thanks to Eeshwari for the post.
Category Archives: General
Google wave
Google Wave is “a personal communication and collaboration tool” announced by Google at the Google I/O conference on May 27, 2009. It is a web-based service, computing platform, and communications protocol designed to merge e-mail, instant messaging, wiki, and social networking. It has a strong collaborative and real-time focus supported by extensions that can provide, for example, robust spelling/grammar checking, automated translation between 40 languages, and numerous other extensions. It was announced in Google’s official blog on July 20, 2009, that the preview of Google Wave would be extended to about 100,000 users on September 30, 2009.
Its October 2, 09 and I am still waiting for my wave invitation 🙂
Google Wave is designed as the next generation of Internet communication. It is written in Java using OpenJDK; its web interface uses the Google Web Toolkit. Instead of sending a message and its entire thread of previous messages or requiring all responses to be stored in each user’s inbox for context, objects known as waves contain a complete thread of multimedia messages (blips) and are located on a central server. Waves are shared and collaborators can be added or removed at any point during a wave’s existence.
Waves, described by Google as “equal parts conversation and document”, are hosted XML documents that allow seamless and low latency concurrent modifications. Any participant of a wave can reply anywhere in the message, edit the content and add participants at any point in the process. Users can reply to blips within waves. Recipients are notified of changes/replies in all waves they are active in and then view the changes when they subsequently access a given wave. In addition, waves are live. All replies/edits are seen real-time, letter by letter, as they are typed by the other collaborators. Multiple participants may edit a single wave simultaneously in Google Wave. Thus, waves not only can function as e-mail and threaded conversations but also as an instant messaging service, merging the functions of e-mail and instant messaging. It depends only on whether both users are online at the same time or not, allowing a wave to even shift repeatedly between e-mail and instant messaging depending on the user’s needs. The ability to show messages as they are typed can also be disabled, similar to conventional instant messaging.
The ability to modify a wave at any location lets users create collaborative documents, edited in a manner akin to wikis.
The history of each wave is stored within it. Collaborators may use a playback feature in Google Wave to observe the order which a wave was edited, blips were added, and who was responsible for what in the wave. The history may also be searched by a user to view and/or modify specific changes, such as specific kinds of changes or messages from a single user.
Google Wave is still in active development. It is expected to continue to be so until later in 2009, launching to about 100,000 users on 30th September. Google Wave access can be requested. Developers have been given access to Wave proper, and all wave users invited by Google can invite up to 8 others. Those who receive indirect invitations (were invited by someone who was invited by Google) will not be able to invite others. As of October 1st, Google Wave testers were unable to add extensions because “settings” is under construction.
We have a new topper.
iTELF and NEN creating an E – Campus
Yesterday I was sent for a workshop by NEN to MIT Pune with two of my colleagues. We were there to learn something about E Cell [Entrepreneurship Cell]. We had formed such a forum in our college by the name of iT ELF [information Technology Entrepreneurship and Leadership Forum] which apart from entrepreneurship also focuses on developing leadership qualities.
The workshop was to train 2 to 3 members form E cell of 31 campuses present there to understand the functioning of an E cell and how to go about it. The workshop was conducted by Mr. Vinod Shashtri. Mr. Mandar and Miss Yoshima. It was a total practical approach to make us understand how to go about it.
We started off with registration and a few basics about E-Cell or for that matter any committee or forum on campus. we proceeded through creating a two year plan for our iT ELF, segregating activities in different types and then evaluating what all we have done and what is left to be done.
Basically it all was about the three stages- Awareness, Intermediate Knowledge and Regularizing the activities and finally Institutionalizing it.
It was a great experience and we cant wait to impart our learning to our fellow members of iT ELF and implement what we have learned.
Mafia Wars Cuba items update
Jobs in Cuba have loot drops just as they do in NY. Some of these are necessary to complete jobs in upper levels and some are just added weapons or vehicles that increase character profiles. The loot drops are as follows:
El Soldado
– Intimidate the Locals – Street Gang Member
– Smuggle in Some Supplies – Garza 9
– Establish Contact with the FRG – RA-92
– Assault a Snitch’s Hideout – Mara Serpiente
El Capitan
– Transport a Shipment of US Arms – M16A1
– Meet with the FRG Leadership – Camouflage Body Armour
– Ambush a Military Patrol – Chucho FAV
– Capture an Army Outpost – RU-38
– Ransack a Local Plantation – Cane Knife
– Burn Down a Hacienda – Ocelot Armored Truck
El Jefe
– Shake Down a Hotel Owner – Montaine 300
– Help the FRG Steal a Truckload of Weapons – Para 322
– Pillage a Shipyard – Gaff Hook
– Take Over the Docks – Cigarette Boat
El Patron
– Pass on Some Intel to the FRG – ASC 45 “Conquistador”
– Sink a Competing Smugglers Ship – Mini Sub
– Assassinate an Opposing Consigliere – Aquila HV .50 Sniper Rifle
– Raid the Arms Depot – TNT
– Supply the FRG with Some Extra Muscle – Guerilla Squad
– Capture the Airport – Si-14 Cargo Plane
– Attack the Army Command Post – HU-9 Helicopter
– Storm the Presidential Palace – Armored State Car
The loot drops in Cuba become vital to game play due to the number of items needed to complete some of the jobs.
Mafia Wars Cuba is still in Beta and only being played by a portion of Mafia Wars players. Game play in Cuba is subject to change as the creators add to or modify the way it is played.
Barcamp -> Blogcamp Pune 2
After 2 hugely successful blogcamps, BlogCampPune and BlogCampMumbaiStyle and a gap of 2 years we are back with the 2nd edition of BlogCampPune. We are very excited to set the Pune blogosphere buzzing again 🙂
What’s it all about?
BlogCampPune is a FREE unconference focusing exclusively on blogging, organized by bloggers for bloggers. It‘s built upon the principles of the famous BarCamp (ad-hoc unconference) focused on sharing, learning and new ideas. This is going to be an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction between attendees. Any blogger who wants to contribute is welcome and invited to join. In the spirit of BarCamp, if you attend, be prepared to present something (even if it’s just 10 minutes).
Event Details
Date: 27th June 2009
Time: 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Venue: SICSR (Symbiosis) 7th Floor Atur Center, Gokhale Cross Road, Model Colony Pune Near the OM Super Market
Tickets
The Registrations for the Blogcamp Pune 2 has started. Grab yourself a ticket right away. http://blogcamppune.eventbrite.com
Speak at the Blogcamp Pune
If you want to speak on a topic or run a session/discussion at the Blogcamp Pune please mention your idea while you are buying the ticket. http://blogcamppune.eventbrite.com
Mafia wars Items guide.
You come from a humble Bronx family and begin your climb up through the mob’s chain of command, leaving a body behind on every step. You must train in the gym, get an education, and find a job to use as a cover for your illegal activities. Once near the top, you can try and eliminate a rival family’s don and assume control of the nation’s most powerful crime family. The choice is yours but it won’t be easy. There are many others out there just like you, a poor Italian kid from the Bronx. Do you have what it takes? Will you become the Don of the most powerful family in the mafia? Only time will tell!!
I had been shuffling through various pages of mafia wars to get to what i wanted and it was too annoying. So i decided to go for a list which is as follows.
STREET THUG 1-4
Beat Up Rival Gangster – .22 Pistol 2 ATK 0 DEF
Rob a Pimp – .9mm Semi-Automatic 3 ATK 2 DEF
Diamond Flush Collection can be looted from any job
ASSOCIATE 5-8
Collect Protection Money – Butterfly Knife 2 ATK 1 DEF
Rough Up Dealers – Brass Knuckles 2 ATK 2 DEF
Take Out a Rogue Cop – .45 Revolver 3 ATK 2 DEF
Preform a Hit – Tactical Shotgun 3 ATK 2 DEF
Heart Flush Collection can be looted from any job
SOLDIER 9-12
Clip the Irish Mob’s Local Enforcer – Lucky Shamrock Medallion 1 ATK 7 DEF
Lucky Shamrock Medallion Attack: 1 Defense: 7
Destroy Enemy Mob Hideout – C4 5 ATK 2 DEF
Kill Protected Snitch – Stab-Proof Vest 2 ATK 5 DEF
Bust Made Man Out of Prison – Automatic Rifle 4 ATK 4 DEF
Fight Haitian Gang – Semi-Automatic Shotgun 5 ATK 4 DEF
Steal a Tanker Truck – Firebomb 4 ATK 2 DEF
Sculptures, Poker Chips and Club Flush Collections can be looted from any job
ENFORCER 13-17
Smuggle Across the border – Armored Truck 4 ATK 8 DEF
Rob an Electronics Store:
Computer Set-up Attack: 0 Defense: 0
Untraceable Cell Phone Attack: 0 Defense: 0
Concealable Camera Attack: 0 Defense: 0
Cigars and Spade Flush Collections can be looted from any job
The enforcer tier also contains the billiards collection [thanks to Sage for pointing]
HITMAN 18-24
Obtain Compromising Photos – Black Mail Photos
Repel the Yakuza – Grenade Launcher 14 ATK 10 DEF
Disrupt rival smuggling ring – .50 Caliber Rifle 16 ATK 11 DEF
Invade Tong Neighborhood – Armored CAR 14 ATK 15 DEF
Sell Guns to the Russian Mob – RPG Launcher 20 ATK 12 DEF
Protect your City From Rival Family – Bodyguards 8 ATK 25 DEF
Assassinate Political Figure – Night Vision Goggles 5 ATK 16 DEF
Exterminate Rival Family – Napalm 25 ATK 9 DEF
Rings and Ties Collections can be looted from any job
CAPO 25-34
Steal an Air Freight Delivery – Prop plane 5 ATK 20 DEF
Run a Biker Gang Out of Town – Harley Davidson Motorcycle 18 ATK 6 DEF
Steal Bank Records – Illegal Transaction Records
Paintings and Cufflinks Collections can be looted from any job
CONSIGLIERE 35-59
Influence a Harbor Official – Luxury Yacht 10 ATK 20 DEF
Ransom a Businessman’s Kids – Porche 911 20 ATK 14 DEF
Fix the Big Game – Bookie’s Holdout Pistol 24 ATK 12 DEF
Great Race Horse Collection can be looted from any job
UNDERBOSS 60-99
Break Into the Armory – Humvee 26 ATK 22 DEF
Rip Off the Armenian Mob – AR-15 Assault Rifle 32 ATK 10 DEF
Take Over an Identity Theft Ring – Falsified Documents 2 ATK 30 DEF
BOSS 100+
Buy Off a Federal Agent – Federal Agent 15 ATK 25 DEF
Make a Deal with the Mexican Cartel – Private Jet 12 ATK 38 DEF
Blackmail the District Attorney – Police Cruiser 22 ATK 28 DEF
Shake Down a City Council Member – Armored Limosine 16 ATK 36 DEF
Job Mastery Rewards:
Street Thug: Pistol Bayonet: +4% damage dealt in fights.
Associate: Bugatti: -7% damage received in fights.
Soldier: Golden Skull: a 30 second reduction on your health regen timer.
Enforcer: Money Plate: a 5% discount on property purchases.
Hitman: Chainsaw Bayonet: a 30 second reduction on your stamina regen timer.
Capo: State Senator: a 5% discount on property repairs.
Consigliere: Helicopter: a 30 second reduction on your energy regen timer.
Underboss: Private Island: a 5% bonus on job experience.
Boss: Golden Throne: 2x the energy regenerated per regen period.
iPhone 3GS
Speed
The “S” stands for “SPEED!” And according to Apple, it is faster launching applications or rendering Web pages.
• The iPhone 3GS has a new processor built-in. Apple claims that it is up to two times faster than the previous generation: Launching messages is 2.1 faster, load the NY Times in Safari: 2.9 times faster. It also consumes less, which has an impact on the improved battery life.
Camera
This is one of the strong points of the iPhone 3GS, according to Apple. They increased the resolution to 3 megapixels, which—judging from the shots they showed-seems much better quality under all conditions.
• 3 Megapixels sensor.
• New camera, with auto focus, auto exposure, and auto white balance.
• You can also tap to focus, changing white balance in the process. That is really neat, if you ask me.
• Special macro and low light modes.
• The camera also supports photo and video geotagging.
• Any application can access all the camera functions now.
• It supports video, 30 frames per second VGA with auto focus, auto white balance, and auto exposure.
• You can trim the video shot just using your finger, then share it via MMS, email, MobileMe and YouTube.
Connectivity
The other part of the “S” is the support for the faster 7.2 Mbps 3G standard, which in theory will deliver data faster to your iPhone.
• Three band UMTS/HSDPA.
• Four band GSM/EDGE.
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g.
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Graphics
• The new iPhone 3GS includes new 3D graphics support in hardware. This means faster and more complicated 3D games.
• Same 3.5-inch widescreen multitouch display, but this time it has a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating. I wonder if it will withstand a full frontal Shake Shack burger attack.
Design
• Same design as before, including the glossy finish of the back (so much for all the rumors about the matte back.)
• Same size as the old iPhone 3G: 4.5 x 2.4 x 0.48 inches.
• The weight increases a bit: One ounce to 4.8 ounces (135 grams vs 133 grams).
• Greener materials: Arsenic-free glass, BDF-free, Mercury-free LCD.
New special features
• It has a magnetometer, which works with a Compass application, third parties, and it is integrated into the new Google maps app, showing your orientation with a small semitransparent cone.
• Voice control. You can now talk with your iPhone, Enterprise-style. You can instruct it to play similar songs to the one you are playing, or call people.
• Nike + support built in.
• Supports accessibility features, like zooming on text, inverting video, and voice over when you touch whatever text is on screen.
Battery life
• One of the more important new features is the increased battery life.
• According to Apple, you will get up to 12 hours of talk time on 2G and 5 on 3G, with a up to 300 hour standby time.
• On 3G, it will deliver 5 hours of internet use.
• On Wi-Fi, Internet goes up to 9 hours.
• Video playback is 10 hours vs 30 hours for audio.
Would be available in India in last week of August….
Sony unveils new PSP Go
Sony on Tuesday unveiled a sleek next-generation PSP Go handheld videogame, movie and music gadget in a direct challenge to Nintendo’s freshly-launched DSi devices.
Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai showed off a new PSP Go at a press conference in the Shrine Auditorium as a major Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) got under way nearby in Los Angeles.
“We call it the worst kept secret of E3,” Hirai quipped, referring to news of Go news leaks more akin to streams.
“There will be more content that is easier to get on your PSP. It’s entertainment everywhere.”
Go is half the size of the original PSP and built to download and store video, pictures and games, according to Hirai. Go devices have built-in wireless Internet and Bluetooth capabilities.
“It’s built for people who live a more digital lifestyle,” Hirai said. “It’s designed to bring all kinds of content to the PSP.”
All future PSP videogame titles will be available for digital download, skipping any need to buy software on disks, according to Sony.
A new Sense Me feature analyzes music stored in Go devices and then creates playlists to suit users’ moods. Go gadgets will also be built with a video delivery service Sony launched last year.
Hot videogame franchises including “Gran Turismo,” “Metal Gear Solid,” and “Resident Evil” are creating new games tailored to Go devices, according to Sony.
“I think the PSP is getting really hotter,” said Hideo Kojima, whose eponymous studio makes the “Metal Gear Solid” franchise whose protagonist is a fearsome soldier called “Snake.”
“And Snake is coming back on the PSP.”
Go devices will be priced at 249 dollars, or 249 Euros respectively, when they are released in the United States and Europe in October, according to Sony. The gadgets will be available in Japan in November, Sony says.
Nintendo reports that it has sold more than a million of its new-generation DSi handheld videogame gadgets in the United States since they became available in April.
Sony PSP go first hands on @ Engadget
Tata nano bookings likely to be cancelled after first lottery.
Auto analysts and business analysts in India fear that Tata Nano may face booking cancellations after the first round of lottery winners is announced. Tata Nano has received about 203,000 bookings for its models but the company has capacity to manufacture on 50,000 cars from its Uttrakhand plant in Pantnagar. The mother plant in Sanand will be completed early next year and is expected to become fully operational by first quarter of 2010.
The lottery will be completed by the end of the next month when names of first one lakh lucky Nano owners will be announced. Tata Motors will start deliveries from July 2009 and will be able to deliver only 50,000 cars by end of December 2009.
“Bookings beat expectations but the company may not be able to retain orders going ahead,” said Mahantesh Sabarad, an analyst at Centrum Broking in Mumbai. Further the analysts also expect that the pricing is not competitive and expected that nearly one-third of outstanding bookings may be cancelled after the lottery.