iPod is Dead .... here comes Microsoft Zune

I'm a Big fan of Microsoft. Its unbeatable. Be it Operating Systems (see what Vista has started doing), Office Apps (the revolutionary interface of the new Office 2007), Software for businesses (its Dynamics range of solutions), Consumer Electronics (Mics, Keyboard, Xbox and now Zune) or the shareholder wealth it has created. MS JUST ROCKS.....

Microsoft's Zune digital audio/video player created a lot of hype around it and  now it is finally being launched on 14th November in the US. This article is a detailed preview of Zune alongwith many screenshots, clearly explaining why Zune will make many iPod fans switch sides.

Software for Zune is also is coming up quickly like this DVD to Zune Converter and this Zune data recovery software . Similar products are also available / in the pipeline from several popular vendors.

Now whats next?? some software to crack Zune's DRM ??

Boot Windows Xp from a USB Pen / Thumb Drive

This webpage  has a step by step tutorial on how to create a bootable Windows XP USB Flash Drive (also known as Pen Drive, Thumb Drive etc...)

This is very helpful because its much easier to carry your Pen Drive than your Windows XP Boot CD. You can also add other applications on the Pen Drive and have a Portable Office in your thumb, your office goes with you.

This is a must if you get yourself and your PC in trouble regularly OR if you are the most accessible tech support person in the neighborhood.

Power Chute Slide Show

MY NEW UPS

Today I finally dumped my old UPS. It wasn't that old (only a year or so) but I dumped it for an APC 650V Back UPS. I did not have good view for APC UPS as I had very bad experience with them about 8 years back (MANAGEMENT LESSON #1: CUSTOMERS NEVER FORGET BAD EXPERIENCES) when it was newly launched in India. But the strong recommendation from RAVI Bhaiya (City's biggest Computer Dealer and my guide) and his replacement guarantee (YES I could have changed it for any other company I liked ) made me go for it.(MANAGEMENT LESSON #2: A COMPANY'S DEALER INFLUENCES THE CUSTOMER LIKE NO ONE)

The main reason for changing the UPS was that these days my PC is Powered ON on a 24x7 basis and given the superb power conditions in my area (black outs for at least 4 hrs daily at unpredictable times like 4 AM) was taking a toll on my Hard Disk. My machine was shut down improperly at least 4 - 5 times daily and I also lost a few files because of this. So I had no option but to go for a UPS Solution that offered PC connectivity options so that my PC would automatically shutdown in the proper manner (managed shutdown) when say there is only 5 minutes worth of battery life left.

I had to wait for this UPS for 3 - 4 days as Ravi Bhaiya forgot ordering it twice and I finally got it today. Installing it was very easy (as with any UPS) just one additional data cable to connect the UPS with Computer (USB interface). I popped the CD into the drive and the Power Chute Personal Edition Software from APC was installed in about 5 minutes. It took a while to configure the security softwares' (Zone Alarm etc.) to trust the various modules of this software and then I fired on the Application. Now I knew that this was a really wise decision to go for this UPS, the level of details provided by this bundled software is amazing, for the first time I knew what my Line Voltage was, How much load I was putting on the UPS (and I relaized I purchased a really decent capacity UPS for my job) and other line problems like Over and Under Voltage and most importantly Electrical Noise. There were regulars like the estimated battery backup time remaining and the status of the battery.You can see the slideshow of the Screenshots just above this post.

I now started to test the UPS. I Configured the UPS to shut down the machine automatically whenever there was just 5 minutes of backup time remaining. So I switched off the mains supply and tested whether this was done properly. The UPS shut down the machine properly and I was delighted everything was working properly. This was the most important reason for which I purchased the UPS. TEST 1: PASSED

Another Problem I was facing with the Old UPS was that my ADSL Modem / Router automatically restarted when the Mains was tuned off. I tried this with APC and was disappointed to find that my router still restarted so my internet connection would disconnect and my dialer would automatically dial after 1 minute and if the server was not busy I’ll be online again. TEST 2: FAILED

This UPS also had a telephone line surge protector which APC claims to be DSL compliant so I hooked my ADSL router though the UPS the Green ADSL LINK Light was green in the normal time and I was able to connect to the net. GREAT!! But after some time my connection got automatically disconnected and I then connected the router directly to the phone line (without surge protection) My Net connection was kicking again. SO again TEST 3: FAILED

The UPS gets 33.33 % and it FAILS the test Overall but that’s the Arithmetic Mean. Since automatically switching off the PC was single most important reason for me to purchase the UPS I give it 60% marks overall.

Now I’m Looking for a solution that would automatically turn on my PC, Log me in, connect to the Internet and Start / Resume all my Downloads whenever the Power Supply is back. ANY SUGGESTIONS???

Yes it is working!!!!

I was on an unofficial leave yesterday; eXPeriencing the power of Internet sorry.... THE REAL INTERNET. Its really amazing to do things that were not possible before; watch live streaming video, surf heavy websites, real-time update of Stock Prices and Charts. ITS AMAZING HOW MUCH PRODUCTIVE ONE CAN BE with high speed internet.

I visited YouTube.com (I have linked only small video files in my blog so low bandwidth users can also see them. This site stores millions of user created / uploaded video files of varying length and content. You'll find funny Clips, Discovery channel like Videos, Accidents, or may be you can open any lock in the world by watching this video (no don't ask me for the link!!).

You can also visit Microsoft On Demand Web casts and watch pre recorded technical web casts by Microsoft and trust me they are really good. I downloaded one on Windows Hang and Crash Dump Analysis which was very useful and helped me fix a bug or two.

Another good site is LearnVisualStudio.NET and I downloaded some free videos from here too.... its at least 10 times faster when you learn something from watching rather than reading but reading is necessary though.

If you want to trade into Commodities then you must attend NCDEX Knowledge Hub which gives you a pretty good knowledge about commodities.

I also downloaded loads of Big applications (>500MB) which I always wanted to and also downloaded few movies from the BitTorrent.

Bear Fight

A bear teaches Martial Arts VERRY FUNNY

I've finally got Broadband

After waiting for nearly 18 months (there was pre-launch waiting list) I finally got my Broadband connection live (256 kbps ADSL actually.... but this is called broadband here). I originally had a No.6 in the waitlist which was rerranged depending upon who made the modem payment first (I was unsure what whether I should buy it from the telco or from the market) and I ended up at No.140 or something. But Rs.200/- (US$ 4.50) got me a little higher on the waiting list and I got my modem installed and settings done on SUNDAY 6 Aug '06 @ about 2 PM (atleast 10 days before!!!)

I had been waiting for it more than anything else, bandwith is more valuable for than real money!!! before this I had to rely on my old RIM connection (Wireless 114kbps CDMA connection through a mobile fone via data cable) and had to wait for ages to get big pages load. What was more irritating was that though file downloading speed was OK surfing was a very boring experience. But I'm still having the connection which I'll use as a backup (u can never trust BSNL)

The speed I get is really AMAZING and Bandwidth Monitor Pro showed that at times I even got speed above 256 kbps. Since I have subscribed to the Home UL 900 plan I just have to pay Rs.900/- a month (US$ 20) for an unlimited download / upload limit. I would have preferred a 1 Mps line but that had a download limit of 2 GB (very funny indeed) which would vanish in a single day. Additional downloads cost 0.80/MB which will certainly give month-end surprises to me forcing me to sell one of my kidneys !!

I plan to keep my connection live on a 24X7 basis, uploading will be enabled on Bittorrent and Limewire to share files with others (yes I'm very generous)

WOW ! What a great start I'm having... (to the world of blogging). I created this account on blogger sometime in 2003 and planned to maintain a daily log of my events, a mind map, my plans, my feeling, moments of fun, fights and all things that mattered or may be not? Now this is August 2006 and I'm creating my first blog. NO I'M NOT BUSY . I'M TOOOO LAZY

Starting early does help though .. see I got a Blog*Spot address without any numbers / spl. characters just ullash.blogspot ...... aha its nice to have an uncommon name.

The first letters start in colour blue, which I think is my favorite. WHY?? see the logo of Microsoft, Dell, IBM ... they are all blue... for me blue means being powerful & BIG

Now what will I tell the world through this blog ?? (ok only a few of my friends)

Well my life revolves around few things mainly Computers, Finance & Investing, Humour (only the last one didn't bore that much ..... ) and I'll write (OR MAYBE STEAL???) rather intelligent articles on these.

So stay tuned ... I run a daily lottery and the person who spends the most time on my blog wins a Mercedes Maybach every week.