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Friday, September 08, 2006

Nouveau Experience - Le Windows Vista RCx

Whoooo . .

Its been a terribly long pause for me to come back to blog once again. Well, something got excited me so much, that I couldn't stop myself putting it down on the web.
After coming over to the home of the "Internet", I have been happy to utilise the unlimited acess and decent speeded "broadband" connections to cater to my unsatiable desire of HUGE software downloads and evaluate them for my curiosity and knowledge. Being a long time member of "Hotmail" has done good things to me, I got to be on most of the Beta programs of Microsoft and got to evaluate anything from Windows Live mail to the Windows Vista RC program.

To sum it up, it is always exciting to be testing and using the "gen-next" technology when others are still coming to terms with the current market techs in offer. Here are some insights into what some of the new gen-next tech offers from Microsoft family.

  1. Windows Live mail - Absolutely perked up from the native "Hotmail" interface, works slightly slow,, but the user efficiency is hugely increased, the spam filter works good and the GUI is exciting than ever.
  2. Windows Live Messenger : This one looks more of a cosmetic upgrade with Yahoo! inter-connectivity to bridge the gap between the world's 2 heavily used IM apps. Nothing more to write about, except complain for the bloated size and large memory foot print.
  3. Windows Live Desktop Mail Beta : This is a new incarnation of "Outlook Express" which I was sure was going to go away after being abused by spam generating Trojans and other windows vulnerabilities. Surprise, Windows brings it up to speed to look and feel like Windows Live mail and adds RSS option to it to make it worth the attempt even though there is not much exclusive to write about this app, but till it is free, why grudge.
  4. Windows Vista RCx ( Build 5xxx) : The upcoming OS has been a platform of discussions, abuses, puns and internet gossip for over 2 years now. Getting to test it was an absolute experience. It all started with downloading Beta and then running into problems with upgrading the current home system with this version. Along came RC1 version and that opened the real possibility of testing out the new features and noticeable "drops" from XP. I wouldn't want to go all way to say what is good and bad, coz you can google and read site loads of info on that. All I would want to say is :

  • If you liked XP / MCE, you would love Vista for candy floss.
  • If you hate bloated OS, you would damn Vista
  • If you loved security of Windows NT, welcome to the new "Avatar" which grabs your attention a little too much than required.
  • If you love fast running OS on high-end systems, definitely check out Windows Vista

Something which really raked up the storm was the "Licensing" terms of Windows Vista referring to limited migration of the copy of the OS to systems. Never was such a strong outcry seen on something which has been the pinching factor for Microsoft. Maybe, they tried to be smart for one more time and had to be "shown" their place again by the people who have made it, what it is now.

I would wait and see how the pricing rates go with the customers. I would definitely watch for some "slick deal" on getting the Ultimate version of the OS, possibly FREE !!

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Decision on quota is final: Arjun

IBNLive : Decision on quota is final: Arjun

I happened to read this article, and couldnt wait myself expressing on this, with all the events surrounding this going on across India. Here's what I think. . .

"Reservations" from the times when India got liberated, the cause and basis of implementing them has undergone a sea change.

Mandal Commission was a glaring example that indeed "India" has come of age and now needs talented people to grow and not some 2nd grade stuff which has come in due to "quota" based on which caste he/she belongs to.

I guess Arjun Singh has some personal ambition to shine in "limelight", before he goes into dark, even if it means that he does the most stupid thing he could possibly imagine to do. Frankly, why dont they reward the meritorious students with "scholarships" which for any reason should not scan for a SC / ST / or any caste for that matter to show up for eligiblity.

If the Govt is so concerned about giving opportunities, then they should make sure that all people who come through quota even if they dont qualify properly, should work solely and directly for the government minisiters. They should see what quality of resources are being produced as a result of Quotas and Reservations. Would they mind if some semi-qualified pilot would take them for a trip around India.

They wouldnt dare to want that !!

Then why should they get into the system at all. It is as good as eating semi-cooked food, just for the sake of eating it and then having pains at wrong places afterwards. I guess either the Minister doesnt have anything susbstantial to do after reversing what MM Joshi did to NCERT syllabus, he is creating work for the next Minister whoever comes in next election. I guess it is like " I shit, you clean . . you shit, I clean" policy.

I feel for the students who are demonstrating and feel for their time, which should be spent in the classes gaining knowledge and experience, is being utilised sitting in the fiery summer sun of India, and nobody to even acknowledge their feelings and sympathise with them.

I was stunned to read the replies of Arjun Singh in this interview. What pained me most is that, he is trying to show as if he cannot control anything in this regard, whatever is being done, " The Govt / Parliament " is the final authority. But he is smart enough as a "experienced political jackal" to dodge the question of whether he is in tune with the facts and what does he have to justify this "decision" of the government which is still "under process".

I wanted to stress on the reaction of Arjun Singh on "Modern Society". He says India is still in progress and not completely a "Modern Society". May I ask him, on what counts he evaluates as "In progress" and what kind of metrics is it ?? I would never say India hasn't been modern. Aping to West culture and doing things the West does could be modern for him, imbibing the good aspects of West and keeping our own at the same time is Modern for me.

In the end, I feel pity for Arjun Singh, who after all these years of being loyal to the "dynastic" Congress clan, didnt get to the PM post, but now has made sure that the country pays for his "miss" at the seat and adds 10 years of sub-standard talent into the Indian education society by his "Don quixotic" attempt.

Shame to the Politicians and Long live India, we have seen many like this and would still continue to grow. . . .

Thursday, February 23, 2006

A New Year and another new place to live !!

2006 comes in and brings in the same "changes" which have been happening ever since 2004. Well the change of the year is obvious, but what makes the changes a "recurrence" is the unfailing regularity with which they have been happening.

  • Jan 2001 - Change of residence due to change of
  • Jan 2004 - 1st Job change.
  • Jan 2005 - 3rd Job change and change of residence as well.
  • Jan 2006 - Change in role and change of country !!
  • Jan 2007 - . . . . . . ? Well your guess is as good as mine.

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