespective of the amount of withdrawal,' the apex bank said in a communication to all banks.

The truth about cash-back credit cards

2009-03-25T18:33:00.002+05:30

With increase in the competitiveness between different banks for credit card services, card companies offer a host of additional benefits such as rewards programmes, 'lifetime-free' services and cash-back offers increasingly nowadays to engage the brand awareness of the consumer consistently.

The hidden agenda behind each of these offerings is that the banks and financial institutions want the users to spend more. Spending is good as long as it is within predefined limits. This is within the user's control and must be exercised in order to reap the benefits of such offers and yet not become addicted to spending excessively.

Let's take a look at the features of one particular offering which has generated quite a following in recent times -- 'cash-back' offers, which are often promotional schemes for limited periods that are run periodically by all the credit card companies.

What are cash-back credit cards?

When accepting payment by credit cards, merchants typically pay a percentage of the transaction amount in commission to their bank or merchant services provider. Many credit card issuers share the commission with the cardholder by giving the card holder points, air miles or a monetary amount.

A cash-back offer is specifically for providing the card holder a small monetary amount as a reward for using the card.

Which transactions are included in cash-back offers?

Cash-back offers are valid on almost all kinds of expenditures or purchases done through the credit card. That is, besides spends on shopping and eating out, even balance transfers and bill payments are eligible.

How much money is returned through the cash-back offer?

Where a card issuer operates such a cash-back scheme, card holders typically receive between 0.5 per cent and 2 per cent of their net expenditure (purchases minus refunds) as an annual rebate, which is either credited to the credit card account or paid to the card holder separately, for example by cheque.

Cash-back percentage ranges around 2 per cent - 5 per cent for different cards and in some promotional schemes may even go up to 10 per cent exclusive to customers with a good credit profile.

What are the things to keep in mind while using cash-back cards?

There are some things that you should always keep in mind when you opt to avail such cash-back offers.

Where you are spending

The credit card cannot be used at any establishment that you choose. There will be a list of shops, stores, restaurants etc. that will fall into the category of cash-back transactions. If you spend at the establishments mentioned in this list you can avail cash-back, else you do not receive any reward.

The list of approved establishments is available on the credit card issuer's website or else can be asked for from the customer service department.

To ensure that you do receive cash-back, always ensure that you are spending at an establishment mentioned in the list of the bank's approved merchants.

Minimum cash spent

Normally, cash-back is offered only when the credit card holder spends a minimum amount on it. This could range anywhere between Rs. 1500 and Rs. 2500. So if you spend only Rs. 500 on the card, chances are very slim that you would be able to get any cash-back on that transaction.

Amount of cash-back

Normally, banks place a cap on the maximum amount of cash-back that it offers. It is important to check this because even if you have spent more doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to get a cash-back amount as per that transaction.

For example, if the bank's says that there would be a 10 per cent cash-back offer on all purchases, they would normally cap the maximum cash-back amount at Rs 1,000. So even if you spent Rs 40,000 and expected a cash-back of Rs 4,000, you are still going to get only Rs 1,000.

Other hidden requirements

Check for other requirements such as:

Whether the card falls under the offer category
Whether registration is required for earning cash-back
Should one apply for a new card meant only for cash-back
The period during which the offer is valid
Does the offer apply at outlets having point-of-sale terminals, or should the purchases be made only where the card-issuing bank has installed such terminals?
The products categories, which are eligible for the offer
Should cash-back be collected at bank branches, redeem them at the POS outlets, or will the amount get credited automatically in the card-holder's savings account

Using a cash-back card can be very good indeed, provided that you use the card smartly within its limitations.

As mentioned before, it is important to confirm the minimum amount to be spent to be eligible for cash-back and the maximum amount you can receive as cash-back, because if the delicate balance between the two is not struck correctly, you may be over-spending which can lead to interest charges.

These things can completely overshadow the benefits of a cash-back card.

Stupid Vs Silly

2009-03-24T20:45:00.000+05:30

What is the difference between stupid and silly?

In dictionary stupid means silly, Is both is same?

Thanks in Advance

The People's Car from TATA Motors

2009-03-24T14:40:00.001+05:30

We all know this fact that Tata Nano has become a big brand in car market across the world even before its launch. We can easily find millions of people eagerly waiting to buy this car. Tata is also expecting same initial booking for Tata Nano because this booking can provide financial boast to financially troubled Tata Motors.

Presently, Tata Nano will be available for booking through selective chain of Tata Nano Dealers (which are different from existing dealers of other Tata brands) who will start booking Tata Nano from first or second week of April. People can easily learn about all these Tata Nano dealers by visiting nearest Tata dealers in Markets because large numbers of these dealers have also got dealership licences for Tata Nano.

Second, Tata is also actively considering booking Tata Nano through the retail branches of State bank of India (SBI), as SBI has branches even in deep interiors of India and Tata Nano is likely to sell more in interiors. Within next two or three months, we can see launch of this service by SBI and Tata Motors. SBI is also providing loans for Tata Nano customers. Third option available with Tata Motors is to book Tata Nano online because of high demand of Tata Nano online.

In this regards, Tata has said in its blog that they are actively considering this option and people can find one such option by the end of this year. The major problem with Tata Motors is that they do not enough numbers of Tata Nano to sell because of non completion of their Tata Nano plant in Gujarat; therefore, Tata can only book limited numbers of Nanos. Despite this we can hope that Tata will soon come up with new ways of Tata Nano booking like online booking for the help of all Tata Nano lovers.

Latest updates- Tata has announced today that Tata Nano will also be available for online booking through Tatanao.com. People can find this option of online booking soon.
People will also be able to download form for buying Tata Nano through the
http://tatanano.inservices.tatamotors.com/tatamotors

People will also be able to book this car through Nano 1300 retail centres available across 850 cities.
Tata Nano booking forms will also be available at selective State Bank of India branches.

communication conflicts at your workplace

2009-03-18T21:34:00.000+05:30

To avoid communication conflicts at your workplace we advise:

• Listen First. Be calm and listen respectfully to what is being said.

• Acknowledge Opposing Communication. You can acknowledge in one of two ways: sincerity or empathy. But mean it when you do: "I can understand how you feel that way" is much better than "Oh, yeah?"

• Disagree, But Respectfully. State your reasons based on the facts.

• Keep Your Emotions in Check. Don't fly off the handle. Once you do, you've lost nearly all your influence. Apologizing later won't cut it.

• Never Get Personal. In business, it is best to keep personal intent out of the conversation unless it is specifically germane to the subject at hand.

• Know When to End the Conversation. It is best to have a plan--even for a short meeting--that clearly identifies your objectives. Stick to it and then end the conversation. Time's a wasting.

• Humor Helps. You don't have to be the heavy to be a leader.

Basics of a personal loan

2009-03-13T19:39:00.002+05:30

Personal loans are the one of the most widely chosen options, in case you are in a spot and need some urgent cash. However, personal loans are tricky and you need to know as much as possible about their basics before applying for one. Let's start with some common questions.

What is a personal loan?

Personal loan is credit that is granted to the borrower for personal use. These loans are usually unsecured (no security or collateral required/asked) and is based solely on the borrower's integrity and ability to pay.

Who is eligible for a personal loan?

The eligibility criteria and their specific details may differ from banks to bank based on their perception of the risks associated with given out personal loans. However, nearly all banks divide the potential borrowers into three categories:

Salaried individuals

Self employed individuals

Self employed professionals

Other factors which are taken into consideration are, age, residence, work experience, repayment capacity, past obligations and place of work.

What kinds of interest rates are offered on personal loans?

Personal loans are offered in:

Fixed rate

Floating rate

Flat rate

Of the three, flat rates turn out to be the most expensive since the other two are calculated on a reducing balance basis.

What is the average interest rate for personal loans?

The interest rate for a personal loan is decided on the basis of your credit repayment capability and history. Depending on this, interest rates could be anywhere between 14% and 25%, depending on the financial institution.

What documents are required for personal loans?

Personal loans require the least number of documents, making it the fastest to be approved. Typically, financial institutions would require proof of identity, residence, income and also 3 to 6 months of your bank statements. Some banks also require guarantors and the same set of their documents.

How is a personal loan repaid? Is prepayment of a loan possible?

Normally, personal loans are offered between 1 to 5 years. The loan is repaid with Equal Monthly Instalments (EMIs). Prepayment is possible but will generally carry a significant prepayment charge.

How is a personal loan different from credit card cash advances and loan against property?

These are some basics that you should know when obtaining a personal loan. These days, securing a loan is easy. Repayment is the tough bit. When you don't repay on time, the recovery agent may come knocking at your door.

When getting a personal loan it is important to ask yourself 'Will I be able to pay it off?' Some things which can help you pay back your personal loans are:

Pay off your credit cards: Try to pay off your credit cards as soon as possible, since credit card debts inadvertently hamper loan payments.

Budget your spending: Once you have taken a loan, ensure that you budget your spending, so that if in any unforeseen circumstance you cannot make a monthly payment, your savings will help you out.

Personal loans if not utilized and repaid properly, can become a curse in disguise. Make your decisions prudently to ensure a safe financial future.

Nice Story

2009-03-12T13:01:00.001+05:30

Story as narrated by a girl

I have a boyfriend who grew up with me. His name is Jin. I always thought of him as a friend until last year, when we went to a trip from a club.

I found that I fell in love with him. Before that trip was over, I took a step and confessed my love for him. And soon, we became a pair of lovers, but we loved each other in different ways. I always concentrated on him only, but by his side, there were so many other girls. To me, he was the only one, but to him, maybe I was just another girl.

Jin, do you want to go watch a movie? I asked.
Jin "I can't"
Why? You need to study at home? I felt disappointment grabbing me.
No I am going to meet a friend
He was always like that.

He met girls in front of me, like it was nothing. To him, I was just a girlfriend. The word "love" only came out from my mouth. Since I knew him, I had never heard him say " I love you" before.

To us, there weren't any anniversaries at all.

He didn't say anything from the first day and it continued till 100 days,200 days. Everyday, before we say goodbye, he would just hand me a doll, everyday, without fail. I don't know why.

Then one day... Me Um, Jin, I...
Jin What? don't drag, just say..
Me I love you.
Jin you...um, just take this doll and go home.

That was how he ignored my three words and handed me the doll.
Then he disappeared, like he was running away.
The dolls I received from him everyday, filled my room, one by one. There were many...

Then one day came, my 15th year old birthday. When I got up in the morning, I pictured a party with him, and stranded myself in my room, waiting for his call.

But ...lunch passed, dinner passed...and soon the sky was dark he still didn't call.

It was already tiring to look at the phone anymore.
Then around 2am in the morning, he suddenly called me and woke me from my sleep. He told me to come out of the house. Still, I felt joy and I ran out happily.

Me Jin...
Jin Here...take this...
Again, he handed me a little doll.
Me What's this?

Jin I didn't give it to you yesterday, so I am giving it to you now. I'm going home now, bye.
Me Wait, wait! Do you know what today is?

Jin Today? Huh?
I felt so sad, I thought he would remember my birthday. He turned around and walked away like nothing had happen. when I shouted..."Wait..."
Jin You have something to say?

Me Tell me, tell me you love me...
Jin What?!

Me Tell me
I put my pathetic self behind and clung on to him. But he just said simple cold words and left.

"I don't want to say that I love someone so easily, if you are desperate to hear it, then find someone else." That was what he said. Then he ran off.

My legs felt numb...and I collapsed to the ground. He didn't want to say it easily...How could he!.
I felt that... Maybe he is not the right guy for me...

After that day, I stranded myself at home crying, just crying. He didn't call me, although I was waiting. He just continued handing me a little doll every morning outside my house.

That's how those dolls piled up in my room... everyday

After a month, I got myself together and went to school. But what made the pain resurface was that... I saw him on a street...with another girl...

He had a smile on his face, one that he never showed me...as he touched the doll... I ran straight back home and looked at the dolls in my room, and tears fell... Why did he gave these to me??

Those dolls are probably picked out by some other girls. In a fit of anger, I threw the dolls around.
Then suddenly, the phone rang. It was him. He told me to come out to the bus stop outside my house.
I tried to calm myself down and walked to the bus stop. I kept reminding myself that I am going to forget him, that it's going to end.

Then he came into my sight, holding a big doll.

Jin Jo, I thought you were pissed, you really came?

I couldn't help hating him, acting like nothing had happen and joking around. Soon, he held out the doll as usual
Me I don't need it.

Jin What?. why?

I grabbed the doll from his hands and threw it on the road.

Me I don't need this doll, I don't need it anymore!! I don't want to see a person like you again!
I spitted out all the words that were inside me. But unlike other days, his eyes very shaking.

"I'm sorry..." He apologized in a tiny voice. He then walked over to the road to pick up the doll...
Me You stupid! Why are you picking up the doll?! Just throw it away!!!

But he ignored me and just went to pick the doll.
Then...
Honk Honk

With a loud honk, a big truck was heading towards him.
"Jin! Move! Move away!" I shouted....
But he didn't hear me, he squatted down and picked up the doll.
"Jin, move!"
HONK!!
*Boom!* That sound, so terrifying.

That's how he went away from me.

That's how he went away without even opening his eyes to say one word to me. After that day, I had to go through everyday with guiltiness and the sadness of losing him.

And after spending two months like a crazy person

I took out the dolls. Those were the only gifts he left me since the day we started going out. I remembered the days I spent with him and started to count the days- when we were in love..

"One...two... three..."

That was how I started to count the dolls..."Four hundred and eighty four... four hundred and eighty five..."
It all ended with 485 dolls. I then started to cry again, with a doll in my arms.

I hugged it tightly, then suddenly...

" I love you, I love you"
I dropped the dolls, shocked.

"I...lo..ve..you??"
I picked up the dolls and pressed its stomach."" I love you " I love you""
It can't be!

I pressed all the dolls' stomach as it piled on the side.

" I love you" " I love you" " I love you"

Those words came out non-stop. " I love you"

Why didn't I realize that???.

That his heart was always by my side, protecting me.

Why didn't I realize that he love me this much...
I took out the doll under the bed and pressed it's stomach, that was the last doll, the one that fell on the road. It had his blood stain on it.
The voice came out, the on that I was missing so much....

"Jo...Do you know what today is? We've been loving each other for 486 days. Do you know what 486 is?

I couldn't say I love you..... Um... since I was too shy. If you forgive me and take this doll, I will say that I love you.. Everyday...till I die.. Jo... I love you!"

The tears came flowing out of me. Why? Why? I asked god, why do I only know about all this now?
He can't be by my side, but he loved me until his last minute.

For that.. and for that reason... to me..... it became courage... to live a beautiful life...

It's better to lose your pride with someone you love rather .........

10+ lesser-known shortcuts for formatting Word text

2009-03-12T12:51:00.001+05:30

Your users probably have a few favorite keyboard shortcuts for formatting text--such as Ctrl + B for applying boldface, Ctrl + I for applying italics, Ctrl + U for underlining, and maybe Ctrl + L to left-align text.
But Word provides buttons for those tasks on the Formatting toolbar, so any efficiency gains are kind of a toss-up.
The real convenience lies in knowing some more obscure keyboard shortcuts--ones that have no default button equivalents and that can save users from having to scrounge around dialog boxes looking for the appropriate options. Here are some shortcuts that are especially good for users to have under their belt.

The shortcuts

Keystroke Function
Ctrl + Shift + D Double underline the selected text
Ctrl + ] Increase the size of selected text by 1 point
Ctrl + [ Decrease the size of selected text by 1 point
Ctrl + Shift + A Make selected text all caps
Ctrl + = Toggle subscripting for selected text
Ctrl + + Toggle superscripting for selected text
Ctrl + Shift + Q Apply Symbol font to selected text
Ctrl + Shift + N Apply Normal style to current paragraph
Ctrl + Alt + 1 Apply Heading 1 style to current paragraph
Ctrl + Alt + 2 Apply Heading 2 style to current paragraph
Ctrl + Alt + 3 Apply Heading 3 style to current paragraph
Ctrl + Shift + L Apply List Bullet style
Ctrl + 0 (zero) Apply or remove space above current paragraph

This Too Shall Pass

2009-03-10T19:23:00.000+05:30

This Too Shall Pass

Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, ” Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstances, in every place and in every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?”

All the wise men were puzzled by the King’s question. They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealled to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.

Some time later, the neighbors attacked the Kingdom. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The King had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him. getting closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished…and he could not return because it was a small road…the sound of enemy’s horses was approaching fast. The King became restless. There seemed to be no way.

Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was - ” THIS TOO SHALL PASS”

The King read it . Again read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes ! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all his pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom.

The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were near him.

The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in afestive mood. Flowers were being showered on King from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said to himself,” I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego emerging in him.

Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He open it and read it again: “THIS TOO SHALL PASS”.

He became silent. His face went through a total change -from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness. If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by. We are witnesses of all this. We are the perceivers. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes.

Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent ? They all come and pass away.

Life just passes away. There is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing changes except the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.

You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment - this too shall pass!

Ten Web Browsers that You May Have Never Heard of

2009-03-10T15:48:00.001+05:30

The browser wars is starting to heat up again due to some exciting developments in the industry. Last year, Google joined the browser wars with its Google Chrome. Firefox continues to grow and improve. And lately, Apple’s Safari browser for the Mac just released a new version. But wait, these are not just the web browsers available for us to use. There are tons of web browsers actually, each with their own set of features. Here are ten of these other browsers which you may have not heard of before.

Avant Browser - A free web browser with user-friendly interface and multi-tab browsing. Among its key features are online profile storage, autofills, flash animation filters, built-in ad/Pop-up blocker, multi-window browsing, real full-screen mode, built-in search engine, full IE compatibility, and more.

iRider - An elegant multi-page web browser that allows you to browse the web faster with multi-page browsing capability. Specifically iRider lets you fly around a visual map of all the pages and site you’re working with, surf ahead while pages are downloading, select multiple links or favorites and click only once to open all of them, and other useful functionality.

Maxthon - a powerful tabbed browser with rich set of features that provides improved web surfing experience. This web browser’s key features include tabbed browsing, mouse gestures, smart browsing acceleration, magic fill, URL aliasing, anti-freeze, super drag&drop, and more.

Flock - A web browser built from Mozilla Firefox. Having most of Firefox’s useful features, Flock decide to specialize on the social aspect of web browsing. Hence, it’s the most appropriate web browser for bloggers and social networking addicts.

Konqueror - an Open Source web browser that complies with HTML 4.01, supports Java applets, JavaScript, CSS 1, CSS 2.1, and Netscape plugins such as Flash or RealVideo. It can also be used as a universal file viewer and manager.

Lunascape - The world’s first triple engine browser that supports IE for the Trident Platform, Firefox for Gecko and Chrome for WebKit. Among its key features include crash protection functionality, mouse gestures, tab browsing, RSS News and blog info, full customization with skins and more.

Runecats Explorer Zeox - A tabbed web browser with the following features; text size changer, mini-web, search drawer and more.

NeoPlanet - A lightweight web browser that lets you control your Internet experience by customizing content channels, select your interests through the Preference Center, powerful e-mail, download manager and quick search features. NeoPlanet is also highly customizable with skins.

Ultrabrowser - Offers a fully customized web browsing solution. It boasts of dual toolbar settings, multiple themes-skin support, integrated pop-up blocker, built-in Google search, multi-search functionality, password-protected web-based bookmark manager, and more.

Shiira - An alternative web browser for Mac users. Based on a Japanese browser, Shiira’s main features include private browsing, built-in search engine, tabbed browsing, customizable drawer that contains bookmarks, RSS reader, and supports PDF viewing.

Nominees & Winners for the 81st Academy Awards

2009-02-23T16:51:00.001+05:30

Performance by an actor in a leading role

Richard Jenkins in “The Visitor” (Overture Films)
Frank Langella in “Frost/Nixon” (Universal)
Sean Penn in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Brad Pitt in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Mickey Rourke in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

Josh Brolin in “Milk” (Focus Features)
Robert Downey Jr. in “Tropic Thunder” (DreamWorks, Distributed by DreamWorks/Paramount)
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Heath Ledger in “The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.)
Michael Shannon in “Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage)

Performance by an actress in a leading role

Anne Hathaway in “Rachel Getting Married” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Angelina Jolie in “Changeling” (Universal)
Melissa Leo in “Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Meryl Streep in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Kate Winslet in “The Reader” (The Weinstein Company)

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

Amy Adams in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Penélope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (The Weinstein Company)
Viola Davis in “Doubt” (Miramax)
Taraji P. Henson in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.)
Marisa Tomei in “The Wrestler” (Fox Searchlight)

Best animated feature film of the year

“Bolt” (Walt Disney), Chris Williams and Byron Howard
“Kung Fu Panda” (DreamWorks Animation, Distributed by Paramount), John Stevenson and Mark Osborne
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Andrew Stanton

Achievement in art direction

“Changeling” (Universal), Art Direction: James J. Murakami, Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Donald Graham Burt, Set Decoration: Victor J. Zolfo
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Art Direction: Nathan Crowley, Set Decoration: Peter Lando
“The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Art Direction: Michael Carlin, Set Decoration: Rebecca Alleway
“Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Art Direction: Kristi Zea, Set Decoration: Debra Schutt

Achievement in cinematography

“Changeling” (Universal), Tom Stern
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Claudio Miranda
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Wally Pfister
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Chris Menges and Roger Deakins
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Anthony Dod Mantle

Achievement in costume design

“Australia” (20th Century Fox), Catherine Martin
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Jacqueline West
“The Duchess” (Paramount Vantage, Pathé and BBC Films), Michael O’Connor
“Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Glicker
“Revolutionary Road” (DreamWorks, Distributed by Paramount Vantage), Albert Wolsky

Achievement in directing

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Fincher
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Ron Howard
“Milk” (Focus Features), Gus Van Sant
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Stephen Daldry
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Danny Boyle

Best documentary feature

“The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)” (Cinema Guild), A Pandinlao Films Production, Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath
“Encounters at the End of the World” (THINKFilm and Image Entertainment), A Creative Differences Production, Werner Herzog and Henry Kaiser
“The Garden” A Black Valley Films Production, Scott Hamilton Kennedy
“Man on Wire” (Magnolia Pictures), A Wall to Wall in association with Red Box Films Production, James Marsh and Simon Chinn
“Trouble the Water” (Zeitgeist Films), An Elsewhere Films Production, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal

Best documentary short subject

“The Conscience of Nhem En” A Farallon Films Production, Steven Okazaki
“The Final Inch” Vermilion Films in association with Google.org, Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant
“Smile Pinki” A Principe Production, Megan Mylan
“The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306” A Rock Paper Scissors Production, Adam Pertofsky and Margaret Hyde

Achievement in film editing

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Kirk Baxter and Angus Wall
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lee Smith
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Mike Hill and Dan Hanley
“Milk” (Focus Features), Elliot Graham
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Chris Dickens

Best foreign language film of the year

“The Baader Meinhof Complex” A Constantin Film Production, Germany
“The Class” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Haut et Court Production, France
“Departures” (Regent Releasing), A Departures Film Partners Production, Japan
“Revanche” (Janus Films), A Prisma Film/Fernseh Production, Austria
“Waltz with Bashir” (Sony Pictures Classics), A Bridgit Folman Film Gang Production, Israel

Achievement in makeup

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Greg Cannom
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), John Caglione, Jr. and Conor O’Sullivan
“Hellboy II: The Golden Army” (Universal), Mike Elizalde and Thom Floutz

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Alexandre Desplat
“Defiance” (Paramount Vantage), James Newton Howard
“Milk” (Focus Features), Danny Elfman
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A.R. Rahman
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Thomas Newman

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

“Down to Earth” from “WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
“Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
“O Saya” from “Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam

Best motion picture of the year

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), A Kennedy/Marshall Production, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall and Ceán Chaffin, Producers
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), A Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment and Working Title Production, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Eric Fellner, Producers
“Milk” (Focus Features), A Groundswell and Jinks/Cohen Company Production, Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen, Producers
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), A Mirage Enterprises and Neunte Babelsberg Film GmbH Production, Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Donna Gigliotti and Redmond Morris, Producers
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), A Celador Films Production, Christian Colson, Producer

Best animated short film

“La Maison en Petits Cubes” A Robot Communications Production, Kunio Kato
“Lavatory - Lovestory” A Melnitsa Animation Studio and CTB Film Company Production, Konstantin Bronzit
“Oktapodi” (Talantis Films), A Gobelins, L’école de l’image Production, Emud Mokhberi and Thierry Marchand
“Presto” (Walt Disney), A Pixar Animation Studios Production, Doug Sweetland
“This Way Up” A Nexus Production, Alan Smith and Adam Foulkes

Best live action short film

“Auf der Strecke (On the Line)” (Hamburg Shortfilmagency), An Academy of Media Arts Cologne Production, Reto Caffi
“Manon on the Asphalt” (La Luna Productions), A La Luna Production, Elizabeth Marre and Olivier Pont
“New Boy” (Network Ireland Television), A Zanzibar Films Production, Steph Green and Tamara Anghie
“The Pig” An M & M Production, Tivi Magnusson and Dorte Høgh
“Spielzeugland (Toyland)” A Mephisto Film Production, Jochen Alexander Freydank

Achievement in sound editing

“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Richard King
“Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), Frank Eulner and Christopher Boyes
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Glenn Freemantle and Tom Sayers
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Ben Burtt and Matthew Wood
“Wanted” (Universal), Wylie Stateman

Achievement in sound mixing

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce and Mark Weingarten
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo and Ed Novick
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke and Resul Pookutty
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Tom Myers, Michael Semanick and Ben Burtt
“Wanted” (Universal), Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño and Petr Forejt

Achievement in visual effects

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton and Craig Barron
“The Dark Knight” (Warner Bros.), Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber and Paul Franklin
“Iron Man” (Paramount and Marvel Entertainment), John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick and Shane Mahan

Adapted screenplay

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” (Paramount and Warner Bros.), Screenplay by Eric Roth, Screen story by Eric Roth and Robin Swicord
“Doubt” (Miramax), Written by John Patrick Shanley
“Frost/Nixon” (Universal), Screenplay by Peter Morgan
“The Reader” (The Weinstein Company), Screenplay by David Hare
“Slumdog Millionaire” (Fox Searchlight), Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy

Original screenplay

“Frozen River” (Sony Pictures Classics), Written by Courtney Hunt
“Happy-Go-Lucky” (Miramax), Written by Mike Leigh
“In Bruges” (Focus Features), Written by Martin McDonagh
“Milk” (Focus Features), Written by Dustin Lance Black
“WALL-E” (Walt Disney), Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Original story by Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter

6 Foreign Expressions You Should Know

2009-02-17T07:55:00.000+05:30

Whether you like it or not, foreign expressions represent an integral part of the English language (and of many other languages, too). Knowing the meaning and usage of the most used ones is very important. First of all because it will enable you to understand pieces of text that include them. Secondly, because you might also need to use those expressions on particular situations (avoid using them just to sound smart though). Below you will find 6 foreign expressions commonly used in English, enjoy!

1. De Facto

De facto is a Latin expression that means “actual” (if used as an adjective) or “in practice” (if used as an adverb). In legal terms, de facto is commonly used in contrast to de jure, which means “by law.” Something, therefore, can emerge either de facto (by practice) or de jure (by law).

And what of the plastic red bench, which has served as his de facto home for the last 15 years and must by now be a collector’s item? (NY Times)

2. Vis-à-Vis

The literal meaning of this French expression is “face to face” (used as an adverb). It is used more widely as a preposition though, meaning “compared with” or “in relation to.”

It’s going to be a huge catalyst in moving the whole process forward and it really strengthens the U.S. position vis-a-vis our trading partners (Yahoo! News)

3. Status quo

This famous Latin expression means “the current or existing state of affairs.” If something changes the status quo, it is changing the way things presently are.

Bush believes that the status quo — the presence in a sovereign country of a militant group with missiles capable of hitting a U.S. ally — is unacceptable. (Washington Post)

4. Cul-de-sac

This expression was originated in England by French-speaking aristocrats. Literally it means “bottom of a sack,” but generally it refers to a dead-end street. Cul-de-sac can also be used metaphorically to express an action that leads to nowhere or an impasse.

But the code of omerta was in effect for two carloads of fans circling the cul-de-sac to have a look at the house. (Reuters.com)

A cul-de-sac of poverty (The Economist)

5. Per se

Per se is a Latin expression that means “by itself” or “intrinsically.”

The mistake it made with the Xbox is that there is no game console market per se; there are PlayStation, GameCube, and Xbox markets. (PCMag.com)

6. Ad hoc

Ad hoc, borrowed from the Latin, can be used both as an adjective, where it means “formed or created with a specific purpose,” and as an adverb, where it means “for the specific purpose or situation.”

The World Bank’s board on Friday ordered an ad hoc group to discuss the fate of President Paul Wolfowitz (CNN)

Add Your Current Location to Gmail Signatures Automatically

2009-02-11T17:10:00.003+05:30

Gmail users who travel frequently will simply love this. You can now instruct Gmail to automatically add your current geographic location to all your outgoing email messages so that recipients get to know where you are at the moment.
Gmail takes the IP address of the computer from where you are sending that email and uses it to determine the city / state / country from where you are writing that email.

How to Add Location in Gmail email Signatures

Step 1: Enable the Location in Signature module from the Lab Settings of your Gmail / Google Apps of Gmail.

Step 2: Open the Setting tab of Gmail and select the check box that says "Append your location to the signature".

That’s it. Here how the signature would look like on the recipients computer. So instead of saying "Sent from iPhone" or "Sent from BlackBerry", your email signatures could now says "Sent from New Delhi using iPhone" or something similar.
City detection based on IP addresses may not be 100% accurate but you can always modify the detected value before sending the email.

Google Latitude

2009-02-09T08:13:00.001+05:30

The latest mobile application that comes from the Google arsenal is called Google Latitude.

And what does it do?

It tells your friends and family where you are and vice versa. Yes, I know, I know, the privacy issues. As of now there have been mixed responses from around the web. But we’ll get to that later.

So what features does Latitude boast of?

The whereabouts can be tracked on a Google map using it’s My Location feature, either from a handset or from a personal computer. Besides the friend’s locations in Latitude you can also get in touch via SMS, Google Talk, Gmail, or by updating your status message.

Google tries to make all the info optional, which means that you get to choose who gets to view you, and if you do choose to let them keep a track over your position, you can also control what you wish to show them. So the next time you ditch your girlfriend for a cricket match, you can prove to her that you were in the hospital taking care of your cousin using this “fake” feature.

I know what you did last summer..

For all those who like the service, there are many many more who just don’t see it’s point. This group obviously feels that their privacy will be in danger. Imagine, if every moment of your existence, someone knew where you were, what you were doing. More over, the information is stored on Google servers. Now imagine if Google decides to mess with people, its not like they don’t have enough information about you already. Now they will know where you are with pinpoint accuracy (if you’re using a GPS enabled phone) or reasonable accuracy if you don’t have GPS.

Google also released a video explaining the privacy features of Latitude and how to use it best.

And what about the costs?

“The only cost that the consumer will have to pay is the data packet charges that are levied by the mobile operators. This has no revenue advantage for us since this it is not linked to sponsored advertising, we just want to promote the use of maps on phones,” said Vinay Goel, product chief, Google India.

But then again, it makes one wonder, how could such a service be leveraged in the future?

Competitors?

Loopt which claims to “transform your phone into a social compass” is quite similar to Google Latitude supports upto 100 phones including the Iphone (unlike Google Latitude). There’s also Pelago’s Whrrl which “allows you to discover the world through the eyes of your friends and other people you trust.”

More info

For the list of countries and languages which support Google Latitude, check here and yes, India is one of them. Strangely the Iphone comes in the coming soon category, this will surely bring a frown to the face of many. Why? Well according to Wired Magazine since Latitude is an always-on service (meaning it will be silently operating in the background), it runs afoul of Apple’s iPhone SDK. Google is reportedly working on a version of Latitude for the company’s Google Mobile App for the iPhone.

Google has posted a video showing the various ways to control your privacy and suggesting some tips on how to use Latitude. The video can be found here

To share your location from your desktop computer visit google.com/latitude and install the Latitude iGoogle gadget.

How to Clean Your Internet History in Firefox

2009-02-06T08:55:00.000+05:30

Consider this - you are sharing a computer at home, there aren’t any separate user logins and all family members use the same Firefox browser to surf the web. How do you make sure that people don’t get to know about the websites you visited last night?

In other words, how can you selectively clear such tracks from the Firefox browser without deleting the entire web browsing history?

Forget about this Site

This option is recommended if you want to erase only a couple of websites from your browser’s history.

Press Ctrl+H to access your web history in the Firefox sidebar, type some characters in the search box to find the website(s) that you want to remove, right click and select the "Forget About This Site" option as shown in the screenshot.

This option lets you delete either entire domains (like google.com) or even sub-domains (like images.google.com) from your browser history.

*If you like to selectively delete only a couple of web pages from the history (and not the entire website), just right click the web page title in the History box and select Delete This Page or hit the Del key on your keyboard.

Clear History from the Last Hour

Your family members have gone shopping and you therefore spent the last two hours browsing the 18+ web. Fine but how you do make sure that all the tracks are erased before the door bell rings.

Simple. Press Ctrl+Shift+Del in Firefox to open the "Clear Recent History" dialog and select "the last two hours" or "my history for today" option. This will delete only your recent Internet history while leaving the old data untouched so your wife will still quickly access all her previously visited sites from the address bar.

Browse Privately in Firefox

Now in situations where you don’t want to take the risk of deleting history, activate the private browsing mode in Firefox by typing about:privatebrowsing in the address bar (or choose Private Browser from the Tools menu).

This is the safest option because none of your web activities will be recorded anywhere. The private mode is turned off automatically as soon you close the browser window.

Multiple Inboxes in GMAIL

2009-02-06T08:39:00.000+05:30

An image is worth a thousand words, so here's what my inbox looks like:

In addition to a quick view of important labels, we also like to keep all my starred and draft messages in separate panels.

After you turn on Multiple Inboxes from the Labs tab under Settings, you can configure what you want to see, as well as set the number of messages displayed and the positioning of your panels from the Multiple Inboxes section under Settings.

How it Changed!!!

2009-02-05T12:43:00.001+05:30

Here I am sitting in my office @ night… Thinking hard about life How it changed from a maverick collage life to strict professional life…...

How tiny pocket money changed to huge monthly paychecks but then why it gives lesss happiness….

How a few local denim jeans changed to new branded wardrobe but then why there are less people to use them

How a single plate of samosa changed to a full Pizza or burger But then why there is less hunger…..

Here i am sitting in my office @ night… Thinking hard about life How it changed…..

How a bike always in reserve changed to bike always on but then why there are less places to go on……

How a small coffee shop changed to cafe coffee day but then why its feels like shop is far away…..

How a limited prepaid card changed to postpaid package but then why there are less calls & more messages……

Here i am sitting in my office @ night… Thinking hard about life How it changed…..

How a general class journey changed to Flight journey But then why there are less vacations for enjoyment….

How a old assembled desktop changed to new branded laptop but then why there is less time to put it on……….

How a small bunch of friends changed to office mate But then why we always feel lonely n miss those college frnz.….

Here i am sitting in my office @ night… Thinking hard about life How it changed….. How it changed……..

India Internet Bus Project launches

2009-02-03T21:53:00.000+05:30

For the last few years, Google India has worked to increase Internet usage in our country of a billion people via various products such as SMS Search , Voice Search, and Google Map Maker, translating our interfaces into Indian languages. We've also worked on numerous initiatives to increase the quality of search with useful local information like business listings, railways and flight status, and cricket scores. We've been witnessing a steady growth in Internet adoption, but as impatient observers, we wanted to do more to directly engage the offline population of India.

In that vein, earlier today, we announced the launch of the Internet Bus Project – a mobile bus designed to showcase the benefits of the Internet to the people across the cities of Tamil Nadu. We're aiming to reach out to people with limited exposure to the Internet, and the bus will cover numerous Tamil Nadu cities over the next month and a half.

The bus is designed to make a simple introduction to the Internet for a new user. With a focus on the four themes of education, information, communication, and entertainment, the Internet Bus will be loaded with useful and informative content in English and Tamil. We'll showcase how the Internet can make everyday life simple through services like search, email, social networking, maps and others.

We strongly believe the Internet is a great equalizing force, and this project represents another way Google is directly engaging with people in India.

We welcome you to visit the Internet Bus Project website at http://www.google.co.in/internetbus to see when the bus will visit your city, get regular updates, and view photos and videos as we travel around Tamil Nadu.

How to Say ‘No to All’ During File Copy Operations in Windows

2009-02-02T22:14:00.001+05:30

While copying or moving a large number of files from one location to another folder in Windows, you may often encounter errors or warning messages saying the file(s) you are trying to copy already exists in the target location.

Windows No to All - Keyboard Shortcut

If you are using a previous version of Windows (like XP or Windows 2000 but not Vista), the default error window will offer four choices - "Yes", "No", "Yes to All" and "Cancel".

There’s no "No to All" button in the File Replacement dialog but you can simply hold down the Shift Key before pressing the No button and Windows will automatically interpret this action as a "No to All" command.

This will be so useful when you are copying a large number of files and folders but don’t want to overwrite content that already exists at the target.

In case of Windows Vista, Microsoft designed a more intuitive warning message with a check box that lets you repeat the same operation on all upcoming conflicts

Attitude

2009-01-27T17:30:00.001+05:30

A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and ask him for a Phone Call.

Shop-owner replied Sweety this is no a STD, but you can do one call.

The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation:

The boy asked, "Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?

The woman replied, "I already have someone to cut my lawn."

"Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now." replied boy.

The woman responded that she was very satisfied with the person who was presently cutting her lawn.

The little boy found more perseverance and offered, "Lady, I'll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of North-Palm beach, Florida."

Again the woman answered in the negative.

With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver.

The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy and said," Son... I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job."

The little boy replied, "No thanks, I was just checking my performance with the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady, I was talking to!"

Visualise Your Goals

2009-01-20T14:12:00.001+05:30

The Catalina Island is twenty-one miles away from the coast of California, and many people have taken the challenge to swim across it.

On July 4th 1952, Florence Chadwick stepped into the water off Catalina Island to swim across to the California coast. She started well and on course, but later fatigue set in, and the weather became cold.

She persisted, but fifteen hours later, numb and cold, she asked to be taken out of the water.

After she recovered, she was told that she had been pulled out only half a mile away from the coast. She commented that she could have made it, if the fog had not affected her vision and she would have just seen the land.

She promised that this would be the only time that she would ever quit.

She went back to her rigorous training. And two months later she swam that same channel. The same thing happened. The fatigue set in, and the fog obscured her view, but this time she swam with faith and vision of the land in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind the fog was land.

She succeeded and became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. She even broke the men's record by two hours.

PRINCIPLE OF SUCCESS

When you set your goal, keep pressing on even when you are tired, physically and mentally, and even though there are many challenges ahead.

Keep the vision of your goal crystal clear before you and never, never, never… give up!

See the reaching, commit to it, and you will surely see your goal realized.

Why Exercise in Morning?

2009-01-17T23:12:00.000+05:30

It is true that one can exercise at any time of day as long as you're burning those extra calories. However, there are many added benefits to choosing morning time to any other. Even if you manage to fit in just 15 minutes of strenuous exercise, it will help you stay happy and healthy all day. Here are some reasons why exercising first thing after waking up is beneficial.

Benefits of Morning Exercise

*

When you exercise in the morning, you'll find that because of the increased intake of oxygen and circulation of blood in your body, you'll stay energized for the whole day. It will automatically put you in a healthy frame of mind. Whatever other things you may have on your schedule, you will notice that you will be eager and energetic to handle them.
*

Morning exercise is a great way of waking up your brain, thus helping you to be alert to plan out your daily, weekly, even monthly schedule. It will help you organize your thoughts and make mental lists of what the day holds for you.
*

Exercising in the morning can help reduce stress that has built up due to work, family and other life situations. One of the reasons this is true is because morning time is the quietest and most peaceful time of day - before the daily routine begins. It gives you alone time, time to think and work things out for yourself, without being disturbed.
*

Increase in morning activity levels (exercise) helps increase metabolic rate. This means that you end up burning calories throughout the day, no matter how often you may choose to eat. However, you still need to take care about what you put into your body. Exercising goes hand in hand with sensible eating.
*

Research has proven that people who exercise in the mornings tend to be the ones most consistent in their fitness regimes and diets. So if you choose morning time for your exercise program, then chances are that you'll stick to the plan for the long term. And that's a good thing!
*

Waking up at about the same time everyday and exercising daily at the same time conditions your endocrine system and circadian rhythm to "know" when to wake up and prepare your body for the rest of the day. The human body is a learning machine. You can train it to be on schedule with your exercise program.
*

By exercising in the morning, you make sure that you won't miss it out for the day. A lot of times other things can crowd out exercise - work, meetings, social events etc. Thus, exercise tends to get pushed to be the last priority at times.
*

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Most people eat a light breakfast before they exercise in the mornings. This is a double bonus. For one thing you actually get to eat breakfast which will keep you going the whole day. Secondly, you exercise and thus, energize yourself.

So there you have it. If you're not a morning exerciser, try switching over for a couple of weeks. In that time you will be able to tell whether mornings work for you or not. Keep those calories burning!

GOOGLE Searches Affect Environment

2009-01-15T09:03:00.000+05:30

The next time you do a Google search from your computer, please spare a little thought for the environment.

A new study has revealed that performing two Google searches from a desktop computer can generate about the same amount of carbon dioxide as boiling a kettle for a cup of tea, which adversely affects the environment. According to researchers, a typical search generates about 7g of CO2 while boiling a kettle generates about 15g.

“Google operates huge data centres around the world that consume a great deal of power. Google are very efficient but their primary concern is to make searches fast and that means they have a lot of extra capacity that burns energy.

“A Google search has a definite environmental impact,” lead researcher Alex Wissner-Gross of Harvard University was quoted by The Sunday Times as saying.

In fact, Google’s search engine generates high levels of CO2 because of the way it operates—when one types in a Google search for, say, “energy saving tips”, the request does not go to just one server but to several even miles apart. And, Google’s infrastructure sends data from whichever produces the answer fastest. Though the system helps minimize delays, it raises energy consumption. Google has servers in the US, Europe, Japan and China.

Wissner-Gross and colleagues have also calculated the CO2 emissions caused by individual use of the Internet. They have found that viewing a simple web page generates about 0.02 g of CO2 per second. And, this rises tenfold to about 0.2g of CO2 a second when viewing a website with complex images, animations or even videos, the study has found.

List of Indian Celebrity Blogs

2009-01-10T23:51:00.001+05:30

There are celebrity bloggers and then there are celebrity bloggers. The first kind are those who have gained name and fame via blogging and the other includes the ones who are famous and are now therefore reaching out to their fans via the medium of the weblog.

This post makes an attempt at listing the Indian celebrities (mostly Bollywood people) who have taken on to blogging.

There are a number of lists listing celeb blogs in India, but I didn't find any to be comprehensive enough, therefore spent many many hours looking for them and putting them together in one place (and also adding some frills).

The opinions expressed against each blog is at the time of posting and if the nature of the blog changes later, it might not hold true.

Indian Celebrity Blog Directory (in alphabetical order)

Aamir Khan
Who: Actor, director, producer [More]
Where: His own website
Feed: No
Worth following: Yes
Aamir keeps his blog regularly updated. Writes about a lot of things but many tend to revolve around his films. Good blog to follow if you want to know what The Perfectionist has to say. But the blog in itself is far away from being perfect. It even lacks many features that we non-celebrity bloggers expect as default in our blogs.
Abhay Deol
Who: Actor [More]
Where: Celebrity Angst blog at PassionForCinema
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
Abhay's blog at PassionForCinema has a single post related to his film Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye and nothing else.
Abhinav Bindra
Who: Shooter [More]
Where: Beijing and Beyond blog on Blogger
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Maybe
The Olympic gold medallist isn't no longer an active blogger. Though he hid post a number of posts in August 2008.
Ajay Devgan
Who: Actor, producer, director [More]
Where: His own website
Feed: No
Worth following: Maybe
Ajay Devgan makes very infrequent entries on his online diary and it is more of an one-sided affair as users cannot comment there.
Ajit Pal Mangat
Who: Director, producer, writer [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: Maybe
Ajit is the producer-director of Victory and this blog is related the movie.
Amitabh Bachchan
Who: Actor [More]
Where: Big Blog at Bigadda
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
The Big B is a prolific blogger and Bigadda.com has provided him with a comparatively decent platform to blog on. His and Aamir's blog are the two most discussed celebrity blogs in the country.
Amrita Rao
Who: Actress, model [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: No
She's good looking but doesn't write much. Only two little posts.
Anant Mahadeven
Who: Actor, director [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: Maybe
Anant hasn't been writing much recently. Maybe there'll be more updates when his next film would be lined for a release.
Anupam Kher
Who: Actor, director, producer [More]
Where: Blog at IntentBlog
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
This blog is long dead.
Anurag Kashyap
Who: Director, writer [More]
Where: My Diary blog at PassionForCinema
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
Anurag's thoughts are interesting to read even when he is spewing fire at his detractors.
Bipasha Basu
Who: Actress, model [More]
Where: On her own website and an old blog at RediffBlogs
Feed: No
Worth following: No
No diary entries since March 2008. Miss Basu doesn't seem to find this blog thing interesting enough. 15 posts in all. The RediffBlogs blog is practically defunct.
Celina Jaitley
Who: Actress, model [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: Maybe
Though she hasn't yet blogged much, Celina does love to quote other people in her posts.
Cyrus Broacha
Who: Television host [More]
Where: Blog at IBNLive
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
The funny man writes funny posts but the last one was dated February 26, 2007. That's ages ago.
Dev Benegal
Who: Director [More]
Where: His own blog - The Dev Benegal Weblog
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
The last post was ten months ago.
Dibakar Banerjee
Who: Director, writer [More]
Where: Oye Cinema! blog at PassionForCinema
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Maybe
He made a couple of nice movies and his blog too has only a couple of nice posts.
Dino Morea
Who: Actor, model [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Dino's blog seems to be as short-lived as his acting career.
Emraan Hashmi
Who: Actor [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Nothing there beyond May 2008. Maybe something would crop up when Raaz 2 releases.
Farhan Akhtar
Who: Director, writer, producer, singer, actor, television host [More]
Where: His TV show's website
Feed: No
Worth following: Yes
Farhan is a wonderful director and a so-so singer-actor-host. This blog is more about his show on NDTV Imagine, but he also does write about other things too. But there are only four posts, therefore can't say more.
Gul Panag
Who: Actress, model [More]
Where: On her own website
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Maybe
The lovely Gul isn't seen much besides the Tata Sky ad with Aamir Khan and even her blogging is erratic, but it seems to have picked up pace of late.
John Abraham
Who: Actor, model [More]
Where: On his own website
Feed: No
Worth following: Perhaps
The functionality of John's blog is a bit strange and moreover there isn't much in there too. Only a solitary post. But he might get on to writing soon.
Karan Johar
Who: Director, producer, TV host [More]
Where: His own website
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
When KJo writes, he writes a lot. But of late there isn't much happening on his blog.
Khalid Mohamed
Who: Journalist, writer, director [More]
Where: Cinema Ray at PassionforCinema
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
All that the acerbic film critic wrote on the blog was a couple of posts related to Satyajit Ray.
Kiran Bedi
Who: Ex-cop, social activist [More]
Where: Crane Bedi blog on Blogger
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
Nothing in there since November 2006.
Koena Mitra
Who: Actress, model [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Three posts, nothing worth the while.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth
Who: Former cricketer, cricket commentator [More]
Where: Blog at IBNLive
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
Last post is dated March 18, 2007.
Kunal Kohli
Who: Director [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: Maybe
Kunal tends to be repetitive in his writing.
Kundan Shah
Who: Director, writer [More]
Where: Simply Kundan blog at PassionforCinema
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Maybe
Kundan writes about his area of expertise, comedies, even if his later ventures were nowhere close to Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro.
Lalu Prasad Yadav
Who: Politician [More]
Where: Blog at MyPopcorn
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Lalu's blog had generated quite a lot of interest, but the idea seemed unsustainable right from the start and also proved to be so. Just another attempt by a website to generate pageviews.
Nandita Das
Who: Actress, director [More]
Where: Nandita Writes section on her own website
Feed: No
Worth following: Maybe
Known to be a thinking actress, her writing also reflects that thought. But she doesn't seem to write too often.
Madhavan
Who: Actor [More]
Where: Blog at Galatta
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Maddy's writes short and irregular posts. There doesn't seem to be much interest in his blog either, assuming from the few comments it received.
Mammootty
Who: Actor [More]
Where: Mammootty With Love blog on Blogger
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
Mammotty just started his blog, the first post was on January 1, 2009 and he already has hundreds of followers on his blog. The only problem being that it is in Malayalam and therefore I can't understand a thing. Moreover Google lists Mammootty's official website (not the blog) as a Reported Attack Site.
Manoj Bajpayee
Who: Actor [More]
Where: Two blogs at ItzMyBlog (powered by Blogger) in Hindi and English
Feed: Yes - Hindi | English
Worth following: Yes
The two blogs are just translations and the content is essentially the same. There are atleast a couple of posts every month.
Milind Deora
Who: Politician [More]
Where: Blog at IntentBlog
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Perhaps
Most of Milind's blogging seem to be concentrated to a few months in 2005. There's not much here beyond that.
Mohan Agashe
Who: Actor, psychiatrist [More]
Where: Blog at RediffBlogs
Feed: No
Worth following: No
This blog was primarily for the promotion of the movie Apaharan.
Muzaffar Ali
Who: Director, fashion designer, painter [More]
Where: Blog at IntentBlog
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
Only two posts. The last is from 2005.
Nana Patekar
Who: Actor, director [More]
Where: Blog at RediffBlogs
Feed: No
Worth following: No
This blog was primarily for the promotion of the movie Apaharan.
Omar Abdullah
Who: Politician [More]
Where: On National Conference party's official website
Feed: -
Worth following: -
The blog is presently inaccessible due to technical reasons.
Onir
Who: Director, producer, writer, editor [More]
Where: Dream Seller blog on PassionForCinema and another one on BollywoodHungama
Feed: Yes (PassionForCinema)
Worth following: Perhaps
Onir's blogs posts are usually related to his films and therefore are more frequent only when something is happening on that scene.
Payal Rohatagi
Who: Actress, model [More]
Where: Her blog on Blogger
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
Payal keeps her blog updated and has plastered the blog with images. Her brother Gaurav is the co-author.
Pooja Bedi
Who: Actress, TV host [More]
Where: I Am Who I Am blog on Blogger
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Perhaps
Pooja Bedi takes to blogging made quite a bit of news. But then it seems to have fizzled away. She has managed only two posts since August 2008.
Prakash Jha
Who: Director, producer, writer [More]
Where: Blog at RediffBlogs
Feed: No
Worth following: No
This blog was primarily for the promotion of the film Apaharan.
Rahul Bose
Who: Actor, director [More]
Where: Blog at IntentBlog
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
Most of Rahul's blogging activity is from 2005-06, with only a solitary post in 2008.
Rahul Khanna
Who: Actor, TV host [More]
Where: Blog at IntentBlog
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
He is a likeable actor and his writing is the same too. Pity he doesn't keep his blog updated.
Ram Gopal Varma
Who: Director, producer, writer [More]
Where: Blog on Windows Live Spaces
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
Ramu might have lost his touch in movies but he is still an interesting read.
Ravi Shastri
Who: Former cricketer, cricket commentator [More]
Where: Blog at IbiboBlogs
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
This blog was only for the Commonwealth Bank Triseries in 2008. Nothing more happening there since.
Remo Fernandes
Who: Musician [More]
Where: On his own website
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Only a solitary post there, that too a copy of a letter he had sent to the editors of some dailies.
Revathy
Who: Actress, director [More]
Where: Sindanaigal (Thoughts) blog on PassionForCinema
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
There are only two posts there.
Rohit Roy
Who: Actor [More]
Where: Blog on his own website
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
Just three random posts in there.
Saira Mohan
Who: Model, actress [More]
Where: Blog at IntentBlog
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
Though there are no recent posts, the archives show that the girl is able to post a lot when she wants to, even if they are only links.
Salman Khan
Who: Actor [More]
Where: 10 Ka Dum blog on Blogger
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
The blog died along with the TV show it was meant to promote.
Samar Khan
Who: Director, writer [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Just one Shaurya specific post.
Samit Basu
Who: Author [More]
Where: On his own website
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
Though he hasn't been posting of late, Samit used to be an active blogger and I expect him to continue being so.
Sanjay Suri
Who: Actor, model, porducer [More]
Where: On his own website
Feed: -
Worth following: -
You need to be registered as a member of the Sanjay Suri Fan Club (online registration) to be able to access the blog. I didn't, so have no idea of the contents.
Santosh Sivan
Who: Director, cinematographer [More]
Where: Lil Bit of Sin, Lil Bit of Zen blog on PassionForCinema and also on his own website
Feed: Yes
Worth following: No
In the PassionForCinema blog there has been no updates in the last one year and his website doesn't exactly have a blog but does provide some of his views on different things (and they have a datestamp).
Shahrukh Khan
Who: Actor, producer [More]
Where: Blog at IntentBlog and at
Milan of the Villains website
Feed: Yes (IntentBlog)
Worth following: Perhaps
There might be some activity on SRK's blog during the next IPL season. The IntentBlog blog has only a single old post on Paheli.
Shekhar Kapur
Who: Director, producer [More]
Where: On his own website and
a blog at IntentBlog
Feed: Yes - ShekharKapur.com | Intentblog
Worth following: Yes
Shekhar Kapoor is one celebrity who has really take on to blogging. Even the now inactive blog on IntentBlog has 110 posts and he keeps the blog on his official website very updated. His blog is a recommended read and has insightful posts on a variety of topics. Shekhar is definitely the best amongst the Indian celebrity bloggers.
Sherlyn Chopra
Who: Actress, model, singer [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Worth following: No
Feed: No
Sherlyn Chopra, earlier known as Mona Chopra, always wants to make news and is a tabloid journalist's delight. She promised a blog on her official website - SherlynChopra.com - but that didn't happen yet.
Shilpa Shetty
Who: Actress, model [More]
Where: On her own website
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
Shilpa's career has risen from the ashes post Big Brother and she wants to make the best of this opportunity. Her recently started blog has some long posts.
Shobaa De
Who: Novelist, columnist [More]
Where: Blog on Blogger
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
After so many years writing should come naturally to Mrs De and she also lets it flow in her blog.
Suchitra Krishnamoorthi
Who: Actress, singer, painter [More]
Where: On her own website
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Yes
Suchitra is quite active on her blog nowadays, maybe some Shekhar Kapur effect.
Sudhir Mishra
Who: Director, writer [More]
Where: Trying My Best Not To Bullshit blog on PassioForCinema
Feed: Yes
Worth following: Perhaps
Sudhir posts are usually related to the release of his films. So wait until the next one comes along.
Vikram Bhatt
Who: Director, writer [More]
Where: Blog at MyPopcorn
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Only three dated posts there. Same fate as Lalu's blog.
Vishal Dadlani
Who: Music director [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Not much in his blog, only a couple of old posts.
Vivek Agnihotri
Who: Director, writer [More]
Where: Blog at BollywoodHungama
Feed: No
Worth following: No
Nothing much in there.

Health tips

2009-01-08T08:15:00.000+05:30

Health - Very Very Important Tips
Answer the phone by LEFT ear.
Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.
Do not take pills with COOL water.
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.
Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.
Drink more WATER in the morning, less at night.
Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS.
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.
When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.

Satyam: Full text of Raju's letter to the Board

2009-01-07T18:42:00.000+05:30

Satyam Computers Services Ltd.

From B. Ramalinga Raju
Chairman, Satyam Computer Servcies Ltd

Dear Board Members,

It is with deep regret, and tremendous burden that I am carrying on my conscience, that I would like to bring the following facts to your notice:

1. The balance sheet carries as of September 30, 2008

a) Inflated (non-existent) cash and bank balance of Rs 5,040 crore (as against Rs 5361 crore refglected in the books)

b) An accured interest of Rs 376 crore which is non-existent

c) An understated liability of Rs 1,230 crore on account of funds arranged by me

d) An over stated debtor position of Rs 490 crore (as against Rs 2651 reflected in the books)

2. For the September quarter (Q2) we reported a revenue of Rs 2,700 crore and an operating margin of Rs 649 crore (24 per cent of revenues) as against the actual revenues of Rs 2,112 crore and an actual operating margin of Rs 61 crore (3 per cent of revenue). This has resulted in artificial cash and bank balances going up by Rs 588 crore in Q2 alone.

The gap in the balance sheet has arisen purely on account of inflated profits over a period of last several years (limited only to Satyam standalone, books of subsidiaries reflecting true performance). What started as a marginal gap between actual operating profit and the one reflected in the books of accounts continued to grow over the years. It has attained unmanageable proportions as the size of the company operations grew significantly (annualized revenue run rate of Rs 11,276 crore in the September quarter, 2008 and official reserves of Rs 8.392 crore). The differential in the real profits and the one reflected in the books was further accentuated by the fact that the company had to carry additional resources and assets to justify higher level of operations – thereby significantly increasing the costs.

Every attempt made to eliminate the gap failed. As the promoters held a small percentage of equity, the concern was the poor performance would result in a takeover, thereby exposing the gap. It was like riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten.

The aborted Maytas acquisition deal was the last attempt to fill the fictitious assets with real ones. Maytas’ investors were convinced that this is a good divestment opportunity and a strategic fit. Once Satyam’s problem was solved, it was hoped that Maytas payments can be delayed. But that was not to be. What followed in the last several days is common knowledge.

I would like the board to know:

1. That neither myself, not the Managing Director(including our spouses) sold any shares in the last eight years-excepting for a small proportion declared and sold for philanthropic purposes.

2. That in the last two years a net amount of Rs 1,230 crore was arranged to Satyam (not reflected in the books of Satyam) to keep the operations going by resorting to pledging all the promoter shares and raising funds from know sources by giving all kinds of assurances (Statement enclosed, only to the members of the board). Significant dividend payments, acquisitions, capital expenditure to provide for growth did not help matters. Every attempt was made to keep the wheel moving and to ensure prompt payment of salaries to the associates. The last straw was the selling of most of the pledged share by the lenders on account of margin triggers.

3. That neither me, nor the Managing Director took even one rupee/dollar from the company and have not benefitted in financial terms on account of the inflated results.

4. None of the board members, past or present, had any knowledge of the situation in which the company is placed. Even business leaders and senior executives in the company, such as Ram Mynampati, Subu D T R Anand, Kesab Panda, Virender Agarwal, A S Murthy, Hari T, S V Krishnan, Vijay Prasad, Manish Mehta, Murali V, Sriram Papani, Kiran Kavale, Joe Lagioia. Ravindra Penu Metsa, Jayaraman and Prabhakar Gupta are unaware of the real situation as against the books of accounts. None of my or managing directors immediate or extended family members has any ideas about these issues.

Having put the facts before you, I leave it to the wisdom of the board to take the matters forward. However, I am also taking the liberty to
recommend the following steps:

1) A task force has been formed in the last few days to address the situation arising out of the failed Maytas acquisition attempt. This consists of some of the most accomplished leaders of Satyam: Subu D, T R Anand, Keshab Panda and Virender Aggarwal, representing business functions, and A.S.Murthy, Hari T and Murali V representing support functions. I suggest that Ram Mynampati be made the Chairman of this task force to immediately address some of the operational matters on hand. Ram can also act as an interim CEO reporting to the board.

2) Merrill Lynch can be entrusted with the task of quickly exploring some merger opportunities.

3) You may have a ‘restatement of accounts’ prepared by auditors in light of the facts that I have placed before you.

I have promoted and have been associated with Satyam for well over twenty years now. I have seen it grow from few people to 53,000 people, with 185 Fortune 500 companies as customers and operations in 66 countries. Satyam has an excellent leadership and competency base at all levels. I sincerely apologize to all Satyamites and stakeholders who have made Satyam a special organization, for the current situation. I am confident they will stand by the company in this hour of crisis.
in light of the above, I fervently appeal to the board to hold together to take some important steps. Mt T R Prasad is well placed to mobalize support from the government at this crucial time. With the hope that members of the Task Force and the financila advisor, Merrill Lynch (now Bank of America) will stand by the company at this crucial hour, I am marking copies of this statement to them as well.

Under the circumustances, I am tendering my resignation as the chairman of Satyam and shall continue in this position only till such time the current board is expanded. My contribution is just to ensure enhancement of the board over the next several days or as early as possible.

I am now prepared to subject myself to the laws of the land and fact the consequences thereof.

(B. Ramalinga Raju)

Copied marked to:
1) SEBI Chairman
2) Stock Exchanges

Satyam Chairman Resigns After Falsifying Accounts

2009-01-07T18:33:00.000+05:30

Satyam Computer Services Ltd. Chairman Ramalinga Raju resigned after saying he falsified accounts and assets, sending shares of the Indian software services provider to a record decline.

Raju, 53, unsuccessfully tried to sell two companies to Satyam last month in a final attempt to plug 50.4 billion rupees ($1.04 billion) of “fictitious assets” on the company’s balance sheet, Hyderabad-based Satyam said in a statement today. Profits from the main business have been inflated “over a period of last several years,” Raju said in a letter to the board.

The transactions started to unravel after shareholders vetoed the sale of two construction companies, four directors quit the company and the World Bank barred Satyam from bidding for contracts. India’s markets regulator C.B. Bhave said the event is of “horrifying magnitude” as Satyam dragged down the benchmark stock index already hit by a record slump last year.

“This is a black day for India, the software sector and corporate governance claims,” Arun Kejriwal, founder of Kejriwal Research & Investment Services, said in Mumbai. “If at all there’s an event that could be the biggest setback for corporate India, it is this.”

Shares of Satyam, which means “truth” in Sanskrit, plunged 69 percent to 55 rupees in Mumbai trading. The Sensitive Index tumbled 4.3 percent.

‘Non-Existent’

Of the reported cash and bank balances of 53.61 billion rupees on Sept. 30, 50.4 billion rupees was non-existent, Raju said in the letter sent to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Operating margin at Satyam, India’s fourth-largest software exporter, in the quarter ended Sept. 30 was 3 percent of revenue, instead of the reported 24 percent, Raju said in the letter. The company’s revenue was 21 billion rupees, 22 percent less than the inflated figure of 27 billion rupees that had been reported.

Raju arranged 12.3 billion rupees “to keep operations going” at Satyam over the last two years by pledging the founders’ shares and raising funds from other sources, he said.

“What started as a marginal gap between actual operating profit and the one reflected in the books of accounts continued to grow over the years,” Raju said. “It was like riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten.”

‘Easy Target’

The founders’ concern was that a poor performance, combined with the fact they held a small stake in the company, would make Satyam an easy target for a takeover, exposing the inflated figures, he said.

Satyam yesterday denied a report that the company received a merger offer from Tech Mahindra Ltd., an Indian software-services provider controlled by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and partly owned by BT Group Plc.

Tech Mahindra termed the report of a proposed all-stock merger as “speculative.”

Earlier in the week, MindTree Ltd. denied a report it was one of two smaller rivals in talks for a merger with Satyam. The Hyderabad-based company is in talks to merge with smaller rivals including HCL Technologies and MindTree, the Business Standard reported on Jan. 5, citing unidentified people at investment banks.

Raju’s attempts to “keep the wheel moving” at Satyam was finally derailed as lenders sold most of the pledged shares because of margin calls, he said.

Reduced Holdings

SRSR Holdings Pvt., which holds the founding family’s stake, reduced their holding to 3.6 percent from 5.13 percent, Satyam told the Bombay Stock Exchange yesterday. Of the 3.6 percent, 1.7 percent is pledged with lenders, it said.

The stake sales by the families of Chairman Raju and his younger brother, manager director Rama Raju, reduced their holdings to below levels held by institutional investors including Aberdeen Asset Management Plc. Funds run by Aberdeen own 6.6 percent of Satyam, according to data compiled by Bloomberg until the end of October.

Raju scrapped the planned acquisition of Maytas Properties Ltd. and Maytas Infra Ltd. last month, less than 12 hours after announcing it, after the company’s ADRs plunged.

Separately, the World Bank Dec. 23 declared India’s fourth- biggest software-services provider ineligible for contracts for eight years, alleging “improper” benefits were given to the bank’s employees.

Satyam was founded in 1987 by Ramalinga Raju and Rama Raju and counts ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker, and Nissan Motor Co., Japan’s third-biggest carmaker, among its customers.

“This company had a five-star independent board and it had a leading auditor and still it managed the con,” said Tarun Sisodia, a Mumbai-based analyst with Anand Rathi Securities Ltd. “So the question is why only Satyam, why not every other company.”

Are Soups Healthy?

2009-01-06T21:26:00.000+05:30

As we all know, the first dish of a meal is the most important one. Even today, with all the debates going on about right and wrong food, nobody doubts the good effects of soups in our body. Hot soup in particular has numerous health benefits.

Soup is made by boiling ingredients in water or broth until the ingredients become tender and the flavor is extracted. Drinking this liquid, the body can then absorb and assimilate these nutrients quickly without having to digest and break down the meat and vegetables. It is an ideal way to obtain loads of nutrients minus the calories!

A big advantage of soup is that it can be made from almost anything and that too in minutes. Thus, making soup is a good way to get rid of leftovers. You can toss nearly any kind of meat or vegetable into a pot of boiling water along with some onions, sliced potatoes, add some salt and pepper; and in 30 minutes or less you will have a nice pot of soup. Another advantage of soup is that it does not require a sense of timing. Once it is made, it can set on the stove for hours to be devoured at any time. For those of us who are continuous eaters, this is a great advantage.

Soups have many health benefits like:

They are the most nutritive method of consuming vegetables because the vitamins and nutrients in the soup are retained unlike the overcooked vegetables.
Soups are excellent for many diseases like asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and many others. The reason being that the soup are packed with the nutrients of the vegetable plus while making the soup we also tend to add ginger, garlic, black pepper which are responsible for making the mucus and phlegm thinner and hence it can be easily coughed/drained away. The antioxidants present in vegetables and garlic are excellent for decreasing the high cholesterol levels. Diabetics would also benefit from drinking soup as the high antioxidant content of soups helps rectify the damage by the high blood sugar levels.
Soups are filling and very low calorie, therefore they are great for someone trying to decrease the quantity of food.
Soups are a great substitute to excessive tea/coffee and now many companies offer soups in the workplace besides the coffee/tea vending machines.
Kids often enjoy soups and it is far tastier than cooked vegetables.

Different ingredients used to make soups determine what the soup can do for the body. Some good soups include:

Onion soup: Good for clotting disorders.
Spinach soup: Prevents anemia.
Lentil soup: Great for growing children.
Mixed vegetable soup with chicken: A complete and nutritious meal.
Cabbage soups: Great to lose those extra pounds.

The list is endless and open to creativity...

Points to keep in mind while making soups:

Do not add milk or cream to the soup, not only does it add calories to the soup but even more important is the fact that it binds and locks the vitamins in the soup which are then not available to the body.
Avoid adding cornflour or maida (plain white flour) to the soup because it prevents the decongestant benefits of soups.
Do not always have packet soups because only the fresh soups have the antioxidant properties.
Add herbs like coriander, lemon grass, ginger, garlic etc as they add to the healing properties of the soup.
To make the soup a complete meal you can add chicken, vegetables, tofu or boiled and mashed mung dal (green gram) or channa dal (skinless black chickpeas) OR you can also make lentil soup.

Take soup to drink away the problems. Preparation of soup can be carried out at home as well. It is better than going to restaurant. Methods of preparation can be obtained from kitchen booklets available in the market or by surfing on the internet. You can even switch on to cookery show in TV. Many people believe in blind faith that having soup actually doesn't yield any good to health. Throw away this belief and drink soup.

Nokia's Take Back Program

2009-01-03T07:46:00.000+05:30

Nokia has announced ‘Take Back’ program and is encouraging mobile phone users to dispose their used handsets (any brand) and accessories such as charges and handsets, regardless of the brand, at any of the recycling bins set up across Nokia Priority Dealers and Nokia Care Centers.

Image via Wikipedia

Nokia conducted a survey (across 13 countries) on awareness of recycled handsets and found out that only 17% of Indian users are aware of the fact that handsets can be recycled.

As per Nokia, 100% of the materials in the phones can be recovered and used to make new products or generate energy. Since Nokia is the first company to launch a campaign like this, expect some more action from their competitors (especially Samsung) targeted towards the replacement market.

Handset Replacement Market

Currently, the replacement market in India is ~55% (Delhi ~60%) and by 2010, India’s handset replacement market is expected to reach 70%.

So essentially, there is big money in this market and apart from CSR (Corp. Social Responsibility), companies might want to clear off (exchange/discounts) their inventory using such campaigns.

Just because handsets follow Moore’s law, do you really think that consumers will give away their used phones for free?

What’s your opinion?

How many used handsets do you have? Are you comfortable giving it away for nothing in return?

Qn to Nokia: What about Green Phones?

Nokia’s Remade, a flip phone cell uses recycled cans, plastic bottles, and car tires and up to 60 percent of the metal in its available handsets comes from recycled materials. How about launching something similar for the Indian market (in 2009?)

How to Eat Out and still Stay Healthy?

2009-01-03T07:39:00.000+05:30

Whenever you are out and have forgotten to carry lunch or if you are a bachelor/bachelorette and do not have the time to cook, you will frequently find it difficult to find a wholesome healthy meal outside in the market. To top that, eating out everyday has its own perils.

Eating out is becoming a bigger and bigger challenge. Sticking to your guns away from home is hard for many reasons. Plus you never know what's in your food especially when the kitchen is behind closed doors. The way out of this dilemma is to know what to choose when eating out.

So you want your cake and want to eat it , well you can! Eat out and stay healthy, how you ask? It's easy, just follow these tips:

When Eating:

At market grocery store or at roadside vendors, GO FOR:
- A banana (no fear of infection thanks to the natural packaging) with packed curd or bottled cold coffee.
- Packet of roasted channa plus nariyal pani (Coconut water).
- Packet fruit juice plus pop corn (for chubby friends, avoid butter).
- Whole wheat biscuits plus a packed juice or a cold coffee.

At a Fast Food joint, GO FOR:
- Whole wheat sandwiches plus ice tea.
- Veggie salads with less cheese and cream OR non-veg salad with lot of greens.
- Garlic bread plus a salad with very little mayonnaise or cheese.

At a Budget joint, GO FOR:
- Upma plus chaach (Cultured Butter Milk).
- Idli OR plain dosa plus mint chutney and light sambhar.
- Whole wheat sandwich with lots of green veggies plus cold coffee.
- Lassi (Sweet Butter Milk) plus dhokla OR khandvi.
- Salad plus ice tea.
- Whole wheat roti plus palak paneer (avoid all other green vegetables which have too much oil).

At a hotel, GO FOR
- It is good to stick to light food without too much oil and cheese.
- Potato salad OR fruit salad and rice noodles with lots of green vegetables.
- Whole wheat pasta with a tomato base with lots of green vegetables.

New Year's Day

2009-01-02T17:47:00.000+05:30

Fact of the Day: New Year's Day

On the Roman republican calendar, the year began on March 1, but after 153 BC the official date was January 1, and this tradition was continued in the Julian calendar of 46 BC. This day was first recognized as New Year's Day with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain in 1582. It was not until 1752 that the New Style was adopted in Britain -- and Russia was last to recognize this as the date, in 1918. The earliest-known record of a New Year festival dates from about 2000 BC in Mesopotamia, where in Babylonia the new year began with the new moon after the spring equinox and in Assyria with the new moon nearest the autumn equinox.

Perform Case Sensitive Search with Google

2009-01-02T07:48:00.001+05:30

Google says that they treat search queries as case-insensitive and all letters in a search phrase are always interpreted in lower case. For example, searches for barack obama, Barack Obama and BARACK OBAMA will all return the same results on Google.

There are however instances when the case of a search query is as important as the search phrase itself because the word meaning can change with the case. Some examples of Capitonym words include March (month) & march (walk), Polish (language of Poland) & polish (to shine), Bill (person’s name) & bill (invoice), etc.

For instance, "Ram" is the name of a Hindu God while "RAM" is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. They both share the same spelling and it’s the case that helps you understand the real context of the word. Unfortunately, Google searches are not case sensitive (or fold case) and hence most search results for Ram or RAM are about the "temporary" memory.

To solve this problem and help you conduct case sensitive searches on Google, someone has created a Google Appengine powered search engine at Case Sensitive Search - it scans through Google search results and filters out results that match the case of your search query.

Coming back to original example, here’s is a comparison of case sensitive Google search results for "Ram" vs. "RAM".

How to Do Everything with PDF Files(Useful)

2009-01-02T07:41:00.002+05:30

Adobe PDF is the best format for sharing documents because they are compact, the formatting is preserved and most computers / mobile devices / ebook readers can easily handle PDF files.

Here you’ll learn how to do just about everything with PDF documents without buying Adobe Acrobat. You can edit PDF files, combine multiple files as one, add signature images to PDF pages, fill PDF forms online, add clickable hyperlinks to existing PDF documents and so much more.

Adobe PDF Guide and Tutorial

Q: First things first - How do I create PDF documents on my computer without Adobe Acrobat?

A: Get a copy of DoPDF - it installs as a virtual printer driver on your desktop just like Acrobat and lets you print PDF files from any Windows application including images, documents, emails, websites, etc.

Q: I don’t want to install software just for converting a bunch of documents to PDF. Do you know of any alternative?

A: Upload your documents to Google Docs via the browser and then export them as PDF files. Simple.

Q: A client just sent me a PowerPoint presentation by email. Since I am travelling without the laptop and my mobile phone cannot read PPT files, what should I do?

A: Forward that email message (with the PPT attachment) to pdf@koolwire.com - they’ll convert the presentation to PDF and email to you immediately. Most mobile phones can read PDF files.

Q: How do I directly save a web page as PDF without having to save that page as an HTML file first?

A: Go to PrimoPDF, type the URL of the web page and they’ll send you a PDF version of that page via email.

Q: How can I convert PDF files into other formats like Word documents, images, HTML web pages, etc.

A: You can upload the PDF document to Zamzar and convert it any formats like doc, html, png, txt or rtf (rich text format). Alternatively, you can convert PDF to HTML using Gmail.

Q: How do I create a single PDF package by merging files of different formats.

A: Try Loop PDF - it’s a free service that lets you combine multiple documents, images and even web pages into a single PDF file.

Q: How do I merge two or more PDF files into one? Can I also change the page order?

A: You can grab PDF Fill - it’s a versatility PDF editing tool that lets you combine PDFs from the desktop. PDF Fill can also help you rearrange pages in any order or for rotating pages inside a PDF.

Q: I want to extract some text from a PDF and use it in my Word document. What is the best option?

A: Go to PDFTextOnline and upload your PDF - it will extract text from the first 10 pages of your PDF document (to start) and will also show the PDF bookmarks, document properties, and form data (if available).

Q: I can’t get the above trick to work since I have a scanned PDF.

A: You can extract text from scanned PDF documents with Google Search. It’s not an instant process but probably the only free solution we know of.

Q: I have some restricted PDF documents on my computer in the sense that they neither allow printing nor can you select text with the mouse.

A: Get the PDF Unlocker - its a free Windows utility that will remove all common restrictions around a PDF file without requiring any passwords. Alternatively, you may use the online service at ensode.net that will remove all the printing or copying/pasting related restrictions from your PDF.

Q: Some PDF files on our company’s intranet are protected by a password that no one can remember anymore. Can we still open them?

A: Check this article - How to Open Password Protected PDF

Q: I am looking for a service that would let visitors download my articles as PDF files.

A: Add the Web2PDF button anywhere in your website - it converts web pages to PDF files on demand and also keeps a track of all PDF conversion related activities on your website.

Q: Someone sent me a PDF document in Chinese but I can read only English?

A: You can easily translate PDF files using Google Translate and Zoho Viewer.

Q: How can I add annotations or text notes to some of my PDF documents?

A: Get the PDF-X Viewer - it’s like Adobe Reader but with some extra features. You can add comments, annotations or even paste images to your PDF pages. You can also add annotations, call-outs and text to your PDFs online with PDF Escape.

Q: How do I read PDF files online without desktop software?

A: You can open PDF documents in the browser with PDFMeNot without requiring any software. See more options.

Q: Can I fill PDF forms online without Acrobat Reader?

A: Sure, go to PDF Filler, upload the PDF form and start typing. PDF typewriter works by converting PDF forms into images and allowing the user to type right on top of the images.

Q: How can I add watermarks or even my (real) signature to a PDF document?

A: First draw your signature in Paint (or other photo editing tool) and save it as an image. Make sure you crop all the blank portion that lies outside the signature. Now open the PDF document inside PDF-X Viewer and copy-paste that watermark / signature image. Simple.

Q: I have a PDF book that contains some 200 pages. Is there a way to extract selected pages from that book and save it as another PDF.

A: You can either PDF Merge or PDF SAM (split and merge) to extract pages from a PDF document.

Q: How can I protect my PDF documents with a password?

A: Upload your PDF file to PDF Hammer, set a security password and export it as PDF again.

Q: A PDF document has lot of links but I can’t click them as they are in plain text. How do I make them clickable?

A: Go to PDF Escape, upload the PDF and then place hyperlinks anywhere on the page.

Q: Which online service(s) would you recommend for uploading PDF files on the web?

A: My favorite is Issuu - they have built an excellent PDF viewer inside a beautiful interface. You can also use Issue to embed PDF files in your own website. Next recommendation is Scribd - it’s a more popular service so your PDF document would get more eye balls.

Have a Great year ahead

2008-12-31T08:51:00.003+05:30

Have a Great Year Ahead

With wealth and health.

Be Cheers & Smile

Ghajini Game

2008-12-30T08:33:00.003+05:30

IT Sector May lose 50,000 Jobs

2008-12-26T09:38:00.001+05:30

Over 50,000 IT professionals in the country may lose their jobs over the next six months as the situation in the sector is expected to worsen due to the impact of global economic meltdown on the export-driven industry, a forecast by a union of IT Enabled Services warned.

"...there would be 50,000 job losses (IT and BPO put together) over the next six months," Karthik Shekhar, general secretary of UNITES India, a politically neutral union of ITES professionals said.

The job loss in the IT and BPO sector in the country topped 10,000 in the September-December period, Shekar said.

While employees of medium-sized companies bore the brunt of job losses in the September-December period, it's going to be their counterparts in the big and small firms who would increasingly face the axe in the coming six months, he said.

UNITES India, affiliated to the global union United Network International, suggested that the companies in trouble could resort to salary and incentive cuts without trying to "squeeze" the staff, rather than adopting the "layoff path".

Employees are willing to take such cuts for 12-16 months till the demand picks up again, when such benefits should be restored to them.

Shekhar said senior officials of the industry had concurred with the figure of 10,000 job loses in September-December, stating that it accounted for "bottom five per cent of the performers".

Consultations with the union's counterparts in the US and UK suggested that slowdown would continue to hit the offshore sourcing space, he said.

He said factors like continued slowdown, likely "tax application" to companies outsourcing jobs under the new US regime and tightening in regard to H1B visas were among the key reasons cited for the acceleration in issue of pink slips.

சர்வதேச அளவில் ஏற்பட்டிருக்கும் பொருளாதார மந்த நிலை மேலும் மோசமடையும் பட்சத்தில் இந்தியாவில் 2009 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜீன் மாதத்திற்குள் 50000க்கும் அதிகமான ஐடி, பிபிஓ ஊழியர்கள் வேலையிழக்கும் அபாயம் இருப்பதாக கணிப்பு ஒன்று தெரிவிக்கிறது.

பெரிய ஐடி நிறுவனங்கள் தங்களது பொருளாதார நெருக்கடி காரணமாக செலவினங்களை குறைக்கும் விதமாக ஊழியர்களுக்கு வழங்கி வந்த சலுகைகளை குறைத்து வந்தது. தற்போது ஏற்பட்டிருக்கும் மந்த நிலை நீடித்தால் கட்டாய விடுப்பு எடுக்கும் சொல்லும் நிறுவனங்கள் அடுத்து ஊழியர்களை நிரந்தர பணி நீக்கம் செய்யும் அபாயமும் ஏற்படலாம் என்ற கணிப்பு நிலவுகிறது. பெரிய நிறுவனங்கள் ஊழியர்களை பணிநீக்கம் செய்யாமல் தற்போது பல வழிகளில் செலவினங்களை குறைத்து வருகிறது. சர்வதேச அளவில் ஏற்பட்டிருக்கும் நெருக்கடி காரணமாக புதிய ப்ராஜக்ட் வர தவறினால் நிறுவனங்களுக்கு ஊழியர்களை பணியில் இருந்து நீக்குவதைத்தவிர வேறு முடிவு எடுக்க முடியாத சூழ்நிலை உருவாக வாய்ப்புகள் இருக்கிறது. பெரிய நிறுவனங்கள் ஒருபுறம் இருக்க சிறிய நிறுவனங்களின் நிலை மிகவும் மோசமடையும் நிலை உருவாகலாம். இதன் மூலம் பல்வேறு தொழில் நுட்ப பொறியாளர்கள் வேலையிழக்ககூடும். இதே போல பிபிஓ நிறுவனங்களுக்கும் இந்த ஆபத்து அதிகம் இருக்க வாய்ப்பு உள்ளது.

கடந்த 3 மாதங்களில் மட்டும் நாட்டில் ஐடி துறையில் மறைமுகமாகவும் நேர்முகமாகவும் 10000த்திற்கும் அதிகமானோர் வேலை இழந்துள்ளனர் என்பது தான் உண்மை. பல பெரிய நிறுவனங்களில் கூட ஊழியர்கள் அடுத்த ஒரு வருடத்திற்கு சம்பள உயர்வு மற்றும் போனஸ் இல்லாமலும் வேலை பார்க்க தயாராக இருப்பதாக சில நிறுவனத்தலைவர்களே தெரிவித்துள்ளனர். சம்பள குறைப்பு மற்றும் ஊதிய உயர்வு நிறுத்தம் போன்றவை ஊழியர்களை பெரிய அளவில் பாதிக்காது. ஐடி துறையை பொருத்தமட்டில் ஒரு நிறுவனத்தில் இருந்து மற்றொரு நிறுவனத்திற்கு இடம்பெயர்வது என்பது மிகவும் சாதாரணமான ஒன்று. ஆனால் இந்த பொருளாதார நெருக்கடி தருணத்தில் இது மிகவும் அசாத்தியமாக வாய்ப்புகள் உள்ளன. பல நிறுவனங்கள் தற்போது புதிதாக ஆட்களை எடுக்கும் பணியை அடியோடு நிறுத்தி வைத்துள்ளன. புதிய ஃக்ளைண்டுகள் கிடைக்கும் வரை ஆட்களை பெரிய நிறுவனங்கள் எடுக்க யோசிக்கின்றனர். 2001 ஆம் ஆண்டு இதே போன்ற சூழல் உருவாகி பின்னர் ஒரு ஆண்டுகள் கழித்து நிலை சீரானது. அதைவிட தற்போது நிலை மோசமாக செல்லவும் வாய்ப்புகள் உள்ளது. தன்னை ப்ராஜக்ட் களில் தக்கவைத்துக் கொள்ளாதவர்கள் உடனடியாக அடுத்த நிறுவனத்திற்கு மாறுவது நல்லது என்று உயர் அதிகாரிகள் ஊழியர்களிடம் நேரடியாகவே சொல்லும் கட்டாயத்திற்கு பலரும் தள்ளப்பட்டுள்ளனர். கிடைக்கும் பொழுது நல்ல வாய்ப்பையும் பயன்படுத்தி பாதுக்காப்பான கம்பெனிகளில் அமர்வதே தற்போதுள்ள நிலைமைக்கு முடிவாகும்.

உலகவங்கி அதிரடி ‍சத்யம் கம்பியூட்டர்ஸ்க்கு நெருக்கடி

2008-12-24T18:34:00.000+05:30

உலக வங்கி அதிரடி முடிவாக சத்யம் கம்ப்யூட்டர் சர்வீசஸின் சேவையை 8 வருடங்களுக்கு நிறுத்தி வைப்பதாக அறிவித்துள்ளது. சத்யம் கம்ப்யூட்டர்ஸ் உலக வங்கிக்காக எந்த வேலையும் செய்ய வேண்டாம் என்று உலக வங்கி தெரிவித்திருக்கிறது.

ஃபாக்ஸ் நியூஸ் வெளியிட்ட இந்த செய்தியை உலக வங்கியின் அதிகாரிகள் உறுதி செய்துள்ளனர். டேட்டாக்கள் திருடப்பட்டதாக சத்யம் கம்பயூட்டர்ஸ் மீது உலக வங்கி குற்றஞ்சாட்டியுள்ளது. மேலும் உலக வங்கி ஊழியர்களுக்கு சத்யம் கம்ப்யூட்டர் சர்வீஸசால் ஆதாயம் ஏதும் இல்லை என்றும், டாக்குமென்ட்களை சரியாக ஓப்படைக்கவில்லை என்றும் உலக வங்கி குற்றம் சாட்டியுள்ளது.

இதன் விளைவாக பல வதந்திகள் பரவஆரம்பித்துள்ளன. விப்ரோ நிறுவனம் சத்யம் கம்ப்யூட்டர்ஸ் நிறுவனத்தை வாங்குவதகவும், சத்யம் நிறுவனத்தின் தலைவர் ராமலிங்க ராஜூ பதவியில் இருந்து விலகியதாகவும் பரவின. ஆனால் இதை திட்டவட்டமாக அந்நிறுவனம் முற்றிலுமாக மறுத்துள்ளது. இன்றைய பங்குச்சந்தையில் சத்யம் நிறுவன பங்குகள் அதிரடியாக வீழ்ந்தது. பின்னர் சரிவில் இருந்து சற்று மீண்டது. கடந்த வாரம் சத்யம் மேய்தாஸ் என்ற கட்டுமான நிறுவனத்தை வாங்குவதாக தெரிவித்து பின்னர் பின்வாங்கியது நினைவிருக்கலாம்

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T08:36:00.001+05:30

ஐடி நிறுவனங்களில் கட்டாய விடுப்பு

2008-12-23T09:00:00.000+05:30

சர்வதேச மந்தநிலை காரணமாக பல்வேறு ஐடி நிறுவனங்கள் பணி நீக்கம் மற்றும் செலவினங்களை குறைக்கும் முடிவில் இறங்கியுள்ளன. இவற்றில் ஊழியர்களுக்கான போக்குவரத்து வசதிகளை குறைப்பது, கட்டாய விடுப்பு, போனஸ் குறைப்பு, நிறுவனத்தில் பல்வேறு சலுகைகள் நிறுத்தம் என்று பலவிதங்களில் ஊழியர்களுக்கு நெருக்கடி கொடுத்து வருகிறது.

பெரிய ஐடி நிறுவனத்தில் வேலை என்றாலே பல்வேறு சலுகை, 6 மாதத்திற்கு ஒரு முறை ஊதிய உயர்வு, போனஸ், பார்ட்டி, டூர் என்று பல்வேறு வசதிகளை இளைஞர்கள் அனுபவித்து வந்த நிலை இனி இருக்காது என்று நிலை உருவாகியுள்ளது. தற்போது நிலவி வரும் பொருளாதார மந்த நிலை காரணமாக ஐடி நிறுவனங்கள் கொடுத்த வந்த சலுகைகளை கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாக குறைத்து வருகிறது. ஆரம்ப கட்டத்தில் ஊழியர்கள் பயன்படுத்தி வந்த போக்குவரத்து வசதிகளை குறைத்து மிக குறைந்த தூரத்தில் இருப்பவர்கள் தாங்களாகவே நிறுவனம் வர வேண்டும் என்று உத்தரவு பிறப்பித்தது. தொடர்ந்து பல்வேறு வழிகளில் ஊழியர்களுக்கு ஆகும் செலவுகளை குறைத்து வருகின்றன. தற்போது பல்வேறு நிறுவனங்கள் ஊழியர்களை கட்டாய விடுப்பில் செல்லும் படி வற்புத்துக்கின்றன. ஊழியர்களுக்கு கொடுக்கப்படிருக்கும் விடுப்பு நாட்களுக்கு குறைவாக ஊழியர் விடுப்பு எடுத்திருக்கும் பட்சத்தில் அந்த நாட்களுக்கு நிறுவனம் சம்பளம் கொடுக்க வேண்டும். அத்தகைய மீதியுள்ள நாட்களை கட்டாய விடுப்பு எடுக்கும் படி நிறுவனங்கள் தற்போது நிர்பந்தனை செய்கின்றன. 2008 ஆண்டு முடியும் நேரத்தில் பல நிறுவனங்கள் ஊழியர்களை இரண்டு வார விடுப்பில் செல்லும் படி உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது. இந்த விடுப்பு நாட்களுக்கு ஊதியம் கிடையாது. போனஸ், ஊதிய உயர்வு போன்றவற்றை அடுத்த ஆறு மாதங்களுக்கு பல நிறுவனங்கள் நிறுத்தி வைத்துள்ளது.

பெங்களூருவைச் சேர்ந்த அகிலண்ட் என்ற நிறுவனம் நாடு முழுவதும் 1800 ஊழியர்களை கொண்டுள்ளது. இந்நிறுவனம் தனது அனைத்து ஊழியர்களையும் ஒவ்வொரு மாதமும் 2 நாட்கள் கட்டாய விடுப்பில் செல்லும் படி உத்தரவிட்டுள்ளது. சென்னையிலும் பல ஐடி நிறுவனங்களில் பல ஊழியர்கள் வேலை வாய்ப்பை இழந்துள்ளனர். இந்த எண்ணிக்கை 500 தாண்டியுள்ளது. இந்த பணி நீக்கம் கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சமாக நடைபெற்று வருகிறது. புதிதாக ப்ராஜக்ட் கிடைக்காத காரணத்தால் பல நிறுவனங்கள் ஆட்கள் சேர்ப்பதை தற்போது குறைத்துள்ளன. கட்டாய விடுப்பில் ஊழியர்கள் பலருக்கு விருப்பமில்லை என்றாலும், பலர் இதை எதிர்பார்த்து சந்தோசப்படுபவர்களும் உண்டு. குடும்பத்துடன் சில நாட்கள் சந்தோசமாக இருக்க முடியும் என்ற காரணமும் ஒன்றாக இருக்கிறது. இந்த நிலை இன்னும் சில மாதங்களுக்கு நீடிக்கவும் வாய்ப்புகள் இருக்கிறது. பெரிய நிறுவனங்கள் ஊழியர்களை நீக்காமல் கட்டாய விடுப்பு மூலம் சம்பள குறைப்பில் ஈடுபட்டால் ஊழியர்கள் ஏற்படும் பாதிப்பு அதிகபட்சம் குறையும் என்பதில் சந்தேகமில்லை.

Chinese mobiles get new life

2008-12-22T18:45:00.000+05:30

OVER 25 million mobile phone users who have Chinese handsets without an international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number won?t have to discard their phones. The industry has jointly developed a software, which when uploaded to these handsets will provide the device with a unique number.

This comes after a government directive asking all telcos to cut off mobile services to handsets that do not have an IMEI number by January 6, 2009. The government is likely to extend the deadline by another three months to March 31 even as some operators have sought that they be given time till July 2009.

IMEI is a unique 15-digit code that comes with every mobile and helps uniquely identify the handset. This number is reflected in the operator?s network whenever a call is made or received from any handset and therefore allows lawful interception of all calls. Mobile operators store these numbers in Equipment Identity Register (EIR) ? so if a handset is stolen, and its owner can provide the IMEI number to his operator to ensure that all calls from this device is barred.

In October the DoT asked telcos to install EIR so that calls without IMEI or with IMEI consisting of all zeroes are not processed. This followed investigations by security agencies looking into the bomb blasts in several Indian cities this year, which revealed that mobile phones used by terrorists did not bear valid IMEI numbers. Industry bodies representing Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and the Association of Unified Service Providers of India (AUSPI) will formally approach the DoT this week seeking an extension, the representatives in these told ET.

The industry will inform the DoT that customers who use these cheap Chinese handsets without IMEI numbers will not be able to afford a new handset. The industry therefore wants time to educate these customers to go in for a software update to get an unique identity number for their handsets. ?We need time to inform and educate the customer to have this software installed. This software is just being perfected and we will submit this solution to the DoT this week,? explained COAI?s director general TV Ramachandran.

These are genuine citizens who were ignorant about the IMEI number when they bought these handsets we have to give them an alternative. Customers will have to pay a small fee, maybe about Rs 100, for the software, but this is better than throwing away the handset,? he added.

Telcos are also set to tell the DoT that since the EIR equipment has to be imported and also tested extensively before it can be installed on the networks, the process cannot be completed by January 6. ?In some cases, the ordered equipment is yet to arrive, while in other cases, the equipment that has been obtained is being tested,? Mr Ramachandran added.

Nice One

2008-12-19T16:51:00.000+05:30

Little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, "Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river." The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" Asked the puzzled father. "There's a big difference," replied the little girl. "If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond.

So hold the hand of the person who loves you rather than expecting them to hold yours...
This message is too short......but carries a lot of Feelings.

5 Reasons to have Salads

2008-12-16T08:35:00.002+05:30

5 Reasons To Have Salads

Winter has arrived which means the marketplace will be flooded with fresh fruits and vegetables. It is great time to eat fresh refreshing foods. And what could be more refreshing than a fresh bowl of salads.

Salads mean different things to different people; for some it is rabbit food, for others it is a mantra to achieve a perfect figure, some even contest that what is the point of living a young healthy life if all the fun out of eating is taken away. Whatever they say, salads are one of the most popular dishes be it a restaurant, a dinner party or any other occasions. This is because salads are healthy dishes with an abundance of different ingredients and there are many salad recipes readily available. Salad recipes can encompass so many different ingredients including regular everyday fruits and vegetables to exotic ones. Salad recipes can also include different meats, seafood, and even tofu.

The popularity of salads is already pretty big and will continue to grow as the obesity problem continues to grow. But weight loss isn't the only reason why you should have salads there are many more, like:

Salads are simply delicious. Anyone who has eaten salads knows that it is a great way to mix completely different kinds of foods, textures and flavors in one meal. In salads one can mix green crunchy leaves (spinach, lettuce, cabbage, etc), nuts (almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, etc.), cereals (boiled corn, beans, peas, etc), boiled lentils (black channa, rajmah, etc), herbs (basil, oregano, mint, holy basil, etc), even some proteins like boiled eggs or chicken and toss it with a salad dressing of honey, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar. For those who have a sweet tooth you can also add raisins, apricots, prunes, figs, etc. There are so many online recipes that will help you make salads that are delicious and out of this world!
Salads are very filling. Once you add ingredients like potato, pasta, beans, corn or egg, it is a complete meal in itself. Eating a salad besides being very refreshing is also very fulfilling.
Salads are healthy! It has fiber to keep the constipation and diseases away. It is loaded with enzymes which keep you looking like you have just passed out of college. It has truckloads of vitamins and minerals due to the nuts and greens. It has medicinal properties due to the fresh herbs. Dry fruits like raisin, apricots prunes, and figs, when added to salads, can help you make your body alkaline which according to Ayurveda is a healthy state. The added health benefit of green salad is that they are raw which can help you reduce cancer risk.
Salads are ideal for people who do not like to eat a heavy lunch or dinner because it makes them feel bloated, lethargic or plain lazy. Therefore, they can make a great choice by having salads as it would at least keep them awake after eating to conduct the business.
Salads are incredibly easy to make. Even an amateur chef can whip up a great salad within minutes! Men and women who hate toiling in the kitchen should surf the net for some great recipes to make salads.

Because of all these reasons, next time at a restaurant or even hosting a party at home, definitely go with the salad as a side or main dish.

Most Popular Search Terms for 2008 in Google [India]

2008-12-11T07:57:00.003+05:30

Top 10 Lists: General for India

Most Popular Searches

1. Orkut
2. GMail
3. Yahoo
4. Google
5. YouTube
6. Yahoomail
7. Indian Railway
8. Rediff
9. Cricket
10. Katrina Kaif

Fastest Rising Searches

1. YouTube
2. Orkut
3. Katrina Kaif
4. Cricket
5. irctc
6. Facebook
7. Genelia d'souza
8. Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
9. sixth pay commission
10. IPL

Most Popular Searches from Mobiles

1. Orkut
2. Yahoo
3. Waptrick
4. Gmail
5. Games
6. Katrina Kaif
7. Rediffmail
8. Yahoomail
9. Namitha
10. Google

Top 10 Lists: Categorized most searched queries for India

Bollywood Celebrities

1. Katrina Kaif
2. Aishwarya Rai
3. Salman Khan
4. Hrithik Roshan
5. Kareena Kapoor
6. Shahid Kapur
7. Deepika Padukone
8. Shahrukh Khan
9. Mallika Sherawat
10. Genelia D'souza

Sports Stars

1. Sania Mirza
2. Sachin Tendulkar
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
4. John Cena
5. Dhoni
6. David Beckham
7. Brett Lee
8. Khali
9. Kaka
10. Roger Federer

Politicians

1. Mahatma Gandhi
2. Raj Thackeray
3. Sarah Palin
4. Sonia Gandhi
5. Barack Obama
6. Indira Gandhi
7. Rahul Gandhi
8. Abdul Kalam
9. Manmohan Singh
10. Mayawati

Movies

1. Jodha Akbar
2. Dasavatharam
3. Singh Is King
4. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
5. Jannat
6. Tashan
7. Ganesha
8. Fashion
9. Rock On
10. Race

Holiday Destinations

1. Goa
2. Kerala
3. Kashmir
4. Dubai
5. Singapore
6. Australia
7. London
8. Shimla
9. Switzerland
10. Manali

Economic Concerns

1. Bombay Stock Exchange
2. Pay Commission
3. Income Tax
4. Gold Rates
5. RBI
6. Inflation
7. Crude Oil
8. Budget 2008
9. Forex Trading
10. Indian Economy

Important Days

1. Independence Day
2. Valentine's Day
3. Friendship Day
4. Teacher's Day
5. Earth Day
6. Republic Day
7. Mothers Day
8. Women's Day
9. Father’s Day
10. World Environment Day

Child Cartoon Characters

1. Tom And Jerry
2. Ben 10
3. Naruto
4. Mickey Mouse
5. Spiderman
6. Batman
7. Pokemon
8. Tweety
9. Superman
10. Donald Duck

How to do Stuff

1. How to reduce weight
2. How to kiss
3. How to earn money
4. How to get pregnant
5. How to learn english
6. How to gain weight
7. How to play guitar
8. How to create a website
9. How to impress a girl
10. How to tie a tie

"Please" requests

1. Please teacher
2. Please note that
3. Please feel free
4. Please do the needful
5. Please find attached
6. Please help me
7. Please investigate your browser
8. Please don’t go
9. Please contact service provider
10. Please wait while we are opening the image for cropping.

"Where" requests

1. Where the mind is without fear
2. Where there is a will there is a way
3. Where eagles dare
4. Where to invest
5. Where the truth lies
6. Where is god
7. Where the world meets
8. Where is the love
9. Where is my boss
10. Where is Mauritius

"Why" requests

1. Why MBA
2. Why should I hire you
3. Why so serious
4. Why Walmart failed in Korea
5. Why do people smoke
6. Why is the sky blue
7. Why did I get married
8. Why do we fall ill
9. Why did the chicken cross the road
10. Why do we dream

Government Websites

1. indianrail.gov.in
2. cbseresults.nic.in
3. incometaxindia.gov.in
4. mca.gov.in
5. incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in
6. passport.nic.in
7. tn.gov.in
8. cbse.nic.in
9. sebi.gov.in
10. indiapost.gov.in

"What is" requests

1. what is global warming
2. what is internet
3. what is computer
4. what is love
5. what is repo rate
6. what is inflation
7. what is sensex
8. what is bpo
9. what is erp
10. what is mutual fund

"How do I" requests

1. how do i enable javascript
2. how do i live without you
3. how do i know ration card details in hyderabad
4. how do i remove virus from my pc
5. how do i get rid of old acne scars
6. how do i register a company in india
7. how do i know i am pregnant
8. how do i breathe
9. how do i write an authentication letter for art
10. how do i get pregnant

Price Query

1. gold price
2. mobile prices
3. crude oil price
4. nokia price list
5. iphone price
6. steel prices
7. share prices
8. laptop prices
9. car prices
10. wholesale price index

Looking for Cheap things

1. cheap air tickets
2. cheap web hosting
3. cheap laptops
4. cheap hotels
5. cheap mobile phones
6. cheap travel insurance
7. cheap domain registration
8. cheap car insurance
9. cheap books
10. cheap package holidays

Hindi Queries

1. राशिफल
2. फोटो गैलरी
3. शायरी हिन्दी
4. ऐश्वर्या राय
5. इंडियन रेलवे
6. कैटरीना कैफ
7. समाचार
8. हिन्दी गाने
9. जोक्स
10. ॐ

Tamil Queries

1. தினமலர்
2. சினிமா
3. செய்திகள்
4. சமையல்
5. கவிதை
6. ஜோதிடம்
7. சென்னை
8. திருமணம்
9. மருத்துவம்
10. ஜாதகம்

Top 10 Lists: City specific Lists most searched queries from a city compared to rest of India

Mumbai

1. mtnl mumbai
2.cinemax
3.apnaloan
4.mhada
5.fame adlabs
6.mtdc
7.tardeo
8.marathi
9.marathi news
10.marathi kavita

Kolkata

1.calcutta telephones
2.list of colleges in west bengal
3.induna.com
4.air pollution pics
5.mobile videos download
6.inox kolkata
7.mandarmani
8.pscwb
9.west bengal tourism
10.lici

Delhi

1.mtnl delhi
2.mcd
3.dvat
4.delhi high court
5.dda
6.www.edudel.nic.in
7.delhi govt
8.affordable quality homes
9.delhi police
10.hardy thomas

SMS while chat in Google

2008-12-11T07:51:00.002+05:30

How often do you try to chat with somebody and they don't respond because they just walked away from their computer? Or maybe you're in the middle of chatting with them just as they need to leave. But you still need to tell them something -- something really important like you've moved where you're meeting...or ice cream! We need ice cream! This is why we built a way to chat with your friends even when they're away from their computers. Now you can keep the conversations going with a new Labs feature that lets you send SMS text messages right from Gmail. It combines the best parts of IM and texting: you chat from the comfort of your computer, and your friends can peck out replies on their little keyboards.

A few weeks back, google ran into a few snags when we first started rolling this out, but starting today you can turn on text messaging for chat. Just click on Settings, and go to the Labs tab. Scroll down until you see "Text Messaging (SMS) in Chat" and select Enable and Save Changes.

We're just trying it out for cell phones in the United States right now, but you can send texts to your friends with US phone numbers from anywhere in the world. You can start by just typing a phone number or into the search box in the chat window on the left, then select "Send SMS." You can also select the contact you want to SMS first and then add their phone number.

Once you give us a name for that phone number, you'll be able to start chatting.

We'll save your friends' numbers in your Contacts, so next time you can just type their name in the chat box and select Send SMS.

On the receiving end, when you get a text message from Gmail on your phone, it will come from a number in the 406 area code. (The l33t folks in the crowd will note that this spells G0O.) You can reply to this text on your phone just like you'd reply to any other text. The reply gets routed back to our Gmail servers and shows up in your friend's Gmail chat window. Each of your friends' messages will come from a different 406 number so you can reply to any message and it will get back to the right person. Messages from the same person will always come from the same number, so you can even bookmark it in your phone.

If you get a message from somebody you don't want to chat with from your phone, just reply with the word BLOCK. If you don't want to get texts from anybody using Gmail, reply with the word STOP and we'll leave you alone. Keep in mind that all these text messages count as part of your regular mobile messaging plan and might incur fees. So unless you know your friends have unlimited text message plans, please be sensitive to their phone bills.

Computer Glossary

2008-12-09T17:45:00.001+05:30

AGP

Accelerated Graphics Port is a type of expansion card slot on the mother board that is optimized to work with high performance video cards. They enable better viewing of 3D graphics and full motion video on your display.

BIOS

Basic Input Output System is code used when a PC first starts up. It contains configuration information about all the Input and Output devices in the PC so that the processor chip knows how to connect to and work with them.

BIT

This is binary digit and is the smallest piece of information a computer uses. A bit is always in one of two states, either 0 or 1, except for the tiny instant of time required to switch from one state to the other.

BYTE

A byte is eight bits. The data and instructions (code) that a CPU uses are coded into bytes. For example capital letter ‘A’ in ASCII (PC) code is byte 0100 0001. A lower case ‘a’ is byte 0110 0001.

BROWSER

Software on a computer used to request and display web pages from a Server.

CABLE MODEM

A type of modem that provides very high speed access to the Internet over the same cable that your cable TV service uses. Rates are asymmetric. This means that downloads are much faster than uploads. Typical download rates are 2 to 3 Mbps and uploads are in the 500Kbs range. This is blazing speed compared to a 56Kbps dial-up modem.

CACHE

Cache is a small fast SRAM type of memory. It prevents CPU slowdown, which happens when the CPU has to wait on slower devices like RAM memory and the hard drive. There are two levels of cache.

Level 1 or L1 cache is a small fast memory located on the same chip as the CPU. When files are first requested by the CPU they are read into the CPU from the hard drive and written into the L1 cache at the same time. When the CPU needs data again it checks the L1 cache and if it finds it there it gets it instantly. If not, it looks successively in the L2 cache, RAM and finally the hard drive, each of which is a little slower in delivering the data the CPU has requested.

If the CPU finds the data it wants in a cache it’s called a ‘hit’ and that’s good. If it doesn’t it’s called a ‘miss’ which makes the CPU wait a little longer to get the data or instruction it needs from one of the other slower devices.

This little bit of time saved by cache hits may not seem significant, but keep in mind that millions of accesses can be performed in a second. Every cache hit shaves time off the data access. Every cache miss adds time to the access. Cache misses lower performance and cache hits raise it!

Because level 2 or L2 cache is located in chips on the motherboard or on the board that holds the CPU it takes a little longer to access than the L1 cache.

L2 cache is becoming more important as it grows in size and performance. The L1 cache is very small because it is on the same chip as the large CPU. Due to it’s small size, chances are high that the CPU won’t find the data it needs there. An L1 cache miss causes the CPU to look in the L2 cache for the data.

The long and short of all this - If the data the CPU needs is not found in the L1 cache or L2 cache, the CPU must to wait to get it from the RAM memory. And if it isn’t in RAM, then the CPU goes on vacation for a number of milliseconds, which is a long time in the CPU world, while the data is retrieved from the hard drive.

CDD

Compact Disk Drive is a storage device that uses optics to read data from compact disks. CDDs that can read as well as write are very popular now.

CPU

The Central Processing Unit is a special chip that controls what happens in a PC. It fetches instructions and does high speed computations on data. It is somewhat like our brain in that it controls everything we do.

DIMM

Dual Inline Memory Module is a small printed circuit board that contains DRAM memory chips. When we say a PC has 256 MBytes of memory we are talking about the total capacity of all the DIMM modules installed in it.
Modern motherboard provide two to four sockets that accept DIMMs.

DOMAIN NAME

A unique name, formed with letters and numbers, that points to the actual numerical Internet address which locates a particular computer connected to the Internet. For instance, The Yahoo domain name points to Internet address 66.218.71.198.

So when you enter www.yahoo.com in your browser and click go, a special server called a domain name server intercepts and directs your request to the server located at address 66.218.71.198.

DRAM

Dynamic Random Access Memory is type of memory that must constantly be refreshed to retain it contents. It is used as the main memory in a PC and is packaged in DIMMs which plug into the motherboard.

DSL Modem

DSL stands Digital Subscriber Line. The DSL modem is a fairly new device, which allows high speed data to move between your PC and the telephone company on the same line that you use for your telephone calls. Yes. you can use your PC and talk over this line at the same time without interference!

How? Picture of a double-decker bridge with two levels. The traffic on the two levels does not interfere with each other even though it is the same bridge, right? Think of your phone call using the lower level and your PC using the upper level. Instead of being separated by different levels in space, the separation is done by your PC and voice each using a different carrier frequency, just like two different radio stations.

FAT16

FAT is the abbreviation for File Allocation Table. It is a table where the system keeps basic information for each file on your hard drive. The 16 indicates the number of bits used to address the hard drive. The largest partition FAT16 can access is 2MB. When used on a hard drive that is bigger than 2MB the drive space will be divided into a number of partitions.

For example a 10MB drive would be divided into five partitions of 2MB each. If the drive were the only one in the system the partitions would be called C:, D:, E:, F:, and G:.

FAT32

FAT is the abbreviation for File Allocation Table. It is a table where the system keeps basic information for each file on your hard drive. The 32 indicates the number of bits used to address the hard drive. The largest partition FAT32 can access is 2 Terabytes (two trillion bytes)! So far there are no hard drives I know of that begin to approach this size. Windows 98 was the first of the Windows OS to support this file structure.

FDD

Floppy Disk Drive is a device which provides a way for the PC to read and write floppy disks, which are a type of removable storage media. Floppy disks (3 1/2 inch) have a capacity of 1.44 Mbytes. When PCs first came out, floppy disks were 5 1/4 inch and held 720 Kbytes.

FIREWIRE

Firewire also known as IEEE 1394 or iLink is a very fast serial bus that runs at 400 Mbps. It competes directly against USB 2.0. Transmit and Receive data are carried on two separately-shielded twisted pair transmission lines. There are two other, rarely used, wires that provide power to remote devices.
Many newer computers have Firewire ports that are used to connect them to very fast external devices.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol is the method used by computers to send and receive files over the Internet.

HTML

Hyper Text Markup Language is the coding that is used to format web pages on Servers so that Browsers can display them.

HTTP

Hyper Text Transport Protocol is used by browsers and servers to facilitate the transport of web pages across the Internet.

HDD

Hard Disk Drive is a device that provides a large fixed typically (non removable) storage area. Some units today easily removable from the front of the PC. The capacity of HDDs has continued to increase. 40Gbyte drives are readily available and inexpensive. The HDDs used in the first PC had only 10Mbytes of storage.

IDE

Integrated Drive Electronics refers to the electronic control section of a Hard or Floppy Drive. This control section coordinates the electromechanical operation of the drive so that data can be written to and read from the spinning disk inside it. The motherboard connects to Drives over an IDE ribbon cable.

I/O

This means Input/Output. Input is data or signals that are fed into a device. Output is data or signals that a device drives to the outside. Some devices can do both, others are only one or the other.

ISA

Industry Standard Architecture refers to a type of expansion slot on the motherboard. It is the oldest of all expansion type slots and first appeared in the IBM PC XT. Thousands of expansion or add-on cards as they are also called, have been designed to plug into the ISA slot. The use of expansion cards vastly extends the function and capability of the PC.

MEMORY NON-VOLATILE

Memory is a device that retains information electronically. When power is removed the information is retained.

MEMORY VOLATILE

Memory is a device that retains information electronically. When power is removed the information is lost. The DRAM memory used in a PC is the volatile type.

OS

Operating Systems are the basic foundation or platform programs that allow you to load and run other programs on a PC. Windows 95 is an example of an Operating System.

PARALLEL PORT

The parallel port is a standard port on a PC and moves data out of the PC. One byte (eight bits in parallel) are sent out on 8 pins for each data transfer. Historically this port is connected to your printer. It also known as a ‘Centronics’ port, named after the manufacturer of the 38- pin connector first used on the parallel port.

PCI

Peripheral Component Interconnect refers to a type of expansion slot found on PC motherboards. It is a newer type of expansion slot than ISA, and many types of Add-On cards have been designed to use it.

RANDOM ACCESS

This refers to an access method. It means that any random location in a storage or memory device can be immediately accessed, with out going serially to get there. It’s like a cassette where your at the beginning and have to wind through everything on the tape to get to the last song! Compact Disks and PC Main memory are random access devices.

SERIAL ACCESS

This access method is found in audio or video cassettes. It means you can not access any location you choose to instantly. You might have to rewind or fast forward through lots of information you are not interested in to get to where you want to go.

SERIAL PORT

The serial port is standard port on a PC and can move data in and out of the PC. The serial port moves one bit on each data transfer. Many different types of devices connect to a PC through it.

SERVER

Software on a computer that serves web pages in response to requests from a Browser.

SIMM

Single Inline Memory Module is a small printed circuit board that contains DRAM memory. This is an older board style that was used in PCs before DIMMs were developed.

SRAM

Static Random Access Memory is type of memory that retains data without being refreshed. It is used in the cache memories of the PC.

TROJAN HORSE

Trojan horses are dangerous programs that appear like they might perform some useful task, or provide entertainment. This false appearance encourages people to run them. When they are run, they can damage files or place a virus on your computer.

Unlike a virus a Trojan horse does not replicate and spread. Since it isn’t a virus it can’t be repaired and must be erased from your computer.

USB

Universal Serial Bus is a high speed serial bus found on all newer PCs. Eventually it will obsolete the serial and parallel ports still found on most PCs.

USB specifies three data rates. Every USB port may not support the highest rate. If you buy a device with a USB port, make sure out find out which rates it does support.

Low speed - 1.5Mb/s
Full Speed - 12Mb/s
High Speed - 480 Mb/s

VIDEO ADAPTER

The video adapter is circuit board found in the PC or monitor that controls how data is converted and sent to the monitor for viewing.

Most displays and video adapters adhere to the Video Graphics Array (VGA) standard, which describes how data - the red, green, blue data streams - are passed from the computer to the display.

In addition, it defines the frame refresh rates in hertz and the number and width of horizontal lines, which in turn identifies the screen resolution in pixels.

Here are some of the video standards that have been used:

* CGA is 320 x 200 - developed in 1981 by IBM, no longer in use.
* EGA is 640 x 350 - developed in 1984 by IBM, no longer in use.
* VGA is 640 x 480 - developed in 1987 by IBM and still in use.
* Super VGA is 800 x 600.
* Extended Graphics Adapter, XGA is 1024 x 768.
* Super XGA is 1280 x 1024.
* Ultra XGA is 1600 x 1200.

VIRUS

It is a program designed to change the way your computer operates without your permission or knowledge. When a virus attaches itself to another file, it infects it. Any time you activate an infected file it can damage files, cause erratic system behavior, or display messages. Some system viruses are programmed specifically to corrupt programs, delete files, or erase your disk.

Viruses are inactive until you run an infected program, start your computer from a disk with infected system files, or open an infected file. Once a virus is active in memory it can infect any other programs, local or network, that you run.

Files infected with a virus can be inoculated (the virus is removed from the program).

WORM

Worms are a close cousin to viruses and Trojan Horses. Unlike a virus they don’t infect other programs. They do however make many copies of themselves in memory, which effectively consumes all your memory. This leaves no memory to run you regular programs. Your PC may behave very erratically, or just grind to a halt!

Some worms get into your e-mail list and e-mail themselves to everyone on your e-mail list without you knowledge. When each unsuspecting recipient opens such an e-mail, it broadcasts itself to everyone on their e-mail list. This is how worms rapidly travel throughout the Internet! Worms can not be repaired since they are not viruses. They must be erased from your computer, the sooner the better!

Nice one to follow

2008-12-06T10:01:00.001+05:30

Monica married Hitesh this day. At the end of the wedding party.

Monica's mother gave her a newly opened bank saving passbook. With Rs.1000 deposit amount.

Mother: 'Monica, take this passbook. Keep it as a record of your marriage life. When there's something happy and memorable happened in your new
life, put some money in. Write down what it's about next to the line. The more memorable the event is, the more money you can put in. I've done the
first one for you today. Do the others with Hitesh.When you look back after years, you can know how much happiness you've had.'

Monica shared this with Hitesh when getting home. They both thought it was a great idea and were anxious to know when the second deposit can be
made.
This was what they did after certain time:
- 7 Feb: Rs.100, first birthday celebration for Hitesh after marriage
- 1 Mar: Rs.300, salary raise for Monica
- 20 Mar: Rs.200, vacation trip to Bali
- 15 Apr: Rs.2000, Monica got pregnant
- 1 Jun: Rs.1000, Hitesh got promoted
..... and so on...

However, after years, they started fighting and arguing for trivial things.They didn't talk much. They regretted that they had married the most nasty people in the world.... no more love...Kind of typical nowadays, huh?

One day Monica talked to her Mother: 'Mom, we can't stand it anymore. We agree to divorce. I can't imagine how I decided to marry this guy!!!'

Mother: 'Sure, girl, that's no big deal. Just do whatever you want if you really can't stand it. But before that, do one thing first. Remember the saving passbook I gave you on your wedding day? Take out all money and spend it first. You shouldn't keep any record of such a poor marriage.'

Monica thought it was true. So she went to the bank, waiting at the queue and planning to cancel the account.

While she was waiting, she took a look at the passbook record. She looked, and looked, and looked. Then the memory of all the previous joy and happiness just came up her mind. Her eyes were then filled with tears. She left and went home.

When she was home, she handed the passbook to Hitesh, asked him to spend the money before getting divorce.

The next day, Hitesh gave the passbook back to Monica. She found a new deposit of Rs.5000. And a line next to the record: 'This is the day I notice
how much I've loved you thru out all these years. How much happiness you've brought me.' They hugged and cried, putting the passbook back to the safe.

Do you know how much money they had saved when they retired? I did not ask.I believe the money did not matter any more after they had gone thru all the good years in their life.

Moral is with yours.........

Power is Important

2008-12-05T17:54:00.001+05:30

Rediff WebinMail

2008-12-03T14:36:00.004+05:30

Rediff has announced a new service that will allows internet users to view web pages directly in their E-Mail. “Web-in-Mail” service is perfect for those who have internet connections in their office but certain web pages or websites are blocked. Rediff said that Web-in-Mail service only works with MS Outlook, Outlook Express and Blackberry device, but I found that this service is also work fine with Windows Live Mail

How Web-in-Mail Works
Send an E-Mail to browse@webinmail.com , with subject line webpage you want to browse

And this is the response that you get from Rediff’s Web-in-Mail service

Salary cut for PM too...

2008-12-01T11:41:00.001+05:30

Ever heard of politicians taking a salary cut? Yes, but it is not happening in India!

The economic recession has hit politicians in Singapore, who are amongst the highest paid in the world. Their salaries will be cut by up to 19 per cent next year.

The Singapore prime minister, who earns more than the American President has set a precedent by taking a salary cut.

Lee Hsien Loong

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong salary of $2.46 million (Rs 123,079,932) is five times higher than that of the US president George W. Bush. His salary will be slashed to $1.99 million (Rs 99,505,769).

Singapore cut its growth forecast for a fourth time this year and the economy is expected to fall further in 2009.

Section 49–O of the Constitution

2008-12-01T11:39:00.000+05:30

Section 49–O of the Constitution

Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49–O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone!

Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49–O".

Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49–O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be canceled and will have to be re–polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re–polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way; of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public....

Please spread this news to as many as you know...Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49–O) and pass this info on...

"Please forward this mail to as many as possible, so that we, the people of India, can really use this power to save our nation". Use your voting right for a better INDIA.

Yet Another Blast in India

2008-11-27T12:26:00.001+05:30

Yet another blast in Indian commercial city

Today, in a very shocking incident terrorist attacked Indian commercial capital Mumbai. This terrorist attack totally took Mumbai hostage as terrorists attacked multiple places including Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Metro theatre, Central Railway station, Bombay Hospital etc. These attacks started around 10:05 PM. So far there are reports of nine terrorist attacks where terrorists opened fire on people and also reports of 8 blasts. There are also reports of death of 80 people in these attacks and more than 250 are injured. There is also report of death of 9 police men including one ACP and ATS chief Hemant Karkare. Police encounters are currently continuing at multiple places. There are total five explosions of hand grenades in Taj Hotel. There are also estimates that total numbers of terrorists were 10-12. Terrorists used hand grenades and AK47 for carrying out these attacks. Police has killed two terrorists and captured 7 terrorists alive. Terrorists were wearing army/police like uniform. Terrorists also have control of police jeeps. Police has also defused three bombs from three different places. There are also unconfirmed reports that terrorists have made hostage few US and UK citizens. Terrorists look to be in total control of two major hotels of Mumbai Taj and Oberoi. New terrorist organisation Deccan Mujahidin has taken responsibility of this attack. Central government has rushed 200 NSG commandos, Navy commandos and one army battalion to Mumbai. These are worst kind of attacks in Indian history which were earlier unknown to India. These attacks put question mark on the preparedness of Indian security forces and failure of our governments. Government has asked people to stay inside their homes because there could be some terrorists free on road.

Today, it looks that terrorists have took control of Indian commercial capital Mumbai. Terrorists have control of major hotels like Taj and Oberoi and moving here and there in police jeeps firing on people. So far there are reports of 80 people killed in these attacks and 250 people being injured. There are estimates that numbers of these terrorists could be more than 10. 7 police men including one ASP has also died in these blasts. There is no news about these terrorists and their group so far.

Child's......

2008-11-25T11:25:00.002+05:30

நட்புக்கு கூட கற்புகள் உண்டு நல்லா தெரிஞ்சுக்கடா!

2008-11-24T11:49:00.001+05:30

ஒன்பதரை மணி காலேஜிக்கு
ஒவ்வொருத்தனா கெளம்பும் போது
ஒருத்தன் மட்டும் தூங்கிகிட்டிருப்பான்
ஒன்பது இருபது ஆகுற வரைக்கும்...

அடிச்சி புடிச்சி கெளம்புறப்போ
அரை குறையா குளிச்சதுண்டு
பத்து நிமிஷ பந்தயத்துல
பட படன்னு சாப்டதுண்டு

பதட்டதோட சாப்பிட்டாலும்
பந்தயத்துல தோத்ததில்ல,
லேட்டா வர்ற நண்பனுக்கு
பார்சல் மட்டும் மறந்ததில்ல!

விறுவிறுன்னு நடந்து வந்து
காலேஜ் Gate நெருங்குறப்போ
'வெறுப்படிக்கிதுடா மச்சான்'னு
ஒருத்தன் பொலம்பி தொலச்சாக்கா,
வேற எதுவும் யோசிக்காம
வேகவேகமா திரும்பிடுவோம்
வெட்டியா ரூம்ல அரட்டை அடிக்க,
இல்ல 'வெற்றி' தியேட்டர்ல படம் பாக்க!

'கஷ்டப்பட்டு' காலேஜிக்கு போனா
கடங்கார professor கழுத்தறுப்பான்...
assignment எழுதாத பாவத்துக்கு
நாள் முழுக்க நிக்கவச்சி தாக்கறுப்பான்!

கேலி கிண்டல் பஞ்சமில்ல,
கூத்து கும்மாள குறையுமில்ல,
எல்லாருக்கும் சேத்துதான் punishmentன்னா
H.O.Dய கூட விட்டதில்ல!

ஈ அடிச்சான் காபி இந்தபக்கம்னா
அத அடிப்பான் காபி அந்தபக்கம்...
ஒருத்தன் மட்டும் படிச்சிட்டு வந்து
ஒன்பதுபேர் பாஸ் ஆனதுண்டு!

பசியில யாரும் தவிச்சதில்ல
காரணம் - தவிக்க விட்டதில்ல...
டீக்கடையில கடன்வச்சி குடிச்சாலும்
சரக்கடிக்க பஞ்சமே வந்ததில்ல!

அம்மா ஆசையா போட்ட செயினும்
மாமா முறையா போட்ட மோதிரமும்
fees கட்ட முடியாத நண்பனுக்காக
அடகு கடை படியேற அழுததில்ல ...

சட்டைய மாத்தி போட்டுக்குவோம்
சாதி சமயம் பாத்ததில்ல,
மூஞ்சிமேல காலபோட்டு தூங்கினாலும்
முகவரி என்னன்னு கேட்டதில்ல!

படிச்சாலும் படிக்கலன்னாலும்
பிரிச்சி வச்சி பாத்ததில்ல...
அரியர்ஸ் வெச்சாலும் வெக்கலன்னாலும்
அந்தஸ்த்து பாத்த ஞாபகமில்ல!

வேல தேடி அலையுறப்போ
வேதனைய பாத்துப்புட்டோம்
'வெட்டி ஆபிஸர்'னு நெஜமாவே
மாறி மாறி சிரிச்சிகிட்டோம்!

ஒருத்தன் மட்டும் சம்பாதிக்க ஆரம்பிச்சு
ஒன்பது பேரும் உக்காந்து சாப்பிட்டப்போ
மனசு கட்டபொம்மனா நண்பனுக்கு நன்றி சொல்ல
கண்ணு எட்டப்பனா கண்ணீர் சிந்தி காட்டி குடுக்கும்...
பக்குவமா இத கண்டும் காணாம
நண்பன் தட்டி கொடுக்க நெனைக்கிறப்போ
'சாப்பாட்ல காரம்டா மச்சான்'னு
சமாளிச்சி எழுந்து போவோம்...

நாட்கள் நகர,
வருஷங்கள் ஓடுது,
எப்போதாவது மட்டுந்தான் இ-மெயிலும் வருகுது
"Hi da machan... how are you?" வுன்னு...

தங்கச்சி கல்யாணம்,
தம்பி காலேஜி,
அக்காவோட சீமந்தம்,
அம்மாவோட ஆஸ்த்துமா,
personal loan interest,
housing loan EMI,
share market சருக்கல்,
appraisal டென்ஷன்,
இந்த கொடுமையெல்லாம் பத்தாம
'இன்னிக்காவது பேச மாட்டாளா?' ன்னு
இஞ்சிமறப்பா போல ஒரு காதல்,
.
.
.
எப்படியோ வாழ்க்க ஓடுது ஏடாகூடமா,
நேரம் பாக்க நேரமில்ல போதாகாலமா!

இ-மெயில் இருந்தாலும்
இண்டர்னெட் இருந்தாலும்
கம்பெனியில ஓசி phone இருந்தாலும்
கையில calling card இருந்தாலும்
நேரம் மட்டும் கெடைக்கிறதில்ல
நண்பனோட குரல கேக்க
நெனச்சாலும் முடியறதில்ல
பழையபடி வாழ்ந்து பாக்க!

அலைபேசி இருந்தும் அழைக்க முடியாம போனாலும்
orkut இருந்தும் scrap பன்ன முடியாம போனாலும்
'available' ன்னு தெரிஞ்சும் chat பன்ன முடியாம போனாலும்
'ஏண்டா பேசல?' ன்னு கோச்சிக்க தெரியல..
இத பெரிய பிரச்சனையா யோசிக்கவும் முடியல!

கல்யாணத்துக்கு கூப்பிட்டு
வரமுடியாமா போனாலும்,
அம்மா தவறின சேதி கேட்டதும்
கூட்டமா வந்தெறங்கி,
தோள் குடுத்து தூக்கி நிறுத்தி
பால் எடுத்தவரை கூட இருந்து
சொல்லாம போக வேண்டிய இடத்துல
செதுக்கிவச்சிட்டு போன என் தோழர்கள்
தேசம் கடந்து போனாலும்
பாசம் மறந்து போகாது!
பேசக் கூட மறந்தாலும்
வாசம் மாறி போகாது!
வருஷம் பல கழிஞ்சாலும்
வரவேற்பு குறையாது!
வசதி வாய்ப்பு வந்தாலும்
'மாமா' 'மச்சான்' மாறாது!

Nice One

2008-11-24T11:48:00.000+05:30

"மழையில் நனைந்துகொண்டே வீட்டுக்கு வந்தேன் 'குடை எடுத்துட்டுப் போக வேண்டியதுதானே' என்றான் அண்ணன் 'எங்கேயாச்சும் ஒதுங்கி நிக்கவேண்டியதுதானே' என்றாள் அக்கா 'சளி பிடிச்சுக்கிட்டு செலவு வைக்கப்போற பாரு' என்றார் அப்பா தன் முந்தானையால் என் தலையை துவட்டிக்கொண்டே திட்டினாள் அம்மா என்னையல்ல; மழையை!''

Tea - A Healthy Drink

2008-11-21T11:14:00.002+05:30

The story of tea begins over four and a half thousand years ago. According to Chinese mythology, the Emperor, Shen Nung, scholar and herbalist, was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water. A leaf from the tree above dropped into the water and he decided to try the concoction. The pleasant aroma and refreshing taste enchanted him and soon everyone in the realm was drinking tea. Tea soon became renowned for its properties as a healthy, refreshing drink. Its soothing, healing and invigorating effects have been appreciated throughout the world for hundreds of years. Tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world exceeded only by water. India is one of the most prolific tea drinking countries, after some south eastern countries like Japan, China.

There seems to be some debate by various lobbies regarding whether tea is good for one's health or does it end up harming us?

When tea harms

It is alleged that tea can actually decrease the amount of iron which is absorbed by the body. People who are habituated to drinking tea after meals, are the worst affected since tea consumed right after meals can indeed lead to the above allegation. Studies done on this hence advice people to avoid tea after meals and say it is not to be used as a digestive.

Like anything that's done in excess, too much tea also has negative effects on one's health. In other words excessive consumption of tea can over stimulate the nervous system, which is a fact. Too much tea can lead to restlessness lack of concentration.

On the same frame the other talked about ill effects of tea seem to be acidity and gas; although this is true but only in cases of strong tea, which is richly brewed and had with milk or lemon. Light green tea does not have this effect

Goodness in a cup of tea

It is truly believed that tea has many beneficial affects like an increase in concentration levels, good memory, alertness and stamina to work. It has the ability to shake us out of our afternoon lethargy! It is essential to remember nevertheless that moderation is in our best interest.
Tea also is very rich in antioxidants that clean the whole system and are responsible for the process of aging or the cholesterol deposits which cause the hardening of the arteries, skin pigmentation and also kidneys becoming weak..

Tea is said to be rich in fluorides which protect the gums and teeth and are also good for one's oral health. Another wonderful benefit is that tea is also a mood elevator.

Google SMS Search on 9-77-33-00000

2008-11-19T15:38:00.001+05:30

- Power cut during a nail biting cricket match?
- New city, late night and you're out of cash with an upset tummy. Need to find an ATM, a doctor and a taxi service?
- Dread long queues at the railway reservation enquiry counter simply to confirm your seat or find the train information?

If you've been through any of above then we have a great friend for you - Google SMS Search (9-77-33-00000), which lets you find answers to these specific problems and a lot more questions on the go.

In the past, cricket scores and astrology updates on SMS brought a smile to a lot of us until seeing the premium charges associated with short code services. And this was after we had to remember a complicated set of prefixes for different types of information.

Understanding these woes, the SMS team at Google has come up with Google SMS Search. Now send all your queries to 9-77-33-00000 without paying any premium charges! SMS Search offers an easy-to-use way to type in free-form searches. No longer will your questions require complicated prefixes or a tight syntax. You can learn about the interesting features and try our interactive demo at http://www.google.co.in/sms.

Launched nationally, this service is available across all operators on both GSM and CDMA mobile phones. Give it a try by SMSing "help" to 9-77-33-00000 and don't forget to save the number of your newly found friend (Google SMS) in your phone book!

Windows Vista Audit Mode

2008-11-19T13:38:00.001+05:30

Audit mode is a mode of Windows Setup that lets you bypass Windows Welcome so you can quickly access the desktop.

Audit mode is usually entered by running sysprep /audit command or using an answer file setting during unattended installation.

But if you install Windows Vista manually on a computer, you can also break into audit mode when the Windows Welcome screen appears by pressing CTRL+SHFT+F3.

This lets you get to the desktop quickly so you can add drivers, install applications, and do other stuff without having to go through all the steps of Windows Welcome.

Friends forever

2008-11-18T15:46:00.004+05:30

Diet Mantras for Working People

2008-11-17T07:51:00.000+05:30

Most working people have the same complaints these days - no time to eat , rushed office time , long office hours and inadvertent eating out leading to acidity , gas , bloating , nausea , and obesity. Many people woefully complain that they hardly eat and yet they are gaining weight. What could be going wrong? The problem is that the food, instead of energizing, is sapping them away of all the energies.

If you are a working man/woman, here are a few mantras for you that can help you stay healthy and feel energized:

Don't skip the most important meal of the day (breakfast)

Missing the most important meal of the day tends to set a trend for the rest of the day. People skip breakfast for various reasons; it could be due to eating late at night therefore they don't feel hungry in the morning; they have no time because they're running late or even that they believe that skipping breakfast will keep them slim. What ever the reason, the problems one faces are ten times worse. Out of the many reasons to eat breakfast in the morning, some are:

Eating breakfast first thing in the morning is very important for the brain and the body. For people on the go, a ready to eat cereal topped with fruits and yoghurt is one of the many easy options.
Breakfast is the first chance the body has to refuel its glucose levels (also known as blood sugar) after eight to 12 hours without a meal or snack.
Breakfast is also important for weight loss and management as it helps curb your hunger and prevent binge eating later in the day.

Eat at regular intervals

Our bodies need food (that equals energy), at regular intervals. Denying food to our bodies is like not greasing a piece of machinery, how will it thus function? Here is why meal timings are important:

The best way to avoid acidity, gas, bloating is to eat small meals several times a day. Frequent mini-meals supply a steady stream of insulin to preserve muscle, but less of an insulin release (and thus less fat gain) over 24 hours than if you ate three big squares.
Along with sleep and coffee, food has a huge impact on how energized you feel during the day. So keep handy some healthy snacks if you're going to have a late lunch/dinner and when you finally get to your meal, just eat a small potion instead of gouging on it.
Regularize your eating patterns so body knows there's steady supply of food, this in turn, will ensure that it doesn't store fat.

Pay attention towards healthy food options

When hunger strikes, you eat chocolates, chips or fried foods. All these are contributory factors towards obesity, constipation etc. Some things to keep in mind:

Read up on healthier options such as dry roasted nuts which taste great and yet pack 1/3^rd of your daily needed calories. Keep them with you when you're on the go or even in your office drawers.
Breakfast should consist of fruits and milk products e.g. papaya, apples, bananas, oranges, cottage cheese, yoghurt etc.
For lunch/ dinner, make sure there is a balance between carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Dals, vegetables and lean meats are a good option as well as non starched rice and wheat roti's etc.

Avoid Eating outside food

With a busy and long day at work and other commitments, we tend to take the easy way out by just grabbing some junk food. Here are a few suggestions -

Don't leave home with a satisfying breakfast under your belly.
Carry fruits and nuts with you, instead of cookies and chips.
Pack lunch as and when possible or get the famous dabbawallas to send you a home cooked meal.

Reduce intake of aerated and caffeinated drinks.

Feeling thirsty? With all the choices of many drinks we end up consuming lots of fizzy drinks thus feel no hunger. Fizzy drinks of any brand cause excessive bloating, palpitations, inability to concentrate and lead to reverse hypoglycemia. Here are a few suggestions -

Always keep water on your bedside and on your work stations.
Choose packaged coconut water, nimbu pani (lime drink), fruit juices or herbal drinks.
If you need to have coffee or tea, restrict the amount you drink in a day to not more than 2/3 cups.

Avoid Stress and long working hours.

High stress jobs, lots of late night parties, alcohol, fizzy drinks, smoking etc. accelerate the side effects of poor dietary habits. Some ways to alleviate the harmful effects are -

Intake of foods that cool your system such as yoghurt, cucumbers, tomatoes etc keep us hydrated.
Intake of high-fibre foods such as oat bran, woody vegetables etc. keep your energy levels high.
A balanced diet and regular meal timings will ensure your health can cope with such physical stress.

Anger & Love have no limits

2008-11-13T17:56:00.001+05:30

While a man was washing his new car, his 4 yr old son picked stone & scratched lines on the side of the car.

In anger, the man took the child's hand & hit it many times, not realizing he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers due to multiple fractures. When the child saw his father....
with painful eyes he asked 'Dad when will my fingers grow back?'

Man was so hurt and speechless. He went back to car and kicked it a lot of times.

Devastated by his own actions..... . sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches, child had written 'LOVE YOU DAD'.

The next day that man committed suicide. . .

Anger and Love have no limits, Choose the later to have a beautiful & lovely life....

Things are to be used and people are to be loved,

But the problem in today's world is that

People are used and things are loved.......

Say hello to Gmail voice and video chat

2008-11-12T07:26:00.002+05:30

Today Google launching voice and video chat -- right inside Gmail. Gooogle have tried to make this an easy-to-use, seamless experience, with high-quality audio and video -- all for free. All you have to do is download and install the voice and video plugin and we take care of the rest. And in the spirit of open communications, they designed this feature using Internet standards such as XMPP, RTP, and H.264, which means that third-party applications and networks can choose to interoperate with Gmail voice and video chat.

Once you install the plugin, to start a video chat, just click on the "Video & more" menu at the bottom of your Gmail chat window, and choose "Start video chat." You'll have a few seconds to make sure you look presentable while it's ringing, and then you'll see and hear your friend live, right from within Gmail. You can click the "pop-out" iconto make the video larger, or click the fullscreen iconin the upper left-hand corner for a fully immersive experience. See this all in action in the video below:

A good man leaves in good time

2008-11-08T07:47:00.004+05:30

There was so much that was ‘correct’ about Kumble even if his leg-spin was not exactly of the orthodox variety. Even the umpires and the Match Referees loved him. Not once was he pulled up for bad behaviour during his 18-year international career.

It would be hard to pick his greatest attribute. Anil Kumble was a spinner who won matches. His commitment and integrity were unmatched. He was aggressive and courageous, soft-spoken and humble. Jumbo played his cricket with great honour and dignity.

The burden of expectations seldom weighed on him. Year after year, he shouldered the mantle of being the spin spearhead. The responsibility only inspired Kumble.

There was so much that was ‘correct’ about Kumble even if his leg-spin was not exactly of the orthodox variety. Even the umpires and the Match Referees loved him. Not once was he pulled up for bad behaviour during his 18-year international career.

He would look you in the eye and his hand-shake was firm. Kumble was direct and forthcoming, spoke his mind when there was a need. His words were measured, but he would make his point.

Now, he will not bowl for India again. The champion leg-spinner’s decision to retire after the drawn third India-Australia Test in New Delhi saw him once again putting “team over self.”

There were stitches in his non-bowling hand and he was not going to allow speculations about the team and its composition to do the round ahead of the crucial fourth Test at Nagpur.

The last few days were not particularly easy for Kumble. Rumours about retirements in the Indian camp upset him, so did the flippant manner in which some of the accomplished seniors were dismissed by sections of the media.

A troublesome shoulder meant his bowling suffered as well. Kumble’s deliveries had lacked bite over the last six months, the fizz off the pitch was missing.

Test cricket’s third highest wicket-taker with 619 scalps in 132 Tests picked his moment to walk away and his timing could not be faulted. Seasons of bowling had also taken their toll and he was being bothered more by fitness concerns.

The captaincy baton was passed on to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Kumble had also cleared the way for the younger spinners.

Kumble always reached out to the younger bunch. Lakshmipathy Balaji would tell you tales about Kumble’s discipline and preparation before and during matches and his kind words of guidance. Recently, Amit Mishra revealed that the first call he received after his selection in the Test squad against Australia was from Kumble.

The champion leg-spinner leaves with the knowledge that both Mishra and Piyush Chawla are promising leg-spinners. The void left by a giant such as Kumble will be hard to fill and the younger lot face a daunting challenge. The depth in the Indian spin ranks will be tested in the coming days.

If the younger cricketers saw Kumble as a role model, there was also immense respect for the man from the senior players. The other day, Sachin Tendulkar called Kumble a “great warrior.”

Kumble was a ‘warrior’ who would not kill a fly. He only knew how to dismiss batsmen.

And he comprehended a ‘fight.’ Whether his broken jaw was wired up or his non-bowling arm sported stitches, he gave it all. He conquered the barriers of pain much like a footsoldier.

The admiration for Kumble within the team was reflected in the send-off given by his mates at Ferozeshah Kotla. It was a heart-warming moment of genuine affection.

It was only right that Kumble put a full stop to his Test career at Kotla; he had already announced his retirement from the ODIs. The ground meant so much for him, was a home away from home.

Kumble staged a memorable comeback here in the 1991-92, bowling himself into the Indian team for the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa. The Irani Cup duel marked the turning point in Kumble’s career.

The leg-spinner relished the bounce in the South African pitches and he, indeed, was back on the highway to glory. Then, when he had become India’s top bowler, Kumble achieved ‘a perfect ten’ in the Pakistan second innings during the series of 1999 at the Kotla.

Yes, he could destroy line-ups, was India’s biggest match-winner.

The precision in Kumble’s bowling, the ability to send down long spells with control and accuracy, subtle variations, slight spin and killer bounce made him a formidable adversary.

The Smiling Assassin’s bowling simmered with aggression. He only smiled after sending back a batsman. Otherwise, Kumble was all intensity and focus. He would hardly mask his rage at a misfield or a dropped catch but never crossed the line. A wonderful sense of rhythm underlined his bowling. Someone who started as a paceman in his primary school days, Kumble ran in quicker than most spinners. He was also faster through the air.

He ripped the ball hard but his deliveries were more top-spun than side-spun. The bounce he extracted on most pitches made Kumble a compelling bowler. In the early stages of his international journey, he bowled a mix of leg-spin and top-spinners. Along the way, he developed the wrong ’un, and the flipper. A tall man, he complemented his height with a high-arm action and a wonderful wrist position. He would change the angle to bemuse batsmen, and his bowling was in harmony with his field placements.

Though not a conventional spinner of flight and guile, he did attempt bowling slower through the air in the later stages of his career and the changes in pace and trajectory added to his repertoire.

He could be devastating on wearing surfaces but Kumble was a healthy competitor on any pitch. The leg-spinner once sliced through Australia on a firm first day track at Chepauk (2004). Down Under in 2003-04, he almost won the series for India with persistent high-quality bowling. Pitches with an element of bounce suited his style.

Kumble’s spin partnership with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh won several matches for India. The pair had variety, seldom allowed the batsmen to breathe easy. If one didn’t strike, the other could.

Kumble’s batting — his Test hundred in the Old Bligthy last year was an unexpected moment of celebration — reflected his determination. His mental strength was enormous; Kumble’s comeback from a disturbing shoulder surgery in 2001 displayed his resolve.

He was conventional rather than attacking in his methods as captain but led the side capably during the acrimonious series in Australia last season.

Kumble leaves but `Jumbo the Giant’ will live on.