A new perception

Friday, April 07, 2006

Windows or Mac OS X

News that Mac users or shd i say loyalists had to wait for 3 decades to hear. Yes, the latest Mac users can now run Windows and Mac OS X on their Mac machines. So all those users who desisted from buying Macs because of compatibility issues can now plunge and gorge themselves on Macs while running the Windows OS as well. This is a comercially viable option for Apple and will help in increasing its PC market share from where it currently is --- 5%.

The move started when Jobs announced recently that Apple is moving away from IBM and will be running hence forth on INTEL chips. The pre-requisite(almost) for running Windows on Apple machines. All these developments come courtesy of a new, free program Apple released this week. "Boot Camp" makes what was once impossible, then extremely difficult to setup, easy: You can put a copy of Windows XP on a Mac, then choose to run either XP or Apple's Mac OS X at each start-up.

Now, How does this translate into revenue for the two giants? For Microsoft, it means that there will be more people shelling out money for its flagship Windows OS. If this phenomenon catches up and more and more people buy Mac mini or MacBook Pro with dual operating systems, then it opens up a market for MS that did not exist previously.
This is probably the boldest move by Apple till date, and this can mean only one thing. Bouyed by their success in their digital music market, they are trying to enter and gain a sizeable share of the Consumer PC market which is currently dominated by Industry leader Dell.

Finally, its no longer a case of "Do u want Mac OS X or Windows XP". Apple is game for both, and Microsoft is all smiles.
But users beware BSOD is on its way.

Irfan Pathan - The all rounder

Most all rounders in cricket take a while to settle down. Even some greats take a while to find their bearings in both departments. It is not often that the likes of Imran Khan, Kapil Dev and Ian Botham surface.
That is why, a talented youngster like Pathan is being labelled an all-rounder. In the mean while Pathanis doing nothing to prove that he is not a genuine all-rounder. Though he himself is playing down the all rounder tag, he is a person with immense potential. If he is groomed and taken care of (not burned out due to burden) then he is capable of becoming one of the top three allrounders in contemporary cricket. That is no mean task.
But there is a catch. All is well as long as he is scoring runs. But, sooner or later he will be out of form and will struggle for runs. The knives should not be out for him then. The best part about being an all rounder is the fact that they can contribute with both bat and ball. So, if and when he is out of form, then we should treat him as a genuine strike bowler. If we can make that switch in perception, then we can confidently say that Pathan is the next best thing to happen to Indian cricket - in terms of all-rounders - after Kapil paaji.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

The Greatest ODI

How many times have you seen this title online or in the newspaper?

"The greatest ODI". No, I am not trying to dispute the fact that this is the greatest ODI "till date". Most of what i read seem to suggest that it is the greatest ODI because of the amount of runs that were scored.

I feel the real reason why this is being labelled the greatest is because of the belief it would have given to players around the world that no target is beyond the reach (Though its not being written in as many words). Half the battle is lost if you go with an attitude that you cannot chase such a huge target. So, in that sense, this match will ensure that no team throws in the towel, before it is actually over.

But then, there is history to contend with. Is it the number of runs that were scored that decides which match is the greatest? Will everyone readily agree that this match is better than the Aus vs SA tied World cup semi final? In my book, that would still be right up there. What makes a contest thrilling is if there is an even balance between bat and ball. That was lacking in jo'berg. It was powerplay all the way with the ball being dispatched all over the park, faster than Fedex can dispatch its priority mail.

And finally some of the greatest Test matches have been low scoring or the average innings score would be around the 300 mark. So, probably a few decades down the line, this match will still be in the record books for being the highest scoring match, but i would happily trade this match for a more thrilling cliff hanger that provides a more even contest between bat and ball.
After all, i dont like bowlers to be slaughtered, nor discourage youngsters to take up bowling.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Paradigm shift...

Imagine you're in London's Heathrow Airport. While you're waiting for your flight, you notice a kiosk selling shortbread cookies.You buy a box, put them in your traveling bag and then you patiently search for an available seat so you can sit down and enjoy your cookies. Finally you find a seat next to a gentleman. You reach down into your traveling bag and pull out your box of shortbread cookies.

As you do so, you notice that the gentleman starts watching you intensely. He stares as you open the box and his eyes follow your hand as you pick up the cookie and bring it to your mouth. Just then he reaches over and takes one of your cookies from the box, and eats it! You're more than a little surprised at this. Actually, you're at a loss for words. Not only does he take one cookie,but he alternates with you. For every one cookie you take, he takes one. Now, what's your immediate impression of this guy?

Crazy? Greedy? He's got some nerve?! Can you imagine the words you might use to describe this man to your associates back at the office?

Sunday, March 12, 2006

A cup of coffee please

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, just remember the mayonnaise jar and the coffee...

A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar slightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course the sand filled up[Joey's Comments] everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "YES".

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now" said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things. Your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions...things that if everything else is lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else - the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first, "he continued, "There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get a medical checkup. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the screen door. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and asked what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked, " he said. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

The people who make a difference in your life

You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read this straight
through and you'll get the point. It is trying to make a nice point.

Here's the quiz:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best
actor/actresses.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The facts are, none of us remember the headliners of
yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in
their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are
forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you

Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are
not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most
awards. They are the ones that care, that love and that affect you in
their own subtle way. YOU are one for me. Pass this on to those people
who have made a difference in your life. "Don't worry about the world
coming to an end today......It's already tomorrow in Australia."