Knowledge Source - TED

Have been busy lately with work, watched yesterday some new talks at Africa 2007 and others given at TED and i am always amazed by the wealth of knowledge out there, which we don't know of.
Here are some interesting ones:
George Ayittey: Cheetahs vs. Hippos for Africa's future

William Kamkwamba: How I built my family a windmill

Allison Hunt: How I got my new hip

More on TED.com

Homer on Jay Leno

Don't know how long its gonna be up on youTube, but if you missed Homer Simpsons on Jay leno yesterday.. be quick .. thou' not the best .. but worth the watch ..

Kick A** Action

I know, its the big Harry Potter night and book release.. but as its not in my range of interests.. so here is some for people who are not gonna read the book and just wait for movie like myself.

I am in between watching this movie (this movie becoz thou i heard about it, but wasn't in top list to see) and its 4:30 AM, but i had to blog this.. tell u name in a sec.. its a freaking kick a** movie, action like no other action and the graphics & those cars .. in all .. its kicking .. so go and watch Transformers, hell of an action .. more when i finish it!!

Wonders of World

T A J, originally uploaded by ░▒▓ Enchantress ▓▒░.

recently declared one of the seven new world wonders..
as we say Wah Taj :))

Live from Leicester Square

London always amazes.

More when i come back!!

I got a new iPhone

its hilarious, you want one too with blue-tooth :P

Pure Fun - Wii

wow, wii, so so cooool.. just cool. Today, for the first time, I played few hours of games on Nintendo Wii and man it is just so much more fun than all those Xbox's or the ever expensive PS3's. Bowling is like real bowling with the throws n all.. golf is like real golf with all the swings.. tennis like tennis.. and don't even try boxing.. after a few games.. its worns you out.. :)) .. i am sure other games are equally immersive..

Wii for All, originally uploaded by pinboke_planet.

In short it is pure fun, with a bunch of friends and so easy to play (sort of) and controller does wats its suppose to do. Kudos to Nintendo!!

Further Up the Road

A great performance from Bruce Sprinsteen with the Sessions Band last year live in Dublin (dedicated to the legendary Jim Aiken), came across it while surfing TV, and since then, been hooked to it :) .. all songs in the CD are 'very' enjoyable. Here is one (quality is not the best, still):


keep rocking!!

Ultimate Frisbee

I have joined the summer league for Ultimate Frisbee here in Dublin, to have some summer (thou its hard to describe what irish summer is like) fun and further to get some sports done too :) .. As per the sport, if you don't know what is it, looks at what wikipedia says here about it. I would say its just pure fun to play. Thou' in the league, its a bit more professional and learning more pro rules and strategies for defense and offense. I would give the credit to Brad for introducing the sport to me, but i suppose never had the chance to play with him in Munich. Thou' last summer/autumn, did played some with friends back in Munich. Play it if you have a chance.. for fun and sports both. Enjoy the summer sun!!

Daily Show - Jon Stewart

iPhone - it indeed is good.. but so much craze .. enjoy the clip :))


On Immigration Law (rejected twice now by US senate).. watch the news clips they show about immigration issues which the immigrants are bringing to US.. unbelievable.. crazy talk..

New insights on poverty and life around the world - Hans Rosling

I just love TED talks.. so much information in single talk.. that makes you think and strive for more..

Again one of best talks of TED (all are marvelous).. listen here Prof. Rosling talking about golbal poverty and means to achieve it and the goal to achieve. Extremely informational and fully based on statistically sound data and one of best endings you will see for such talk.



--
About this Talk (From TED.com)

In a follow-up to his now-legendary TED2006 presentation, Hans Rosling demonstrates how developing countries are pulling themselves out of poverty. He shows us the next generation of his Trendalyzer software -- which analyzes and displays data in amazingly accessible ways, allowing people to see patterns previously hidden behind mountains of stats. (Ten days later, he announced a deal with Google to acquire the software.) He also demos Dollar Street, a program that lets you peer in the windows of typical families worldwide living at different income levels. Be sure to watch straight through to the (literally) jaw-dropping finale.

Flickr Fav of the Week - Tokyo Sunset

Sangenjaya Sunset #2, originally uploaded by /\ltus.

A city to visit!!

The Landlord

this is one most hilarious clip have seen recently.. Pay your rent on time!!



Doesn't seem to work on Internet Explorer: Here is the Link to Click

Flickr Censorship!!

Against Censorship!, originally uploaded by vandyrk.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the censorship imposed by fickr on user photos, banning members and blocking specific photos. Also, based on my experience on flickrCentral group, that the moderators often lock topics, discouraging sensitive conversations and sorts (who gets to decide that, thou' personally I didn't feel those topics were sensitive). They also have now safe, moderate, etc. settings for every flickr member based on his/her photos, decided by flickr management, which sounds bit crazy to me. Also, in news that they have blocked turning on "Safe Search Off" feature in some countries.

I am a huge fan of flickr and its service.. and it has helped me grow my love for photography to a higher level. I have spent hours exploring it :)) ..

Although it is a sensitive topic for both sides, who want some sort of censorship and who are against it. I totally accept if its under some sort guidelines. They can't just one day, block pictures and members.. a protocol is necessary.

iQuit

No worries, I am not quitting blogging. Thou' there hasn't been anything interesting to blog in last few days. Thou', speaking of exciting news, I did celebrated my Bday on June 6 with some Irish Whiskey ;) (story another time)

Lets move to another topic, the reason I was posting.. you must have by now seen those iconic Windows vs Mac ads (my fav. is the Windows Guy). Here is one the recent commercials "I'm Steve Jobs and iQuit" - its abs. hialrious.. Watch out

Microsoft Photosynth & Surface Computing

The TED talks are meant to be instant fav., the time you see them. Here is one of most recent ones from March 2007. Blaise Aguera y Arcas of Microsoft shows a very interesting photo browsing, visualization, mutildimensionality technology called Photosynth and features which are mind-boggling and just leaves you wondering how technology will affect our lives in years to come. During the video, hear how the people gasp and hush's while he shows the awesome zooms he does on photos. He even got standing ovation for his talk, something which some people might probably won't relate to Microsoft in first place :). One of the best tech. demos of 2007.



A few weeks back, I posted about another cool demo by Microsoft, HERE. Also related to Jeff Han TED Talk in 2006. And, I thought it still might be few years before it comes out in market. But day before yesterday, Microsoft released the first commercial versions of it, calling it Surface Computing. (MS LINK). And wow, it def. takes computing to next level. Check out popular mechanics first preview of the Surface Computing.

Facebook Networking

For quite sometime now, I have been successfully avoiding getting signed up for another one of several networking sites around. And I seldom use the sites i have registered to, exception being orkut (to keep touch with some indian friends, apparently its quite huge there) and linkedIn (for its professional touch).

But yesterday, I signed up for facebook, and to be true, its been good fun. Their methodology seems different and i am sure, i won't be cluttered with random people (like in myspace) who i have noting to do with. But at same time, it gives options to do networking with groups from colleges, work places, regional etc etc and also same time, its like a personalized homepage with personalized contents. And yesterday, they even released some sort of facebook platform which will allow anyone (individual, companies) to make content for personalization.

In short - its different. Give it a try and if you know me personally, see you there :))

Shrek 3 Preview

Thanks to some Russians :), just watched the very awaited Shrek 3. Hmm, its kinda hard to put it into category, its not the best of the Shrek's but its def. an above average movie with stunning animations. The movie is a bit loose on story line-up, at least i thought so. Bit it has it good moments and a must see at least for once :). My fav. part was the "offspring's of Donkey and the Fire Dragon" .. perfect combination of flying-fire-donkey-dragon. You will also get to see some old fairy-tale characters. Overall, its an entertaining movie.

It was not as disappointing as the Spiderman 3, which was completly off-track, with tons of characters, plots, detours and too long with all the drama. Hopefully some good fast fight scenes kept me away from sleeping.

And looking forward to the final sequel of Pirates of the Caribbean. It has to be good ;)

Flickr Fav of the Week

2573, originally uploaded by magnus*.

Conference Invitation

now, this is what i call a perfect conference invitation, who wouldn't like to attend this one. Picnic (in their words: is a seductive, exciting, intangible, unpredictable, cosmopolitan and cheerful annual event for and by the creative industry) shot this video to promote the event.



AMsterdam is coool..