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July 28, 2009

The Maker's Schedule

Very good article about different ways of scheduling. I agree with that the author says: techies need long uninterrupted moments to tackle technical problems. A couple of uninterrupted hours of work mean wonderful productivity.

And also some tidbit of advice, extending on what the author say: bunch together all the little things that are distracting and do it in one shot, so that you can focus on the real work after.

Posted by ma at 3:18 PM in Funny / Insightful | TrackBack

July 23, 2009

Yes, they landed on the moon

In case you've heard conspiracy theories, here's something to help you see that indeed, people went on the moon, and it wasn't Michael Jackson :)

Posted by ma at 4:31 PM in Funny / Insightful | TrackBack

July 21, 2009

Interesting Security Solution

So obvious, yet I didn't think about it first!

http://www.passwindow.com/

Posted by ma at 4:49 PM in Software | TrackBack

July 20, 2009

Got a New Car

Yes... you've read it well!

The lousiness of Hyderabad's public transit has finally driven me over the edge. I've gotten a car with some financial assistance, and I'm driving to work now.

You can say that my pragmatism has finally triumphed over my idealism.
As luck would have it... I've gotten it just after the price increase.

At 50 Rs per litre, it makes it easy to do math, but it really hurts the budget. (That's 1 USD or 1.25 CAD, approximatively... can you say heavily taxed?)

I've gotten to the RTO get this thing registered today. I'll soon have my license plate.

The car is a Chevrolet Spark. It claims to have good mileage, but I've yet to see that in reality.

Posted by ma at 8:36 PM in Life | TrackBack

July 17, 2009

Finally, a Court with Sense

Its finally official: marriage is not the same as a de-facto relationship.

Of course, the matter is going to be appealed.
In my opinion, these relationships have already too many rights given to them. If you want to live together, you should get married. End of story.
It takes about 5-15 minutes to do that at the courthouse and its not too expensive, so nobody really has the right to complain...
In India, its even cheaper... just tie the yellow thread (AP) or exchange the garlands (North India) and the matter is over. Then you need the pandit to give you the certificate. Done!

Why is it that people confuse tradition with principle? You don't need a fancy banquet to get married. There is no financial reason not to get married. It boils down to a 5 minute thing that makes your couple legitimate and protected. I have many friends who want to wait until they are more settled in life before getting married... what stupidity!
And in the meantime, they'll live together, and every time they'll sleep together, they'll add one more sin to their already tall pile of sins. All of it for what? Impressing people? Some stupid tradition they don't care about? Fear of commitment?

In the article, they mention that the man who was with her didn't want to get married, because he didn't believe in the institution of marriage. Interestingly, he got 3 kids... looks like someone believed in the institution of family... Go figure.

Posted by ma at 4:53 PM in Funny / Insightful | TrackBack

July 16, 2009

Now Officially a Polluter

I got a car. I did.

Yes, me. The environmentalist. The guy who was recycling every piece of paper.

No, not even with LPG, I wasn't able to afford it.

So I'm polluting to go to work and to come back. And doing errands. And soon for meeting brothers and the like.

I'm a bit ashamed. But there was little way around it. I can't live close to both work and church, the trains suck and the buses are overcrowded. I've dealt with it for 9 months. I've been thinking about it since month 6...

God willing, He'll bring me to another city or country that will have fantastic public transit. And recycling. Maybe I'll be able to atone for my destruction of the world somehow at some point.

I hope.

Posted by ma at 10:41 PM in Life | TrackBack

July 15, 2009

Flow-based packet switching

Very interesting article. The concept is simple, it saves enormous power and would allow data centers to actually shrink in size!

A Radical New Router

Posted by ma at 11:53 AM in Software | TrackBack

July 13, 2009

Save More Than Fuel

Good website, with simple advice to get the best mileage from your car

http://www.savemorethanfuel.eu/

Posted by ma at 11:16 AM in Life | TrackBack

July 9, 2009

Air New Zealand Pushing Nudity

If you didn't know we live in a dark world yet, here's something that might be a wake-up call:

Air New Zealand has safety measures explained by naked stewards and stewardesses with body painting! How ridiculous and depraved!

If I don't watch the safety instructions when I fly, that's because I fly enough to know them by heart! I don't think that the airlines should worry about that...

Posted by ma at 12:19 PM in Funny / Insightful | TrackBack

July 7, 2009

Joseph Kony and the LRA

If you've never heard about this issue, then its really really time you watch this video.


Posted by ma at 12:02 AM in Funny / Insightful | TrackBack

July 6, 2009

Indian Economic Survey

Times of India, 3 Jul 2009
Economic Survey 2008-09: Over 60% Indians live on Rs 20/day

Posted by ma at 9:21 PM in Funny / Insightful | TrackBack

July 2, 2009

Stats About The Québécois

Two survey summaries worth reading (use Google Translate if you can't read French).

Essentially, the vast majority of Québécois won't care to celebrate Canada Day. But they still like Canada, think its a great country to be part of, and don't see Québec separate anytime soon. The editorialist says it nicely: they love Canada with their heads, but not with their hearts. Whereas, for the rest of the country, both are engaged.

Posted by ma at 5:15 PM in Funny / Insightful | TrackBack

Geek Clock

Now, THAT is neat!!!

Posted by ma at 5:12 PM in Funny / Insightful | TrackBack