Strategy - pirated softwares and books

Strategy of books or of applications or Operating system which are available freely online are often confusing. What is the point of giving these things freely when they can be charged?

Often we see some books which are available online. They have the printed copies for sale in a bookstore near your home. But still they are available in readable pdf versions online. Wondered why this happens? Do you think that the publisher of these books do not have copyright to take down these free online versions?

Or, we see the Operating system (Windows) or the programs (Microsoft office) available in pirated versions online. Don't  the giant Microsoft have enough power to take down these websites?

In fact they do have the power to take down these pirated versions. But their aim is different. They are not looking for the money which this program, or Operating system or the book is going to give them. They want the users to be comfortable or addicted to Windows, Microsoft office etc.. They want to make sure that due to high cost of the products, people are not deprived of using their product. Their long term goal is to make the people addicted to their product and when the people have enough money, they go and buy the good version. 

The authors also want book to be readily available to readers so that they can have more fame than money. A highly priced book will lead to no one reading the book and appreciating the talent of the author. But if it is available freely online, many will read and the skill and fame of the author will be establishing globally.

TV vs Projector - The Choice

People are confused when they have to buy a Television, whether they should go for a 32" LCD/LED screen or a projector which can project to any size. I was also confused at this stage and decided to carry on a research. Here are some pro's and con's of using projector.

( Image courtesy: http://www.techlitic.com/projector-vs-flat-screen-tv-best.html )

Projector
Pro's
1. View at any size
2. Less strain on eyes
3. less costly compared to TV. Starts at Rs. 6,000 compared to TV which is at Rs. 20,000
Con's

1. Light in the room can make the image less clear - A dark room is needed for projector to project viewable video. 

2. Separate sound requirements - TV has both video and audio embedded. If you are going for a projector, you have to arrange a separate audio source also.

3. Dish set up box should have HDMI connector. You cannot use the same connector you use with TV on a projector. Only some set-up boxes come with the option.

4. Bulb life. The life of the projector bulb is less and you will have to replace it once in a year. With the coming of LED projectors, we can expect a longer life.

So, my opinion, give some more time for the technology to progress before you opt for a projector to replace TV.

Outwit banks - Failed transactions

Recently I was in an ATM to withdraw money.

I did not know how much balance I had in the account exactly. 

As always, I typed a figure close to my estimate of what is remaining in the account. The transaction was rejected saying, "Transaction declined". 

I tried again, with a more closer value. Again the same happened. 

Then I put a lower figure and money was disbursed from the ATM. 

I used to do like this in the past when I did not know the exact amount of money in the bank. Only when I reached home and checked the online bank statement I recognised that SBI (State bank of India) has debited Rs. 17 each for the failed transaction. 

I was shocked for loosing Rs. 34. I searched the whether there are any recent changes in the bank policy regarding ATM and came to know that since this Jan 2014, there has been a change and they are going to penalise for failed transactions for no fault of the bank.

So, next time you are at an ATM withdrawing money, first take a mini-statement to know the balance.

(I thought of saving the paper cost by not printing the acknowledgement, but anything to save Rs. 17)

The rates for other government and private banks are much higher than SBI. 

Be cautious.

"People who learn from their mistakes are wise, but people who learn from others mistakes are wiser."

Climate of Delhi

The winters in Delhi are the ones that I enjoy the most.

It is cold, but not snowy. The cool air and breeze encourages you to sleep under your blanket all day. It is cold even in the afternoon.

Winters start by October end and ends by February end. It is said (jokingly) that North Indians take bath for the prayer of Diwali in October end and then only after Holi celebrations. 

After Holi, the temperature gradually shoots up. Delhi enters into summer in May. So the time from march to may is normal climate. With may temperature shoots up. This will continue till peak summer around June middle. Summers continue till August and then temperature starts declining slowly. August to October end is again normal climate. 

This normal climate occurs twice a year- the start of summer and start of winter. You can see children playing and even some rain during this time. This period is also called the disease phase. Common diseases in Delhi are Dengue,

Typhoid, malaria etc.

Mosquitoes are only found in this season as they would not be able to survive in peak winters or summers. 

So finally Delhi can be divided into three climates. Summer, winter and disease climate. If you are planning to visit Delhi and have a good time, I suggest winter!

How to remove pimples?

Reading blog on how to remove pimples, I found some important notes.

Some say we need to soak cotton in salt water and place it on the pimple for 3 mins. Keep repeating these steps and the pimple will be gone forever. This is a quite simple guide to removing pimples.
Some also say that lemon juice is a natural lightener. Mix lemon juice and honey and make a paste and apply on the pimple mark. May be the next time you get lemon in mess hall or with a meal, you can make a good use of it.
Also, rubbing potato slices at an interval of 30 mins will also help in lightening the pimple marks.
Compared to plastic surgery which is a quick option, the natural ones are slow but are healthy and would not have any side effects.
Rosehip seed oil is also advisable for pimple marks and also to relieve wrinkles
Alternatively, you can apply vitamin E oil or take Vitamin E supplement

Singapore is a FINE city

Recently, a friend opened up on his life in South East Asia. He says he has been to Singapore, China and Tokyo in the past few months. He says of all the places he enjoyed his stay in Singapore. 

The country is 1/8 th of Srilanka which means that it is smaller than our smallest state of Goa. The state is unbelievably clean and they have building laws which requires every building in the country to be maintained and repainted in 5 years. He said that in the Airport, there is a sign board which says that Singapore is a FINE city. FINE is written in RED which means that the people are required to pay fines to make the city fine. Even Chewing guns are banned in the country. Smoking is also banned and there is a limit on the amount of garbage to be generated per capita. The local languages are english, chinese, malaya and Tamil. There are sign board even in Tamil.

He told about Tokyo construction that labour costs are pretty high in Japan that they opt for mechanised construction. This has to be the scenario in Kerala, India also. They should mechanise construction and also the house hold activities in order to cope up with the ever increasing labour charges. He mentioned on the demolition process in Japan where in a building is brought down using hydraulic jack. 

TED talks summary - 20's are critical

The talk was about how 20's are more important than the 30's. The expert tells that 20's is the right time to try partners and once you are in 30's, you will have immense pressure to settle down.

Also, your earnings are not critical as you do not have a family to support. So, do not go after money in the 20's, rather chase your dreams. How you would like to be remembered in the rest of your life is the decision you have to make in your 20's. People start working immediately after their 12th or Bachelors degree and start earning. They earn more relative to their peers in the 20's. But, what actually has to be done is to invest for the rest of your life in the 20's in the form of more studies, taking up more risks by competing in exams which can shape your career like the civil service etc.