I can access my blog again! Looks like the Government has finally lifted the block they had put on blogspot (and other major blog sites?). So did the Government finally learn that the terrorists they are trying to catch are a too smart to depend only on blogspot for communication?
Friday, July 21, 2006
Year of Linux on the desktop?
Every year, I see articles on various Linux related websites that this year is going to be the year of Linux on the desktop, the year when Linux desktop will start gaining significantly on MS Windows. This claim is then supplemented by various comparisons between Windows and a recent Linux distro (often debian or gentoo), feature to feature, proving that Linux can now do all that Windows can. You get to hear that you can use Evolution in place of Outlook, Firefox in place of IE, f-spot in place Picasa, this is my favorite: gimp in place of Photoshop. That is not all, article usually claims that Linux now supports most of the digicams, display cards, etc out of the box, installation is extremely easy and everyone, his mom and grandmom can now use Linux on the desktop. Later, it mentions a couple of applications or a couple of features that are available on Linux, but not on Windows, to claim that Linux is already ahead of Windows. Examples are command-line image manipulation utilities, richness of bash shell as compared to Windows terminal.
However, every year, we realize that the share of Linux on the desktop is just the same as last year. The number of Linux-only desktop boxes will be so few, nobody wants to mention that.
Once upon a time, people said it was because of hardware support. Then they said availability of applications. However, Linux now supports almost all normal hardware and it has applications to serve any average computer user. (No, Photoshop is not a 'normal' software, hardly anybody needs it). So why is Linux not gaining on Windows on the desktop?
The main reason, as I can see it, is the ease of use. Windows is still infinitely more easy to use than Linux. Let me give an example. I consider myself a 'power user', not an 'average' user of Linux. The wireless card and bluetooth hardware is supported by the Linux distro I run. However, I have not been able to configure them correctly till today. I agree that I have not done a great deal of research, I have not spent a great number of hours googling for solutions. But all these got configured without asking me a single question on Windows. Most people don't care and don't want to know whether they should use WEP or WPA-PSK or whatever for their wireless card uses. Most people don't want to edit configuration options for everything they do. If Windows can self-discover all these things, why can't Linux?
The reason, to some extent, seems to be the 'Linux attitude'. Linux no doubt benefits from having some of the brightest people on the earth developing it. However, the same people cannot think for the common user. They tend to call the Windows way of doing things 'dumb', because it does not let them configure all the options by hand. They tend to despise any UI, advocating that command line is the only right way of doing things. This is true in some cases, but it definitely is wrong in case of most average 'dumb' users. For example, nobody outside the Linux fanatic club would want to understand the command line options of 'cdrecord'. The other reason is infinite choice you get with everything on Linux. There is no doubt choice is good, but all choice, no standardization is not good either.
The distros are doing a reasonable job of making desktop Linux a viable option. However, they too suffer from the same dificiency. Also, they spend more time polishing their fonts or creating new eye-catching 3-d icons than making apps easy to use. yum and apt are a good step towards installing software, but they bring Linux nowhere close to Windows in this area. To some extent, the Linux model, where there is no central authority, is the cause of this. Most of my thoughts agree with this article
So what do I think should be done? Portland project , which aims to provide common set of interfaces for Linux desktop, is a right way ahead. It may finally end the war between gnome and kde. I also think the community should become more sensitive to the needs of common man. I don't how how this can happen, though. I think the Linux distros should put more thought in making desktop versions of their OS. I installed SuSE Linux 10.1 last week and found that it is pretty well integrated desktop. (Until you try to install some software you found on the web). Some say the Linspire way is correct, but it is clear that they will never be able to garner support of the community for this, which means it will never take off in a big way. Last but not the least, until we have really made Linux on desktop comparable to Windows, let us not go around claiming that we are already better or that Windows is dumb.
However, every year, we realize that the share of Linux on the desktop is just the same as last year. The number of Linux-only desktop boxes will be so few, nobody wants to mention that.
Once upon a time, people said it was because of hardware support. Then they said availability of applications. However, Linux now supports almost all normal hardware and it has applications to serve any average computer user. (No, Photoshop is not a 'normal' software, hardly anybody needs it). So why is Linux not gaining on Windows on the desktop?
The main reason, as I can see it, is the ease of use. Windows is still infinitely more easy to use than Linux. Let me give an example. I consider myself a 'power user', not an 'average' user of Linux. The wireless card and bluetooth hardware is supported by the Linux distro I run. However, I have not been able to configure them correctly till today. I agree that I have not done a great deal of research, I have not spent a great number of hours googling for solutions. But all these got configured without asking me a single question on Windows. Most people don't care and don't want to know whether they should use WEP or WPA-PSK or whatever for their wireless card uses. Most people don't want to edit configuration options for everything they do. If Windows can self-discover all these things, why can't Linux?
The reason, to some extent, seems to be the 'Linux attitude'. Linux no doubt benefits from having some of the brightest people on the earth developing it. However, the same people cannot think for the common user. They tend to call the Windows way of doing things 'dumb', because it does not let them configure all the options by hand. They tend to despise any UI, advocating that command line is the only right way of doing things. This is true in some cases, but it definitely is wrong in case of most average 'dumb' users. For example, nobody outside the Linux fanatic club would want to understand the command line options of 'cdrecord'. The other reason is infinite choice you get with everything on Linux. There is no doubt choice is good, but all choice, no standardization is not good either.
The distros are doing a reasonable job of making desktop Linux a viable option. However, they too suffer from the same dificiency. Also, they spend more time polishing their fonts or creating new eye-catching 3-d icons than making apps easy to use. yum and apt are a good step towards installing software, but they bring Linux nowhere close to Windows in this area. To some extent, the Linux model, where there is no central authority, is the cause of this. Most of my thoughts agree with this article
So what do I think should be done? Portland project , which aims to provide common set of interfaces for Linux desktop, is a right way ahead. It may finally end the war between gnome and kde. I also think the community should become more sensitive to the needs of common man. I don't how how this can happen, though. I think the Linux distros should put more thought in making desktop versions of their OS. I installed SuSE Linux 10.1 last week and found that it is pretty well integrated desktop. (Until you try to install some software you found on the web). Some say the Linspire way is correct, but it is clear that they will never be able to garner support of the community for this, which means it will never take off in a big way. Last but not the least, until we have really made Linux on desktop comparable to Windows, let us not go around claiming that we are already better or that Windows is dumb.
Monday, July 10, 2006
State of affairs/ affairs of the State.
I am appalled by the level of politics being played out in Karnataka. I have not written much about politics in this blog so far. In fact I had planned to keep politics out of this completely. But I can't really hold myself, looking at what is happening.
Today I saw on TV our elected representatives physically fighting with each other in Vidhana Soudha because of personal rivalry. BMIC project was the first major controversy hit by Kumaraswamy, who started out as a very promising chief minister. The way BMIC is being handled is a HUGE discouragement to anyone planning to invest in Karnataka. Even if I were an invester, i would wisely choose other states. The new controversy about illegal mining too started out as a way to put Congress MLAs, who had mines in Kanakapura, in discomfort. However, the grandson of soil never thought it would snowball into such a big controversy. Our MLAs, spending crores of our money, are not even having meaningful discussions on the floor of the house. The concept that the elected body should concentrate on making legislations, leaving implementation to IAS officers has been completely forgotten. Corruption is not a hush-hush word to be kept away from media anymore. People of the state are too short sighted to realize where all this is headed. Like a saying goes, "people get a Government they deserve, not a Government they desire".
With nobody in any of the three major political parties to show a better way, I am saddened when I think what the future of this state will be like.
Today I saw on TV our elected representatives physically fighting with each other in Vidhana Soudha because of personal rivalry. BMIC project was the first major controversy hit by Kumaraswamy, who started out as a very promising chief minister. The way BMIC is being handled is a HUGE discouragement to anyone planning to invest in Karnataka. Even if I were an invester, i would wisely choose other states. The new controversy about illegal mining too started out as a way to put Congress MLAs, who had mines in Kanakapura, in discomfort. However, the grandson of soil never thought it would snowball into such a big controversy. Our MLAs, spending crores of our money, are not even having meaningful discussions on the floor of the house. The concept that the elected body should concentrate on making legislations, leaving implementation to IAS officers has been completely forgotten. Corruption is not a hush-hush word to be kept away from media anymore. People of the state are too short sighted to realize where all this is headed. Like a saying goes, "people get a Government they deserve, not a Government they desire".
With nobody in any of the three major political parties to show a better way, I am saddened when I think what the future of this state will be like.
End of sports season
Cricket got over a week back. With the FIFA world cup and the Wimbledon coming to an end this week, it suddenly feels like the sport season on television is over. Men can now return to informative(!) channels like AXN (programs like Fear Factor) and women can return to their entertaining(!) programs like saas-bahu soaps.
I lost most of the interest in football world cup during quarter final stages, when Argentina, Brazil and England went out. It was like a cricket world cup without Australia. My interest in Wimbledon was limited to Federer's finals and at some points in time during the finals, it looked like he too would lose, making it miserable. Luckily he held on. Federer reminds me of Sampras because of the way he keeps his composure in any situation of the match. I hope he wins many more grand slams.
I lost most of the interest in football world cup during quarter final stages, when Argentina, Brazil and England went out. It was like a cricket world cup without Australia. My interest in Wimbledon was limited to Federer's finals and at some points in time during the finals, it looked like he too would lose, making it miserable. Luckily he held on. Federer reminds me of Sampras because of the way he keeps his composure in any situation of the match. I hope he wins many more grand slams.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
A ripple in Karnataka newspaper industry
Consolidation among corporates seems to be in the air at the moment. The publication division of VRL group, which owns Vijaya Karnataka and Vijay Times, was taken over by Times of India group (Bennett, Coleman and Co. Ltd) recently. The story of Vijaya Karnataka is amazing. They entered the Kannada press industry at a stage when the industry was very mature and the existing players, like Prajavani, Udayavani, etc had long established their hold on the readers' mindshare. Nobody thought it would be possible to come up with a new newspaper at this stage and make it successful. It is like coming up with a new brand of soap today. It is easy to achieve phenomenal success in new areas by becoming pioneer in that area. Examples are AT&T, Vaseline, IBM, etc. However, entering a crowded market and winning customers over is not easy at all. But this is exactly what Vijaya Karnataka did. It is the largest circulated Kannada daily in Karnataka today.
With this aquisition, TOI group has immediately obtained reach to almost all parts of Karnataka through Vijaya Karnataka, unlike TOI which is popular only in Bangalore. Though this may turn out to be beneficial to Vijaya Karnataka, it is surely not good for me because I was subscribing to both TOI and Vijaya Karnataka. There is not meaning in reading two newspapers from the same publisher. I will have to change one. I guess I will move to Deccan Herald.
With this aquisition, TOI group has immediately obtained reach to almost all parts of Karnataka through Vijaya Karnataka, unlike TOI which is popular only in Bangalore. Though this may turn out to be beneficial to Vijaya Karnataka, it is surely not good for me because I was subscribing to both TOI and Vijaya Karnataka. There is not meaning in reading two newspapers from the same publisher. I will have to change one. I guess I will move to Deccan Herald.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Travelling on the Mysore highway
I drove down to Mysore last weekend on the old highway (probably the only highway we will have, with BMIC getting into controversy). With most of the work of making it a 4-lane road finished, it is a pleasure to drive on the road now. Compare this with the situation even a year back, when you would choose to rather be whipped than driving to Mysore in a small car. There are a few precautions to take on this road, though.
First, you will want to know which side of the road to drive on, the left or the right. The answer is "either". However, remember that if you are driving on the right side, you must have your head lights on :-)
Second, remember that the tractors have the highest right of way on the highway. It may be belonging to a farmer and a former Prime Minister may not take it lightly if you even honk at a farmer. Tractors need not turn on the head lights while travelling on the right side.
Third, how fast can you go? Answer is "depends". If you are within 10Kms distance of any village, be cautious about people crossing the road at their own sweet pace, cattle resting on the road, etc. All the time, keep a watch for vehicles coming directly at you (their right side), with their lights on. There is no exhilaration like travelling at 120kmph and suddenly realizing that there is a huge truck heading right at your car and you may be dead meat any moment. When you reach Ramanagar, be watchful for potholes. Small cars can get lost in some of them. Also, a handful of speedbreakers are intelligently placed in places where you least expect them, so watch out. I guess politicians promise for each village, apart from water, hospital, etc, two speedbreakers.
Should I overtake from left or the right side? Answer is "whichever lane is free". It is common to see trucks/autos travelling at 20kmph on the right lane and they don't intend to shift to left lane at all, so there is no meaning in sticking to rules.
Finally, where do I eat on the way? Answer is "Kamat Loka Ruchi". It is almost a unwritten rule that all cars must stop at Kamat to experience a urban, sophisticated feeling they are most used to in Bangalore - lack of parking space. After you manage against all odds to get a place to sit, you will be surprised to know that food is expensive, but not good! Masala dosa sucks big time. Coffee is not worth the Rs.12 they charge. I know this place used to be good, but I guess they have too many customers now to care about quality anymore. I hope it is so only on weekends.
First, you will want to know which side of the road to drive on, the left or the right. The answer is "either". However, remember that if you are driving on the right side, you must have your head lights on :-)
Second, remember that the tractors have the highest right of way on the highway. It may be belonging to a farmer and a former Prime Minister may not take it lightly if you even honk at a farmer. Tractors need not turn on the head lights while travelling on the right side.
Third, how fast can you go? Answer is "depends". If you are within 10Kms distance of any village, be cautious about people crossing the road at their own sweet pace, cattle resting on the road, etc. All the time, keep a watch for vehicles coming directly at you (their right side), with their lights on. There is no exhilaration like travelling at 120kmph and suddenly realizing that there is a huge truck heading right at your car and you may be dead meat any moment. When you reach Ramanagar, be watchful for potholes. Small cars can get lost in some of them. Also, a handful of speedbreakers are intelligently placed in places where you least expect them, so watch out. I guess politicians promise for each village, apart from water, hospital, etc, two speedbreakers.
Should I overtake from left or the right side? Answer is "whichever lane is free". It is common to see trucks/autos travelling at 20kmph on the right lane and they don't intend to shift to left lane at all, so there is no meaning in sticking to rules.
Finally, where do I eat on the way? Answer is "Kamat Loka Ruchi". It is almost a unwritten rule that all cars must stop at Kamat to experience a urban, sophisticated feeling they are most used to in Bangalore - lack of parking space. After you manage against all odds to get a place to sit, you will be surprised to know that food is expensive, but not good! Masala dosa sucks big time. Coffee is not worth the Rs.12 they charge. I know this place used to be good, but I guess they have too many customers now to care about quality anymore. I hope it is so only on weekends.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Google's software
Google seems to be in overdrive to release products. I am a sucker for Google products, so it is no surprise that I have been an 'early adapter' (AKA guinea pig) for a number of their products. I have been impressed with calendar, spreadsheet, page creator, firefox add-ons, Googleearth4.0 for Linux in the last couple of months. Gmail and Google have always been very useful. The only Google prodct that seemed to be a bad idea was the Firefox browser sync. Every time you start your browser, it first contacts Google's website and restores some information like bookmarks, saved sessions, etc. If you are on a slower connection, you need to wait for a good part of a minute for the browser to start. Browser sync also lets you store passwords, but that is a scary thing to do. I like the fact that they are coming out with Linux versions of their softwares. I tried Picasa for Linux. It runs through WINE, so it is not that good.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
About Presiden't speech
I got an opportunity to listen live to our president, Dr Abdul Kalam recently. In the past I have wondered why he is such a popular person. But after listening to him, I know why.
Though he cannot be counted among the greatest orators, he seemed to be able to connect with his audience extremely well. His down-to-earth nature and genuine interest in the topics he was talking about, unlike politicians (I know he is not one), were the reasons for people instantly liking him. He had brought his own powerpoint slides for his talk (his choice of colors for slides was gaudy, if I may humbly add). It was clear that he had spent time specifically preparing for this presentation. He answered a few questions from the audience so nicely and promised to answer any question we may post on his website. If our politicians want to find a role model, they don't need to look too far.
Though he cannot be counted among the greatest orators, he seemed to be able to connect with his audience extremely well. His down-to-earth nature and genuine interest in the topics he was talking about, unlike politicians (I know he is not one), were the reasons for people instantly liking him. He had brought his own powerpoint slides for his talk (his choice of colors for slides was gaudy, if I may humbly add). It was clear that he had spent time specifically preparing for this presentation. He answered a few questions from the audience so nicely and promised to answer any question we may post on his website. If our politicians want to find a role model, they don't need to look too far.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Stock market crash
For the last few days I wanted to blog about the stock market crash. All newspapers carry front page articles showing investors in dispair whenever stock market crashes ("Investors lose <an abnoxiously high number> of crores of rupees") However, they don't raise so much noise when it goes up.
Today I found this article reflecting my thoughts on this issue. (first page, at least). So I guess linking to it, in true bloggers' spirit, is good enough.
Today I found this article reflecting my thoughts on this issue. (first page, at least). So I guess linking to it, in true bloggers' spirit, is good enough.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Eating in Bangalore
If you roam around the main shopping areas in Bangalore during the weekends, one thing clearly strikes you: Bangaloreans like to eat. Eat a lot. Be it a small road-side food joint like paani-puri stall or bonda-bajji shop or fruit juice place or a fancy and expensive restaurant, if it is in the right location, it is going to be crowded. If you go near Cool Joint in Jayanagar 4th block, you can see people putting their arms and legs at risk to grab their sandwich. The line at Ganesha Dosa camp in 3rd block is rumoured to reach at least a couple of kilometers. If you go to a nice restaurant on Saturday evening for dinner, you will be squarely asked to come back on the same time on Monday, because they are booked solid on Saturday and Sunday ;-) Bangaloreans quickly became rich, or at least spendy, but the infrastructure is not keeping up. If you want to have a nice, peaceful dinner during weekends, the only place to have it is your own home! If you are thinking of a second job, there is no better thing than to open a restaurant.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Radio Mirchi
The day I realised that Radio Mirchi (I think this is their website, not sure though) had begun it's broadcast in Bangalore (93.3 MHz) was in fact one day before they came out with newspapers advertisements about their existence. But I heard that they had been on air for a while already. I was expecting them to come out with full page ads in all major newspapers the day they started out. This must be one of the softest of the 'soft launches' we have seen.
I like their tagline/slogan - "Sakkath hot maga". I also like the fact that their RJs can (and do) speak Kannada. I think they are after the FM Rainbow listeners first to build up a good listener base before taking on the Radiocity goliath. So far, I am listening. Go Mirchi!
On a related topic, we had just 3 FM stations in Bangalore till now. They differ greatly in the way they communicate with their listeners. Radiocity is the most informal ("Yo man", "hey gals", etc). FM Rainbow has the middle path ("Snehithare, Dinner Time karyakramadondige naanu nimma gelathi
I like their tagline/slogan - "Sakkath hot maga". I also like the fact that their RJs can (and do) speak Kannada. I think they are after the FM Rainbow listeners first to build up a good listener base before taking on the Radiocity goliath. So far, I am listening. Go Mirchi!
On a related topic, we had just 3 FM stations in Bangalore till now. They differ greatly in the way they communicate with their listeners. Radiocity is the most informal ("Yo man", "hey gals", etc). FM Rainbow has the middle path ("Snehithare, Dinner Time karyakramadondige naanu nimma gelathi
Thursday, April 27, 2006
A bit about my Delhi trip
I'm just logging a few things about my 1-day visit to Delhi this week. First of all, Bangalore airport. I have heard that the airport is asking airline companies not to introduce any more flights to Bangalore, because it cannot handle any more passengers. In this sense the airport truly represents Bangalore :-) When we got into the flight, there were enough mosquitoes to make an army of them. Just when all of us, especially the numerous westerners in the flight were wondering if we are going to survive the 2.5 hours journey among these mosquitoes, an air hostess brought and sprayed what smelt like a nice perfume. Only after a few minutes, when there were no more mosquitoes flying, did I realize that what she sprayed must have been baygon-spray-from-hell! Apparently, this spray also results in much nicer behavior of passengers towards the crew. Who would risk their life against such a spray ;-)
Delhi was nice. No, really. In my two very brief visits to Delhi, I have realized a few amazing things about the city. First, Delhi has glimpses of a revolutionary concept in vehicular movement, already popular in most other countries, called driving in lanes. Another phenomenon hardly heard of in Bangalore is that fly-over and metrorail construction actually coming to an end (I know that is hardest to believe). When Delhi'ites complain about traffic problems, it is mostly about traffic congestion. I am pretty sure they have not seen the type of jams we see in Bangalore, where all the city roads look like Kissan factory in peak hour. Except for weather, I wonder if anything is going for Bangalore anymore.
Delhi was nice. No, really. In my two very brief visits to Delhi, I have realized a few amazing things about the city. First, Delhi has glimpses of a revolutionary concept in vehicular movement, already popular in most other countries, called driving in lanes. Another phenomenon hardly heard of in Bangalore is that fly-over and metrorail construction actually coming to an end (I know that is hardest to believe). When Delhi'ites complain about traffic problems, it is mostly about traffic congestion. I am pretty sure they have not seen the type of jams we see in Bangalore, where all the city roads look like Kissan factory in peak hour. Except for weather, I wonder if anything is going for Bangalore anymore.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Dr. Raj
By now newspapers have written enough, TV channels have shown more than enough, people have seen more than they wanted to see about the demise of Rajkumar and the violent funeral that followed. The mayhem that accompanied the procession and funeral were really ugly, unfortunate and unpardonable. Sure, this is not the first time we have seen processions marred with violence and lathi charges and this won't be the last. So I won't write too much about it.
In the history of Karnataka, I don't think any person has ever enjoyed such a great fan following. Sure, political leaders have managed to rope in a large gathering to listen to their speeches, devotees have gathered in large numbers to listen to their spiritual leader. However, nobody, neither the great political leaders, nor the spiritual Gurus, not even kings have ever managed to build such a great fan following across all economic and social levels of a society. This is the kind of reverence politicians dream about achieving all their lives. If my understanding is right, Rajkumar was the best example of people uniting around a man based just on Kannada and nothing else. Rajkumar is great for having achieved such an iconic stature. If you are a non-Kannadiga and not too knowledgeable about Karnataka, you must be wondering whether Kannadigas are going to go on a rampage like this every time one of their film stars dies. Rest assured, anything quite like this and this spontaneous won't happen ever again. Nobody else has such a pull on the society.
The events at Rajkumar's death was surely going to be unprecedented. But what really happened was far beyond the expectation of the state machinery. How can the police control the mobs, when some lunatics think "I was unable to see Annavru's body. Obviously, it is the fault of that big BMTC bus. Let me go and smash up it's windshield and light it up as a revenge"
In the history of Karnataka, I don't think any person has ever enjoyed such a great fan following. Sure, political leaders have managed to rope in a large gathering to listen to their speeches, devotees have gathered in large numbers to listen to their spiritual leader. However, nobody, neither the great political leaders, nor the spiritual Gurus, not even kings have ever managed to build such a great fan following across all economic and social levels of a society. This is the kind of reverence politicians dream about achieving all their lives. If my understanding is right, Rajkumar was the best example of people uniting around a man based just on Kannada and nothing else. Rajkumar is great for having achieved such an iconic stature. If you are a non-Kannadiga and not too knowledgeable about Karnataka, you must be wondering whether Kannadigas are going to go on a rampage like this every time one of their film stars dies. Rest assured, anything quite like this and this spontaneous won't happen ever again. Nobody else has such a pull on the society.
The events at Rajkumar's death was surely going to be unprecedented. But what really happened was far beyond the expectation of the state machinery. How can the police control the mobs, when some lunatics think "I was unable to see Annavru's body. Obviously, it is the fault of that big BMTC bus. Let me go and smash up it's windshield and light it up as a revenge"
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The fun about the Time of India...
...is that when pretty much every newspaper makes the fire in Meerut (that killed more than 50 people) the first news on their front page, TOI thinks the news about Salman Khan going to jail is more important! It is quite often that TOI puts 'masala' items on the front page (like dress code being imposed in Mount Carmel College, kids influencing buying habits of parents, etc) that appear on other pages in other newspapers. I guess their motto is "Anything for marketshare"!
Friday, April 07, 2006
Mass exodus from Bangalore
No, this is not about the IT-BT industry relocating to Chennai and Hyderabad. (I am not worried about that anymore).
Most people living in Bangalore, including Kannadigas, are not natural Bangaloreans. So whenever there is a long weekend, a very large number of people take off from the city to visit their hometowns. This happened again last week, when people took off for a 4-day weekend for Ugadi. I was one of them, trying to get onto a bus on 29th night. When my auto eventually approached the bus stand (Majestic), I noticed that traffic had piled up for at least 2 kilometres from the bus stand. I have no idea how any of the vehicles on K.G Road reached the bus stand that day. My auto driver passed through all the narrowest roads around the main road, some of the roads so narrow people fear to attempt them on two-wheelers, and eventually reached the bus stand. Once in, I noticed that KSRTC had introduced a large number of extra buses for this day, so they had piled up all inside the bus stand and all roads surrounding it. They were running a bus EVERY SINGLE MINUTE from 11PM till 11:30PM to Shimoga alone! Of course, once our bus made it's way out of the bus stand (one hour late), it got stuck in a huge traffic pile up on Tumkur road created by numerous vehicles going out of the city. It really looked like people were fleeing a disaster-hit city.
This problem will only get worse as days go by. I plan to take an extra day off in such cases and go out of the city one daysooner from now on.
Most people living in Bangalore, including Kannadigas, are not natural Bangaloreans. So whenever there is a long weekend, a very large number of people take off from the city to visit their hometowns. This happened again last week, when people took off for a 4-day weekend for Ugadi. I was one of them, trying to get onto a bus on 29th night. When my auto eventually approached the bus stand (Majestic), I noticed that traffic had piled up for at least 2 kilometres from the bus stand. I have no idea how any of the vehicles on K.G Road reached the bus stand that day. My auto driver passed through all the narrowest roads around the main road, some of the roads so narrow people fear to attempt them on two-wheelers, and eventually reached the bus stand. Once in, I noticed that KSRTC had introduced a large number of extra buses for this day, so they had piled up all inside the bus stand and all roads surrounding it. They were running a bus EVERY SINGLE MINUTE from 11PM till 11:30PM to Shimoga alone! Of course, once our bus made it's way out of the bus stand (one hour late), it got stuck in a huge traffic pile up on Tumkur road created by numerous vehicles going out of the city. It really looked like people were fleeing a disaster-hit city.
This problem will only get worse as days go by. I plan to take an extra day off in such cases and go out of the city one daysooner from now on.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Winged visitor at my home
I have always felt sorry for the sparrows, which have lost their habitat ever since our cities and towns got filled with RCC buildings. After we shifted to our new house, since there is a lot of free space all around, it is common to see many varieties of birds around our house. Today, when I returned home, I was told that a sparrow had entered the house! I found him sitting very quietly, as if it was just a stuffed model, on a CFL bulb. I am guessing it is a 'he' (and not 'she'), because he is perched on electrical equipement, which is a 'manly' object ;-) I heard that he tried to get out of the house, but could not find his way out. Since he did not ask for directions, there is no doubt it is a 'he'! He is still there, hopefully we will be able to send him off tomorrow morning. I am too scared to even switch on a ceiling fan today, what if he flies right to it? Meanwhile a lizard on the wall has checked him out from a distance. Luckily the lizard did not go too near or tease the bird too much, so they are both at peace now. Good night, dear bird!Update (4Apr) The bird promptly flew out of my house this morning the moment we opened all doors and windows. Goodbye!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Your favorite cartoon characters now speak Kannada!
Here is a blog that has famous cartoon strips translated to Kannada. Very unique and nice. Instead of doing a literal translation which screws up the humour completely (like most commercials on TV), this blog tries to be creative with the translated text. Names are also 'Kannada-fied'. Garfield becomes Govinda, Calvin is Keshava/Keshu and Wally, the famous co-worker of Dilbert becomes (I am not making this up!) Venkatachala!!
I am not sure how 'legal' these cartoons are, I am pretty sure they are violating some copyrights. Enjoy it while it lasts!
I am not sure how 'legal' these cartoons are, I am pretty sure they are violating some copyrights. Enjoy it while it lasts!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
All those who want to fly Air Deccan,
Please demand to see the plane with your own eyes before booking your ticket. Looks like sometimes Air Deccan can be just air. I think the best flying experience in India now-a-days is on Kingfisher airlines. I admire Vijay Mallya - because here is a guy who has money, is willing to spend it and knows how.
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