Thursday, April 01, 2004

India vs. Pakistan. Test 1. Multan. We Win

We win. Yes! for the first time in the 50+ year Indian history, we won a test match on Pakistan soil today!

Three cheers for the new Indian team, going around their work with zeal and professionalism, rarely seen in any Indian team before. Winning by an innings and 52 runs is no mean feat, anywhere. We've done it today and all Indians, I am sure, would be very proud of it, anywhere they are in the world.

Pakistan !!!------really good

Reproduced below is the copy of an e-mail message, it's is not conventional stuff but I believe 100% of it is true. Read on...

===================================
Subject: Pakistan !!!------really good



Believe me... this thing needs to be forwarded to as many as

possible.....



An email from Sai Nagesh to Mindshare after his

visit to Pakistan for the 1st one day match.

Subject: Pakistan

Folks,

This mail has nothing to do with work. just wanted to share

certain very overwhelming experiences. Had been to karachi for the

1st one dayer on saturday.

1. Imagine 39,990 Pakistanis & 50 of us Indians cheering lustily

'for' each other, throwing chocolates at us !!. Quite a few

were carrying the flags of both countries imaginatively stitched

together. Then they all stood to give a standing ovation to the

Indian

cricket team !

2. Guy on the street selling 'bhuttas' refused to accept money saying

that

we were 'mehmaan' in their country !!

3. people rushing to shake our hands on the streets & asking us to

come to their home for dinner

4. Restaurant owners refusing to accept the bill payment after

coming to know that we were from India

5. Everybody we met & we met quite a few, had some relative staying

in India.

6. Star plus is the most favourite channel in Karachi

7. There was a TV star called Heena ?? who was sitting in the

stadium, one pakistani put up a impromptu banner saying "heena,

will u marry me ?"!!

8. Shops gave us 40 to 50% discount ...........India again

9. Taxis, autos, army guys......the list is

endless.......everywhere loads of courtesy, respect.....

more than we would get in our own country !!!!!

It is really sad that we have an impression of that country that

is

so negative. I shudder to think of the plight of pakistanis who

would

come to india when the Indo-pak matches will happen here.

Sad, that we consider ourselves 'secular' & yet will spare no

thought

before making negative statements on that country. It's sad but

true

, this

experience teaches one that......"Perception is not reality".

Thank u for sparing your time.

Have a lovely day.





Warm Regards

Sai Nagesh,

Director- Mktg & Corporate Affairs,

Group M Media India.

Mobile : 98200 63743

Direct : 56638999



Madison Communications Pvt Ltd., Mumbai - India.

Monday, March 29, 2004

First Indian to cross the 300 runs mark!!!

Virender Sehwag wrote history with his bat today, when he crossed the 300 run mark on the second day of the first test match between India and Pakistan in Multan.

Every other major test playing nation had crossed this milestone except India, not anymore! we're up there with the elite, with a top-notch knock by a top-notch batsman playing exceptional cricket yesterday and today.

Monday, March 22, 2004

India vs Pakistan, Lahore

A typical Indian innings, buckling under pressure but coming out on tops :)

As usual, our top order didn't perform against Pakistan, now, how many times have we seen that???

and then came the wall - Dravid, teaming up with Yuvraj first and then with with solid support from Kaif to finish off the match, lords style.

Dravid with his fantastic zeal to do what he does the best annoyed and systematically foiled every plan in pakistan's quiver.

did someone say underdogs, eh?

and who says we win the next time round?

rock on India

21 March 2004, Sepang, Malaysia - M Schumacher - Once again...

World Champion, is that what they call him? well, yes, what do you know, he really deserves to be. After the show he put up at Sepang, Malaysia, as usual, calm and composed, driving as if the forces never seem to pertrube him, he reinforced that. As he himself had said, after winning at Melbourne, that it would be a very different race in Malaysia, it was, but for the others, not for Michael, not for Ferrari. He did just what the team could have expected.

Malaysia always brings up something unexpected, something different, Well, What do you say to Mark Webber's performance, or rather, the lack of it, or was it his car? whatever, he didn't even make it till the end, the only thing that the team could do now is investigate - his and Klien's starts and the ensuing troubles that they faced, surely they can make better cars, can't they?

Kimi Raikkonen, again, fell victim to an engine failure that took him out of the contest on lap 41.

Montoya, again, looking to give Michael a run for his money didn't get nearly as close as he would have liked to, but time and again, he does seem to be making his point and showing what he is capable of, when, if ever, would that be possible, is anyone's guess.

And Button was good, really good, seemed confident to make it where he did, yes, the bad-luck run for his rivals did help, but the only reason he made it to the podium was the fight that he put up on the track.

exciting, to say the least, wasn't it???

Saturday, March 13, 2004

india-pakistan - can cricket get any better?

hmm... so i do seem to turning into a sport freak with the way i have been altering my sleep patterns just to watch the events... (not that i live a very strict schedule)

this night it was cricket - with me getting up at 4:00 am in the morning (had gone to sleep well after 2 am) to watch the india-pakistan first one-day'er being played in karachi and boy was it worth it!

contrary to what everyone might have thought it was never going to be easy to win against pakistan in their own country, if 349 did something, it was to bring us a bit closer to a higher platform where we could hope to try and gain control of the innings - however deceptive this might have been, i believe, it was always pakistan charting their own path - whatever the pace.

the win - in the end - was only due to the new found determination in the young indian team that, you could almost swear, you had never seen in the earlier guys, the new indian team has risen.

Monday, March 08, 2004

F1 - Australia - 7 - march - 2004.

yeah, yeah, yeah... i was to write about this one... but just didnt get through to - why - i had no time - was busy working (through the weekend! uh!) but did get around to watching - what if it started around 2.30 am for me and what if it was on until the wee hours of the morning... 't was good - seeing the year begin with a ferrari win, you couldnt help but thinking that they're gonna take it this year too, but i am sure this year will be a long one for schumi and his team, other tracks aren't going to be as kind as australia to ferrari - yeah - the Michelin's might have had some trouble on this track (barring alonso, that is) but the bridgestone's might not be this effective on other tracks...

my vote for the consistent driver goes to: alonso, m schumacher and barrichello in that order, as for montoya - recovering from a bad start was going to be very very hard - but he did good to fight back - though a wee bit too late.


The Official Formula 1 Website

people - vision & sound - BBC NEWS | Technology | More than just a pretty interface

an article - that traverses through human psychology - and our music

music rekindles a memory that takes you away from the street back to the time and place where that song became important

BBC NEWS | Technology | More than just a pretty interface

Saturday, March 06, 2004

A History of Apple's Operating Systems

A link to a very insightful and a thoroughly researched article by Amit Singh of kernelthread.com

A History of Apple's Operating Systems

Friday, March 05, 2004

Kuch Khayal

i read this a few minutes ago and then re-re-read it, it seems just a bit - too human!

i have blogged the link and the story below. i2 acknowledge any copyrights that the writer/publishers might hold on this.

Kuch Khayal: "A story by Ruskin Bond

A story by Ruskin Bond

I had the train compartment to myself up to Rohana, then a girl got in. The couple who saw her off were probably her parents; they seemed very anxious about her comfort, and the woman gave the girl detailed instructions as to where to keep her things,when not to lean out of the windows, and how to avoid speaking to strangers.
They called their goodbyes and the train pulled out of the station. As I was totally blind at the time, my eyes sensitive only to light and darkness, I was unable to tell what the girl looked like; but I new she wore slippers from the way they slapped against her heels.
It would take me some time to discover something about her looks, and perhaps I never would. But I liked the sound of her voice, and even the sound of her slippers.
'Are you going all the way to Dehra?' I asked.
I must have been sitting in a dark corner, because my voice startled her. She gave a little exclamation and said, 'I didn't know anyone else was here.'
Well, it often happens that people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front of them. They have too much to take in,I suppose. Whereas people who cannot see(or see very little) have to take in only the essentials, whatever registers most tellingly on their remaining senses.
'I didn't see you either', I said. 'But I heard you come in.'
I wondered if I would be able to prevent her from discovering that I was blind. Provided I keep my seat, I thought, it shouldn't be too difficult.
The girl said, 'I'm getting off at Saharanpur. My aunt is meeting me there.'
"Then I had beter not get too familiar,' I replied. 'Aunts are usually formidable creatures.'
'Where are you going?' she asked.
"To Dehra, and then to Mussorie.'
'Oh, how lucky you are. I wish I were going to Mussorie. I love the hills.Especially in October.'
'Yes, this is the best time,' I said,calling on my memories.'The hills are covered with wild Dahlias, the sun is delicious, and at night you can sit in front of a log fire and drink a little brandy. Most of the tourists have gone, and the roads are quiet and almost deserted. Yes, October is the best time.'
She was silent. I wondered if my words had touched her, or whether she thought me a romantic fool.Then I made a mistake.
'What is it like outside?' I asked.
She seemed to find nothing strange in the question. Had she noticed alreasy that I could not see? But her next question removed my doubts.
'Why don't you look out of the window?' he asked.
I moved easily along the berth and felt for the window ledge.The window was open, and I faced it, making a pretence of studying the landscape. I heard the panting of the engine, the rumble of the wheels, and, in my mind's eye, I could see telegraph poles flashing by.
'Have you noticed,'I ventured, 'that the trees seem to be moving while we seem to be standing still?'
'That always happens,' she said. 'Do you see any animals?'
'No,' I answered quite confidently. I knew that there were hardly animals left in the forests near Dehra.
I turned from the window and faced the girl, and for a while we sat in silence.
'You have an interesting face,' I remarked. I was becoming quite daring, but it was a safe remark. Few girls can resist falttery. She laughed pleasantly - a clear, ringing laugh.
'It's nice to be told I have an interesting face.I'm tired of people telling me I have a pretty face.'
Oh, so you have a pretty face, thought I: and aloud I said, 'Well, an interesting face can also be pretty.'
'You are a very gallant young man,' she said, 'but why are you so serious?'
I thought, then, I would try to laugh for her, but the thought of laughter made me feel troubled and lonely.
'We'll soon be at you station,' I said.
'Thank goodness it's a short journey. I can't bear to sit in a train for more than two-or-three hours.'
Yet, I was prepared to sit there for almost any lenrth of time, just to listen to her talking. Her voice had the sparkle of a mountain stream. As soon as she left the train, she would forget our brief encounter, but it would stay with me for the rest of the journey, and for some time thereafter.
The engine's whislte shrieked, the carriage wheels changed their sound and rhythm, the girl got up and began to collect her things. I wondered if she wore her hair in a bun, or if it was plaited; perhaps it was hanging loose over her shoulders, or was it cut very short?
The train drew slowly into the station. Outside, there was the shouting of porters and vendors and a high-pitched fenake voice near the carriage door; that voice must have belonged to the girl's aunt.
'Goodbye,' the girl said.
She was standing very close to me, so close that the perfume from her hair was tantalizing, I wanted to raise my hand and touch her hair, but she moved away. Only the scent of her perfume still lingered where she had stood.
There was some confusion in the doorway. A man, getting ino the compartment, stammered an apology. The door banged, and the world was shut out again. I returned to my berth. The gaurd blew his whistle, and we moved off. Once again, I had a game to play and a new fellow-traveller.
The train gathered speed, and the wheels took up their song, the carriage groaned and shook. I found the window and sat in front of the window, staring into the daylight that was darkened for me.
So many things were happening outside the window: it could be a fascinating game, guessing what went on out there.
The man who had entered into the comparntment broke into my reverie.
'You must be disappointed,'he said.'I'm not nearly as attractive as a travelling companion as the one who just left.'
'She was an interesting girl,'I said. 'Can you tell me -- did she keep her long or short?'
'I don't remember,' he said, sounding puzzled. ' It was her eyes I noticed, not her hair. She had beautiful eyes --- but they were of no use to her. She was completely blind. Didn't you notice?'

N.B: The story " The eyes have it" has been 'copied' from "Delhi is not far - The best of Ruskin Bond" - Penguin Books, 1994. I am not too aware of copyright issues. So all credits, wherever due, duly given. I just liked the story, a visual delight; the ending may be predictable for some.

my SETI@Home stats

I have been running seti for almost two years now but it was only yesterday that I have been able to devote a Total CPU time of more than a year. I'm happy to reach this landmark, I have crunched 583 data units at an average of just of 15 hours per data unit and stand in the top 300 for India. :-)



India

Monday, March 01, 2004

Testing archiving

didnt realise archiving was not on for this, pretty dumb,eh? :p

P.S.: who cares abt the dumb part - dumber?

site design blues

i have not been away much - except from posting here - and the only reason is my site design, maintaining the first version was a nightmare due to way i implemented my menu's moving towards javascripts - i have hit browser compatibility issues with scripts that are supposed to run on multiple browser/OS combinations failing.

i am currently investing more and more time in coming up with a good design that incorporates cross browser compatibility, easy maintenance/updates of the site and in the end - look good.

i have had to give up a lot of personal pursuits but i hope i would be able to come up with a design that i could hold up with pride.

till then...

Sunday, February 22, 2004

Delhi Metro's dream run

as always... proud of india...

Delhi Metro's dream run

finally - php/rss and new site design

i have finally found a good rss parser 'CaRP' that seems to be working like a charm - i have .php'd my index page and am in the process of generating my entire site via php - expect to find loads of dynamic content.

also to be updated are sections on general/linux utilities and further information on linux distro's and comparisions.

coming up is an entire new format for my website that i hope to upload tonight or mayb in a day or two...

will also be updating a few sections on general rss info and 'feed'ing rss information and news along with how-to's

keep sending your feedback!

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

knoppix - apt-get

finally... got the thing working - though not without help from friends and forums :-)

i was trying to get the thing to update the distro but it wouldnt do it coz i had configured HTTP_PROXY and FTP_PROXY instead of http_proxy and ftp_proxy!!!huh! big deal.

anyways... i'm updating now...

Monday, February 16, 2004

Macintosh. Twenty years later

mac's are 20 years old - or young should i say with the kind of technological refinements and showcases they are and have been since the moment Steve Jobs pulled the first Macintosh from a bag in 1984.

i myself, have worked on mac's for quite a few years now and own an old (very charming) LC 630 - and they have always been a source of pleasure

nothing has ever come close to the hearts of computer users as an apple mac
it's not a community - as they say - it's a cult

further reading...

Attached > �Macintosh. Twenty years later�