I updated my profile photo, replacing an old image with a fresh one where I jokingly appear to be getting younger. It's a small visual refresh to keep my blog's personal identity current and accurate.

Old photo New photo I've replaced my old photo (left) with this new one (right). Yes, I know. I'm growing younger by the day.

New look


I recommended NewsIsFree, an early news aggregation service that compiled headlines and RSS feeds from thousands of sources. It provided a centralized directory for tracking web content during the early days of syndication.

News is free. Very good.

News is free


I’m looking at major headlines today, including the legal fate of Napster, the mapping of the human genome, and why biotech investment reports are currently the top sellers on MultexInvestor.

Today, we will know if Napster will survive or die. We will also know what our genes are made of. Speaking of genes, biotech reports are the hottest selling at MultexInvestor.

News today


I've lost the ability to provide hit statistics because I can't locate the Apache access log on the unix2 server, where it used to reside at its standard path. My apologies for the lack of updates.

I can't seem to locate the access log (which used to be on unix2 at /usr/local/apache/logs/access\log). So, sorry -- can't give any more statistics on the hits.

No access log


I shared news questioning the Higgs boson's existence after CERN researchers struggled to find evidence for the "God particle." This late 2001 report highlights the scientific uncertainty surrounding the Standard Model and the search for fundamental particles.

No God particle?

No God particle


Explore Nomic, a game defined by its ability to change its own rules through player voting. It acts as a procedural simulation of legislation and self-governance, offering a unique look at how legal systems evolve over time.

Nomic is a game that you play by changing the rules of the game. You start with an initial set of rules and then players can vote to change the rules. Steve Gardner has produced a summary of many such games played on the Internet. If you're interested in legislation, or online games, this is an interesting topic.

Nomic


I'm addressing the viral emails claiming Nostradamus predicted the World Trade Center attacks. These quotes about 'two brothers' and 'great thunder' are misleading, so I’ve linked a resource to help put these rumors into perspective.

There's been several mails about Nostradamus' prophecy coming true with the World Trade Center bombings. Stuff like "In the City of God there will be a great thunder,\ Two brothers torn apart by Chaos, while the fortress\ endures, the great leader will succumb" , "The third\ big war will begin when the big city is burning" I refer you to this article to put things in perspective.

Nostradamus prophesy


I share resources debunking a viral Nostradamus prophecy that circulated after the September 11 attacks. The quote was actually a student-written hoax and not a genuine prediction, as confirmed by Snopes and other urban legend researchers.

That Nostradamus quote was not by Nostradamus in the first place. (16 Sep: fury, cbs, nostradamus-repository, 18 Sep: yahoo, about, urban legends)

Nostradamus quote not by Nostradamus


I found Nuke the Hamptons, a provocative and visually striking website from 2001. It stands as an intriguing artifact of early digital culture, showcasing the creative and experimental spirit of web design and interactive art during that period.

Nuke the Hamptons: a very interesting site.

Nuke the Hamptons


I highlight the early 2000s legal double standard where US tech companies avoided foreign regulations, such as French law, while the US government asserted its power to prosecute foreign nationals for their online activities.

Technology sure does give the US an advantage. US companies don't have to obey French law, but the US can prosecute the French.

Obey US laws on the Internet


I track the collapse of major dot-com era institutions like Industry Standard, Excite@Home, and Exodus. These obituaries mark a significant turning point in the early 2000s tech landscape, even as the underlying internet remains resilient.

Obituary: Industry Standard, Excite@Home, Exodus. Long live the Internet.

Obituary


I'm tracking the competition between emerging tech standards in 2001, comparing OggVorbis to MP3 Pro and Netscape to IE. While I doubt the underdogs will win, watching these platform battles unfold is fascinating.

Will OggVorbis beat MP3 Pro? Will Netscape 6.1 beat IE 5.5? Will OpenBSD 2.9 overtake Linux? Unlikely. But should be interesting to watch.

OggVorbis


I'm monitoring reports that oil prices are poised to climb even higher. This trend is a negative development for the economy, reflecting the significant impact of energy costs on global markets during the start of 2001.

Oil prices could rise further. That's bad.

Oil prices could rise further


I found helpful archives for downloading legacy software and beta releases. OldVersion.com and BetaBites provide access to previous program iterations, which is useful when newer updates are incompatible with your system or missing specific features.

Archives of old versions of programs. As opposed to Beta versions.

Old versions of programs


I'm taking a brief holiday break and will be on vacation until January 2nd. I'll be away from my regular posting schedule until the new year begins, returning in early 2002.

I'm on vacation till 2nd Jan.

On vacation


I found a collection of one-minute movie summaries that distill films down to their core plots. For many movies, reading these brief, satirical scripts is just as good as watching the entire film.

A one-minute summary of movies. For some movies, if you've read it, you've seen it.

One minute summary of movies


Explore the relationship between population growth and land-use shifts through these case studies from India, China, and the United States, published as a free online book by the National Academies Press.

"Growing Populations, Changing Landscapes: Studies from India, China, and the United States (2001)" -- an online book at NAP.

Online book on growing populations


I highlight Online Classics, a early 2000s video-on-demand service for opera, theater, and dance. It marks a period where streaming media became mainstream, joining the ranks of digital broadcasts from major organizations like NASA and CNN.

Online classics: video-on-demand for operas, plays, and dance. Video is definitely in these days, with NASA, CNN and a whole lot of others.

Online classics video-on-demand


Be careful with online payments following reports of a Russian hacker breaching 40 companies, an attack on an Amazon subsidiary, and critical security vulnerabilities discovered in IBM’s Net.Commerce e-commerce platform.

Better be a bit careful about online payments. A Russian hacker stole from 40 companies. Amazon's subsidiary was hit. And IBM's Net.Commerce is buggy.

Online payment risks


I'm switching from Internet Explorer to Opera 5.11, favoring its innovative zoom function and mouse gestures over IE's table-pasting capabilities. I hope Opera survives the browser wars as Netscape's influence continues to fade.

I shifted from Netscape Navigator to Internet Explorer because I could cut and paste tables from IE to Excel. But now that I've downloaded Opera 5.11, used its zoom function, it's gesture keys, and so on, I'm moving over to Opera. Long live Opera! (Which, given Netscape's fate, is perhaps no more than a fond hope.)

Opera 5


I noticed that the Opera 6 Beta has been released, marking a significant update for the browser during the early 2000s. It offers a fast, feature-rich alternative to the dominant browsers of the era.

Opera 6 Beta is out.

Opera 6 Beta


I noted that Opera is not immune to security vulnerabilities, referencing a report from The Register about flaws found in the browser, reminding users that even alternative browsers face significant security challenges.

Opera has security holes as well.

Opera security holes


I tested the newly launched Orbitz travel site, which allows booking directly with major airlines to bypass agents. While exploring, I encountered errors attempting to book a flight from Mumbai to Bangkok.

Orbitz, the travel site backed by Delta, Northwest and American, is online. It cuts through travel agents and lets passengers book flight tickets directly with the airlines. (I tried booking a flight from Mumbai to Bangkok, but for some reason, it kept giving me an error.)

Orbitz


I linked to early 2000s cultural oddities featuring Osama bin Laden, including his image printed on toilet paper and the viral "Bert is Evil" collage that accidentally appeared on physical protest posters.

bin Laden on toilet paper and with Bert (Snopes)

Osama on toilet paper


Yahoo's auction listings plummeted 82% after introducing fees, yet sales remained steady and quality improved. This shift suggests that paid models are more sustainable for internet platforms than free, high-volume alternatives.

Yahoo's auction listings fell 82% when they started charging for auctions. But the sales apparantly is steady, and quality of listings is going up. Amazon may follow suit. Looks like the pay-model is the one that will survive on the Net.

Paid auctions working


I found the online records for questions addressed to various ministries within the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. These official archives provide a fascinating way to track parliamentary inquiries and government accountability in India.

We can read the questions for which various ministries are answerable in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. What fun!

Parliament questions


Explore how the Indian Patent Facilitating Centre assists inventors in developing and registering patents. This resource is essential for Indian citizens looking to protect their intellectual property and navigate the legal requirements of patenting.

The Indian Patent Facilitating Centre helps Indians develop and register patents.

Patent Facilitating Centre


Jakob Nielsen holds a collection of patents related to internet usability, prompting a Metafilter debate on whether patenting interface designs is beneficial or harmful to the overall evolution of web user experience.

Jakob Nielsen has a whole bunch of patents relating to Internet usability. Metafilter has an interesting discussion on whether that's a good idea.

Patents on usability


I'm observing a significant crash in PC hardware prices. Open source hardware initiatives could potentially accelerate this market shift, leading to much cheaper components and a more accessible computing landscape for everyone.

PC prices are crashing. Open source hardware could possibly accelerate that.

PC prices are crashing


I highlighted several standout sites from PC World’s 2001 best-of list, including Safeweb for privacy, Betanews for software updates, and ArtistDirect for music. These resources represent some of the most useful tools available on the early internet.

PC World's Best of the Web uncovers gems like Safeweb (like Anomymizer.com but free), MegaPixel (digital cameras), Betanews, ArtistDirect (music search) and Multimedia Library.

PC World best of the Web


I've confirmed that all my friends and fellow alumni from IIMB, IITM, and VM currently in the United States are safe following the September 11 attacks, providing a brief status update for our community.

All IIMB, IITM and VM junta in the US are safe, to my knowledge.

People I know in US are safe


I highlight how states are now subject to performance-based pay, where plan allocations increase as fiscal deficits decrease. Linking funding to fiscal responsibility creates better incentives for state governments to manage their budgets effectively.

Even states have performance based pay. The less their fiscal deficit, the more their plan allocation. Good.

Performance based pay for Governments


I examine KPMG's unusual requirement for formal permission to link to their website. Finding the policy absurd, I wonder if I should retroactively ask for approval for links I might have already published on my site.

Funny. KPMG requires permission even to link to their site. I think I have a link to them somewhere in my site... should I ask?

Permission to link to KPMG


I shared the batch websites for Section A and Section C of the PGP2000 program at IIM Bangalore. These early student-run portals captured the community spirit and shared resources of our cohorts during the turn of the millennium.

Fantastic websites, Section A and Section C.

PGP2000 section websites


I’m sharing the PhD theses written by my friends Dr. Jani and Dr. Jigs, covering local intelligent control in biological systems and industrial processes as well as modified microporous aluminosilicates used as solid acid catalysts.

My friends, Dr. Jani and Dr. Jigs, have written theses on "Local Intelligent Control In Biological Systems And Industrial Processes" and Modified Microporous Aluminosilicates As Novel Solid Acid Catalysts.

PhD theses


I discovered some incredible photographic blogs and community projects like the Mirror Project and Lightningfield. These sites represent a creative new era of online imagery, making me wonder what innovative digital formats people will think up next.

A photographic blog. Lots of similar stuff at mirror project, lightningfield. Incredible! What'll people think up of next?

Photographic blog


I share highlights from the sci.physics FAQs, including why energy is not always conserved, how hot water can freeze faster than cold, and why mirrors swap in-out rather than left-to-right.

The sci.physics FAQs. Incidentally, energy is not conserved. Hot water freezes faster than cold water. And mirrors don't swap left-right -- they swap in-out.

Physics FAQs


I discovered Picsearch, a versatile image search engine that simplifies finding photos and illustrations online. It serves as an efficient alternative for visual discovery, indexing a wide variety of graphic content across the web.

A versatile picture search tool.

Picture search


I’ve shared a link to the 58th Pictures of the Year competition, highlighting exceptional photojournalism and documentary photography from 2001. The gallery features a wide range of categories, capturing significant global events and human stories.

Pictures of the Year

Pictures of the year


I shared a 12-inch Spinach 'Over The Edge' pizza and pesto fettucini with Dikshit at Pizzeria. We enjoyed the Marine Drive view during a rainstorm, even if the 400-rupee bill felt a bit steep.

Dikshit and I had a 12" Spectacular Spinach 'Over The Edge' pizza (Over The Edge means that the pizza is thin and the topping is thick right till the edge. The pizza has spinach, mushrooms and jalapeno peppers) and a fettucini with pesto sauce at the Pizzeria. Fettucini is the flat pasta, as opposed to macaroni (which looks like sliced tyres) or spaghetti (noodles). I had pesto sauce at London a couple of times, and loved the taste. At Rs. 400, the bill was a little high. But we had a beautiful view, sitting at the Pizzeria, of Marine Drive. It started raining as we were there, which at Marine Drive is a sight to watch as well.

Pizzeria


I've frequented many Mumbai landmarks, from Leopold Cafe to The Ghetto Pub and Liquid Lounge. Although I haven't written formal reviews yet, this list captures my experiences dining and socializing across the city’s various restaurants and bars.

I give up. I've been to too many places, like Leopold Cafe, Tavern, Library Bar, Liquid Lounge, Roti, Not Just Jazz by the Bay, Buddy's, The Ghetto Pub, Crosswords, Groove, Asiatic, Hanging Gardens, some Chinese restaurant at The Leela (which is the best Chinese food I've had), etc. And I don't have the time to write reviews! Maybe I'll take it up later.

Places I have eaten at


I find Plastic.com to be a compelling source for community-driven news. I particularly enjoy exploring the work section for its specific focus, highlighting how collaborative platforms can surface unique perspectives on daily headlines and industry topics.

Plastic -- an interesting news source. I like Plastic work.

Plastic.com


I shared a link to the Pocket Guide to the Internet, a handy directory of early web resources. It offered a curated starting point for navigating the web's essential tools and services back in 2001.

The Pocket Guide to the Internet.

Pocket Guide to the Internet


I found a dedicated portal that collects and showcases various creative "404 Not Found" error messages. It's a nostalgic look at how web designers turned technical failures into opportunities for humor and artistic expression.

There's a portal for "404 Not Found" error messages.

Portal for 404 messages


I discovered that Prachi has launched her personal website at prachideuskar.net. This brief post documents her move to a custom domain name, capturing a small moment in the history of independent personal blogging and digital ownership.

Prachi has a domain name of her own.

Prachi


I’m highlighting the English-language version of Pravda for readers interested in tracking Russian current events. This online resource provides a direct way to follow news and perspectives from Russia in English.

To those who're curious about what's happening in Russia, Pravda has been online in English for a while.

Pravda


I highlight research showing that viewing attractive faces provides a cognitive boost. Visual stimulation from "pretty faces" activates the brain's reward circuitry, which can improve focus and mental performance during tasks.

Pretty faces help you think better.

Pretty faces help you think better


I compiled placement interview tips from Prof. Vijay Kumar, focusing on high-impact questions about revenue per employee, salary structures, and consultant evaluation metrics. These tactics help candidates evaluate company health and demonstrate logical thinking during recruitment.

Prof. Vijay Kumar was kind enough to give us hints on how to prepare for placements. How to prepare for interviews Have a list of intelligent but unoffensive questions for each company. Contact alumni who are working there, and find out what work is like. What should I find out How does the work improve my employability or value? Specifically in terms of the Nature of work The experience that I get Skills acquired What will the salary growth be over time? What are the perks at different levels? What are the promotion and growth opportunities? What industries does the company focus on? How many people are there, and what is the employee growth rate? What do clients feel about you? (Talk to clients themselves -- maybe friends in client organisations.) Which is the largest office? Where are most of the projects executed? (It makes a lot of sense to get into this office. Project staffing is usually done with people in the same office.) What should I question Revenue per employee. Is the denominator total employee hours or billable hours? That makes a big difference. Usually its the former, to make it look inflated. Why are you giving me international figures? What are the Indian figures for revenue per consultant? Revenue per partner? Salary per consultant? Billable hour percentage? Consultant to partner ratio? As a rule of thumb, the consultant's salary is one-fifth of the revenue per consultant. For partners, its usually half. What components of the cost-to-company will come to my pocket? Could you break down the components of the cost-to-company? What component of the pay is sign-on? The larger the sign-on, the less the basic pay, and hence the less the next year's pay. What does an interviewer want Brains: logical thinking, primarily Creativity Hard-work, but one can take that for granted for a person from the IIMs Willing to take direction, and yet is a self-starter A person who can explore new ideas on their own Good interpersonal relationships A person who can make casual conversation Can suavely deflect objectionable questions Well dressed, good posture, etc. Should I go for consulting? If you like solving problems, want to move quickly from one assignment to another, and like helping people, you're good for consulting. How are consultants evaluated? Quality of assignments Followup on assignment Client feedback Budget overruns (applicable more to PLs and managers) Input into thought leadership and knowledge-base Strengths and weaknesses Future directions for improvement. Comments pegasus 2 Feb 2007 11:03 am: nice points... I also once had the fortune of visiting him in person.

Prof Vijay Kumars Interview tips


I highlighted Pun of the Day, a website featuring a massive collection of user-submitted puns and daily jokes. It is a simple, dedicated resource for anyone who enjoys clever wordplay and linguistic humor.

Pun of the day

Pun of the day


I've discovered some incredible computer-generated art through the Internet Ray Tracing Contest and POVRay. These sites highlight the intricate capabilities of ray tracing tools for creating realistic and artistic digital imagery.

Fantastic images at the Internet Ray Tracing Contest and at POVRay.

Ray tracing contest


I use Real Jukebox's Radio Tuner to access over 2,500 radio channels. It serves my interests in business talk and western classical music, providing a wide variety of streaming content for my daily listening.

I listen to radio on Real Jukebox's Radio Tuner. They offer 2,500 channels, including business talk channels and western classical (my interests).

Real Jukebox


I highlight REBOL as an emerging file-sharing and distributed communication technology. At its peak, it offered a unique, lightweight method for cross-platform data exchange and collaborative computing through its internet operating system.

REBOL: new file-sharing technology on the rise.

REBOL


I documented evidence of the 2001 recession by tracking massive layoffs and plant closures at major corporations, including General Motors, Boeing, WorldCom, and AOL, highlighting a broad economic downturn across tech and manufacturing.

Recession?\ GM shuts 14 plants.\ Boeing: 1 plant.\ AMC: 548 theatres.\ WorldCom lays of 10-15%.\ HP: 2%.\ Delphi & Visteon: 10,300.\ Lucent: 10,000.\ Sara Lee: 7,000.\ JC Penney: 5,000.\ AOL: 2,000.

Recession


I’m tracking the success of Amazon’s Red Cross Fund, which has already raised over $3.6 million. It’s an early, powerful example of how the internet can rapidly mobilize massive public donations for disaster relief.

Amazon's Red Cross Fund has collected over $3.6 million as of today. The Internet's proving a great way to mobilise funds!

Red Cross Fund


I watched an old MPEG of Pixar's 'Red's Dream' from 1995 and realized that while graphics technology is much more accessible now, the fundamental look and techniques haven't actually changed that much in the last decade.

I saw an old MPEG of Red's Dream in 1995. In a sense, graphics hasn't changed much in the last decade. It's just become more accessible.

Reds Dream


I visited Mumbai’s Regal Cinema Hall to watch Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove." We evaluated the ticket pricing, seating comfort, and facility cleanliness before enjoying the film’s fast-paced, hilarious, and refreshingly moral-free narrative.

Having spent several hours at office, Amitabh and I walked down to the Regal Cinema Hall to watch "The Emperor's New Groove". Given that it was a saturday afternoon, and a Disney movie, we were expecting only to see a family crowd, and weren't disappointed. Tickets, as always in Mumbai, were a bit more expensive than we were used to. Rs. 60 and Rs. 80. We took the Rs. 60, and discovered that there was no difference between the two. Well, there was, but not much. Regal is pretty spacious, with comfortable (and new) red chairs. And as Amitabh always checks out the quality of a place by the men's room, I accompanied him to hear his verdict first hand. "This is not bad, for a cinema hall," he declared. Regal is hence eminently visitable. The movie is hilarious. Just 75 minutes of pure fun, completely devoid of any moral lessons or take-aways, and a first person narration. It's about this punk emperor (aged 18) who lays off his minister (or ministress?), who poisons him, and he becomes a llama, and the guy whose house he wanted to destroy to build a summer palace saves him, and they live happily ever after. No, I haven't spoilt any of the suspense for you, and its still worth a watch.

Regal


I discovered the Rejection Line, a humorous service providing a fake phone number to give out when declining unwanted advances. It's a wacky look into social awkwardness with a collection of cringe-worthy recorded messages.

The rejection line. Yet another completely wacky idea. Listen to their messages.

Rejection line


I found a compelling response to an FBI demand for user login and password data. It illustrates early legal resistance against government surveillance and the technical challenges of protecting private credentials from law enforcement overreach.

An interesting response to FBI's demand to hand over login and password data.

Response to FBI demand to handover data


Explore Robert X. Cringely’s guide on building custom domain-specific languages. Learn to create specialized syntax and logic tailored to specific problem domains, improving code clarity and productivity through targeted language development.

Cringely teaches you how to roll your own DSL.

Roll your own DSL


I found Chris Coutts' hilarious Flash animation that reimagines Romeo and Juliet through early 2000s internet chat culture. It’s an accurate, ten-minute parody using the era's distinctive digital shorthand and lingo to retell the classic tragedy.

Chris Coutts has a chatter's version of Romeo & Juliet. A hilarious but accurate 10-minute flash movie. (Coutts has also made other movies.)

Romeo and Juliet chat


The Rosetta Project is building a massive archive to preserve more than 1,000 human languages. By creating a global digital library and long-term physical storage, it aims to prevent the permanent loss of global linguistic diversity.

The Rosetta Project: keeping a thousand languages alive.

Rosetta Project


I ruined my wrists through excessive keyboard work and want to help you avoid the same fate. I recommend this typing injury FAQ for understanding repetitive strain injuries and protecting your long-term ergonomic health.

Don't work too hard on keyboards. You'll ruin your wrists like I did.

Ruin your wrists


I found these simple, streamlined rules for role-playing games that prioritize ease of use. They offer a minimalist approach to tabletop mechanics, focusing on core gameplay without the bloat of traditional system-heavy rulebooks.

The simple rules for RPGs.

Rules for RPGs


I visited Samrat in Mumbai for Gujarati food, finding the corn bhel and makai nu shakh excellent. The service was impressively attentive yet unobtrusive, making it a high-value, clean spot for a meal near the Eros theatre.

I'd been to the Samrat restaurant (near Eros theatre) with Vinod. A bright and clean place, serving Gujarati cuisine. Having decided to try only new items, We picked corn bhel and fried baby corn for starters, and makai nu shakh with reshmi paratha and rumali roti for the main course. Makai nu shakh is "cream corn, cooked in milk with coconut, coriander and green chillis". It tasted rather like Au gratin, and rather nice, in my opinion. Corn bhel was excellent -- just bhel, except corn was used instead of puffed rice. Figuring there was too much corn on the plate, we had onion rings (instead of fried baby corn) which taste the same pretty much everywhere, I suppose. The service is what really impressed me. The waiters were always there at the right times, invisible when they weren't needed, taking orders instantly, clearing plates at the right moments, and so on. Given all this, and that our meal cost Rs. 283, it's a great place to eat.

Samrat


I discovered a resource offering audio recordings of various Sanskrit texts and traditional bhajans. These files provide an easy way to listen to and learn spiritual chants and literature in their original Sanskrit.

Sanskrit texts and bhajans are available as audio.

Sanskrit texts and bhajans


I found Daypop, a search engine specifically designed for current events and news. It is exactly what I needed to track real-time information and trending stories across the web.

Just what I needed -- a search engine for current events.

Search engine for current events


I explore Room102, a search engine that provides visual site previews. It allows users to see a thumbnail of a website before clicking, making it easier to evaluate the relevance of search results at a glance.

Room102 is a search engine that previews websites.

Search engine with site preview


I discovered a resource for secret Yahoo Messenger emoticons. It provides the specific keyboard shortcuts and codes required to reveal undocumented hidden icons and smiley faces within the chat application's interface.

Secret Yahoo emoticons.

Secret Yahoo emoticons


I found that several section-specific domain names like seca-iimb.com, .net, and .org are available for registration. You can potentially secure these for free using services such as NameZero or NameDemo.

Domain names seca-iimb.com, seca-iimb.net and seca-iimb.org are not taken. Likewise for secb and secc. Free purchases are possible at NameZero and NameDemo.

Section domain names available


I'm highlighting the official reveal of the long-hyped "It," now known as the Segway. This link covers the Time magazine feature on Dean Kamen’s self-balancing personal transporter and its ambitious goals for changing urban mobility.

"It" has arrived, and it's called Segway.

Segway


I want to turn my site into a self-organizing platform similar to Slashdot or Plastic. I’m looking for interested collaborators at IIM-B to help implement these dynamic community features and experiment with user-curated content structures.

Self-organising websites. If I had the time, I'd make mine one, like Slashdot or Plastic. Any takers at IIM-B?

Self organising websites


I highlighted the early buzz surrounding the animated film Shrek, mentioning its reputation as a high-quality movie. This brief recommendation captures my initial interest in what became a landmark title for DreamWorks Animation.

While on the subject of movies, the animation film Shrek is supposed to be pretty good.

Shrek


I finally looked up what the editorial notation "[sic]" actually means after years of assuming it was related to "sick jokes." I found a Macworld forum thread that clarified its use for marking quoted errors.

Always wondered what sic meant. Thought it was something to do with sic(k) jokes.

sic


I evaluated my site's design against professional parameters and found it lacking. I believe the era of static sites is ending, and I'm anticipating the shift toward dynamic web design inspired by MIT Media Lab research.

My site actually has pretty bad design against these parameters. Need to work on it. Besides, the time is up for static sites. Dynamic website design will rule. Wonder when Geocities will start offering these features.

Site design


I share a resource on the intersection of hacking and social engineering, examining how attackers exploit human psychology rather than technical flaws to bypass security protocols and gain unauthorized access to sensitive systems.

Hacking and social engineering.

Social engineering


I highlight Rick Garlikov’s successful experiment teaching binary numbers to third graders using the Socratic method. It demonstrates how guided inquiry allows students to discover complex mathematical logic through discovery rather than passive instruction.

Rick Garlikov tried using the Socratic method to teach binary numbers to a third grade class. Looks like it worked well. I'm all for the Socratic method of teaching.

Socratic method


I've linked a collection of software horror stories that demonstrate how critical bugs can lead to real-world fatalities. These cases underscore the life-and-death stakes and the necessity of rigorous safety-critical software engineering.

Software can kill. Literally. Read software horror stories.

Software horror stories


I question whether the US is overreacting post-9/11, citing the shutdown of Somalia’s internet, policing of protest posters, and the introduction of the SSSCA as alarming developments for global connectivity and digital civil liberties.

Is America over-reacting? That attack on Afghanistan apart, they've shut down Somalia's Internet access, they're policing posters, introducing the SSSCA...

Somalia Internet shut down


I shared a news report suggesting that the United Airlines flight which missed its intended target during the September 11 attacks likely had courageous passengers who fought back against hijackers to prevent further tragedy.

The United Airlines flight that missed its target may have some brave passengers to thank.

Some brave passengers to thank


I've had to reconsider my stance on urban legends; it turns out that some rumors circulating right now are actually grounded in fact. I’m using Snopes to track which claims are verified and which are false.

On second thoughts, some rumours are true.

Some rumours are true


I visited Mumbai’s Sterling theatre with friends to see 'Someone Like You.' Despite freezing under the air conditioning and observing the city's fashion crowd, the late-night screening proved to be a hilarious and worthwhile experience.

Amitabh, Shyam and myself finally managed to see "Someone Like You" at Sterling. I arrived a bit early, at 10PM, and the show began at 10:45PM. The wait was well worth it, because it seemed to me that the who's who of Mumbai fashion were parading about the theatre. Not that I recognised anybody, but then, not that I would recognise anybody anyway. We got corner seats, unfortunately, with the AC directly above us. The three of us sat huddled in the corner, trying to warm ourselves. Fortunately, the movie proved a hilarious piece.

Someone Like You


I'm tracking a shift where the law of eminent domain is being applied to content and copyrights. It is an imperfect but interesting first step toward changing how we handle digital property rights.

In some quiet corner, something different is happening to copyrights. The law of eminent domain is being applied to content. Not good enough, but its a start.

Something different happening to copyrights


I checked out Sony Entertainment's site and found their impressive archive of broadband content. It features a great collection of trailers and television interviews, providing a high-quality look at their digital media offerings.

Sony Entertainment's site has an archive of broadband content, including trailers, Sony TV interviews, etc. Pretty good!

Sony Entertainment site


I realized that website search engines aren't the only places to find information. I recommend searching alternative sources like FAQ databases, webrings, mailing list directories, Usenet newsgroup archives, and online encyclopedias for specialized data.

I just realised that website search engines aren't the only place you can search for information. There're search engines for FAQs, webrings, mailing lists, newsgroups, encyclopaedias.

Sources other than search engines


I discovered Spaced Penguin, a neat online physics puzzle game where you launch a penguin through space. It's a fun challenge involving navigating gravitational fields and planetary orbits to reach the target across various levels.

Spaced penguin: a neat online game.

Spaced penguin


Avoid unwanted email by following basic digital hygiene, such as keeping your address off public Usenet groups. Learn the essential dos and don'ts to minimize spam and protect your online privacy.

If you don't want spam, here are some things to do and not to do. Don't post usenet articles, to start with.

Spam todos


I find the proposed SSSCA bill to be even more restrictive than the DMCA. This legislation would mandate copy-protection hardware in all digital electronics, posing a major threat to open-source software and consumer control over technology.

The SSSCA bill appears even worse than the DMCA.

SSSCA


I suggest trying the StarOffice 6.0 beta as a free alternative to Microsoft Office. It serves as a cost-effective productivity suite for users looking to move away from expensive proprietary software options.

Download StarOffice 6.0b if you're looking for an alternative to Microsoft Office that's free (at least the beta is).

StarOffice


I highlight a Salon article detailing the absurd and often ridiculous methods companies use to terminate staff, showcasing the strange lengths some employers go to when handing out pink slips during layoffs.

Salon's article explains how silly people can get when firing employees.

Strange ways of firing employees


I'm losing a primary information source as the subject-specific Scout reports are being discontinued this month due to a lack of funding. These curated resources were essential for my research and staying informed on niche topics.

The subject-specific Scout reports, which were a prime source of my information, are about to be discontinued from the end of the month. (No funds.)

Subject specific scout reports


I found Subjex, a search engine similar to Ask Jeeves that processes queries in plain English. It simplifies the search experience by allowing you to ask questions naturally instead of using complex keyword strings.

Subjex, like Ask Jeeves, handles searches in plain English.

Subjex


I looked into scientific developments showing that vision significantly better than 20/20 is achievable. Using technologies like adaptive optics, researchers have demonstrated visual acuity as high as 20/2.5, pushing human sight beyond standard limits.

It's possible to have better than 20/20 vision: SuperVision. Apparantly, even 20/2.5 is possible.

Super vision


Access the full texts of United States Supreme Court rulings through this free online database. It provides a searchable collection of judicial opinions and legal precedents directly from the country's highest court.

The full texts of Supreme Court rulings. Online and free.

Supreme Court rulings


I found a couple of surreal links: digital inkblots for visual exploration and the Encyclopaedia Mythica, an extensive online database covering worldwide folklore, mythology, and various pantheons.

A bit of the surreal: Digital inkblots and Encyclopaedia Mythica

Surreal


I found the search engine at TFM Page's audio section very handy for locating Tamil film songs. It's a useful resource for quickly finding specific tracks and artists within the South Indian music scene.

If you're looking for Tamil songs, the search engine at TFM Page's audio section comes in very handy. Comments FRANKLIN 1 Jan 2001 12:00 pm: good Rajkumar 15 Jul 2010 8:47 am: I found this site is very useful for south indian people especially tamilil people like me. Most of the songs i download from ur site. Thanks for ur hard work and ur teammates. I am really proud of u that ur INDIAN. Keep doing more like this in the future. Hats of to ur hard work ANAND. U hve done a wonderful job. Cheers Raj praveenkumarchopra 31 Jul 2010 10:09 pm: i like maesro raja songs very much Jaga 17 Jul 2010 4:03 pm: Ilayaraja good songs R.KOTHANDARAMAN 21 Aug 2010 11:11 pm: i like it raja sir melodys raja sir is wonder full music directer in world gayathri 21 Jul 2010 8:24 pm: i love raja sir songs.evergreen maestro Senthil 24 Aug 2010 9:26 pm: Fantastic Ram 7 Aug 2010 2:59 am: What a fantastic songs he made ! He will be in the books till the universe lives..........

Tamil film music audio


I rediscovered a long-lost resource mapping Tamil film songs to their specific Carnatic raagas. This list is an excellent archive for music enthusiasts, and I've provided a way to search for these songs and listen to them online.

I saw this page 5 years ago, and thought I'd lost it since then. It's a list of tamil film songs and their raagas. Try this: search for a song and listen online.

Tamil film songs and their raagas


Track the early movement by OECD nations to tax the digital economy following the dot-com crash. These efforts established the initial framework for international e-commerce regulation and modern internet fiscal policies.

With the Internet economy booming despite the collapse of dot-coms, the OECD countries are getting ready to tax the Internet.

Taxing the Internet


I've discovered Teoma and Wisenut, two new search engines competing with Google. I particularly like Teoma's expert links feature, which offers a promising way to find curated, high-quality information within specific subject domains.

Teoma and Wisenut are search engines like google. Teoma's "expert links" feature looks promising.

Teoma


I found a comprehensive portal for urban legends called 'The bunk stops here.' It acts as a gateway for debunking internet myths, tracking folklore, and verifying rumors through a curated collection of links.

A portal of urban legends. The bunk stops here.

The bunk stops here


I'm sharing an update to Eric S. Raymond's seminal essay on open-source software development models. It contrasts the top-down 'cathedral' approach with the collaborative 'bazaar' style that powered the Linux kernel's rapid growth.

Eric has updated The Cathedral & the Bazaar

The Cathedral and the Bazaar


I recommend checking out thedumb.com for its collection of bizarrely stupid laws, strange facts, and obvious warnings. It highlights the height of human absurdity through the lens of ridiculous regulations and common-sense labels.

thedumb.com is about dumb laws, facts, and warnings.

The Dumb


I observed that The Economist redesigned its website to mimic the layout of a physical newspaper, capturing a moment in 2001 when major publications transitioned their print aesthetics to the digital web.

The Economist website looks more like a newspaper now.

The Economist looks like a newspaper


I look into the mystery surrounding "IT," the code-named invention by Dean Kamen that dominated tech speculation in early 2001. This highly secretive project was eventually revealed to be the Segway personal transporter.

What is IT?

The IT Question


I share links to the Giant Jump, a massive simultaneous jumping event involving millions of UK students to test seismic activity, and what I consider the funniest experimental project currently on the web.

The largest scientific experiment and the funniest Internet experiment, IMHO.

The largest scientific experiment


I rank The Nervous Dog as one of the funniest satire sites on the web, directly competing with the humor of The Onion. It's a prime example of early digital comedy and sharp-witted online parodies.

The Nervous Dog competes with Onion to be the funniest satire on the Web.

The Nervous Dog


I shared a link exploring the origin of Dogbert, the cynical canine from the Dilbert comic strip. It provides insight into Scott Adams' creative process and how the character evolved from a simple pet into a megalomaniac.

The origin of Dogbert.

The origin of Dogbert


I discovered the value of the Resource Description Framework (RDF) through Tim Berners-Lee’s article on the Semantic Web, which illustrates how making web content machine-readable enables software to perform sophisticated, automated tasks for us.

Tim Berners-Lee's article on The Semantic Web is the first one that helped me understand what's so great about the RDF (Resource Description Framework).

The Semantic Web


I found The Spook, a high-quality online magazine that functions like a professional print publication. It represents an early effort to bring full-fledged, long-form magazine content and editorial depth to the digital space.

The Spook, a full-fledged online magazine. Almost a print magazine online, in fact.

The Spook


I explored the Federation of American Scientists' index of global military operations and was surprised to learn that India was considered at war. It provides a sobering look at active conflicts around the world.

The world at war. I didn't know India was at war, actually.

The World at War


I shared a link to Yahoo! Internet Life's retrospective on the year 2000, which documents major web trends and digital milestones from the transition into the new millennium during the height of early internet culture.

Yahoo! Internet Life surveys the year that was.

The year that was


Use email for more than just messages. You can upload files via FTP, create home pages, send faxes or snail-mail, translate text, and track website changes by interacting with specialized mail servers and gateways.

There's a lot you can do using e-mail, including upload FTP files, create home pages, send snail-mail, translate languages, play games (blank e-mail), send a fax (no subject, "help" in body), track webpage changes, etc. The full details are available at the Accessing the Internet by Email FAQ

Things you can use e-mail for


I curated visual documentation of the September 11 attacks, highlighting Time magazine's poignant photo essay and technical infographics of the Twin Towers to provide a somber, detailed perspective on the tragedy's immediate impact.

Time magazine's photo essay on the tragedy. And then there's some infographics on the two towers.

Time photo essay


I’m sharing Time Magazine’s digital photo essays, a collection of high-impact visual stories. These galleries provide a unique window into global news through professional photojournalism and compelling documentary photography.

Time Magazine's photo essays.

Time photo essays


I started using a time zone converter to manage scheduling for my international interviews. It’s a helpful tool for coordinating across global regions and ensuring I have the correct local times for calls.

I've started needing a time zone converter pretty badly, with all these international interviews that I'm doing.

Time zone converter


I noted that the Times of India is making site registration mandatory. While it remains free, I find this new requirement for user accounts a disappointing friction point for accessing their digital news content.

The Times of India is going to make registration mandatory for its site. It's free, but still, a pity.

Times of India registraion mandatory


I'm highlighting Tomments, a blog by Tom Murcko that offers monthly contrarian financial insights. He explores overlooked perspectives, such as analyzing Bill Gates' actual investment prowess compared to his role as a software tycoon.

Tomments. Tom Murcko, CEO of InvestorGuide.com, writes about once a month, when he feels something important isn't being said by anyone else, like whether Bill Gates is a good investor.

Tomments


I've linked to a valuable resource hub for website testing tools, covering quality assurance, performance monitoring, and software verification to help you identify bugs and ensure your web applications perform reliably.

Tools for testing web sites.

Tools for testing websites


I recommend Toonopedia, an extensive online encyclopedia documenting the history of American cartoons, animation, and comic strips. This resource provides detailed backgrounds on characters and creators across various media formats from the early 20th century.

Toonopedia -- encyclopaedia of cartoons

Toonopedia


I shared the top 50 e-books of 2000 along with various discovery resources like eBookNet and specialized Yahoo! Webrings to help readers navigate the growing landscape of digital publishing at the turn of the millennium.

Top 50 e-books in 2000. Actually, lots of eBooks have come out recently. eBookNet is a portal for eBooks. The ebook webring and eBooks Plus webring are other places to look for eBooks.

Top 50 eBooks


I explore Amazon's top ranking books index, a metric heavily tracked by the publishing industry and news organizations like CNET. This bestseller list serves as a significant real-time indicator of consumer interest and market shifts.

Amazon's top ranking books is a heavily tracked index.

Top ranking books


I'm sharing a link identifying the "Tourist Guy" from the viral 9/11 photo. I wonder if this discovery is genuine or just another layer of the elaborate internet hoax surrounding the world's most famous accidental tourist.

The tourist guy has been found. (Or is this another elaborate hoax?)

Tourist guy found


I found a collection of the viral Tourist Guy photos compiled into a Flash gallery. It showcases the early 2000s hoax where a man was photoshopped into historical disasters, movies, and iconic cultural moments.

A hilarious Flash collection of the tourist guy photos.

Tourist guy photos


I found the "Tourist Guy" site, featuring the ubiquitous photoshopped man from the World Trade Center. This early internet meme has spread everywhere, placing the same tourist in various historical scenes and major global events.

The tourist guy on top of the WTC seems to have been everywhere.

Tourist guy


I've discovered several compelling electronic toys at this year's ToyFair. These new releases demonstrate how interactive digital components are being integrated into traditional play, signaling a significant shift in the consumer electronics and toy industries.

Some interesting electronic toys have come up at ToyFair.

Toyfair


I'm highlighting new TRAI regulations that enforce stricter standards for ISP dial-up speeds and connection quality in India. These rules are a welcome move toward ensuring better service reliability for all internet users.

The TRAI has put in some stiff rules on ISPs on dial-up speeds and quality of connection. Goody!

TRAI rules for ISPs


I’ve noticed a clear shift from free internet services to paid models as Yahoo! starts charging for auctions. This trend signifies the end of ad-supported tools and the rise of country-specific legal barriers.

Now Yahoo! will charge a fee for auctions. No more free PCs. No more free ISPs. No more ad revenues. No more free auctions. The trend is clear. Pay! Unfortunately, they'll also monitor what's being sold -- an indication that country-specific legal barriers are creeping into the Internet.

Trend towards paid services


I tried the multi-protocol chat client Trillian, but it nearly crashed my computer. After dealing with the technical fallout, I've decided to stick with single-service chat applications rather than using an all-in-one messaging platform.

I tried Trillian, and she nearly destroyed my computer. Well, maybe it wasn't Trillian... but I'm sticking to single chat applications.

Trillian


I found a collection documenting various typographical errors stamped into the concrete of San Francisco's sidewalks. It captures permanent mistakes made by city workers, ranging from simple misspellings to completely inverted letters.

Typographical errors on San Fransisco sidewalks.


I found that Suelette Dreyfus’ book Underground is available online. It's a classic account of the international computer underground and hacking scene, offering a deep dive into the history of digital security and early phreaking.

Drefus' book on hacking, Underground, is available online.

Underground - book on hacking


I found a study suggesting that unhappy workers actually perform better than happy ones, potentially debunking the long-held Hawthorne effect. It challenges traditional assumptions about workplace motivation and productivity metrics in business management.

Here's a new one. A study shows that unhappy workers are better than happy ones. Throw the Hawthorne effect out of the window.

Unhappy workers are better than happy ones


I'm currently traveling in Bangalore and won't be posting updates until the weekend. In the meantime, I recommend staying skeptical of forwarded messages, as they are frequently just common urban legends.

No updates till the weekend. I'm in Bangalore. In the meantime, remember not to trust anything that's forwarded to you. It's likely to be an urban legend.

Urban legends


Access the United States federal budget documents online through the Government Printing Office. This resource provides official fiscal data, economic reports, and budget projections directly from the historical digital archives of the US government.

The US Budget is online.

US budget online


I've shared the US Postal Service's curated archive of historical correspondence, which features everything from famous love letters to children's notes to Santa. These documents offer a personal glimpse into American life through the mail.

US Postal Department archives interesting letters. It includes famous love letters and 'Dear Santa's.

US postal department interesting letters


Review eight detailed case studies on the history and effectiveness of US sanctions against Cuba, South Africa, Libya, Pakistan, Iran, Burma, China, and India, providing specific insights into international economic pressure and policy.

Eight case studies on sanctions: Cuba, South Africa, Libya, Pakistan, Iran, Burma, China and India.

US sanctions


I point you to a resource explaining Usenet, the global distributed discussion system. This guide covers its history, structure, and how it differs from the web-based forums many users are accustomed to.

What is the Usenet?

Usenet


I explore why America bears Amerigo Vespucci's name rather than Columbus's, highlighting theories that Vespucci reached the mainland first or simply marketed his travels more effectively through widely published accounts and maps.

Why is America named after Amerigo Vespucci, and not Columbus? Perhaps because Vespucci reached there first. Or perhaps he marketed America better. Ironic.

Vespucci reached there first


Sony's VAIO Slimtop is a high-end desktop computer featuring a flat-screen monitor that supports direct pen input. At $3,000, it represents an early push into pen-based computing and sleek, integrated hardware design.

VAIO Slimtop is a computer by Sony which has a flat screen monitor you can write on. $3,000.

VIAO slimtop


I enjoyed spending a few minutes playing with the Virtual Stapler, a simple and surprisingly entertaining online simulator. It’s a classic example of quirky, low-stakes browser toys that defined a specific era of internet humor.

I had several minutes of fun using the Virtual Stapler.

Virtual Stapler


I shared Pav Bhaji and Bhel Puri with Saurabh at Vittal, a small but excellent eatery in Mumbai. We then caught a screening of Miss Congeniality at the large, balcony-less New Excelsior theatre.

Saurabh and I had Pav Bhaji and Bhel Puri at Vittal. The place was a pretty small outfit, like the Kamaths or the Sagars. But the dishes were among the best that I've ever had. Not expensive -- we finished at Rs. 75 between us, including an extra pav bun. Then we watched Miss Congeniality at New Excelsior. The theatre didn't have a balcony, which is pretty surprising, but it appeared larger than Regal. The movie was produced by and stars Sandra Bullock as an FBI agent in a beauty pageant. Extremely funny, and without any message, thankfully.

Vittal


I’m taking a break until August 27, so updates will be sparse. I shared a CNet advertisement I found compelling, noting that I personally prefer milkshakes to vodka and have no financial stake in the ad.

I'm on vacation until 27 August. Don't expect too many updates. In the meantime, enjoy a CNet ad I liked. (Note: I'm not getting any "ad revenues" for this. Nor do I enjoy vodka. I prefer milk shakes.)\ (I used to have an Absolut vodka ad here, but it doesn't seem to work any more.)

Vodka ad


I highlight Indivoice’s launch of voice messaging and telephone-based email services in Delhi and Mumbai. While promising for the Indian market, I find the platform currently lacks the maturity and features of Yahoo! by Phone.

In Delhi & Mumbai, you can send voice messages, and soon (hopefully) use the telephone to access e-mail. Through Indivoice. They have a long way to go, though, to get on par with Yahoo! by Phone.

Voice messaging


I recommend W3Schools for anyone starting with web development. It offers clear tutorials and interactive examples for HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, providing a straightforward way to learn the basics of building websites.

Learn web-development at w3schools.

w3schools


I discuss Warren Buffett’s decision to hold his stocks following the 2001 market volatility. Seeing a legendary investor stay calm makes me wonder if this is the perfect opportunity for the rest of us to start buying.

Warren Buffet has no plans to sell stocks. Maybe it's time for us to buy, then?

Warren Buffet has no plans to sell


During a torrential Mumbai rain, I witnessed massive waves crashing over the Marine Drive wall and splashing my taxi. I also lost my umbrella to the intense wind while delivering documents to Malabar Hill.

This morning, for the first time, I saw what the waves crash over the rocks on Marine Drive. I did see some spray on Friday as we were walking along Marine Drive, but nothing like this. It was raining, and torrentially. The previous evening, my umbrella broke. I was walking out of office, which is directly in front of the sea. The breeze blows towards office. There's no way for the wind to go except through the door. So when I walked out of the door and opened my umbrella, the breeze inverted it, and broke a couple of the rods. It's still usable, but won't stand another strong wind. Anyway, we'd been working late last night, and I had to deliver some documents to a partner who lived at Malabar Hill. I took a taxi and sat at the front, as he drove along Marine drive to Malabar hill. It was raining, when waves crashed over the wall along the sea, and splashed all over the road, including the car, with tremendous force. I jerked backwards, but the driver hardly noticed anything, pausing only to adjust the speed of the wiper.They're used to it, I guess.

Waves at Marine Drive


Optimize your desktop's computing power by exploring hardware upgrades and software configurations. These simple methods focus on maximizing performance for workstation tasks, ensuring you get the most speed and efficiency from your existing hardware setup.

Simple ways to increase the computing power of your desktop.

Ways to increase the computing power of your desktop


Follow the official W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 to ensure your web content is accessible to people with disabilities. These standards offer technical requirements and best practices for creating inclusive, usable, and standards-compliant digital experiences.

Web accessibility guidelines.

Web accessibility guidelines


I found the announcement for the 2001 Webby Award winners. This list highlights the year's best in web design and online culture, serving as a snapshot of digital excellence during the early years of the internet.

The Webby Awards are out.

Webby Awards


I'm looking at the 2001 Webby nominees for broadband, specifically calling out Heavy and Yahoo Financevision as early examples of how high-speed internet is beginning to shape online video and financial media.

The Webby nominees in broadband include Heavy and Yahoo Financevision.

Webby nominees


I'm using Analog to analyze the IIMB webserver statistics but want to find a more effective tool. If you have experience with a better weblog analyzer, please let me know your recommendations for alternatives.

I'm using Analog for analysing the IIMB webserver stats. Anyone with enthu, find a better log analyzer and mail me its name.

Weblog analyser


Examine the tension between Websense's employee monitoring software and Anonymizer's privacy tools. While Websense tracks internet usage for corporate oversight, Anonymizer scrambles traffic to protect individual anonymity and bypass content filtering.

Websense proposes. Anonymizer disposes. Websense monitors employee Internet usage. Anonymizer scrambles it.

Websense and Anonymizer


I highlighted Prachi Deuskar's recent website update on Geocities, which I found to be a jolly decent job. It's a brief nod to the creative efforts of others within the early 2000s personal web space.

SOME people have updated their website, and done a jolly decent job of it too. ONE may appreciate that.

Website updated


I found a database of website defacement statistics on Attrition.org, which tracks digital vandalism and security breaches across the web, offering a raw look at early internet security trends.

Statistics on websites that have been defaced.

Websites that have been defaced


I analyzed my website traffic and found that Wednesdays are my most popular days. I average about 14 visitors daily, but that number consistently jumps to 22 every Wednesday.

Wednesday seems the most popular day for visiting my site. While I get 14 visitors a day on average, I seem to get 22 visitors on Wednesdays.

Wednesday is popular


Focus on converting old economy companies into new economy ones to succeed. Strategy consultants working with traditional firms are likely to see the most growth as they navigate this transition toward modern business frameworks.

Consultants' role this year will be to convert old economy companies into new economy ones. Old economy strategy consultants will gain.

What consultants must do


I share resources for researching the etymology and significance of names. Use these databases to look up the origins of your own name or explore the specific cultural history and meanings of various Asian names.

What does your name mean? More info about asian names.

What does your name mean


I shared a link to Edge.org’s 'What Now?' series, where leading intellectuals and scientists weigh in on the cultural and political shifts triggered by the September 11 attacks.

OK. What now?

What now


I recommend Whispers in the Corridors, a site dedicated to rumors within the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). It is reportedly an exceptionally well-informed resource for tracking news and gossip circulating among high-ranking Indian government officials.

Whispers in the corridors publishes rumours circulating in the IAS circles. An extremely well-informed site, I'm told.

Whispers in the corridors


I explore the Mother Jones 400 report detailing major campaign donors and their expectations. The data reveals a powerful correlation between fundraising and political success, as higher-funded candidates won all but 29 of 469 seats.

Details on who paid how much for the US Presidential elections, and what they expect in return, on Mother Jones 400. Incidentally, candidates who raised more money than their opponents captured all but 29 of the 469 seats.

Who paid for the US elections


I explore the historical origins of saying "bless you" after a sneeze, ranging from 17th-century London plague superstitions to various folkloric theories about protecting the soul from leaving the body.

Why do people say "Bless you" when you sneeze? The practise may date back to the plague in London, though there are several theories.

Why bless you


I highlight David Wheeler's research proving open source's superiority over Windows. For broader commercial adoption, the community needs to prioritize better user interfaces, comprehensive application suites, and a more pragmatic approach toward software freedom.

David Wheeler's report shows how open source is quantintatively better than Windows. All it needs is a good user interface, a suite of applications, and a little less fanaticism about keeping it free, in order for it to commercialise.

Why Open Source is better than Windows


I'm highlighting Microsoft's release of the Windows CE source code to the public. This major step allows developers to examine the embedded operating system's internal logic and core components for their own projects.

I'd missed this earlier. Microsoft has released its Windows CE source code to the public!

Windows CE source code


Windows Media Player 8 introduces a new media format claiming better compression than MP3. The software allows users to convert audio and video files into this more efficient digital format for Windows-based playback.

Windows Media Player 8 lets you convert audio & video files into its new format. It compresses better than MP3, apparantly.

Windows Media Player 8


I’m sharing a classic Flash parody called Windows RG. It's a satirical take on the instability of early Microsoft operating systems, featuring nonsensical error messages, glitchy windows, and the chaotic user experience of the era.

A spoof on Windows: Windows RG

Windows RG


I’ve found that Windows XP includes impressive self-healing features to fix its own errors, but I’m still suggesting you hold off on upgrading for now until the new operating system proves more stable.

Windows XP is good at fixing itself. (But don't upgrade yet!)

Windows XP good at fixing itself


I summarize the TRAI recommendation allowing Indian telephone companies to offer limited mobile services via Wireless Local Loop (WLL) technology, while permitting mobile operators to provide fixed-line services to increase connectivity and competition.

The TRAI recommends that telephone companies could provide limited mobile services (WLL), and vice versa.

WLL


I've ordered the World Employment Report to investigate why the ILO suggests India's software industry boom won't last. I want to look deeper into the research and economic predictions regarding global employment trends and IT growth.

I've ordered a copy of the World Employment Report. Apparently, it says that India won't sustain its software boom, and I want to know why.

World employment report


I'm sharing a link to the results of a scientific study conducted by LaughLab to find the world's funniest joke, based on a global survey of over a million people and thousands of submissions.

The world's funniest joke.

Worlds funniest joke


I originally expected voice input to dominate, but I'm finding handwriting on devices like the IBM Thinkpad and Sony VAIO desktop more promising. Writing directly on screens offers a compelling alternative to keyboard or speech.

I thought the next generation devices would use voice input. But maybe written is more likely. You can write on IBM's Thinkpad and on Sony's VAIO desktop.

Write on computers


I recommend backing up your files from X-Drive.com immediately. Reports from FuckedCompany suggest impending layoffs at the online storage provider, which could impact data availability during the dot-com bubble burst.

Fucked company reports that X-Drive.com is likely to lay off people. Given their accuracy, I'd recommend anyone having files on X-Drive make backups in the near future.

X-Drive layoffs


I'm tracking the rapid collapse of Microsoft's security measures following the Windows XP launch, highlighting successful hacks against its copyright protection, digital rights management scheme, and the Passport authentication service.

In the meantime, Microsoft XP's copyright protection has been hacked. Their digital rights management scheme: hacked. Passport: hacked.

XP copyright protection hacked


I’ve concluded that Windows XP is a solid operating system after reviewing insights from Lockergnome. Despite the initial transition hurdles, the platform proves itself to be a stable and functional successor in the Windows NT line.

Windows XP is OK.

XP is OK


I am experimenting with Yahoo add-ons like site statistics and guestbooks on my Geocities page. Expect to see some unusual features as I test these tools and integrate them into the site's layout.

I'm fiddling around with Yahoo's add-ons like guestbook, site stats, etc. Don't be surprised to see wierd things popping up on my page.

Yahoo add-ons


Keep up with the latest internet trends and popular search terms using Yahoo Buzz. This service tracks what people are searching for, providing a real-time index of cultural interest and viral content online.

Keep up with Yahoo's buzz.

Yahoo buzz


I explored early artificial intelligence resources across Yahoo Clubs, ai.about.com, and Generation5. These sites provide access to various versions of the Alice chatbot, offering a hands-on way to interact with conversational AI technology.

Lots about artificial intelligence on Yahoo Clubs, ai.about.com, and Generation5. Among other things, you can find various version of Alice to chat with.

Yahoo Clubs


I'm looking at the new Yahoo conversations site and the latest features in Yahoo Messenger. The update adds support for webcams, message archives, and file sharing to their instant messaging platform.

Yahoo has come up with a 'conversations' site. Will it pick up? (BTW, the new version of Yahoo Messenger supports webcams, message archives, and file sharing.)

Yahoo conversations


This report covers the landmark 2001 ruling where a US judge found that French laws prohibiting the sale of Nazi memorabilia could not be enforced against Yahoo’s US-based servers, highlighting early conflicts in global internet jurisdiction.

Yahoo is outside the jurisdiction of French law.

Yahoo outside French law


You can sue companies for sending unsolicited email, as shown by Ellen Spertus's successful case against Kozmo. Legal action is possible against spammers unless they provide a functional opt-out mechanism in their messages.

Ellen won a spam case against Kozmo. If you get unsolicited e-mail from a company, you can sue them. Unless they have an opt-out mechanism.

You can sue spammers


I found early voice-access services like TellMe and BeVocal that enable users to navigate websites using voice commands over the phone, highlighting the emergence of telephony-based web interaction and VoiceXML technologies in 2001.

Now you can talk to websites like TellMe or BeVocal.

You can talk to websites


I highlight how ISPs can shut users down for copyright issues while monitoring activity through facial recognition and other surveillance. These developments represent a shift toward increased corporate and state control over digital spaces and privacy.

Big Brother took a little longer than 1984, but by 2001, it has arrived. Even if you didn't upload an copyrighted file, your ISP can shut you down. Oh, they can monitor what you're doing too -- literally, by face. And imprison you without trial. Better read up your "copy rights".

Your ISP can shut you down


I'm skeptical of the Karnataka Government's plan to make Bangalore a zero piracy zone by appointing compliance officers for random office checks, as the initiative ignores the underlying issue of local corruption.

By the end of the year, Bangalore will become a zero piracy zone. First, the Karnataka Government will try and eliminate all piracy within. Then it'll appoint compliance officers who'll walk into offices and check randomly. And this will reduce piracy. Right. What of corruption?

Zero piracy zone


I discovered a unique 404 Page Not Found error that hosts a playable version of the classic text adventure Zork. It transforms a standard web error into an interactive retro gaming experience for lost visitors.

This 404 Page Not Found error throws up the game Zork!!

Zork on 404 Page Not Found


I am using Darwin's ten rules to manage my inbox while traveling. I plan to drastically slash my message volume by avoiding email multipliers and using the telephone more often instead of relying on digital threads.

Darwin's 10 rules for taming e-mail. I badly need this. I am not often in office, and don't have a fast way of checking office mail through the Web either. Tips 5 and 10 on the list ("avoid e-mail multipliers" and "use the telephone") are next on my agenda for drastic e-mail slashing.

10 rules for taming e-mail


I reflect on Tim Montgomery breaking the 100m world record at 9.78 seconds. Averaging over 35 km/h without drugs, his sprinting speed actually exceeds my own average driving speed, highlighting the incredible scale of human athletic performance.

The world's 100m record is broken. Without drugs, this time. At 9.78 seconds, Montgomery has been running at over 35 km per hour. I used to drive that fast, on average.

100m record is broken


I explored 101 features Mozilla offers that Internet Explorer lacks. While I rely on tabbed browsing and popup blocking, most other features feel unnecessary, and I believe both Mozilla and Opera still have significant catching up to do.

101 things you can do in Mozilla and not IE. But apart from 1. Tabbed browsing and 2. Popup blocking, I don't quite use the other features. Mozilla (and Opera) still need some catching up to do. via New Architect

101 things you can do in Mozilla


I'm highlighting Kodak’s 16-megapixel DCS Pro Back 645, which offers 16 bits per color and ISO 100-400 sensitivity. This camera’s 1.6-second reload time showcases how digital photography is finally coming of age.

Digital photography comes of age. Kodak's 16 mega-pixel digital camera is a dream. Upto 16 bits per colour (we at best have 8), ISO 100-400 (ISO 400 is very sensitive film, suited to night photography), 1.6 seconds reload time, ... via Nilesh

16 megapixel camera


I found a digital archive of the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica. This classic eleventh edition is a treasure trove of historical scholarship, offering detailed perspectives on science, history, and culture from the early twentieth century.

The 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica.

1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica


Look back at Google's major milestones from 2001 through their official press timeline, highlighting the product launches and cultural search trends that defined the early web during a period of rapid growth.

2001 in retrospect: Google.

2001 in retrospect


I shared a MetaFilter compilation of the year 2002 in pictures, featuring a visual retrospective of major news events, cultural milestones, and global history captured through the lens of various photographers and news organizations.

2002 in pictures -- links on MetaFilter.

2002 in pictures


I found a mirror for photos of the 2002 Mumbai Bloggers' Meet. Amrita is hosting them on her site to avoid bandwidth issues, preserving these visual records of one of India's earliest organized blogging community gatherings.

Amrita has mirrored pictures of the Mumbai Bloggers' Meet. Since she has no bandwidth restrictions, please visit that site.

2002 Mumbai Bloggers meet photos mirror


I've shared photos from the 2002 Mumbai Bloggers' Meet, capturing an early gathering of the local blogging community. It’s a nostalgic look back at the people and faces behind some of India's pioneering weblogs.

Photos from the Mumbai Bloggers' Meet.

2002 Mumbai Bloggers meet photos


Thomas Friedman won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for his New York Times commentary. You can also find interesting audio clips on his Lexus and the Olive Tree book site for more context on his reporting.

Thomas Friedman won the 2002 Pulitzer for his commentary. Incidentally, his book site (Lexus and the Olive Tree) has some interesting audio clips.

2002 Pulitzer


I found this unusual story about a cricket match in England where every single player, official, and scorer shared the surname Patel, highlighting the name's incredible prevalence within the local sporting community.

An intruiging case of 22 Patels in a cricket match. via Kamat

22 Patels in a cricket match


I explored the 256-byte webpage competition, featuring impressively complex visual demos like Mandelbrot sets and metaballs coded in minimal space. These entries showcase extreme optimization and the creative boundaries of size coding in the early web era.

How good can a 256 byte webpage be? See the 256b.htm competition. I was particularly impressed by Bonz-Mandelbrot, Poi-Metaballs and Mados-Divo. 256b.com has more 256-byte stuff.

256 byte page


I highlighted a report estimating three million deaths in a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. Seeing as I live in three of the five target cities, I'm seriously considering taking a timely vacation.

If there's a nuclear war between India and Pakistan, about 3 million could die. I live in 3 of those 5 cities. I'd better take a vacation.

3 million could die


I checked out Princeton's 3D search engine, which lets you find objects based on shape. It is an interesting experiment, though I am skeptical about the actual use cases for the models it retrieves.

A 3D search engine from Princeton. Quite an interesting attempt. I'm not sure what to do with the result of the search, though. via missing matter

3D search engine


Explore an extensive directory of 5,000 different trades and occupations. This comprehensive list serves as a massive resource for finding career inspiration and discovering the vast variety of ways people earn a living.

5,000 ways to make a living.

5000 ways to make a living


I found a clever poem that encodes the first 740 digits of pi through word lengths. It’s written in pilish and follows the structure of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven to make the sequence easier to remember.

740 digits of pi in a poem.

740 digits of pi in a poem


I shared my interest in a high-tech glove featured on BBC News that translates hand gestures into spoken words, highlighting an early 2002 innovation in wearable assistive technology and sign language communication.

I wouldn't mind a glove.

A Glove


I shared Jonah Peretti’s viral email exchange with Nike regarding his request to put the word 'sweatshop' on custom shoes, documenting a classic instance of corporate subversion and culture jamming in the early web era.

A Nike ID story. An e-mail correspondence between Jonah and Nike about creating a personalised ID called "sweatshop".

A Nike ID story


I finally added a photo of myself to my homepage, marking a small milestone in personalizing my online presence. While the quality is subjective, it represents an early step in crafting my digital identity on the web.

Finally managed to put a decent photo of myself on my home page. (OK, "decent" is a matter of opinion.)

A picture of me


I share an early web taxonomy that categorizes bloggers by their psychological profiles. This breakdown explores the diverse personality traits and motivations driving different types of online creators during the formative years of the blogosphere.

A taxonomy of bloggers by psychological profile.

A taxonomy of bloggers


I'm struck by ABC News smuggling uranium into the US, reminding me of George Stalk’s observations about Indian security being much tighter than American checks, including multiple body frisks and intense random screenings.

ABC News managed to smuggle uranium into the US. Reminds of when George Stalk was talking about the security checks in India being much tighter than in the US. He was body-frisked twice, and barely escaped a third random check.

ABC News managed to smuggle uranium


I shared a link to the official website of Dr. Abdul Kalam, following his appointment as India's President. This serves as a brief acknowledgement of his leadership and provides a resource to learn about his background.

Dr. Abdul Kalam. India's President.

Abdul Kalam


I explored Accenture's R&D page and found valuable technology research, specifically focusing on emerging trends like RFID and silent commerce. It's a solid collection of insights into how these technologies were beginning to hit the mainstream.

There's some good tech stuff at Accenture's R&D page. via andersja

Accenture technology research


I found a compelling critique of digitization that justifies my continued reliance on physical paper. These arguments ease my conscience about avoiding digital formats in favor of the permanence and tangibility of traditional printed media.

Powerful thoughts against digitization. And since these days I need an excuse to justify the amount of paper I'm using, this article helps ease my conscience.

Against digitization


I found that Air Sahara is auctioning flight tickets through their website. While it is a novel booking approach for 2002, I’m disappointed to see that Chennai isn't included in their current list of available destinations.

Air Sahara is auctioning tickets. Pity Chennai is not on their list!

Air Sahara auctioning tickets


I revisited AltaVista after Google suggested alternative search providers and was surprised to find that their results now closely resemble Google's. It reflects a significant shift in how search engines have standardized their ranking outputs.

I searched on Altavista after a long time (oh, for no other reason than the fact that Google said I could also try my searches on Altavista, Lycos, Yahoo, etc.) and I was surprised how much the search results resembled Google's.

Altavista after a long time


I found that America’s population is aging slower than expected due to higher birth rates. This trend contradicts previous demographic models, as discussed in reports from The Economist and community debates on Kuro5hin.

America's population ageing seems to be less than was expected, thanks to more kids per couple. kuro5hin has a good discussion.

Americas population ageing seems to be less than was expected


I tested my new Fujifilm digital camera by taking a photo of my colleague Amitabh Mall. I discuss his life as a consultant and why I eventually removed the original, unflattering edit of the image at his request.

Update: There used to be an unflattering (Photoshopped) picture of Amitabh Mall here. It's been taken down on request. I got a digital camera. Here's a snap from it. Now, you may be wondering why the snap looks bad. That's not true. Meet Amitabh, friend and colleague. Looks a little different. Unfortunately balding early. After all, he's a consultant. Currently unsatisfied with the object of his attention (either the food or me) to the extreme. Following a unique love-life model.

Amitabh Mall


Observe the analemma, the figure-eight path the sun traces in the sky when viewed from the same location at the same time over a year, caused by Earth's axial tilt and elliptical orbit.

If you see the sun at the same time from the same spot over a year, it traces a pattern called analemma.

Analemma


I share an interview where Anders Jacobsen talked directly to a spammer, offering a unique look at the early spam industry's infrastructure, motivations, and the tools they used to bypass filters in 2002.

andersja talked to a spammer. Some insights into the spamming world.

Anders talked to a spammer


I highlight the irony of Arthur Andersen consulting on the FBI’s records management while simultaneously being under criminal investigation by the FBI for destroying documents during the Enron scandal.

Ironic. Andersen investigates the FBI while the FBI investigates Andersen.

Andersen investigates the FBI


I found a site offering free annual reports for public companies online. This resource is helpful for researching financial statements and corporate history without the need for physical copies or paid databases.

Free annual reports online.

Annual reports online


I evaluate AnswerBus, an early natural language search engine from the University of Michigan, comparing its automated question-answering capabilities to the then-popular AskJeeves for retrieving specific information from the web.

Is AnswerBus better than AskJeeves?

AnswerBus


I encountered a clever interactive ad that looked like a real ant crawling across my screen. It was tricky to catch, but once I finally clicked it, the animation stayed put at the bottom of the page.

Spotted this ad on Business Standard. It was at the bottom of the page, and initially, I thought it really was an ant crawling across my laptop. Incidentally, catching the ant is not all that easy. Took me a minute. But once you catch it, it stays put. Business Standard no longer has an ad with an ant crawling across the bottom of the page.

Ant-like ad


I'm planning to use this clever counter-script to turn the tables on telemarketers. It provides a specific list of questions to ask callers, effectively reversing the roles during unwanted sales solicitations.

anti-telemarketing. I'm going to do it. I really am. Believe me! :-)

Anti-telemarketing


I highlight the revelation that Isaac Asimov contracted HIV via a blood transfusion during a 1983 heart bypass surgery, leading to his death from AIDS-related complications—a fact his family kept secret for a decade after he passed.

Asimov had AIDS. But because of a by-pass surgery.

Asimov had AIDS


I highlight Garth's development of 'throat,' a suite of early audio-blogging tools. Since I often see poetry shared in the blogosphere, I expect these tools will soon encourage bloggers to record and share their own songs.

Garth is working on audio-blogging tools. Given the amount of poetry I see among bloggers, this might unleash a host of blog-singers.

Audio blogging tools


I've been researching augmented reality to understand how digital information overlays onto the physical world. I'm looking into how these interfaces function and exploring the potential for blending computer-generated data with real-time environments.

I've been reading a lot about augmented reality lately.

Augmented reality


I bookmarked BustPatents, a resource dedicated to identifying and challenging invalid or low-quality patents. The site provides information for those seeking to expose flaws in the patent system and contest patents that shouldn't have been granted.

Bad patents.

Bad patents


I'm highlighting perspectives from Ayesha and Harris on the Bangalore Bloggers Meet. These external links provide a firsthand look into our local community's early interactions and the evolving landscape of Indian blogging during November 2002.

The Bangalore Bloggers' Meet in the eyes of Ayesha and Harris.

Bangalore Bloggers Meet


I found this story about P K Rappai, who was banned from various restaurants because his massive appetite made serving him unprofitable. It highlights a rare case where all-you-can-eat became too much for local businesses.

P K Rappai has been banned from restaurants because he eats too much.

Banned from restaurants


I'm sharing a collection of artistic posters and backgrounds from Art Lebedev Studio that use bar-code motifs as a central design element. These creative interpretations turn industrial symbols into minimalist, aesthetically pleasing desktop wallpapers.

Beautiful backrounds with a bar-code theme. In Russian. But the pictures make sense. And yes, there's an English version.


I reflect on Nicholas Negroponte’s observation about the plummeting cost of wireless LAN technology. Since base station prices have dropped from $2,000 to $120, I’ve decided a wireless setup is definitely my next major gadget purchase.

Nicholas Negroponte on "Being Wireless". Five years ago, I put a wireless LAN in my home in Boston. At the time it cost about $2,000 for the base station and $500 for each device I wanted to connect. Today, it costs $120 and $50, respectively, and the price is dropping. That's about Rs. 10,000. My next gadget is identified.

Being Wireless


I highlighted Bill Gates' $100 million donation to fight AIDS in India, contrasting his recent appearance wearing a traditional tilak with a vintage 1977 photo of him and Paul Allen.

Bill donated $100mn to fight AIDS in India. Interestingly, just contrast this photo of him wearing a 'tilak' with his 1977 snap with Paul Allen. In the latter, he almost looks like a girl! via The Register

Bill Gates Foundation fights AIDS in India


I launched a dedicated blog to track the work and legacy of Dr. Abdul Kalam. This new project documents the life, speeches, and contributions of India's former president and renowned scientist.

I'm starting a blog on Dr. Abdul Kalam.

Blog on Dr Abdul Kalam


I discovered Gizmodo, a dedicated blog for tech gadgets and consumer electronics. I love their focused coverage on hardware, making it an essential resource for anyone looking to stay updated on the latest mobile devices and accessories.

A blog on tech gadgets. Love it!

Blog on tech gadgets


I lost several days of work in my site archives after failing to sync versions between my home and office computers. I've found that using Blogger helps manage these updates and prevents version control muddles.

Since I was updating this site from home as well as office, I completely muddled up versions. I think I've lost a few days' work -- at least in the archives. Something like Blogger does help.

Blogger


I found a valuable collection of readings on weblogging from a UC Berkeley journalism course. These links cover the early academic and professional perspectives on the blogging phenomenon as it emerged in 2002.

Berkeley's course on weblogging has some pretty good links.

Blogging links


I explored the emerging trend of blogspamming targeting referral logs. Because my hosting service doesn't provide these logs, I am accidentally immune to this new phenomenon that uses site statistics to gain visibility.

Blogspamming: the new phenomenon. It works only if you have a referral log, and look at it. Unfortunately for me, thanks to my crazy domain hosting service, I am blogspam-immune. via kuro5hin

Blogspamming


I linked to my personal Blogtree profile, a tool designed to visualize the genealogical connections and lineage between different blogs, helping me track how my site fits into the broader weblog community.

My Blogtree.

Blogtree


I found NASA's Blue Marble collection, which features incredibly detailed, downloadable high-resolution images of Earth. These satellite composites offer a stunningly clear perspective of our planet's surface, oceans, and clouds.

Blue marble. NASA's incredibly detailed pictures of earth. Downloadable.

Blue marble


I found BookWatch, which combines Amazon and Google APIs. I've also downloaded these APIs to begin experimenting with developer tools for search and e-commerce integration on my own projects.

A cool combination of the Amazon and Google APIs to BookWatch. (Incidentally, I downloaded the Amazon and Google APIs.)

BookWatch


I highlighted Bored.com as a destination for those with nothing better to do. This simple link captures the spirit of early 2000s internet portals dedicated to curing boredom through games, jokes, and oddities.

Bored. "When you have nothing better to do."

Bored


I share a Wired piece about the first generation born into the digital world. I especially enjoyed the observation that kids are trading places with adults, becoming the experts and teachers in our increasingly technological society.

A Wired article, Born Digital, talks about kids born in the digital age. I liked the bit about them trading places with adults.

Born Digital


I shared a link to Bottom Line, a Corante blog dedicated to the economics of information technology. It provides specialized commentary and analysis on the financial aspects and market trends within the IT sector.

Bottom line. A blog on the economics of IT.

Bottom line


I discovered I can send and receive emails on my BPL mobile phone using a custom address. I integrated it with MSN Messenger to chat via SMS, though response times take several seconds.

I didn't realise I could send/receive mails on my mobile (BPL mobile). So I have yet another e-mail ID now @bplmobile.com -- and I can send e-mails too! I've integrated that with MSN messenger, so I can chat via SMS. (OK, not really. Lead time is in the order of several seconds.)

BPL mobile


I discovered that brain cells may not share identical genetic makeup with the rest of the body. Recent findings suggest neurons can gain or lose chromosomes, fundamentally challenging the assumption of genomic consistency across all human cells.

While I thought that every cell in the human body had identical genetic make-up, it turns out that brain cells could have gained or lost some chromosomes. Now, that's a pretty big discovery. via missing matter

Brain chromosomes may be different


I want to build a custom antenna or wireless device to experiment with DIY networking. This resource covers constructing hardware to improve signal and explore the technical side of wireless communications.

Something else I'd like to do: build an antenna (or any wireless device, for that matter).

Build an antenna


Explore how the bullet time effect in The Matrix was created using an array of cameras triggered in rapid succession. This setup allows the camera to move around a subject while time appears nearly frozen.

Bullet time. How they did it in 'The Matrix'. (Answer: with lots of cameras.)

Bullet time


I find it absurd that some people have nothing better to do than burn Harry Potter books, as seen in reports covering these controversial public displays of censorship and religious opposition to the popular fantasy series.

Some people have nothing better to do than burn Harry Potter books.

Burning Harry Potter books


I share a Fortune analysis of the Rolling Stones' business model, exploring how they transformed a rock band into a highly efficient corporate machine through sophisticated touring logistics, global branding, and diversified revenue streams.

Fortune, on the business model of The Rolling Stones.

Business model of The Rolling Stones


Ralph Nader highlights how corporations use GATS to bypass local laws meant to protect people. By leveraging international trade agreements, businesses can effectively subvert community regulations and prioritize their own interests over legal sovereignty.

Ralph Nader talks about how businesses are using GATS to their own ends. The argument is that trade laws are used as a lever to subvert local laws, which protect citizens from businesses. via RobotWisdom

Businesses are using GATS to their own ends


I'm transcribing every Calvin and Hobbes comic strip into text to build a searchable archive. This lets me quickly find specific moments, from Tracer Bullet’s noir monologues to Dad’s creative explanations for how the world works.

My current project: transcribing every Calvin and Hobbes into text. Because I'd like to search, using text, for the strip in which Tracer Bullet has "six slugs, one of lead and five of bourbon" or where Dad explains why the Sun rises. Comments The Calvin and Hobbes search Takedown | s-anand.net 21 May 2010 11:55 am (pingback): [...] So I set out to build one. I can’t remember when, exactly, but it was before Sep 11, 2002. [...]

Calvin and Hobbes transcription


I highlight the shift from the Turing Test to CAPTCHAs, where automated programs now verify human identity. It is a reversal of history, using challenges to stop computers from mimicking humans online.

The NY Times on 'captchas'. At the time of Turing, we were wondering if computers would pass the Turing Test. Today, these captchas stop computer programs from fooling us into thinking they're humans. We've come a long way! via missing matter

Captchas


I found a project using image recognition to control a cat flap, preventing a pet from bringing prey inside. It demonstrates a clever, early application of computer vision for domestic pet management.

Amazing, what some people try and do with cats. And image recognition.

Cats


I overhauled my website's structure, migrating from legacy frames and table-based layouts to modern CSS. This redesign improves code efficiency, but let me know if you experience any rendering issues or browser compatibility problems during the transition.

I've overhauled my site, replacing tables and frames with CSS. If you have problems with your browser, please let me know.

Changes to my site


I'm sharing a Slashdot discussion where Project Gutenberg explains their proposed organizational and technical changes. It provides insight into how the project aims to evolve its digital library and distribution methods.

Project Gutenberg explains some proposed changes in answer to a question on Slashdot.

Changes to Project Gutenberg


I examine a cynical business model where free email providers intentionally add spam just to charge users for its removal, confirming my decision to get rid of my Hotmail account.

Here's a good business model. Buy a free e-mail provider. Add spam. Then charge for eliminating spam. Good thing I got rid of my Hotmail account.

Charge for eliminating spam


I explore a unique way to interact with a DOS prompt using Jabber bots. This method leverages instant messaging protocols to turn a chat interface into a functional remote command-line tool for your computer.

Chatting with your computer -- the new way of interacting with your DOS prompt.

Chatting with your computer


I highlighted a report on the removal of Coke and Pepsi advertisements from hillsides. These paintings were found to destroy rare moss species, demonstrating the surprising environmental impact and legal consequences of corporate branding in nature.

Coke and Pepsi paintings on the hills have to be removed because "... species of moss... have been destroyed by the painting." Gosh!

Coke and Pepsi paintings have to be removed


I have a cold and'm highlighting that it isn't caused by cold weather, contrary to traditional beliefs. I've linked to resources debunking the connection between low temperatures and catching the common cold.

I have a cold. And although some Chinese may say otherwise, it has nothing to do with cold weather.

Cold and cold weather


I highlight a move toward globalization as the Colombian President adopts video-conferencing to reduce government expenses and save time. This early 2000s tech adoption represents a shift in how world leaders communicate.

The next step to globalization. The Columbian President will use video-conferencing. To cut costs and to save time.


I found that the STAR exchange, which prioritizes companies with high corporate governance standards, has outperformed the traditional Borsa. It demonstrates how transparent accounting and ethical management practices create a measurable advantage for market performance.

The STAR exchange is a stock exchange listing companies with good governance. That's a good criterion to list by, given the accounting we read about. This exchange has managed to outperform the conventional counterpart (Borsa), BTW.

Companies with good governance


I’ve shared a useful compendium of multimedia projects for Linux, sourced from RobotWisdom. This directory highlights various audio and video tools specifically for Debian users and open-source enthusiasts looking for creative software solutions.

Compendium of multimedia projects via RobotWisdom

Compendium of multimedia projects on Linux


I found an interesting NECSI article applying complex systems theory to basketball. It explores how the sport functions as a multi-scale system, looking beyond individual stats to understand collective patterns and emergent team behavior.

Interesting article on complexity in basketball (from NECSI)

Complexity in basketball


Eli Lilly is crowdsourcing chemistry research by posting specific scientific problems online. Solvers who provide successful solutions to these challenges receive financial bounties, turning complex pharmaceutical R&D into an open, incentivized global marketplace.

Contract research by Eli Lilly. They put up problems in chemistry. You solve them. You get paid.

Conract research by Eli Lilly