Thursday 31 July 2014

Wonderful 'Old' Photos....

#1. Frank Sinatra stepping out of a helicopter with a drink.

Frank Sinatra stepping out of a helicopter with a drink.

#2. A man ice skating in a suit (1937).

A man ice skating in a suit (1937).

#3. The definition of old school cool. Cary Grant in the 1950s.

The definition of old school cool. Cary Grant in the 1950s.

#4. Clint Eastwood with actresses Olive Sturgess and Dani Crayne in San Francisco, 1954.

Clint Eastwood with actresses Olive Sturgess and Dani Crayne in San Francisco, 1954.

#5. A couple dancing in a 1950′s “Be Bop” theater as everyone looks on.

A couple dancing in a 1950's

#6. A young Harrison Ford.

A young Harrison Ford.

#7. A salesman has his motorized roller skates refueled at a gas station (1961).

A salesman has his motorized roller skates refueled at a gas station (1961).

#8. A couple on Michigan Avenue in Chicago (1975).

A couple on Michigan Avenue in Chicago (1975).

#9. A young boy stealing the show, back when middle school kids knew how to dance (1950).

A young boy stealing the show, back when middle school kids knew how to dance (1950).

#10. Children of Chicago (1941).

Children of Chicago (1941).

#11. A gang of greasers in NYC, 1950.

A gang of greasers in NYC, 1950.

#12. A young Kevin Spacey (1980s).

A young Kevin Spacey (1980s).

#13. Teenagers and their first car (1950s).

Teenagers and their first car (1950s).

#14. High school fashion feature in Life Magazine (1969).

High school fashion feature in Life Magazine (1969).

#15. Dean Martin & Angie Dickinson on the set of Rio Bravo, 1959.

Dean Martin & Angie Dickinson on the set of Rio Bravo, 1959.

#16. Marlon Brando’s screen test in “Rebel Without A Cause” (1955).

Marlon Brando's screen test in

#17. A young Michael Caine in 1959.

A young Michael Caine in 1959.

#18. Caroline Kennedy walks ahead while her father, the most powerful man in the world, carries her doll. (1960).

Caroline Kennedy walks ahead while her  father, the most powerful man in the world, carries her doll. (1960).

#19. An old family photo from the early 1900s.

An old family photo from the early 1900s.

#20. The Beatles before they were famous.

The Beatles before they were famous.

#21. Cosmos host and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson at a college wrestling match.

Cosmos host and astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson at a college wrestling match.

#22. Three boys pose for a camera on the streets of Jamaica.

Three boys pose for a camera on the streets of Jamaica.

#23. A young Sean Connery relaxing on the couch.

A young Sean Connery relaxing on the couch.

#24. Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger sit opposite each other on a train to Bangor. (1967).

Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger sit opposite each other on a train to Bangor. (1967).

#25. Sigourney Weaver in a suit.

Sigourney Weaver in a suit.

#26. Ernest Hemingway’s striking passport photo (1923).

Ernest Hemingway's striking passport photo (1923).

#27. Diana Rigg (Olenna Tyrell from Game of Thrones) in 1967.

Diana Rigg (Olenna Tyrell from Game of Thrones) in 1967.

#28. Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his cabinet – 1968. These men knew how to wear a suit.

Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and his cabinet - 1968. These men knew how to wear a suit.

#29. Brigitte Bardot visits Pablo Picasso at his studio near Cannes in 1956.

Brigitte Bardot visits Pablo Picasso at his studio near Cannes in 1956.

#30. Audrey Hepburn at a premiere on September 14, 1953.

Audrey Hepburn at a premiere on September 14, 1953.

#31. Jimi Hendrix backstage at Monterey Pop Festival, 1967.

Jimi Hendrix backstage at Monterey Pop Festival, 1967.

#32. Sophia Loren, one of the only actresses to win an Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe awards.

Sophia Loren, one of the only actresses to win an Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe awards.

#33. 6 time Golden Globe winner Paul Newman boating in Venice during a film festival (1963).

6 time Golden Globe winner Paul Newman boating in Venice during a film festival (1963).

#34. A businessman doubling as a graffiti artist.

A businessman doubling as a graffiti artist.

#35. David Bowie’s mugshot.

David Bowie's mugshot.

#36. Elspeth Beard, shortly after becoming first Englishwoman to circumnavigate the world by motorcycle. The journey took 3 years and covered 48,000 miles.

Elspeth Beard, shortly after becoming first Englishwoman to circumnavigate the world by motorcycle. The journey took 3 years and covered 48,000 miles.

#37. How they used to date in the 1950s.

How they used to date in the 1950s.

#38. Girl on a scooter (1969).

Girl on a scooter (1969).

#39. The gorgeous necklines of the 1950s.

The gorgeous necklines of the 1950s.

#40. Leather clad English rocker girl.

Leather clad English rocker girl.

#41. Women boxing on a roof in LA (1933).

Women boxing on a roof in LA (1933).

#42. Muhammad Ali looking dapper.

Muhammad Ali looking dapper.

#43. Girl with typewriter and a smoke.

Girl with typewriter and a smoke.

#44. The original way to ‘text’ in Class (1944).

The original way to 'text' in Class (1944).

#45. Ellen O’Neal, the greatest woman freestyle skateboarder in the 1970s.

Ellen O'Neal, the greatest woman freestyle skateboarder in the 1970s.

#46. A stylish couple in the rain in London (1963).

A stylish couple in the rain in London (1963).

#47. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip at the horse races (1968).

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip at the horse races (1968).




Thursday 24 July 2014

Pl do read

PLEASE DO READ TILL THE END

> I am sharing this wonderful experience, I recently had in Singapore.
>
>
> I
​ ​
was invited to one Friday evening event by one of MNC
> Vendor organization who had organized the event to raise funds for
> the visually handicapped people in a center for blind people.
> Since it was a Friday evening, I first thought to skip the
> event considering it could be a bit boring and rather spend the
> evening relaxing by some other means.
> But being alone and sometimes finding it difficult to kill
> time, I thought to accept the invitation and registered on line for
> booking.
>
> Moreover it was free :) which was another motivation to go
> to the event.
> I was looking at the event to pass some time, meet few
> people and nothing else.
> When I went there, there were approx 40 people from various
> industries invited for that event. I found some Indians and naturally
> talked to them about how life is in Singapore etc etc. Initially we
> were shown a video about the visually handicapped center. What are their
> activities, how are they helping blind people in Singapore to lead a
> more fulfilling life, etc . It was a short 15 minute video and quite
> inspiring that how people from different walks of life spend time in helping
> these blind people without expecting anything in return.
>
> They shared the satisfaction and fulfillment they get by
> helping them.
​ ​
After the video, we all were gathered in a hall and were
> briefed about next event. The theme of the next event was "Dining in
> the Dark".
> And this is the event which turned out to be inspiring and
> worth sharing.
> What is meant was that we all 40+ people were going to have
> Dinner in a pitch Dark room !!!! The next 2 hours were completely
> planned, organized directed and executed by three blind youths.
>
> One was a girl ( Leader ) and other two boys were assistant
to her forming a team of three blind volunteers.
>
> The blind leader first gave us tips for dining (These were
> ACTUAL STANDARDS THE BLIND PEOPLE FOLLOW IN ORDER TO MAKE THEIR
> LIFE EASIER)
>
> 1) When you sit at your table the things will be placed as follows :
>
> at 3 o clock of your dish : You will find a spoon.

> at 9 o clock : Fork;

> 12 o clock : spoon.
>
> 2 o clock : Empty
>
> Glass Dish at the center with Paper napkin tucked at 6 o clock.
>
> 2) There will be two large Jugs circulated to you. The Jug
> with plain walls will have water and the Jug with curved wall will have
> orange juice.

> 3) When you get your Jug based on your choice you have to
> pour it in your glass. You have to dip your forefinger in the glass so
> that when you fill it and the liquid touches your finger, you have to
> stop pouring. She asked whether everyone has understood.
>
> All said yes but everyone was confused and trying to
> remember what she said and confirming with each other. Next 1 1/2 hours we
> spent were full of fun and learning. In completely pitch dark room where we
> could not see ANYTHING we were enjoying various delicious food without
> seeing it.
>
> We all 40 people were taken in groups in the dark hall.
> Each one was directed by blind person till he/she sits on a
> chair (We were finding it awkward because actually we are supposed to
> guide blind people to their destination and help them).
> We were Served full five course dinner by this team of three
> blind people-Welcome drinks, appetizers, starters , main course and desserts.
>
> The amazing thing was that the team of three blind people
> were serving exactly vegetarian dishes to vegetarian people who were
> sitting randomly in the room!
>
> While registering on line we were asked question to choose from
> "Vegetarian" or "Non vegetarian". I obviously chose Vegetarian, being
> one. We were so nicely hosted that we did not have to wait
> in between serves . As we were ending finishing one dish, we were
> served with next without any delays.
>
> After approx 1 and half hours of Dining in the dark , the leader asked
> whether everyone has finished eating. After confirmation she
> switched on the lights of the dining room.
>
> We left the Dining room with tears in our eyes.
> We realized how lucky we are and how we have been gifted
> with beautiful eyes to see the beautiful world. We realized how difficult
> lives of blind people are ( and other handicapped) without being able
> to see. We realized how uncomfortable we were for just two hours
> without being able to see anything and how they must be living their
> lives.
>
> We realized how unfortunate we are , that we do not value
> such simple things in life we have and cry (sometime louder, sometime
> within ourselves) and run after what we don't have... for whole
> of our lives without having time to adore for the things we have.
>
> Be cheerful.
>
> Adore whatever you have in life.
>
> You may try for whatever you don’t have but never feel sad about it.
>
> You need to experience it,
> something like I had experienced, to believe this philosophy of life.


Tuesday 22 July 2014

QWERTY keyboard

QWERTY keyboard
Why is the keyboard layout Q-W-E-R-T-Y and not simply A-B-C-D-F? Why were computer keyboards designed in the current format not in a alphabetical order. Is there any specific reason or it's just some random convention we are following?
nidokidos.org
It hasn’t been done randomly or just for fun, it has a very distinct and purposeful reason behind it.

The current format of the keyboard was devised long back in 1870’s by a gentleman named Christopher Sholes for the then typewriter. Though, it definitely was not the first format to come up, it didn’t take much time to switch to this one. Starting with lexicographic order i.e. A-B-C-D-E-F, after various trials and errors and taking hundreds of cases, Christopher Sholes gradually reached the Q-W-E-R-T-Y. It was really well received (evident from the fact that we still use it).

When the typewriter was invented, it used a metal bar to hold the character alphabets and the other end of the bar was attached to a linkage carrying a carriage with the coated ink. When a key was struck, it would emboss its character on the paper placed beneath the carriage. However, when an operator learned to type at a great speed, a certain flaw was noticed. When two letters were struck in quick succession, the bars of the typewriter would entangle and get jammed.

Christopher Sholes found a way out. He proposed that the letters of frequently used letter pairs should be in different rows. For example, ‘C-H’, ‘S-T’, ’T-H’, ‘W-H’ and more. He also formulated that to speed up the typing process, there has to be a regular alternation between two hands. So observing thousands of words, he placed the letters in way that most words would make use of both hands.

He also observed that almost every word in the dictionary carries a vowel. According to him, the most frequently used vowel was ‘A’ and the most frequently used letter (non-vowel) was ‘S’. So he placed ‘A’ and ‘S’ together and chose to keep less common letters like ‘Q’, ‘W’, ‘Z’, ‘X’, ‘C’ around these. This was complemented by placing fairly common letters like ‘M’, ‘N’, ‘L’, ‘K’, ‘O’, ‘P’ at right extremes to create a perfect alternation between both the hands.

All these factors tested with thousands of trials gave us the format that we still use and perhaps would be using till eternity.



Monday 21 July 2014

Indian engineerin​g - Railway to Vaishnodev​i

Indian Engineering - the railway built from Jammu to Vaishnodevi Katra Station.
This is Indian railway, built by Indian engineers, from Jammu to Vaishnodevi, Katra station. Newly built the station is as good as an airport. This bridge... is almost 85 Mtrs. in height.
Indian engineers!!! Jai Ho !!