Ubuntu Ubuntu Ubuntu

I know I am mixing a totally non - technical blog (atleast i intended to keep this non technical), but cant help it...

Few days back I was a hard core Fedora distribution fan. I was not ready to look at any other distribution and took pride in writing spec files for rpm. ( I am not disowning it, I still don't mind working on a fedora/redhat distribution). But for the past few days I am head over heals with Ubuntu. Here is the story..

My first laptop __ever__(Dell Inspiron 6400), bought out my hard earned money. The Dell package is little heavy. I lug the package home at around 8.30PM. Unpacked the laptop, booted into Vista(preinstalled crap..), installed ubuntu in 15 to 20 minutes. It was love at first sight. I wanted to readjust my disk partitions and so reinstalled it couple of times until it was satisfactory. Logged into gnome.. and guess what, it listed all the wireless networks in my area.. I was just taken aback.. This just exceeded my expectations.. And then speakers.. they worked too.. And then package installation .. got around package distribution commands after a few tries(now have to write a package of mine so I understand things better- Ofcourse Debian style).
So what makes it better
1. Good collection of packages
2. Packages working out of the box(So damn neat)


4 months still with Ubuntu and going strong
Installations: Laptop, Office Desktop(Much to the irritation of my manager ;))

Chang Indian Idol fame..

Courtesy

I never used to watch any soap and I really fear tuning Sony or Star Plus during prime time. Living in hostel I have little choice. So I was just digging certain articles in the TV room, when the girls in the room where going ga ga over a guy. A ching(Chinese origin) with eyes hardly visible. I couldn't understand the craze and actually dared to question the hungama..

Well now I am sitting and writing this article after watching a repeat telecast(I have an arrangement, hostel mate would call me when Chang sings). Well yesterday, his performance was AWESOME... "hosh udha dhi" "stole my breadth away".. I was in the same state as the hostess and the Alisha..

This is one of his previous shows on youtube. Leave the first few seconds.

A dentist by profession.. Handsome and fit enough to be a model.. He sang Dil kya kare out of the world performance (The ending ouch...in the hostess words.. "Water" catching our breadth).. left us captivated for ever..

Narasingapuram street aka Ritchie street

I needed to get a wireless router at the earliest. I knew very few reliable shops in Bangalore and so I decided to come down to Chennai to get one. I usually give the specs of the electronic items, I need to my bro, who would then wade through this __ritchie street__ and get them for me(sometimes a better configuration or price). But this time, my bro was little preoccupied(still not forgiven for the same ;)) and denied the services he rendered. But life is miserable without wireless and I can't get through one more week without one. So the onus of going to this street and getting the router on my own, fell on me.

My mother was apprehensive about me going alone to this street and she decided to come along. We parked our car, on Mount road(trust me finding parking space was difficult - as difficult as pondi bazzar). We parked bang outside Khadi. After enquiring, how to go to this street in a small beedi stall, we took a left.

Picture: courtesy : http://www.chennaibest.com/discoverchennai/citylifestyle/bazaarbuzz/ritchie.asp

We reached around 12.30 and the place was buzzing with activity. Man, we stepped into a small road that was filled with all kinds of gadgets(clock, movie CD, DVDs, CD pouches). Each shop had zillion DVD players on display. My mom, reminiscent of the days of VCR and VCD, apparently I cried for an entire evening for a VCD player which costed about 16000 back then.

Every shop either played Jhoom bhara bhar jhoom or the inevitable Sivaji in very good quality speakers. The ground was littered with movies DVD (X-Men, Blood diamond...). To add to this chaos, pamphlets advertising range of processors, where strewn all over the place.

We were strictly given orders to look for a place called Supreme Computers Private limited. I was really comforted by the fact that my mother accompanied me, because there where not many women around. After little struggle, we actually found this place. A small dilapidated building with an old board, I was not really optimistic. Anywayz went in to just see a total reversal of opinion of this place. It was a small place (15 * 15 room)filled with people. Mostly college students, eager to assemble a computer, had a long list of items that need to be purchased with serious budgetary constraints. The array of items on display was damn impressive. Wireless routers, bluetooth keyboard, sony viao laptops.. I was drooling all over the place.

Dizzied by the items in display, I was considering a lot more items to buy than I intended to. My mother, guessing from the excitement in my eyes, quipped lets buy the router that we came for and leave the place. Left my mom to sit on the couch and moved in the general direction of the counter. I told my specification to a cute looking northie with broken tamil a Linksys router WRT54G. He said I would have to wait for 5 minutes and I was more than willing to do the same. I was standing near the counter watching people take orders at the counter. It was interesting, as the college students asking these people whether this device would fit on this motherboard, or whether there are any other company gadget that would fit this budget. The guys behind the counter where also impressive pulling quotes/specification from air. They would have easily made sale of 75000 bucks in a matter of half an hour. Boy their business model is strong and they have managed to establish their brand value among college students.

My router arrived as promised in 5 minutes. I would not mind standing at the counter, watch people buy gadgets for another hour(this is no way related to the northie guy). Guessing that I was amateur, he asked me whether I would pay by cash or card and I promptly replied card and he went on to explain there will be 2% charges on card. Then it dawned on me, why people pay tens of thousands in cash. I had little choices and I payed by card. (Lesson learnt: take cash when you go to such places). Finally left the place after enquiring about the price of Transcend USB 150GB disk.

Boy I would happily work in this place. You get to play with latest gadgets and help students build their configuration and the end get paid for it... Can life get any better.

Returned home with the loot and exhilarating experience and kulfi at the Bombay sweet house. My day was made.

Bhai.. machan.. Two strong words..

I notice in the last few posts, I have been doing nothing, but, crib. This post hopefully reverses that.

I find that men folk bond very easily. Last week, a colleague and I where assigned a task, where in, we have to interact with this person X and get the job done. So I decided to be smart and walked up to him and tried to discuss it with him. All through the conversation, he was very uncomfortable and mostly negative. I discussed the situation with my colleague and he offered to see what he can do. I wanted to see how he handles the situation and hence was overhearing their conversation across the bay ;) (so much for decency.. don't blame me, I just happened to be around). The way he started the conversation changed the whole scenario.. "Kya bhai.. kuch problem hai kya". Words like bhai (Bro in Hindi), machan(brother-in-law, I guess, in Tamil) are very strong words. Its a male thing that I would never understand I guess. Two strangers, relate to each other immediately by simple words like these. They start acting like long last friends. Unfortunately, no such words are available for use with the other gender.

Socializing becoming an issue..

Off-late, I find socializing fast becoming an issue. I find that I cannot relate to most of the conversation that happens around me. Many of these discussions put me under a scanner, that I would want to disappear from that face of the earth. Have dinner with bunch of people, with whom you have nothing in common, to discuss, act like you are concentrating on your plate or come with a stupid conversation.

Whoever invented 'work from home' concept should be crowned(though this not an option in my current employment). You don't have to get up, get dressed appropriately, board/drive any mode of transport(biggest pain), then wish meaningless 'Good morning' to loads of people. What a waste of precious time and energy in this era, where there unlimited broadband connection available at residences. If at all communication is required, there is always mails, messengers, conference calls, and lastly go to office only to attend meetings.

But I hail from a `service industry` and I should not even think about such luxuries. Hopefully things change or I change things..

Managers...

Managers these days, need to sit by the side of team leaders and developers, code along with them(I mean do vi of a file, edit, compile..), to completely understand the state of the project and define the direction of its take off. Managers should not confine themselves to just defect matrix collection or calculation of number of hours spent on the project. Managers need to think beyond excel sheets(nicknamed excel sheet managers ;) ) and just expertise in M$ tools would not get them anywhere.

Most managers would consider themselves successful, if they are able to retain the good programmers on their team. Most of these programmers have poor communication skills(either they are challenged or just not interested to speak). To first identify them, the manager has to work along with them. A person may resolve 'n' bugs but might still not be the best person on the team. But a person would have resolved a single bug over several weeks but that does not make him a bad coder. I did rather solve a serious memory issue over several weeks than correct several spelling mistakes in printf statements..

When things drag and the developer is not able to zero in on the problem, fear creeps in. Problem with most outsourced project is the customer is billed by the hour. So the customer has to be answered on the time spent. The developer fears the worst and that is not going to help him in any way. Sometimes for reasons like these, product companies is better than service industry, you just have to answer your company and not multiple companies.

Most of all, the manager has to be well informed and should encourage his team members to work on new tools or explain interesting stuff. When stuck, he should be able to suggest work around/ solutions and not just yap around. When the team member solves a problem this way, the project manager understands the problem well and hence he is able to keep track of the state of the project better.

If you are working for a project manager with all these traits and the job pays well, consider yourself extremely lucky.

Note: The above entry is purely observations made over the past three years and does not refer to anyone in particular. These conclusions are drawn by observing and interacting with several people. Hence the author cannot be nailed on the same ;)

Go Carting atlast.....

Every team outing would begin with long discussion on the location and the logistics to reach the place. Not everyone would concur on the location(mostly a restaurant) and the number of people is always more than what can be accommodated in the transport available. Once we reach the place, we eat in same set of groups and head home.

But yesterday was totally a different scenario. When someone suggested Go Karting and then food at a place called Beijing Bites(or Bytes ;)) no one disagreed. We squeezed ourselves into the vehicles available and reached the place(oops i forgot the name). Initially I was wondering whether I should jump in and drive or be a mute spectator. In a spur of the moment, I got tickets and I have no regrets in doing that.

We went over the rules, Dos and Donts. We had to sign a paper stating the drive can be dangerous, in spite of all the precautions taken and the owners are not responsible in the event of any mishap. All these only spiced up the event.

We drove in groups of 4 and I headed to drive in the first round. The helper was little apprehensive in handing over his prized possession to me. He went over to say, how I should not press the brakes and the accelerator simultaneously, couple of times. He went down to the extent that he offered to send one of the helpers along. That was all I could take and was ready to retort. Seeing the expression in my face he backed off, saying oh so you now how to drive huh?? But I was stuck not knowing how to start the engine? The helper started the engine and I was all set.

Each of us had 4-5 laps to complete. First few laps, I was driving really slow at say 20KM/hr then went up to 40KM/hr without a single crash into the tyres. Gawd that was great feeling. Initially I dint raise the accelerator fearing the vehicle would topple. It took sometime to realize, despite the size of the vehicle, it was sturdy and wouldn't topple at the speeds that I was driving.

Once on the diaz, we started cheering other groups. Some drove really clumsy and others did a good job. They drove at 60KM/hr and still had control. They started racing and crashing into the tyres or into each other which was awesome. When people suggested second round, I was tempted but I really doubted whether I would have the control. I feared I would go overboard and start driving really crazy. So another round happened and at the end of it, my throat was soar.

We finally left to this place called Beijing bytes. I have never been to a full fledged Chinese restaurant. This was a good place to start. Not knowing what to order, I gave the menu card to someone who had a good taste. I always ordered hakka noodles but something called dragon noodles was even better. After having a sumptuous dinner, caught the bus to Chennai, off on a vacation for three days.

Can the day be any better??

Refreshing evening...

An entry after a long time... Last evening was really refreshing. This all started with me having to collect Form-16. I also wanted to visit this friend of mine who had been in the hospital after a really freaky accident. Few friends decided to surprise her by appearing at her foot step without any warning. So much for surprises, none of us knew exactly where her house is. So we had to call her for directions and she tried to act surprised.

We where supposed to entertain her, we ended up entertaining ourselves. We reached her place at around 6 and all that we did was talk talk talk..

I luv the way all guyz fall for the same girl in HR or a fresher..
I luv the way u rank up stupid reasons to interact with her..
I luv the way u guyz rag each other.. when one such interactions materializes..
I luv the way u guyz, rag me(be it driving skills or bajji)

I luv the way u guyz are extremely protective.. of us..
I luv the way u guyz are alway so deegent.. and yet manage to crack vulgar enjoyable jokes..
I luv the way u guyz genuinely try to help..

I am proud to be associated with u..
Thank u for the great time..

Banglore aka Bengaloroo..

For those who don't know already, I just shifted to Banglore. My office is in the outskirt(Mysore road), far away from the most happening places in the city. Right now I don't care.. all that I care is shortest path to my office. First few days, I had put up in the guest house. An awesome 3 bedroom apartment in a huge posh residential complex(If at all I buy a house few years down the lane, it should be something like this.. beautiful view from the veranda, gym..).



Office atmosphere is just electrifying.. (few hiccups here and there though).. New challenges, new domain, interesting concepts to grasp, INTERESTING PEOPLE to work with ;).. All that I want to do is go to office, work, come home, grab dinner, sleep.. It sounds so mundane.. but right now I am thoroughly enjoying it.. Most of my team members are younger than me. I am very bold and never shy away from asking people from questions. The youngsters where totally taken back by this and the seniors where mute specters. Few hiccups like no linux desktop(This is a big blow.. I am a linux freak and not having access to one is a huge drawback.. i dint know how to change the IP in windows machine..)

I have moved to a paying guest accommodation. A very small room that I would have to share with a room mate.. I have never seen this female as she has gone on site.. Breakfast is decent.. Lunch is good. Dinner is horrible..(Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper)

A shuttle picks me up from my guest house and the drive is around 30 minutes.. Considering the traffic in other parts of the city this is not that bad.. Right now, Radio City's 'Wake up Banglore' and 'Wats Up Banglore' keeps me occupied in the shuttle.. They play decent hindi songs.. though I would definitely like to listen to music from an ipod.. I definitely miss my scooter and car..

I got really scared a few times. One night, I was walking home alone and this rowdish looking guy said something in Kannada that I couldnt understand.. I just freaked out and ran into the guest house.

DON ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi..

Well as you can see, the past few day I have been totally vetti. To elevate myself from this state, I gave in to my cousin's pestering.. to view movie "Don" in theatre.

SRK:
I vehemently detest SRK. There where some movies of his (Dar, Bazigar, Dil Se ), I liked.. off late all his movies totally sucked..
K3G - my God with great difficulty got tickets in the first week.. only to see him empty glycerin bottles one after the other..
Kal Ho Naa Ho - He would have to cry and hug who ever is on screen.. with a serious heart condition.. he could jog half way across the city.
Main Hoon Na - Not any better.
Kabi Alvida Na Kehna - Didn't bother seeing it
So Don I din't expect much out of him.. Surprise.. he wasn't all that bad.. Despite his physique I have to accept he din't do all that bad(Probably I was relieved he wasn't crying). The stunts that where supposed to give a hype, failed to make an impression. Ending is what made it worth watching.

Priyanka Chopra:
Though her role was critical in the story line, her performance was hardly noticeable. I am a die hard fan of Uma Thurman (Kill Bill). So after seeing her performance, Priyanka Chopra's martial art moves looked down right funny.

Arjun Rampal:
Well what ever role was sketched he did that role well.. Nothing out of the box though.

Ishaa Koppikar:
Priyanka Chopra at least had a role.. If Ishaa is in the movie, for just glamour, she was not doing justice to that either. Except for wearing really short and low clevage clothes, she did not make a stitch of a difference.

Boman Irani:
His Laga Raho Munna Bhai comedian figure somehow tags. He has a very serious role, but every time he comes on screen, I kinda got reminded of his Munna bhai antics.

Om Puri:
Absolutely wasted in this movie. You don't require Om Puri to do this role.

Farhan Akhtar:
After Lakshya, I had huge expectations out of him. Lakshya, if it was successful it was because of him. This movie was totally disappointing.

Music:
"Khaike Pan Banaraswala" was the only song that was enjoyable. Hadn't been my sister's company(who thought i was chamathu ponnu, which I am), I would have certainly danced for this song. Trust me not a single person went out for 'dum' during this song. Other songs or the background score is not worth mentioning.

Kareena Kapoor:
Just not worth mentioning either.

Jesse Alias John Stamos

It was around first semester vacation when we had gotten cable connection. I was randomly flipping channels when I landed on Zee English. A 1980ish serial was being played. Back then I dint know the serial was this famous. It was one of the first few episodes where Jessie was moving to the girls bedroom with his Elvis Presley poster and other similar stuff into a room with pink bunny rabbits. His displeasure was sooo enjoyable.. Slowly I got addicted to this serial. I would watch re-telecast 3-4 times a day.. I literally spent the entire vacation on this serial.. (from 8 o clock show in the morning to 11.30 show in the night) much to the irritation of my mom.



It is not just looks that made me crazy.. his style, his sense of humour made him "drool item number one". His grand parents were apparently from Greece. Thats not the only reason he is Greek God. When we went back to college, the entire gang (almost all of them) would discuss him. Some of the dialogue tat were kickass were "Jezuz.." "Bad hair day".. or his obession to his hair or guitor or bike or the way he would skate and sit on the kitchen counter.. were purely entertaining





Not to mention his affection for the kids.. Trying to discipline them, when he has never followed any of them in his life. His insecurities about lack of formal higher education was jus icing in the cake...




All said and done I love full house and John Stamos is demi-god.. One day I would own all episodes on a DVD...

Relocation

Relocating after 24 years.. is not all that easy..

So many unanswered questions..
So many answers I refuse to accept..

So many things to be taken care off..
So many things to be initiated..

So many people I should learn to live without..
So many people who have already forgotten that I existed..

So many things I would like to cling on to..
So many things that are just drifting away..

I have exactly 6 days to handle all these.. Generally when exams get over.. I would have six or seven DVDs.. several movie tickets booked.. But not this time.. As depression sets in, I try to fight it back really hard...

Ironically my Orkut prediction for today
Today's fortune:
Everything will now come your way

Is the world closing down on me??

I am currently worried about zillion things. Looks like most of my day is spent worrying. I am relocating to Banglore. There are a million things to plan, pack. I have this myriad formalities/paper work to complete(relieving letters).

My exams are coming up in few days. I have never written an open book test and I hardly know how to prepare for one.

With all this happening, I have learnt one thing. I have decided not to worry too much and handle things as and when it comes. Catch you guys after my exams...

Bike or Car...

I am not allowed to use my bike (scooter rather), because of a broken shoulder. But I make excuses to take the bike instead of the car. My car had gone for servicing yesterday. Hence I took the bike to Tidel. There is a world of difference between the two.

Points in favour of bike..
1. U can jus zip drive through the city, overtake every possible vehicle. In car, u just dun have the freedom. You can get stuck far behind in the signal
2. I wear helmet regularly. In spite of that, the wind feels good. Lightens your mind. I used to drive back from office around 8.30-9.00 in the evening. It used to be real fun.

Points in favour of car
1. Safety. All said and done, my parents feel that, I am lot more safe in a car than on a bike.
2. U can listen to radio.
3. U r hairstyle stays the way it is supposed to ;)
4. Kinda protects you from undesirable elements on road.. if you know what I mean.

On the whole driving is definitely fun. Especially if you are not the person who is driving ;)

Beat the damn boredom...

Studies piling up.. but not in the mood to dive into the books..
Head throbbing.. but not in the mood to the hit the bed..
All that I do all day, watch movies..
Past 2 days.. watched 4 movies..
1. Miss Congeniality
2. Meet the fockers
3. Habana blues
4. Fight club

Still boredom looms.. :(

Capturing as much as possible... Part 4 (concluded)

Today was my last day in Sify... I never thought this day would come so soon... I have gotten emotionally attached to my work place, people, my work as such.. It is so difficult to say GOODBYE and move on..
I am currently unemployed ;)

Well this is the first pic I took this morning. Tidel from our elevator lobby. I always thought this was a breathtaking view...


View of Ascendas and the car park in Elnet again taken from elevator lobby.






















All smiles.. Cant remember what I was smiling at..












All stuff packed into the Odessey bag..










I suddenly realized tat I have no pic of the boardroom.. So we decided to take a few shots. Result-- all of us taking turns playing teacher amma...
























Me listening intently at somebody's farewell speech.. I had vowed that I would not cry and I am proud to say, I sticked to it....








Despite all threats by Vidya tat I would not be getting my farewell gift, I got one.. hurray...










Day over and officially I am no more an employee of Sify :( . Ouch tat hurts..

Capturing as much as possible... Part 3

It was my second last day in Sify.. I had lot of paper work to be completed.. But still managed to get a few pictures...






Mani's Horlicks....




















Swati.. getting ragged and a typical reaction from her..













What r u looking at ;)


















Life without qmail :(
















My board all decked up...

My comp has been returned to the stores :(

IMS dev team posing for a photo.. hardly few smiles..















Vidya.. After a day long hard work... all smiles...

Capturing as much as possible... Part 2

Lunch hour.. office kinda looks empty...









School of fish... Elnet authorities in a desperate attempt to beautify the complex as they stand shadowed in front of Tidel

































Elnet Canteen --- The burning chamber... as we sweat it out in office...























Swati and I were shifted outside Technology before we moved to Elnet.. We were initially reluctant to move to this place... (Place where the News team is put up.. Where the TV was hooked up.. I dint see it this time though) .. Anywayz.. we fell for this place, as it became a miniature test lab.. with low end test boxes at our feet.. admin would never come near this place.. so we enjoyed the freedom..


























The all famous atrium... We joined Sify in batches (around 30 people)... Every break around 15 people across teams would come for break..(Thanks to all the messengers).. and we would have one helluva ragging session... Nor my camera nor our photographic skills are doing justice to this place

















Sincere sigamani.. of the mail team...















Biggest team in Sify.. ERP dev.. (Now I guess they are growing in number)...









Visitors to our bay.. beware.. if u suddenly hear thunders roaring.. it could just be Swati laughing.. not far behind is the kalyana ponnu.. Most probably I would also be a part of this tear down.. Only stability factor would be Vidya.. One such moment..





















Day over .. Around 8 O clock.. All bays look emty again..

Capturing as much as possible... Part 1

I am quiting my first job with Sify.. But Sify has played a very crucial role in shaping my career, personality. It was a tough decision to quit Sify. As "The day" nears, I am trying to capture as many images as possible.. Dun kill me if this page takes for ever to load ;)


I had 2 days left in Sify and a friend dared to me to wear a bright red saree to office... The good sport tat I am, actually wore a saree... (Do not forward ur optician bills to me).. Anyways.. I am dressed in this bright red saree and once in office, my colleagues had a few more enhancements to make. If I ever need to get dressed up for an occasion I know whom I should not go to.
Look alike of Benazir Bhutto..




















The tigress in Swati...


















Gal I am goin to miss u soooo much... Dun ask me wat she is doing...











I know this pic surprises everyone.. yes I do
occasionally work and this is one of those
moments... ;)









Kalayana ponnu, soft toy and I.. I am going to miss u too lady..(Who will tease me.. ??)











What is so exciting tat side.. I dunno.. Team at work and I am there to disturb them..








Apparently something is funny with the way I drink tea (actually Horlicks).. I dun see it though..