. Tech And Love...

A Drive to Remember

2013-04-15T11:05:00.000+05:30

Ever drive a Gallardo - I just did. And here's the picture log! The bucket list is one down!

Much A'do to Do

2011-08-25T17:04:00.000+05:30

I want to do. I really want to do. I want to do it to my hearts content. I want to do it till I feel I don't want to do it anymore. The problem is, I don't know what I want to do. All I think is I want to do something that breaks this monotony that has burdened every moment of my non existential, non essential, non romantic, passionless, pathetic life. I just want to do it. And no, I don't want to know your suggestions. One thing that has saved me is my curiosity. I will find out what I want to do myself. So no suggestions. You are always welcome to give me money though.

Samsung Galaxy XCOVER

2011-08-14T15:06:00.002+05:30

Galaxy Xcover is the name Samsung has give to its new Rugged Smartphone. This is the company's first Smartphone based on
android and it is aimed mostly at commuters and sports enthusiasts.

The Smartphone runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread and has a 3.64" touchscreen made of tempered glass. It can survive for upto 30 minutes underwater, 1 meter deep, along with a 3.2 megapixel camera with LED Flash, which can be doubled up as a torch.

Following are the Specs..so bowl youself over. I am not sure whether the pricing is out yet.

GENERAL	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 900 / 2100
	Announced	2011, August
	Status	Coming soon. Exp. release 2011, October

SIZE	Dimensions	-
SIZE	Weight	-

DISPLAY	Type	Capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
	Size	-, 3.65 inches
		- Gorilla Glass display - TouchWiz UI - Multi-touch input method - Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate - Touch-sensitive controls - Proximity sensor for auto turn-off

SOUND	Alert types	Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
	Loudspeaker	Yes
	3.5mm jack	Yes

MEMORY	Phonebook	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Call records	Practically unlimited
	Card slot	microSD, up to 32GB

DATA	GPRS	Yes
	EDGE	Yes
	3G	HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot
	Bluetooth	Yes, with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0 microUSB

CAMERA	Primary	3.2 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, LED flash
	Features	Geo-tagging
	Video	Yes
	Secondary

FEATURES	OS	Android OS, v2.3 (Gingerbread)
	Messaging	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Mail, IM, RSS
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
	Games	Yes
	Colors	Gray
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS support
	Java	Yes, via Java MIDP emulator
		- IP67 certified - dust and water proof (up to 1m for 30 mins) - Digital compass - Social networking integration - MP4/H.264/H.263 player - MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player - Organizer - Image/video editor - Document editor (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF) - Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Calendar, Google Talk, Picasa integration - Voice memo/dial/commands - Predictive text input (Swype)

BATTERY		Standard battery, Li-Ion
	Stand-by
	Talk time

Spectacular Auto Parts Art!

2011-08-12T23:51:00.000+05:30

The Images have been sourced from a mail I recieved the other day. And these do look spectacular!!

Blackberry Bold 9900 Unboxing!!

2011-08-12T19:08:00.000+05:30

Android : Forwarding a Selected Contacts' calls to Voice Mail

2011-08-12T12:08:00.001+05:30

(For HTC Sense, See the next paragraph.)

Go to Contacts,

Select and Hold a Contact name. Press edit contact.

Go Down the edit menu. Select Incoming Calls>Menu>Done.

For HTC Sense

Go to Contact List > Contact Name > Send to Voice Mail > OK

and you are done.....!!!

Android Touch/KeyPad Shortcuts

2011-08-11T12:24:00.001+05:30

Browser Shortcuts

Zoom in Menu + I

Zoom out Menu + O

Find on page Menu + F

Open browser settings Menu + S

View browsing history Menu + H

Open Windows menu Menu + W

Go to home page Menu + Enter

Page down Spacebar

Page up Shift + Spacebar

Open bookmarks Menu + B

Go back a page Menu + J

Go forward a page Menu + K

Reload current page Menu + R

Text Input Shortcuts

Delete character to the right Shift + Del

Delete an entire line Alt + Del

Copy text Menu + C

Activate Caps Lock Shift + Shift (double press). Press once more to turn it off.

Move cursor to beginning of line Alt + Trackball Left

Move cursor to end of line Alt + Trackball Right

Paste text Menu + V

Move cursor to bottom of page Alt + Trackball Down

Highlight text for copying or cutting Shift + Trackball Left/Right/Up/Down

Select all text in the current field Menu + A

Undo Menu + Z

Delete character to the left Del

Move cursor to top of page Alt + Trackball Up

Application Shortcuts

Open Google Maps Search + M

Open Calendar Search + I

Open Music Search + P

Open YouTube Search + Y

Open Text Messaging Search + S

Open Contacts Search + C

Open Browser Search + B

Open Gmail Search + G

Open Email Search + E

You can customize these shortcuts and add your own from Settings > Applications > Quick launch.

Gmail Shortcuts

Jump to top of Inbox Alt + Trackball Up

Jump to bottom of Inbox Alt + Trackball Down

Reply (works only when the message is opened) R

Forward (works only when the message is opened) F

Reply-all (works only when the message is opened) A

Archive message Y

Compose new email Menu + C

Open email (from the main Inbox) Enter

Refresh Inbox Menu + U

Scrolling Shortcuts

Page down Spacebar

Jump to top of list Alt + Trackball Up

Page up Shift + Spacebar

Jump to end of list Alt + Trackball Down

Google Maps Shortcuts

Select map mode Menu + M

Directions Menu + D

My Location Menu + 0

History Menu + H

Zoom in Menu + I

Settings Menu + P

Zoom out Menu + O

August 11'11 : Pic of the Day

2011-08-11T12:08:00.000+05:30

The famous Sombrero galaxy (M104) is a bright nearby spiral galaxy. The prominent dust lane and halo of stars and globular clusters give this galaxy its name. Something very energetic is going on in the Sombrero's center, as much X-ray light has been detected from it. This X-ray emission coupled with unusually high central stellar velocities cause many astronomers to speculate that a black hole lies at the Sombrero's center - a black hole a billion times the mass of our Sun.

This file is in the public domain because it was created by NASA and ESA. Hubble material is copyright-free and may be freely used as in the public domain without fee, on the condition that NASA and ESA is credited as the source of the material.

The Wan't to but Can't Syndrome.

2011-08-11T00:20:00.000+05:30

This is what i call my condition when ...well when I am feeling like right now. Right now, I have got 3 great post ideas, and my writing schedule also demands that i write at least 1 post right now...but i can't (this post doesn't count because its about nothing).
I have had a full work day..where technically i logged in 100% of effort but I know i would have done more. Yeah...you guys can call me a moron but i do like to work...at work. Sometimes after work too.... okay..what I was coming on is that i had to write something, and i got ideas...and i really want to, but in reality...i can't. You can call it me hitting a wall. And if you are feeling like I wasted your time....and if you want to break that wall and hit me with one of its bricks...don't even think about if for one more second...because if you do...i will personally take it on myself to pay you a visit amd make sure you believe that it was the worst day of your pathetic life...until we meet again!!
And if you feel pity for me...well you all have the right to get depressed..that way atleast some of the shrinks i know would get some of their med school fees recovered.
Speaking of depressed, if you are then you too must be suffering fom the very same Wan't to but Can't syndrome. You want not to be depressed but you can't not be depressed!
One of my solutions is to write something like this. And no, it doesn't help you by venting out you feelings. For me, the satisfaction that there will be some losers (dear reader, don't mind...but you Can't not mind...so mind as well) who will actually read this is already bringing my smile back.
So signing off with a smile....Good Night..
(also
IF Your-Work-Day-Begins-Now = True
AND YOU-GOT-SHITTY-BOSS = TRUE
HAVE-A-VERY-BAD-DAY
)

How To Publish a Blogger Post through Mail.

2011-08-10T16:47:00.001+05:30

I have been wondering whether a way existed to publish a post while away from from your Desktop or even laptop. The i went through some other blogs and heard/read people talking about publishing through mobile SMS's and EMails. I have personally never been in favor of spreading my mobile no. Add to that the SMS word limit imposed by the operators and its no more a viable blog posting option!
Now...coming to the EMail Version...its easy......especially if you got a smartphone. And definitely cheaper than SMS or MMS. And the fact that you can do it sitting in your bathroom, or in a flights washroom makes it horribly attractive!
So i thought why not do this from my phone!!
So here's how its supposed to be done. If you are reading this..I have been successful in the endeavor.
So this is what you need to do.
Log In to Blogger Account, Settings, Email and Mobile Tab.
Enter a secretword as asked on the page. This, along with your User Id will form a mail address.
Lets say your User id is : SensitiveBlogger
Secretword you select is AAA
Then the mail id would be SensitiveBlogger.AAA@blogger.com
You can select the post options here too...whether you want the post to be published immeediately or to be saved as a draft. You can't schedule the publish time here. So now you are done with the settings part.
Now go to any email account you have access to, put the blog topic as subject and the content as mail body. Now send it to the mail id you creeated with your secretword and voila...you are done.#

August 10'11 : Pic of the Day

2011-08-10T12:08:00.000+05:30

Bacterial cells of Staphylococcus aureus, which is one of the causal agents of mastitis in dairy cows. Its large capsule protects the organism from attack by the cow's immunological defenses.

This image was taken at 50,000X magnification of a freeze dried replication sample

This image is in the public domain.

August 9'11 : Pic of the Day

2011-08-10T00:04:00.000+05:30

Electron scan micrography of Aceria anthocoptes.

Original caption reads: "The Rust Mite (Aceria anthocoptes), a potential biological control agent of the weed, Canada Thistle

This image is in the public domain. Research Agency : United States Department of Agriculture.

Best Ever Programming Quotes!

2011-08-08T22:15:00.000+05:30

1.The only "best practice" you should be using all the time is Use Your Brain

2.Programmers who don't code in their spare time for fun, will never become as good as those that do.

3.Yeah sometimes the dragons are everywhere.

4.Fuck You Sire.

5.Happy Night Out.

6.Mutual Recursion.

7.Abandon all hope, ye who enter here

8.Since this file is loaded on every page, and since I want the following function on every page, I'm going to cheat and include it here even though it has nothing to do with the other things in this file. If you don't like it, bite me!

9.Single bit errors are detected and corrected. Double bit errors are detected. Undetected errors are ignored

10.Out of memory. Call John M_____ at x555, and tell him to order another 16K

August 8'11 : Pic of the Day

2011-08-08T19:56:00.000+05:30

April 16, 1997, on board USS Benfold (DDG-65) The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Benfold fires its 5″/54 MK 45 gun during routine training operations off the coast of Southern California. The MK 45 provides surface combatants with accurate naval gunfire against fast, highly maneuverable surface targets, air threats and shore targets.

The image is in the public domain.

Mac OS X Shortcuts!!

2011-05-29T02:06:00.000+05:30

Here are some MAC OS X Shortcuts you might find useful!!

Key or key combination	What it does
Option	Display all bootable volumes (Startup Manager)
Shift	Perform Safe Boot (start up in Safe Mode)
C	Start from a bootable disc (DVD, CD)
T	Start in FireWire target disk mode
N	Start from NetBoot server
X	Force Mac OS X startup (if non-Mac OS X startup volumes are present)
Command-V	Start in Verbose Mode
Command-S	Start in Single User Mode

Finder keyboard shortcuts

Key combination	What it does
Command-A	Select all items in the front Finder window (or desktop if no window is open)
Option-Command-A	Deselect all items
Shift-Command-A	Open the Applications folder
Command-C	Copy selected item/text to the Clipboard
Shift-Command-C	Open the Computer window
Command-D	Duplicate selected item
Shift-Command-D	Open desktop folder
Command-E	Eject
Command-F	Find any matching Spotlight attribute
Shift-Command-F	Find Spotlight file name matches
Option-Command-F	Navigate to the search field in an already-open Spotlight window
Shift-Command-G	Go to Folder
Shift-Command-H	Open the Home folder of the currently logged-in user account
Command-I	Get Info
Option-Command-I	Show Inspector
Control-Command-I	Get Summary Info
Shift-Command-I	Open iDisk
Command-J	Show View Options
Command-K	Connect to Server
Shift-Command-K	Open Network window
Command-L	Make alias of the selected item
Command-M	Minimize window
Option-Command-M	Minimize all windows
Command-N	New Finder window
Shift-Command-N	New folder
Option-Command-N	New Smart Folder
Command-O	Open selected item
Shift-Command-Q	Log Out
Option-Shift-Command-Q	Log Out immediately
Command-R	Show original (of alias)
Command-T	Add to Sidebar
Shift-Command-T	Add to Favorites
Option-Command-T	Hide Toolbar / Show Toolbar in Finder windows
Shift-Command-U	Open Utilities folder
Command-V	Paste
Command-W	Close window
Option-Command-W	Close all windows
Command-X	Cut
Option-Command-Y	Slideshow (Mac OS X 10.5 or later)
Command-Z	Undo / Redo
Command-1	View as Icon
Command-2	View as List
Command-3	View as Columns
Command-4	View as Cover Flow (Mac OS X 10.5 or later)
Command-, (Command and the comma key)	Open Finder preferences
Command-` (the Grave accent key--above Tab key on a US English keyboard layout)	Cycle through open Finder windows
Command-Shift-?	Open Mac Help
Option-Shift-Command-Esc (hold for three seconds) - Mac OS X v10.5, v10.6 or later only	Force Quit front-most application
Command-[	Back
Command-]	Forward
Command-Up Arrow	Open enclosed folder
Control-Command-Up Arrow	Open enclosed folder in a new window
Command-Down Arrow	Open highlighted item
Command-Tab	Switch application--cycle forward
Shift-Command-Tab	Switch application--cycle backward
Command-Delete	Move to Trash
Shift-Command-Delete	Empty Trash
Option-Shift-Command-Delete	Empty Trash without confirmation dialog
Spacebar (or Command-Y)	Quick Look (Mac OS X 10.5 or later)
Command key while dragging	Move dragged item to other volume/location (pointer icon changes while key is held--see this article)
Option key while dragging	Copy dragged item (pointer icon changes while key is held--see this article)
Option-Command key combination while dragging	Make alias of dragged item (pointer icon changes while key is held--seethis article)

Windows 7 - General Keyboard Shortcuts!!

2011-05-29T00:13:00.000+05:30

Here are a few of the shortcuts that you guys might find useful while working on Windows 7.

I have taken them from Microsoft websites and all of these are official!!

Press this key	To do this
F1	Display Help
Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)	Copy the selected item
Ctrl+X	Cut the selected item
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)	Paste the selected item
Ctrl+Z	Undo an action
Ctrl+Y	Redo an action
Delete (or Ctrl+D)	Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Shift+Delete	Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
F2	Rename the selected item
Ctrl+Right Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl+Left Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl+Down Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl+Up Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl+Shift with an arrow key	Select a block of text
Shift with any arrow key	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
Ctrl with any arrow key+Spacebar	Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl+A	Select all items in a document or window
F3	Search for a file or folder
Alt+Enter	Display properties for the selected item
Alt+F4	Close the active item, or exit the active program
Alt+Spacebar	Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Ctrl+F4	Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
Alt+Tab	Switch between open items
Ctrl+Alt+Tab	Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheel	Change the size of icons on the desktop
Windows logo key +Tab	Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Ctrl+Windows logo key +Tab	Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Alt+Esc	Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4	Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
Shift+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Ctrl+Esc	Open the Start menu
Alt+underlined letter	Display the corresponding menu
Alt+underlined letter	Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)
F10	Activate the menu bar in the active program
Right Arrow	Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left Arrow	Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
F5 (or Ctrl+R)	Refresh the active window
Alt+Up Arrow	View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
Esc	Cancel the current task
Ctrl+Shift+Esc	Open Task Manager
Shift when you insert a CD	Prevent the CD from automatically playing
Left Alt+Shift	Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled
Ctrl+Shift	Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled
Right or Left Ctrl+Shift	Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

Be sure to add anything that i have missed!

HTC Incredibe S - Freshness Review

2011-05-23T23:15:00.000+05:30

Apart from these, it has a standard proximity and light sensor, plus an accelerometer.

Courtsey HTC

The first looks beguile the phone being button less if you look at the black panel blow the Screen, HTC has adder a neat feature to this phone. The buttons are still there. They only have to be illuminated to be seen! Also there is that standard HTC LED behind the Speaker Grill that blinks green when you have got a main, a message or a missed call!

The same LED glows amber as if with delight when you put the device on charging.

Now most of you would say illuminated buttons are good..but whats so neat about them? Nothing, I would say! But with Incredible S, the buttons rotate when you rotate the screen to suit your orientation!

Also there have been some cosmetic changes to the format HTC has been following. Per say, the charging point is on the left, rather than right or bottom. That does make typing difficult while charging the device...but that only my view. Similar deviations have placed the headphone placed on the top(Good) instead of bottom and power/Standby on right, not left(bad for right handed users)

Also the contours on the back of the phone makes it more comfortable to hold. About the Speakers, they're are good, have decent performance, limited distortion at high volume but pretty great upto 80 % of the volume.

Now the back. Take off the battery cover (it doesn't seem strurdy though - so be careful). It houses a 1450mAh battery to power the behemoth Qualqamm 1 Ghz Snapdragon CPU and the Super LCD 4 Inches display.

The software set is all standard though there is a refined version of Android GingerBread 2.3 on the way

The Best and the most distinctive part is the HTC Sense. It stars with the Seven Customizable homescreens. The Sense is present in many of the preloaded applications: mail, contacts, FM Radio, navigation, Internet, news, weather and all. What it means is all of them have a slide interface. This allows you to switch between the different app screens with ease.

And the most gorgeous feature of all is that it integrates with the Cloud through HTCSense.com - for free!! this means you can remotely lock, manage, install and do a lot of stuff - even away from your phone.

I will do a detailed Camera and performance review of the same in a few days. Till then, keep sharing your view..

PS - its one of the best phones you can buy - if you have the moolah!

Iceland Eruptions : Grimsvotn Volcano Erupts

2011-05-22T14:50:00.000+05:30

Just after the Judgement Day, May 21, 2011 comes the news of Icelandic Volcanic eruption.And the news has created sort of a rage across the globe!

The current status indicates that Iceland's most active volcano, Gromsvotn, has started erupting - just over a year after another eruption on the North Atlantic Iceland put a stop to European Air Traffic for days.

Iceland's Meteorological office has confirmed that the eruptions begun accompanied by a series of minor earthquakes. The volcano lies under the VatnaJokull glacier in Iceland. The Volcanic smoke plumes were reported to be seen rising 12 miles into the sky from the volcano.

The eruption has resulted in a Ban being imposed on local flights, as the officials believe that the ash from the volcano could cause aircraft engines to fail, and that proximity to an erupting volcano might cause chaos among travellers.

The ban has been imposed on an area of 120 nautical miles (222KM) around Grinsvotn.

Sparsely populated Iceland is one of the world's most Volcanically active country, but due to low population density, the eruptions rarely cause any deaths.

The Grimcvotn Volcano had also erupted in 93, 96 and 98, eruption ranging from days to several weeks.

May 21, 2011 : The Judgement Day - Is it the Beginning of the End ?

2011-05-20T23:12:00.000+05:30

The evangelical Christian broadcaster predicting the Judgment day expects to sit by a TV while the apocalypse unfolds on May 21, 2011

Harold Camping and the Camping Family Radio have around 66 US Stations broadcasting in more than 66 languages through international affiliations. And he has Proposed 21 May, 2011 as the Day of Rapture, The Dooms Day. The supports of the argument have erected around 2500 Billboards across cities and States.

Image : Courtesy Wikipedia

The Argument

Several numerological arguments have been proposed by Camping in favor of May 21’st 2011 being the Day of Rapture.

Camping has been a civil engineer by training. As per him, he was extremely intrigued by numbers in Bible. “Why did God put this number in, or that number in”. It was not a question of unbelief – it was a question of “there must be a reason for it”.

The Argument Rationale

By 1970, the Great Flood was mapped by Camping to the year 4990 BC. Counting it with the Genesis 7:4

And with 2 Peter 3:8 (With the Lord, A day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like a day). He Rationales that the end of the world will begin in 2011 – 7000 years from 4990 BC

There are some other Rationales Proposed. Following is one of them:

1. Number 5 represents Atonement.

Number 10 equals Completeness.

Number 17 represents Heaven.

2. Christ is said to be hung on 33 A.D. April 1. It’s 1978 Years from 1 April 2011. That’s 722,499 Days.

3. Add 51 days to it and you get 722,500 – May 21, 2011.

Also (5 X 10 x 17)^2 equals 722,500

Camping has hinted that a global earthquake might mark the day when as per him, 3 % of the world population, the righteous ones, will be taken to heaven. The rest will remain to suffer the extremities of Oct 21, the day he identifies as one when God will destroy the worlds.

While the proposition has taken the world to frenzy, Harold Camping, 89, previously made a failed prediction that Jesus Christ would return to Earth in 1994. It might have failed.. Or who knows Jesus is among us. I don’t take any sides.

I just believe God is with us.

Comments invited.

Awaiting Pirates of The Caribbean - Stranger Tides (2011)

2011-05-18T21:49:00.000+05:30

What else Ted Elloitt and Terry Rossio (Screenplay, Character and Story) are up to this time. I have been waiting for this movie since i saw At World's End. Saw it in a Movie Hall with friends, revised it multiple times on my PC an then a couple of times on my Ipod.I was fabulous - reason - the Narcissistic Jack Sparrow and above all - the breathtakingly beautiful Keira Knightly!

Theatrical Release Poster. Source: Wikipedia

The series started when i was 18 - and here I am -still addicted to the plot. And now i am quarter of a century old! My wisdom tooth started growing with the release of Dead Man's Chest and the Pain subsided by At World's End. Black Pearl had been a mystery to me - and Jack Sparrow somewhat a early life Idol - that carefree attitude and that sense that keeps him always in control!! Did i forget Keira Knightly??

Trailer Taken from You Tube. Thank You You Tube!!

Now that the reality of my mediocrity has started settling in - it pains to be aware that i can't even dream of her (and the fact that i don't want to incur the wrath of -- lets say someone)

Lets see what trouble Jack Sparrow Spews this time...and believe me..the movie spells trouble. Logic? Its go Penelope Cruz idiots. If that doesn't say HOT...i don't know what will! And she plays the role of Sparrow's former love interest!! He He...Spicy!

Fun Fact - while previous Pirates were filed in the Caribbean Seas - this ones' got done in Hawaii. So its already fun written all over it. Lets see how many of you can spot the places you visited last vacation when you watch the movie!

Will get back to you once i get to see it.

Do write back if you are a fan of the series...or Keira!!

Top 10 Muscle Cars

2011-05-15T00:41:00.000+05:30

Ford Mustang Boss 429

In the top of the list I would put the most powerful, aggressive looking and high performance machine, Ford Mustang Boss 429 that was built in 1969. This was one of the most expensive cars of its class and the reason to build this machine was that Ford wanted to make its space in NASCAR.

64 Dodge Charger

Dodge Charger is a new Pontiac GTO and the striking Chevrolet Camaro concept. The Charger imitated the fastback style found by the Mustang and was a great success, selling more than 37,000 in the first year.

Shelby Cobra 427

The Shelby Cobra 427 built in 1966 was one of the most powerful and beautiful cars of that era. With the strong and rugged chassis of the Shelby Cobra it was loaded with powerful and high performance 480 bhp engine. It was designed more likely European sports cars but its muscle was enough to prove it an American machine. This muscle car was sold in 2007 for $5.5 million USD.

Pontiac GTO – The Judge 1969

It was considered as the first true muscle car. It had a very powerful engine of 370HP at 5000 RPM. It touched the speed of 100 km/h in 5,5 seconds.

Dodge Dart-Swinger 1970

Based on the model from Plymouth (number 6), it was hard to drive this car and it had an inefficient braking system. If you watch Bundy Family, you will recognize this car.

1970 Buick ‘GSX’ Stage 1

A beefy Buick, the Stage 1 ‘GSX’ performance package boasted 360 bhp though testers said it came in at closer to 400 for the bigger valved, better headed and hotter camshafted car. This supercar did the quarter mile in 13.38 seconds and came in only two colors – Apollo White or Saturn Yellow.

1970 Plymouth Hemi-Cuda

The baddest of the 1970 Plymouth Barracudas or Hemi Cudas featured a 425 bhp 426 hemi engine. This muscle car boasted a 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and was known for burning rubber without much prompting. A brute on the road, the Hemi Cuda was made for muscle lovers. The Hemi Cuda came in one engine size, 426, while the other four engine options for the ‘Cuda did not have hemispherical heads.

1969 Z28 Camaro

Not the most powerful, the 1969 Z28 Camaro was built for the excitement of road racing and loved for its sense of style and handling capabilities. Perhaps one of the most stylish muscle cars, this Camaro could do a quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds though only at a speed of a little more than 100 mph. Despite that obvious lack of raw power, it was noted for its great handling with four-disc brakes, positraction and power steering.

1968 L88 Corvette

Boasting a top speed of about 170 mph with a special order package, the 1968 L88 Corvette is thought to be the end-all, be-all in the Corvette world. The 550 bhp motor was designed specifically for racing and GM didn’t want the L88 on the open road due to its power. More standard features of everyday cars such as air conditioning and a radio weren’t even offered to make this powerful car less attractive to the common man.

1970 454 Chevelle SS

The 1970 Super Sport package Chevelle featuring the LS6 package came in at a whopping 454 horse. The option was standard for the average car buyer of the day making it one of the most powerful stock cars anyone could purchase. With racing stripes and a smooth interior, this muscle monger was the average muscle lover’s dream.

Assange awarded Top Sydney Peace Prize

2011-05-11T20:34:00.002+05:30

Julian Assange, the founder of whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks, has been awarded an award “for exceptional courage in pursuit of human rights”.

Julian Paul Assange ( born : 3 July 1971) is an Australian publisher,journalist, computer programmer and Internet activist. He is the editor in chief of WikiLeaks, a whistleblower website and conduit for worldwide news leaks, with the stated purpose of creating open governments. Assange was a hacker in his youth, before becoming a computer programmer. He has lived in several countries and has made public appearances in many parts of the world to speak about freedom of the press, censorship and investigative journalism.

Julian Assange was awarded the Sydney Peace Medal at a formal ceremony at the Frontline Club in central London today.

The Sydney Peace Foundation forwarded the award to recognize Mr Assange for recognition of the need “for greater transparency and accountability of governments”.

Professor Stuart Rees, director of the foundation, said: “By challenging centuries old practices of government secrecy and by championing people’s right to know, WikiLeaks and Julian Assange have created the potential for a new order in journalism and in the free flow of information.”

Speaking at the event, Mr Assange referred to whistleblowers as "heroes" and said it appeared the website has played a "significant role" in the recent Arab uprisings in north Africa by releasing US diplomatic cables in December that were later translated into Arabic and French.

He said WikiLeaks was part of historic British "free speech traditions, these go back in the UK to the time of the English Civil War of the 1640s". He said: “The real value of this award, and the Sydney Peace Foundation is that it makes explicit the link between peace and justice.

“With WikiLeaks we are all engaged in a struggle, a generational struggle for a proposition that citizens have a right and a duty to scrutinise the state."

“It does not take the safe feel good option of shunning controversy by uttering platitudes. Instead it goes into difficult terrain by identifying organisations and individuals who are directly engaged in struggles of one kind or another.
Over the last few years WikiLeaks has caused controversy over the past year by releasing secret US Government documents including reports about detainees held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and hundreds of thousands of US diplomatic cables.
Mr Assange is currently staying in Norfolk while he fights extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual crimes, which he denies.

Best Ever Romance Flicks

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'Breakfast at Tiffany's' (1961)

The plot of this film revolves round Paul Varjak, played by George Peppard. Paul is a gigolo and a struggling writer. He shifts to an apartment in Manhattan where he meets Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn. Holly, who is a charming lady and lives all by herself is Paul’s neighbor. The two gets along well and develops a romantic bonding. Hepburn as Holly Golightly, is someone any girl can relate to. This is such an unforgettable movie.

'Casablanca' (1942)

Talk of a classic book turned into a movie that created history and Casablanca comes to mind first. The performance by Humphrey Bogart as Rick and Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa will steal your heart away. The plot of the movie and the story telling capacity of the director would move you.

"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine," said Rick to Ilsa, his old love affair. She walks into a nightclub to floor Rick. With World War II take a toll of everyone, the two love birds are forced to make agonizing choices. The band plays “Marseillaise” as the German patrons join their voices together. You would end in moist eyes with every scene.

City of Angels (1998)

City of Angels tells you how to be romantic in your personal life. It gives you an answer to some of the most complex situations faced in a romantic relationship. Love and care are free of troubles and the movie will tell you how. Starring Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage, you would want to have this movie in your collection once you watch it. It is beautifully filmed to make you engrossed in the story line. Cage plays the role of angel Seth. He discovers himself in a difficult situation as he falls in love with Meg. Both the actors look stunning and angelic throughout the movie. How they meet and go through turmoil to never leave each other is a story that would tug to your heart. Cage arrives from grace to unite with a girl from the earth and never leave her. the drama rises until the final moment,

Roman Holiday (1953)

This is the love story of a princess with a common man. Princess Anne goes on board on a exceedingly publicized European capitals’ tour. When they reach Rome, she starts feeling suffocated of all the disciplines and mannerisms she is forced to follow. One night she decides to run away. She happens to meet a young journalist, with whom she falls in love and ends up experiencing the life of a common man. You would fall in love with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the film.

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Love Triangle. Don’t you love that? Sweet, cute, funny. The movie will make you laugh, then cry, then laugh again. It is a perfect blend of romance, comedy and drama.

What Dreams May Come (1998)

One of the most moving movies you’d ever see. A visual masterpiece. The movie that will get you stunned. It is as much sad as it is happy. It evokes a number of emotions and it makes you believe true love happens. It also presents an amazing concept of an afterlife. I’d like to believe things are exactly like this.

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Charming Meg Ryan should already be enough. But you got more. A lot more. You’ve got mail is like one of those old-fashioned feel good movies. Funny, smart, heart-touching. You see the story and you live the story. Can’t be better than that.

The Notebook (2004)

Behind every great love is a great story. It is not a surprise that this movie is also based on the novel by Nicolas Sparks. It is a very heartwarming movie which will make you feel warm inside. A simple but a very sentimental and moving story. The movie that can make you believe in the miraculous power of love If you want to watch something really emotional, that should be your choice.

Shakespeare in Love (1999)

Love is the only inspiration. That was the tagline of the movie. You can’t disagree with that statement. Someone once said about this movie “Shakespeare would be proud”. And he sure would be. Everything is perfect here - story line, execution, cast, costumes, music, bits of humor, clever dialogues. 7 Oscars including for the Best Picture 1998. A delightful watch. Can not be missed at all. Masterpiece.

Meet Joe Black

Hollywood leading men don't come any more handsome than Brad Pitt and he practically glowed in this film. Opposite him was newcomer Claire Forlani and she had the dewy-eyed beauty necessary to balance his own charm. These two had a rocky road to romance in the film but it was worth the fight. When they kissed the sky exploded with fireworks and audiences sighed around the world. Brad and Claire were visually the perfect couple for the decade.

Tech And Love...: THOR

2011-05-10T21:13:00.000+05:30

Tech And Love...: THOR

THOR

2011-05-10T21:10:00.001+05:30

The brawny but proud warrior Thor is cast out of the marvellous domain of Asgard and directed to dwell amidst humankind on Earth, where he before long turns one of their best shielders.

In Germanic paganism, Thor (from Old Nordic Þórr) is a hammer-wielding god assorted with thunder, lightning, tempests, oak trees, intensity, demolition, prolificacy, healing, and the protection of mankind. The cognate deity in broader Germanic mythology was known in Old English as Þunor and in Old High German Donar, stemming from a Common Germanic *Þunraz (meaning "thunder").
Ultimately stemming from Proto-Indo-European religion, Thor is a prominently mentioned god throughout the recorded history of the Germanic peoples, from the Roman occupation of regions of Germania, to the tribal expansions of the Migration Period, to his high popularity during the Viking Age, when, in the face of the process of the Christianization of Scandinavia, emblems of his hammer, Mjöllnir, were worn in defiance and Norse pagan personal names containing the name of the god bear witness to his fame. Into the advanced period of time, Thor bore on to be acknowledged in rural folklore throughout Germanic regions. Thor is frequently referenced in place names, the day of the week Thursday ("Thor's day") bears his name, and names stemming from the pagan period containing his own continue to be used today.
In Norse mythology, largely recorded in Iceland from traditional material stemming from Scandinavia, numerous tales and information about Thor are provided. In these sources, Thor bears at least fourteen names, is the husband of the golden-haired goddess Sif, is the lover of the jötunn Járnsaxa, and is generally accounted as fierce-eyed, red-haired and red-bearded.With Sif, Thor fathered the goddess (and possible valkyrie) Þrúðr; with Járnsaxa, he fathered Magni; with a mother whose name is not recorded, he fathered Móði, and he is the stepfather of the god Ullr. The same sources list Thor as the son of the god Odin and the personified earth, Fjörgyn, and by way of Odin, Thor has numerous brothers. Thor has two servants, Þjálfi and Röskva, rides in a cart or chariot pulled by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr (that he eats and resurrects), and is ascribed three dwellings (Bilskirnir, Þrúðheimr, and Þrúðvangr). Thor wields the mountain-crushing hammer, Mjöllnir, wears the belt Megingjörð and the iron gloves Járngreipr, and owns the staff Gríðarvölr. Thor's exploits, including his relentless massacre of his foes and boisterous battles with the grotesque serpent Jörmungandr—and their prognosticated mutual deaths during the outcomes of Ragnarök—are commemorated throughout sources for Norse mythology.

In modern times, Thor continues to be referenced in popular culture. Starting with F. J. Klopstock's 1776 ode to Thor, Wir und Sie, Thor has been the subject of various poems, including Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger's 1807 epic poem Thors reise til Jotunheim and, by the same author, three additional poems (Hammeren hentes, Thors fiskeri, and Thor besøger Hymir) amassed in his 1819 Nordens Guder; Thors Trunk, Thor kams als Gast in Riesenlande (1859) by W. Hertz; the 1820 satirical poem Mythologierne eller Gudatvisten by J. M. Stiernstolpe; Nordens Mythologie eller Sinnbilled-Sprog (1832) by N. F. S. Grundtvig; the poem Harmen by Thor Thorild; Der Mythus von Thor (1836) by L. Uhland; Der Hammer Thors (1915) by W. Schulte v. Brühl, Herr Dunnar und die Bauern (published in Märchen und Sagen, 1937); and Die Heimholung des Hammers (1977) H. C. Artmann.
Artists have depicted Thor in painting and sculpture, including Henry Fuseli's 1780 painting Thor in Hymirs Boot bekämpft die Midgardschlange; H. E. Fruend's 1821–1822 statue Thor; B. E. Fogelberg's 1844 marble statue Thor; M. E. Winge's 1880 charcoal drawing Thors Kampf mit den Riesen; K. Ehrenberg's 1883 drawing Odin, Thor und Magni; several illustrations by E. Doepler published in W. Ranisch's 1901 Walhall (Thor; Thor und die Midgardschlange; Thor den Hrungnir bekämpfend; Thor bei dem Riesen Þrym als Braut verkleidet; Thor bei Hymir; Thor bei Skrymir; Thor den Fluß Wimur durchwatend); J. C. Dollman's 1909 drawings Thor and the Mountain and Sif and Thor; G. Poppe's painting Thor; E. Pottner's 1914 drawing Thors Schatten; H. Natter's marble statue Thor; and U. Brember's 1977 illustrations to Die Heimholung des Hammers by H. C. Artmann.
Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius (1779-1848) discovered a chemical element that he named after Thor; Thorium. Donner appears as a character in German composer Richard Wagner's opera Das Rheingold (1869), and was originally written for a baritone voice. In 1962, American comic book writer Stan Lee and his brother Larry Leiber, together with Jack Kirby, created the Marvel Comics superhero Thor, which they based on the god of the same name.