Social networking, Mobile phones & Cyber-crime!

"Hey dude, wassup?". A common question you ask to your “Friend” in social networking sites. Perhaps you would never ask that in direct to the same person! Networking sites grabbed a lot influence in the youth now and has become the latest youth icon. People who don’t even smile when met each other in person will send smiles :-) in Facebook!!  Social networking has become a status symbol for the youth now. If you do not have account in FB or twitter, you are treated as socially introvert and people will treat you like they treat Manmohan Singh!! Same is the case with smart apps phones. Having smart phones- iPhone, RIM or whatever, is a matter of “Social standard”. 

The cyber cell in Trissur, Kerala is piled up with cyber-crime case files, which rose through the use of networking sites and mobile phones! The cyber-crime dept. is not even able to find time to open many of the cases. That much is the rate of increase in cyber-crimes. With the intro of networking sites, smart phones, tablets, slate and all gadgets, the world is coming smaller and everyone has ‘virtual’ friendships, and gangs! However, just keep in mind, if these are not used in proper way will take you behind bars or ditch your life!!

An incident happened in a college two months back in Kerala was filed in cyber cell, Trissur. The incident goes like this:

Father of a student in that college was shocked to see Valentine’s Day wishes mail from the college lady principal in his mailbox! What happened to the lady Hitler? She was renowned for her strictness and disciplined behavior. Next day every parent in the college received romantic mails and half naked pictures of girls in their mailbox from the same principal! The issue got on fire from then. Parents sued the principal. When cyber cell came into picture, they found out that principal is innocent and two “ex” students of the college, whom principal had dismissed, used principal’s credentials and sent mails from her id. They got to know her id as she had the habit of writing down the username and password on her table near the keyboard!!

Moral: Never write down your user name or password anywhere. Keep up the confidentiality.

Another incident registered with cyber cell, Trissur was like this:

Naked pictures of a ninth standard girl started “flying” to friends and relatives in Facebook! Somebody has entered into her profile and was uploading the pictures and tagging everyone. When cyber police enquired, they got to know the ‘dirty brain’ behind this cruelty! Three girls together started their FB account and everyone knew the password each other. Of that, one girl’s college-going lover somehow traced her friend’s FB password and did all these crime in her account. When asked, he said- he was taking revenge to her for breaking his relation with his lover. She brainwashed her friend (his lover) that the guy is not good and brought the relation to an end!!

Moral: Never disclose your password even to your close friends!

Another incident that rose due to mobile phone:

A girl started receiving ‘anonymous’ calls in her mobile teasing her, trying to flirt with her and even romances and abuses! How much ever she disconnects, the call keeps on coming. She changed her phone number 7 times! Still he will trace her number and call within 3 days! In order to avoid this she sent him money, gold and all. Then the level increased. He started demanding more and more, and started black mailing her. Then the case reached the cyber cell. The investigation ended up in her brother’s close friend!
The story goes like this. Every time the girl changes her number, the guy got the new number from her brother. As he was close to family, no one doubted him also. At last enquiry based on mobile tower trapped him.

Moral: No one is anonymous in mobile!

Now let’s be serious. If the normal cell in a jail has 4 bars, then cyber cell has 8 bars! That sharp and precise is Indian government’s cyber law. They framed it with no loop poles. Hats off to the architects!

For example:  It may be easy to shout and scold someone on the road. It is punishable under IPC294 act- 3 months imprisonment! However, if you are scolding over mobile phone, it becomes cyber-crime. Under IT acts, eligible for 3 years imprisonment!! For proving the case if you scold directly, you need witnesses. However, in mobile phone you don’t need witnesses! Mobile network providers will submit the details. And if the conversation is recorded, then start counting bars!!

Now listen. Many log into internet, networking sites and all for fun and time pass. But be aware that most of these fun and time pass activities end up in the darkness of crime. Some as hunters and others as prey! Out of these most are girls. Even the people who are aware of self-protection forget that when they come in front of internet. So be conscious and careful. Only you yourself can safeguard you!

Tech Myths

Many of things which believe true about tech world are really not. They are just myths.Take a travel through 8 common tech myths.

You need to stop a USB drive before taking it out

This is true but partially. If there is a file transfer going on, which means if you are moving files between pen drive and computer, you may need to stop USB drive before unplugging the pen drive.

But if there is no file transfer happening, you can pluck out the pen drive right away. We assure you that it won’t go up in flames.

You need to buy expensive security software 

This was true when no good security software were available for free. But situation has changed a lot in the last few years. Nowadays, if you want some cyber security on a home computer you don’t really need to spend money. Microsoft Security Essentials, which is a free download will do this job. And so will free anti-virus programs from AVG, Avast or Avira.

CPUs with more cores/Ghz are better

Another marketing lie. In any processor or computing chip, the underlying architecture is what matters. This is the reason why even slower AMD Athlon processors were considerably faster than Pentium 4. And the architecture is reason why nowadays a four-core Sandy Bridge processor from Intel is faster than six-core processors that AMD sells.

To delete a file permanently, delete it from Recycle Bin

After deleting a sensitive file from recycle bin, never think that you have obliterated it. Using recovery programmes, even a kid can retrieve the file back. When you delete a file from recycle bin, Windows just changes its file name and makes it invisible to user. The file does not get deleted unless it is overwritten, which happens over a period of time when you create new files.

For graphics work, a Mac is best

This one too was true sometime back. But now it’s more of a myth than a fact. Before 2006, Apple was using processors based on PowerPC architecture by IBM. Compared to Intel or AMD processors, PowerPC chips had an advantage in graphics-heavy work. But after 2006, Apple shifted to Intel processors. A Mac still has some advantage in font management as well as quality of bundled monitor. But if you are a graphic designer who knows your trade well and who takes care while choosing his gear, you don’t need to pay premium and buy a Mac just because someone told you that it is better for graphics work.

Right click+Refresh makes your PC faster

Around 15 years ago, computers were always running out of memory. RAM was very expensive and most computers had just 4MB to 8MB RAM. Then, there were poorly-coded applications that caused memory leaks. This led to the practice of right click+refresh on the desktop as by refreshing the display or in other words Explorer, in some cases users quickly reclaimed free RAM after closing a process.On modern computers, which have ample RAM, doing a right click+refresh is nothing more than a foolish habit. 

Macs don't have viruses 

It’s not really a myth. There is some truth to it. People using Apple’s MacBook, iMac or Mac Pro are less likely to face computer viruses. But this is not because Apple’s computers or operating software are virus-proof. The fact is that cyber criminals largely focus on Windows because that is used by majority of people. But as popularity of Apple’s computers increases, cyber criminals are taking note and new viruses and trojans on Mac have started appearing.

More RAM in a graphics card is better

This is another marketing scam. And many gamers fall prey to it. In a graphics card, everything depends on the kind of processing chip that is used and not on amount of RAM. While buying a graphics card users need to pay close attention to the name. For example, AMD Radeon HD 6850 with just 1GB RAM will be more than four to five times faster than AMD Radeon 6450 with 2GB RAM.

More mega pixels mean better pictures

I wish it could be true. Because then we all would have been pro photographers. More mega pixels were a big deal when digital cameras were new. But once the threshold of five mega pixels was reached, the number stopped being the most important factor in a camera.In any modern camera, image quality primarily depends on sensor size and quality of lens. This is the reason why you are likely to get better images from say a Nikon D40, a 6 mega pixel camera, than a new point-and-shoot slick camera that can capture photos in 14 mega pixels.

The story of a Burger!!

“Anna oru Tea”!  Sathish ordered for tea at Coimbatore railway station. It was second year in our college when the teachers of our computer department decided to take us for Industrial visit to a distant place, to learn new people, new culture and to see how a company works! Should admit that it was a great idea even though none of them worked! And they chose a place that suits all their motives- Hyderabad!!!  It was a shock for we guys who were dreaming of getting IV to GOA or KASHMIR. Some were even dreaming of IV to Pennsylvania!! However, something is better than nothing. Changing this as our motto we packed for Hyderabad and assembled at Coimbatore railway station at 3 O’ clock in afternoon.

The departure of the train was supposed to be at 3.30 PM. However, as expected in the case of Indian railways, the train was running late by 5 hours. I’m not sure whether Suersh heard the announcement for late running train, but I could see him running out of Railway station to Meenakhsi bar opposite the station. 

Then, Deva sir came with an idea to spend five hours. We’ll go to Mc Donald’s and have something. Many were dropping their jaws out hearing that. Treat by our college at MCD!!! Wow! However I have never in my life been to Mc Donald’s. Thanks to Mc Dowell’s for helping me to pronounce Mc Donald’s! Wherever I go, I had a habit of ordering the costliest and largest when it is a treat by someone. As I entered MCD, HOD asked me what I want. There were some pictures on the wall, from that I selected something called double-decker burger.  I didn’t know whether it is sweet or sour or spicy! I analysed from the picture that it is a piece of cutlet and tomatoes and onions in between two piece of Bun!!

I got my burger and had to sit with HOD and David sir. As it was the first time I’m seeing such an item, I had to pretend talking on mobile waiting for them to start having theirs. So that I can eat like how they do. I saw them opening their mouth and biting it. I too tried opening my mouth and biting it. However, I was not able reach that big sized burger completely. I opened more widely and gave a try. This time also Burger succeeded. Then I even thought of removing two or three layers of burger to facilitate biting.  Prayed to all Gods on earth, I opened my mouth full wide, closed my eyes and drilled my teeth into the burger. I opened my eyes hearing the yelling and shouting of HOD. I could see his shirt designed with tomatoes, onions, cheese and all!!An excellent design which even Van Huesen designers cannot make! Even though I was not Einstein, I could understand that it was the after effect of my attempt to attack the burger!! After that incident, no one who knows this incident has never offered me a burger!

Thus having burger, in fact trying to have a burger followed by lot of mishaps onto Hyderabad, the land of Nizams to commit more mishaps!!!

For all those who are & are not in LOVE!!

I was just browsing through internet when my eyes got locked onto some thoughts about LOVE. Not just in one site, I have seen various sites, articles, books describing love as divine,  spiritual affinity, and even they made love equal to God!!!

In fact LOVE is not that great and all. It is just a feeling; not an emotion based on any thoughts. People Love when they do not think. That’s why it is said “Falling in love”. When a boy/girl loves, they see only their partner’s good sides. They don’t see what are his/her true identity and the worse part of partner. In fact they don’t get chance to see, because in LOVE, most times, the person won’t be truly himself/herself. They just pretend and act to make his/her loving partner feel good. However, you’ll come to know your partner’s true identity once your Love becomes “successful”. In love life you won’t see your partner’s true character or behavior or attitude. You see only his/her ways to carry on the relation. There won’t be any transparency in LOVE!

If you want someone who really understands as well one who you understand to be your life partner; first establish friendship with him/her. Friendship is the only relation in this world which is not “Undercover”! There is nothing to hide between Friends. There are no secrets. There are no sexual discrepancies. It is eternal!  So even if you get into relation with your friend understanding & transparency will be there among selves!

However, I didn’t mean to tell that there is NO true love at all! True love is there, but very few. Most of the love relations are based on compromises, hidings, acting and all. Very few couples are there in intimate, transparent, true love!

And imagine when you love someone truly to heart, a transparent relation; and in the end, losing your lover; marrying someone else! Even then you will be living with your lover’s thoughts, and chances of life getting ruined are high. There are lots of examples in front of our eyes for such incidents. All this happen due to what I said in the beginning- Lovers will see only the good & positive side of their partner. They believe their partner is so good & expect lot from him/her. But, when they don’t see all these good qualities and their expectations from their partner, the crack begins in relation which will lead to break heart even!

So if you LOVE someone let it be transparent, understanding each other, and live your relation without compromises. Be true to your partner. If you can’t do that, DO NOT LOVE!!

Shocking news!!

My Nokia 3310 alarm blew with a horrible irritating tone at 7 AM! It was so chill that morning also. A typical Bangalore winter morning! I shifted my alarming brick (Nokia 3310) from my left to right and vice versa thus finishing my morning dumbbell training.

Dusted my ass and got up, cursing the times I joined with that software giant! Even though there is no work for me at office, my manager used to shout when he sees me turning up to office a minute late. There were days when I used to believe/wonder that the company will pack up if I resign!! Such was the build up by manager when he does not see me around.

Other than me, three were staying in that so called ‘2BHK’ home at Madiwala. After a 10 min ‘treasure hunt’, I found my toothbrush and paste.Then moved in to the bathroom to start up my ‘morning services’. In ten minutes I ‘cleaned up’ myself; hit myself with axe (deo), packed me in formal wears and went out to ‘Kottaram’ mess!  There Shaji served me Kerala special ‘Steamcake’. It is good as it used to be-you can use it to chase away the Bangalore stray dogs. But be careful that it should not fall on our leg, else you gonna hurt yourself!! 

My office was in ITPL, exactly an hour’s travel in Volvo bus costing me Rs 45!! I have to walk one KM to Silkboard bus stop to catch my bus. Used to wonder when I see the buses bounded to ITPL coming- what are these many so called ‘IT brains’ doing in their office?? The buses used to be so crowded with people in ‘corporate world’! After an hour’s travel in Volvo with many co-techie brainy storms, I reached my office at 9AM. Perfect!! Punctual!!

Opened my mail box.  It was a great shock for me, there was no work!! I leaned back to my revolving cozy chair happily. Then I thought what an exceptional day! After a bit of googling and chatting, I went to cafeteria. I had a tea and a hamburger which was laughing at me! While I was relaxing in cafeteria checking the new girls who joined the firm, Freddy came with a cup of coffee and told me that 6 ‘resources’ in their team were sacked as there is no work for them! 

Uffff.!!! OMG!! I too don’t have any work! Are they planning to sack me too? If no job how will I eat pizza, burger, Chicken biriyani, most of all how will I booze at night? Hundreds of thoughts ran to my mind. I ran to my manager’s desk. Seeing me, his face was filled with surprise as things used to happen the other way round-I used to run away when I see manager’s face! Today I’ve voluntary popped up in his front! What else for him to get a shock? He asked me with a curiosity-Any issues, Mr. Sri? I humbly answered “Couldn’t see any work today”! Double shock for my manager!! Prayed that his heart attack should be mild, because I can’t carry him to hospital!! He replied with a smile “Quarter end shut down is going on, so you can relax till next Monday”! 

Oh bull shit.. !! From Monday again I’ve to start working! Thinking like this I returned to my desk for browsing! Sorry, for data mining!

A remembrance!!

She came to my home that evening when I was having my tea after returning from school. I was so childish that time as like a normal boy in 2nd standard. She came to call me for playing hide and seek with her. I have to obey Archana as she is senior to me (she is 3rd standard fail& and I am just pursuing my 2nd standard!!!)

So as soon she called me for the game, in a single gulp, the tea hid in my tummy! I then flew to our playground- neighbor aunt’s banana field. Whether it is ‘hide & seek’ or ‘coco’ or whatever the game is, the banana field was our playground always.

After two hours game of hide and seek & throw ball, piled with mud & dust all over the body we all ‘irritating-kids’ of neighborhood thrashed their own homes. Everyone used to study at home except me. There was a reason for that. Archana used to give me tips/advices on studies even though she flunked her 3rd standard. From those tips/advices I realized that there is no use in studying as everyone will definitely flunk in 3rd standard. So I skipped studying, when all my others friends studied. Poor fellows...!! They don't know na that they'll fail in 3rd!!!

Time passed away like tsunami waves. I passed my third standard, 10th standard, graduation...Archana too passed all these. She graduated her B.com with First class marks! She did post graduation M.com and scored high and became a school teacher after completing the qualifying course for that.

By that time I had become an employee of an MNC working in Silicon Valley of India. We humans plan something and God plays!

I was in Chennai when she got married. It was just more than a year back. I couldn't attend her marriage for some official reasons. However, I went and met her & her Prince next time when I visited my hometown. Vimal was so nice, friendly & a good company to get acquaintance with.

Archana & Vimal were leading their life king size happily. Some days later, Vimal got an excellent offer from public sector Company in Indore. Archana was not at all happy in parting from her Vimal and that too when she was carrying. However, as a typical responsible man, he left for Indore to earn bread for his Archana and their baby being carried by her. Archana and Vimal were somehow happy & fine except that they miss each other! Vimal used to come every month for seeing his beloved queen!!

It was February, 2011. The month their young one was supposed to see the beautiful world. One day, Archana was having severe pain and was admitted to hospital, expected to deliver the baby on the following day. Hearing this happy news Vimal stopped his work in his office by afternoon itself and packed his bags to start to native where his Archana is going to give birth for their young.

After 5 hours I got a call from Hari, a cousin of Archana. I expected news that Archana delivered a baby. Unfortunately, the earpiece of my phone had to deliver me the news of Vimal's death while taking bath in a pond after packing his bags! I was stunned and couldn’t believe my ears. I was shocked and literally paralyzed for a minute. A drop of water carrying salt came off my eyes!

I have seen Vimal just twice in my life, still I felt heart-broken hearing the news. I was then thinking into how many pieces will Archana break herself when she hear that her soul-mate is no more! I couldn’t imagine Archana coming to know about the death news of her Vimal. Nobody had the courage to pass this heart-breaking news to ears of Archana!

Next day morning Archana was tickled pink as she delivered a cute girl baby. Archana was searching for Vimal's face and voice among the visitors came to see the baby. But it was all vain. Alas, the doctors and her parents somehow managed to say her about the sad demise of Vimal. She blew off with screams which literally broke the hospital walls, when she was told that her Vimal is no more.

It's all God, the Almighty's game as I told in the beginning. We expect something and God delivers something else.

I can still hear the sobbing tears of Archana waving into my ears. I believe Vimal will be seeing his Archana & his cutie girl from a far distance!!

I pray from my heart for Vimal’s soul. May his soul rest in peace!

Fight for resource

In a famous IT company, In one account the PM (project manager) was working out of Thiruvananthapuram and the DM (Delivery manager) was in Mumbai. One day they had a conf call and the PM and DM dialed in early. While waiting for others to join the DM decided to have a casual talk with the PM.

DM: Hey Mr. PM...!!! How r u...??? What are the weekend plans...???

PM: Not much.

Complete silence for some seconds

Suddenly PM said Pazhassi Raja is getting released today. ('Pazhassi Raja' is the name of a  Malayalam big budget movie starring Mammootty)

DM: Pazhassi Raja...???

DM (now in an irritated tone): How come he got released...???

PM is dumbstruck...!!!

DM (angrily on phone): From which team did he get released? I didnt get any mail regarding this...!!!

DM: Dont release him now. Please hold on for another week. I will let you know once I have consulted other PMs. If any of them need a resource we can use him.

The PM was laughing. The conf call soon started as everyone joined the call

Later, the DM sent out a mail to all PMs.

Dear PMs,

We have one resource, Pazhassi Raja being released today. If anyone wants a resource, please let me know.

One Mallu PM replied.

Dear DM,

'Angel John' (Malayalam movie starrring Mohan Lal) will also get released soon. Do we need to hold him too?

ALL, except DM, were laughing their hearts out... !!

Smartness Defined..

It was a hot meeting at the conference hall, all the people from the dept were called in, the VP was looking much tensed.

The mood was so bad my friend asked “Hey, What is this meeting about?” I told him may be the would decide when to have another meeting and chuckled.

People though nervous smiled at each other, then the VP started talking.

He said about the recent attrition rate was so high around 10 people had put in their papers, all experienced guys. It was the quarter end and so work was huge. If we do not complete the work on time, we need to be paying heavy penalty said the VP.

The VP then turned to the manger and told “Hey take how much ever resources you want recruit or take them from other departments, but complete the work in another 25 days. Take people and complete it man.

To this the sweet manager humbly reply “Sir! Give me one wife and nine months and I shall show you results, Don’t give me nine wives and one month, I cannot do anything.” Everyone looked at him blank!

The VP did not have anything else to say and just walked away…….. 

“What an awesome answer..."

Fitness tips at the workplace

Fitness at workplace is the latest mantra in the corporate world. Companies have realised that regular exercise boosts employee morale, enhances productivity, reduces absenteeism and signs of burnout or depression.

Nowadays, corporate employees not only stretch themselves beyond their responsibilities, but also stretch their muscles in the office gym.

A little bit of planning and a few small additions in one's office routine can help one lead a healthier lifestyle. According to a World Health Organization report, India could incur losses to the tune of $237 billion by 2015 due to rise in lifestyle diseases like heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer, because of unhealthy workplaces.
Here are some easy everyday things you can do to get healthy and fit while at your workplace:
Stay hydrated
Water helps your body with physical and mental performance, detoxification and digestion. Keep a water bottle at your desk and you'll find it much easier to drink the recommend eight glasses of water each day. It will ease stress and result in sustained energy throughout the day. You can also supplement it with fresh lemonade and coconut water, etc., to avoid monotony.

Make reasons to walk around
Give yourself several reasons to take a break and move around after every 40 minutes. Simply getting up and moving around for a few moments can keep you focused, less fatigued and feeling better. For example, avoid ordering a cup of coffee/tea at your desk, go and get it yourself or while speaking with someone on the cell phone walk around till you end the call. Get down from your car if driven by a chauffeur a few blocks before your office and walk the remaining distance provided you leave home 10 to 15 minutes before your usual time.

Hit the office gym in the lunch hours
Try to exercise for 30 minutes during the lunch time and grab a bite at your desk afterwards. Encourage having an area for a simple gym in your office. It could be jogger or a stationary bicycle or a treadmill.

Simple stretching
People often face stress, back and joint pains and weight-gain problems at work. To get rid of such health problems, while sitting in your chair, flex your feet and circle your ankles, stretch your legs and arms as frequently as you can. 

Take the stairs
Whenever possible, get moving and take the stairs rather than the elevator. Taking stairs will keep you fit and energetic.

Pack healthy snacks
Rather than buying chips, junk food and sodas during office hours, bring some granola, fruit or raw veggies to snack on. This healthy diet will keep your energy levels fit and steady. 

Conduct meetings on the go
When it's practical, schedule walking meetings or brainstorming sessions. Do laps inside your building or take your walking meetings outdoors.

Participate in different office games
Office games such as table tennis, basket ball are an interesting way to keep healthy and fit. These games not only keep your energy levels high but also keep your body in good shape.