Moto is trying to recreate the magic of the Razr once again with the Razr2, the phone looks sharp and mean, and something I would love to lay my hands on, don't know what I am talking about, have a look at the Presentation from Moto by clicking here, or read my review of the new Razr2 in the Indian Express, this Sunday July 29, 2007 India Wide. You can also read the review online by clicking here.
GS
Are you getting tired of paying for software, I am I know that.. I switched to Linux, but then my business associates and friends say, i am a geek, I can learn a new system, getting people to move to open office was a big issue for me, but well we did manage it, but today with Webware options available, you don't need to move to Open Office, and or to Microsoft Office, look at the online office. This fortnight in my article in Outlook Business, dated 5th August, 2007, on Stands India wide, you can read about my otpions on the Free Software revolution called Web Ware.
GS
Though I am no big fan of Microsoft, or there New Vista, but since most of the users I see are battling with a few things, I thought, what better way, to share our companies knowledge base of 5 tips for Windows Vista Users, to read the tips
Browser Warning
Speeding up Vista
PC Health Reportg
Photo and Video Management
Those Cute little widgets
Read my Article in the Sunday Express on July 22,2007 across India, or click here to read it online.
G
Japan is the place to be for technology innovation, sadly they speak another language that I don't understand, I tried, but I don't. Go Green seems to be on every body's mind, look at ICICI bank on how they are selling their e-statement feature, but this news on Akhiabara News, caught my eye.
The LN-LS2A1 produce 1800 lumens and can go running for upto 48 hours, in case of an earthquake (yes they have a built in sensor).
To read more, click here
GS
Don't get me wrong, if it was in my hands, I would have got an iPhone for myself, it's the dream geek toy, don't you think. But hey, it's a dream... and dreams rarely do come true, so what are the alternatives if you were looking for an iPhone for yourself... check out my article in the Indian Express, this Sunday on 15th July 2007, in the Print Edition across India, or click here to read it online.
BTW, there is a Table which is not online.. let me see if I can put it here later.
GS
From today's Times of India, DLF Cybercity will now be Wifi. Pune and Mysore, DLF will be the first township to deploy Wifi Across the settlements for it's residents and corporates. What amazes me, is that two international companies have been chosen to do this, with every second company in India, now working on WiFi deployments, this comes as a surprising news. Also, where is the frequency available, Gurgaon, is already congested in the 2.4GHz band, I don't know how DLF plans to do this, but let's look forward to it.
GS
From Yesterday's Times of India
Govt mulls Rs 500/year fee on every colour TV
Himanshi Dhawan | TNN
New Delhi: Television viewing could soon be a more expensive affair. The government is considering imposing a recurring annual ‘licence fee’ of Rs 500 for each colour television set, and Rs 200 for a black & white TV, owned by consumers as a bailout measure for the cash-strapped Prasar Bharati.
Sources in the information and broadcasting ministry said imposing the licence fee on consumers is among a slew of options before the government — others include making TV manufacturers and broadcasters pay up — all or some of which could be implemented. Part of the money raised will go into providing government pay scales and other benefits for the 38,000-odd Prasar Bharati employees. Sources said the licence fee plan alone could raise an estimated Rs 23,871 crore.
The government can, in fact, impose such a fee by invoking section 17 of the Prasar Bharati Act as recommended by the Sengupta Committee report. A final decision on the issue is expected to be taken at the Group of Ministers’ meeting on Wednesday.
The GoM is also likely to consider levying a 10% licence fee on television and radio manufacturers to raise an additional sum of Rs 896 crore as recommended by the Financial Restructuring Committee in 2005.
BAILOUT BITE
Annual licence fee of Rs 500 for colour TVs and Rs 200 for B&W TVs being studied Cash raised through proposed levy could be used to bail out Prasar Bharati Licence fee plan could raise about Rs 23,900 cr every year Final decision to be taken at Group of Ministers’ meeting on Wednesday ‘Service fee’ will help raise Rs 800 cr/yr
New Delhi: A Group of Ministers is considering a proposal for a ‘public broadcasting service fee’ on the lines of the telecom sector so that all players in the field are required to share the cost of making television available nationwide on a nondiscriminatory access basis. This is likely to raise another Rs 800 crore at 5% per annum from broadcasters.
The final option is payment of an annual grant by the government to the pubcaster to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore. The government has been pushed to the wall on the Prasar Bharati employees’ issue. According to a Supreme Court order, the ministry is expected to resolve service-related matters of Prasar Bharati employees by August 2.
Ensuring government pay scales, retirement and pension benefits, facilities like government accommodation and health benefits is estimated to cost the public exchequer Rs 81 crore. The report on capital and financial restructuring of Prasar Bharati pegs its outstanding liabilities to the tune of Rs 2,503 crore, as of April 2005.
India is crazy about the Bling Factor. I have seen people use, and comment, about phones as if they were status symbols and not utility factors. Choosing a phone for me has been more about what I need in terms of functionality rather than what status it would portray, but a lot of them won't agree with me.
Finally out, the Samsung 18K Gold Cell phone, should be the latest in the Bling factor in India. For Commemoration of the 2008 Olympic Games, the P318+. In terms of features it's the same as the calculator model P318, but hey, it's the Bling that Matters.
GS
This blurb on Reuters caught my attention, and I thought this was worth the mention.. Just some pointers
*80-megawatt farm
*640 acres / 260 hectares
*To be completed by 2011
*17 times the size of the largest U.S. solar farm
*Near Fresno, California.
Read more at Reuters
GS
The Apple mac's are a great powerful notebook, and I have been thinking of switching to one myself. I have been on linux for nearly 2+ years now, and haven't used a windows desktop, unless I felt necessary, so I thought, why not switch to a Mac. I tried an Apple Mac Notebook, and using Bootcamp, tried putting Windows Vista on it.. My opinion, and experience is shared in my Sunday Express (Indian Express), article today, Nationwide on 8th July 2007. Alternatively, you can read it online here.
GS
I was always a kid with a thousand questions, I remember my parents buying me books, that explained how things worked, to encyclopedias, but my quest for knowledge never stopped, Came along the Internet, and I started visiting How Stuff works, very regularly, then started reading the wikipedia, a few days bag, the site Video Jug, caught my attention, it has all the videos, nearly everything, explained or as they calle it Life Explained.
No Guesses for knowing that my fav show on TV is How do they do it, but head on to Video Jug, and trust me, you will have a 1000 questions answered.
GS
Accessories are one thing, where a lot of people don't go back to the Brand that manufactured your PC and or your Laptop, you tend to find cheaper alternatives. Now keeping in mind, that accessories are usually rebranded by companies like HP / IBM / Lenovo, and not manufactured by them, this seems to be an obvious choice.
The Current mail from HP today, makes the whole business a little interesting, the first accessory at full price (yes, 100% more than the market), and the second one only for $1 = Rs. 45, so you actually buy two accessories, for about 10% more expensive than you would from the market, and get assurance too.
The offer is only till 7/31, and includes Notebook Docking Stations, Mice, Power Adapter, Monitor Stands, Adjustable Notebook stands, Bags, Dicota Lock, Thumb Drive, Wireless Presenters, Web cameras, and yes, Wired Mice.
GS
Time and Along, Microsoft does come out with great things. I have till date not been able to find a more comfortable and a better keyboard than the Microsoft Original Natural Keyboard, but that is an old story anyway.
I make a lot of presentations, though I don't use PPT's and or Video Displays that often, (I try to be different), but on ocassions, I have noticed that I had to carry around a mouse for the laptop, a presentation remote, and a laser pointer, now how many things can you carry with you, well Microsoft ha an answer, all of it rolled into one, as a Bluetooth mouse.. Seems good, but can't find it in India.. (Though I may not be able to use this with my Linux laptop :( )
GS
Well the world's gone crazy, first with USB Thumb drives in every percievable shape possible, and then trying to fit a 256 MB / 512 MB Mp3 Player into anything that you could think of. But hey, did you get a chocolate chip cookie as an MP3 Player, what about that fav McDonald's burger turned into an MP3 Player, you think I am crazy, well check out Motz, and you can buy a kit, that they sell, which can convert anything, yes anything into an MP3 Player (Oh yes, it can connect to USB too).
Via Akihabara News
GS
A few months back a program on the National Geographic Channel about the Red Panda's going missing, and scientists still using radio tags to catch them, put me into thinking, on why they were stil not using Wi-Fi technology. Well, my answer was not far off, today's posting on Tree Hugger, about MIT Scientists (who else), putting solar powered wi-fi devices on the back of turtles, to track there whereabouts, and also to study the behaviour of a diminishing population, had me sit up and read.
A very interesting reading, click here, to read the full article.
GS
I never bought an iPod, I know it is not the geek thing to do, but I did not want a play around, which every one had. Now, don’t get me wrong. I have an abiding respect for Apple, its products and its CEO Steve Jobs, but not everyone wants to buy the same brand. The question is, are iPods the only definitive MP3 players or is there a world beyond them? This week, I’ll advise you on buying MP3 players that are not iPods, yet have all the features you ever wanted, perhaps more.
This week in my Tech2 Artcile on Indian Express, I look at the Alternatives to iPod, some better, some equal, but definately a worth look.
To read more, buy the Sunday Express on 1st July 2007 across India, or click here, to read it online.
GS
