Thursday, January 31, 2008
Airline schoolgirl ad 'too seductive' - Ryanair Issue
"
An advertisement portraying a scantily clad schoolgirl seductively twirling her hair is offensive, a British watchdog agency said Wednesday in demanding that low-cost airline Ryanair not run it again....
...The agency said the advertisement was likely to cause "serious or widespread offense" and demanded Ryanair not run it again.
Ryanair Spokesman, Peter Sherrard, put it best - bunch of unelected, self appointed dimwits, who are clearly incapable of fairly and impartially ruling on advertising
Youtube link (to a BBC report)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Gesture Controls for Nokia phones
First there was Flip-silent and now ShakeSMS.
With Flip-silent installed, you get to reject the call or switch to silent profile, simply by flipping over your phone.
ShakeSMS - coming soon - will let you see the new SMS you have received, by shaking your cell phone.
ShakeSMS - Video
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
George W Bush, White House told 935 lies after September 11
"
US President George W Bush and other top officials issued almost one thousand false statements about the national security threat from Iraq following the September 11 attacks, according to a study by two not-for-profit organisations.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Us ki hasrat hai jise dil se mita bhi na sakuun
Ameer Minai ...
us ki hasrat hai jise dil se mita bhi na sakuun
dhuundhane us ko chalaa huun jise paa bhi na sakuun
daal kar khaak mere khuun pe qaatil ne kahaa
kuch yeh mehandi nahin meri ke mitaa bhi na sakuun
zabt kam-bakht ne aur aa ke galaa ghontaa hai
ke usse haal sunaauun to sunaa bhi na sakuun
us ke pahalu mein jo le jaa ke sulaa duun dil ko
nind aisi usse aaye ke jagaa bhi na sakuun
naqsh-e-paa dekh to luun laakh karuungaa sajde
sar mera arsh nahin hai ki jhuka bhi na sakuun
bevafaa likhte hain vo apni kalam se mujh ko
ye vo qismat ka likha hai jo mitaa bhi na sakuun
is tarah soye hain sar rakh ke mere zaanon par
apani soi hui qismat ko jagaa bhi na sakuun
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Beowulf
Not exactly in line with the story of Beowulf .. too many deviations, but whatever - I enjoyed it.
And this ....
Well that just made it even better.
3:10 to Yuma
The movie is somewhat like Sanjay Leela Bhansali's version of Devdas. Cinematography is brilliant, great costumes. Poor direction, bad script. I know this is a remake too, but since I haven't watched the original, I am not in a position to compare.
Christian Bale is supposed to have lost his leg. Well, if you watch the movie (the climax in particular), it doesn't seem so.
I like Russell Crowe. I enjoy watching his movies. I liked parts of this movie too, but for most of it, I was confused.
This is a very different kind of a western - the good guy is taking in the bad guy, not because he wants to do the right thing, but for the money - to pay off his debts and to show his son that he is a "hero".
The bad guy doesn't shoot the good guy when he has a chance (and there are plenty). The good guy doesn't shoot the bad guy either. In the climax, the good guy asks the bad guy for HELP escaping from the bad guy's friends - so that - the good guy can take the bad guy to prison.
If that doesn't seem weird enough, check this out - the bad guy actually agrees! (and I thought, bollywood was lame). Not only that, but the bad guy ends up shooting his friends (who had come to rescue him, btw).
These are just a few examples. I think, if the direction was better, some of the pathetic script could be swallowed.
Vista SP1 - ??
"
The first service pack for Windows Vista could be out as early as Feb. 15, according to sources close to Microsoft.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tadapte hain na rote hain na hum fariyaad karte hain
Haider Ali Aatish ...
tadapte hain na rote hain na hum fariyaad karte hain
sanam ki yaad mein har-dam khudaa ko yaad karte hain
unhin ke ishq mein hum naalaa-o-fariyaad karte hain
ilaahii dekhiye kis din humein vo yaad karte hain
shab-e-furqat mein kya kya saanp laharaate hain seene par
tumhaari kaakul-e-pechaan ko jab hum yaad karte hain
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
IR revamped - Transfer rate to 1 GBps
"
According to KDDI R&D Laboratories, its new technique [Japanese; PDF] ups the IR transfer speed to 1Gbps, which is 250 times the old theoretical limit of 4Mbps. Not only that, it has added a layer of stability that should eliminate those old scenes where would-be IR exchangers ended up saying “Oh screw this - just tell me your number instead.”
The new IR method relies on swapping the old LED for a new semiconductor laser that can ‘blink’ far faster than any diode (think of a super-fast semaphore lamp). Throw in a chunk of nonvolatile memory for storing data during transfers and Bob’s your high-speed data-chucking uncle.
KDDI suggests the new infrared technology could be used in PCs and mobile devices, particularly phones. If its claims of transferring a full CD of music in under a second prove accurate, then we’re looking a seriously useful revival of some old gadgetry.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Rahi naguftaa mere dil mein daastaan meri
Meer Taqi Meer ...
rahi naguftaa mere dil mein daastaan meri
na is dayaar mein samajhaa koi zabaan meri
barang-e-saut-e-jaras tujh se duur hoon tanhaa
khabar nahin hai tujhe aah kaaravaan meri
usi se duur rahaa asl-e-muddaa jo thaa
gai ye umr-e-aziz aah raayagaan meri
tere firaaq mein jaise khayaal muflis ka
gai hai fikr-e-pareshaan kahaan kahaan meri
diya dikhaai mujhe to usi ka jalvaa "meer"
padi jahaan mein jaa kar nazar jahaan meri
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Karan Thapar - On the Nano
"
Let’s first see what would happen if the increase is not effectively managed. DowntoEarth, India’s most highly-regarded environmental magazine, says, “On a per passenger basis, a car emits two times more particulate matter that poses a serious health challenge compared to a two-wheeler and four times more compared to a bus”. If people who today use two-wheelers buy the Nano, pollution levels will sharply jump.
Can our cities tolerate this? The Central Pollution Control Board says more than half the 90 cities it monitors have particulate matter levels that are already critical. Any significant increase could make them unlivable.
Nice to see that there are SOME people left, who are still capable of an unbiased view. Of course, the TOI can go ahead and label them Elitist or Casteist, but I have already shared my views on that.
Death Sentence
The last 20 minutes or so of the movie is cool. The rest of the movie is ..... watchable, but below average. Kevin Bacon - shaved head - looks ridiculous.
The movie is a bit too bollywood-ish. There is a bit too much of drama in this for my taste. The direction is rather stupid.
The thing is, this isn't ridiculous like Crank or Shoot 'Em Up (that is what a good action movie should be like). If it was, then this review would be very different. This movie is ridiculous like a bollywood flick. Too much of drama. Wish they would have just kept it simple. You know, like - Movie title, Bang-bang bang, hot scene, car chase, bang bang, babe enters, explosion, car chase, bang bang, hot scene, explosion - The End.
Why can't they just keep it simple. For movies like this, it is usually better if there is no story, or the director doesn't pay too much attention to the plot line. That just gets in the way of a good bang bang movie.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Illegal Tender
Bad movie, bad actors, bad performance. Waste of time. Absolutely pathetic. DON'T WATCH.
Hate the Nano? - You are a CASTEIST - India
"
The shitty article - Click hereThe negative response to the Nano springs from neo-casteism. Those who oppose the Nano not only have their own non-people's (often chauffeur-driven) limousines, but these limousines frequently ferry them to and from international airports which they whizz through to attend seminars on global warming, carbon emissions and sustainable development (we'll do the developing; you can do the sustaining). In fact, the other great bete noire of technological casteists apart from the Everyman car are Everyman cheap air fares.
OK.. Elitist is actually a word, but Casteist?? hmm. Did a Google search using the define attribute - No results, word not found (link).
Did a web search for the word - Did find results. All the results appearing on the first page, were from Indian newspapers/sites (link) - No I didn't bother to check out the other pages for the search results. So I am assuming (I might be wrong), that this term is coined by the Indian press. I am sure you would know what the word is supposed to mean.
Coming back to the article - This is just STUPID and horrible biased reporting.
NANO is a great car - is an opinion.
NANO IS A SHITTY CAR - is an opinion too.
The points made about road congestion are VALID ARGUMENTS. This pathetic excuse for a car (yes, I think it is a trashy car), this glorified three wheeler, this this... 623 cc piece of crap - will cause a lot of issues, ranging from road congestion, parking, pollution, what not. These are all valid points of argument.
If one doesn't want to bother with these - fine. No issues. Throw these comments out and don't look at them again. Don't acknowledge them even. But, don't rubbish these comments, by associating it to a stupid word like Casteist!
If anyone actually dares to say it out aloud (that Nano is a shitty car) - great - you are a castesist - Well this is what I think - Fuck You!
Sure the advancements made, the efforts and the achievements of the engineers should be appreciated and all that, but that doesn't mean that if anyone doesn't like the car, then he or she is being a snob!
Everyone gets to have an opinion. You like the car - Your opinion. I hate it - My opinion. Why bring in upper caste, lower caste, U and non U's - If you read the article, you would know what I am referring to. Not liking the Nano doesn't mean one is a snooty snobbish racist or elitist or whatever.
It perhaps only means that the individual can think and has not been swayed by the media reports and is willing and capable of calling a spade a spade.
This has nothing to do with being Elitist or Upper class, or anything else, as this pathetic article suggests.
Friday, January 18, 2008
War
A movie called WAR, starring Jet Li and Jason Statham - I really expected a lot more action and I don't think it was too much to expect.
The movie was a disappointment. Seemed like a B-grade action movie to me. There seriously wasn't as much action or thrill as one would want to see in a move starring Statham and Li.
Too bollywood-ish. Climax is a total let down. The one liners weren't really cool. The actors (in my opinion) would have done a lot better, had they been given a better script.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
"Citizen journalist" turned martyr - China
"
Wei took out his cell phone and began taking pictures. The city inspectors saw Wei and then attacked him in a beating that lasted five minutes. By the time it was over, the 41-year-old Wei was slumped unconscious. He was rushed to the hospital but was dead on arrival.
MacBook Air - Compared
Well... I still want one!
Jobs said - about Sony's TZ -it had a small keyboard and screen, was too thick, and was not that good.
Sony's response:
"
Mike Abary, senior vice president of VAIO product marketing, thought the engineering to get a laptop that thin was extremely impressive. But Sony had a similar vision for an ultra-portable once, a carbon fiber notebook in 2004 called the X505 that eschewed the optical and was 0.3 inches thick (compared to 0.16 of the Air) at its thinnest segment.
It wasn't that well received, and research later pointed out that "Thinness is not the holy grail". Making something that thin and sexy cost it too much usability.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Whisper
Hmmm, nothing great. That is probably because I end up watching OMEN (1976) and other old movies with similar plots again and again.
Besides, Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break) just doesn't do it for me.
The movie, in my opinion, should have been more thrilling or more scary or... you get the point.
That said, it IS watchable. time pass.
Australia bans uranium sale to India
No, It has nothing to do with the cricket thing (although, some people might love to make that connection).
"
In 2007, Mr Howard's government overturned a long-standing policy of not selling uranium to countries outside the NPT when it made a deal with India.
......Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the move (banning the sale of Urnanium to India) fulfilled the new Labor government's election promise.
Now... err... all the people opposing the N-deal between India and US - see - DEAL OR NO DEAL, if someone wants to make an issue.. THEY WILL.
The situation is pretty similar. My point (which has always been the same on this issue) is don't say IF THE DEAL IS MADE, THE SITUATION WOULD BE WORSE.
If US and/or IAEA or the likes WANT to make the situation difficult for India - THEY WILL. Regardless of whether the deal is made or not. Does anyone seriously believe that if the US/IAEA decides to have an inspection of India's nuclear programs, then India can politely refuse without causing any tension? Does anyone seriously believe that sanctions will NOT be imposed if India hasn't signed the deal and is refusing inspection?
If anyone remembers the Smiling Buddha (Pokhran 1974), you should recall that India had not signed any deal, and yet sanctions were imposed (surprise surprise).
Iran is signatory to the NPT - and still is getting harassed.
India isn't a signatory- and is having trouble securing Uranium supplies for its nuclear programs.
The chances of having problems and some country making an issue about India's nuclear programs WILL REMAIN THE SAME (deal or no deal). It will not INCREASE if the deal is signed.
With the deal signed - India could actually manage to speed along their nuclear programs (if politicians and parties would just stop making an issue of everything).
In other words, the downside or the risk involved with signing the deal will remain exactly the same, even if the deal is NOT signed. However, if the deal IS signed, then there will be a significant advantage for India.
Is this really so difficult to understand?
Dikhaawon pe mat jaao... APNI AKAL LADAAO
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Rent a car - Kuwait
Just chanced upon this site. Really cheap rates for renting cool cars.
Haven't bothered to contact them. I just glanced through the site. Putting it up here, in case anyone would be interested.
Went through the Special Offers section, which has the last update on September 5th 2007. So I am not sure if the rates still apply.
Regardless, the contact details are there on the site (Phone, Fax, Emails).
Bride gets look-alike cake
People do come up with the weirdest ideas.
Wonder how cool the groom was, when all the guests were EATING THE BRIDE. ;)
TOI's Reporting Standards
Well not all the news items that they chose to put up on their site are horrible, but a reasonably large number of the articles are.
Either ways, since everyone else is doing it (I guess we should thank Rajat Sharma for starting the "Report all crap" Trend and also - "Sensationalize Everything" Trend), it would be unfair to just single out TOI for choosing and sensationalizing crappy news.
But, THIS is just pathetic. No, not the news. Basically anything to do with Mayawati IS CRAP, but at least proofread your article before publishing it..
"
On the contrary, it was a prestige issue for the Bahujan Samaj Party member who leaved no stone unturned.
(click on the thumbnail to open full size image)
Monday, January 14, 2008
Gun Egg Fryers
Just love the description on the product page:
"
Is it because we're in the midst of a nonsensical war, or because we have a republican as president?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Shattered (AKA Butterfly on a Wheel)
Disappointed.
The direction is bad (my opinion). The final TWIST is rather predictable (in fact quite early on), regardless of how many reviews state - the ending can't be guessed. The biggest issue I had with the movie was - the final TWIST came in too late (even more late, if you have been anticipating this for about 1 Hour 15 Minutes) , and the movie just seemed to be dragging on at that point.
It is watchable, although I think it was a silly movie and could have easily been much better (and shorter).
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Sydney Test Match
I was discussing about this the other day, with some of my friends, so figured, why not put it up here too. Just my views. Doubt they would be anything different here (from what everyone has already heard), but still.
The ban on Bhajji is an issue, but the more important issue is the umpiring decisions. In my opinion, removing the umpires is not the solution to such incidents.
What could actually be proposed as a solution, is the ICC issuing a directive that the Third Umpire WILL (as a rule) review ALL DECISIONS made by the field umpires and the third umpire's decision will be final.
BOTH OUT or NOT OUT decisions (made by the field umpire) have to be referred to the Third Umpire. If that is too much (considering how the bowlers appeal at almost every other ball), then at least the OUT decisions.
It is possible that, Bhajji's ban issue was being highlighted and given more importance, in an effort to steer away the attention from the blunders of umpiring that were witnessed. By no means am I saying that the Bhajji ban issue should be ignored. All I am saying is that the umpiring issue is MORE IMPORTANT and THAT should be given more attention rather than this monkey business.
Sensitive-Symonds might find the term MONKEY extremely offensive (for whatever reasons), but no way does it warrant a ban for three test matches. Perhaps a warning or a sensible fine would be sufficient.
The spirit of the game was seriously lacking in the entire match. Even if the umpires made a mistake or intentionally gave the wrong decisions, the Aussies - should have - at least for one decision - expressed that the decision was wrong (at least for the catch) - Ganguly given out - "CAUGHT" by Clarke.
It can still be termed as they (Aussies) were exploiting an opportunity and it would be stupid of them to tell the umpire that the other decisions were wrong, but AT LEAST SPEAKING OUT FOR THE CATCH-OUT DECISION.. would kind of - give them SOME consideration/leverage, something.
It got worse with Ponting actually saying that YES it is out, so did the fielders and so did Pup (Clarke) who "TOOK" the catch.
My view - the Australian team had a very good chance of winning the match - even without resorting to all this crap - and/or without the aide of the umpiring decisions. I had that opinion, even before the first ball of the first innings was bowled.
Arrogant, Aggressive, Abusive -whatever. Regardless of all that Aussies do have a consistent team and definitely the talent, ability and coordination to win the match. In my view they are the best cricket-playing side - at present (speaking only in terms of performance and not the attitude of the players).
During the discussion, some interesting (and funny) points were put up by a friend of mine - KK. Just sharing those here: -
"
- I suggest the players go on the field with restraint on the faces leat they makes uncontrollable curses in the pressure of the game...
- New words added to English dictionary:
Bucknor: (n) (adj)
1. Temporary blindness leading to missing out on the obvious.
2. To be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
3. Situations leading to grave judgmental errors.
Usage: I feel bucknored by my boss; Life often throws a bucknor at you.
Benson: (n) (adj)
1. Something that legitimises a severe bucknor.
Usage: First they bucknored me and then they bensoned it! I am toast.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Kaam aa sakin na apni vafaayen to kya karen
Akhtar Shirani ...
Kaam aa sakin na apni vafaayen to kya karen
ik bevafaa ko bhuul na jaayen to kya karen
mujh ko ye etaraaf duaaon mein hai asar
jaaye na arsh par jo duaayen to kya karen
ik din ki baat ho to use bhuul jaayen hum
naazil hon roz dil pe balaayen to kya karen
shab bhar to un ki yaad mein taare ginaa kiye
taare-se din ko bhi nazar aayen to kya karen
ahad-e-tarab ki yaad mein roya kiye bahut
ab muskuraa ke bhuul na jaayen to kya karen
ab jee mein hai ki un ko bhulaa kar hi dekh len
vo baar baar yaad jo aayen to kya karen
tark-e-vafaa bhi jurm-e-muhabbat sahi "akhtar"
milne lagen vafaa ki sazaayen to kya karen
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Saturday, January 5, 2008
The Kingdom
Hmm..
It's a weird movie. Definitely the makers have been misinformed about how things really are in the region. Liked the bull-shit bureaucracy bit and I really enjoyed the torture sequence, shooting sequences, the chase and all. But .. err... the movie is .. well It has issues.
Americans (FBI AGENTS) going on a shooting rampage in the middle east, hard to swallow, don't you think? I mean, it is not like they are part of the American Armed Forces in the region or THE KINGDOM has authorised them to conduct a military operation. They are FBI AGENTS (which, in my opinion is a fact that the makers forgot - a few minutes into the movie).
With all that has been going around - off late - (for example - click here) it is hard to take the FBI seriously as an investigating agency. Having them LEADING A MILITARY OPERATION is ... well you know.
The movie isn't a complete waste of time. It is watchable. It is kind of enjoyable too. But the makers did mess up with this one.
Friday, January 4, 2008
The Invasion
Unoriginal (well I am sure you knew that already). Predictable, boring, absolutely no suspense and not scary at all.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Zain Mukhalfat notification
Just found out, through this blog post, about a new SERVICE being offered by Zain. Called them up and they did confirm.
The Service provider will send you a text message with details of your traffic violation (over-speeding, parking ticket etc etc). Now, activation fee (one time charge) for this service would be KD 3 and every text message they send you would be charged 250 fils.
I have absolutely no idea how this is beneficial or convenient. I am sure there are many people who don’t mind paying for convenience (I am one of them). The thing that I fail to understand is, how does this service make things convenient? How does it improve my ‘Traffic Violating’ and/or ‘Fine-Paying’ experience?
I mean, You can check your traffic violations online anyways. Receiving a text message confirming that you have been fined - kind of pointless, especially when the damn thing is going to cost you 250 fils per text.
No, it is not the amount that is of concern here. One probably blows a lot more than that on ciggs or other stuff.
The point is - why pay for something, that REALLY DOESN’T make a difference.
I am speeding, I get a text message in a few hours (or the next morning) -
"
Dear subscriber, you were over-speeding on 2nd Jan 2008 at 5:23 p.m. on the Istiqlal expressway, YOU HAVE BEEN FINED - KD 30. And now the total cost hitting you is KD 30.250.
Even if the charge for the text message was 20 fils (standard SMS charges), I would still say it is pointless, simply because, well IT IS POINTLESS.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Shoot 'Em Up
I loved it. Not much of a plot/story to speak of. A bit more of eye-candy would be nice. Pretty simple - guy movie. Guns, chase, blow up things, bang bang. Yes, we like it simple. I would say it was entertaining and that's usually all I expect from a movie.
A good action flick, no real effort at realism. When one is trying to make a good action movie, trying to be rational or realistic - just gets in the way.
NICELY DONE.
Clive Owen - Not bad at all. I just think they over did the carrot bit for the character. I mean, once or twice would've been cool. But then, that's just my view
Paul Giammati - TOO GOOD!
Monica Bellucci - Serves her purpose.
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