Through My Words...

Moving to Wordpress

2006-02-15T19:43:00.000-08:00

I am moving on to Wordpress. Please update your Bookmarks with http://jnarin.wordpress.com.

Concerts And My Mess Ups

2006-02-14T04:12:00.000-08:00

I've been to three big rock concerts (read concerts by international artists) in Bangalore so far. I've always managed to screw up something or the other before I got to one of them. Here's the details..
The very first rock concert I'd been to in Bangalore was Joe Satriani's show. Man, can't forget it! Can never forget it! No words to explaim what it meant to be there with God on the stage. OK, I'l skip the concert review part for now and get to the mess up part. It all started with the tickets. I'd got one which had a tear off part and the whole ticket. Another person who I got to know through the Joe Satriani forum had purchased ticket from the event organizers directly, and he did not get the tear off part. When I told him mine had it, he freaked out, calling people after people, trying to find out how he could not have gotten his. Apparently, I was lucky. :-) People were not supposed to get that part of the ticket, and it was supposed to be retained by the sales people for a proof of tax or something of that sort (Tax? I guess I need to undertake a course on taxation to really understand why they might have needed it). OK, fine, I admit it. This didn't mess me up, but surely messed the other guy up, since he couldn't stop calling me once every 3 hours to find out if I had returned the tear off counterfoil. Like hell I would! Man, I must have been crazy to do that! I retained the counterfoil, and it lies safely in my collection of concert tickets and other music valuables. Coming to my mess up, I went to work pretty early that day, had worked late a couple of nights before the day of the concert, and made sure that I could be on time. And yeah, I was there on time! Heard the sound check, saw Jeff (the drummer), even got his autograph, wait wait wait! The mess up part came much before that! As I was running down the stairs from my house to Palace Ground (I stay at a stone's throw distance from Palace Ground), I slipped on one of the stairs, and twisted my left leg, and sprained. Somehow, I managed to drag myself (No auto-wallah would come from my place to Palace Grounds, and I just couldn't wait to get there to see the sound-check!) and got through the show without realizing anything. But the next day, man-oh-man, I was a mess! :-) And with this, the mess up at the first concert comes to an end. I won't go into the details of how the event organizers messed it up, for it was a pain that everyone there had to bear. :-)
Part Two - Bryan Adams concert. Had a lot of close calls through out the day. Almost hit a cyclist when I was riding around on my motorbike, somewhere near MG Road. Why was I there? Oh yeah, had been to Planet M on Brigade Road to get tickets to the Uriah Heap concert. I was lucky to get the red light signal @ Anil Kumble circle (MG Road, St Marks Road Junction), I'd got a call from a friend of mine, I took the call, said that I'll call back, and no sooner than I'd done that, the person standing behind me on a two-wheeler got a call on his mobile, and he took the call. To everyone's surprise, out of nowhere, came a cop, turned the two-wheeler off, grabbed the key and asked the guy to come over and pay a fine since "You were not supposed to be talking on a mobile when on the road" thing. I thank my stars and drive off, when I almost get killed by this guy in a car who's hell bent on sandwiching me between him and a BMTC bus! And since it was a do or die situation, I reduced the gear on the bike and just ripped off! Dude in the car, be warned - I know the make of your car, know the number. If I ever see you or the car again, you'll remember the guy on the bike who you almost killed! Anyway, reached home safely. Went out with a friend for some snacks near my place before hitting the concert area, and parked my bike where I usually park it. Apparently, the cops were on the prowl and having made that zone a no-parking area, three guys jumped down from the tow-truck, and lifted my bike off the ground to take it (Dudes, what do you eat? I need strength like that!). I ran out of the restaurant, left my half eaten Raj Kachori (*SNIFF*WAIL*SPUTTER*), begged the cop and he let me off with a Rs. 100 fine. I was thanking my stars again. If he had towed it off, I'd have had to shell out Rs. 300+! Whew! That was close. And then, I hit the concert and had a great time. :-)
Part Three - Uriah Heep Concert - The one and the only mess up - The Tickets! On the afternoon of the Adams concert, I'd got the tickets from Planet M. What I noticed was that the ticket did not have a tear off counterfoil. But since the Joe Sat tickets didn't have them eitehr, I thought that this could have been the same way, and took the ticket and came back home peacefully. The next day, I was speaking with a friend, I got to know that I *ACTUALLY* needed the tear off counterfoil to get inside the concert. Off I go to Planet M to confirm, and the ~~dumbass~~ dude who sold me the ticket coolly sits and doesn't want to talk with me. He points out another nice guy, who, after hunting around, calling people, ~~and making me wait for about 45 minutes~~ gets me the counterfoil. Hooray! Now I can enjoy the concert. And didn't I! I had a great time. Awesome show!
I have no plans on the next concert that I might attend. But hope it turns out to be less eventful than the last three. :-)

Uriah Heep rocks Bangalore

2006-02-09T20:47:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: I have never before heard Heep before!

No opening act, which was like cool, since you did not have to bear with a bunch of guys ~~on dope~~ screaming out something incomprehensible. Was waiting outside the venue for my friend when I saw this guy wearing a Deep Purple T-Shirt with a bag and all walking around looking for someone. He called up someone, and out came one of the organizers. A brief exchange of words between them, and the organizer was handed some LP's and CD's and a poster, promising that he would get them autographed by the band. Wow, now that was something. Imagine getting the autograph of your favourite band on the vintage CD's/LP's that you own! (Dream Theater, I am waiting for you to come to India. Doesn't matter where in India, I'll come where ever you perform!!)
Anyway, after a few minutes of waiting, during which I was reading all of the Levis posters there, which, by the way, were really cool, my friend came over. In we went and waited for the band to come over. The band was bang on time at 8 PM. They performed all their hit songs (the names of which I can't seem to recollect now). And since I was hearing those for the first time, I felt they were a great band. The band has an AMAZING bassist. Man, he was deadly. They performed for pretty much about 2 hours, and they did know how to get the crowd on to their feet. I kind-of felt that the band was into progressive rock and the likes of that, but my friend vehemently denied it. He so read my mind that it was like when I was about to say "Dude, this bit sounds progressive", he'd say "No, they are not progressive..".
Had a great time, and Uriah Heep proclaimed "This is the first Heep Tour for the year 2006" and "We'll be back again, Bangalore!!".
On a different note, two concerts in a week. Not bad, huh? ;-)

Cool Javascript Routine

2006-02-09T04:12:00.000-08:00

*DISCLAIMER 1: I am not responsible if something happens to your machine*
*DISCLAIMER 2: Hoping that you have read DISCLAIMER 1, this works ONLY on Internet Explorer*
*DISCLAIMER 3: Please read DISCLAIMER 1 and DISCLAIMER 2 again, and if you are OK with me not taking ANY responsibility for whatever happens to your computer, read ahead*

javascript:function flood(n) {if (self.moveBy) {for (i = 35; i > 0; i--) {for (j = n; j > 0; j--) {self.moveBy(1,i);self.moveBy(i,0);self.moveBy(0,-i);self.moveBy(-i,0); } } }} flood(6);

Copy the above segment (including javasctipt) and paste it in the address bar of the Internet Explorer. Cool, huh? ;-)

Defenders of Wildlife

2006-02-08T19:32:00.000-08:00

I love Polar Bears, I love Penguins, I love Seals, heck, I love all animals and birds.
I was agahast when I saw this!
Do you love animals? What are you going to do?

Images of Vietnam

2006-02-08T19:20:00.000-08:00

I *know* I've been obsessed about Vietnam ever since I've been there. I got this link from my friend out there, which sums up pretty much everything about Vietnam. It's a small French Song, performed by a Vietnamese lady. The images are awesome, and I couldn't understand a word of it! Do check it out.

PS: Standard Disclaimer - It's a Flash Animation. *Not for Dial-up users*. In the rarest case that you still want it, please leave a comment with your eMail ID. I'll mail the file to you.

Scientists Find Lost World in Indonesia

2006-02-07T19:18:00.000-08:00

Was splashed all over the news papers today morning. Anyway, did some R&D and got these pictures from Nat Geo. Go ahead, check it out. They look great!

Pay Postage for eMail?

2006-02-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not kidding. Courtesy: Interesting People's Mailing List.
Check this out.

Bryan Adams Rocks Bangalore (Again!)

2006-02-05T19:35:00.000-08:00

Was @ the Bryan Adams show yesterday. Can be described in one word - AWESOME!
Was at the venue by 4:45 PM, and there was a HUGE crowd forming up in front of the entry area. The gates opened promptly @ 6:10 PM (the ticket said it would open @ 6PM, but hey, that was only 10 minutes late). The event promoters (Reliance, Nokia, VH1, Lays, Worldspace) had done a good job in marking path for the concert area, since there was anther exhibition, and was leading to a lot of confusion among people. They were also distributing ribbons, banners, bandanas, toy guitars(!) with words proclaiming the greatness of Bryan Adams.
Some band which had bagged the first prize in the Campus Rock Idols 2005 opened the stage @ 7 PM. The band was pretty good sounding (which explains the prize), consisted of one guy on lead guitar who doubled up as the vocalist, one ~~totally doped out~~ guy on the bass, and one dude on the drums. They did a good job of getting the crowd up, and when the crowd had enough of them, they were ready to oblige. They wrapped up in half an hours time, after 4 or 5 songs.
Then came torture. The giant screens which were being used to project images, suddenly became advertisement boards. Imagine someone coming for a Bryan Adams concert, made to watch and listen to advertisements! Not just that, but each ad was played twice, continuously! Killed time thinking and modifying the punch lines shown there. The ads stopped, and the crowd started to cheer. False alarm! Technicians were just checking the equipment.
After several such false alarms, when no one expected, out he came with the band, singing "Room Service"! After a couple of more songs from his new album, he paused to greet the crowd. The band was amazing! All of his hits - Cuts Like a Knife, Run To You, Summer of '69, I'm Ready (with Bryan doubling on the Harmonica to replace the person who played the flute), Let's Make a Night, Please Forgive Me, Everything I Do, Kids Wanna Rock, Back To You, Best of Me and much more were performed. And as usual, he picked up this ~~chick~~ lady from the audience and asked her to perform the role of the female vocalist for "Baby When You're Gone". And boy, did she ~~bray~~ sing! She said she was a "Software Engineer" from "AP" (You got that right! Just "AP"). The worst blow was yet to come when he asked her how many people she came with, and all of them got free T-Shirts!!! And he also asked the Sardarji who was on the cover of "Do To You, What You Do To Me" to come and meet him backstage. It was like - "The last time I came here, we got a great photo fo a person wearing a turban sitting on another guy. If you are here, I am inviting you to come over backstage and be my guest". I was half out of my mind to get a false beard, and a turban and run out there.
Anyway, DNA did a good job of organizing the event. Congratulations to you. The techies made sure that the event went on without hassles. The crowd was pretty decent, and I wasn't pushed around. And was able to see everything pretty neat and clear. He did say that he would be coming back.
Well, that's all about that. Will be attending the Uriah Heep show too, and that's on Wednesday.

Anti-Telemarketing Campaign

2006-02-02T19:55:00.000-08:00

Sick of all those telemarketing calls offering you free credit cards, free personal loans, free tickets to Goa (Yeah, I've got that once), free gift vouchers worth Rs. 7000 (Yeah, I've got that too!), discount on computer courses, and what not? Martijn Engelbregt tells us how to handle telemarketing in a great way. There's a lovely script, which will guide you through the entire process. And the script is available for free in 10 different languages (English included). Well, what are you waiting for? Point your pointer here, and click.

Web Browser Forensics

2006-02-02T01:39:00.000-08:00

I came across this website recently. I was impressed with an article titled "Web Browser Forensics".
It talks about how someone used the company server to store some 500GB (Yeah, you read that right!) of MP3's, movies and pirated software. Investigators later nailed the guy who did it. Now, what's so interesting about that? The link describes how they nailed the dude who almost got away.
Read Part 1 and Part 2.
And now my friend, before you click on that "Download Now" to get the MP3 thinking that no one could ever trace you back even if you used someone else's machine, think again.

The 14 Worst Corporate Evildoers

2006-02-02T00:26:00.000-08:00

I came across this on one of Percy's blogs a long time back. Had bookmarked it, thinking I'd go through this when I had the time, and as usual, forgot about it. But trust me, this is an amazing article. All those top-of-the line companies, that everyone aspires to be a part of, have some pretty dark secrets. Check it out.

PS: Percy, sorry man. Searched hard, was unable to locate the original post on either of your three blogs (on Blogger).

Microsoft Launches Internet Explorer 7 Beta

2006-02-01T23:48:00.000-08:00

Yet another Micro$oft Product. In the rarest case that you *are* interested, click here.

New Virus on the prowl

2006-02-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

Read in the newspaper that some deadly virus called Kamasutra is going to hit the town on the 3th of February, 2006. If you use Norton Anti-Virus on Windows Operating System, then you've got something to worry about. Apparently, this virus will delete all your Microsoft Office Documents, mess around with your addressbook, and do all sorts of things that any regular virus will do. Ooh, almost forgot, you get to know that the virus has hit your system if your mouse and keyboard fail to respond, making you to reboot the computer! (You don't have to worry if you already have the symptoms, like I had some time back, since the virus will hit tomorrow)
And the sure fire way to avoid this is by keeping your AV updated.
PS: There was a similar variation of the same virus that hit a few systems a few days back, called BMal or something like that. All I know is that it deleted quite a few files that the Anti Virus desparately needed to function. And then, started spreading through the network. It took me a couple of days to get my system back to normal. This time, I'd be better safe than sorry..

More information here

Spell Check and Sensible Spelling

2006-02-01T04:42:00.000-08:00

I've always had this thing for Spell Checkers. I've wanted to thank the person who thought of a spell checker concept. Well, this post is not about how great a spell checker can be. All of us know that. It's more about how we have lost the ability to spell things correctly.
Now-a-days, I am ever dependant on my spell checking software, be it a Document, or an eMail. And everyday, I am amazed at the corrections it suggests to make in my document. A few days back, I got this eMail from a friend, which was full of spelling mistakes, and was a mess. When I asked, I was told that since it was an unofficial eMail, the spell check was cancelled before the mail was fully checked for. I was just thinking about it. What happened to the good old days when my teacher used to conduct dictation tests in the school? Now, if I were back there, I could say "Hey, I don't care about your dictation tests. My spell checker can do wonders!"
With computers entering every phase of my life, I have actually forgotten how to write with a pen!! Yes, I can speak three languages quite fluently - English, Hindi and Tamil, but ask me to write either of them, and struggle so badly that even a first grader should be able to beat me hands down. My pen slips out of my hand, I struggle, and finally am able to get something on the paper that looks like what happens as a result when you tie a pen to a rooster's leg!! When asked to sign, I just write my name, and I can't make out anything that I've written! Maybe I should start practising writing, and of course, taking dictation tests to improve my spelling..

Multiple Yahoo! adresses for the same account

2006-01-27T04:23:00.000-08:00

This seems to be good news!!

Yahoo mail beta and the original Yahoo mail is now available with professional looking 'dot' addresses. Each existing Yahoo address can have another address as an alternate e-mail ID, which shall share the same Inbox as the primary ID. This is best, since we can now have a professional 'firstname.lastname@yahoo.com' address without having to worry about maintaining another mail account all-together. Mails sent to or from either mail ID shall come to the same inbox and you can use either ID as the sender ID.

Get your new alternate email ID at :
Just Click on this link

You can create an account with dot with same password. This ID will have mails going into the inbox of existing account. You can login or send or receive mails on either ID. You can also create another dot ID by creating totally new account from signing from mail.yahoo.com.

Log in anywhere on the Yahoo! network (Mail, Photos, Messenger with BT Communicator -- the list goes on and on...)

More information on Yahoo dot addresses

The Thumb Thing

2006-01-26T03:05:00.000-08:00

Do you read books? If yes, you must have been annoyed when the breeze messes up the pages of the book, and you have to now hold it with two hands. Well, not anymore. Check this out. The Amazing Thumb Thing! :-)

Driving in Bangalore

2006-01-26T01:53:00.000-08:00

I have no words to express my feelings over this one. Got a bike a few months back, and started grazing around. In spite of the warnings of people who already have been driving around, I was totally unprepared for what was to come. Was inspired to write something on this yesterday when I was standing first @ the signal near Coffee Board on Infantry Road, and wanting to take a left, was at the pole position (left corner, to be more specific). There was this old guy on a three-wheeler tempo kind of thing who kept honking. Reason - WHEN the signal would turn green, he wanted to turn left. I turned back and stared at him and pointed to the signal saying it was still red, he was asking me to move to the right. Like hell I did! He kept honking, I kept standing there. And then, he gave up.
Next, I offer to drop a friend of mine, and on the way, there's absolutely bad roads, absolutely snail paced traffic. There's this guy in a shiny new red Toyota SUV (Can't remember the model name, I am bad at that kind-of stuff) who's honking like a goose as if his honking would make the traffic move faster or make the moose-holes (pot holes *would* be a gross understatement) disappear. My friend couldn't take it anymore, and asked me to pull over. When the shiny new vehicle came (as much as I'd have wanted to put in a dent or a scratch on it, I didn't, and resisted the temptation to...), the driver got the worst verbal assault of his life. Well, my personal opinion - "Not enough. Drag out that dumb fool, thrash him!"
I'm on the Indian Express Circle once again (Yeah, I'm a frequent visitor around that area), and since I had wanted to avoid Infantry Road, came via the Canttonment Railway Station. The signal says RED. If there are any BMTC Drivers reading this, there's a dumb FOOL among you guys who doesn't know that. He was a couple of vehicles behind me, with his hand solidly glued to the horn! Please, BMTC, the next time you people hire drivers, make sure they know which signals mean what! I am surprised as to why traffic cop says anything when BMTC Buses jump signals, where as when we common folk do it, we have to shell out a fine.
I've had my share of NDE's (Near Death Experiences) with BMTC Drivers and Auto Drivers. And don't get me started about Autos. Man, I tell you, these Auto Drivers know magic. They can appear on the deserted roads, and disappear at will. It's as if the roads of Bangalore are owned by BMTC Buses and Auto Drivers.
To make things work, our "educated folk" can't obey rules, and since everyone's in a hurry to move, everything's a mess. I have always appreiated Bangalore's footpaths, since they offer something excellent for all those people who love to walk. I am scared to do that anymore, since to jump to the front of the queue when there's a signal, people tend to ride on these too. Dude-driving-on-the-footpath, what's the hurry? You have to stop at the signal anyway!
And don't get me started about driving in the night! Do people know that there's a switch called "High Beam", which if turned on, can be blind the person coming on the opposite side of the road? With the "funky" changes that people do, like for example, replacing regular lamps with *extra-powerful* ones, even welding shields to protect eyes wouldn't be enough.
Aaaaahhhhhhh...
There, now I feel much better after venting out.
I'm hungry, need to get some lunch now.
Drive careful, drive safe.

PS: I'm editing this post to add something I found. Apparently, I'm not the only one who gets pissed off at bad drivers. Check this out.

Cool link

2006-01-25T01:54:00.000-08:00

Check this out. This guy is a 23 old from Bangaladesh. Has got this ultra-cool website which looks like the Windows OS, and has his entire resume in it. Exremes of creativyty, huh?
PS: You need to allow pop-ups to view the website.

Sixth Annual Weblog Awards

2006-01-24T20:55:00.000-08:00

Check this out.

Template Change

2006-01-22T02:05:00.000-08:00

My friend, an expert on usability, was complaining that he couldn't read what I was posting easily 'coz of the template I was using. (Yeah, that caught me off gaurd too. Someone reads what I post!!! Yipee! I am overjoyed!!!)
What do YOU (yes, it's YOU who I'm asking) think of the new template? Should I change it, or keep it? ;-)

For people contemplating suicide as an option

2006-01-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is one of the most sensitive issues in life. For those of you who are seriously contemplating suicide as an escape plan for the clutches of all things evil and miserable, think again. It may not be worth it. For all that you know, you could win a lottery (not to be taken literally) or things could get better all over. And it could be really bad if you are dead by then. Well, if it is of any use, what ever your problems may be, you are not alone. And you ask "How do you know that?" Simple, click here (Not suitable for young viewers, some posts are not "work safe") Thanx, Percy, for the link in one of his earlier posts.
Felt like penning this one down when I got the following eMail, as a forwards. I do realize that I've been posting a lot of eMails that I keep getting as forwards, but this makes a lot of sense to me...

My Stupid Suicide Plan

- CHETAN BHAGAT

Last week, an IITian committed suicide. People who commit suicide do it when they feel there's no future. But wait, isn't IIT the one place where a bright and shining future is a foregone conclusion? It just d oesn't add up, does it? Why would a young, hardworking, bright student who has the world ahead of him do something like this? But the answer is this-in our constant reverence for the great institution (and I do believe IITs are great), we forget the dark side. And the dark side is that the IITs are afflicted by the quintessential Indian phenomenon of academic pressure, probably the highest in the world.
I can rant about the educational system and how it requires serious fixing, or I can address the immediate-try my best to prevent such suicides. For this column I have chosen the latter, and I do so with a personal story.

News of a suicide always brings back one particular childhood memory. I was 14 years old when I first seriously contemplated suicide. I had done badly in chemistry in the Class X half yearly exam. I was an IIT aspirant, and 68% was nowhere near what an IIT candidate should be getting. I don't know what had made me screw up the exam, but I did know this, I was going to kill myself. The only debate was about method.

Ironically, chemistry offered a way. I had read about copper sulphate, and that it was both cheap and poisonous. Copper sulphate was available at the kirana store (Grocery Shop). I had it all worked out.

My rationale for killing my self was simple-nobody loved me, my chemistry score was awful, I had no future and what difference would it make to the world if I was not there. I bought the copper sulphate for two rupees-probably the cheapest exit strategy in the world.

I didn't do it for two reasons. One, I had a casual chat with the aunty next door about copper sulphate, and my knowledgeable aunty knew about a woman who had died that way. She said it was the most painful death possible, all your veins burst and you suffer for hours. This tale made my insides shudder. Second, on the day I was to do it, I noticed a street dog outside my house being teased by the neighborhood kids as he hunted for scraps of food. Nobody loved him. It would make no difference to the world if the dog wasn't there. And I was pretty sure that its chemistry score would be awful. Yet, the dog wasn't trotting off to the kirana store(Grocery Shop). He was only interested in figuring out a strategy for his next meal. And when he was full, he merely curled up in a corner with one eye open, clearly content and not giving a damn about the world. If he wasn't planning to die anytime soon what the hell was I ranting about? I threw the copper sulphate
in the bin. It was the best two bucks I ever wasted.

So why did I tell you this story? Because sometimes the pressure gets too much; like it did for the IITian who couldn't take it no more. On the day he took that dreadful decision, his family and friends were shattered, and India lost a wonderful, bright child. And as the silly but true copper sulphate story tells you-it could happen to any of us or those around us. So please be on the lookout, if you see a distressed young soul, lend a supportive, non-judgmental ear. When I look back, I thank that aunt and that dog for unwittingly saving my life. If God wanted us to take our own life, he would have provided a power off button. He didn't, so have faith and let his plan for you unfold. Because no matter how tough life gets and how much it hurts, if street dogs don't give up, there is no reason why we, the smart species, should. Makes sense right?

CRM

2006-01-19T19:56:00.000-08:00

A while back, there was a joke (eMail forward) on CRM. It goes on like this: Some dude calls up the pizza delivery service, and from his phone number through the called ID system, they get his name, address, health disorders, current credit available on his credit cards, wife's magazine subscription details, hotel bookings, holiday plans, blah blah blah. Here's an interesting version of the same, on video (Not for dial-up users). Here's another story, similar to the Pizza delivery joke. Once again, not for dial-up users.
Source: Interesting People Mailing List
To subscribe, click here.
Disclaimer: I do not mainain this mailing list. I do not profit from you becoming a member of the same.
Tip: Better set the message delivery options to one eMail a day consisting of all eMails. There are tons of eMails in the digest, and you wouldn't want all of them to get into your precious inbox and spam you. :-)

Thanks, Satish, for introducing me to IP. Put something on your blog. It's been empty for too long a time.. :-P

Ig Nobel Prize

2006-01-16T03:26:00.000-08:00

From http://www.improb.com/ig/ig-pastwinners.html#ig2005:

At a ceremony in early October, the 2005 Ig Nobel Prize in Literature was
awarded to the authors of what is arguably the most-circulated work ever.

To quote from the award, it went to "The Internet entrepreneurs of Nigeria,
for creating and then using e-mail to distribute a bold series of short
stories, thus introducing millions of readers to a cast of rich characters
-- General Sani Abacha, Mrs. Mariam Sanni Abacha, Barrister Jon A Mbeki
Esq., and others -- each of whom requires just a small amount of expense
money so as to obtain access to the great wealth to which they are entitled
and which they would like to share with the kind person who assists them."

Well, I feel honored to be a part of it. I had got the mail from none other than Mrs. Mariam Abacha herself, that I had posted here.

Evolution of a Programmer

2006-01-09T22:24:00.000-08:00

Got this as a forward..

High school/Jr. High
10 PRINT "HELLO WORLD"
20 END

------------------------------------------------

First year in college
program Hello(input, output);
begin
writeln ('Hello world');
end

------------------------------------------------

Senior year in college
(defun hello
(print
(cons 'HELLO (list 'WORLD))))

------------------------------------------------

New professional
#include
main (argc,argv)
int argc;
char **argv; {
printf ("Hello World!\n");
}

------------------------------------------------

Seasoned pro
#include

const int MAXLEN = 80;

class outstring;
class outstring {
private:

int size;
char str[MAXLEN];

public:
outstring() { size=0; }
~outstring() {size=0;}
void print();
void assign(char *chrs);
};
void outstring::print() {
int i;
for (i=0 ; i< size ; i++)
cout << str[i];
cout << "\n";
}
void outstring::assign(char *chrs) {
int i;
for (i=0; chrs[i] != '\0';i++)
str[i] = chrs[i];
size=i;
}

main (int argc, char **argv) {
outstring string;

string.assign("Hello World!");
string.print();
}

------------------------------------------------

Manager
/* George, I need a program to output a string
"Hello World!" */