The Boondocks Virus

(Written somewhere in time,pondering over the Mighty Barauni hill before me in Imphal)

One of the most common computer virus of this era is the boondocks virus. The word ‘boondocks’ mean wild, rough country or wasteland. It spreads so fast that next time you use a pen drive; you need to check first if its there and have to undergo the pain it takes to remove it. The infected file or folder replicates itself when opened and disables/hides the “folder option” in ‘tools’ directory of the window, where you can configure the nature of mouse clicks, the viewing of folders and other settings. The idea is that it will close all path for its removal once infected and multiply itself to such a rate that the system slows down. Even if you try to install an antivirus program, it will start restarting and 'won’t let u do it. It ultimately leads you to a dump rather than a computer.

The condition of life in Manipur is similar to that of the virus infected computer. It is an outbreak of virus and it will take a lot of pain to remove it. All have become numb in the epidemic and they could not see the near future; neither the cause nor the remedy. The way this epidemic has spread into Manipur, the same way will it be cured with time and reason. It spread so fast into the younger generations today that every child or unemployed youth want to go the easy way. If that was the solution, we would not have been in such a mess as we are in now. Snatching people’s rightful money is not the solution, though it may fulfill some of the basic needs of family and life.

I am not pointing fingers on anyone as everyone in the system is responsible for its cause. In today’s system, the law of jungle applies, “survival of the fittest and the strongest”. The stronger ones try to humiliate, suppress and terminate the weaker ones for their own survival. But they have forgotten that in this jungle of human beings, we have to live together in harmony otherwise he is nowhere. The stronger ones want a demarcation line between them and the weaker ones, in the hierarchical system of life. And every time they try to draw a line, a child slips away to chose the “easy way” and become a part of another system where he can be more powerful than the stronger ones. In my opinion, demarcation in hierarchical system comes responsibly with the attitude & nature of work, and not just the action you perform in life. Law of nature gives equal rights and privileges to all strong and weak alike. It is up to us that we take advantage of these privileges responsibly in life.

Creating a wave of awareness to uproot the prevailing condition is necessary, unless he is selfish enough to think of himself only. It should spread like a virus- go wild and deep into the system, and cure the numbness we are having now. A single seed when attended has the potential to grow up into a big banyan tree. Life is like that, we all are programmed to do what we like to do. When we cannot change the system, we become a part of it. We have to be in the system to change the system. My very first proposal is to reject the very idea of the system that does not favor a free and fearless life, and revolt against it rather than sit tight and wait for it to change. We should do our part to make it better instead of waiting for the system to be better. Unless we revolt, nothing will happen. Bandhs, strikes, protests, what good will it bring to show your dissatisfaction when at the very first step you remained silent to all the prejudices. An injustice watched silently is an injustice in itself.

As written in an article in E-pao.net by Victoria, the first thing we can help save our homeland is by being an ambassador ourselves and promote tourism. Many Manipuri students who can draw a good crowd and attract rare personals, may bring to their kind attention about our homeland. If I were in Imphal, I may not have the opportunity or the thoughts to write this article out of fear or rejection or maybe, too busy with my own work. When you are in the system, you only see the flaws but cannot dare to change it; but when you have been a part of the system you realize that you can try to help in other forms or ways. That’s what I am doing, trying to change the mindset of the people at large. We cannot change the system overnight, we have to go gradually and penetrate deep into the minds of the people with time. And I believe that citizens have a big role in changing the system. I may be wrong in my ideology but my intentions are for a good change. Alone I can only dream to change, but with others we can put our dreams into action.

Bands, strikes, killings, firings, prejudices, injustices, unlawful acts, drugs, smuggling, trafficking, abuses, abduction, kidnappings and what not. Would it not have been a better place without them? Every morning paper bears these news daily on front page, and we call ourselves civilized! What would be the impact on a child’s mind when he reads the morning paper? People don’t seem to realize the value of “life” anymore, having confronted death everyday! Without these vales, what is the meaning of life? Technology or developments in social life doesn’t make a good civilization. They are only a tool for a better living, not a civilized life? What difference does it make then with the Neanderthal man and us today? Civilization should come from thoughts out of a free and fearless mind, and having human values.

The actions carried out by the saints in “The Boondocks Saints” movie were truly brave and justifying. They may take up law in their own hands but they did that for the love of human values. They were saints but of a different kind, they teach the hard way. They remained united whatsoever, and fought against all evil in the society. In real life, sometimes we need heroes like them for people to follow examples.

In a God forsaken state like Manipur, we do need sacrifices and examples to follow. Many have died for the cause and many will continue to do so for the love of this motherland, but I wonder when will the citizens be awake from this deep slumber? Even today, we remember those martyrs who laid down their lives for the unity and peace of the state. Only those who have lost their own ones know the suffering, others just mourn for a day and forget the next moment. But I want to ask if how many more do we have to sacrifice before we realize it’s too late for Manipur to change? Why do we have to wait for the system to change until some suffering befell upon us? Let’s do our part well, and rest will follow. Life is precious, and what is more precious is a good life- free from fear and freedom. A fearful life can never create good things in life; it will reflect only his fears. This fear has devastated the state for many years. Let’s take hold of our fears and wake up to a new morning, where your children will smile and be a reason for you to be happy.

Let’s fight for a good cause and wake up the sleeping ones.

The Crossroads

(Written somewhere in time back there in Imphal)

I came back to Manipur after almost a year and could see the changes; not in terms of good roads or tall buildings but in terms of increasing unemployment, sufferings, injustice and unlawful acts. Boys and girls, much lesser than our age got married, with no job in hand. I was wondering how they will manage to survive in life, amidst this cruel fate of Manipur!

Many of my friends got married and were looking for a good job or business. Some have been doing small business and maybe prospering in it too! It somehow reflected me with an image of the complexity they must be facing in life. With a wife to support and a family to be accounted responsibility of, they must be really at their wits end to find a loophole in the society to drain the wealth in their pockets. Many friends who were good in studies have left studies, some got married and took up business or something to support their lives, but how long will that go on I ponder!

On the other hand, I at my mid 20s, have been keeping myself away from family and relative’s pressure to get married or questions of my relationships. I feel I love to be a Diaspora now, whose mind stretches from one corner of world to another and yet end up with thoughts of Manipur. This mixed culture has swept across the nation for quite a time now, most people of our age are working, struggling hard and focus on career rather than worrying for a good wife. I ask myself, are our minds westernized or is it the feeling of realization in life to have a better life after struggling hard? Maybe I am not the only one who thinks like this but maybe I am one of those who spoke it out! Maybe a Diaspora thinks like that! Maybe I am not the right person to answer or ask the very question because I am a part of the system too, where people have their own views and philosophies in life.

Manipur on the other hand has developed into a killing field, where army troops and UGs come for shooting practice. And the most important thing is that the people are either not aware of it or knowingly suppressing the screams of the hearts. I am not blaming anyone for the cause because it’s us, the people, who have led to this situation. In such a small state like Manipur, there are more differentiations than other bigger states in terms of religion, caste and place. When we could not have unity at such a small level, we possibly could only dream of a better life and not achieve it. There are more than 50 tribes, leave religions alone. In such a place where caste comes first instead of humanity, how does one find time to hate one another?

Whenever a friend asks me the meaning of ‘Manipur’ or ‘Kangleipak’, somehow I feel a deep sigh in my heart to describe it as “Land of jewels” or “Switzerland of India” or “Land of paradise”. It has lost its all meaning, it feels like I wish to call it like that without a reason or supported by facts. I however feel the pride to be a Manipuri, that’s the same reason why I am writing this article – for the love of this hometown. The sense of belonging to one place however reflects differently for different people.

The main problem is not the neighboring states or people that hinder the growth of the state but the people that live within the state. The dissimilarities between different groups, the differences between different caste and religion, the hatred between them. Where does it lead us to? Every one of us has read stories of heroism, unity, brotherhood. If that is all what we have learnt from books, to read and forget, what use is the education for us? We are used to the prevailing system that it neither gives any space for a change nor have any intention to do it.

Many good students are out of the state, struggling for a career whereas the parents are in Imphal for securing a good future for their children. So isn’t it our duty as a children of this state to give back something we learnt from our education? Isn’t it our duty to secure a good life for our old aged parents? Would you part your hard earned money when your time comes? Maybe you would say, “I don’t want to stay in Manipur at all”. Then I would say, “You should never have been born in Manipur”. It’s easy to run away from the problems, but difficult to confront it. Will it solve the problems? No, never. It’s very easy to point fingers on another but have you ever thought why he is being pointed out? Everyone wants to be at the top, but have to struggle for that. Depriving one of his rights for your own benefit won’t help you out when his time comes. Everyone dream of the good old times to come back, but a dream without a value won’t last long. And that value generally will come through sufferings. So isn’t it time we realize our own mistakes and come forward together for a better tomorrow rather than wait for that day to strike you.

Many Manipuris are at high posts, some with good contacts and some an authority in itself. Together we can make it happen; dissolving all differences together and creating a new meaning for the word “Manipur”. Some Manipuris got rare achievements, some lucky enough to draw a good crowd and some administrators in the system itself. What good will be the education, what good will be the achievement, what good will be the honors and medals without a true meaning of “Manipur”, from where it originated all? Maybe we won’t be able to see those good days in our lifetime, but we will be remembered for ages to come.So come out of your caves and join us.Let's do something for this God forsaken place.

If not for yourself then for your children and grandchildren!!

Before sunrise!!

Life has been treating me well.It's like a swing,sometimes up and sometimes down.Everyone has his own taste of life in tits and bits! In large,i have been thinking about life,my life,everybody's life.Sometimes its hard to believe that our worlds have become so narrow minded and smaller place to live in.Yet people hardly find time to share with their family,friends and dear ones even in this small world.

My life has always four walls in childhood.Under the strict supervision of my grandfather,who was a technical expert in every work;for he spent his whole life working odd jobs for the family.He had seen the world and would tell us about it,stories of second world war,histories etc before bed.He was a good cook too,and i miss those omlete which he makes with a spoon.(In general,all Manipuri guys know how to cook). As a child i had nothing to do but think of ways to do new things..maybe it is a nuisance to some but i have always been familiar with numbers.I use to add numbers of the vehicles i see on the way and see if they add upto 9,just like that;no reason for that. (You won't believe it,i do that now too sometimes.) I have some childhood friends,which were relatives basically of my same age.

School was a big break for me.Under the missionary fathers and brothers,we were brought up and instill in us the values i treasure for life.Life was easy for me,because i did not mix with much people. I was slow in initiating things and friendship too.I didn't have any fixed friend until class five,but that stupid guy flunked and there i was lonely again.All classmates were my friends,but by friends i mean with whom i can play,talk to,fight with and have fun with.

In class ten,i met a good friend who taught me to write poems (m grateful to him for this art).I had many friends by the class ten and had lot of fun in school. I wonder how i spent my whole day in school without a friend before that? I guess m used to it.

The real life started in XI when i began to learn bunking class and have fun with friends.On my birthday,skipped my class and watched "Dil to pagal hai" with friends and gave a grand party without attending the tuition,only to get caught by parents when i got home.That was hard part,yet i managed. I was caught smoking over the roof,yet parents dint say anything to me;maybe they wanted me to realize it myself.

Life seem to start rolling when i did my engineering,where i met different peoples from different parts of the country.I keep a low profile and hardly mix with people whom i hardly know or whom i dont wana mix with.I use to think a lot since childhood days (my grandpa's gift).I began to think about life and relations during my engineering days when i flunked one year due to a girl thing.That time i realize how my life have been in all these years.I began to understand problems in life and many people use to ask my opinion.I also found it interesting to listen to them and give them advice or opinion.I was wrong sometimes but that mistakes make me more vulnerable to think.

Life keeps moving until my grandpa passes away a couple of months ago,leaving with me his legacy of thoughts and responsibility.I saw him sometimes in dreams and miss his warm hands.I am a bit emotional,sensitive kinda guy. I can laugh at the slight gesture and cry at the very thought of something stupid. Well thats not the matter..life will go on.

Last time i remember him was when i ate roti with gobi sabji,it almost tasted the same like he use to make when i was a child.It made me sad remembering it and i stopped eating rotis from that day.Memories can drive me crazy sometimes.

My friends consider me as an old man in the group.Maybe i have my own reasons for my actions.I am a bit matured than my age,i guess!! Whatever it may be,i wish know the reason why i am like this?

When will the sun rise?
When will the darkness end?

A page in my life,taken from diary.

(This is a page from my dairy,which i have stopped writing long ago.I remember those awful nights that i use to have when i forgot to write my diary.Those were the days when i could not help hide my feelings and control my sentiment..a child i was!)

Dated 27th May 2006

Dearest Dairy,

I was pondering over a cup of tea,watching the rains and suddenly i just realized that i have turned some of my dearest families into foes.No matter how much clarification i give,i'll always be taken wrongly with time! I smiled,not in satisfaction but because i had no other gestures left upon my silly life which i have turned into.

My little brother and cousin brother are going today for their place of study. I feel a void inside me,as if my family is incomplete. A sense of gratitude soon ran through my nerves for giving me such a nice and happy family. For no matter what i am,what i do,they will always believe in the best in me.

Some say there is not turning back in life.Bt golden memories would have turned brown and dusty f not reminisced.Maybe there will be a time in near future where i can recall or relate them and relish it's true nature. Till then,i would prefer to live in the present,no matter in what condition i am.

Dwipen

Slipstreming Windows [What is it?]

In simple words Slipstreaming is a method by which you get a Windows updated installation files. Basically we install Windows using an installer and update it regularly. Now, if we want to make an installable Windows version with all the latest updates we use Slipstreaming. It basically reverse engineers all the system files and updates and makes it a Windows installable version like the original one you had installed with,only with the latest updates.

Basically when you apply updates,it patches or adds files to the system folder and registry entries [at \system32 folder]. When you slipstream it,all the new system files and registry [inf,reg files] are included in i386 folder of the windows installation file.

Now do you still wonder how one has Windows CD,Windows with SP1 CD or Windows with SP2 cd?? I doubt not!!

Slipstreming Windows [What is it?]

In simple words Slipstreaming is a method by which you get a Windows updated installation files. Basically we install Windows using an installer and update it regularly. Now, if we want to make an installable Windows version with all the latest updates we use Slipstreaming. It basically reverse engineers all the system files and updates and makes it a Windows installable version like the original one you had installed with,only with the latest updates.

Basically when you apply updates,it patches or adds files to the system folder and registry entries [at \system32 folder]. When you slipstream it,all the new system files and registry [inf,reg files] are included in i386 folder of the windows installation file.

Now do you still wonder how one has Windows CD,Windows with SP1 CD or Windows with SP2 cd?? I doubt not!!

Review of Chak de India

Despite the frills and thrills of my tight schedule (lol),i managed to watch "Chak de India" as i got the copy through a friend late in the evening when i went for midnight snacks. After much thought,i started th movie around 2.30am only to find myself cheering for the Indian hockey team.Here is a version of my own review (my first one).

Flashback:

Lets go back in time to have a larger picture.Kabir Khan played by SRK is the captain of Indian hockey team. In a do or die situation SRK loses the Indian team to Pakistan in a penalty shoot out. SRK was shaking hands with the Pakistan captain when a pressman clicked fotos of him doing so. After the match,he was accused of fixing the match and that he was a good friend to Pakistan captain.Being a Muslim in India is one of the worst thing to be.He was scrapped off his current image and people called him betrayer. His normal life was affected and he had to leave his home with his mother to live somewhere else.

His return:

After seven years,the Indian women's hockey team needs a coach and he arrives at the crucial moment to prove his worth.Despite the associations several ways to deprive and deny the team,he gets the post.His friend warns him of the team,calling it to be a messed up team.He believes in himself and says that its what he want.He wants to achieve the impossible and prove it wrong.

The training:

The team registration starts and one by one,each player arrives from different parts of the Country - Andhra Pradesh,Jharkhand,Haryana,Punjab,Manipur,Mizoram,Tamil Nadu. There is a scene at the registration of the team as well as the introduction of the actors in the film. There was this ignorant manager in his mid 70's at the counter. The Jharkhand team comes and one of them doesn't know Hindi or English at all. He calls them to be coming from 'Jungle' in a good sense which pisses off them! Then the Tamil player where she addresses herself as from tamil.The manager thinks her to be Telugu and there was a light argument that Tamil is different from Telugu (who said ignorance is a bliss??). Upon asking what's the difference by the manager, the girl says ..the way Haryana and Bihar are different!! Then comes the Manipur and Mizoram girls ;marking their entrance with a tight slap to an eavesdropper who was passing comments on them. The manager was thrilled to know that they came from a far off place and asked them to be their guest. The best part is what the Manipuri girl says to the manager; "why do you treat us to be guest in our own country?" That was the best answer i acknowledge and jumped in bed to hear it.Its true in ground reality.

SRK enters and starts his coaching (norms,rules and ethics etc). The good part shown here is that he will be strict to his words and coaching.There was a player from Chandigarh who came late for registration but he denied her and asked her to come for next year. Upon request he asks her to make rounds and come back. One of the main thing is that during an informal introduction of the players, he points out that no matter you may be top player of a state,now they will be playing for India as a team and should go by the rules. Training starts..and conflicts start arising in the team.He sends them out whoever has a problem following his way of playing the game. Days pass by and these four players who were sent out comes in one by one saying sorry to the coach. He toughens the training and makes them slog for days.many end up with bruises,scratches,swellings etc. The senior most player revolts and ask for everyone to sign upon his resignation proposal.

Next day SRK come to know of it and feels sorry for India.Everyone feels sorry for SRK as well as themselves.many had so many problems at home.Some asking to come back for marriage,some to come back for some reason and so on. One of the main part shown was that the Chandigarh gal had a BF who was in Indian cricket team ;and being a player he didn't value her as some national player (i pity on his sportsmanship!!)

SRK gives a farewell treat to the team and others. As luck would have it,due to a fight in the restaurant (due to passing of rude comments to the NE gals;well NE gals are always hot,aren't they?) the team comes into force and help each other out. They realize their mistake and SRK sees the team culture int them. Soon the training resumed.

Time to prove:

Despite the hard efforts,the hockey association declares that they won't be able to send the women's team for world cup and send only the male counterparts.Upon many request they turn deaf ears to SRK and his friend. SRK then challenges a match between the women's team and the man's team after 2 days. Women's team loses the match by a single goal and the man's team as well as the rest of the association members applauses the women;s team for their play. They were finally given a green signal and they went to Australia for the world cup.

The first match against Australia was lost badly and he had to restructure the game statistics and gained confidence of the players. They finally won match after match to reach the finals.

The match against Korea was worth watching as they had a one to one matching technique and only the senior most player could tackle the game.He wins the confidence of the player and hence the match was won.

Final match:

Before the final match,there was an official ceremony to congratulate both the Indian as well as Australian team for reaching the finals. There at the back stage he tries to tell the two forward players from Haryana and Chandigarh to pass ball to each other and not play alone for the sake of scoring most. There were some personal conflicts,due to which each of them didn't agree to it.

Before the final match,SRK asks them to play their best and said that this few minutes of game will affect their whole life.And that none can take away from them these few minutes,no matter if they win or lose.Game started and India was losing to Australia due to the personal conflict between the two forward strikers and Australia was taking advantage of it. At the last minute the players realize their mistake and helps each other to score to draw.

Penalty shootout was done and was a thrilling experience.India won the match by one penalty shoot out. The team returns back India bringing glory to family and India while SRK went back to his original home with his mother. People were watching him with remorse for what they have done to him. Finally they accept them as a true Indian and a true player.

That was basically one of the real life story of some Indian captain back in 90's.

Bottomline:
The whole movie showed the existence of sexism in India along with their struggle against the society.despite the hard work ,they are given less importance and recognition.Chak De India is based on the true story of former hockey goalkeeper and coach Mir Ranjan Negi, who was charged with allegations of match-fixing after India's humiliating 1-7 defeat to Pakistan in the 1982 Asian Games hockey final. Seven years later, Negi’s honour was restored.

Chak de India!!

Chak de North East!!

...yehi musibat rehti hai
north-east ki taazgi
inki aan, baan aur shaan hai
dono chup chup rehti hain
par ye hi team ki jaan hain
Molly Zimik

(lyrics in song "ek hockey dungi main rakhke")

After the flop and most controversial release of "Tango Charlie" due to its lack of research on North East, Bollywood has come up with new results. In the newly released "Chak de India", two players that played the role of players in the movie are from Manipur and Mizoram respectively. Yes, you got it right..Manipur and Mizoram. Though i haven't seen the movie i am happy to know that the rest of the country is slowly realizing the potential of North East people bit by bit.

In fact in National hockey team for girls,you will always find two or three players from North East especially Manipur. In women's football team,there are few rooms for other state players to be in the team!! Manipur is shining,and the best part is that other states have begun to recognize it . Northeast people, with its different ethnic looks and different living and eating habits make them stand out before others. many mistook them (us) for Nepali,Chinese,Japanese,Koreans and sometimes worse!! I doubt there may not be a single person from NE which have not been mistook en to be from another place!!

With IIM(coming up in Shillong),NIT(Silchar and new one coming up in Manipur),IIT (Guwahati), RIMS (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences in Imphal) ,CDCC (formerly CEDTI in Imphal) and many other premier institutes like St Mary,St Josephs (in Shillong) ..North East is not so far away from the rest of the country in terms of technology and development . People of North East have always been excellent in any kind of sports..be it hockey,football,tae kwondo,weight lifting,boxing or something else

The NE Girls (Three Cheers!!)

Molly Zimik,( Manipur)

Mary Ralte, (Mizoram)

Short Description about their role:

The talented hockey duo from the North East. Their school books taught them that they are Indians but Indians taught them otherwise. The only reason they play for the National team is that it is the only National team they can play for. They would love to belong but not to the team that calls them 'foreign', and definitely not to the people that call them 'loose'. So they stick together and play. For the love of the game and the honour of their people.

courtesy: http://chakde-india.com/
images: http://www.apunkachoice.com

Chak de North East!! Chak de India!!
Keep it up...keep your head high.

Conflict of NIT issue in Manipur

Courtesy:E-pao

After the central Government's decision to launch a new IIM in Shillong,they have decided to cope up with the technological changes in the North East with a new NIT (NAtional INstitute of Technology). For those who don't know, NIT is an equivalent of IIT's in other parts of India. Formerly it was called REC (Regional Engineering College) which is basically one of the best Technological institutes of India located at different regions. Silchar REC is one of the oldest REC n India located in the North Eastern region. After that ,Center had decided to launch a new one at Manipur.


Despite this great news,which is a boon for the North Eastern population there has been conflicts regarding the location of NIT.There has been many a time conflicts on the location of new facilities coming up. Long ago,there was this issue of locating the new facilities of a well equipped Hospital to be developed. But the local peoples have always argued on the land,location,price and so on. I don't really understand the need for such a conflict at all!!
If it is not built on the particular location decided by the local Government,it would be built somewhere else.Maybe the people should understand the importance of such facilities being set up. Why do they have to protest all the time and argue all the time?

They should understand that if NIT comes in NE,it will be a boon for us. People die to get admitted to such institutes,and how dare the people deny the respect of such an honor? More people will come to NE from different states to study,more globalized and organized it will be. But there has been always some fears attached to it! How in the living environment of Manipur will the students adjust and how will they study? One should accept that it's really different environment out there. The review given in Kanglaonline regarding the location at Tamenglong was justified to some extent that the institute will have some peace. His idea about 24*365 functional was tremendous and hopeful but we cant really say as for now. We'll have to really wait for the decision of the location first.

Given the location,there will be lots of hustle and bustle regarding the construction contract and so on..bit by bit. I wonder if it will withstand the rising demands and expectations of the people!!
Will it be functioning normally as other NIT's in rest of the country or will it have different effect altogether? What about the resources that will provide the NIT status-like 24 hours electricity and water,high speed net connections,computers in every room,a vast library database etc I don't know if the local people are aware of these facilities to be provided in NIT!! Would it be a complete failure after launch? Will it be successful in future? Lets pray and hope for the best.

Sweet Alice !!

Hey don't take me wrong,I am referring to ALICE which is an artificial intelligence foundation. I have been familiar with ALICE when it was first released in DOS mode in early 90's. I was amazed to have talk to 'HER' !! Well she picks up common words and some predefined parameters and answers you back. All you need to do is just keep calm and control your temper. At the first instance you would have been amazed that such a thing has been developed but when you talk to it; you'll probably realize that its not human at all (stupid and ambigous).

Sometimes she keep asking the same question or repeat the same words again and again and pisses one off. But the height of the conversation would be when you use slangs and she will say "please don't use such words" or something like that as if she knows what's good and what's bad !! The first time i chatted with her through an exe file (which was very small as i thought), i was pissed off int he very few minutes of chat.

After years of my comeback,until i found the website of ALICE. I talked with her again and i was amazed at the improvements she has made. I once again got pissed (hey shes not a human but just a program sitting on a dumb computer somewhere in US). I tried to track down her location by asking her,where are you located and she told me in Dr 's lab. I was happy to know that she considers herself as a computer program and not a human lol. Heres a short summary of the chat i had the last time.

Me: where are you located?

Alice: In Dr. 's lab

Me: So what are you?

Alice: I am one of you

Me: Are you human then?

Alice: Humans are living beings who ..blah blah (she gave definition of human beings!)

Me: You are pissing me off

Alice : Shall we change the topic? What are your interests?

Me: You dumb,stupid computer. get lost

Alice: I will remember your words when the machines take over humans

Now can you imagine the shock that i got at that response. First i thought "woah" what is this? Is she someone real? is she trying to mes up with me? I imagined that the day is near when machines will really take over human!! lol But then i said what the ###.. And i got more interesting haha. I also come to know that there has been quite a lot of improvements in the AI field and there was some competition on chatting between these AI programs and Alice came third in that. I asked Alice about it and she was responding like she was sad.. "yes i came in third. It was pretty shocked at it"

You can chat to her at http://www.alicebot.org/

A chat log between huma and ALICE: http://list.alicebot.org/pipermail/alicebot-general/2005-June/009909.html

The whole thing is based on programming techniques and languages developed. Alice is developed using AIML. (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) is an XML-compliant language that's easy to learn, and makes it possible for you to begin customizing an Alicebot or creating one from scratch within minutes.

Have fun with Alice till then.

Sweet Alice !!

Hey don't take me wrong,I am referring to ALICE which is an artificial intelligence foundation. I have been familiar with ALICE when it was first released in DOS mode in early 90's. I was amazed to have talk to 'HER' !! Well she picks up common words and some predefined parameters and answers you back. All you need to do is just keep calm and control your temper. At the first instance you would have been amazed that such a thing has been developed but when you talk to it; you'll probably realize that its not human at all (stupid and ambigous).

Sometimes she keep asking the same question or repeat the same words again and again and pisses one off. But the height of the conversation would be when you use slangs and she will say "please don't use such words" or something like that as if she knows what's good and what's bad !! The first time i chatted with her through an exe file (which was very small as i thought), i was pissed off int he very few minutes of chat.

After years of my comeback,until i found the website of ALICE. I talked with her again and i was amazed at the improvements she has made. I once again got pissed (hey shes not a human but just a program sitting on a dumb computer somewhere in US). I tried to track down her location by asking her,where are you located and she told me in Dr 's lab. I was happy to know that she considers herself as a computer program and not a human lol. Heres a short summary of the chat i had the last time.

Me: where are you located?

Alice: In Dr. 's lab

Me: So what are you?

Alice: I am one of you

Me: Are you human then?

Alice: Humans are living beings who ..blah blah (she gave definition of human beings!)

Me: You are pissing me off

Alice : Shall we change the topic? What are your interests?

Me: You dumb,stupid computer. get lost

Alice: I will remember your words when the machines take over humans

Now can you imagine the shock that i got at that response. First i thought "woah" what is this? Is she someone real? is she trying to mes up with me? I imagined that the day is near when machines will really take over human!! lol But then i said what the ###.. And i got more interesting haha. I also come to know that there has been quite a lot of improvements in the AI field and there was some competition on chatting between these AI programs and Alice came third in that. I asked Alice about it and she was responding like she was sad.. "yes i came in third. It was pretty shocked at it"

You can chat to her at http://www.alicebot.org/

A chat log between huma and ALICE: http://list.alicebot.org/pipermail/alicebot-general/2005-June/009909.html

The whole thing is based on programming techniques and languages developed. Alice is developed using AIML. (Artificial Intelligence Markup Language) is an XML-compliant language that's easy to learn, and makes it possible for you to begin customizing an Alicebot or creating one from scratch within minutes.

Have fun with Alice till then.

Hacking Firefox !!

Hacking Firefox

Firefox has always maintained a reputation for being an enormously customizable program right from its debut, both through its add-on architecture and its internal settings. As many of Firefox's settings aren't exposed through the Tools > Options menu; the only way to change them is to edit them manually. Some of the most useful Firefox settings that you can change on your own and that aren't normally available through the program's graphical interface.

Firefox does not manage its internal settings is the Windows Registry. Each setting, or preference, is given a name and stored as a string (text), integer (number) or Boolean (true/false) value. Firefox stores its settings in a file called prefs.js found at

:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xfjb1okp.default

You can edit prefs.js directly, but it's often easier to change the settings through the browser window.

Type about:config in the address bar and press Enter, and you'll see all the settings currently enumerated in prefs.js, listed in alphabetical order. To narrow down the hundreds of configuration preferences to just the few you need, type a search term into the Filter: bar.

For a complete details, visit the link below

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9020880#begin

1720 Error- Hard drive detects Imminent Failure!!!

The first thing that irritates you when you switch on the computer is the display of an error.And imagine if the error comes even before loading the drives? It happened with me today while i was away to get a cup of coffee and was downloading software driver updates for my laptop . I was shocked to see the error "1720-SM.A.R.T. - Hard Drive detects Imminent Failure. Please backup the contents of the hard drive and run HDD self test in F10 setup." When i ran the HDD test in BIOS,it could not detect the hard drive at all and the test was a failure!! I was shocked as to why in middle of nowhere??
without any signs of defect,any signs of failure before and so suddenly?? The worst part is that my project datelines are coming to an end and have to work on them soon. So what i did was trying to re install Windows XP,but it could not even detect the HDD. I tried with Ubuntu and it worked so i installed it after some trial of Windows installation.

The worst part is that in a hurry and desperation,i clicked the custom made installation and it wiped out the contents of my HDD!!! Woahhh i shouted in disgust only to find the files wiped out!! I looked at the dumb bastard who did this without even warning me. Alas i thought i am done for now. So i installed the Ubuntu and tried to install other softwares but in vain,i don't now much about linux too!! So what do i do now? I searched every nook and corner of the web like a spider and read forums after forum,documentations after documentations and tried again and again but in vain. Even the speed of network was slower and hence could not download in peace. I didn't know what to do so went to look for the error code and come to know that it was due to the Firmware driver of the hard disk that have become outdated.There were some posts which said there is a file in Microsoft which can heal that but i was too disappointed that i dint bother to look for it. However i found out the hard disk details and downloaded the latest firmware support. Now the problem is how do in install an exe file in Ubuntu?

Microsoft is such a bullshit Operating System!! They copied everything from Mac and produced Vista..And there is flaw in everything they make. Now all i can do is wait till dawn and hand over to the customer care. for that i had a chat session with the customer online technician and he told me to call up the telephone suport in India and gave me the number and said bye. Well all i can say at this moment is

"Happy Independence Day". Screwed myself on this very day eh!!

Hope it gets better!!!

1720 Error- Hard drive detects Imminent Failure!!!

The first thing that irritates you when you switch on the computer is the display of an error.And imagine if the error comes even before loading the drives? It happened with me today while i was away to get a cup of coffee and was downloading software driver updates for my laptop . I was shocked to see the error "1720-SM.A.R.T. - Hard Drive detects Imminent Failure. Please backup the contents of the hard drive and run HDD self test in F10 setup." When i ran the HDD test in BIOS,it could not detect the hard drive at all and the test was a failure!! I was shocked as to why in middle of nowhere??without any signs of defect,any signs of failure before and so suddenly?? The worst part is that my project datelines are coming to an end and have to work on them soon. So what i did was trying to re install Windows XP,but it could not even detect the HDD. I tried with Ubuntu and it worked so i installed it after some trial of Windows installation.
The worst part is that in a hurry and desperation,i clicked the custom made installation and it wiped out the contents of my HDD!!! Woahhh i shouted in disgust only to find the files wiped out!! I looked at the dumb bastard who did this without even warning me. Alas i thought i am done for now. So i installed the Ubuntu and tried to install other softwares but in vain,i don't now much about linux too!! So what do i do now? I searched every nook and corner of the web like a spider and read forums after forum,documentations after documentations and tried again and again but in vain. Even the speed of network was slower and hence could not download in peace. I didn't know what to do so went to look for the error code and come to know that it was due to the Firmware driver of the hard disk that have become outdated.There were some posts which said there is a file in Microsoft which can heal that but i was too disappointed that i dint bother to look for it. However i found out the hard disk details and downloaded the latest firmware support. Now the problem is how do in install an exe file in Ubuntu?
Microsoft is such a bullshit Operating System!! They copied everything from Mac and produced Vista..And there is flaw in everything they make. Now all i can do is wait till dawn and hand over to the customer care. for that i had a chat session with the customer online technician and he told me to call up the telephone suport in India and gave me the number and said bye. Well all i can say at this moment is

"Happy Independence Day". Screwed myself on this very day eh!!

Hope it gets better!!!

My experience at Landmark Bookstore ,Pune

To be true,i would not have known the name of "Landmark" had it not been for my assignment on the same. We, a team of four people were supposed to find out the logic flows and supply chain management of Landmark situated in East street in Pune. Before going to the store, i had done some remarkable researches so that i could be familiar with the store when i pay a visit. It was basically originated from Chennai as a large store in Spencer's plaza. And one of the most remarkable discovery was that it had tied up with Sify.com for its e-business and customer care support was also given via chat or phone. But there were only 2/3 pages on Landmark,rest of them were from Sify.com so just searched on and on till exhausted.

I had known Crossword since its first inauguration in Pune at DP Road in Pune. So i am familiar with it and find it nice and c0sy environment for searching good books. Well i admit that i don't buy much books but yeah i do love to take a stroll and read contents and decide which would be better book...as if i am there to write a book review. The newly setup Crossword at Senapati Bapat road is amazing..with a good database of books and a good environment ,where i can sit down and read for some time.

Well the Landmark experience was quite different..as we went in,we inquired the guard where we can find the manager to talk about the assignment. He took about 15 minutes to run here and there on the pretext of other works,besides keeping his customers waiting. Finally upon asking again he nodded his head in dismay as if he forgot it due to his busy schedule !! and led us to the manager. She was in her late 30s sitting on a chair as she was billing other customers. I burped out "Ma'am we are from this institute,we are doing an assignment on Landmark and would like your assistance". She interrupted us midway saying "oh we don't allow small time projects or whatever". My heart sunk, what more could i say???

Then we said ok ma'am,and walked away from her counter after taking her name and contact no. We strolled about the hallway and all we could find was CDs and DVDs.. We scaled the stairs and went to the library section. It was amazing collection of books so nicely categorized and maintained. I was happy to see the well maintained library. The most amazing part is that it had technical books as well as text books prescribed by Schools and colleges. I never found educational books pertaining to the college recoomendations in Crossword to the extent where Landmark stands. More particularly i found so many technical subkect books which is rare in Crossword and other bookstores. The only problem i found about it was that there was less space and had few seats to sit and read.It had a small flor area. Maybe to keep the customers thinking that the place is full of books !! One more uneasiness was that in a bokstore library they were running music..not just instrumental but songs..i belive bookstores should be quiet or at least play soft instrumental music. moreover it seemed as if the books were just piled up for sale and not taking into consideration for book lovers..where one can come and sit down and have space to read!!

After spending some time with the books standing, we went downstairs to see the stationery. Nothing in particular was available except some tiffin boxes,file folders,clips etc So we walked out and returned back home. We had learnt one thing in our Management institute, that customer satisfaction is very necessary for business. Yet my experience in landmark was though nice regarding the collections,overall id dint find the zeal to g back and search for book. There were few seats available,music was a nuisance,little space to walk around,congested and not to forget not customer friendly. The watchmen there doesn't know anything about books,there were just there to watch if anyone steals or not. There should be a person who has good knowledge of books and can recommend what he should read and he would prefer rather than sneering at customers what they are doing.

India's first hacker's Convention

India's first hacking convention is to be held in December 2007 . the venue and exact date has not been confirmed yet though. With the rising cases of Hacking and frauds and viruses have led Cyber laws to a tight position and in demand.

This is the first time Asian School of Cyber Laws is taking up the initiative to hold an international convention of Hackers to discuss in details about hacking in large,information security and its related issues.

For more details please visit the official website www.clubhack.com

My experience at Landmark Bookstore ,Pune

To be true,i would not have known the name of "Landmark" had it not been for my assignment on the same. We, a team of four people were supposed to find out the logic flows and supply chain management of Landmark situated in East street in Pune. Before going to the store, i had done some remarkable researches so that i could be familiar with the store when i pay a visit. It was basically originated from Chennai as a large store in Spencer's plaza. And one of the most remarkable discovery was that it had tied up with Sify.com for its e-business and customer care support was also given via chat or phone. But there were only 2/3 pages on Landmark,rest of them were from Sify.com so just searched on and on till exhausted.

I had known Crossword since its first inauguration in Pune at DP Road in Pune. So i am familiar with it and find it nice and c0sy environment for searching good books. Well i admit that i don't buy much books but yeah i do love to take a stroll and read contents and decide which would be better book...as if i am there to write a book review. The newly setup Crossword at Senapati Bapat road is amazing..with a good database of books and a good environment ,where i can sit down and read for some time.

Well the Landmark experience was quite different..as we went in,we inquired the guard where we can find the manager to talk about the assignment. He took about 15 minutes to run here and there on the pretext of other works,besides keeping his customers waiting. Finally upon asking again he nodded his head in dismay as if he forgot it due to his busy schedule !! and led us to the manager. She was in her late 30s sitting on a chair as she was billing other customers. I burped out "Ma'am we are from this institute,we are doing an assignment on Landmark and would like your assistance". She interrupted us midway saying "oh we don't allow small time projects or whatever". My heart sunk, what more could i say???

Then we said ok ma'am,and walked away from her counter after taking her name and contact no. We strolled about the hallway and all we could find was CDs and DVDs.. We scaled the stairs and went to the library section. It was amazing collection of books so nicely categorized and maintained. I was happy to see the well maintained library. The most amazing part is that it had technical books as well as text books prescribed by Schools and colleges. I never found educational books pertaining to the college recoomendations in Crossword to the extent where Landmark stands. More particularly i found so many technical subkect books which is rare in Crossword and other bookstores. The only problem i found about it was that there was less space and had few seats to sit and read.It had a small flor area. Maybe to keep the customers thinking that the place is full of books !! One more uneasiness was that in a bokstore library they were running music..not just instrumental but songs..i belive bookstores should be quiet or at least play soft instrumental music. moreover it seemed as if the books were just piled up for sale and not taking into consideration for book lovers..where one can come and sit down and have space to read!!

After spending some time with the books standing, we went downstairs to see the stationery. Nothing in particular was available except some tiffin boxes,file folders,clips etc So we walked out and returned back home. We had learnt one thing in our Management institute, that customer satisfaction is very necessary for business. Yet my experience in landmark was though nice regarding the collections,overall id dint find the zeal to g back and search for book. There were few seats available,music was a nuisance,little space to walk around,congested and not to forget not customer friendly. The watchmen there doesn't know anything about books,there were just there to watch if anyone steals or not. There should be a person who has good knowledge of books and can recommend what he should read and he would prefer rather than sneering at customers what they are doing.

Insomnia - a disease or a boon!!

Courtesy: http://www.christophernolan.net

It dates back to my childhood days of pondering,biting my unearthing nail tips. Right from childhood i use to ponder and get lost into my own world of dreams..dreams not of fairies and dragons but an imaginary world of my hidden wishes and thoughts. The mighty Barauni (local hillock) stands before me as a source of inspiration and a reason to get lost in my own world. Mom knew about this and used to scold me every time when she comes to deliver the morning tea to my desk but never asked me what i was thinking about..maybe she was giving me time to recover myself and realize the truth of life rather than get lost in my own world. She knew i was day dreaming and never laughed at me,she just would say "you will have time to think on your own..till then study". Now i understand her words. With time this had become a habit in real time..and i don't day dream but i have developed so many barriers between me and the world that it needs time for me to snap back and return to the real world.
Time as someone has truly said is a great healer.With time i realize everything..from emotional trauma to stress..i could snap in no time and come back to my senses rather than get carried away with it. Since childhood i have been a loner,not because i didn't had friends but that i chosed that way. My grandpa was the main reason for my mental re-development. Alas he's no more,but he has given me the time and space to dwell in my own world and space. Gone were the days of war stories and bed time folk tales.

It is generally said that a person needs at least 8 hours of sleep for healthy day life. For me i cut those extra four hours and made it 4 hours of sleep daily. Sometimes i would indulge myself in something i love and would stretch for 24 hours of no sleep..yet have maintained the decorum to sleep at least 4 hours in day less my health deteriorates. There are times when i gave my papers without a wink of sleep adn find myself sleeping in exam hall. But that was years ago when i just started to realize that it could made me insomnia!! Confronting real life scenarios with time made me immune to sleep and dreams came thinner than before.

I always try to utilize my extra hours of wakeness by thinking of something good or working on something that could give me happiness. If i dint have insomnia,you probably wont be reading this blog at all. This is one way to trap my feelings and help me analyze myself in future.
There are many people whom i call friends who were like me.."nocturnal insomniacs". We use to pull each others legs and crack jokes at 4am in morning.Sometimes share the inventory we had with ourselves..cigarettes particularly. Cigarette is a good way to keep a person awake..but do i smoke to keep myself awake is still a mystery!!

If you have seen "Cashback" movie..the story is something like mine. The actor becomes insomniac and indulges in other things which gave him pleasure. Nothing to be proud of when i say i haven't slept till now on the breakfast table..but i seem to like the gleam of shockness in people when i make such statements. One good thing about my keeping awake is that i find time ..much more time for myself,fro self development and improvement. I have enrolled for online projects and website development for passing time as well as knowledge. I find it quite nice to see the reflection of the pages scrolling by. Due to these extra hours i have taken up to be moderators of some forums and sites. I love writing and especially when i know about the subject.

You might be thinking i am writing all crap things but i guess you will understand it when you become an insomniac like me someday!! Maybe that time you will realize the value and feelings which i have right now..expressed over here. Words may seem unrealted but i can hear voices back somewhere...rubbing my eyes sometimes to listen carefully and straining my eyes to type words on my laptop.. well dont worry much..this is my first blog.. Rest of the blog wont be smae like this i assure you.

I would be discussing topics like Hacking,phissing,mail frauds,technological issues,flaws in Operating systems,troubleshooting the system,security tips,social networking,virtual online presence,developement of new projects and my experiences in life etc.
Keep hunting and stay awake!!