Using BSNL broadband (Dataone) for downloads - An easy way!

Am writing this one for BSNL broadband users who have night unlimited downloads from 2 a.m to 8 a.m.

For regular users and mad downloaders like me you do know the pain of staying awake and switching on the modem at night 2 o’ clock and again disconnecting it before eight in the morning. Else you would have a few of your bytes transferred in your monthly account in the name of mixed usage, even if you have scheduled your downloader and torrent to download and stop at the right time. Okay, these are the steps you need to follow to schedule downloads automatically and believe me you are going to like what you are going to hear. Downloads will be done from night 2 to 8 without you even touching the modem or for that matter your PC after you have scheduled your downloads.

Proceed these steps at your own risk.

The method mentioned below has worked fine for me and I’ve been using it for more than a year now and am able to download somewhere around 3 GB per night using torrents! (Let your brains do the calculations for the amount downloaded in a month)

I am using SMART AX modem. But this does work in the newer model which BSNL offers now.

1. Important Note: Read this carefully first before proceeding. Understand what you are reading and then proceed. Read this fully before carrying out the mentioned steps.

2. First you need to know your user name and password. It’s written on the modem box which you get or try to call your customer care to get it.

3. Mostly your modem is set in such a way that the internet connection is established when the modem is switched ON. If yours is not this way and you are dialing a connection then directly go to STEP 5. For the others whose connection is established on switching the modem ON, you need to reset your modem so that the setting in the modem gets erased (i.e your user name and password stored in your modem).

4. Then you need to set up a dial up connection using windows. Though it is easy doing this, am going to tell you for this may help the beginners. Advanced users proceed to Step 5 ignoring the steps below.

• Go the path said below:

Start-->All programs-->Accessories-->Communications-->New connection wizard

• Click Next.
• By default first option is set. Click Next.
• Then choose Setup my connection manually. Click Next.
• Select, Connect using a broadband connection that requires a username and password. Click next.
• Give any name here for the ISP name. Click Next.
• Type your Username and Password in the text boxes provided. Click Next.
• Check the Add a shortcut to this connection to my desktop. Click Finish.

Now you are done with setting up the dial-up connection.

5. Here comes the trick, rather a simple one if you had already known.
Download Free Download manager software from the site : Click here
It is a freeware :)

6. Click on the Scheduler tab.

7. Click on the Add task button which is the first button present in the toolbar which appears like a plus sign.

8. There in the dropdown list box select the option you want. For example I set the following options.

• Hang up connection by say 1:55 a.m
• Establish dial-up connection by 2:10 ( just to be safe so that no bytes are transferred to the mixed usage section)
• Then choose Launch program and give the path to your utorrent (Torrent client, a really good one, which I use for my torrent downloads) or any other download accelerators you use for your direct downloads and ftp downloads.(I prefer IDA-Internet Download Accelerator) Let the time be set to 2:11 a.m for this event to happen.
• This is very important. Set the scheduler to disconnect your dial-up connection well before 8 o’ clock. Say by 7:50 a.m. Choose Hang up connection and set this time.
• Finally, choose Shutdown computer, let the time be 8:00 a.m

9. Here are a few points to remember while using the scheduler in FDM

• Set the above said schedules to happen daily by choosing the Start time tab and choose On certain days and check all the days! Isn’t that simple.
• The time is in 24 hour format so remember to specify the correct times.

So do remember to turn on FDM in your computer before you go to bed. It resides in the system tray unless asked to exit. Just turn off your monitor and go to sleep. Remember to set the required downloads in your download accelerators and add your favorite torrents in your torrent client :) :) the rest will be taken care by FDM. Happy downloading guys!!!

Do feel free to express your thoughts and ask your doubts. I’ll try to answer to my best knowledge.

Another blog of mine regarding using torrents for downloads, good torrent sites, search engines and torrent uploaders is coming soon …

Dasavatharam - Movie Review

For those die-hard Kamal Hasan fans this is going to be one movie which they would relish, for you can see him in almost every frame of the movie! For others it’s going to be yet another over-hyped movie which is just good, though not bad and nothing makes it stand out from the rest. But don’t get me wrong, you won’t regret going for this movie.

Kamal’s performance in few of the characters will only increase the respect one has for him as an actor. Especially the character of Fletcher and Balram Naidu deserve a mention here. Though some characters were totally unnecessary, Kamal has carried them off effortlessly. The music is not that great to talk about.

Tamil cinema has always wasted hot imports from Bollywood and this movie is no exception, with Mallika Sherawat just playing a small cameo. And about the heroine - Asin, as usual she is pretty and in this movie she plays the part of a cute iyengar girl. But one does feel that she’s too talkative and in a few scenes you do wish that she was dead instead of the sexy Mallika.

For those who were critical about the length of the movie which is over 3 hours, believe me it’s not a pain watching it all along. There are a good number of light sequences which make you feel not bored.

It’s Kamal! Kamal! Kamal! all the way. Though it’s not a must watch movie, it certainly is one movie you can watch on a cool Saturday evening with your girl friend, to chill out and enjoy after a long tiring week ;-)

Is life that simple ???

Here I am to say something, but still I am searching for a perfect opening line. Strangely my creativity seems to be at the peak when I am in my bathroom rather than when I am in front of my computer. Ha kidding ! I’ll try to be as simple as possible. So here goes my philosophy.

Life for instance has many ups and downs. We do know this, yet we grieve over the lost and misplaced occasions to the extent that we fail to make the most out of our present. And again, we mourn in the future for our departed present. So can we think of a better solution? Is that as complex as rocket science? The straight forward answer is: It isn’t !!!

What would you do if you had only a day more to live in this beautiful world? Go out and enjoy as you’ve done never before. So why don’t we do the same everyday. I know, it isn’t that simple. Even though our life isn’t as simple as a girl’s petty complaints it is certainly simpler than ‘Einstein's theory of relativity’. In spite of so many pitfalls we somehow manage to live life. So what’s the point in crying for those things we cannot change? Let’s ask God to give us the courage to face those, which are beyond our control.

Being cheerful not only keeps us happy but also our fellow beings. After all, is there any greater pleasure than having a chance to spread our joy to everyone around us? Truly smile is infectious. It travels from our lips to everyone around us. Our time is short here and we are on a mission. So let’s make it meaningful. We should make this stay to be remembered by one and all as a significant one. After all we know that there’s no second innings as in cricket ! Let us enjoy life as it comes by.

So what exactly is the purpose of life? Deep should our thoughts go in order to understand its true essence! Being happy and making others happy would definitely be a distantly closer answer. Let us forget our worries and try being a clown rather than being a philosophical person who has wasted all his life in searching for its true meaning. Because we cannot define its purpose; for that matter no human could !!!

Firefox 3

Mozilla Corporation’s latest browser Firefox 3 is by far the most impressive browser I have seen in the recent past. It has a stylish interface and it is quite simple too. And it claims to have superior security features as compared to the other counterparts like the Internet Explorer 7 and Opera. It does have a new bookmarking feature which is very easy and effective. One click is all that one needs to bookmark one’s favorite webpage. There are hundreds and hundreds of add-ons that can be downloaded to extend the capability of the browser. There are plenty of themes readily available on the web that can be downloaded to make your browser look the way want it to be. The download manager provides better functionality by giving you the option to pause or resume downloads. The Firefox 3 is readily available in the net and it is one software that everyone must have.

The 3 mistakes of my life

Well to begin with this doesn’t have anything to deal with my life. It’s just a small peek into Chetan Bhagat’s latest and the third book “The 3 mistakes of my life.” For those who have read the first two of his novels, this one would definitely come as a little bit of disappointment. But having said that this book is different in the sense that it is not a trendy urban story, but it reflects the rural life style and passions. The story line is quiet simple. Although the story moves at a slow pace in the beginning it picks up pace towards the end. The romance part in this novel is good with a few sarcastic comments which would definitely make you to have a smile. The central theme is about business, cricket and religion and the way they shape the lives of everyone in India. With a nice little happy ending the author is sure to win the hearts of his young readers yet again!

God of War - Game

These are my views about one the finest games I’ve ever played-The God Of War. .Unlike a few games that move on a thin plot, this game’s storyline can keep you engrossed for days. The visuals are one of the best in its class. The full motion videos complement the storyline to a great extent. Coming on to the game play, God of War features one of the most fluid and brutal combat systems of all time. The plat-forming part of the game has become a precursor to many games developed later. Just a few minutes into this game and you will know what this game has in store for you. One of the most prominent gameplay features is the finishing move for the enemies, which has been scripted to perfection. Another great aspect that keeps us glued to this game is the characterization of the protagonist-Kratos, the brutal yet sympathetic anti-hero. In all, the mind-boggling visuals, the engrossing storyline, the impeccable game play and a brilliant background score make this game a must-play for any gamer.

The Pleasure of being an underdog !!!

Now that I’ve been in the lime light for years during my school life but rather maintaining a low profile spending most of my time in college as an underdog; I know how it is to be an underdog. Believe me it is a real pleasure. No more worries and tension and more importantly no more pressure – “ The pressure to perform. “

The thing is that the expectation on you mounts up to such an extent that you get bogged down by the so called “ Fear of failure “ which otherwise wouldn’t have come across your mind. It certainly adds up to your woes.

There are so many of them – parents, friends, relatives, well wishers , teachers, etc etc the list goes on, all wanting you to perform and perform to an extent that’s definitely going to drain you. But now I am no more burdened by these expectations. Ah !!! This life’s just rocking man. No more questioning and no more am I responsible for my shortcomings.

When I muse over this, I do feel that after all, even this life is also not that bad. Man !!! you really don’t want that many eyes glaring at you and so many envious stares watching at each of foot steps! May be this time when I fall I don’t fall too hard - because am an underdog. Immense would have be the pain otherwise.

What’s more important is the ability to take risks generally gets increased. Even if one fails, rarely does he get noticed. But what are missing ??? It’s the attention one attracts and the pride factor. After all, is pride that important in life when compared to happiness ??? Isn’t happiness is what all we need in life! May be, opinions differ…

The girl next class !!!

This was the first time my friend showed her to me.I wasn't that much impressed about her looks.I didn't realize then,that i would die to have a glimpse of her in future.This proves that i was still human.So then, you should be itching to know her name.Her name was Harika!A name that didn't come in my mind for some time after.Then again fate has some strange ways of mocking at us.Unfortunately i met her again.I would say this because she started to cloud my thoughts and leave me sleepless for many a nights.It was a cultural event in my college.She was one among the team members in which i was a part too.Her eyes were like stars which had fallen from those heavens.Or did God make a mistake by implanting those pearls in her eyes!Either way i had a special attraction towards her.The girl who hadn't meant anything to me some time back was like an angel now.These do show the vagaries in human perception.Such emotional freaks we are!Alt least i was.


Then days passed on without much happening except for those script preparations and other stuff for the skit.I wanted to strike a conversation with her.So that something material can happen between us.God was on my side this time.I got some real time to speak with her.She wasn't that outspoken type of girl that every guy would love to befriend.Nevertheless i liked her.The next few days were really good.It seemed that a good friendship was blossoming between us.Days passed.We had come to the last day of our cultural events.I just went back to my home to have a good nap that night.I loved my terrace where those soft breeze would make me doze and those sweet scent of flowers would make me give up anything in life,though not harika!


The night became longer.I was hardly getting any sleep.I was a bit disheartened by the fact that the next day morning all this fun would be over.I tried to close my eyes to let at least the moon to sleep while i lay thinking of those stars in her cute eyes.I don't remember when i slept.I stayed in a colourful world covered with happiness alone.Those grey eyes and the dimple in her cheeks filled the entire place.


Then suddenly i could feel the pain.As though someone had struck me with a strong iron bar on my head.I could feel the heat rise up my spine.Ouchhh it was painful.I woke up from my sleep to only know that i was on the floor and not on my bed.The time was around 4 in the evening.Oh dear!I couldn't believe that all this was a dream, a day dream.Oh to my disappointment i realized the fact that i was in my summer vacation and the cultural event were yet to commence.Then what about Harika?Her sparkling eyes?It was painful to accept that she was also a dream.I wanted to stay in this wonderland and dream this dream over and over.I wished that i wasn't awake and all this were true.But fate had other plans and has made me fall!!!

The Biodiesel Plant

Jatropha curcas L., also known as purging nut, belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, is a latex containing multipurpose plant with several attributes and considerable potential and has evoked interest all over the tropics as a potential biofuel crop. J. curcas is a native of Mexico and Central American region and was later introduced in many parts of the tropics and sub-tropics where it is grown as a hedge crop and for traditional use. It is well adapted to arid and semi-arid conditions and has low moisture demand. In the recent past, the oil crisis and depleting fossil fuel resource has rekindled interest in promotion of tree born oil species. Among the potential oil bearing tree species J.curcas has assumed importance due to its short gestation period, drought endurance, low cost seeds, high oil contents, easy adaptations on marginal and semi marginal lands, suitability as fuel substitute without any alterations to the existing engines and above all the plant size that makes seed collection more convenient.

The future might be pink for cricket!

Believe it or not by 2010 you will be watching a match live on your TV screen and guess what the ball in the bowler’s hands would make you feel that your television monitor has some problem. Because the ball looks the color of a dolls dress rather than white. That’s right, the days of pink has arrived. The first trial of a pink ball has been rated favorably by Queensland women who have made history by using one in an exhibition T20 match at the Gabba. And the MCC has plans to introduce it in their country’s one-dayers next year. The logic is that the visibility of the pink ball is much higher and the batsman can spot it a fraction earlier. If further tests prove that the color lasts longer, then the green signal for its use would be only a matter of time. With the latest T20 format being a sensational hit, pink balls too would provide the needed boost to spread cricket in parts of the world that have been still left unconquered by this great game.

It's Java everywhere !

Java is programming language developed originally by sun Microsystems. It is an object oriented programming language which has many a powerful tools that make it the number choice for most programmers and web developers. Java is platform independent that is, it can run on different platforms without the need to compile it again. This is done by java compilers which compile it into Bytecodes and the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) interprets it. There is a type of java program called the applet. It is a type of application embedded in a web page. Java has better security features which make it the preferred choice for development of web pages.

Romance with colors

Does pink color charm you?? “Well then, you must be a girl”, this would be the immediate comment made by most people. For, this has been the color which most girls used to dress up their cute Barbie dolls when they were young. Pink is also associated with love, romance and the blush of a young girl’s cheeks. But, to classify pink as a girly color isn’t justifiable. I do know a lot of guys who love pink and what more to dress up in pink. Pink color stands for beauty and grace. Many poets have fell in love with pink and have sung many a rhymes fascinated about its beauty. But pink has always finds itself associated with femininity. So liking pink does mean that you are on the right side of the crowd, for it signifies fun, excitement and passion in life!

Universal truth

Is there something that can be called as a universal truth? The answer would be a doubtful yes. But one should always realize the fact that everything depends upon an individual’s perspective and no two persons can have the same notion about all the issues. So one thing that might be acceptable to one person will not always be acceptable to the other. Let’s consider the ‘existence of GOD’ as an example. There may be millions of people who think there is a super power above us, but still there are as many people who think otherwise. So anything and everything is only subject to an individual’s opinion. What may appear to be right to one person may be utterly be absurd to another. So we must always accept this diversity and live our life with the fullest appreciation for other’s opinions and respect their view-points.

RNA synthetic biology

RNA molecules play important and diverse regulatory roles in the cell by virtue of their interaction with other nucleic acids,proteins and small molecules. Inspired by this natural versatility, researchers have engineered RNA molecules with new biological functions. In the last two years efforts in synthetic biology have produced novel, synthetic RNA components capable of regulating gene expression in vivo largely in bacteria and yeast, setting the stage for scalable and programmable cellular behavior. Immediate challenges for this emerging field include determining how computational and directed-evolution techniques can be implemented to increase the complexity of engineered RNA systems, as well as determining how such systems can be broadly extended to mammalian systems. Further challenges include designing RNA molecules to be sensors of intracellular and environmental stimuli,probes to explore the behavior of biological networks and components of engineered cellular control systems.

The CAT dream

Our future lies in our ability to dream big and live according to it. Come November and there’s this buzz word around - CAT (Common Admission Test). This is a test to filter out the best from the rest. It’s the first gateway to cross in order to knock at the doors of the IIM’s and other prestigious Institutions imparting management degrees in India. There is such a lot of cry about a M.B.A degree and that too getting it from a premier institute like the IIM’s seem to be the dream of every Indian graduate( At least among the gifted part of the Indian graduates) After many a months of preparations the CAT turns out to a heart-breaker for many. On the ‘make or break day’ many seem to give into the pressure in spite of their preparations and mock tests.CAT not only tests one’s mental ability, it also measures the persons time management skills, ability to perform under crunch situations and take quick and correct decisions. Overall, clearing the CAT is just one step forward in realizing an IIM dream. A dream which is for sure to redefine our lives forever.

Hope!!!

Let’s hope When, the entire world comes up against you, look up to me. When, sufferings alone can define your way of life, look up to me. When, the only known faces and your dear ones fail you, look up to me When, all the hands of darkness join forces to obliterate you, look up to me. When, death and the ghostly horrors of the past seem to haunt you, look up to me. I am HOPE. For the humanity wouldn’t have reached its current status without hope. Once you choose hope, anything's possible. And the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. Hope has placed where we are today. So always keep this quality to sustain and flourish in this beautiful world!

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people . Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities. AD begins slowly. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People with AD may have trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know. Over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them. AD usually begins after age 60. The risk goes up as you get older. Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease.

Year 1987!

Let me collect a few special events that occurred in the year 1987 and post them below. So, why I am so much interested in this year? I’ll tell you. But first read further to know more.

• IBM introduces PS/2 & OS/2
• 100th U.S Congress convenes
• First World Series game in a covered stadium at Minnesota Metrodome
• Chris Antley becomes first jockey to win 9 races in 1 day at Belmont
• First military use of trained dolphins by the US Navy in Persian Gulf
• Henry Ford II, president of Ford Motor Co, dies at 70

Want more??? Hey guys I was born on 13th of February in this wonderful year – 1987 !!!

Splashes of water!!!

“As the sun rises from beneath the oceans and spreads its arms across the ocean to embrace every droplet of water in the sea; the birds chirp across the skies signaling the entry of a new day; the wind gushes by the sails and the dolphins splashes its fins to welcome my ship; and I stand proudly on the top-most part of the ship waving my hands towards the skies signaling that I am the master, I could feel the freshness of cool water splashing from the side-walls of the ship onto my face”- only to realize that my mom poured a bucketful of water over my face just to wake me up and pack me to college. Oh God the daily routine!!!

Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics is the analysis of biological information using computers and statistical techniques . The science of developing and utilizing computer databases and algorithms to accelerate and enhance biological research. Bioinformatics is a multifaceted discipline combining many scientific fields including computational biology, statistics, mathematics, molecular biology, and genetics. Bioinformatics enables biomedical investigators to exploit existing and emerging computational technologies to seamlessly store, mine, retrieve, and analyze data from genomics and proteomics technologies. This is achieved by creating unified data models, standardizing data interfaces, developing structured vocabularies, generating new data visualization methods, and capturing detailed metadata that describes various aspects of the experimental design and analysis methods. Already there are a number of related undertakings that are dividing the field into more specialized groups. Clinical Bioinformatics and Biomedical Informatics are emerging as transitional fields to promote the utilization of genomics and proteomics data combined with medical history and demographic data towards personalized medicine, molecular diagnostics, pharmacogenomics and predicting outcomes of therapeutic interventions. The field of bioinformatics will continue to evolve through the incorporation of diverse technologies and methodologies that draw experts from disparate fields to create the latest computational and informational tools specifically design for the biomedical research enterprise.

The all new Indian cricket team

The future of Indian cricket team looks good, in fact great! Never in the history of Indian cricket there had been so many young players who are all performing well at the same time. The likes of Gautam Ghambir, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Piyush Chawla, and Ishanth Sharma have brought fresh blood into this Indian team. Never to forget our captain cool – M.S Dhoni. This team has an average age of 23. And without the greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Draid they have still managed to do a great job. The fielding of the new Indian side is excellent and the running between the wickets has improved a lot. The batting depth has increased with all-rounders like Irfan Pathan, Romesh Powar and Yousuf Pathan. This group of young lads has fought well as a team. And the bench strength is awesome and with many of the experienced players getting only a back seat. We can proudly look into the future of Indian cricket and say that the good times have begun and from now on, we can only hope for better times ahead when we strive to dominate world cricket like the Aussies have done for the past two decades.

SwishMax

For those who thought that creating a flash animation was a tough job and requires a great skill, here’s a big reason to smile. With the new SWiSH Max2 you can create flash in a jiffy. As the caption suggests-“The Ultimate Flash Creation Tool” it is really a wonderful tool. For beginners like me it took only a few weeks to go through to master the tool in SwishMax. More over the help files and the examples given in it will make the learning process much simpler. With so many built in effects and regular updates of effects in their website this software has all the features to make you feel that you are a master in creating flash animation. If you have ever dreamt at creating a flash graphic, but stood away due to its complexity, then this is the software for you.

Crazy about Chocolates !

As early as 1100 BC chocolates has been relished by people. Be it a romantic date or a new born child’s birthday, chocolate has always found a special place in every occasion. Apart from its taste, recent studies suggest that there are potential health benefits. Cocoa improves the circulatory system. It’s also a very good stimulant and anti-oxidants contained in it prevent cancer. From kids to aged ones, chocolates have charmed people of all ages. So let the part begin and let’s celebrate it with a chocolate bar!

Are friends an important part of life???

The answer for this question would be a simple ‘YES’. But let us look more deeply into this. We hang around with them, we rejoice, we crack jokes, we fight, we cry, we hurt, but still we manage to love them more than anything else. They aren’t our blood they aren’t our relatives still these people who have entered our life by chance and whom we have befriended by choice seem to influence most part of our life. (The only other influential people being our parents, spouse and children) Isn’t that they care for us and we care for them and expect nothing in return but genuine love and affection. The existence of human race has always been on such factors which cannot be reasoned or understood but just felt. So let us always celebrate friendship and humanity will live forever and ever for ages to come!

Technology - A boon to mankind

The advancements in the field of technology remain a testimony to man’s civilization and the very conspicuous evidence of evolution. Technology has played a crucial role in every stage of human development and is entwined with our very lives. So strong is the bond between technology and man that a day without the use of technology would be akin to being lost in the middle of a scorching desert. Things which were once considered to be the possession of the elite of the society have become a common man’s property due to the advancement in technology. Earlier the quality of any work done depended on the individual’s capacity and efficiency. As natural as it is, human beings being liable to making errors, the results of the work done were far less accurate .But nowadays, technology has grown to such an extent that tasks which took men months to complete are being accomplished within a matter of a few hours with great accuracy and efficiency. In all, technology has made our lives far more easier and comfortable adding flavor and color to every aspect of our life.

Calorie shifting

Calorie shifting mainly involves tricking and confusing the body, in such a way that it keeps your metabolism working fast. The problem with low-calorie diets is that they often result in the body going into the starvation mode, in which case it starts storing calories instead of burning them at a faster rate. So, instead of helping you lose weight, such diets make your metabolism slow and end up making you fatter. Calorie shifting diet involves the consumption of varying amounts of calories each day. If you eat 1200 calories on Monday, you will go up to 1500 calories on Tuesday and by the time Wednesday comes, you will drop down to only 1000 calories a day. As you change the amount of calories consumed, the body gets into a state of confusion. It knows that you are not starving, since you increase the calorie intake the next day. The result is that the body adjusts to the diet and keeps your metabolism at a high rate only, even when you eat low amount of calories on a particular day. The days when you reduce your calorie-intake to a very low level are the ones in which you lose most of the weight.