Here's a really funny list. Top ten reasons why geeks make good fathers. link.
But lets leave the list aside for a minute. What exactly make some a good dad or a good mom?
Is it what their children feel about them, esp. as the years roll on? Is it how society judges them based on their childrens' actions? Or is it something internal, when a good parent looks at his children and proudly shouts- that's my boy or that's my girl.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
Actual pictures of the McLaren crew uniform
Due to the change in McLaren Livery, the crew uniforms also have to change. The shiny, chrome coloured car would require a equally shiny chrome coloured uniform. Pitpass has the pics here.
Oh! We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
How heartless. (sic)
Oh! We're off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz.
How heartless. (sic)
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Higher Education
According to the SF Chronicle, Men are slowly becoming a minority in US colleges. The only courses bucking the trend are Engineering and Computer Science related. link.
This is quite different from colleges in India, where all courses are still dominated by men. However there is a curious trend, especially in South India. Amongst the Middle Class and Upper Middle class in South India there is a strong preference towards either Engineering or Medicine.
A number of my friends chose engineering more out of peer and parental pressure rather than any real interest. The result? Most of them have moved out the field and into fields that they are more interested in.
The question to ask is, why is there so much pressure to do engineering? The answer is simple - Engineers and Doctors are perceived to have higher incomes. Within the different fields of engineering too there is higher preference to Computer Science and Electronics - again due to the perception that these fields have higher incomes.
Lesser importance is given to personal interests.
This is quite different from colleges in India, where all courses are still dominated by men. However there is a curious trend, especially in South India. Amongst the Middle Class and Upper Middle class in South India there is a strong preference towards either Engineering or Medicine.
A number of my friends chose engineering more out of peer and parental pressure rather than any real interest. The result? Most of them have moved out the field and into fields that they are more interested in.
The question to ask is, why is there so much pressure to do engineering? The answer is simple - Engineers and Doctors are perceived to have higher incomes. Within the different fields of engineering too there is higher preference to Computer Science and Electronics - again due to the perception that these fields have higher incomes.
Lesser importance is given to personal interests.
Myopic View of education
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Pilgrims Throng
The Hindu reports of the steps the temple authorities at Tirupati plan to take to tackle the huge number of pilgrims who throng the temple. link.
The interesting figure is the number 2 crore or 20 million. Think about it. 20 million people visit Tirupati each year and they all walk in a single file past the idol of Venkateshwara, and get only a few moments in front of the idol. That's equal to the population of Australia and much more than the population of either The Netherlands or Switzerland and almost the size of the population of The United Kingdom, France or Italy.
Imagine the entire population of Australia visiting one single temple or church or mosque each year. It boggles the mind because that's around 50000 people each day. That's more than the population of Monaco, The Vatican put together - every single day.
A story goes that when the West Indian Cricket team toured India in the early 80s, some of the of cricketers remarked that the crowds they saw in the stadium were more than the entire population of some of their home island countries. Needless to say, the Indian cricket team lost all the test matches to the all conquering West Indians. Many say that Cricket is the religion of most Indians though officially its Hinduism. Perhaps, not enough prayers are answered given the shockingly low quantity of Silverware with the Indian Cricket team's name on it.
The interesting figure is the number 2 crore or 20 million. Think about it. 20 million people visit Tirupati each year and they all walk in a single file past the idol of Venkateshwara, and get only a few moments in front of the idol. That's equal to the population of Australia and much more than the population of either The Netherlands or Switzerland and almost the size of the population of The United Kingdom, France or Italy.
Imagine the entire population of Australia visiting one single temple or church or mosque each year. It boggles the mind because that's around 50000 people each day. That's more than the population of Monaco, The Vatican put together - every single day.
A story goes that when the West Indian Cricket team toured India in the early 80s, some of the of cricketers remarked that the crowds they saw in the stadium were more than the entire population of some of their home island countries. Needless to say, the Indian cricket team lost all the test matches to the all conquering West Indians. Many say that Cricket is the religion of most Indians though officially its Hinduism. Perhaps, not enough prayers are answered given the shockingly low quantity of Silverware with the Indian Cricket team's name on it.
Myopic View of tirupati
McLaren's New Clothes
McLaren have a new livery. Pictures here and here. Official pics from McLaren are here and here.
Quoting Kimi Raikkonen -
Quoting Kimi Raikkonen -
"I have only seen illustrations of the new livery until now but they do it no justice. It looks fantastic and should create a bit of a stir when we drive it on tracks around the world. If we can make the car as fast as it looks then we will be in good shape."Hmmm.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Smile - You are on Google Maps
A Giant Smiley can be seen from Google Maps here. (via)
Not quite a smiley, but still the corridors of power is the Vidhana Soudha, seen from Google Maps here. What amazes me, is that till now I always thought of the place as a huge building with endless corridors where political skullduggery was always afoot. Seeing the gardens, the High Court across the road, and Cubbon Park nearby, the Vidhana Soudha almost seems harmless.
Whats even more surprising are the fountains inside the Vidhana Soudha.
Not quite a smiley, but still the corridors of power is the Vidhana Soudha, seen from Google Maps here. What amazes me, is that till now I always thought of the place as a huge building with endless corridors where political skullduggery was always afoot. Seeing the gardens, the High Court across the road, and Cubbon Park nearby, the Vidhana Soudha almost seems harmless.
Whats even more surprising are the fountains inside the Vidhana Soudha.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Old Bangalore Photos
The old-timers often say that Bangalore has lost its charm. Some of that charm can be seen in the form of old photos at flickr. link.
The photos of MG Road and Town Hall are pretty amazing considering the gaudy colors and sinful billboards that adorn them now.
These photos are similar to the ones put up at Corner House - a local icecream chain. I wonder if Hot Chocolate Fudge was as delightful then as it is now. Hmmm.
The photos of MG Road and Town Hall are pretty amazing considering the gaudy colors and sinful billboards that adorn them now.
These photos are similar to the ones put up at Corner House - a local icecream chain. I wonder if Hot Chocolate Fudge was as delightful then as it is now. Hmmm.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
We are a private team - Luca di Montezemolo
That's what he says. link (via).
Reminds me of the time when the BCCI was dragged to court for financial impropriety and claimed the sportsmen who play test cricket under the aegis of the BCCI are not playing for India. That implies that India did not win the world cup in 1983, neither have any country won the world cup till now. Its only their parent bodies that have won the cups. It may be legally and technically correct, but it's still wrong!
Ferrari a private team - now that's a good joke.
Reminds me of the time when the BCCI was dragged to court for financial impropriety and claimed the sportsmen who play test cricket under the aegis of the BCCI are not playing for India. That implies that India did not win the world cup in 1983, neither have any country won the world cup till now. Its only their parent bodies that have won the cups. It may be legally and technically correct, but it's still wrong!
Ferrari a private team - now that's a good joke.
The jokes on me
According to nature.com, women like men who are funny and men like women who laugh at their jokes. link (via).
The interesting question would be - why? Why do women like men who make jokes? Is it a form of bonding? Its seems pretty obvious why men like women how laugh at their jokes - gives them an ego boost.
The idea that funny people are attractive may seem obvious. But there have been very few scientific studies to examine whether or not this is true.
The interesting question would be - why? Why do women like men who make jokes? Is it a form of bonding? Its seems pretty obvious why men like women how laugh at their jokes - gives them an ego boost.
Jethro Tull in Bangalore
A Tull concert here in bangalore. Got to know about it from here.
Immediately, went to del.icio.us and checked out tags on tull. Found the official website and confirmed that the concert was on. So, added the concert to upcoming.org as an event.
All in all, a good 5 mins work. Now to do something about the tickets. The blog above mentions that the concert tickets available at all Pizza Hut outlets. Need to confirm that though.
Need to find someone interested in going. hmmmm.
Immediately, went to del.icio.us and checked out tags on tull. Found the official website and confirmed that the concert was on. So, added the concert to upcoming.org as an event.
All in all, a good 5 mins work. Now to do something about the tickets. The blog above mentions that the concert tickets available at all Pizza Hut outlets. Need to confirm that though.
Need to find someone interested in going. hmmmm.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Photos from the Lalbagh Flower Show
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Minor Flowers to bloom
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Tsar Bomba
Since the cold war has ended, its been difficult to imagine how close we were to doomsday during the cold war. One of the biggest nuclear bombs ever denotated was set of by the soviets in the early sixties. Damn Interesting has an article about the Tsar Bomba. link.
As was pointed out by Tom Friedman, one point of view about Nuclear Deterrent, is that you can could on the other side loving life as much as you do and that you can trust the other side not to commit suicide in an attempt to destroy. Which is quite different from terrorism, where, the other side hates you so much that they don't value their own lives. Now imagine that the other side gets their hands on something like the Tsar Bomba and set it off in a way where there are no winners.
Someone once asked Einstein what he thought World War III would we fought with. He reply from the quotations page was
As was pointed out by Tom Friedman, one point of view about Nuclear Deterrent, is that you can could on the other side loving life as much as you do and that you can trust the other side not to commit suicide in an attempt to destroy. Which is quite different from terrorism, where, the other side hates you so much that they don't value their own lives. Now imagine that the other side gets their hands on something like the Tsar Bomba and set it off in a way where there are no winners.
Someone once asked Einstein what he thought World War III would we fought with. He reply from the quotations page was
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.That's poignant!!
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
New MacPro and iMac
Its finally here. Presenting the brand new, shiny, with a dual core Intel Processor, the MacBook Pro. link.
The iMac has also been given the Intel Treatment. link.
If there is ever a time for the open source guys to get one up on the traditional companies, this is a great time. Its going to be interesting to see how long it takes them to release software and how much faster these releases are going to be as compared to traditional software. Keep drooling.
Myopic View of apple intel laptop
You’ve dreamed about it long enough. Now it has a name: MacBook Pro. Powered by a dual-core Intel engine. Up to four times the speed of the PowerBook G4. Eight times the graphics bandwidth. With built-in iSight for instant video conferencing on the move. And Front Row with Apple Remote to dazzle everyone in the room. Wait no more. MacBook Pro starts at just $1999.Drool.... Unfortunately the price is even more jawdropping.
The iMac has also been given the Intel Treatment. link.
If there is ever a time for the open source guys to get one up on the traditional companies, this is a great time. Its going to be interesting to see how long it takes them to release software and how much faster these releases are going to be as compared to traditional software. Keep drooling.
Myopic View of apple intel laptop
Problems with reversing cars
Here's a hilarious story about a minivan being backed up over a fire hydrant. link (via).
A California woman accidentally backed the vehicle over the hydrant. The water pressure was so great that it lifted the tail off the ground.Its amazing how the minivan could have been suspended in air. For similar stories and gender insensitive jokes about women drivers, visit the fark link to the story.
Myopic View of funny
Monday, January 09, 2006
Creativity Myths
Here's a post that debunks some of the Myth's about Creativity and what make people creative. link.
This is particularly true in software companies, where everyone has an idea on how to "fix" the creativity issues.
While not related to only creativity, couple of myths that people have about software engineering is -
This is particularly true in software companies, where everyone has an idea on how to "fix" the creativity issues.
While not related to only creativity, couple of myths that people have about software engineering is -
- Software Engineering is just a fancy word for Coding.
- There is no difference between a Software Engineer and a Software Programmer
- Gathering Requirements, and spending time on design is a waste of time
- Following Software Process stifles Creativity
- Buy a house that does not have a plan
- Buy a car that is not certified to be safe
- Buy clothes that look good but tear within an hour of putting it on.
- Eat food that appears beautiful (a.k.a creative) but unhygienic.
Myopic View of creativity
Sunday, January 08, 2006
The History of Bangalore
With Bangalore's name to Bengaluru planned next year, there have been a number of articles in the newspapers, on the history of Bangalore and how the name came to be. An excellent article in the Deccan Herald is available here.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Wurz to be Williams Test Driver - Narain still has a chance
The BBC reports that Wurz is joining Williams as their test driver. link.
It was known for sometime that Wurz was looking for a race seat but to go from one test role to another is not a step up. It is not clear why he has left McLaren and what can Williams offer instead. Perhaps just a change in scenery?
In the meantime, Planet-F1 suggests that Narain still has a chance at Williams. link.
McLaren and Ferrari have multiple test drivers contracted to them and use them quite regularly. Since Williams is now using Cosworth engines and paying for them, having a paid driver will help reduce costs a bit and bring in another driver who can help out with the testing chores.
A large part of Ferrari's success has been due to their huge Test Programme. While Ferrari does not follow the other teams self-enforced 30 day test limit, it is unlikely that Williams will also choose to ignore the limit. In such a case, having a second test driver helps.
It was known for sometime that Wurz was looking for a race seat but to go from one test role to another is not a step up. It is not clear why he has left McLaren and what can Williams offer instead. Perhaps just a change in scenery?
In the meantime, Planet-F1 suggests that Narain still has a chance at Williams. link.
McLaren and Ferrari have multiple test drivers contracted to them and use them quite regularly. Since Williams is now using Cosworth engines and paying for them, having a paid driver will help reduce costs a bit and bring in another driver who can help out with the testing chores.
A large part of Ferrari's success has been due to their huge Test Programme. While Ferrari does not follow the other teams self-enforced 30 day test limit, it is unlikely that Williams will also choose to ignore the limit. In such a case, having a second test driver helps.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
10 Web Trends that should die
Here's a rant on 10 of the annoying things we see on the net today. link.
I couldn't agree more with Item 3 on the list there - "Ignore the rest of the world". I see that everyday on the net and its really frustrating.
To add to that list, I have
I couldn't agree more with Item 3 on the list there - "Ignore the rest of the world". I see that everyday on the net and its really frustrating.
To add to that list, I have
- Hype. Web2.0 this and Web2.0 that. A lot of companies went bust in Web1.0 and they are going to go bust in Web2.0 as well.
- Odd numbers everywhere. 43 Folders, 43 Things are cool, but copying the name everywhere is not. A random search on google for different numbers gives you weird results.
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