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Monday, December 27, 2010

My first Winter in Paris





I was lucky to spend initial days of winter in Paris. It was beautiful to see (just to see not to go out in cold :P) the snow falls. Once woke up on wonderful morning to have walk around places near by. Its really beautiful to see the Eiffel tower and snowy gardens. 

I was living near Eiffel tower on rue de Federation so I was use to roam around the snowy walkways around the tower. There were very few people around on snowy day. I could see few kid enjoying their school trip. Kids were having fun in such freezing cold. I tool the walk on bridge on river Siene from Eiffel side towards Trocadero. Walked on gardens around Traocadero. Poor statue of nude man was freezing in cold. I reached near place de Kleber. I walked along the Avenue de kleber till Arc de Trumph and turned towards my destination to walk to office.
Those were last few days of my stay in Paris and wanted to enjoy chilling weather and place. 
Its fun to play in snow if you are with friends. Having hot coffee is best thing to do while sitting on outside the hotel. Chilling weather and hot coffee is perfect combination. Wonderful thing is French people hardly wait for snow to stop. It always good to carry on your work irrespective of the weather. Its assumed to be variable. But yes, in early winter days, most of people are not ready to for snowy roads. They have to change car tires to be good to go on snowy roads.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Richard Stallman at IIT Powai - Founder of GNU


Bio:
Richard Stallman launched the development of the GNU operating system in 1984. GNU is free software: everyone has the freedom to copy it and redistribute it, as well as to make changes either large or small. The GNU/Linux system, basically the GNU operating system with Linux added, is used on tens of millions of computers today. Stallman has received the ACM Grace Hopper Award, a MacArthur Foundation fellowship, the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Pioneer Award, and the the Takeda Award for Social/Economic Betterment, as well as several honorary doctorates.
It was wonderful.
Talk were on, free software stuff. GNU+Linux philosophy.
nice jokes on bush, iBad,supposed owner of your machine when using billy’s MS OS… it was fun
last event of group photography was good.
i ‘m waiting for group pics :)
i’ve audio footage of event. I’ll convert the audio to be supported by Free codecs .oga .. as Richard asked all of us to do !..
I can do it with ffmpeg ! i love it.

Links:
I will share audio links & pics with you soon.

As asked by Richard Stallman, I've created free video codec video to host on internet : 
You may not see this video if you are normal MS Win users as they may not have free codec! Its theora ogg video
 

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Gtalk bot for English Dictionary

Good news for dictionary lovers, improved English dictionary is available for you free on just single on your gtalk chat ! 
Sometime we just ignore complicated unknown English words by just guessing the meaning. Or we just don't bother to know it. ya, some old guy have said, "Ignorance is better than half knowledge." But why not to get the right complete knowledge when its readily available?? 

I had worked on below dictionary bot (one of my earlier blog post), as time pass service for my own use. I feel it would be useful for many other. 
http://mahendratipale.blogspot.com/2009/06/dictionary-bot-released.html 

Bug fix done in earlier version: 
1. html tags removed. Code change:  
String nohtml = sb.toString().replaceAll("\\<.*?>",""); One of my friend ask me to do so. Html (web based) chat messengers would have parsed this data but normal IMs don't do html tag detection. 
2. More clarity for reading. 
3. latest word database access 

To do: 
1. Moving server component to Google App store 
2. Adding more language support 
3. Trying out more services with interface. 

 How to use it: 
1. Add EnglishDictionary@bot.im to your gtalk chat buddy list. Don't worry, I'll not trouble you with your privacy. 
2. It will get automatically as bot is configured to do so.  
ping with bot with message "?" 
3. Response will guide you on further details.
To use dictionary send "d:" 
4. Response should not take more than 5 seconds to give the all possible results.
Thats it.

You will always have dictionary bot with you at your service :D
You need not to worry about your privacy as long as its not asking for your google account password ;)

Screen shot:





Apologies as these services stopped working due to issues on server component.
I will update the blog once again after fixing the issues. Stay tuned!!!








Friday, August 20, 2010

Why I don't like Microsoft


Recently I had conversation with one of my friend Amit. It explains well why i dont like microsoft. I dont see windows unless I have to play counter strike !

Still I don't hate them.

(12:02:28 IST) Amit: hi
(12:02:33 IST) Mahen: hey
(12:02:37 IST) Amit sali: have you used MS office 2010?
(12:02:42 IST) Mahen: no man
(12:02:46 IST) Mahen: i never use MS :P
(12:02:52 IST) Amit: :)
(12:02:57 IST) Mahen: no MS office. only openoffice :)
(12:03:01 IST) Mahen: what happen?
(12:03:02 IST) Amit: linux pro ... hhhhmm!!
(12:03:23 IST) Mahen: yup
(12:05:14 IST) Amit: MS 2010 has upgraded my outlook profile ... then I unistalled 2010 and reverted to 2007 ... now I cannot have my old system as before .. not able to view my older emails in pst and archieves
(12:05:15 IST) Amit: :(
(12:05:36 IST) Mahen: Oops
(12:05:40 IST) Amit: F**K MS
(12:05:40 IST) Mahen: thats terrific !
(12:05:44 IST) Mahen: ha ha
(12:05:53 IST) Mahen: u r in trouble dude
(12:06:01 IST) Mahen: call sys admin & go home
(12:06:06 IST) Amit: :)
(12:06:46 IST) Amit: I need to again install 2010 to get my old emails
(12:06:56 IST) Mahen: oh yes. probably
(12:07:03 IST) Mahen: copy ur .pst to backup
(12:07:12 IST) Mahen: & then revert back to MS2007
(12:07:20 IST) Mahen: may be it'll work
(12:07:27 IST) Amit: I hope so
(12:07:34 IST) Mahen: best luck :)
(12:07:51 IST) Mahen: MS may deliver another patch or service pack to resolve this issue :D
(12:08:02 IST) Amit: hahaha

Thursday, August 12, 2010

tuzeni maze naate kay?

Interesting poem/song. Cool. 
Tuzeni maze naate kay? - 2
tu denari mee, mee ghenara
tu ghenari, mee denara
kadhi na kalate roop badlate
chakraache avartan ghadate
aapoolyamadhale farak konate?
an aapulyatun saman kay?
tuzeni maze naate kay?, naate kay?


mala khatriye teelahi zop aali nasel - 2
sundar swapn padat asateel
pan kusheevar valel, usaasel
mala khatriye teelahi zop aali nasel
tichya samor hi tech dhag, je mazyasamor
tichyasamor hi tech dhuk, je mazyasamor
tichemaze swalpaviram hi sarakhe an purnaviram hi
mhanuntar mi aasa akanth jagaaa asatana
tichihi papni purn mitalee nasel
mala khatriye teelahi zop aali nasel

(sukh dukhachi hota vrushti
kadhi hasalo kadhi jhalo kashti)- 2
sayasavin sahajchi ghadate
sames yeta talee padate
kuthalya janmanchee lay julate?
ya matranche ganeet kay?
tuzeni maze naate kay?, naate kay?
bageeche lavaleyet aamhi ekatra, ekakee
mati kalavaliye amhi char hatani
nakhat matiye amachya doghanchya ajunahi
manat fule ahet amha doghanchya ajunahi
doghanchyahee hatavar ek mekanchya reshyayet
doghanchyahi othavar ek mekanchyi bhashaye
ratr houn jail chandrchandr ani mi jagaach aasen
tevha barfachya astarakhali wahat rahavi nadee
tashi tihi jagich asel
mala khatriye teelahi zop aali nasel

natyalaya nakoch nav
doghanchahi ekach gav
vegvegale pravaas tarihi
saman doghanmadhale kahi
thech lagate ekala
ka raktale dusaryacha pay?
tuzeni maze naate kay?, naate kay?

naat fakt maitri cha aasate.. kahi ekdam ghatta aasatat.. tari naate aasech jaminit murun jatat .. ! 
aaplya ch hatat aasatat sagale naate tikawane :) 

Monday, July 19, 2010

River Siene Boat trip in Paris

River Siene Boat trip in Paris

How about somebody shouting at you & calling “thief thief... you stolen my wallet, I’m calling police.” in some unknown foreign language. In reply back you are just smiling & saying “hi, hello, how can I help you?” Etc etc …

It actually happened with me & my friends in Paris while we were waiting in La Seine river boat trip queue. It was dramatic. Let me share this eccentric experience with you all.

It was beautiful evening in world's most beautiful city, Paris. Temperature would be just less than 10 degree Celsius. We planned to go out to have some fun in cold, so decided to have boat trip on Seine River. Boat trip offers nice details for tourists. Ticket charge is some 11Euro, but its worth. I was accompanied by 2 friends, Vineet & Niranjan. We left office on time & took RER to Pont d’Alma & walked to river side near Eiffel tower. It was weekday so less tourists to get tickets. We were lucky to get ticket on the spot. We had no snacks after lunch time so were hungry. So we thought to have something after taking tickets. We took some chocolates & sandwitch at port restaurant. Ladies cook & servants were new in task of making the sandwidth, somehow they managed to make it for us. They were also serving warm wines & coffee to get some warmer feeling for open deck boat visit. But we decided to stick with only sandwitches + water bottle & chocolates. We moved in queue while eating the stuff.

We were only Indians in row on that day. We were chatting about generic French stuff while eating. We were enjoying the good time. Being fast eater, I finished my stuff bit early. I dumped the wastage paper to nearby dustbin. Then had sip of water & enjoying eye sight. Other two also finished their stuff & were ready to join me. We use to do most of conversation in Hindi or Marathi to add some privacy & encryption. I had water bottle which was left with last sip of water. I finished it & dumped the empty crashed water bottle.

There were 2-3 Chinese people in front of us. We didn't even bother to notice them as we were gossiping in our own language & mood. The small Chinese guy started shouting all of sudden. He started checking my pockets. He was checking the crashed water bottle in dustbin. He was totally acting as mad, psycho man. I thought this guy want to have cigarette & is asking for something to light to cigarette. It’s very common in Paris to share lighter in public places. But none of us smokes so I said,”Pordon, no light.” Another tall Chinese guy came in front & started checking my jacket’s pocket. They were looking more aggressive now! None of us understood their language. There was huge group of Chinese people in queue. All of sudden they all started shouting. Even the tall guy got grip of my arm. Small Chinese guy took on Niranjan. Now we were furious. We started calling for help!! I also escaped my hand from that thin tall man's grip. Chinese public were shouting loudly so we were like in huge group of Chinese. We were always saying, “Can some translate what they are saying in English??”

There was a couple behind us in row who were looking like Chinese. I asked them, “Do you understand what this man is trying to say? Can you please translate this for us? It seems they are shouting non-sensibly”, Fact was couple was Japanese & they didn't understand anything what Chinese people said.

Here were we. All trapped in group of Chinese.

None of them actually understand a word of English or French. I had tried few words in French too.

They were hold each of use on arms. Although they were thin looking, quantity was more than quality fighters. If we would have gone for fight, I was sure to kick 3-4 with my pace & the adrenaline which was paced up at that moment. But we were bound to French laws, so we kept our calm & temper to coolest possible level. Hell!!

As all Chinese gang started shouting, we also started shouting & called the security nearby. One of the Chinese interpreters came to the scene. She was saying, “We have a problem here!”. It was like movie scene, a beautiful French security girl came up like an angel. She was amazing. For a second, we were (all of us 3 guys) starting at her, no matter what situation was but we were deep somewhere else on bank of river Seine. I can't imagine if such so angle looking girls ever go security. Important thing was she knew English.

Angel started talking, “Guys, don't worry.”

I said, “We don’t understand, what’s happening. What these guys are saying?”

Little Chinese guy still had grip on my friends arms. He was not listening to us. I help my friend to get rid of him.

Angel said, “Chinese guy has lost his wallet & his passport from his bag.”

We were surprised. We said, “But then why he is pulling us in this”

Angel again kept the calm, “I’m really sorry for the inconvenience. But these Chinese guys doubt on you guys.”

Chinese lady interpreter was now listening to Angle carefully. So, we were also catching here words.

She continued after looking at Chinese lady, “See. You have to understand this thing. We can do complete checking of these guys (mean we 3) if little Chinese guys is sure that these guys have stolen the wallet. There are no video cameras around & we don’t know what had happened. But to clause to this is, they have to call police before they do checking. Calling police also means, if the blame is false, Chinese guys have to pay 1000Euro to as fine.”

Chinese lady carefully translated whole story to those 2 Chinese guys. As soon as they heard 1000Euro, they released my friends arm. They were shocked & much calmer then before. Poor guy was not sure who exactly did this to him.

Meanwhile, another man from security came up & said, “I’m very sure, there 3 guys have not done anything. I'm sure of this. They just finished their sandwitch & dumped the waste & water bottle in dustbin. Are these Chinese guys sure if they have really stolen his wallet? Then & then we should call police.”

Now I was happy from inside. Let’s call police & make things more troublesome for these Chinese guys. I started removing my leather jacket. I said politely, “Do you want to do my checkup. Please do it now. I don’t have any problem”. I removed the jacket & kept in my hands. I also shown them my wallet & said, “Is this wallet belongs to this guy?” All of us were furious now. We got charged all of sudden. What the hell is this? This guy is not sure, when he lost his wallet & now he is shouting at us. It’s non-sense. I was charged enough to hit that Chinese guy. As it would have been my obvious reaction if same thing would have had happened in India!!

Angel again came in to discussion,”Please sir, we apologies for this mess. We are really sorry for this! Please wear your jacket”. I wouldn't have minded if she would have asked me to remove the shirt :D . Although, the temperature was below 10 degree & just removing the leather jacket would easily make you feel that cold. I put on my jacket & tried to calm down. All of us were angry on Chinese guys! They had changed these ways. Both Chinese were asked to go out of line. Their interpreter took care of them. They were also asked not to harm us by any mean.

Security girl & man repeated asked for apologies to us. We said, its ok ma’am! But we were actually feeling bad, damage was already done. We had lost the mood of fun. Chinese guys never came to boat for sightseeing. We hardly enjoyed the ride. had also lost the mood of trip. We hardly managed to take some pictures and then moved to our place.

Paris is really beautiful at night view. I was listening to boat trip dictation story of Monalisa painting. It’s said that, servant of king was asked to keep the painting with him as per Queen's order. Queen was jealousy of King’s attraction towards painting. Servant kept the painting below his bed for 3 years!! He was caught & painting was again placed in King's prestigious paintings. Same story repeated by a curator. Curator fell in love with Monalisa & he replaced the painting with fake one. It is said that, he was caught & paintings originality is verified & it’s placed again in Lourve museum. So was the Monalisa. Still many historians are not sure if the painting is real or fake. But fact is we just love to see her. It’s most crowded place in entire Lourve Musee.


Sunday, June 27, 2010

How Secured is my password

How Secured is my password


Check how secured are your passwords. For me, its great result. I hate using so complex passwords for my laptop. I have done good enough security on my system.

Even if someone knows my mail password, they can't get mails :P
complexity in using the system makes it difficult for normal intruders to hack abnormal systems.
btw my system password in just 123
Finding its IP, username & how to actually login to my system is your job :D
be careful of getting caught.


Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Actual Bandwidth


Bandwidth is seen as very relative term in daily usage. Even the small internet cafe owner keeps on saying, too less bandwidth so speed is slow.

I just tried to measure it while i was moving around the place.

Here is screen shot of Gprs speed with Airtel Mobile office APN in Banglore ! 72 kbps is great in roaming.



Another speed test on my desktop using Tata Photon+ . I must agree Tata is giving best speed as compared to any other USB data cards. Reliance is poor in this. Even connection problems are very common with Reliance USB data cards.


It was final test run directly using direct LAN ssh tunnel. Speed is good!




Funny thing is, i tested the same again in Mumbai when I was back to home. It was showing me mere 10 to 15 kpbs !!! I know, it could be due to HLR registry OR routing problem .... Most imp, it was raining badly in Mumbai at that time. Airtel is always in trouble with rains & fires. It was totally messed up when once of Airtel MSC was under fire! In fact, many prepaid users were able to make free calls for many days!!! :D

Will keep on posting on new finding.

Sites to check your data speed visit :
http://mobilespeedtest.com/ for mobile phones

Don't compare results of above two links, it'll never be same as 2nd actually does that data transfer while first just checks the available bandwidth.

suggestions, comments welcome

Friday, June 18, 2010

Just Infinite


A forward mail from shri on our group omundergrouds ... Good one. Read the last line. Hold very true.

Only way India can win the football worldcup.


======================================================

Friday, May 28, 2010

Save Earth !! Nice Ad

VERY CREATIVE AD



we have to take some action before its too late for us to act !


Monday, May 24, 2010

Pacman - My most favorite game


Google celebrated Pacman's 30th anniversary by putting java script based pacman game with google designed walls. "I'm feeling lucky" was replaced by "Insert coin". It was interesting stuff.

I played it for a while. Clearing 2-3 rounds was easy. Its always interesting to play the very first version of pacman in dos window. It was the most easiest & wonderful game.

Long live the pacman !

3G bidding in India

3G Prices 


Delhi: Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, Rcom at Rs 3317 cr  Mumbai: Reliance, Vodafone, Bharti Airtel at Rs 3247 cr  Maharashtra: Tata Tele, Idea, Vodafone at Rs 1258 cr 
Gujarat: Tata Tele, Vodafone, Idea at Rs 1076 cr  Andhra Pradesh: Bharti Airtel, Aircel, Idea at Rs 1373 cr Karnataka: Tata Tele, Aircel, Bharti Airtel at Rs1580 cr Tamil Nadu: Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Aircel at Rs 1465 cr Kolkata: Vodafone, Aircel, Rcom at Rs 544 cr Kerala: Idea cellular, Tata Tele, Aircel at Rs 312.5 cr Punjab: Idea Cellular, Rcom, Tata Tele, Aircel at Rs 322 cr Haryana: Idea Cellular, Tata Tele, Vodafone at Rs 222.6 cr MP: Idea Cellular, Rcom, Tata Tele at Rs 258.4 cr  Rajasthan: Rcom, Bharti Airtel, Tata Tele at Rs 321 cr  U.P. (West): Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular, Tata Tele at Rs 514 cr  U.P (East): Aircel, Idea Cellular, Vodafone at Rs 364.6 cr West Bengal: Bharti Airtel, Rcom, Vodafone, Aircel at Rs 123.63 cr Himachal Pradesh: Bharti Airtel, Sing Tel, Idea, Reliance at Rs 37.23 cr Bihar: Sing Tel, Bharti Airtel, Reliance, Aircel at Rs 203.46 cr Orissa: Sing Tel, Aircel, Rcom at Rs 96.98 cr Assam: Reliance Telecommunications, Bharti Airtel, Aircel at Rs 41.48 cr North East: Aircel, Bharti Airtel, Rcom at Rs 42.30 cr Jammu &amp; Kashmir: Idea Cellular, Aircel, Rcom, Bharti Airtel at Rs 30.30 cr

Delhi &amp; Mum go very high. while Airtel not taking any frequency in MH. So only Tata &amp; Voda gonna hav 3G in MH ?? or Airtel may borrow from Tata at high cost. 
Good pt is MH is still highest paid state. 

-source from some website searched on Google. I didn't took any frequency band now. I will bid for 4G  :P JJ 

BR,
Mahendra