About ARM and x86

/hihi

There are two dominant processor architectures of the moment, ARM and x86. x86 is the kind of processor architecture that IBM compatible/Windows PC's have used for the past couple of decades. ARM has been used in more specialised electronics (like the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, iPod, etc.).

The version of Windows installed on PCs has been designed around the x86 architecture, and I'm pretty sure up until recently Windows CE was the only OS Microsoft made that supported ARM. Then they made Windows RT, which shares a lot in common with Windows 8, but can't run x86/legacy/Windows compatible applications.

The only reason a device would be running Windows RT is if it's using an ARM processor. In the case of this tablet, it's using an Intel x86 processor so it's safe to assume that it will run Windows 8. The whole confusion created by all of this is why a lot of people think MS should kill WinRT, considering Intel are rapidly catching up with ARM in regards to energy efficiency (arguably ARM's greatest benefit).

Source: Studied, and understood from various internet sources :-)

/bye

On Gorilla Glass

Stress helps glass resist damage. By incorporating it into the manufacturing process, Engineers at Corning, Inc., in N.Y., can give a normally fragile material super-strength. Their Gorilla Glass product now forms the screens of more than 1,000 different devices, from smartphones to tablets to televisions.

To avoid building flaws into the material, Corning creates large, flat panes of Gorilla Glass mechanically. During the process, the molten glass is suspended by its top edge, leaving it untouched by human hands—or anything else. Despite their stability, these sheets cannot prevent future damage...yet. The next step is to apply stress to the glass, compressing its molecules to strengthen the material and enable it to resist flaws.

Cut to appropriate sizes, the unfinished Gorilla Glass then takes a bath in a molten solution of potassium salts. This process leaches small sodium ions out of the glass and replaces them with larger potassium ions. The large particles squeeze the sheet from the outside in, compressing the material.

This creates two outer layers squeezing inwards, towards a central layer that balances out the internal forces by pushing back.

"You have an equilibrium of stress and tension," explained Marcus Haynes, a senior applications engineer at Corning. "There's a layer of compressive stress, then a layer of central tension, where the glass wants to press out, then another layer of compressive stress."
Compressing the surface of the glass makes it stronger, able to resist blows and scratches rather than breaking immediately.

"Even if you damage the glass, the flaw is contained within that compressive stress layer," Haynes elaborated. "It doesn't allow the flaw to expand." In order to break a Gorilla Glass screen, a flaw would have to penetrate through the compressive layer and into the tension layer.

Although the ingredients that go into Gorilla Glass also help the material withstand damage, stress is the real key to its abilities.

Source: Physics Buzz

Not elementary my friends, its X-Square

This is the first time, or rather the second time that I had the privilege of going through the entire body of a work of fiction before it goes to print, which is not mine.

About the first one you may hear soon, but this second one is something special. It's about thé trust a friend had placed in me.

Very few times we come across such original narratives as I had come across this murder mystery. It starts in the classic way. Murders. More murders. And an officer in charge of it. An inept higher official. Town politics intruding in between. As usual, this misfortune befell on a very peaceful town. People experiencing panic.

As the much loved constable Clarke says to Sherlock Holmes in the movie starring Robert Downey Jr, "panic sir. Sheer bloody panic."

Oh I forgot to mention, the chief official is a man of apparent wisdom, and about to retire. He wants the case to be closed double quick.

Then starts the real game. Within this classic setting, Srinu Pandranki, a filmmaker of a few acclaimed short films, (Pink slip being one such. Trust me. It's an excellent film. You may get to it in youtube), and big dreams had taken a different narrative path.

An Indian writer, not an nri, nor is an established author of fiction. What one can expect of him? While most of the GenX Indian English writers coming up with love stories, more love stories, and more love stories, or retelling Indian myths or following in the foot steps of Dan Brown in the name of researching (google), Mr. Pandranki came up with an original murder mystery. And boy! What a mystery it is...

Set in the University city of Palo Alto, an exciting and unique buddy... Thing. Racy, cleverly layered, sprinkled with enough turns and twists, not over killed. Enough of action, and surprisingly not gory, and yes. He respected intelligence of his would be readers.

In this Racy narration, you can find unique mixture of characters, and attention to details.

Plus points :

1. Classic setting not to unsettle the readers.
2. Great and different narration compared to numerous other books of this genre.
3. Racy, attention to details, unique mixture of characters.
4. Not much dependence on Google.
5. Beautiful and near flawless language.
6. No playing for effects.
7. Cleverly layered mystery.
8. Potential for a breath taking Hollywood film.

Minus Points :

I had mentioned a word trust. But rest assured, not many. Almost negligible.

Note:  please go through this link

Rather than sending friend requests, taking a note of this preview and pre ordering with GALTing Parables (publishers) @ galting.parables@gmail.com will be appreciated :P

PS:

1. This story was first a Hollywood spec script by Srinu Pandranki. He converted it into a novel. You can find it  written in visual style. The screenplay was sent to Nichols fellowship, and is acclaimed. Not a single sequence which is unnecessary can be found either in it or in the novel.

2. A review will be published after the book release. Said to be slated for June release.

A month with the SwiftKey

SwiftKey is a swipe style keyboard layout for Android smart phones. I had come across it via the famous tech site, TechRadar.

After reading that it can work in a way that while sweeping through the keyboard, you can not only get the required words, but also very spaces in between the words. The thing is you have to bring your finger to the space bar between words. Automatically the software adds space in between the words.

In comparison let's take the known Samsung keyboard layout. It also has swipe option. But to get space you have to lift your finger to hit the space bar. But here works SwiftKey Flow option there is no need to lift your finger to hit the space bar. You can write phrases or sentences on a trot. The only thing you have to take care is whether you are sweeping over the right letters.

This intrigued me. I just went to the Google play store and downloaded the trial version. I had not synced any of my social network accounts to it. I felt like just use the trial version and then leave it. But after using it a couple of days, I sense it is not a thing to be left after free usage. It is very good one, and very useful for me. I generally write a lot on my mobile. And SwiftKey surely made my writing easy on my mobile. It is very accurate too.

Currently am now using SwiftKey 4 on my Galaxy Note 2. The S-Pen and SwiftKey forged a deadly combo for my writing. I have tested it left and right in this month and it passed out every test  in flying colors. After syncing the social network accounts with it, the writing  speeds improved dramatically.

The only problem in all this is... For me especially to buy it over Google play, I have to use the cards. But I have no cards. Had to wait till a person with a card helped me buy it. Isn't there any other way to buy things on the play store? Like getting a courier with the key for cash on delivery? :P

PS: 1. More on my experiments with SwiftKey with proper screen shots will be posted later.

2. Written this using the deadly combo.

3. My writing appetite improved drastically these days because of SwiftKey. So you can expect more posts from me.

Thiruvahindrapuram

This paycontains the details of Thiruvahindrapuram as I was told by a local Acharyar. Another post on my experience will come soon.

Presiding deity – Devanatha Perumal/Devanayaka Perumal

Thayar – Hemambujavalli Thayar/Senkamalavalli/Vaikuntha Valli/Amburuvasini/Bargavi

Mangalasasanam by Thirumangai Alwar and Periya Alwar

Sannidhi’s - Rama, Venugopala, Chakrattalvar, Pallikonda Perumal, Rajagopalan, Lakshmi Narasimhan, Aheendrapuranathan, Andal, Garuda, Vishvaksena, Alvars, Acharyas, particularly Sri Vedanta Desikar
Theertham – Shesha Theertham
Nadhi – Garuda Nadhi
Desika  Krithis – Gopala Vimsathi,Haygreeva Stothram, Raghuveera Gadhyam,Achutha sathakam,Navamanimaalai and Mummanikovai


Thiruvahindrapuram located 5kms West of Cuddalore.  One of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Maha Vishnu.  Arjuna  ( Villikku Arjunan, Sollukku Arunagiri)  has taken penance at this temple, from this it is very clear that the temple existed from the date back to Mahabharatha.

The history goes on like…..

Garuda and Adishesha’s hurried to collect water to quench the thirst of Lord Devanatha, Shesha was the first to appear with the Shesha theertham.   Meanwhile, Garuda who had gone to collect water from Viraja Nadhi entered Madhu vanam where a rishi was engrossed in deep penance.  The muni had in his kamandalam the Viraja Thirtham seeing which Garuda automatically tilted the same and diverted the water inside towards Oushada giri where the Lord Devanatha was waiting to quench his thirst.  But Garuda became crestfallen on realising that Adishesha had already obtained water for the Lord. On seeing this Garuda was sad and to cheer him up, the Lord chose water from Garuda Nadi for his thirumanjanam (holy bath) and from Sesha Tirtham for nivedanam (offering).   Lord Deavanatha Perumal who cheers up one and all, found an appropriate solution by declaring that henceforth Shesha theertham would fulfill the wishes of all people and will grant Moksha to all people who bathe in it while the river brought by Garuda would be known as Garuda Nadhi and will be considered equivalent to the Holy Ganges. It is believed that the water brought by Adishesha was Patala Ganga theertham. Even till this day the Shesha theertam is located in the premises of the temple and the temple kitchen uses this water to prepare all the neivedhyams for the Lord.


Another noteworthy point is that in this divya desam has the practice of pouring milk into the Shesha Thirtham.  People offer pepper,salt, milk, honey, turmeric and others into the Sesha Tirtham as part of their prayers and still it is indeed a divine wonder that the water is used for preparing the daily nivedanam to the Lord.

Another story related to the temple goes thus: Brighu maharshi found a girl child on a lotus whom he reared with love and affection. He named the child as Bharghavi (daughter of Brighu). Note that there are only 2 places where the Thayar is named Bharghavi-Thiruvahindrapuram and at Adanoor.  The Thayar was also called Hēmâmbujanayaki as she was found on a golden lotus. From childhood,the girl was always thinking of her Lord and finally Lord Narayana himself came to Brighu Maharishi for permission to marry Bharghavi.  To save Brighu from the sadness of seperation from his foster daughter the Lord permitted him to continue to stay at this place with Perumal and his daughter in Thiruvahindrapuram.  Bhrighu maharishi is seen to the left of Lord Dēvanâtha in the Garbagriha.

Thayar also known by the name Tharanga Mukha Nâyaki- Thayar as a girl was very fond of going to the seashore and watch the waves always and hence the name for her fondness towards the sea.

To the right of the main sannidhi is Lord Rama’s sannidhi where the “Kathora Sukumara” Raghuveeragadyam was composed. The beauty of Rama with the arrow in his hand resting on the ground,while that of Lakshmana’s arrow held upright by him as though ready to protect Rama and Sita from any danger .  One interesting feature is that Lord Anjaneya is not in his customary posture of folded hands or kneeling down, but his fingers are touching his nose (as we stand when we approach our Acharyan!)

Thiruvahindrapuram is found in all the 3 postures namely standing posture - Lord Devanatha, sitting posture - Lord Ahindrapuranathan and the reclining posture as in the mighty causal ocean - Lord Ranganatha


On the  opposite side to the main sannidhi of Lord Ahindrapuranatha with Adishesha howering over his head, and  sannidhi of Bhasyakaran, Kulashekara Alwar, Thirupan Alwar and Thirukachinambigal.

On the other adjoining side of the main sannidhi and the above sannidhis is Swami Deshikar’s sannidhi to the left of him are Lord Ranganathar sannidhi, Andal and the sannidhi of the Alwars.

Oushadagiri hill consists of 73 steps to be precise which are quite very easy to climb unlike the steep and uneven steps to Lord Yoga Narasimha at Melkote to obtain the blessings of Lord Lakshmi Hayagrivar. Sri Lakshmi Hayagreevar, the Supreme deity for all wisdom and guru of Sri Saraswathy, at this hill. The herbs found on Oushadagiri have got indeed medicinal value owing to the fact that when Anjaneya was on his way to Lanka carrying the Sanjeevani Hill some herbs dropped down onto Oushadagiri.


Thirumangai Alwar composed 10 pasuram about Devanatha Perumal of Thiruvahindrapuram.

Meet the Chakraborty called Novo Neel

It was a cool October evening that I found myself in the Walden,  one of the most prominent book houses in the city. I said hi to the guy in the counter as usual and went on checking the best seller list first. After a couple of minutes gazing through them,  I left for the usual session where my favourite authors books are placed. That day I remember well I was searching for Irving Wallace's 'The Seven Minutes'.

I was actually passing it on many times. It was said to be one of his best books (I usually take the best things at the end of the spree. By that time I read 10 books of his). After picking it and a coupla books by Richard Feynman I returned to the counter.  The boy who knew me well pointed to a corner and asked me have you read that book?  I replied NO. Am not interested in the fiction by current generation Indian authors. 

But he asked me to wait a minute and brought that book and forced me to read the content of the back cover.  It was interesting.  He gifted me that book and said. Try it. If you don't feel like it's not good stuff,  return it to me.  I'll pay for it. 

The book was 'That Kiss in the Rain'.

While on the bus,  I picked it for a light read. The prologue wasn't that impressive for me. I placed it back in my bag and forgot about it for some time as I immersed myself in a Feynman book.

A Couple of weeks later I again picked it up and wanted to give it a try. I again went through the prologue part. This time also I didn't feel impressed,  but something caught my attention. The language was good. Not simply good. It was something with noticed.

Slowly but steadily I followed what was written in the pages.  Whenever I felt bored by the content,  I slipped a couple of pages. After reading some 80 pages like that,  the reading speed picked up and I began to experience  power of the writing. Not only the subject dealt was making me curious,  I was hooked to the style of the author. Some of the sentences were so beautiful that I had to pick up a pen and Mark them for another read.

Well,  while it had taken me more than a week to finish the first 80 pages,  next part was finished in a trout in just three quarters of a an hour. I felt like I must finish now!

Finally I found an author who made me say wow!  After reading his book. It was the first time I felt like that for a contemporary Indian author.  The story told was good. The language was superior. And some of the quotes and thoughts expressed in it were nothing short of a miracle.

The style of writing is what makes me read a book generally.  Here is the one of the very few persons who made me to search for his entire collection.

Though it's well past mid night when I finished the story,  I telephoned the guy who have me that book and asked him if they/he have other books of the author.  I was told this man had written only av couple of books. And the the one I read was his second book. The first one was out of stock. I asked him to notify me if... ;-)

I found his blog Thanks to the book (after a few months) I just read. Some of the posts are great. I bookmarked it. From it, I was directed to his Facebook page. There I found about his latest novel 'How About A Sin Tonight'.

The first of his works was not available for me for some time. But thanks to flipkart.com and with the help of a friend's alert I got it a week back.

Surely this is the first time since Ayn Rand and Irving Wallace and Richard Feynman, I searched specifically for the complete works of an author. Especially among numerous current generation Indian authors.

Seem like 2012 is a great year for my reading habits. I found another one like this. .. This time a late Swedish journalist.

So,  that's it! My recommendation is...

Meet this Chakraborty called Novo Neel. It will be a great company on the highway of your book reading. The subject may or may not be for your liking. But you will still read him. That's the power of his writing.

Romantic, philosophical and something more you yourself have to experience.

Sehwag is the only saviour of Indian Test cricket

Sehwag, Samsung Galaxy Note style... ;-)

/hi

/bye

Sriamayana in tweets: 1

I have got an idea just now. To compose Tweets, which tell SrIRamayana. From now on with numbers, I'll go. Let me check how I can go.

SR1: Emotion is the root for great literature. Maharshi Valmiki's grief resulted in a Sloka. That was the starting point of SriRamayana

SR2: The story of SriRama was first told by Narada maharshi to Valmiki, when he inquired about an ideal man.

SR3: So, SriRamayana is the story of an ideal man.

SR4: What are the criteria for being an ideal Man according to Maharshi Valmiki? In his own words...

SR4/1: The most accomplished, learned, powerful, noble minded, truthful, and grateful. The man with a flawless character.

SR4/2: The man who engages himself looking after the genuine welfare of all living entities. Clever, most handsome, and most pleasant

SR5: After his interview with Maharshi Narada, Maharshi Valmiki went with his disciple, Bharadwaja, to the banks of River Tamasa.

SR6: There, while he was meditating on the words of Maharshi Narada, an incident occurred which lead to the writing of SriRamayana

SR7: A Nishada, killed the male Krouncha bird, while it was in deep love-making with it's beloved. Maharshi Valmiki's anger knew no bounds

SR7/1: Krouncha, a sort of bird, according to some sources, it is a crane. Nishada, a hunter-man race. Here a man from hunting race

SR8: Upon watching the tragic end of the Krounchas, which were previously ecstatic in love-making, Valmiki cursed the Nishada

SR9: Soon after, Maharshi Valmiki struck with grief. Not only for the tragic end of the Krounchas, but also for his uncontrollable anger.

SR10: But to his surprise, his disciple, Bharadwaja pointed to him that his words while cursing the Nishada, came out in a rhythmic form.

SR11: Valmiki surprised with the words of his disciple, and thought about it. Unfortunately, even this surprise helped him overcome his grief

SR12: At that time, Lord Brahma manifested before him. He consoled the Maharshi, and explained him that all this was choreographed by him.

SR13: Lord Brahma: "The curse came from your mouth constitute a spectacular poetic meter. Anushtup. Using this, write the story of SriRama."

SR14: Lord Brahma: "All this had happened for greater good. With my blessings, even minute details of SriRama Charita will be known to you."

SR14/my words: Thus started the Greatest Epic known to human race, SriRamayana. 

_/\_


 PS: Picture is from Iskcon. If rights are violated, plz inform me. I'll remove it

The Duet

The spring in your steps
And the spring in nature
Playing a match
That let me have a catch
Of a bit of happiness
In all my loneliness

In all my loneliness
This weather makes me
Light as a feather
Dreaming us together

Time is no Crime

/hihi

Time is created by man
But running behind it like a fan.

Why can't he understand that
It was indeed his slave,
And he made it when he was in the cave.

Be on par with you boy,
and master Time,
It will make your life a joy.


--- GItacharYa VedaLa


/bye