Aseem's Blog
Leap over the bounds…
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Review: Rediffmail Beta |
Rating: 2.5/5 (Thumbs down)
Having a dynamic page that loads most of your needed content all in the same page is definitely the new hot thing in website development. Ever since AJAX has hit the box, most web services are trying to reface their websites and services with this new technology. With Yahoo India in the Ajax pipeline, how could Rediffmail stay behind? One of India’s premiere mail services, Rediff a few days back launched its beta version based on AJAX and XML.
I am sure this might just be a long old story for the tech geeks, as it’s been in news for quite some time now with all the laurels to its name. But I have not seen any review on net over this change. It’s been accepted happily by Rediff Users, may be with a few complains that have gone unheard and users who are trying to adjust themselves to this change. This post gives an insight to some of the features that rediff left behind in framing its new AJAX based version.
‘Lightning fast web mail service’ is how they identify themselves. The very reason why rediff has always been my favourite mail service. And being a truthful user of its services it hits hard if I am asked to change to any other service. That’s why even with Yahoo, Gmail and many other feature rich free email services in, I still prefer to use Rediffmail. The good thing is that, they keep making small changes here and there. This time, a much welcomed package.
It’s a human tendency to resist change, probably this is what I did like to sketch up here. When I logged into my mailbox, I was happy to see a new look. :) Definitely, a nice tailored look. More of the grey shades than the blues… With all the folders listed on the left, I realized things are definitely going to be quicker to use and load. With a clean and neat look everything looked so fast and smooth to work on.
But soon I could point over a few drawbacks to finally impede my happiness. The mail preview window was too small. If I had to view the whole message I had to open it in a new window. So it was almost the same. The area assigned for loading the message was too less… 25% of my previous rediff mail window, which can be resized upto 50%. :| So it forced me to open a new window to browse my long forwards or emails that contained digicam pics. Also in the bargain of faster loading the graphic attachments were resized to too small in size, though having an interesting slide show option. After opening the email in a new window, I thought it now looked good. After reading the email, I wanted to reply to the sender. I clicked on the button… and spank… one more browser window opens. (6) Suck… how many more windows I thought. Sulked over it for a couple of seconds and moved forward to reply to the sender. Things were a little better with other mailing features incorporated into the write mail window. Like the address book that nicely fitted in, not to leave out the templates and drafts options. Also an upload file as attachment option in the same window. Thank God that I didn’t have to open another window for it! ;) Soon the window showed me that the mail was sent, I closed both of the opened windows and returned to my main rediff inbox window.
I saw a couple of new mails sent by a friend. Sent on the same day I was inquisitive to know of the time they were sent. Bah! The email interface just tells me the date. Dumb! I want to know when he sent each one… morning, evening or night… heck! So then I clicked on show email headers to try and interpret the time from the header information. Ok it was there, but not many would know what to do in such a case. Also whenever I logged into my mailbox or would select a folder to view, the first message in the folder automatically showed up. Now I wouldn’t want that. Anybody would want to be safe enough to check around and see for other people peeking into your monitor screen, before opening any private mail. Ahh, rediff how could u miss out on this one! :(
The select page option was a nice include. Helps a lot when u want to reach to older messages. On realising that I have to move a few emails to another folder, I tried to select them. Now this was a high precision job. As to select them, I had to click exactly on the checkbox. If by any chance I did miss out on a checkbox and clicked at the side of it (even by a pixel!) I would lose all my selections and it would instead load the message in the message preview window. Aah.. that’s real bad. Once done with the selections, it was real easy thought to make the move.Their search mail feature also sucks a lot. I never found the mail I wanted, though it was very much there! Many times it just showed ‘Loading Please Wait’…
I am sure if I decide to play around a little more, I will find a lot more flaws and fallbacks that I really wouldn’t like my RediffMail to have. So I looked up to the top left of my screen and clicked on ‘Take me to the regular Rediffmail’ option. :) Am sure I won’t log in back to this new beta version until Rediff doesn’t announce to release a full fledged one. This version is no beta… to me it looks like an alpha version. I know it’s a lot easy and fast to work in this new beta version of rediff, but its all AJAX that I admire in it, not Rediff. I feel that one loses the comfort level that one shared with its GUI in this new version. I hope they come up with something better soon. As many might have, I too have informed them about all these issues I found, through their feedback option. I wonder if they would ever see and forward it to the concerned persons.
Interestingly, if you sign up now for a rediffmail mail service, you wont see the option to switch to the new rediffmail, contrary to the GUI for the already registered users. I wonder why! 8O
As the end, I feel Rediff has launched this version in too much of a hurry and haste with an aim to beat its counterparts. They should sit back and analyse all the flaws and come up with a more comfortable to use package.
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Censored version of BC Sutta |
Soon after BC Sutta hit the World Wide Web… I remember it was the new anthem of my college hostel… Released Underground it never hit the celluloid. Those guys sure did mind the BC and MC stuff. But Sutta fans kept its spirit up and kicking. A smash hit at teen gatherings, college fests, Sutta was a song that today’s teen could easily relate to… I remember even girls in my college recorded their own BC Sutta! :)
Composed by Skip(lead of Zeest), BC Sutta is his 4-5 year old raw composition which probably reflects his own life. He says:
“I was in college and used to live hand-to-mouth. It’s a situation almost every boy faces when he wants to change his life, though it might be a quick, ridiculous, rebellious change. At that time, I used to smoke with my friends, and when my father came to know that I had been smoking, he often used to say BC sutta peeta hai in lafango (wastrels) ke saath. BC sutta – a catchy phrase that struck my mind and quickly became a joke among my friends. So in the end, I got something to write about, which could portray my own life, though in a satirical manner.”
After a hit in the underground circuit, Skip is now planning to release a censored version to appeal to the mainstream. Explicit words like BC and MC have been replaced in such a way that the charm of the song does not fade away. In this new version the sound quality of the music also has been improved. This version has come up after a huge demand from music channels and record labels. As Skip reveals the truth, his parents still don’t know about the song BC Sutta…. Hehe. They have probably heard only the censored version and know that their son has done something big in the music industry! Hmm smart kid! ;)
Well I just can’t wait to hear the new version hit the market. News is that the Zeest Band is gearing up for their new album launch. Best of Luck guys! Hope you continue making good music!
Let the new version be for my Mom and Dad to enjoy, I sure like it this way only:
BC Sutta… Mujhe Sutta Na Mila, BC Sutta… Sutta Na Mila…!!!
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Why is Melissa Theuriau the highest paid French News Reader??? |
Finished ogling over the photos? See I can read your mind! :) Who can’t, when you have photos of an oomphatic news reader right on your otherwise hebetudinous monitor screen, there is nothing else that can be on your mind! There is no second thought on why she shouldn’t be the highest paid French News Reader! Her photos speak for themselves.
Guys take your time…. I can wait over for my time for a say…. ;)
Want more???
Done? Melissa Theuriau is an anchor for the French channel LCI which is a 24 hour news channel. I’m not sure if she has a fashion coordinator or if she picks her own clothes, but she always seems to show up in something new and inviting daily. Not only do her clothes change, but so does her hair, with a new style. She is surely one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, too good to be real. Undoubtedly qualifies as my latest Crussssssh!!! :P
Here is a video of hers… for all you guys to ogle: http://youtube.com/watch?v=zuGtjEYrrUg
It will be hard time convincing someone standing besides you, that you are actually listening to French news.
This is one dedicated website on her: http://www.melissa-theuriau.fr/en.html
Enjoy!
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Mimoh Makeover |
In recent times, blogs have been in much controversy… I am sure not many bloggers would like to see their blogs being blocked! Wondering what it has to do with Mimoh? Aah… I was just checking out my pal Deep’s Blog, a reputed blogger, and stumbled upon this post – Hamara Mimoh. Hmmm… after the recent bans on blogs, I didn’t want to see Deep’s blog ending up in a ban if at all Mithun Da had any sort of ‘Political Contacts’. ;) So I thought of helping Mithun Da with his son Mimoh’s makeover. :)
The sure thing this guy needs, is a decent haircut. So I logged on to www.makeoversolutions.com, chose a few hair styles, worked them out in photoshop, and this is what our new bollywood HER[O] Mimoh looks like!
The Real Mimoh:
Suggested Mimoh’s:
Hmm, Mimoh, looks like u are already into popularity by running into blogger’s posts… success is no far ‘beta’. I too have done as much as I could do for you. Hope you liked your new hair style options. ;) Do consider them before you try to work in any movie. Now I can only pray to god that you can atleast ACT! Goodluck Mimoh! :)
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Review: Whistling Woods International |
Earlier this week, I got a chance to visit the just begun, Asia’s biggest Film Institute, the Whistling Woods International, located in the heart of the Film City, at Mumbai. It was only for my sister who got admission for the course of Direction that we were allowed an entry into the institution campus. :mrgreen:
A dream project of the showman Mr. Subhash Ghai, WWI has brought the whole bollywood under one roof. Designed with the expert guidance of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School, the courses at WWI offers students a modern, thorough and balanced course and an educated entryway to the entertainment industry. With a well-rounded Foundation Program and concentrated Specialisation Programs in various disciplines, the Whistling Woods International Institute for Film, Television & Media Arts provides unparalleled training in all aspects of filmmaking and television production – the aesthetic, the technical and the professional.
The Whistling Woods International has full-time intensive courses which span over two years and provide world-class training across all technical and creative aspects of filmmaking, television, animation & other media arts. All the students are given hand-on experience to all aspects of film making. The specialisations available are : Acting, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Business of Film & Television, Sound Recording, Design And Music Production, Animation and Screenwriting.
With about 84 seats in all, at the institute, WWI does ensure that you are given personal guidance. The Institute offers state-of-the-art training facilities, an internationally developed and structured curriculum, affiliations with highly respected global media corporations and a faculty that combines the best in Indian and international professional experience.
The list of faculty and board members reads like the cast from one of Ghai’s multi-starrers. With eminent film personalities, like Subhash Ghai, Shyam Benegal, Naseeruddin Shah, Hema Malini, Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, A.R. Rahman, Dilip Kumar, Javed Akhtar, Mahesh Bhatt, Om Puri, Ramesh Sippy, Shabana Azmi, Ashutosh Gowariker, Nagesh Kukunoor, Satish Kaushik and many more as the faculty and a part of the advisory board it truly sounds like the whole bollywood under one roof. 8O
Whistling Woods International promises to train students in top-of-the-line digital and analogue systems using the latest, state-of-the-art equipment. Driven by the conviction that only the best available infrastructure and environment can aptly prepare students for the ever-changing technological development sweeping the industry, WWI has a dynamic and contemporary approach to media instruction. A mastery of the newest equipment would enable students to enter the global entertainment industry as leaders with a firm grip on latest technology.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Mr. Subhash Ghai, Chairman, WWI said:
“A dream of 10 years has finally been realised. In a way, Whistling Woods International (WWI) is my way of repaying the film industry for what I have received from it over the last 27 yrs. WWI will act as a stepping stone for anyone who wants to make a career in the world of Television, Cinema or Animation. It has been designed to meet the highest international standards – be it in terms of technology, faculty or resources. We are also fortunate to have a strong academic and management team with Heads of Departments who will make this institute one of the best film schools in the world.”
Probably the only rip off is the dimension of the fees that one has to post. Good things do come at a price. Thee fees being high by Indian Standards are still a fourth of those that you would have to put up for other International Film Schools.
The Institute is also helping students from less affluent backgrounds in getting loans and scholarships. The Institute also provides students with housing facilities at the Royal Palm Resort! 8O
Summarising on the whole review of the esteemed institute, I would truly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the field and has the zeal to lead the Film Industry!
For more information log on to their official website: www.whistlingwoods.net
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Free Blog Hosts Reviewed |
Blogs have become the just next thing to own on net after colossal sized email accounts equipped with loads of features. Blogs provide netizens a platform to present their views and opinions and hence unplug their anonymity. They make them visible. For many they are still a sort of journal or personal diary where they can post their personal day to day endeavors for their friends and family to see. But on a large, most blogs are maintained by indivisuals who present their thoughts, notions, ideas or share scientific and technical information…
There is literally no definition of how a blog should be. You can write about anything you feel like in this very world of yours. Check out more over blogs on wikipedia.
I bet, with the growing popularity of web blogs, soon the Oxford Dictionary will have to consider including ‘to blog’ as a verb as it has included ‘to google’ ;). So if the idea of having a blog has really enthrilled you… follow this article to find out on how can you have your own blog.
I googled a little bit to find out some popular blogging hosts around and reviewed them. The one’s I considered were:
1] www.blogger.com
2] www.wordpress.com
3] www.livejournal.com
4] www.blogeasy.com
Some are big names that are being popularly used for quite some time now. So let’s be sure to find our Blog host amongst these… Continue Reading »
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Mr. Arjun Singh give us a break! |
Post Mumbai Bomb Blasts, my soul feels like yelling out “Give us 48 hours atleast Mr.Arjun Singh!”.
For those who have not got this latest bit of news, this is what our so very dear HRD minister, Mr. Arjun Singh was quoted saying, “Our constitution allows reservations for Muslims, and it is very much possible to have them. But at the moment we have no plans to provide reservations on religion basis.”
Ok fine, we respect our constitution however imperfectly it may have been framed, but is there a real need to talk about this issue in not even 48 hours post the Mumbai Bomb Blasts? Our nation has enough problems to sought out than to really start new ones. If you want to talk about, then please do over the killing of innocent lives in the Mumbai Bomb Blasts. Or is that that, there were no reserved classes in those dead or injured that you only care for? Even after seeing students come out on roads from their classes, sweeping the roads for your government, what more do you want to see Mr. Arjun Singh, what more?
We have seen enough protests by students and faculty for the last few months, over the reservation sytem. Its like, you butter your bread and some else snatches it from you and shamelessly swallows it. We have had enough discussions, forums, communities over this issue, most of which have died down, after every attempt of ours failed to reach the ears of the deaf government. Or may be they have been totally indifferent towards it… as they sought after their own political interests. But when we are forced to hear such comments, it really feels like they are teasing our wounds. Were caste reservations not enough for the government that they now want to prick the public with their new political agenda, for reservations on the basis of religion?
Why cant they let us forget the divisions made in our society? Why cant they let us live like ONE, live like an INDIAN? Why do they want to make us realize that a Hindu is a Hindu and a Muslim a Muslim? I thought diversity in cultures and religions was India’s prime strength, and if it is so, I don’t think these people are ever going to help us for it to be that way. No wonder why America is the super power today. Our Indian Government Policies are probably only followed to Divide and Rule. They will never let us forget the castes and religions.
Its been almost 60 years now that we have achieved freedom. There should be a sure end to this system. Reservations are no good to anybody. It’s like giving a child a milk feeding bottle to suck all his childhood and never let him drink with his own cup of milk…
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Bravo Zidane! |
Here is the infamous head-butt that more than two-three billion people watched on their television sets where Zidane goes BANG on Materazzi.
This is what left the whole world wondering what made the cool-headed Zidane go so violent? What really did Materazzi say to Zidane? Definitely not ‘Chloromint Kyon Khaate hai?’ as most sms forwards envisage.
This is what a deaf lip reader interpreted for BBC:
“You’re the son of a terrorist whore”
Lip-reading Experts also had their interpretation to chip in and they put it this way:
Materazzi told Zidane to “calm down” before accusing him of being a “liar” and wished “an ugly death to you and your family”. This was followed by “Go f*** yourself”
While Zidane confirms that Materazzi uttered some “hard words” against his mother and sister.
Well I thought that the Italian footballer wanted Zidane’s shirt as he had held it for a while. This is how Materazzi explains himself. Haha :lol:
What remains a controversy still is the conduct of the ace Algerian born French footballer right in the finals of the World Cup which was also the last game of his career, which led him out of the game with a red card against his name. With an investigation team being set up, Zidane might as well lose his Golden Ball. It’s really sad to see such an ending to the football career of one of the best strikers around. Most believed that it was not the best thing to do just 7 minutes before the half time end and Zidane should have maintained his dignity that he had hard earned for soooo many years.
But I feel that there are a few things that are bigger than football. And one shouldn’t care even if it’s the world cup final! I am glad to see my football hero live upto his dignity and family values. Bravo Zidane… go again! And for Materazzi shame on you. :x
Now that I wont see him sprinting on the green fields, dodging opponents and striking those magical goals, what I will cherish for life is all my video collection of Zidane on field… And yea not to forget the head butt one… ;)
Here is some tongue in cheek stuff for the Italian supporters. For those who want to have a lighter laugh over the head-butt: MAKE IT LIKE ZIDANE… VIDEO
For the French fans you are in consideration too… Go try this, if you feel Zidane should have done it to Materazzi a little more number of times: HIT MATERAZZI
With my last words… Zidane you will be always remembered for all your passion for the game on-field and off-field. And definitely for all your actions on-field that sent you off the field… ;)
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Dear Terrorist |
Interesting letter I got in my mail. Definitely worth a read…
Dear Terrorist,
Even if you are not reading this we don’t care. Time and again you tried to disturb us and disrupt our life – killing innocent civilians by planting bombs in trains, buses and cars. You have tried hard to bring death and destruction, cause panic and fear and create communal disharmony but everytime you were disgustingly unsuccessful. Do you know how we pass our life in Mumbai? How much it takes for us to earn that single rupee? If you wanted to give us a shock then we are sorry to say that you failed miserably in your ulterior motives. Better look elsewere, not here.
We are not Hindus and Muslims or Gujaratis and Marathis or Punjabis and Bengaliies. Nor do we distinguish ourselves as owners or workers, govt. employees or private employees. WE ARE MUMBAIKERS (Bombay-ites, if you like). We will not allow you to disrupt our life like this. On the last few occassions when you struck (including the 7 deadly blasts in a single day killing over 250 people and injuring 500+ in 1993), we went to work next day in full strength. This time we cleared everything within a few hours and were back to normal – the vendors placing their next order, businessmen finalizing the next deals and the office workers rushing to catch the next train. (Yes the same train you targetted)
Fathom this: Within 3 hours of the blasts, long queues of blood donating volunteers were seen outside various hospital, where most of the injured were admitted. By 12 midnight, the hospital had to issue a notification that blood banks were full and they didn’t require any more blood. The next day, attendance at schools and office was close to 100%, trains & buses were packed to the brim, the crowds were back. The city has simply dusted itself off and moved on – perhaps with greater vigour.
We are Mumbaikers and we live like brothers in times like this. So, do not dare to threaten us with your crackers. The spirit of Mumbai is very strong and can not be harmed.
Please forward this to others. U never know, by chance it may come to hands of a terrorist in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq or wherever, we dont care and if he is literate enough, he can read this message which is specially meant for him!!!With Love, From the people of Mumbai (Bombay) INDIA
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Serial Blasts Rock Mumbai – Part II |
The Aftermath [Day1]:
Following the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, the injured were speedily rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. Locals in the blast affected areas were putting in all efforts and money to rescue lives of the blast victims. As I saw on one of the leading news channels that residents were donating their savings to buy costly life saving drugs. With this genuine and unconditional effort coming up from the people of India we know for sure, that our nation will always stand against any terrorist attacks or calamities and help those affected.
But what we have to accept in disgrace is the lack of infrastructure to handle such emergencies on the part of the government and administrative domains. The channels broadcasting the live coverage of the blast affected areas showed clippings with the public infuriated over the police who were present at the incident. As they just watched people run around rather than helping them out. Later hospitals were flooded by friends and families who were left clueless of how to reach their dear ones. Though a record of the victims was made, it was not displayed publicly at any of the hospitals again leaving many who had come in search of their missing family members furious. As NDTV covered this disarray and incompetence of the administrative authorities, what made things worse were visits of VIPs to the hospitals – mostly politicians who thought that they would infill faith back into the public with their presence. But what they didn’t realise was that they left the family members craving and strangled in the crowd who had to be cleared off for security reasons during the ‘VIP visits’.
It took some hours for the surveillance systems to assess the situation and restore equilibrium. Later in the night a few local trains were allowed to ply over in Mumbai.
Mumbai Resumes to Work [Day 2]:
Within less than 12 hours, we saw Mumbai back to its routine life. Such terrorist outbursts can seldom ever take down ‘Aamchi Mumbai’ for long. No institutions whether administrative or educational were closed. This simply shows what a brave Mumbai and ofcourse India we live in.
Face It!
“Terror is something that remains in the minds of the people after the incident. But if we don’t allow it to infiltrate into our hearts and minds, we have definitely beaten the very aim of the terrorists”.
Media does play an important role in shaping the state of mind of the people. What makes me be glad is to see that they have proven to their duties and the nation has fought back. Ironically Everytime we witness such an incident and believe we have fought back, we do nothing but resurrect to our normal life and routine. And those responsible for this act that can be only condemned, scape through any penalty. I sometimes wonder of whether India really has the authority to even do a hundredth of what America did to Afghanistan on 9/11. We can probably only make our cries heard to the United Nations and seek for statements against terrorism and condolences for the victims. I thought for any strike, a counter-strike was the best deal… but exposed to the real world we all are left only to see and accept our brothers and sisters trying to compromise with life…
