I have been spending more time lately interviewing new college graduates to hire into our company. Especially, the computer majors from the 2nd tier cities. We made a conscious decision to explore the talent from these cities. Indeed, we met a few really good talent in those cities.

However, we discovered there is a gap between what the industry requires and what the students know. Irrespective of where the students are from. The gap is not necessarily in the IQ of the candidates. We found these students to be extremely good with aptitude and theory they have been taught in the course. Companies today assess what the students have done beyond their course and what are their interests.

So if you are currently a student, here are some tips to prepare yourself to get hired into your dream job.

Be curious and learn the fundamentals
Start with your PC at home. Assemble it on your own over a weekend, have you dual booted your computer with more than one OS? How about customizing different OS with some hacks? Sure, you will get into some issues but that is how you will learn how it all works. There are tons of websites that talk about latest technologies. Ensure you follow them regularly to be on top of it.

Get your hands dirty by working on the technology
Note I mention that you need to work on the technology rather than just “know” it. Many of the students we interview, just know the “buzzwords” and try to explain what it does rather what they have done with that software or technology. Organizations need the employees who are really hands-on (especially the freshers).

There is no reason for you to not work on the latest software or technology available in the world today. In these days of development on the cloud, all you need is a computer and a decent Internet connection. Most other computing infrastructure, tutorials, IDEs etc that you need are available online for free. Download them and you are on your way to work on them.

Build or participate in the user groups
Linux, python, ruby on rails or name your favorite technology. Look for the user groups in your college or city and join them. If none exists that you are interested-in, build one in your college. You will learn and discover faster about a technology by interacting with others who have similar interests. BarCamp is another valuable forum to know what is new in the world of technology and ideas to use them.

Contribute to an Open Source project
The advantage of contributing to an Open Source project, it gives you the experience of working in a diverse team. Though, all of the team members are contributing to the project from different places around the world. Contributing to an Open Source project may seem daunting at first, but it is not so tough.

Lastly, make sure you regularly follow the websites of the companies that you dream about working. This is one of the sure ways to impress the interview panel with your knowledge about the company. Best of luck!

Its not surprising that the reason it does not get implemented is because of procrastination.  It is rarely a technical limitation. We get caught up in so many other things that we forget prototyping the idea and then getting it to the finish line . That has been true with me as well. I think Seth Godin has got this right in this video. Its all about “Quieting the lizard brain”. As he mentions in the video, it is a simple idea but tough to embrace. But one will only know if a idea will work after it is prototyped.

Some of the things I will strive to do this year

Write down every small Idea I come up with and add a deadline to prototype

Prototype the idea and figure out if its worth pursuing the idea to the finish

Finish in time (as Seth Godin says “ship” in time)

After the computer guy finally reached home, plugged in all the components and switched ON the computer. We all saw the then famous Windows 95 logo boot up and presented us a blank desktop. Then came the testing of the “Internet”. Telephone line plugged into the D-link dialup modem (maximum speed of 33.6Kbps),  modem drivers configured and dialed the VSNL number to connect. We were welcomed with a tone that sounded more like a phone line gone bad. The computer guy configured the Outlook Express for dad and then said “Its all ready now Sir”.

I was not so impressed with the computer after finding there was no action packed games in them. Later that night, Dad sat next to me and explained what is email and how to use it. The first “website” that I accessed was Yahoo and there was no looking back.

It is not a secret anymore that Internet addiction is real for most of us and there is hardly anything that comes close it. Also, there is no doubt the Internet will have much longer life though the way it will be accessed and for what purposes will change quite rapidly.

I have realized that the only time I feel like doing something other than work is during the thanksgiving holidays and in the month of December.

As for the future of this blog, I plan to use it for my rants and opinions about anything under the sun. I will *not* be posting any new guitar chords in this blog. That might sound strange for the guitar chord fans as you are the majority of my readers. But maintaining a guitar chords site does need a lot of time and effort. And when I do have it at my disposal, will start an exclusive blog on guitar lessons, chords and everything about it.

That said, I have a few plans to use this blog and you should see more active me in here in the near future.

Here is how I configure a wireless router every time I setup a wireless network.

Change the Default Administrator Username and Password
Firstly, this is just good practice for ALL hardware and software. The default passwords are easily obtained and because so many people do not bother to take the simple step of changing them they are usually what hackers try first. Changed the default password on the router to a complex one.

Disable SSID broadcast
Service Set Identifier (SSID) is a name used to identify a wireless network.  Though disabling SSID broadcast does not provide in-depth security, it does help protect from worms, viruses that spread by scanning for broadcast SSIDs. Also, it acts as a first level of protection against casual wireless network scanners.

Note: SSID broadcast needs to be enabled every time a new client needs to connect to the network. Though MS Windows has an option to say “Connect to the network even if it is not broadcasting”, it does not connect the first time a client is configured to connect to the wireless router. Once configured a client will automatically connect to the wireless network even when the SSID is disabled.

Restrict access by MAC address
My friend uses a laptop and desktop at home.  Configured the router to allow *only* the MAC addresses of this laptop and desktop to connect to the network.

Use WPA2-PSK encrytion
Obiviously, did not want to use WEP for its weaknesses. WPA2-PSK is the best available option and has Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) . WPA2-PSK stands for Wifi Protected Access version 2 – Pre Shared Key.  Configured a tough to guess or crack network key.

Note: If you use Windows XP with SP2 on it, chances are that WPA2 support might not be available on it yet. Install the Microsoft Patch KB893357 to have Windows XP support WPA2.

Disable default remote administration settings
Restricted the wireless router admin console to be  accessed only from IP address of the Desktop (through the wired connection) .

What other steps do you usually take to securely configure a wireless network?

Hope that helps if you have been planning to buy a new domain.

Well anyways, I wanted to attend this conference to get my hands on the device, see how it looks and feels like to have one.

If you did not know already, there are two versions of the Kindle.  Kindle with 6 inch display, wireless works globally and the Kindle DX (DX stands for Deluxe) which has a 9.7 inch display, works on wireless in US.

I got to play with it for about 10 minutes and here is my opinion about the Kindle especially if you are going to use it in India.

I clicked a few snaps of the Kindle through my phone. It can be viewed on my flickr photostream here

First, the good part:

No Glare: Kindle uses the E-ink technology that does not strain the eyes and works quite differently from,  say a LCD screen.  I never got to test it but I believe one can read it with full sunshine on the device.

Free Wireless: It supports 3G where available or switches to 2.5G. Basically, wherever you have EDGE available you can use the kindle to download the books through wireless from the Amazon store. The wireless connectivity is completely free. The end-user will have no interaction with the wireless service provider. It is all taken care by Amazon. India, I believe Amazon has tied up with Vodafone.

Takes a minute to get a book: Ordering a book and getting it all happens within 60 seconds. This of course, depending on what connection you are on.

Highlight or add notes: I found this quite useful. I could highlight a text or add notes to a particular word or sentence. Searching through the text is easier too.

Light in weight: The kindle weighs about 284 grams and its sleek. It feels like holding a 25 page hard bound notebook.

Built-in PDF reader: If you have got e-books downloaded (in pdf format) from a source other than the Amazon store, you can still read it in the kindle with its pdf reader.

Stores a lot of books: Can store about 1500 books. This should be enough for most (if not all) readers. Even for the voracious readers.

Not just books: You are not limited to read just books on the Kindle. You can subscribe to newspapers, magazines or periodicals and even blogs. I saw Indian Express and India Today on it. I am sure there will be more Indian publications on it sooner or later.

Before I go about listing the issues I saw with it. I would like to make sure that due credit is given to Amazon and its Kindle team. They have really worked hard to get this device out in the market in the current form.  In fact, Kindle and all the other ebook readers are solving a real tough challenge in transitioning the traditional book readers to go the e-way.

Now for the downside or I would like to call it enna Kindle(ah)?^[1] points.

Cost: The 6″ Kindle has a MRP of USD 259.  The order to India would cost more than that because of the duty and other taxes. I see this as a major hurdle for the Kindle to be successful in India. I do not see a lot of book readers shelling out Rs.12,500 (without the duty) to just get started off on reading. Over that, it costs another $9.99 (Rs.450) to read a new bestseller. Prices might or read as *will* come down over time but not so drastically.

Only gray-scale display: Currently, the E-ink technology that Kindle is based on supports only gray-scale. So you can not enjoy a pretty, colored picture on a book or newspaper.

No book sorting or categorizing: It does not provide the feature of categorizing books you bought. For example, you cannot separate out the fiction and non-fiction  books into different categories on the Kindle display.

Issues with scroll on PDFs: Scroll while reading a PDF is not page wise. Rather it is just a arbitrary scroll. I got the same text I read already displayed after clicking the scroll button.

No full-fledged browser: Kindle comes with an “experimental” browser that allows users in India to browse limited set of websites like Wikipedia.  I believe the reason being, Kindle is marketed or to be used as a ebook reader rather than a  Internet browsing device. Today, I carry around a Smart-phone and a laptop while on the road.  But not too long ago, I had a mp3 player on that list as well. With the smart phone I got rid of the mp3 player. Now, I read the latest news and listen to my MP3 on my smartphone while travelling. So if the Kindle is going to be used only to read books, that is another device to my travel list.

Security: Though the guy in the commercial (we were shown in the conference) pocketed the Kindle into his Jersey. With the hot weather in India, hardly anyone would wear a Jacket with a long pocket. So carrying it around should be in a bag else people are sure to lose it. So if one loses the Kindle, anyone can subscribe to a number of books and the owner will be billed for it. One of the attendees asked that question to the presenter, the answer given was “It is like a credit card, anyone can misuse it if one loses it”. Well, my argument is that the Kindle is not so small to be kept in a back pocket.

The Verdict:

If the question is if I would buy a Kindle or any other ebook reader device? No, I do not think a device can yet give me the same feeling of reading a hard copy book.  But that said, may be I will buy a device which does not strain my eyes while staring at it for long that also works as a:

1. Ebook reader
2. Lighter and compact Internet browsing device
3. Music player
4. Cell phone

T-Shirt Giveaway:

I got a T-Shirt at the Conference that does not fit me. It is a white T-shirt of size “L” (they did not have XL size) and has “Amazon Kindle Chennai” written on it in black. You can view the picture of it here. If you like to have it just contact me.

BACK TO POST enna kindle(ah)? or pronounced as kin-da-la? in Tamil means asking a person “are you joking?” :). This is all in good humor, no offense meant.

If someone is able to perform this solo or with another person. I would be interested to listen or see it. Do send in your recorded audio or video to prathap AT prathapr DOT info. I will post it on the site.

Note: Playing this in bar chords makes it sound better than open chords.  So try to play this in bar chords.

Strumming Pattern goes like: |D D|D U D| |D D| D U D|

(D) Noor e khuda
(G) hoo hooohoo
(D) Noor e khuda
(G) hoo hooohoo
(A) hoo hoohoo
(D) Noor e khuda

(G) Ajnabi mod (D) hain
(G) Kauf Har aur (D) hain
(A) Har Nazar pe (G) dhuan Cha (D) gaya
(A) Pal Bhar mein (G) jane kya kho (D) gaya

(G) hmmm Aasmaan Sard (D) hai
(G) Aahein bhi Sard (D) hai
(A) Kab se Sayaa (G) Juda ho (D) gaya
(A) Hmmm Pal bhar mein (G) jane kya kho (D) gaya

(G) Saans ruk si (F#) gayi
(Bm) Jism chil sa (E) gaya
(C) Tutte khawabon ke manzar (A) pe tera jahan chal (D) diya

(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Tu kahan chupa hai hamein yeh (G) bata
(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Yun na humse nazrein (G) phira

(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Tu kahan chupa hai hamein yeh (G) bata
(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Yun na humse nazrein (G)  phira
(D) Noor e khuda

Ho (D) Nazrein Karam (Gm) Farma hi (D) de
Ohoho (D)deeno dharam (Gm) ko jaga hi (D) de

(D) Ho chalti hui (A) tanhaiyan
(D) Ruthi hui (A) parchaiyan
(D) Kaisi udii yeh (G) hawa
(D) Chaya yeh kaisa (G) sama

(G) Rooh jam si (F#) gayi
(Bm) Waqt tham sa (E) gaya
(C) Tutte khawabon ke manjar (A) pe tera jahan chal (D) diya

(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Tu kahan chupa hai hamein yeh (G) bata
(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Yun na hamse nazrein (G) phira
(D) Noor e khuda

Shreya Ghoshal
==========
(D) Aa aaaa
(G) aa aaaa
(G) Ga Ma Pa Niii (A) Sa (G) Da
Aaaa (A) aaa..aaa (D) aa….

(D) ujdhe lamho ko (Bm) aas teri
(D) Zakhmi dilo kyon hai (G) pyaas teri
(D) Har dhadkan (C) to talash teri
(A#) Tera milta nahi hai (D) pata

(D) Khali aankhein khud se (G) sawal karein
(D) Aman ki cheekh (G) behaal karein
(D) Behta lahoo (C) fariyaad karein
(A#) Tera mitta chala hai (D) nishan

(G) Rooh jam si (F#) gayi
(Bm) Waqt tham sa (E) gaya
(C) Tutte khawabon ke manzar (A) pe tera jahan chal (D) diya

(D) Noor e khuda, (D) Noor e khuda
(D) Tu kahan chupa hai hamein yeh (G) bata
(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda

http://prathapr.info

(D) Yun na humse nazrein (G) phira
(D) Noor e khuda

(D) Noor e khuda, (D) Noor e khuda
(D) Aaj kal tu kahan hai yeh (G) bata
(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Aaj kal tu kahan hai yeh (G) bata
(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Aaj kal tu kahan hai yeh (G) bata
(D) Noor e khuda, (A) Noor e khuda
(D) Aaj kal tu kahan hai yeh (G) bata hoo hoohoo
(D) Noor e khuda

Now, coming to how to play this song on the guitar. I am sure you can play this song if you can play Papa Kehte Hain. It has simple chords and easy strumming pattern.

Note: I will be regularly putting up more guitar chords on this site of both new and old songs. Be the first to get the latest update by subscribing to my RSS feed here. If you would like to get the updates directly to your email, you can subscribe with your email ID too through the link provided on the site.

Chords used in this song:

G – 320003

C – x32010

D – xx0232

Em – 022000

Am – x02210

Intro: Strum individual strings from the 6th to the 1st string holding G and C chords.

G…..C x 2

Strumming Pattern: |D D D| |D U U D D|

Mukhda

=======

(G) Jaane yeh kya hua (C), (G)jaane ye kya (C) hua

(G) Hum dono (Em) ka yun milna, (C) aise paas (G) aana

(G) Jaane ye kya hua (C),  (G) jaane ye kya (C) hua

(G) Ab har pal (Em) anjaana hai, (C) dekho hona haiii (D) aur (G) kya

(G) Jaane kyun (Em) lagta hai (C) dheere se haule se geet koi (D) dil hain gaa (G) raha Oh ho..

(G)Jaane kyun (Em) lagta hai (C) ab jaise har lamha har pal hai(D) muskura (G) raha

(G) Jaane kyun (Em) lagta hai (C) dheere se haule se geet koi (D) dil hai gaa (G) raha….. Oh ho

(G)Jaane kyun (Em) lagta hai (C) ab jaise har lamha har pal (D) hai muskura (G) raha

Antara 1:
=======
(G)Tumhe hai pata (Am) maine pehli baar (C) jo dekha (G) tumhe

(G) Mujhe ye lagaa, (Am) chahun bhi toh kaise paa (C) sakoonga (G) tumhe

(G) Woh (C) sapna tha (D) ek din toh, (C) main hoon, tum ho,

Tum (G) dheere se bolo, tumko apna maana (Em) hai,

(C) Dekho hona hai (D) aur (G) kya

(G) Jaane kyun (Em) lagta hai (C) dheere se haule se geet koi (D) dil hai gaa (G) raha Oh ho..

(G)Jaane kyun (Em) lagta hai (C) ab jaise har lamha har pal (D) hai muskura (G) raha

Originally posted on: http://prathapr.info

Antara 2:
=======
(G) Kahoon kya bhala, (Am) tumhi ko toh main (C) chahata hoon… su (G) no

(G) Tumhe jo mila (Am) maine jaana main bhi (C) zindaa hoon… su (G) no

(G) Kahoon main kya (C) tumko, (D) main hoon, tum ho,

Bas (G) itna sun lo, tum pe koi deewana (Em) hai,

(C) Hona hai (D) aur (G) kya

(G) Jaane ye kya hua (C), (G) jaane ye kya (C) hua

(G) Ab har pal (Em) anjaana hai, (C) dekho hona hai aur (G) kya

[(G)Jaane kyun (Em) lagta hai (C) dheere se haule se geet koi (D) dil hai gaa (G) raha]

Tum ho toh from the movie Rock On.

All the chords are open chords and I am sure anyone (or most of them) can sing it better than Farhan Akhtar :).

I find slower songs always easier to play with chords. Try it out and let me know how it goes.

Chords used in this song:

C -  x32010

Dm – xx0231

G – 320033

Bb/A# – x03331

Bm – x044322

Em – 022000

F – xx3211

Am – x02210

Strumming Pattern: | D x| x D | DUDU |

C C
Tum ho toh……gata hai dil

Dm G
Tum nahin, toh geet kahan

C C

Tum ho toh, hai sab hasil

Dm G

Tum nahin, toh kya hai yahan

Bb Am Bm Em

Tum ho toh hai, sapno ke jaisa hasin

F C
Ek samaa

G E
Jo tum ho toh, yeh lagtha hai

Am F
Ke mil gayi har khushi

G E
Jo tum na ho, yeh lagtha hai

Am F
Ke har khushi mein hai kami

G G
Tumko hai mangthi

C Am
Yeh zindagii….

F
Huuuuu……

C                    A#                          C

Oh ho oh ho oh ho ho ho ohh……
C C
Tum ho toh, rahein bhi hai

Dm G
Tum nahin, toh rastein kahan
C C
Tum ho toh, yahan sab bhi hai

Dm G
Tum nahin, toh kaun yahan

Bb Am
Tum ho toh hai, har ek pal meharban

F             C
Yeh jahan

G E
Jo tum ho tho, hawa mein bhi

Am F
Mohabaton ka raang hai

G E
Jo tum na ho, toh phir koi

Am             F
Na josh na umang hai

G             G
Tum mile toh mili

C Am
Yeh zindagii…iii….

F C

Oh ho oh ho oh ho ho ho ohh……