Archive for August, 2007
KISS – Keep It Simple Software
Posted by stephen.lobo in For the Tech Savvy on August 29th, 2007
Most of us feel like total idiots when we use standard software. Using high end software makes us feel like morons. Until we get used to it. Feeling like morons, that is. But, just a minute. If I can’t use a television or the fridge, the designer is the idiot. If I can’t use software, I’m the idiot. And this is true whether the software is in the mobile, or the PC or t
he VCR. The truth is, the idiot is the software designer. People like me, and for that I apologize. We have gotten used to people accepting what they get and hence have not been pushed enough to design better software.
There are 2 principal problems with computers and software. The first is our understanding and the second our expectations. Think about this. In schools computer class implies teaching usage of the computer. If I suggested, 2 years of Geography should revolve around reading the map, you’d laugh. But we have no problem with our kids spending 2 years learning to use the computer. The same kids who teach us how to use our mobile and other futuristic gadgets. This leads all of us to start believing in the superiority of the PC, and treat it with almost God like reverence.
Open Source Cola…
Posted by kurund.jalmi in Did you know? on August 29th, 2007
Being a Open Source developer, i know a bit about Open Source code. This is the first time i heard Open Source concept used besides software. OpenCola is the first of its kind. Now you will be able to make your own Cola. Probably this is the first recipe that has been released under GNU license
In future i would like to see other people making their stuff Open Source. Because i believe that if a product is for the community then it should have equal rights to modify and contribute for that product. Open Source is the way to go for the future.
Some interesting links that i found on this topic.
http://www.colawp.com/colas/400/cola467_recipe.html
http://everythingelse.wordpress.com/2007/02/18/opencola-open-source-coca-cola/
Originally Posted at : http://kurund.blogspot.com
The Little Brownlings
Posted by purva.agarwal in Life's like this on August 29th, 2007
Yeah……that’s the name I have coined for the “little champions†who are so ubiquitous in India. They are spread across the country glut of them. Any parts of the country with a little hustle and there they are to mark their attendance…â€our cute little soldiersâ€.But unfortunately we have into us an attitude of insensitivity and casualness towards “ the street champsâ€.
Until recently, the shabby half clad kid wit that impish smile who comes running to the car,moment the lights go red, always pulled a string in my heart(missing a beat at the pathos),eyes would inevitably well up, heart and brain in collaboration would jeer up to do something for “the little oneâ€.
But we do put rest to our thoughts by accepting it as their fate. Their presence has become as normal as vehicles on the roads, pedestrians on the pavements, the policemen at the signals…..so are the kids seeking alms (“all a part of the trafficâ€.)
The presence of such a huge mass has infused into us a degree of callousness.
Ironically, all of us feel bad for “the juniors†but at the same time always show them a gesture of “aage jao!â€â€¦it’s a reflex action now…… that’s the ridiculous heights of paradox we have reached.
I’m guilty of it…we all are….
Because it is not their fate….if they are on the roads today one of us or may be all of are responsible for them.