People went crazy with the introduction of facebook like button. Its plugin was being used on most websites and users all over the world continued clicking it and are still at it. I am not against it, duh!...honestly, I use it too. But, I cannot forget that You tube had the rating system much before it. Moreover, it still is ahead of facebook, since it allows us to both like and dislike a video. So, I was about to credit them for it.
But what's this? Another article says that there were others who thought about these thumbs up and thumbs down icons much before YouTube or Facebook. Yeah! even I had no idea about that...those sites were Stumble upon and Urban dictionary.
Anyways, that is not why I started writing this today. What I wanted to say is (although it has been said before), that I dont like the Google's +1 icon. Firstly, it doesn't come even close to the like button. Secondly, it some how doesn't have a familiar appeal...haan, if google gives it a companion -1 icon, then maybe I will use those links, but right now...nah! They dont lure me. Its just like the unwanted preview icon (magnifying glass) at the end of each search result...clobbering the google results page. Someone make them as an add-on instead of forcing these new icons on users. By doing this, google is slowly following into Microsoft's path who change everything in their subsequent product releases leaving the users lost.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Gmail: New look
Official Gmail Blog: A preview of Gmail’s new look
Although being a google product fan and permanent user, I am not really looking forward for the newer and cleaner Gmail. I liked it and was more comfortable using it when it was newly introduced. It was very stable before facebook and twitter came into picture and google guys started making quick enhancements to keep people on their site.
Now, it is getting clobbered day by day with all the new features. Maybe there are people out there who like change but moi is just not one of 'em. Oh, I really hope they dont change it too much just to be in the competition. Its not even a competition, all the social networking sites are the new thing now, they may fade away in the coming years. But people will still need a fast working mail system. That is where Gmail stands out. And, it should be maintained that way.
Although being a google product fan and permanent user, I am not really looking forward for the newer and cleaner Gmail. I liked it and was more comfortable using it when it was newly introduced. It was very stable before facebook and twitter came into picture and google guys started making quick enhancements to keep people on their site.
Now, it is getting clobbered day by day with all the new features. Maybe there are people out there who like change but moi is just not one of 'em. Oh, I really hope they dont change it too much just to be in the competition. Its not even a competition, all the social networking sites are the new thing now, they may fade away in the coming years. But people will still need a fast working mail system. That is where Gmail stands out. And, it should be maintained that way.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Encounter with Gmail Attachment pop up
Have you ever sent an important mail when you forgot to attach the document and then resent the mail again with attachment? Sounds familiar right!!!
Gmail has this excellent feature where, once the user clicks on the send button, the system will verify your mail for wordings like 'I am attaching...' or 'I have attached...' or 'Please find attachment...' etc. and check if you have actually attached any document or not. If not, it gives you a pop up (see image), warning you that you are about to send a mail without attachment. Now that's what I call an intelligent system.
Although it is not a new feature from Google. It has been there since 2008, but I had several recent encounters where I would have been doomed and appeared unprofessional if I had sent those job applications without my profile. But thanks to google team, it saved my day once again.
So go ahead, use Gmail without any fear of being forgetful of attachments. :)
Gmail has this excellent feature where, once the user clicks on the send button, the system will verify your mail for wordings like 'I am attaching...' or 'I have attached...' or 'Please find attachment...' etc. and check if you have actually attached any document or not. If not, it gives you a pop up (see image), warning you that you are about to send a mail without attachment. Now that's what I call an intelligent system.
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| Gmail 'No-attachment' pop up |
So go ahead, use Gmail without any fear of being forgetful of attachments. :)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Movie - Videsh:Heaven on Earth - Disappointed
Just finished watching the movie ‘Videsh : Heaven on Earth’. I am very disappointed from Deepa Mehta and Preity Zinta. I am not saying their direction or acting has any flaws, but the concept of bringing in a snake, that too, a snake that can take up human form and fool people, ease the tension for the poor wife who gets beating by the real- husband first and then given first-aid by the snake who appears before her in form of her husband. Bah!
Already the world think India is full of superstitious foolish people and now a renowned director goes and gives the impression to the world that what they think is absolutely right. Why?
Everything else is still believable, that the mother-in-law acts as a witch, always causing problems in between husband and wife, and the crackpot husband just know one way to react to any confusion in the house – i.e. to beat up his wife as if she was the boxing pad, made available to him to take out his anger. These things still happen in several families. Even though all are educated in the family, but no one has the guts to stand up to the high-headed fool and make him realize that the women he brought into his house deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Things like these simply add to my hatred towards this whole concept of marriage.
Already the world think India is full of superstitious foolish people and now a renowned director goes and gives the impression to the world that what they think is absolutely right. Why?
Everything else is still believable, that the mother-in-law acts as a witch, always causing problems in between husband and wife, and the crackpot husband just know one way to react to any confusion in the house – i.e. to beat up his wife as if she was the boxing pad, made available to him to take out his anger. These things still happen in several families. Even though all are educated in the family, but no one has the guts to stand up to the high-headed fool and make him realize that the women he brought into his house deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. Things like these simply add to my hatred towards this whole concept of marriage.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Jackie Chan Adventures
There are so many disney shows that are never shown on disney channel or disney XD - the one being telecast in India.
Now, I being a regular viewer of several animated series was under the impression that I have seen them all, atleast the good ones. But, until now (year 2011), I was not even aware that there is a show inpired by 'Jackie Chan'(JC) that was first made and telecast on the american disney channel in 2000 itself and continued till 2005. I came across the name first time while visiting JC's website. In this series, Jackie is shown as an archeologist who gets involved in fighting criminals and magical ancient evil forces. The fighting moves and humor is inspired by Jackie's real life story and reel life stunts.
I am quite sure that uptill now also, the show is not been telecast in India. I feel it is unfair with the Indian audiances. Although, there is one fact about the show that might upset the audiances here, that in some of its episodes when jackie and gang visit India, they have still shown our country as land of snake charmers and poor people. But, I hope the image of India might have changed in last 5-7 years in eyes of American writers.
Anyways, for those who have not yet seen the show, its episodes are available on you tube, uploaded by several fans of JC. Also, you may get the details about its episodes in Wikipedia. At the end of every episode, you will get to listen to the man (Jackie) himself answering questions from his younger fans, telling about his life, likes and dislikes, his hobbies etc. Most of them are good advices that all should follow.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Kerela Road Trip - Visit to God's own country!!!
Last year in December, I got a chance to visit Kerela, widely known as "God's own country".
This was one of our first big family vacation and so a lot of planning went through between an uncle who organised our trip mainly, my father and myself. I would like to share my experience here.
Initially we were thinking about opting for some tour packages, but thankfully we dropped that idea. Firstly, most of them are very costly and secondly, we would have been bound to follow their timings and schedules always. It could have become bugging after some time and our vacation might have turned into a school picninc. By the way, I am not at all against these tour packages. They are one of the big employers of the tourism industry. But mainly because we selected most of the places in our schedule after looking into their schedules given on various websites. :) So, they were a big help.
Now, let me share about the places that we visited in this trip and my opinion about them:
Cherai beach - While returning from Thrissur, we visited the Cherai beach, 30 kms before kochi. It closes at 6:30 p.m. so we got only about 30-40 mins here. But it was fun as for most of us it was the first beach experience. When water comes splashing at your feet with the low tide, it is heavenly experience. Take a barefeet walk on the beach and there is no better ways of relaxation. Watch the sun going into the sea at the horizon and be at peace with yourself.
Munnar - It turned out to be a wrong choice for my family, as both me and my mother got sick due to all the twists and turns on the way. But, have to say, like any other hill station, Munnar also has the beautifual landscapes and great views of the valleys. It reminded me of my college days in Simla. As a surprise element, we came across another waterfall on the way. Took many snaps and videos. Attaching one picture below.
In Munnar, my father and sisters went to watch the live performance of Kathakali - makeup and dance, performed by artists of Punarjani group. These artists sure have a lot of patience. Next day, we visited the tea and spice plantations, Palace museum and Kanan Devan plantations where we were first shown a historical movie of how Munnar became one of the biggest tea producers in India, followed by a visit to the tea processing unit.
Kollam - First we visited Kottarakkara, a small town near kollam. This was more of a personal visit to my father's colleague. But I want to mention it here because of its green and clean view all over the place. We also saw rubber plantation and rubber processing factory - how latex from the tree is converted into rubber sheets.
Next stop was Kollam beach, now that is one clean beach. I was too busy taking pictures here, but my sisters were having a gala time playing in the water. Overall, my experience here was one to remember.
Then we started towards Tamil Nadu. I was not aware that one needs to take permission for personal vehicle before travelling inter state. Our check point was a place called Amaravila.
Kanyakumari - We crossed Nagercoil, and reached the southermost tip of our motherland. First stop here was the sunset point. It was very crowded, full of tourists and localites, some relaxing and some buying shell made show peices from the various shops in the market being set up on the shore. We were told that all of this was destroyed in the Tsunami of 2004 and most of the buildings near the shore were rebuilt.
We stayed in Vivekananda Kendra, a rest house facility in kanyakumari. It is very well maintained and clean. There are two big clocks telling about the sunset and sunrise timings in the reception room. They have annapurana(mess), internet facility, book shops etc, all within the campus itself. Next day early morning, we all went to the Sunrise point, but unfortunately there were lot of clouds and sun didn't appear in the sky. Anyways, we headed towards our last stop of the trip - the Vivekananda Rock memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. These are built on two big rocks within the sea. You need to wait in queue to get the ticket for the ferry that takes you to these monuments. In both these places, photography was allowed in limited areas only. There are temples, meditation centers, book stores and a vast statue of Swamy Vivekanada built inside the rock memorial.
Lastly, on the way back, we crossed a vast Windmill park. Later we came to know, it is the largest wind mill park in Asia. Also located on the highway was a temple of Mullapanthal devi, 15 kms from Nagercoil towards Tirunelveli district.
Thus, ended our road trip across the Kerela and Tamil nadu states of south India.
This was one of our first big family vacation and so a lot of planning went through between an uncle who organised our trip mainly, my father and myself. I would like to share my experience here.
Initially we were thinking about opting for some tour packages, but thankfully we dropped that idea. Firstly, most of them are very costly and secondly, we would have been bound to follow their timings and schedules always. It could have become bugging after some time and our vacation might have turned into a school picninc. By the way, I am not at all against these tour packages. They are one of the big employers of the tourism industry. But mainly because we selected most of the places in our schedule after looking into their schedules given on various websites. :) So, they were a big help.
Now, let me share about the places that we visited in this trip and my opinion about them:
Ernakulam - The first thing we did here was to take the boat ferry ride. As Ernakulam(Kochi) is built around water body, so a boat ferry is the fastest mean to visit many places in less time span. There were two options available - either to take the less costly shared ride (where minimum of 20 people are required and we were just 5 of us) or the little costly private ferry (Rs. 600/- per hour). After waiting for about half and hour for more people to join, we decided to take the private ferry for 2 hours.
It was a refreshing change, far away from the city pollution and the view was good. We visited the mattencherry palace, saw the port cochin coast guard, chinese nets (pic below), but had to miss the Jewish Synagogue due to their lunch time.
Thrissur - It is about 100km from Ernakulam and took us about 3 hours from our hotel to reach our destination "Athirapally waterfalls". Some people also refer to them as 'Indian Niagara falls'. Now, people there is a point of caution here: Do NOT take any food items with you. There monkeys here are very experienced in snatching things.
Though the climate was hot and humid but the view was simply beautiful. From one side, we could see the water dividing into four main streams, while from the road-side, you get to see the frontal view of other two streams. A coconut water seller can be found sitting on this side of the road as many tourists stop here to take front view of the falls. I must say, intelligent business strategy. While returning from the falls, we took lunch at a KTDC restaurant. Though there are not many employees here, but the lunch was good. |
| Chinese Nets |
Cherai beach - While returning from Thrissur, we visited the Cherai beach, 30 kms before kochi. It closes at 6:30 p.m. so we got only about 30-40 mins here. But it was fun as for most of us it was the first beach experience. When water comes splashing at your feet with the low tide, it is heavenly experience. Take a barefeet walk on the beach and there is no better ways of relaxation. Watch the sun going into the sea at the horizon and be at peace with yourself.
Munnar - It turned out to be a wrong choice for my family, as both me and my mother got sick due to all the twists and turns on the way. But, have to say, like any other hill station, Munnar also has the beautifual landscapes and great views of the valleys. It reminded me of my college days in Simla. As a surprise element, we came across another waterfall on the way. Took many snaps and videos. Attaching one picture below.
 |
| Falls on the way to Munnar |
Kollam - First we visited Kottarakkara, a small town near kollam. This was more of a personal visit to my father's colleague. But I want to mention it here because of its green and clean view all over the place. We also saw rubber plantation and rubber processing factory - how latex from the tree is converted into rubber sheets.
Next stop was Kollam beach, now that is one clean beach. I was too busy taking pictures here, but my sisters were having a gala time playing in the water. Overall, my experience here was one to remember.
Then we started towards Tamil Nadu. I was not aware that one needs to take permission for personal vehicle before travelling inter state. Our check point was a place called Amaravila.
Kanyakumari - We crossed Nagercoil, and reached the southermost tip of our motherland. First stop here was the sunset point. It was very crowded, full of tourists and localites, some relaxing and some buying shell made show peices from the various shops in the market being set up on the shore. We were told that all of this was destroyed in the Tsunami of 2004 and most of the buildings near the shore were rebuilt.
We stayed in Vivekananda Kendra, a rest house facility in kanyakumari. It is very well maintained and clean. There are two big clocks telling about the sunset and sunrise timings in the reception room. They have annapurana(mess), internet facility, book shops etc, all within the campus itself. Next day early morning, we all went to the Sunrise point, but unfortunately there were lot of clouds and sun didn't appear in the sky. Anyways, we headed towards our last stop of the trip - the Vivekananda Rock memorial and the Thiruvalluvar Statue. These are built on two big rocks within the sea. You need to wait in queue to get the ticket for the ferry that takes you to these monuments. In both these places, photography was allowed in limited areas only. There are temples, meditation centers, book stores and a vast statue of Swamy Vivekanada built inside the rock memorial.
 |
| Twin Rocks at kanyakumari |
Thus, ended our road trip across the Kerela and Tamil nadu states of south India.
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