Recently Sun Microsystems announced that it is changing its ticker symbol from SUNW to JAVA.
Today more people know Java than Sun Microsystems. Company is using the popularity of Java for it branding. This has not been received well by SUN fans and other techies. Read the comments on Jonathan's blog http://blogs.sun.com/jonathan/entry/java_is_everywhere#comments
Sun, once the darling of Wall street is trying very hard to stay profitable, after years of bleeding. Recently it announced a partnership with Google, in which they'll be distributing StarOffice for free as a part of their Google Pack.
Sun has always come out with very cool technologies, but somehow not been able to convert them to revenue. Hope these new marketing gimmicks will help SUN to be back on top as the most preferred Hardware/Software vendor.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Easy Auto in Bangalore. So no more auto rick problems
I found out about Easy auto from a friend of mine today. I have not used their service. If someone has used this service and has had any good/bad experiences can post their comment here
How does Easy Auto Work?
Passengers have to register themselves using Passenger Registration Kits (PRK), to avail door-to-door service at a cost of Rs.75/-. Any one in the family can avail Easy Auto using the same registration. That is, using a single PRK you can register up to ten phone numbers, which will be used as identifiers by the computers.
Registered passengers can use Internet, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) or Short Message System (SMS) to hail an Easy Auto. Others can simply hail one, at any of our Easy Auto Stands or on kerb side.
For hailing Easy Auto using SMS, you will have send in your location code to 9844-11-22-33. You will get a receipt confirmation message along with request code. If this message does reach in 5 minutes after your SMS, you may have to try again. Please remember any network congestion can affect smooth flow of SMS. After the confirmation SMS, you will get another in a few minutes along with Easy Auto number followed the auto driver's mobile number. To complete the procedure a parallel SMS will be sent to the auto driver. Please ensure to call the Easy Auto driver within 5 minutes or else he will be assigned to another passenger.
For hailing Easy Auto using IVRS, you will have dial 9844-11-22-33 and follow the instructions told to you. To complete the procedure a parallel SMS will be sent to the auto driver. Please ensure to call the Easy Auto driver within 5 minutes or else he will be assigned to another passenger.
Who can use Easy Auto?
Easy Auto can be used by anyone. A registered commuter gets door-to-door service. For registration, the user will buy a kit from any of the Spice outlets in the city at a cost of Rs.75.00. This is a one-time fee to be paid by the commuter.
Visit http://www.easyauto.in for more details
How does Easy Auto Work?
Passengers have to register themselves using Passenger Registration Kits (PRK), to avail door-to-door service at a cost of Rs.75/-. Any one in the family can avail Easy Auto using the same registration. That is, using a single PRK you can register up to ten phone numbers, which will be used as identifiers by the computers.
Registered passengers can use Internet, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) or Short Message System (SMS) to hail an Easy Auto. Others can simply hail one, at any of our Easy Auto Stands or on kerb side.
For hailing Easy Auto using SMS, you will have send in your location code to 9844-11-22-33. You will get a receipt confirmation message along with request code. If this message does reach in 5 minutes after your SMS, you may have to try again. Please remember any network congestion can affect smooth flow of SMS. After the confirmation SMS, you will get another in a few minutes along with Easy Auto number followed the auto driver's mobile number. To complete the procedure a parallel SMS will be sent to the auto driver. Please ensure to call the Easy Auto driver within 5 minutes or else he will be assigned to another passenger.
For hailing Easy Auto using IVRS, you will have dial 9844-11-22-33 and follow the instructions told to you. To complete the procedure a parallel SMS will be sent to the auto driver. Please ensure to call the Easy Auto driver within 5 minutes or else he will be assigned to another passenger.
Who can use Easy Auto?
Easy Auto can be used by anyone. A registered commuter gets door-to-door service. For registration, the user will buy a kit from any of the Spice outlets in the city at a cost of Rs.75.00. This is a one-time fee to be paid by the commuter.
Visit http://www.easyauto.in for more details
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Happy birthday India
India completed 60 years of Independence on 15th Aug 2007. Here is a small video wishing the motherland a Happy birthday
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Code for Freedom Contest from Sun Microsystems
Code For Freedom is a 6-month campaign in India's academic community. With a theme that ties Open Source to Freedom. Sun Microsystesms is launching this campaign during the 60th year of Indian Indpendence. The associated contest is open to any college student in India and provides laptops, iPods, equipment, and T-shirts as prizes. The goal of the contest is to catalyze academic community participation in Sun open source projects.
SUN is showcasing OpenSolaris, NetBeans, GlassFish, OpenPortal, and Apache Derby. http://in.sun.com/codeforfreedom
SUN is showcasing OpenSolaris, NetBeans, GlassFish, OpenPortal, and Apache Derby. http://in.sun.com/codeforfreedom
Friday, August 03, 2007
Accident I witnessed
Today morning, I left home early and was on the way towards Mysore road. I was at this junction where roads from 3 residential areas converge towards the Rajarajeshwari nagar main road. All of a sudden, I heard a big sound and when I turned towards the direction of the sound, I could see 2 people on scooter skidding on the road. My view was obstructed by a passing BMTC bus. I heard some commotion and some screaming. I quickly parked my car and went towards the accident zone.
I first thought the BMTC bus had hit the scooter, but no one in the scene claimed so. What I figured out was that, due to continuous rain the previous night, the road was wet and the gentleman riding the bike had applied breaks at the junction and skidded.
I saw that the man who was riding the bike was up on his feet. He was wearing a helmet and wasn't hurt. His clothes were a little dirty. The other person was still on the ground and was screaming in pain. As I approached, I noticed that he was bleeding from his leg, as his leg appeared broken. People had started gathering and discussing on what could have happened.
The victims seemed to be BHEL employees going to their workplace in the morning. Now a few more BHEL employees appeared on the scene. A lot of people had gathered but not a single person was ready to do anything. They were all mute spectators. As no one cared to bother, I thought of taking him to the hospital in my car. Then someone called for an Auto Rickshaw. I thought auto rickshaw would be a better option to take him to hospital than a car as getting in and out of the rickshaw is easier. Even after a minute the rickshaw driver did not come. Then, one of the BHEL employees said that he would get his car. I rushed forward to help this man to the car. To my surprise, I did not get any help from anyone else. One person lifted him by the shoulder and I lifted the victim by his legs and waist. We needed more help as the man's other leg was hanging. I kept asking people to come forward and help, but it all fell on deaf ears. After asking a couple of times, one gentleman came forward, but with a cigarette in his mouth. He wouldn't let go of the cigarette, but atleast he came to help. The 3 of us put the injured in to a Maruti van. I asked the owner of the car to take them to Manipal Specialty hospital which was around 2 km from there. Now a couple of other employees joined the victim in the car and they drove to the hospital. I did my little part at the spot and left for my office.
I had seen in Indian movies that when an accident occurs, people stand watch. No one comes to help. It wasn't that bad this morning, but not good either. We need a system like 9-1-1 like in the US, where one can expect help within minutes of making a call. We took more than 5 minutes to get the person in to the car before he was rushed to the hospital.
I wish that man a speedy recovery.
I first thought the BMTC bus had hit the scooter, but no one in the scene claimed so. What I figured out was that, due to continuous rain the previous night, the road was wet and the gentleman riding the bike had applied breaks at the junction and skidded.
I saw that the man who was riding the bike was up on his feet. He was wearing a helmet and wasn't hurt. His clothes were a little dirty. The other person was still on the ground and was screaming in pain. As I approached, I noticed that he was bleeding from his leg, as his leg appeared broken. People had started gathering and discussing on what could have happened.
The victims seemed to be BHEL employees going to their workplace in the morning. Now a few more BHEL employees appeared on the scene. A lot of people had gathered but not a single person was ready to do anything. They were all mute spectators. As no one cared to bother, I thought of taking him to the hospital in my car. Then someone called for an Auto Rickshaw. I thought auto rickshaw would be a better option to take him to hospital than a car as getting in and out of the rickshaw is easier. Even after a minute the rickshaw driver did not come. Then, one of the BHEL employees said that he would get his car. I rushed forward to help this man to the car. To my surprise, I did not get any help from anyone else. One person lifted him by the shoulder and I lifted the victim by his legs and waist. We needed more help as the man's other leg was hanging. I kept asking people to come forward and help, but it all fell on deaf ears. After asking a couple of times, one gentleman came forward, but with a cigarette in his mouth. He wouldn't let go of the cigarette, but atleast he came to help. The 3 of us put the injured in to a Maruti van. I asked the owner of the car to take them to Manipal Specialty hospital which was around 2 km from there. Now a couple of other employees joined the victim in the car and they drove to the hospital. I did my little part at the spot and left for my office.
I had seen in Indian movies that when an accident occurs, people stand watch. No one comes to help. It wasn't that bad this morning, but not good either. We need a system like 9-1-1 like in the US, where one can expect help within minutes of making a call. We took more than 5 minutes to get the person in to the car before he was rushed to the hospital.
I wish that man a speedy recovery.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
At Big Bazaar
We generally visit Reliance fresh store for our vegetable shopping. They have given us a 'Reliance card'. Every time we shop at Reliance store, points get accumulated which can be redeemed later.
One day I happened to visit Big Bazaar, and was looking for some toys for my kid. One gentleman wearing a Big Bazaar uniform approached me and asked me if I needed a Big Bazaar card. I was not very keen but he kept asking. So, I asked him, how I would benefit. He told me that every time I shopped at Big Bazaar, I would be accumulating points which could be redeemed later. I was wondering how it was different from a reliance card. He told me that every month, I could just walk in to any Big Bazaar store and pick up 1 kg of sugar free.
This got me interested. So, I thought, why not try it as I wouldn't be losing anything. I asked him what I had to do. He presented me with a form and asked me to sign it and give my visiting card and he would fill up the rest. I did so, without even reading the form (what a moron I was). The guy was courteous and told me that the card would be mailed to me and walked away thanking me. I totally forgot about it.
After a couple of days, I started getting cards from ICICI executives asking me if I had applied for a credit card. I answered them in negative. I got a couple of more calls regarding the same which made me think. I then realized, what could have happened. By signing for a Big Bazaar card, I had actually signed up for a ICICI credit card. The ICICI executives confirmed my thoughts.
I had made a fool of myself by not realizing that it could be a credit card and not a card like reliance card. I can't blame the Big Bazaar totally, but they sure did hide facts from me. Never did that person tell me that I was applying for a credit card. He kept repeating that it was a Big Bazaar card. A good marketing trick, as the word 'credit card' would chase many customers away. I am sure many people would have become Bakras like me.
After nearly a month, I received the credit card with Big Bazaar photo on it. During that month, I had to answer too many calls from ICICI who kept calling to confirm my date of birth and my address, Grrrr. Any ways, I am enjoying free sugar every month. Today, 1 kg of sugar costs around Rs 15/-. So, I will be benefited by Rs 150 over a year.
One day I happened to visit Big Bazaar, and was looking for some toys for my kid. One gentleman wearing a Big Bazaar uniform approached me and asked me if I needed a Big Bazaar card. I was not very keen but he kept asking. So, I asked him, how I would benefit. He told me that every time I shopped at Big Bazaar, I would be accumulating points which could be redeemed later. I was wondering how it was different from a reliance card. He told me that every month, I could just walk in to any Big Bazaar store and pick up 1 kg of sugar free.
This got me interested. So, I thought, why not try it as I wouldn't be losing anything. I asked him what I had to do. He presented me with a form and asked me to sign it and give my visiting card and he would fill up the rest. I did so, without even reading the form (what a moron I was). The guy was courteous and told me that the card would be mailed to me and walked away thanking me. I totally forgot about it.After a couple of days, I started getting cards from ICICI executives asking me if I had applied for a credit card. I answered them in negative. I got a couple of more calls regarding the same which made me think. I then realized, what could have happened. By signing for a Big Bazaar card, I had actually signed up for a ICICI credit card. The ICICI executives confirmed my thoughts.
I had made a fool of myself by not realizing that it could be a credit card and not a card like reliance card. I can't blame the Big Bazaar totally, but they sure did hide facts from me. Never did that person tell me that I was applying for a credit card. He kept repeating that it was a Big Bazaar card. A good marketing trick, as the word 'credit card' would chase many customers away. I am sure many people would have become Bakras like me.
After nearly a month, I received the credit card with Big Bazaar photo on it. During that month, I had to answer too many calls from ICICI who kept calling to confirm my date of birth and my address, Grrrr. Any ways, I am enjoying free sugar every month. Today, 1 kg of sugar costs around Rs 15/-. So, I will be benefited by Rs 150 over a year.
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