Recently Google enhanced their search to show cricket scores.
The best thing about this is that you don't have to go to different sites. It crawls to different sites, fetch the data and show the latest score. It does great to people like me , who work in organizations where major score providing sites (cricbuzz and cricinfo) are banned. :)
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
अब हिंदी लिखना इतना आसान है।
Thanks to Google for getting Indic Transliteration, writing in hindi is piece of cake.
मूझे याद है जब मैंने microsoft given fonts से हिंदी मैं लिखना सुरु किया था। It took almost a day after perfection when i wrote this.
पर अब हिंदी लिखना इतना आसान है। One should just see to believe that is it this easy.
मूझे याद है जब मैंने microsoft given fonts से हिंदी मैं लिखना सुरु किया था। It took almost a day after perfection when i wrote this.
पर अब हिंदी लिखना इतना आसान है। One should just see to believe that is it this easy.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The VHS vs Betamax Format War
Recently i had a chance to read on a format war and it just gave me something to write on. The instance goes something like this.
In year 1974 JVC launched its VHS format followed by Sony's Betamax format a year after. For around a 20 years both the giants had a great tussle with VHS being victorious.
The victory was not on technical grounds (as Sony was unarguably the winner in that context) but more on marketing and customer needs.
One of the biggest this which went against the Betamax format was that a single tape of betamax recorded for just 1 hour as against the 3 hour movies during that time. Where as a VHS format was for 3-hour recording. Sony did provide with other solutions for longer recording time but it was too late.
The tussle between two giant formats lead to two manufacturing groups with Sony, Toshiba, Sanyo, NEC, Aiwa, and Pioneer on one side. On the VHS side were JVC, Matsushita (Panasonic), Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Sharp, and Akai. But with recording time and the turn around time to create the VHS format players just squeezed the Betamax market.
Finally the last Betamax format machine was produced in 2002 with the war already over by late 1980's.
In year 1974 JVC launched its VHS format followed by Sony's Betamax format a year after. For around a 20 years both the giants had a great tussle with VHS being victorious.
The victory was not on technical grounds (as Sony was unarguably the winner in that context) but more on marketing and customer needs.
One of the biggest this which went against the Betamax format was that a single tape of betamax recorded for just 1 hour as against the 3 hour movies during that time. Where as a VHS format was for 3-hour recording. Sony did provide with other solutions for longer recording time but it was too late.
The tussle between two giant formats lead to two manufacturing groups with Sony, Toshiba, Sanyo, NEC, Aiwa, and Pioneer on one side. On the VHS side were JVC, Matsushita (Panasonic), Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Sharp, and Akai. But with recording time and the turn around time to create the VHS format players just squeezed the Betamax market.
Finally the last Betamax format machine was produced in 2002 with the war already over by late 1980's.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Remember v/s Thinking
Disclaimer: The below comments given under and my personal comments and doesn’t point to some specific organization or individual. There are lots of companies or institutes who believe in right way to recruit person but my views are for bigger % of institutions who still don’t believe that the path they follow is not right.
Interviews play an important role in a software engineer level. Why a software engineer it plays an important role in every walk in life. But there is a BIG BIG myth about the interviews across the Software Industry in India. Most of the interviews don't even check if a person can think logically or can apply the basic knowledge of solving problems. It just checks the bookish knowledge.
If we just rewind the full movie then we will just reach our childhoods. The school as a whole believed in how well a student can "remember" stuff rather than how well a student can "think". The previous statement is very easy to say or will empathize with each individual but it has a deeper meaning.
I have been a topper in Mathematics, which most of kids used to be really afraid of, and the in retrospect I feel the only reason why I excelled in maths or even Logical thinking was for the single reason: no single answer for a problem satiated me. I was always in look for multiple answers, for an IDEAL answer. There was some devil inside me who was very hungry for more and more answers. I used to even see numbers in air or solutions while seeing the architecture of the school buildings. I used to see solutions of trigonometry while watching shadow of flag post in the ground. In fact I used to design a problem myself. A real time problem to see how fast a bird is flying assuming what speed her shadow is traveling.
This is what I really meant by thinking and not remembering the solutions. I always wished that I would have been more blessed with such a thirst in other subjects too , but it wasn’t just there. And I strongly believe that no single person in this world is born with the vision to think like that in each field. This is the place where a mentor comes into picture and the world is so void without it. The mentor doesn’t have to be some elder person, it can be a young kid inspiring you to learn piano by just giving a great performance. A mentor is a person who shows you what was always there in front of you but one couldn’t see it because one was busy in watching something else.
I just want to close this philosophical, not a usual me note, just a single line. I person can be made to remember stuff but can never be taught to THINK.
Interviews play an important role in a software engineer level. Why a software engineer it plays an important role in every walk in life. But there is a BIG BIG myth about the interviews across the Software Industry in India. Most of the interviews don't even check if a person can think logically or can apply the basic knowledge of solving problems. It just checks the bookish knowledge.
If we just rewind the full movie then we will just reach our childhoods. The school as a whole believed in how well a student can "remember" stuff rather than how well a student can "think". The previous statement is very easy to say or will empathize with each individual but it has a deeper meaning.
I have been a topper in Mathematics, which most of kids used to be really afraid of, and the in retrospect I feel the only reason why I excelled in maths or even Logical thinking was for the single reason: no single answer for a problem satiated me. I was always in look for multiple answers, for an IDEAL answer. There was some devil inside me who was very hungry for more and more answers. I used to even see numbers in air or solutions while seeing the architecture of the school buildings. I used to see solutions of trigonometry while watching shadow of flag post in the ground. In fact I used to design a problem myself. A real time problem to see how fast a bird is flying assuming what speed her shadow is traveling.
This is what I really meant by thinking and not remembering the solutions. I always wished that I would have been more blessed with such a thirst in other subjects too , but it wasn’t just there. And I strongly believe that no single person in this world is born with the vision to think like that in each field. This is the place where a mentor comes into picture and the world is so void without it. The mentor doesn’t have to be some elder person, it can be a young kid inspiring you to learn piano by just giving a great performance. A mentor is a person who shows you what was always there in front of you but one couldn’t see it because one was busy in watching something else.
I just want to close this philosophical, not a usual me note, just a single line. I person can be made to remember stuff but can never be taught to THINK.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Season of sharing-6
It’s been long since I have shared my exp. But it is always better late then never. I have been recently involved in couple of things. I did mail my comps friends regarding the same and did get a great response on varied issues. Here goes my exp:
Using the same broadband connection across two bldgs:
After I came back home some of my street frnds were fed up paying 700/- each for broadband connection. Also they all wanted to play LAN games while sitting in their rooms. To resolve this issue we though of making one computer as proxy and use that for connecting to internet. Also all other computers were thought of being connected with each other using a router.
But having a wired router and laying down wires across the street involved maintenance of wires and a risk of losing the wires to intuitive people. Hence we all thought of using a Wireless router. The idea seemed to have clicked with the distances not that much. Also we were ready to invest some money in signal enhancer at some point where the signal was getting weak. But I think god wanted to test us more. Because of the concrete walls and pillars the signal got weaker than what we had expected and that meant a LOT of enhancers.
The only option left now with us to have tied up with some companies which have their fiber optics being laid down and use that as data carrier. But the expense of 700/- per person seems to less in front of last option. :)
Using the same broadband connection across two bldgs:
After I came back home some of my street frnds were fed up paying 700/- each for broadband connection. Also they all wanted to play LAN games while sitting in their rooms. To resolve this issue we though of making one computer as proxy and use that for connecting to internet. Also all other computers were thought of being connected with each other using a router.
But having a wired router and laying down wires across the street involved maintenance of wires and a risk of losing the wires to intuitive people. Hence we all thought of using a Wireless router. The idea seemed to have clicked with the distances not that much. Also we were ready to invest some money in signal enhancer at some point where the signal was getting weak. But I think god wanted to test us more. Because of the concrete walls and pillars the signal got weaker than what we had expected and that meant a LOT of enhancers.
The only option left now with us to have tied up with some companies which have their fiber optics being laid down and use that as data carrier. But the expense of 700/- per person seems to less in front of last option. :)
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Mix bag
Some are cute, some are naughty. But some are cute and naughty. Actually these two words can aptly define my nephew :)
This fellow is just 1 year and 7 months old. But i can tell you that he is smart. If you stop paying attention to him then he will start crying and will make you feel like that you have done some crime. The moment you pick him up he will be fine. But whatever it is, he is the first person whom everyone wants to meet the moment he/she enters the house. Let it my nieces, myself, my brothers, my mom, my grand mom...everyone is just crazy about him. That is why he is cute.
This fellow is just 1 year and 7 months old. But i can tell you that he is smart. If you stop paying attention to him then he will start crying and will make you feel like that you have done some crime. The moment you pick him up he will be fine. But whatever it is, he is the first person whom everyone wants to meet the moment he/she enters the house. Let it my nieces, myself, my brothers, my mom, my grand mom...everyone is just crazy about him. That is why he is cute.
Miles to go before I sleep
Hmm there has been a transition in my life. I think one the important decision in my life has been taken. I won't say that it was easy but was neither taken without a thought. I have recently shifted from Oracle to Techspan. It might look a transition from a very big company to a small company. Actually indeed that is truth. But it is just a matter of perspective. I think if i compare with what i gained and what i lost i think i feel satisfied with my decision.
Major thing here is not what i have done. Major thing is what i want to do. At present there are so many things in my mind. Starting from learning music, learning new domain : functional and technical, helping my father out, Going to gym, getting my reading and movie watching spree back, getting started with writing a diary....so on so forth. All i can say is there are miles to go before i sleep and I think this is just the beginning.
Major thing here is not what i have done. Major thing is what i want to do. At present there are so many things in my mind. Starting from learning music, learning new domain : functional and technical, helping my father out, Going to gym, getting my reading and movie watching spree back, getting started with writing a diary....so on so forth. All i can say is there are miles to go before i sleep and I think this is just the beginning.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Goodbye and Goodluck
Two years back I walked into Oracle as a novice fresh out of college. I had big dreams coupled with enthusiasm and a burning desire to learn, to explore and to contribute. Over these two years, I have matured a lot, been exposed to different technolgoies, new concepts, facing and meeting many-a challenges. I may not have delivered 100% output always but I have certainly learned to put in my 100% effort. And for giving me the best and more importantly, getting the best out of me, I give full credit to your constant support, mentoring and encouragement .
As I prepare to say my goodbyes, I take this opportunity to thank you all for each each one of you has in his/her special way contributed to my betterment and growth over these wonderful two years. Also I would like to share some memorable moments and experiences during my stint here at Oracle.
Damon May: Unfortunately there isnt a single English word that can completely describe Damon. Thus, I need to take a couple of lines!:) Damon is a manager who never makes you feel he's your boss. With his clarity and precision in talks, he makes overseas discussions feel like conversations had sitting next to one another . I remember this once when Rutwik and I were beginning to take an issue lightly , Damon's single mail saying that 'this is bad' effectively communciated that he was annoyed with our attitude . Ambiguity and high-handedness has no place in Damon's manner. Till date, I have neither hesitated in seeking clarifications from him nor have I ever been unconvinced with his answer. Thanks for everything Damon!