Earth Hour - What's the point?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Earth Hour: is an international event that asks households and businesses to turn off their lights and non-essential electrical appliances for one hour on the evening of 29 March at 8 pm local time until 9 pm to promote electricity conservation and thus lower carbon emissions. [wikipedia].
One way if you think about it - its nice. Reduce the power consumption and make a point. But the more I think about it I believe that its all a farce. I mean why this one day? Why one hour? Back when I was in India we knew the importance of saving power and saving resources. But then visiting other parts of the world just opens up your mind. You see how people just don't understand the point. They are not to be blamed, its the system thats messed up. They have not been told (or are unaware) that there's soon gonna be a shortage.
I think last year Sydney made a point and showed it to the whole world that its important to conserve. How can we be selfish to use up the resources as if there's no tomorrow and not leave much for the coming generations? This year its Copenhagen, Chicago, Melbourne, Dubai, and Tel Aviv. Even google has jumped into the race and have their "Google Blackie" thing put up.
If we really have to make a difference, switching power for 1 hour on a particular day wont help at all. If you just visit any city-downtown in the US (for example) in the evening/night you would know what I'm talking about. All those towers and all those fancy looking buildings are lit up the whole day, the whole night for weeks, months and years. Looks good at night and feels nice to get a snap or two in front of the buildings but when it comes to conserving power and resources - it doesn't help at all.
Thats just one thing. Switching off your comp, switching off lights and heat when you leave the apartment/house, maintain your vehicle etc.. etc... are few other that one can start doing. Afterall "Rome was not built in a day". I read somewhere that couple of years back several firms in Japan urged their employees to stop wearing Suits and Ties to work during summer and shift over to casuals. Less Air Conditioning costs :). Reduce the heating during winter and keep the thermostat at no more than 68F, make up by using warmer comforters, turn off car engines while idling at traffic lights; At work, use Canon's Pixus MP500 printer, which uses 60 percent less electricity than the company's other models, saving 10% power each time its switched on.
What can I say - Just start with the Earth Hour today and make it a point to continue the good work :)
Cheers !!
Labels: Google, India, Japan, Power, US
Posted by Rajesh @ 9:17 AM; PERMALINK,
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:-) is 25 years old
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Wow!! I didn't know this. 25 years ago CMU prof Scott Fahlman invented a smiley face :-) using just 3 keystrokes and what a way to start an emoticon race. Users of Yahoo Messenger would know of the many many variations ; like :-D, :-P, :-S :-( and ;-)
These smilies spread from CMU to other schools to other businesses and then around the world. Now a days these are so common that you can find them almost anywhere on the www world. The best part is that there's no language barrier. A :-) means the same in English, French, Spanish, Zulu or Mallu ;-)
Dr. Fahlman was quoted as saying "I sometimes wonder how many millions of people have typed these characters, and how many have turned their heads to one side to view a smiley, in the 25 years since this all started". Come to think of it, I think I actually might have turned my head to one side during the initial stages. After a few years, we now see folks @ Google making it interesting, swinging these emoticons vertically so that you don't have to "turn your heads sideways" :P
Labels: 2007, 25, Anniversary, CMU, Emoticon, Google
Posted by Rajesh @ 8:11 PM; PERMALINK,
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Google's Gift
Friday, August 17, 2007
Google Blog recently made a post (on 14th Aug to be precise) and it read -
"Happy 60th birthday, India! We can't wait to celebrate, but we're going to wait a few days for the formal unwrapping of our gift to Indian users. Check back and we'll have news shortly."
Guess what - they've come up with Google Labs India. Right now they just have 2 tools but of course they'd keep adding useful stuff out there.
Have a nice Weekend everyone!!
Have a nice Weekend everyone!!
Labels: 60, Google, Independence, India
Posted by Rajesh @ 11:32 PM; PERMALINK,
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Visit Places - Drive, Fly or Swim
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Playing around on Google is fun. Playing with Google is double fun. People visit places, they drive, they fly, take the train. But what would you say if you're asked to swim? Amrita visited London recently (she's gotta blog with a detailed write up and 'more' snaps to prove that though) ; I thought hey - it would be a good idea to visit London - spend your vacation there. It would be a dream come true fomme.
So I open up the much reliable Gmaps and here's what I find ....
Pay attention to - Item #9 and you'd see what I mean. And then #10 asks me to take a "slight right". Pay toll and reach my destination "London" after traveling 3,722 mi in about 29 days 6 hours. I wonder, amongst other things, how they'd have calculated my swimming speed :P.
Labels: Boston, Fly, Google, London, Map, Swim, Travel, UK, US
Posted by Rajesh @ 7:27 PM; PERMALINK,
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Oh Brother, Where art Thou?
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
With, people switching services left n right, creating havoc on the www world, trying to stamp their name out there, I thought let me sit back and relax. Gave a pat on my back today as I was able to end another procrastination of mine. Although, you might have guessed by now that I'm going crazy talking nonsense out here, let me help you out ... hit "Ctrl + End" on the browser - what do you see? "2006 Spooky Action At The Distance"? Check the "Currently Reading" section and you would see that I'm hooked onto "One Flew Over Cuckoo's Nest" - awesome book.
Before you start scratching your head and deem moi to be insane, imagine what you can achieve with 83 cents a month, which is ~ 2.5 cents a day ~ $10 a year. What you see here is what you can obtain; and by here I mean the address bar. One of the few things you can get done now-a-days with Google. Something else that obviously flows is this.
Lots to follow here (of course) and there and everywhere. Please update your feeds with this link.
Before you start scratching your head and deem moi to be insane, imagine what you can achieve with 83 cents a month, which is ~ 2.5 cents a day ~ $10 a year. What you see here is what you can obtain; and by here I mean the address bar. One of the few things you can get done now-a-days with Google. Something else that obviously flows is this.
Lots to follow here (of course) and there and everywhere. Please update your feeds with this link.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
- R.Frost
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
- R.Frost
Labels: Blog, Com, Domain, Google, Procrastinate
Posted by Rajesh @ 8:07 PM; PERMALINK,
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Dear Wikipedia - I'm feeling lucky
Saturday, March 03, 2007
There's a new craze in town . Gone are the days you used to use 'Google' as an encyclopedia - search for anything and boom its right up there on top. Well, Google still have their feature called 'I'm feeling lucky' whereby any search is directed to the 1st search result.
New craze - to become part of the Wiki Project Wikify. Wikipedia prides itself on the fact that the articles are unbiased and that many eyes on any article will ensure the accuracy of the article. It didn't take me much time to get on with it and am now a Wiki user, just like millions of others out there. What do I do there? Believe me its a great place to practice your translation skills, go through the articles that need some attention, need modification, check for grammatical errors, add information that you are aware of (and you can defend by providing links) etc etc.. Its Fun!!!
Heard a joke the other day that Google's "I'm feeling lucky" button would soon be replaced with a "Wikipedia Result" Button ;) , for the very first hit for almost every search out there directs you to Wikipedia. Who knows, it could become true one day -
Snap - Digital Point
New craze - to become part of the Wiki Project Wikify. Wikipedia prides itself on the fact that the articles are unbiased and that many eyes on any article will ensure the accuracy of the article. It didn't take me much time to get on with it and am now a Wiki user, just like millions of others out there. What do I do there? Believe me its a great place to practice your translation skills, go through the articles that need some attention, need modification, check for grammatical errors, add information that you are aware of (and you can defend by providing links) etc etc.. Its Fun!!!
Heard a joke the other day that Google's "I'm feeling lucky" button would soon be replaced with a "Wikipedia Result" Button ;) , for the very first hit for almost every search out there directs you to Wikipedia. Who knows, it could become true one day -
Snap - Digital Point
Labels: Craze, Google, Lucky, Project, Search, Wiki, Wikipedia
Posted by Rajesh @ 6:22 PM; PERMALINK,
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What's up New York?
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Carl Kruger is the name. New York state senator - his occupation. What's he up to? Introducing a legislation to ban the use of Ipods or Cell phone while crossing the streets of NYC. What this means is that, soon you could face a fine of $100 if caught red handed.
Now, the report mentions "listening to Ipod or talking on a cell phone, using Blackberry and Video games". Does that mean that I'm good to go if I use a gadget manufactured by any company other than Apple? Probably not yeah? But the way these product names are used (anything that's plugged into your ears is now known as an Ipod) you could end up in trouble. A while back Google came up with a correct usage of the word Google and I thought it was justified. Apple would definitely come up with something similar.
So NYC residents, be careful while crossing the streets. If not for the vehicles on the road, a fine of 100 bucks. Kruger says "3 pedestrians in Brooklyn have been killed since Sept 06 'cause of negligence while crossing the street, plugging in a gadget into their ears. This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand."
He's got a point, but is this the right kinda way to go for it? What do ya think?
Now, the report mentions "listening to Ipod or talking on a cell phone, using Blackberry and Video games". Does that mean that I'm good to go if I use a gadget manufactured by any company other than Apple? Probably not yeah? But the way these product names are used (anything that's plugged into your ears is now known as an Ipod) you could end up in trouble. A while back Google came up with a correct usage of the word Google and I thought it was justified. Apple would definitely come up with something similar.
So NYC residents, be careful while crossing the streets. If not for the vehicles on the road, a fine of 100 bucks. Kruger says "3 pedestrians in Brooklyn have been killed since Sept 06 'cause of negligence while crossing the street, plugging in a gadget into their ears. This electronic gadgetry is reaching the point where it's becoming not only endemic but it's creating an atmosphere where we have a major public safety crisis at hand."
He's got a point, but is this the right kinda way to go for it? What do ya think?
Labels: 100, Apple, Brooklyn, Google, Ipod, New York, NY, Senate, US
Posted by Rajesh @ 8:37 PM; PERMALINK,
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Oh Dear Yahooooo - why dont u Improve !!!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
I believe it was the year 1995 when I opened up an email account on Yahoo. It was an "in" thing to do at that time - having an email account i.e. Though I didn't know what to do with it - I just knew that I had to get one for myself. So while creating the account, filling up some personal details, I filled up "India" as the country of residence 'cause thats where I was back then. Little did I know that it wasn't the smartest thing to do.
To start off with I was given a "co.in" ID which, at that time, went against the preferred ".com" ones. I remember once or twice (or maybe more than that) I tried to change it but in vain. Why you may ask. Because Yahoo servers are probably down 90% of the time. What else would explain a weeks time just to receive emails?? Oh yeah - there were times when I had to wait at least a week to receive emails !!! A friend of mine sent me one like early last week and am still awaiting its holy presence in my Inbox. The only way I could figure out that he had sent me one was by logging into my Yahoo Groups account.
To start off with I was given a "co.in" ID which, at that time, went against the preferred ".com" ones. I remember once or twice (or maybe more than that) I tried to change it but in vain. Why you may ask. Because Yahoo servers are probably down 90% of the time. What else would explain a weeks time just to receive emails?? Oh yeah - there were times when I had to wait at least a week to receive emails !!! A friend of mine sent me one like early last week and am still awaiting its holy presence in my Inbox. The only way I could figure out that he had sent me one was by logging into my Yahoo Groups account.
One Week?? Are you kidding me ? Snail mails travel much faster. Hell you can send postal mails in 4 days around the globe - via airmail. If you opt for a courier service or an expedited service you can get it at the destination in 2 days or so. Why then does it take days and days for Emails to get delivered ? I've come to know the those who have a ".com " address apparently don't have this issue at all. Does that mean that I have to suffer this until and unless I open up a new account portraying myself to be residing in US (which I do now but not back in 95) ??
ne !!!!!
Pull up your socks Yahoo. You guys would very well be aware of the competition you're getting out there from other service providers. Some people, like me, just hang in there 'cause of the level of patience we have. One fine day you would realize that you don't need all that hardware, all those servers, all those offices in them high risers around the globe - because there won't be any more users accessing your services.
Pull up your socks Yahoo. You guys would very well be aware of the competition you're getting out there from other service providers. Some people, like me, just hang in there 'cause of the level of patience we have. One fine day you would realize that you don't need all that hardware, all those servers, all those offices in them high risers around the globe - because there won't be any more users accessing your services.
Labels: 1995, 2006, Address, Com, Competition, Email, Google, India, Post, Server, US, Yahoo
Posted by Rajesh @ 9:22 PM; PERMALINK,
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Flashback 2006
Monday, December 25, 2006
What happened in 2006 ? Here's something that has been floating around for a couple of weeks now. A collection of the first sentence of the very 1st post every month on this Blog -
- Its 2 hours and 10 minutes after the clock stuck 12 for the first time this year - the year 2006, that I'm writing this blog.
- 2006 has been pretty hectic (@ work) so far.
- "And, oh, by the way, Mr. Prime Minister, the United States is looking forward to eating Indian Mangoes.
- Mark Twain probably was correct when he said, and I quote, "April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four."
- I don't know when did I decide, but here I was repenting over my decision to watch some Bollywood movies over the WE ;
- Vending machines at workplace are a topic of debate, always.
- There are times when you find yourself at a juncture where an unknown force takes over your predetermined notions.
- Ongoing rift in the Middle East is getting worse.
- It was year 1965 when US astrounaut Ed White lost a spare glove when he went outside his spaceship for the first time.
- Find myself in NYC this weekend ;) didnt quite enjoy the Hound ride though.
- No, this post is not in relation to what agent Fox Mulder used to say.
- No, this chap wont learn. (Bart Simpson)
Labels: 2006, Blog, Bollywood, Fox Mulder, Google, India, NY, Simpsons, Space, US, Weekend, Xfiles
Posted by Rajesh @ 2:25 PM; PERMALINK,
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Need to punish Bart? No problemo
Sunday, December 03, 2006
No, this chap wont learn. Have seen this everyday but he seems to have this immense talent to get himself in trouble and then write compositions :P ...
Labels: Bart, Composition, Google, Punishment, Simpsons
Posted by Rajesh @ 12:33 PM; PERMALINK,
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