Google wave - 1st impression

Today I got invite for Google wave in the morning and that reminded me of getting invite of Gmail in early 2004 :) and almost after a year this news inspired me to update my almost dead blog with another post. Anything for Google GOD :) I hope this will change the way people converse over net.

I started using Google Wave but realized I need users to test anything.. it was like just messaging and chatting with myself. So gave away 8 invites to facebook/twitter friends within 10 min. But they did not receive email that time (not up till right now when I am writing this blog). So had to wait untill I see anyone in my contact list.

Finally I saw couple of people online I did my testing...





My Definition : Google wave is advance group chat + offline chat (threaded email) function

Like:

• 1st look is like normal group chat but with lot more feature like edit and reply to any thing in on going conversation to make it better.
  
• Posting options - there are nice options like G+ where u can search and attach web result, image, video etc etc, attachment and gadget (youtube etc)
  
• Playback feature - like u can play timeline to see which message came and reply and edits and feel like actual conversation
• Reply to any message in between to avoid confusion due to multiple topic discussion
  
• Can really change the way people group chat and make plans. New idea and I really liked it.
  

Dislike:

• You can actually see what other person typing in real time (with irritating lag) including what he typed wrong and back spaced and retyped. Google should give option to disable it.
  
• Lack of embedded option but i think this is early beta version. They will include it soon.
  
• When more than 2 ppl in thread, things might get too confusing as anyone can edit anything and reply to any message in between so to track its difficult and confusing
• Long threaded conversation looks dirty when you see overall picture
  
• Little complicated for non techy person
• Everyone needs to understand what it is like chat or email then only useful
• Still needs to add lot more features (gadgets) like poll.
  

Final take : Great idea, I like it, but I don't know how public will adopt.

Topic is still open to discuss and I will keep adding points to this.

F1 - Visa process

Soooo True..... Something to think about (click to enlarge)
Source: Phdcomics

Steve Jobs keynote live from WWDC 2008

Hi Friends,

Just pasting few links which I found for WWDC live blogs.
I will keep updating this blog post if I find anything more and interesting.

• Engadget
• Gizmodo
• Techcrunch
• Macrumors
• Macworld
  
• Twitter
• Macmegsite
• Techztalk
  

I will keep on updating till the event starts.
Very excited.....

Split your Expenses

Sharing accomodations and expenses, is a way of living for most of the foreign students and legal workers from other countries in US. The trend is picking up in other countries as well. The worst part of staying in a group, is to maintain the bills and expenses. Usually each and everyone has turns to maintain bills and expenses. (Thanks to Microsoft Excel). The bills are given to the person who is handling the expenses and acts as the admin to maintain the same. The task is always hectic and being monetary many a times the admin comes into scrutiny for even small mistakes.

Now here is an automated Expense Management System Gyaati.com, which has been developed based on Web 2.0 concepts and open sourcing. The whole system is developed keeping in mind the needs of people who are sharing expenses aka accomodation but find it difficult to maintain and track the expenses. The system solely works on Social Networking (Or Can we term as Partner networking), where each and every user would register to the site and form a group (People who are sharing the expenses) in the same.

Any expenses by any one in the group, would be sent as a email notification to the other member of the group, for their approval. Once the Transaction is approved, the monetary transfer would be performed in person by the group members. Site provides the group members with tracking, based on approved, approval pending. And ofcourse a tab to Create aka logging in the expenses. One person, can be a part of many groups (One for accomodation sharing, One for Car pooling, one for Weekend Outings etc etc.). The expense sheets and data would be available only for the members of the group. Atmost care has been taken for even transaction types. Like equal splitting or different expense split among members. The second one usually comes in Hindu community when some members of the group have Non Vegeterian and some not.(Usual Problem I face :)) ). The other feature includes leaving messages for partners. Remember the stickies on the walls.

Source: Watblog

UPDATE : Recently I came across better and more sophisticated way of doing same thing on Bill Monk. Check out various options. I am sure you are going to love that site.

End of JPEG??????

If reports are to be believed, global software behemoth Microsoft is to submit a new photo format to a standards organisation that could signal the end of the much loved JPEG format. The format that has been proposed by Microsoft. The format that has been propsed by Microsoft is called HD Photo, previously called Windows Media Photo and offers high quality images with better compression.

The JPEG format has been around for almost 15 years now. Modifications have been made to the format to keep it updated with the changing times.

Continue reading…

Finally Philly Wi-Fi Network Goes Live

After being selected to power Philadelphia's metropolitan Wi-Fi network some 15 months ago, EarthLink on Thursday made the first steps towards offering service by announcing it would allow for free access in the 15-square mile proof of concept area through January 21.

The area extends from the Schuylkill River to the west to the Delaware River to the east, and Center City and Old City to the south and Montgomery Avenue and the Kensington areas to the north. Speeds of up to 1 Mbps would be available.

Wireless-enabled laptops and desktops in the proof of concept area should be able to detect and connect to the wireless network "FeatherByEarthLink." Some customers could be eligible for a Wi-Fi modem, which would increase signal strength.

After the free period, "free access zones" would still exist in several areas, including Norris Square, Olney, Love Park and the Historic District. Those wishing to access the network outside of those areas will have to sign up for an account which runs $21.95 USD per month, the company said. The network offers download speeds up to 1 megabit per second.

"Our goal is clear: build a state-of-the-art wireless network across Philadelphia's 135 square miles," EarthLink's municipal networks head Donald Berryman said. "A key to doing this is gathering valuable feedback and insights from users of the network as construction continues."

Source : betanews.; localtechwire

Optical illusion : Rainbow and waterfall

This optical illusion relies on a principle called "Chromatic Adaptation".

An object may be viewed under various conditions. For example, it may be illuminated by the sunlight, the light of a fire, or a harsh electric light. In all of these situations, the visual system indicates that the object has the same color: an apple always appears red, whether viewed at night or during the day. This feature of the visual system is called chromatic adaptation.

Have you ever entered a movie theater on a sunny afternoon? The room probably appeared completely dark but as your visual system adjusted to the reduced level of light you were able to see better after a few moments.

This "adaptation mechanism" allows our eyes to recover from an oversensitivity to a particular stimuli. "Chromatic adaptation" occurs when our eyes adjust to certain color stimuli. Chromatic adaptation is one of the more easily fooled aspects of vision, and is prone to some of the most spectacular optical illusions.

Original Rainbow and Waterfall Picture

Funny Animation - very creative