Deep-rooting '@'

DIGGING FOR THE ORIGIN OF ‘@’
(It’s not like digging your nose for gold)

How many times you have typed the symbol @ the one just on the numerical key 2. Have you ever thought where it came and why its called at the rate, or is it not called like that?

The now ubiquitous symbol traces its roots to English grocers and accountants who used the symbol to indicate the cost per unit of anything. Outside England it didn’t mean much. And that’s why most non English keyboards don’t have the @ symbol before internet and emails became common.

The Sri-Lankan’s have no particular or official word for that. Moving to Africans where the descendents of the Dutch settlers call it as ‘aapsert’. (They speak Afrikaans). In the native Dutch aapsert means Monkey tail.

In the Middle East, the Arabs continue to remain clueless about what to call it. Some now call it ‘fi’ - a literal translation of ‘at’ in Arabic.

There is another school that refers to the symbol as ‘othon’ which means ear in English.

The Czech refers to @ as ‘zavinac’. In the native Czech it means pickled herring! The Germans chose to go the Afrikaans way and some call it ’afenschwanz’ or monkeys tail. Yet others in Germany call it ‘klammeraffe’ or hanging monkey.

Japanese call it ‘atto maaku’ -the mark.

The Thai call it ‘ai tua yiukyiu’ - literally which means wriggling worm like character.

And atlast not the least the some native Dutch speakers like to call it as ‘apeklootje’ – or a little monkeys testicles.

The three finger salute

Hi Pals,

Have your computer ever got hung anytime during the life with them, when you are downloading, playing games or even working… ok ok now don’t look at those three small buttons on your keyboard.

Seen this pop up? "Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart your computer"

Then you are very much mature to go on reading.

Like the song of Zain Bhikha “Give thanks to Allah!” you can just say once “Give thanks to David J. Bradley”. Yes you can thank him every time a software program locks up and you want to start over, every time you need to change your password or log on or off your computer.

Ya folks, that's the same David Bradley who was the "answer" to Final Jeopardy on an episode of that show's special college edition last fall. It's the same David Bradley who saved Bill Gates' derriere before the Windows operating system became the monster it is today.

Bradley is the man who gave the world "control-alt-delete."

"It was not a memorable event," said Bradley, a longtime IBM employee, speaking of that day in 1980 or '81 when he discovered control-alt-delete. "It wasn't intended as something we were going to tell the customers about," he says. "Then it turned out that this reset was a problem-solver for people who were writing the programs and writing the instruction manuals."

He's much too modest.

Would Alexander Fleming have said, "It wasn't a memorable event," when he discovered penicillin? Would Albert Einstein have said, "I really can't recall when I discovered E=MC squared?"

The original idea was simply to reset early PCs without turning them off. Microsoft adopted control-alt-delete to help ensure people powered down correctly, then to handle "administrative functions" such as the vital "end task" feature for computer software that crashes or otherwise gets stuck.

Bradley chose the control and alt keys because he needed two shift keys to make the operation work, and he chose the delete key because it was on the opposite side of the keyboard. He didn't want people to hit control-alt-delete by accident.

It's more complicated than that, of course, but most people don't have a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Purdue University, as Bradley does. Bradley, who speaks at universities on IBM's behalf, is on a mission — to encourage more students to go into science and technology. He's aware that much of the growth in college attendance in recent decades is in the humanities.

"I actually have a real job, but I enjoy doing this," Bradley says. "I'm as close as you get to a rock star within IBM."

Bradley originally designed Control-Alt-Escape to trigger a soft reboot, but he found it was too easy to bump the left side of the keyboard and reboot the computer accidentally. He switched the key combination to Control-Alt-Delete, a combination that was impossible to press with just one hand (this is not true of later keyboards, such as the 102-key PC/AT keyboard or the Maltron keyboard). "I may have invented Control-Alt-Delete, but Bill Gates made it famous". He afterwards elaborated that it was made more famous due to Windows NT logon procedures ("Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to log on").

Have a nice day with those keys! Now back to work folks munching some candy.

As I mature...

I looked around; several hundred trees have fruited, the birds due to fledging have developed feathers or plumage. I looked at me... yes I am mature, I have developed and reached maturity. I had a thought to jump out of the office cubicle and run down the street naked shouting “Eureka!” which was kiboshed by the enlightenment...I am Anil not Archimedes.

As I mature I've learned so many things and I was thinking how to present them of you. That process of using your mind to consider something carefully a lot requires so much time. I came across a small article somewhere deep down the internet forest. Am presenting it to you.

As I mature…

I’ve learned that no matter how much I care,
some people are just assholes

I’ve learned that you cannot make
someone love you. All you can do is
stalk them and hope they panic and give in.

I’ve learned that it takes years
to build up trust, and it takes
suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t
compare yourself to others- they are
more screwed up than you think.

I’ve learned that you can keep vomiting
long after you think you’re finished.

I've learned that we are responsible
for what we do, unless we are celebrities.

I've learned that regardless of
how hot and steamy a relationship is at
first, the passion fades and there had better
be a lot of money to take its place!

I've learned that 99% of the time when
something isn’t working in your house, one
of the kids did.(may be yours or you are the kid)

And as I mature

I've learned that the people you can care most
about in life are take from you too soon
and all the less important ones just never go away.

Health Consciousness

"You are the one, and only one who can buy useful things for this house. What is your opinion of buying two more like this?” 

Got up hearing this unusual and rare praise my room-mate flung at me… I peeped to know WHAT was that thing that I had bought and he liked and wanted to buy two more?

Only once I looked, and my heart broke… It was that THING which I had bought with an announcement “Now you guys are going to see some changes in me”….My Exercise console (It came with two free dumbbells). He was putting his washed soaking jeans on it for drying, with a free advice “Once in a blue moon at least climb on this; otherwise it will forget its own use.”

What he said is correct, and to be frank, till date I had not had the slightest feeling to climb on to it. Leave that, being little bit health conscious joined a yoga class last January. I came down the stairs with the receipt after paying the bill, and have not crossed that building ever since. There was tension within me till first week of February and it got over after that because the course was only till that date. To overcome that sadness syndrome joined I joined an aerobic class with my friend. He joined and I vaporized and came back to life in front of the T.V.

“I have to change. Something has to be done. Let this exercise console be my friend's drying stand." Usually this resolute adherence to my own ideas or desires will go if I dilly-dally for sometime. But this time it is not going. The very next day I went to Nike showroom and bought the Gym dress codes including a good pair of footwear for a good four digit number. Credit card swiped with a swish! Got a passport size photo, looking as if I was going to kill the cameraman, put all the stuffs into a bag and left for joining a Gym.

The receptionist, a girl, smiled and swiped a nice amount from my card, and I became a privileged member of that fantastic Gym. “When are you going to start”… “From now, this moment” came my reply. She may have thought “Oh this guy has got a great interest and is health conscious.” The truth only I know “If I leave today, I will not see the Gym steps again.” I changed my clothes and viewed myself in the mirror. Va bhai Va! That is what is called a Gym attitude. Now just attack the Gym and do some circus.

There were so many types of machines, and on that people were in different postures. There were people walking, running, lying, sitting, standing, some were even lying like a vampire bat-upside down. Confused on what I should get my hands on first I looked around like a lost puppy. Ahh there……. A HULK! He told he would be my instructor. 6-6.5 feet tall, wearing a T-shirt as if its squeezing him, muscles standing up as if they want to come out-from everywhere, a tattoo which I could not interpret, a hat covering his bald head, and a line beard as if someone has marked with a permanent marker. I was like David in front of Goliath.

First, warm-up. It is so easy, just have to throw your hands and legs here and there, up-down, and up-down. I completed it with easiness and asked “NEXT”? “Thread-mill”. He set the speed and all for me and went away, instructing “you can take rest if you get bored.” “I, who used to walk kilometers to my school, going to get bored on this stupid small piece of walking machine, HUH!” Thinking this I got on the machine and started to walk as if walking on a beach enjoying a nice breeze. Then I realized am not alone, a cute girl on my side is also undertaking this walking punishment. In our talk she told that she wanted to lose 10 kilos. I looked at her………Top to Bottom and thought “she would be invisible if those 10 kilos were gone, for sure. Pffff”! I ignored her. After some time she increased the machine speed and started to run. Will my male ego sleep then? NO! I also increased the speed and started to run like hell. I did not stop with that, again increased, increased and at last I was running with full power and energy as if there was a stray dog running behind me glaring his teeth. I did not fall off with my head banging somewhere only for the sole reason that I got hold of the speed reducing knob. "EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY" consoling myself, went back to my beach walking speed. Do not ask me if the girl was impressed with my presentation, did not even dare to look at her.

Due to my sincere walking with lots and lots of dedication my throat dried up. To get down and drink some water, someone has to stop this machine. I tried to call my Goliath. Because I did not knew his name I was calling Excuse me! Excuse me! Because of my tiredness my Excuse me was coming out as Kiss me!, Kiss me!. To avoid some slaps I jumped from the machine. Somehow managed to get off that without any bruises I went and found out the Goliaths name- Johnson.

Next was a stick trick. Seen the stick used to beat the carpets, ya same one. He made me keep it behind my neck and then have to keep my hands over it. I came straight and looked at the mirror. Jesus Christ? Somehow with some creaky sounds from my joints and some moaning I completed that set also.

Then I was led to a machine, looks like our cycle. Goliath called it a Stepper. You have to pedal it and seat will go up and down on that. He asked me to do that for 15 minutes and went. First it was fun, like riding a horse. I thought of being Tipu Sultan and made Tak, Tak sounds quietly and rode the horse. Hardly 2 mins, the horse gave an indication that it will not move. I realized with pain that it was not the problem with the stepper. It was because I could not move my legs and pedal it. Somehow frequent visits to the cooler for water I made to sit on top of that and finished the set.

Now the first day functions are getting into its climax. Next program is lifting blocks. Ah! Dumbbells!! I went there as if I was using these from the time I was born. Johnson (the instructor) took two of them and held as two flowers. I also took it as if I was an expert. He lifted the dumbbells straight up. The muscles on the hands of Johnson were dancing. I looked on to mine. They have not heard that name muscle. Not that, the dumbbells in my hand which has to be lifted is remaining down. Made all the nine and extra five more expressions on my face and lifted it, small crackers started bursting inside my head. At last when I felt the whole weight would be gone and I will float inside the Gym like a feather I went and sat on a chair. I wanted to shout “My head is spinning and am fainting”, but no sound was coming. Suddenly I heard a bird calling “John...Ssoon.” I looked around and realized that it was not a bird, but was me who was calling. It was the first time I was calling someone so pathetically. The stars and comets finished their roles inside my head and I got my eye sight back. Johnson was standing with a glass of water. Suddenly from nowhere I got lots of strength, I pushed Mr. Hulk hard out of the way and ran. The marathon ended near the washbasin at the corner. I gave out even the first drop of milk I drank.

Now you may think I have stopped my visit to Gym. No my friends, as long as there is a chair to sit and a washbasin no powers can stop me.

Now the benefits I got from one weeks Gym routine. The muscles (even I did not know that they were in my body) have started to reveal themselves. Whatever small move I make, they give signals. Those signals traveled in all directions, ceased on my tongue, and freed themselves through the mouth transforming into "AAHHHS" and "UOOHHHS". I, who used to roam a lot with friends, stopped all that and am now walking like a robot. Seeking a lot of help from lifts and escalators as hands and legs are not interested to use the stairs. In short there are only two parts which are not affected, the fingers and tongue. To curb the sadness and irritation that others are not working I am making these two work a lot.

Courtsey: A beautiful nice malayalam .pdf file which I came across. My memory is not refreshing to get the author's name. Anyway hats off!
Picture courtesy: 934 Life.

Secret Death

Have you ever thought of what happens after death…?

Am just jotting out a little of my thesis. During death some reactions involving changes in atoms and molecules occurs in the body….

Explanation of “HOW” will be published after receiving the document granting ME the sole rights of this invention.

The whole energy which is left in the body is utilized. The linear polymer found in the nucleus of a cell and formed from nucleotides and shaped like a double helix (simplify?? Ok call it DNA) breaks down and many of the several substances found in the nuclei of the living cells; consisting of a protein bond to a nucleic acid get into bonds and transforms themselves to highly powerful waveforms which can propagate at high speeds which are invisible and odorless. It breaks the gravitational barrier.

And at the end these would lose their energy and falls of in some hot molten planets/Suns/satellites or some planets having good environmental conditions.

The earlier people - Someone from whom we are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent) alias Ancestors have given beautiful nice names for all I have described.

The invisible odorless powerful waveforms – ATHMA

The hot molten planets or having good environmental conditions where the final destiny of the wave – NARAG and SWARG respectively.

Relative Intelligence

This took place in the early days of my transformation from student to an Employee…

Was working in Kolhapur a well known city in Maharashtra (Chicken-Kolhapuri, Padmini Kolhapuri, yes you got it right) --- Very remote but historic place. Most of the places surrounding the town are so rural and not developed… so best for many mechanical and automobile industries to build up with low cheap workers.

During my days over there I met an employee (of course a Mallu)... Started with peru entha (what’s your name?), Veedu evida (Where is your house?) etc etc.. (Keep a point in the mind that He was the only mallu in that huge company for the past 8 years). He talked much about his life and all dwelling with a bit of egoism and frustration and happiness…and in due course he discovered a small lecturer in me to teach him internet. The computer was sitting like a king with a grin among other computers like a Grandfather having a rare retro pocket watch… b’coz only it had the internet facility.)

First step open a new E-mail account (Hip Hip Hooray Yahoo Mail). I demonstrated him how to write, send, and receive mails. The chapter is closed. Our shifts were different so no frequent meetings happened. Weeks passed and once he came searching for me and told that his account is not working.

I asked how his mail usage is going and came to know it was his first attempt. Walking towards the computer,-------- (thinking of the usage of Caps Lock for password, spelling mistakes and also about the “smile” and “Thanks” am gonna get after solving etc etc.) ------- and seeing the screen, I felt to just drop into a fissure below or melt at that point of time. At that same time I got the importance of patience and controlling feelings mixed with crying and screaming. A lightning occurred and had the enlightenment like Gautham Buddha and emptied from there putting all blame to the poor old machine.

He had opened the browser and typed his Password on the ADDRESS BAR and pressed enter... The poor old computer didn't know what was going on and got hanged.

Today after 3 and a half solid years, I don’t know where and what he is.

This is not to hurt anyone’s feelings, but just to shout it loud “HATS OFF TO EINSTEIN.” Foolishness or lack of education is RELATIVE. One who knows to sign his own name is a king infront of thumb pad users.