The much awaited e-ticketing has been introduced for few New Delhi bound trains. This is certainly a boon for the urban traveller. However, I could'nt find more details as the site requires creating a username/password even to look at booking details. Hope the system works and they introduce this service on more trains.
Consequently MTNL has slashed broadband internet rates to 199 Rs per month. BSNL also has a broadband offering for 250 Rs per month I guess. My personal experience with dialup connections was pathetic, even with top providers like Tata Indicom. 2 years back broadband rates were at a staggering 900 Rs per month. The reduction in broadband prices and online train/flight reservations will definitely help the urban traveller. This will in turn hopefully lead to online vacation planning, hotel reservations etc fuelling the much needed boost for the Indian tourism industry.
And yes wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous deepavali.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Technology - Google Base
It's bieng rumored that Google plans to offer a database service where one can store and search whatever they want for free. What is google targeting now - its ebay. More details on this article. Theres a lengthy discussion on slashdot. What google is trying to do , how they'll manage to stop people from using the database for illegal materials etc etc.
So far there is no confirmation from google regarding this service but it will be interesting to watch their announcement. Yahoo must be planning something similar.
I also noticed that google has launched www.google.org as their philanthrophic arm. Theres not much information on the site other than some funds and donations made to Africa.
So far there is no confirmation from google regarding this service but it will be interesting to watch their announcement. Yahoo must be planning something similar.
I also noticed that google has launched www.google.org as their philanthrophic arm. Theres not much information on the site other than some funds and donations made to Africa.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Monday, October 17, 2005
IIPM and the Blog Community
This arcticle has created quite a stir in the blogging community because it was linked here and it relates to an institution IIPM>. The institution has claimed that it is ranked in the top 10 Indian management institutions, boasting international placements etc etc. From the limited knowledge that I have about international placements, foriegn compaines hiring management graduates in India usually go to these institutions: IIM - Ahmedabad, IIM- Bangalore IIM - Calcutta and to Indian School Of Business. Also IIPM claims that they have faculties from Harvard, Columbia, Yale etc.
Someone at the institution retaliated to the blog article by launching several blogs with the same article and without any links. (A search engine flood). Now the issue seems to have died down a bit. IIPM has filed a defamation lawsuit against the blogger - Gaurav.
The blog community has vehemently opposed IIPM's claim and tons of bloggers are protesting against the act. Not to mention I've joined to bandwagon
UPDATE : I wrote to Columbia business school to check if it was possible for them to find out if any of their faculty teach at IIPM ( as this was one of the claims made by the institution ). The public affairs department at Columbia sent the following response:
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. Unfortunately for
us, it is not uncommon for other institutions to mention us in their
marketing efforts - especially regarding faculty. Many of our full-time
faculty do teach sessions at other schools. In addition, adjunct
faculty (those who only teach here on a part-time basis) often teach
other classes at other schools and describe themselves as Columbia
faculty. I suspect that this is the case here. We will keep an eye on
how IIPM uses our name, but at the present time Columbia Business School
will take no action.
Again, thank you for informing us of this situation.
Someone at the institution retaliated to the blog article by launching several blogs with the same article and without any links. (A search engine flood). Now the issue seems to have died down a bit. IIPM has filed a defamation lawsuit against the blogger - Gaurav.
The blog community has vehemently opposed IIPM's claim and tons of bloggers are protesting against the act. Not to mention I've joined to bandwagon
UPDATE : I wrote to Columbia business school to check if it was possible for them to find out if any of their faculty teach at IIPM ( as this was one of the claims made by the institution ). The public affairs department at Columbia sent the following response:
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. Unfortunately for
us, it is not uncommon for other institutions to mention us in their
marketing efforts - especially regarding faculty. Many of our full-time
faculty do teach sessions at other schools. In addition, adjunct
faculty (those who only teach here on a part-time basis) often teach
other classes at other schools and describe themselves as Columbia
faculty. I suspect that this is the case here. We will keep an eye on
how IIPM uses our name, but at the present time Columbia Business School
will take no action.
Again, thank you for informing us of this situation.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Apple - Capturing The Media Business
The name is enough for the the cupertino based company. No need for more appreciation or accolades. A total innovator from desktops to graphics to online music. Apple, for many is more than just a brand name. The culmination of beauty and elegance with state of art technology is what makes Apple such a coveted brand.
The launch of the new video iPod and a surprising new iMac G5 with a remote control to watch video and music will mark the entry of Apple into the media business. A few months back in one of our coffee table discussions, I was arguing like hell that Apple would want a slice of the media industry and Jobs will do all thats possible to grab that slice. Everyone at the table disagreed. They would never agree that Jobs would bring videos or movies to iTunes. When I saw the news yesterday about the new G5 and the video iPod I was so thrilled. More than the video iPod it was the G5 that grabbed my attention. The new features with G5 - a remote control that can operate from a distace of upto 30 ft and an integrated iSight video camera will mark the first steps for Apple's entry into the media business.
Jobs has managed to stay friends with Walt Disney and has cut a deal with them to have television episodes some popular shows like LOST, Desperate Housewives made available via the iTunes site. Many music videos will also be available for download. In my opinion this is his first step. The day is not far when Jobs will get movies to the iTunes site for a nominal price(5.99$). The day when leading news channels start broadcasting news headlines as video podcasts is also not far. For sure, Apple will one day be a major player in the media business.
The launch of the new video iPod and a surprising new iMac G5 with a remote control to watch video and music will mark the entry of Apple into the media business. A few months back in one of our coffee table discussions, I was arguing like hell that Apple would want a slice of the media industry and Jobs will do all thats possible to grab that slice. Everyone at the table disagreed. They would never agree that Jobs would bring videos or movies to iTunes. When I saw the news yesterday about the new G5 and the video iPod I was so thrilled. More than the video iPod it was the G5 that grabbed my attention. The new features with G5 - a remote control that can operate from a distace of upto 30 ft and an integrated iSight video camera will mark the first steps for Apple's entry into the media business.
Jobs has managed to stay friends with Walt Disney and has cut a deal with them to have television episodes some popular shows like LOST, Desperate Housewives made available via the iTunes site. Many music videos will also be available for download. In my opinion this is his first step. The day is not far when Jobs will get movies to the iTunes site for a nominal price(5.99$). The day when leading news channels start broadcasting news headlines as video podcasts is also not far. For sure, Apple will one day be a major player in the media business.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Blogging - Going Forward
Having spent a considerable time on blogger, I now feel the need for taking the blog to the next step which means expansion, adding better features and better content. Buying some space on the web and a good web designing software will provide the new features. Travelling and photography will provide some content to start with. So I intend to start a travel and photo blog. I need to find a good title for the blog - travel-photo.com, photo-travel.com etc sound too mundane and ordinary. Some of the creative names have already been taken. So am on the hunt for a title and would greatly appreciate any suggestions. Need some decent web designing software. MS frontpage would be an option I guess. ( Am a total illiterate when it comes to any artistic designing of websites ). This Article by Bob Atkins provides some information on building a photo website. Definitely a useful read. This blog will still remain but the frequency of postings might decrease.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
El Salvador
A country the size of Masachussets, nestled on some active volcanic mountains ( one of which erupted recently), and which is just a 2 hour flight from Texas bedazzled me at the first sight. The capital San Salvador is so much like a typical Indian 'Malnad' town, for instance Agumbe. Incidentally because of storm winds in the Atlantic, it has been raining ever since I landed here. Well how did I happen to land here, in San Salvador ? - got to complete a project for one of our clients here. I should say I was lucky as there was no one else to take up this project.
Speaking of El Salvador, the disparity between United States and this country in spite of the close proximity is what struck me at the first sight. El Salvadorians follow United States principles like keep right traffic, 110V electric power etc, however everything is so rustic here. Its kind of nice to see empty roads with a few cars here and there, a few cycles and a few people crossing the roads carelessly.
El Salvador has been ravaged by civil wars all through its indepenednce. People have struggled for basic aminities. Only after it signed a free trade pact with the United States, the country is seeing some prosperity I guess. The coffee from this country is special because of the volcanic soil on which it grows and hence earns tremendous export revenue.
Am yet to explore the place. Given the continuous rain, the impossible work load I have and the lack of spanish knowledge, I donno how much I can roam around. Everything is so green and beautiful here. So I hope to explore a little bit as I have 2 weekends at my disposal, weather permitting. Overall, its quite exciting to be in Central America.
Speaking of El Salvador, the disparity between United States and this country in spite of the close proximity is what struck me at the first sight. El Salvadorians follow United States principles like keep right traffic, 110V electric power etc, however everything is so rustic here. Its kind of nice to see empty roads with a few cars here and there, a few cycles and a few people crossing the roads carelessly.
El Salvador has been ravaged by civil wars all through its indepenednce. People have struggled for basic aminities. Only after it signed a free trade pact with the United States, the country is seeing some prosperity I guess. The coffee from this country is special because of the volcanic soil on which it grows and hence earns tremendous export revenue.
Am yet to explore the place. Given the continuous rain, the impossible work load I have and the lack of spanish knowledge, I donno how much I can roam around. Everything is so green and beautiful here. So I hope to explore a little bit as I have 2 weekends at my disposal, weather permitting. Overall, its quite exciting to be in Central America.
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