I like U2 more than Most wanted...

[nfs most wanted vs underground]

I've been playing a lot of Need For Speed: Most Wanted lately, and I've recently beaten Blacklist #9 to finally unlock the Mazda RX7. Here's my favorite car, the Mitsubishi Eclipse that won me all my races and the next car I'm going to upgrade, the RX7 (which I intentionally made to look like Kyoko's RX7 from Initial D 4th Stage).

I like this game, but not as much as NFS: Underground 2. Although NFS Most Wanted is much the same with NFS Underground 2 graphics-wise (car models, environment, weather effects and motion blurs), Most Wanted does outclass the previous NFS games with the lighting effects. The lighting's just beautiful especially on sunsets, although it can blind you on horizons (but that's what's cool about! It actually blinds you!).

In terms of gameplay though, much of what drew me to Underground is no longer around in Most Wanted. While the police chases in Most Wanted are certainly exciting, it simply took too much of the game I became used to (note: I never really liked NFS: Hot Pursuit). Don't get me wrong, smashing through mobile roadblocks and dissing cops (cops on friggin' Corvettes) is cool - but I'm not looking for Grand Theft Auto, I'm looking for NFS.

In NFS Most Wanted:
No more advanced performance tune ups - I liked how Underground 2 allowed me to dabble in being a "mechanic"; performance testing and analyzing car performance graphs; but sadly, in Most Wanted you get this simple tuner slider bar.
No more drift races, rally and the downhill drift races.
No more cute chics at the startup line.
No more hidden races, shops and random challenges in the Free Roam mode. Frankly, Free Roam is useless now, since all the shops are the same and you can simply jump to races and initiate police chases straight from the Safehouse.
No more hydraulics (no more watching the car jump) and speakers systems (you don't feel like a pimp no mo') and less variety on vinyls - overlaying multiple vinyls to create unique and wicked, messed up vinyl designs.
But most of all, NO MORE Toyota Corolla.
No more SUVs (I want my Hummer!). Sure they gave lots of luxury cars this time like the BMW (yeh!), Lamborghinis, Porsches and a Dodge Viper but their just that, friggin pogi cars not streetracing cars - but then again that's just me.

In short, Most Wanted offers less visual flavor, customizability and Initial D-ness but offers ...more cops (and you don't even get to BE a cop!).

Latest from "Gizmag"

Welcome to the newsletter for gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine.

These are the headlines for October the 23rd, 2009.

Barnes & Noble Nook e-Book reader announced

The world's largest bookseller, Barnes & Noble, has confirmed it is to enter the e-Reader market with a device called the nook. Powered by Android 1.5 and sporting the now familiar e-Ink text display, the nook also benefits from a 3.5-inch color touchscreen interface for library browsing and book ordering. It allows wireless access to over a million eBooks, magazines and newspapers and purchases can be shared with friends. Read More

Philips' Wireless HDTV Link transmits up to 1080p

Philips' Wireless HDTV Link (SWW1800/27) replaces the cables that connect the HD cable set-top box, HD satellite receiver, Blu-ray player or gaming console to a HDTV and delivers up to 1080p picture quality at a range of 75 feet. This solution should appeal to viewers who have suffered from a lack of flexibility with their set-ups because of unsightly or too short cables. Read More

Cyclops - the visually-impaired robot

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have created a remote-controlled robot to help test the effectiveness of visual prostheses, such as an artificial retina, which are implanted into visually-impaired patients. Cyclops the robot - or, rather, the mobile robotic platform, or rover - lets scientists “see” the results that human patients could expect without having to test the device on them first. It is hoped that this approach may spare them some unnecessary procedures and one day lead to giving blind people the freedom of independence. Read More

Lexus HB Concept 2WD pedal-assist, carbon-fiber racing bike

Designed totally inside Lexus by Lexus designers, this sleek electric pedal assist bicycle is among the many hidden gems to be unearthed at the 41st Tokyo motor show. Sporting carbon fiber everything – including the battery cover – the Lexus HB Concept has a 2WD system that uses a smaller electric motor on the front wheel and a larger pedal assist motor at the crank. Head on through to the video to learn more. Read More

Microsoft launches long awaited Windows 7

After much anticipation and speculation, Microsoft has finally released its long awaited Windows 7 operating system. Aiming to make it easier for users to “do the things they want to do on a PC”, Microsoft’s successor to the largely ill-conceived Vista brings a host of new features to the table. Read More

Inside the box: Daihatsu Concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show

Daihatsu's stand at the opening day of the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show featured six mini concept cars focused very much on practicality in an urban environment. Somewhat strangely, the company's concepts stood out because, unlike many other vehicles on the showfloor, none of the cars are electric or electric gasoline hybrid. Daihatsu has instead tried to refine existing technology both in lightweight manufacturing and engine efficiency to improve on fuel economy, but that's not to say the company isn't aiming for a zero-local emissions future - this is only the first step in its road map for powertrains that will culminate in a switch to a fuel cell based system. Read More

REVIEW: Mobiu Smart Key offers secure, remote data access on the move

USB keys are a boon to those who need to carry data around with them, and with capacities always on the rise it’s becoming more and more likely that sensitive data will be stored on what is, at the end of the day, an inherently losable little gadget. Various security measures are now available that bring more to the table than standard encryption, but it’s not often we see something as all-encompassing as Mobiu’s Smart Key. We took the 1GB version of the secure Flash drive for a spin to see what it has to offer. Read More

How to Check Who Used Your PC In Your Absence ?

1. Step 1

   Click start --> run --> type "eventvwr.msc" (without quotes)
   
   Event box will appear.

2. Step 2

   Events are stored in three log files : Application, Security, and System. These logs can be reviewed and archived.

3. Step 3

   For our purposes we want the System log. Click on "System" in the left-hand column for a list of events.
   
   Look for a date and time when you weren't home and your computer should have been off.
   
   Double click on the eg: info and it will show u the details.

4. Step 4

   You can also use this log to see how long someone was on the computer. Just look at the time the computer was turned on and off for that day.

Gmail adds favicons to "enhanced" messages.

Google has enabled what they call "enhanced content" in email messages -- which comes in the form of a gadget that serves up additional information (rather than simply the static message you would find normally). The idea is a good one -- real-time content in messages could be quite interesting.

The path of life is not so smooth... [Selfwritten]

Life is not so smooth...
Rather it is a boulevard...with lots of stones.
One such rock in my life came yesterday.
That shook my heart terribly.
Yesterday in morning I had a sessional, my first sessional of 7th semester.
Two exams were there back to back.
So in the morning I was preparing for it..so was my roommate- Mohit.
Now the thing what I do not understand ever is why in the blue hell whatever I ever say to him sounds like a sarcastic taunt to him.
We have lived for about past 3 years now.
It's only 2 months left for every thing...
This is a point that every body is settled with their lives..& there is no room that is easily available here.
The rent is quiet high...paid by us both, dividedly.
Now what happened yesterday is while I was studying outside room, & I just entered the room, I saw Mohit on my bed with his feet on my pillow.
Keeping feet on pillow was a bit wrong for me so I asked, normally -
"Mohit par hata le (Mohit remove your feet)"
Mohit- Hata lia! (Just adjusted the feet a few inches away, not changed his position or even removed the pillow)
My second line-
"Abbe hata le par" (Plain & loud tone, not at all harsh)
Mohit- Hata to hai! (Sitting same)
I thought not to extend it, said-
"Chal theek hai"
After a while I sitted on his bed... he said to keep a towel & sit.
I said let's move to our beds (ofcourse pillow thing was also the reason)
.
.
- No other talks -

He moved to college that day alone.
Both of our's exams were ruined.
& above all as usual he told his home all the story, adding that he is terribly frustrated & wanna end the life.
This is the enough big statement for any parent to be a hell lot of worried.
Leave what my image would have been now!
& his parents were willing to come there that time only...to get his room changed.
What even he was wanting I don't know from how long he was planning it.
Now at this point..all alone... I got terribly pissed off.
I was worried about living, my own hell bad image, & more over his parents worried .... that too because of me....for a lame reason!
There becomes some attachment too for the person that you've lived for three years!
I was really thinking if there is any God!
Cried that day 2 times.
Left all on the god.
I still have no clue what would happen...
May be I will live all alone, In this room only, with full rent by me!

Is the Length of an Email Address Limited? If Yes, What is the Maximum?

Yes, the maximum length of an email address is 320 characters.

Every email address is composed of two parts. The local part comes before the '@' sign, and the domain part follows it. In "user@example.com", the local part is "user", and the domain part is "example.com".

The

• local part must not exceed 64 characters and
• the domain part cannot be longer than 255 characters.

In sum, an email address can be 320 characters long at most. When you create an address, make sure your user name has less than 65 characters.

What the heck is Smishing?

You may have heard the phrase phishing, where scammers try to get personal information from you through electronic means such as email.

Smishing is very similar, the method of delivery however is through your cell phone. Spammers have started sending fraudulent cell phone text messages, trying to trick people into revealing personal information, financial account numbers, and passwords. The spammer usually tries to threaten the receipient with account cancelation or charges on their account if they do not comply.

Do not be fooled. Just like with email, if it doesn’t smell right, it probably is a scam. You should not respond to the sender. Do not call any telephone numbers provided in the text message - also don’t click on any links.

How to Change the New Mail Sound for Gmail!

Do you want to make sure you don't miss any messages arriving in your Gmail account? Or do you just like the slick sheet that Gmail Notifier pops up when new mail arrives?

Anyway, here's how to add audible notification for your Gmail account or change the tune that's played.

Change the New Mail Sound for Gmail

To change the new mail sound in Gmail:

• Select Control Panel from the Windows Start menu.
• Choose Sounds and Audio Devices.
  • If you can't see this item, click Switch to Classic View in the left pane.
• Go to the Sounds tab.
• Select the desired sound for New Mail Notification.
  • To disable audio notification, choose (none).
• Click OK.

Since Gmail Notifier uses the default windows new mail event notification, the sound you choose for Gmail is also what you will hear when new mail arrives in Outlook Express or Outlook, for example.

More Email Quick Tips

Man behind the great mind! [Selfwritten]

Albert Einstein. When the name comes, you obviously recollect of the genius!
He is the name we are all familiar with. And also to the theory of relativity of Dr.Einstein, as well as the famous equation: E=mc2.
We all know much of Albert, & love him for his work too. Especially those fond of Science & Physics.
But least people know how the young Einstein struggled to prove his theory in the early days. The days when Newton's laws were thought to be absolute & perfect. And also people were orthodoxly studying Physics.
Albert was a born German. A Jew. But later he gave up his German nationality & became swizz. Particularly due to the miserable behavior & extreme tortures to the Jews by German Govt.
In the early days when the theory of relativity was just born & not yet published or brought to people, Albert had to struggle hard to let people believe him.
His early writings were not in English also he used his own set of symbols & not the conventional scientific figures. That was why general people could not perceive his ideas, yet so contradictory to newton, easily. He was believed to be anti god!
Sir Arthur Eddington. Heard his name?
People have almost long back forgotten him.
Arthur Stanley Eddington, (28 December 1882 – 22 November 1944) was a British astrophysicist of the early 20th century. The Eddington limit, the natural limit to the luminosity of stars, or the radiation generated by accretion onto a compact object, is named in his honor.
He was the man behind the popularity of Albert!
He translated Einstein's works in English. He was the first believer of Albert's theories. He pointed out the difference in the Mercury's orbit, which didn't followed Newton's laws. And that led Albert to relate his theory to the gravity & thus gave birth to the theory of relativity, a theory of everything!
Eddington wrote a number of articles which announced and explained Einstein's theory of general relativity to the English-speaking world. World War I severed many lines of scientific communication and new developments in German science were not well known in England. He also conducted an eclipse expedition in 1919 that provided one of the earliest confirmations of relativity, and he became known for his popular expositions and interpretations of the theory.
So we must not forget the man behind the great mind!

Gmail Nudges Past AOL Email In The U.S. To Take No. 3 Spot.

Outtake:

Good thing Gmail is out of beta. It is now the third largest Web mail service in the U.S. In July, Gmail nudged past AOL Email with 37 million unique visitors compared to 36.4 million for AOL, according to comScore estimates. That puts Gmail within sight of the No. 2 player, Windows Live Hotmail, which has 47 million unique visitors. After that there is a wide gulf separating Yahoo Mail and its 106 million monthly unique visitors.

The last time checked on Gmail’s progress was at the beginning of the year, when it seemed like it would still take at least two years for it to catch up to its nearest rivals. But so far this year, Gmail’s unique visitors grew 25 percent, while AOL’s declined 22 percent. Thus, the two crossed paths in July. (Hotmail grew only 8 percent during the same period, while Yahoo Mail increased unique visitors by a healthy 16 percent).

If Google wants Gmail to pass Hotmail quickly and gain the No. 2 spot, my suggestion is to keep pumping in new enhancements through Gmail...

Meaning of Rastogi...

Conflicting claims have been made regarding the origin of the Rastogis. Most informants believe that the Rastogis belong to Suryavanshi, a division of Kshattriya Varna(Todd 1925). Their name is thought to be derived from "Rohtas" ('Rohit' meaning sun, 'aas' meaning Vansha). Rohatagi (1953) however, claims them to be descendants of the mythical king 'Harishchandra', who had a son named Rohit from whom the name Rastogi is derived, and the caste is also sometimes known as Rohatagis.

Stiil, another view (Crook 1896) is that they are a subgroup of 'Vaishy Varna', a view probably based on Nesfield's (1885) theory of the occupational basis of the caste system; Rastogis are traditional money lenders(Bankers) and business men.

The most tenable theory is that the Rastogis are the descendants of the mythical king Harishchandra. Some eleven centuries ago they established their rule in the three places, one to the south of Kashi on the banks of river Som, a second in the Punjab to the west of Indraprastha, and a third at Kannauj. Of these, the first extended their kingdom further to the southeast and retained the name of their ancestral prince Rohit in the name of their capital Rohtasgarh. the second who migrated to the Punjab named their kingdom Rohtak also after the prince Rohit, while the people who migrated to Kannauj and ruled upto the fifth century A.D. later became known as Rothari Rajputs.

How to Pimp Your Windows XP Desktop to Look Like a Cool Mac Desktop

If you use the default Windows desktop, chances are that you could use a “look and feel” overhaul. Apple’s OSX desktop is widely considered to be cleaner and more intuitive. The following instructions will show you how to get that Mac look for your PC by installing some cool, free applications. Some of the instructions may be a tad advanced for some users, but give it a try.

== Steps ==i love to fuck shit up bitch icons by" and uncheck “Show desktop icons”. You should now have a completely clean desktop. Don’t be afraid. You can still access the My Computer, My Documents, and Recycle Bin standbys from Windows Explorer.

1. Install RKLauncher (Even though Star Dock is better because you can get a mac OS X Leopard (10.5) theme). RKLauncher (also called RKDock) is a free Windows version of the animated Mac taskbar, or “dock.” You can download it here. RKLauncher comes with a pretty cool theme. If you want to make your dock look exactly like a Mac though, try RealDock for RKLaucher, a great clone of the Mac Dock appearance. RKLauncher's official build hasn’t been updated lately, so if you would like something more up-to-date, grab a nightly build from Aqua-Soft. The farther down you go, the newer the build. Another good dock program is ObjectDock by Stardock, you can skin it to be anything you want and it does the animations and everything.
2. Hide the taskbar. It doesn't make sense to have both ObjectDock/RKDock and the Windows taskbar. Right click a blank space in ObjectDock, go to the settings tab, select behavior then on the box with check marks select “Hide the Windows Taskbar,” and hit OK. RKLauncher should work similarly. This makes the taskbar disappear. You can also just move the taskbar to the front of the screen.
3. Add Widgets. Widgets are desktop toys to entertain and to inform. Think of them like things you’d put on a real desk: a picture frame, a newspaper to a dancing hula girl! But they’re on your PC desktop, not your real desk. You’ll get it once you see it. They could be a fun addition to your boring computer. Download free widgets from the Yahoo Widgets page. You'll download a widget machine called Yahoo! Widget Engine, which comes with widgets like a picture frame, analog clock, calendar, and weather display. You can get more widgets like RSS news feeds and a dancing hula girl from the widgets gallery. Yahoo! has also released an engine that can help you make your own widgets and is available here. Kludget Engine is also an option for running widgets. It allows you to run Apple's Dashboard widgets on Windows and Linux. It is free and open sourced. Available here
4. Get Safari for Windows Just Get the new Safari 4, for Windows here, or get Firefox here. You can skin Firefox to look like Safari.
5. Change your wallpaper to look like Mac OS X Leopard or Snow Leopard. Or you can get a high resolution wallpaper here which won't make your computer mimic a mac desktop but will add a sense of style and a unique touch.
6. Install Expose from docs.kr. With this program (screen shot shows the 'Windows Vista Flip' move) you can set your Windows to spread out at the stroke of a key! A free download!
7. Move your buttons. ShellWM is a “titlebar-only” shell replacer. It lets you have the maximize, minimize and close buttons on the left for free. You’ll want to download this theme.
8. Change your mouse pointers. For the full effect, download a new set of mouse pointers. Save these to your computer (preferably in C:\WINDOWS\Cursors). It may be a good idea to make a folder within this for easier setup.) To setup these cursors, choose Mouse from the Control Panel, click the Pointers tab, and set your new pointers appropriately. For a the best OS pointer, use FLyakiteOS. If you don't feel like changing cursors manually, you can install them all with a simple Mac OS X Mouse Cursors Installer
9. Keep tweaking and playing. Try customizing all of the applications you downloaded. Whatever suits you!

End of a bizzare incident today! [Selfwritten]

Although today's day was no different from ordinary.
Since a weekend, so as usual I chilled & relaxed much today.
A few days ago I had a little heated talk with my land lords. Actually the problem began since I came back on 16th August after a long holiday. Every day something or the other. Once they won't open the door at night after 10. Other day they needed room painted & that too urgently. But the problem began when they asked for our room keys for some wood work. They may be right in some ways, but actually never tried to cooperate with us. And moreover never cared for our good's safety or anything, they just want their own motto fulfilled! They really cooperated so less. Demanded more money always. And never fulfilled even basic needs like water. Ha! but still never satisfied!
So when they asked for my room keys, although already refused by me many a times earlier, I got really fumed up! It was my laptop & things I was bothered, though my room mate as usual remained neutral.
The problem was, although I demanded right thing, but was really hard on tone when I refused to them.
I might be high on BP then, or even could be that my resistance to their growing nuisance was reducing.
They told to leave the room this coming 1st of Sep.
I was'nt bothered much. & would have preferred living somewhere else, rather than this hell place, even so expensive!
But two things came to my mind:
1.The rooms are scanty here.
2.I must have watched the tone!

Other people also told the same, that for the 4 months remaining why to roam for a new room.
And more over I wanted to apologize for my wrong tone, Since they were elder to me. May be whatever they done, or how right my point was, I did't had to be harsh, so I should appologise, rest was fine on my part.
So I talked nicely, clarifying, & appologised too.
But then, Volla! revealed their hidden motive!
They were'nt having much problem with what I was feeling sorry(My harsh way of talking), but rather wanted to increase the room rent.
Yeah they wanted more money.LOL.

That's how today ended a bizarre incident!

Cool Stuff!

In the Spotlight

WoW Phishing A reader sent in a WoW phishing email she received. Those who fall victim won't just risk having their account compromised - if they fall for the scam they will be giving the criminals ownership of the entire account. More Topics Don't be Scammed Beware of Scareware Man-in-the-Middle Attacks Email Hoaxes Hidden Malware Detection Top Online Sandboxes Mac Antivirus Reviews New Virus Compromises Delphi Compiler A new type of file infecting virus has been discovered - one that infects the Delphi compiler and subsequently spreads to any apps compiled post-infection. With lots of Web-enabled apps created in Delphi, this could spell major headaches for Delphi developers and their customers. Is Apple Making Antivirus? Rumor has it that Apple's soon-to-be-released Snow Leopard, due out Friday, will feature built-in antimalware protection. There's even an alleged screenshot of the rumored new feature in action.

Your tech feed

Not your average solar panel: The SRS solar roof tile

Thanks to a system created by SRS Energy and offered exclusively as an upgrade option to customers of US Tile (the largest manufacturer of clay tile in the United States), those wishing to benefit from rooftop solar energy will no longer have to worry about any panels being stuck on the side of the roof and spoiling the aesthetics. The Solé Power Tile system is the first building-integrated photovoltaic roofing product designed to blend in with curved roof tiles commonly found in the Pacific West and Southwest of the United States. Read More

NASA tests eco-friendly rocket fuel

NASA and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) have successfully launched a nine-foot rocket to a height of 1,300ft using an environmentally-friendly propellant made from aluminum powder and water ice. The fuel, called ALICE, has the consistency of toothpaste with a high burn rate and achieved a maximum thrust of 650 pounds during this test. Read More

Boeing Airborne Laser ‘shoots down’ first missile

On August 10, Boeing and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency were finally able to demonstrate that the US$1.1 billion Airborne Laser (ABL) program actually works. The ABL aircraft, a modified Boeing 747-400, took off from Edwards Air Force Base and located, tracked and fired on a target missile. Although a surrogate high-energy laser was used – rather than the megawatt-class laser that will ultimately arm it – instrumentation on the target verified the hit. Read More

Sony delays larger screen OLED TVs?

Those of us eagerly awaiting the arrival of a successor to the Sony XEL-1 OLED TV may have to wait a little longer, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that Sony has delayed development of larger screen OLED TVs. Although Sony had attendees at CES 2009 salivating at prototype 21-inch and 27-inch OLED TVs, according to ‘sources close to the company’ the XEL-1, which was released in late 2007, apparently won’t be getting a bigger brother until 2010 at the earliest. Read More

High definition universal gaming cable for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii

Gamers with more than one high definition console should be able to take full advantage of the new Blaze 3-in-1 component cable, with three connectors that enable you to use a single, high quality cable for Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo Wii. Read More

Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

After more than 30 years of continual research into noise reduction technology, Bose has released the QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Canceling headphones. Further engineering advancements in active and passive noise reduction technologies have ensured the QC 15 headphones offer more attenuation of unwanted noise in louder environments, across a wider range of frequencies. Read More

Tiny lasers hold key to nano-circuitry

Researchers at Cornell, Purdue and Norfolk State University have reported the successful creation of a 'spaser', a new kind of nanoscale laser that breaks dimensional limits previously thought to be insurmountable, leading the way to significantly faster and more efficient computer processing and data transfer rates. Read More

Digital drink tampering detector

One of the dangers of drinking in unfamiliar territory can be the quality of liquor on offer. Rotgut, the slang term for an inferior alcoholic concoction, can be dangerous to your health, not just your wallet. How big an issue being served rotgut actually is seems to depend as much on where in the world you find yourself as which nightclub or party you're at. Rotgutonix is a new take-anywhere prototype device that analyzes your chosen beverage and lets you know if it's genuine or a nasty pretender. Read More

Portable USB drive and solar charger boosts gadgets on the move

If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere that gets a decent amount of sun every year, investing in a solar charger to give portable devices a boost when out and about would be a wise idea and Korean company Zyrus has come up with something tidy and practical enough to hold genuine appeal. Read More

Gorillatorch shines light wherever you need it

Joby, creator of the bendy Gorillapod camera tripod, has announced a hands-free flashlight called the Gorillatorch. Consisting of an LED lamp unit mounted on a Joby flexible tripod, the Gorillatorch’s design lets you twist and bend the legs around to position the light just where you need it. Read More

Your Tech Feed!

NASA confirms building blocks of life found on comets

Fresh evidence has been revealed to support the theory that life on Earth began in space. NASA’s Stardust probe, a specially-designed comet ‘chaser’, successfully collected particles shed from Comet Wild 2 in 2004, and NASA scientists have since confirmed for the first time that amino acids can indeed be found on these extraterrestrial bodies.Read More

Chevy Volt to go the distance with 230 mpg expected in city driving

We’ve been following the Chevrolet Volt since it was a gleam in GM’s eye and, with the anticipated production date of 2010 rapidly approaching, GM has announced that its extended-range electric vehicle is expected to achieve city fuel economy of at least 230 miles per gallon. Read More

To the Bat Cave ... for a unique home theater experience

Ever wanted to say: “To the Bat Cave …” but felt a bit of joker uttering those words out loud? Well, riddle me this … how does a home entertainment enthusiast 'Down Under' in Melbourne, Australia, get away with saying it? Holy Bat Cave replica Batman, he built his own … sock, biff, pow! Read More

Porsche’s 911 race car for the road – the 911 GT3 RS

Porsche's GT3 RS provides the basis for homologation of the 911 GT3 race cars for Porsche Supercup and Carrera Cup championships throughout the world. It is a showcase of Porsche’s road-and-race know-how, and hence a most endearing creature to enthusiasts in that it is essentially a race car for the road. Next year's model will bring increased engine power, reduced weight, slicker gearbox ratios and upgraded body and suspension changes when it goes on sale early in 2010. Read More

Korean electric vehicle solution

Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have developed an electric transport system where the vehicles get their power needs from cables underneath the surface of the road via non-contact magnetic charging. As well as potentially saving Koreans a lot of money by reducing crude oil imports, widespread adoption of the technology also offers the potential of improving air quality in currently polluted cities.Read More

Sakhr's Blackberry app puts spoken word Arabic/English translator in your pocket

Mobile device convergence is accelerating like crazy, with a new breed of smartphones packing enough power to run an impressive range of software. And some of these mobile applications are getting pretty freakin' amazing - take Ray Kurzweil's kReader for Symbian, which allows blind or illiterate folk to point their phone camera at printed words and have them spoken aloud. Sakhr has gone a step further with an Arabic Spoken Translator for Blackberry devices. You speak English or Arabic into your handset, it transcribes, translates and speaks your phrase back in the other language, breaking down the language barrier in one fell swoop. Read More

Cardiac care over Internet with wireless pacemaker

The world’s very first fully implanted pacemaker, in 1958, lasted three hours before the batteries failed. It was replaced by one that lasted two days. Ultimately, Arne Larsson – surgical guinea pig – went on to receive 26 different pacemakers over the next 43 years. Now, a New York woman has become the first person in the world to receive a pacemaker that allows completely wireless monitoring, transmitting clinical data to her doctor each day via the Internet. And, if anything ever goes wrong, the doctor is alerted instantly. Read More

Building circuit boards using DNA scaffolding
There have been a few breakthroughs in recent years that hold the promise of sustainingMoore’s Law for some time to come. These include attaching molecules to silicon andreplacing copper interconnects with graphene. Now IBM are proposing a new way to pack more power and speed into computer chips by using DNA molecules as scaffolding for transistors fabricated with carbon nanotubes and silicon wires. Read More

Lexus Premium Compact Concept at Frankfurt

Lexus, Toyota's premium auto brand, is to show a concept car at Frankfurt next month which will demonstrate “a mix of technical innovation and ground-breaking design that promises to raise the bar in the premium compact segment”. Given that's effectively what Toyota already did with the IQ - which is now in production - we're quite looking forward to seeing what the world's market leader delivers. Read More

Defeating oil stains with water

While it’s true that water and oil don’t mix, water may soon be all a person needs to completely remove any trace of an oil spill - provided the surfaces are coated with newly designed polymer materials that would do away with harsh chemical detergents and solvents. And if you have ever been inconvenienced by fog on your bathroom window, car windshield, or eyeglasses, the same materials can be used as an anti-fog agent with similar eco-friendly benefits. Read More

The smashing day of Amar's Birthday Party! [Selfwritten]

We were making a plan to go & eat out for the last few days. As my friend Amar's (Neta) Birthday Party was still due. So finally we went to chandigarh. Watched a movie "Kaminey" & had dinner at a good restaurant. The fun & enjoyment of today was great & beyond words!

18th August' 2009- Bunked class, Went to Chandigarh! [Selfwritten]

Today I managed to woke up!..but late.(still not used to schedule after the long holidays!!) So I smashed up till 9.00AM & got ready some how. Meanwhile Gourav called my room mate Mohit- "Chal chandigarh chalte hai, mausam accha hai, ghumenge, aur books bhi to leni hai!(lame excuse..hehe)"
So but obviously he told-" Aj mai college nahi jaunga!".
I nodded but was determined to go!
I even took pen & register & went donwnstairs for college.
But then I stopped & came back, I thought- "I am late, may be I should go for second lecture straght!"
So I was sitting idle..that about 9.15AM Mohit came & pursuaded me for Chandigarh instead of college(well not that hard although! LOL)
I thought not much important lectures today, so why not bring books!
I had no idea at that time what a bash we would gonna have.
I visited "Sukhna lake" & "Rock Garden" of Chandigarh for the first time!
Above all at Rock garden it rained & made things much merrier!
We did boating in Sukhna lake too.
Rest all roaming, eating & fun!
& yeah got the full set of 7th sem books too.
Greatly enjoyed today!

My poem titled- "Voice of reflection" [Selfwritten]

“Voice of reflection”


•I have been sleeping so long
Singing in dream a melancholic song
Then a sound interrupted me
As if a sunshine touched me
And I woke up to see what’s wrong

•Still hazy I was confused
To recollect myself, my mind refused
Then struggling I woke up
But what I saw, lost my gulp
At the front mirror my eyes mired

•I saw my reflection, but antic was the feel
He looked in my eyes, with enquiring zeal
As if Asking- Have you ever thought of me?
Countless times I’ve been afore thee
But never let my grievance reveal

•What’s mirror image to you, for me
Is a real world, where I live & spree
My world is an image of yours
Full of hatred, anguish & tears
I could elucidate your world better than thee!

•Whenever you feel fading
You come here and start gazing
You look at me, trying to learn yourself
But for me you are amusing to laugh
Like a candle your heart seems melting

•You need to pay attention
Look what has been your creation
Your world is full of jealousy & anger
It is plentiful of hunger
Like a volcano waiting for eruption

•Love has lost its soul
Greed is everybody’s goal
Selfishness is easy to find
Least good things you remind
With all the emptiness you feel whole!

•I have been watching it all
All your deeds big or small
Always waiting for your observation
I am the voice of your reflection,
Always with you with your rise & fall!

-Akshat

Poetic Devices:
Out of the numerous poetic devices I have used for this poem, you might have first noticed the rhyme scheme ie AABBA & the variation of "Dramatic Monologue" in it. Happy reading. :)

16th August- Way back to college! [Selfwritten]

The day was fine & the journey was great!
I accompanied a friend.
Moreover had laptop on the way!
& on top of all, the weather was like icing on the cake! :)
Delhi got the relief from beating heat only a day before, with few rains.
And today also the climate was so candid.
Cool breez with few droplets...A really soothing climate & that too in a semi-luxury bus!
This was one of those many, good trips way back to college.
Enjoyed & came relaxed to college. A nice trip! :)

How many G-mail accounts do you have?

Most Gmail users will answer one! Rest will answer 2-3 or little more. But in reality, all Gmail users have infinite Gmail addresses even if they have registered for only one Gmail account!

All these addresses act as aliases to Gmail address you use and can be divided in threecategories as explained below. At the end some smart tips are given to make use of these aliases to get more from your Gmail accounts!

So lets start with aliases now…
#1. googlemail.com alias
Every address@gmail.com have a alias address@googlemail.comby default. So even if you send me mail at rahul286@googlemail.com it will be delivered to the inbox!
Googlemail.com is official domain for Gmail.com service in Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom. More information about this is available on Gmail’s wikipedia page.
This makes your address count: 2

#2. dot [.] alias
Gmail ignores dot [.] character in email address. Means all of the following are same…
• rahul286@gmail.com
• rahul.286@gmail.com
• r.a.h.u.l.2.8.6@gmail.com
• … and all combination of dots
More information about this is available on Gmail’s Help Center.
This will raise your address count considerably. But still you can count them!

#3. Plus [+] alias
Now first look at this example – rahul286+test@gmail.com
Now this is also same as – rahul286@gmail.com
Gmail ignores plus [+] character and anything after that in ID part!
So anything+boldpartisignored@gmail.com is same as anything@gmail.com
What about count now?

#4. Combination of aliases
Yep, you can use above aliases in any possible combination.
Are you still counting?
Now you may be wondering what to do with these virtual infinite email addresses (or aliases). First give your original email address without plus and dots to your friends and other real people only. Now out of aliases I personally recommend to go for plus aliases as they are more readable.

Now comes some tips…
#1. Better Organizing Emails…
First create aliases like below…
• rahul286+social@gmail.com for social networking sites like orkut, facebook, etc
• rahul286+forums@gmail.com for all forums you join on blog
• rahul286+biz@gmail.com for all commercial sites and so on…
Next create labels like social, forums, biz, etc and finally create an individual filter for each alias + label combo!
This may sound a lot of work but once its done, it saves your time forever!

#2. Catching Spammers…
Many websites ask for email addresses. If you suspect the website may spam your inbox in feature, use a Gmail alias instead of real email address.
If you get spam mails targeted to alias in future you may assume website is affiliated with spammers!


Note this method is technically not full proof as website may strip extra characters from email addresses…
There can be more smart usage of this email aliases. If you have one, please let me know!

==>NOTE: The example email ID given above is for reference purpose only. It may or may not be a real one!(Mail me from my profile)

Poetic devices...

The following poetic devices can be used in both poetry and prose compositions.

The examples given are from personal mask poems composed by Ms. Roderick's ceramics students at Sabino High School (2002-2003).

Term	Meaning	Example
alliteration	repetition of the initial consonant sounds	terrible truths and lullaby lies
assonance	repetition of vowel sound	mystery disguised within
consonance	repetition of consonant sounds, but not vowel sounds	gloomy woman
imagery	language that evokes sensory images	drip of ruby teardrops (aural/sound) to wake up where the green grass grows (visual/sight) lips like cool sweet tea (oral/taste) streaming through a velvet sky (tactile/touch) the stench of the underworld (olfactory/smell)
internal rhyme	rhyming that occurs within the line (rather than at the end)	piece of me emerges
metaphor	comparison of unlike things (made without using like or as)	I am the "Lone Star"

Personal Mask by Matt Richards

onomatopoeia	a word that imitates the sound it represents	Boo! Who?
personification	giving human qualities or characteristics to animals or objects	tears of amber fall from my soul
rhyme	a pattern of words that contains similar sounds at the end of the line	life for me is wild and free
rhyme scheme	a repeated pattern of rhymed words at the end of the line	lusty eyes (A) passionate cries (A) rich blood, (B) bitter sweat (C) she/he loves (D) and dies (A)

Personal Mask By Sandra Hallquist

simile	a comparison using like or as	notes dance across the page like stars twinkle in the night sky
stanza	a group of poetic lines (also called a verse)	Like glistening sun and moon like day and gloomy night like pure earth and gentle clouds transformation - life and death
symbol	an object or action that means more than its literal meaning	always open like a rosebud about to bloom (a young girl)

Shinchan Nohara's Family (Heard about his sister?)!

Shinnosuke Nohara (野原しんのすけ Nohara Shinnosuke) / Shin Chan Nohara - Shinnosuke Nohara -- Shin-chan for short -- is the main character, a kindergarten-aged boy whose antics are the basis for the series. It is always stated that he is 5 years old, and loves chocolate biscuits (called 'Chocobee') and an animated superhero named 'Action Kamen' also called "Action Bastard" in the Funimation dubbing. He is strangely attracted to older girls and women, despite his young age. He shares this trait with his father and paternal grandfather, but this will often result in Misae's brutal punishment (see below). Some of his strange activities include dressing up as animals or plants (with appropriate costumes) and taking his pants off anywhere he feels the urge to.

Misae Nohara (野原みさえ Nohara Misae) / Mitsy Nohara (phuuz) / Mitzi Nohara (FUNimation) - Shin-chan's mother. A homemaker who seems to be 29 all the time, she is angered when Shin-chan makes fun of her or mocks her by acting like her, usually about her wrinkles, breast size, butt size, or constipation. The standard retaliation is spanking, screwing fists into Shin-chan's head, pulling cheeks, and even striking his head to produce enormous, but temporary, lumps (sometimes more blows are delivered before the lumps completely disappear and so the lumps pile on top of another). There are special names for these punishments: "genkotsu" means striking the head to produce lumps; "guriguri" means screwing fists into the head. Sometimes these punishments are inflicted on her husband, too. She is sometimes attracted to handsome men like her daughter Himawari. She sets strict limits on her family's expenses but she sometimes splurges on herself.

Hiroshi Nohara (野原ひろし Nohara Hiroshi) / Harry Nohara (phuuz) / Hiro Nohara (FUNimation) - Shin-chan's father. A businessperson, he is the main (and only) income source of the family, with 32 years of mortgage payments left on the house. He is a stereotypical Japanese employee and frequently talks in his sleep, revealing that even in his dreams he is being scolded by his boss. Like his son, he is attracted to pretty women and often gets beat up by his wife Misae for it.

Himawari Nohara (野原ひまわり Nohara Himawari) / Hima Nohara (phuuz) / Hima Nohara (FUNimation) - Shin-chan's younger sister. She is less than one year old and her name means "sunflower". Even though she is still an infant, she displays an obsession towards shiny and branded objects. She is also attracted to young handsome men like her mother.

Shiro (シロ) / Lucky (phuuz) / Whitey (FUNimation) - Shin-chan's dog. Like his name (shiro = white), he is white and fluffy, he sometimes seems to be the only one intelligent enough to see the real situation. He has the ability to roll up to look like a cotton candy. In the Spanish-language versions the dog is called Nevado (literally snow-covered.)

This is a profile of shinchan Nohara's family. A very popular japanese animation series telecasted on Hungama TV in India. I have given it for curious fans of Shinchan. LOL.
But hey wait a minute.
Have you ever heard about Hima Nohara?
Shinchan's little sister. I bet many of you have not!
So this is the main underscore of this post!
The much naughtier sister of Shinchan- Hima Nohara.