tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64924692024-03-20T01:30:03.811-07:00Binu's Musings<!--
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-->binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-71072913270549026802009-04-07T21:22:00.000-07:002013-10-24T08:29:53.868-07:00BMTC Bus Guide for HSR Layout<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Updates:</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The route timing information on buses from/to HSR sector 2 may not be correct. I rarely use those routes now after switching to BIA-7A and G-2 for my commute to Trinity Circle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;">Last updated: Oct 24, 2013.</span><br />
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Route Finders</h3>
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Use any of these route finders to get up to date information on bus routes in Bangalore:</div>
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<a href="http://mybmtc.com/">http://mybmtc.com/</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.narasimhadatta.info/bmtc_query.html">http://www.narasimhadatta.info/bmtc_query.html</a><br />
<a href="http://bmtcroutes.in/">http://bmtcroutes.in/</a><br />
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Google Transit has BMTC routes in it now. Searching for directions in Google Maps give you pretty good BMTC route information. Also found http://bmtcroutes.in/. </div>
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<i><br /></i>Here's a list of all bus routes I know of from within HSR Layout. There are many more bus routes that pass through Agara and along the ring road adjoining HSR Layout. You can use the airport Volvo buses to travel within city limits (up to Hebbal) at normal Volvo fares (sometime Rs 10 more than normal Volvo fares).<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bus Routes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">340A/M</span>: From Parangipalya (HSR sector 2), NIFT, CPWD Quarters, 19th main, HSR Depot, Police Station, Agara, Koramangala last stop, St. John's/Forum (Staples side), Dairy Circle/Christ College, Lakkasandra, Wilson Garden, ShantiNagar/Double Road, Richmong Circle (below flyover), Corporation, Majestic.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Volvo/Marcopolo 340A:</span> Seen occasionally. Follows the same route as 340A/M.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Update:</span> If you are near Mantri Sarovar or HSR BDA complex, there are many Volvos starting out from HSR depot in the mornings (between 7 and 8) to Majestic. They leave the depot near Mantri Sarovar, head to BDA complex signal via ring road, turn right there and go towards Koramangala last stop and St. John's. These buses return to the depot in the evenings with the Depot-25 sign on them. You may also find them using the "Silk Board (via HSR Layout)" or "Agara" boards.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">340F</span>: Same route as 340A/M till double road. Morning trips go to Mysore bank and Vidhan Soudha. Other trips go via Richmond bus stop (near Cash pharmacy on residency road), Ashirvadam junction, SBI, Anil Kumble Circle, ShivajiNagar.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">340C</span>: Same route as 340A/M till Lakkasandra. Goes towards ISRO Layout via Ashoka pillar, Jayanagar. Low frequency. I don't know if this route still exists. Haven't seen it in a while.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">340</span>: Goes to K R Market. Same route as 340A/F till Lakkasandra. Goes straight towards K R Market after that. Rarely seen these days. Route 340 terminates at Agara sometimes. Always check if you want to go to sector 2 on this one.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">340K</span>: Starts from SomasundaraPalya, comes to Parangipalya and goes to K R Market following the same route as 340. Low frequency. There's one heading to HSR at about 6:50 pm via Agara.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">348F</span>: Starts from Agara depot, comes via CPWD Quarters, NIFT to Parangipalya, towards HSR BDA complex, joins ring road at BDA junction, silk board, Madivala and continues on the same route as 340A/M. Sometimes starts from Parangipalya (HSR 2nd sector). Seen every half an hour in the mornings. There's a regular one at 8:20 am from CPWD quarters. Generally faster at getting to Majestic than 340A/M from ParangiPalya. These days I see this plying without a number (just a Vidhan Soudha board).<br />
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There are other 348 series routes that start from MangammanaPalya (near Salarpuria apartments in HSR Sector 7). These buses go via HSR 5th Main to ring road, silk board, Hosur road, Madivala, Dairy circle, Lakkasandra and on to Majestic via same route as 340 A/M.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">340S</span>: Starts from Parangipalya. Same route as 340A/M till St. Johns. Goes towards Adugodi on Hosur road via Forum (Raheja Arcade side), Adugodi, Langford road junction (Prestige Elgin), Johnson Market, Vellara junction, St. Patrick's Church, SBI, Bowring Institute/St. Mark's Road, Anil Kumble Circle/MG Road, ShivajiNagar.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">141K</span>: CPWD quarters to ShivajiNagar via Agara, Jakkasandra, Koramangala last stop, Sony World Junction, National Games Village, Ejipura junction/VivekNagar, Austin Town, Vellara Junction, ShivajiNagar. Rarely seen. I think there's one trip in the mornings at around 8:30 am and another in the evening.<b><br /></b><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Volvo BIAS-7</span>: HSR BDA complex, Jakkasandra, Koramangala last stop (1st block), Madivala Market, Forum/Checkpost (Staples side), Dairy cirle/Christ College, Lakkasandra, Wilson Garden, ShantiNagar Bus Station/Double Road, Richmond Bus Stop/Cash Pharmacy, M G Road and on to Bangalore Airport via Hebbal. Hourly service. Usually starts at XX:15 (6:20, 7:20, 8:20 and so on) from HSR.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Volvo BIAS-7A</span>: This is the route I'm using these days to get to my office on Ulsoor road. HSR BDA complex, Jakkasandra, Koramangala last stop (1st block), right via Wipro to Sony World Junction, right towards Domlur via Koramangala inner ring road, Dell, Embassy Golf Links, Hero Honda, left at Domlur to join old airport road, Command Hospital, Trinity Circle, Taj Hotel, Ulsoor Road, Indian Express/GPO, Palace Grounds and on Bangalore Airport via Hebbal. Hourly service. Usually starts on time at XX:40 or XX:50 (6:40 am, 7:40 am, 8:50 am, 9:50 am and so on) from HSR BDA complex. In the return direction, you can get BIA-7A from Trinity Circle at about 4:50 pm 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. It's hard for them to stick to the schedule though and these buses sometimes get delayed by 15 to 20 minutes on the return trip. These buses pass inner ring road near Dell at around 5:10 pm, 6:15 pm and 7:15 pm in the evenings. Most of them will only stop at the bus stop next to Hero Motors near Dell.</div>
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BIAS Volvo typical fares: Rs. 205 to the airport from HSR. Rs. 50 to M G Road from HSR. Rs. 35 to Dell/EGL from HSR.<br />
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<b>K-3: </b>HSR BDA complex to Basaveshwaranagar via Koramangala, St. Johns, Dairy Circle, Jayanagar, Basavangudi and Vijayanagar.<br />
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<b>K-5: </b>HSR BDA complex to Mallasandra via Jakkasandra, Koramangala Sony World junction, Adugodi, Double road, Malleswaram and Jalahalli.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Depot-25</span>: In the afternoons and evenings you might see some buses with boards displaying "Depot-25" or "Agara Depot". These buses terminate at Agara and go on to the BMTC bus depot near Mantri Sarovar apartments.</div>
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<b>Silk Board (Via HSR Layout)</b>: Commonly seen in the evenings along ring road (BTM, Jayadeva side). The board is misleading. They don't terminate at Silk Board. These buses terminate at the BMTC depot near Mantri Sarovar.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">CPWD Qaurters:</span> There are some services from/to CPWD quarters without route numbers. Usually seen in the mornings and evenings. These go to Vidhan Soudha and roughly follow the route taken by 340F in the mornings.<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Other options from Agara and Ring Road</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">342</span> series (Market/Majestic/ShivajiNagar to Sarjapur and surroundings), <span style="font-weight: bold;">341</span> series (Market/Majestic/ShivajiNagar to Bellandur, Haralur and surroundings) touch Agara. These go via Jakkasandra, Koramangala last stop, Madivala checkpost, Dairy circle/Christ College.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Volvo 500N</span>: Comes from Vijayanagar via Dairy circle, Forum (Staples side), St. John's, Koramangala last stop (1st block), Jakkasandra, Agara and heads to ITPL via ring road.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">500</span> series ply on the ring road and are available from various bus stops adjoining HSR Layout (Silk board, BDA junction, Agara). There are Volvo buses on these routes (<span style="font-weight: bold;">500 A and 500 D</span>: Banadshankari/Silk board to Hebbal), <span style="font-weight: bold;">500K, C, L </span>(Vijaynagar, Silk board to ITPL via ring road).<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">BIAS 8</span>: Electronics City to Bangalore Airport via Silk board, Agara, Marathahalli, K R Puram railway station, Ramamurthy Nagar junction to Hebbal and airport. If you are heading to the airport, BIA-7 and BIA-7A reach faster since the ring road is as congested as the inner city areas these days.<br />
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<b>BIAS 8A:</b> terminates at BTM instead of Electronics City.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">BIG-10-2 or G-2</span>: There's a BIG-10 route between Sarjapur and Bridade Road/Mayo Hall that passes through Agara. Route details: Sarjapura, Dommasandra, Kaikondanahalli, Spring Fields Apartments, Iblur, Agara, Jakkasandra, Koramangala last stop, right turn towards Sony World signal, straight to Koramangala depot, National Games Village, Passport Office, 80 ft peripheral road, Lower Agaram Road/Vivek Nagar, right turn to Victoria Road, left to Trinity Church road, Trinity Circle, MG Road, Mayo Hall. These buses start from Mayo hall (near ICICI bank) in the reverse direction. This route is pretty good except for the congestion near Sony World. These days, you can find G-2 running late into the night from Mayo hall (I have used it at around 9 pm).</div>
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<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Here's how to get to some locations from HSR</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Majestic/Double Road</span>: 340A/M<span class="__mozilla-findbar-search" style="background-color: yellow; color: black; display: inline; font-size: inherit; padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt;"></span>, 348F - direct route. 340F: Go up to double road and change to any Majestic bus. 340/340K/340C: Go up to Lakkasandra and change to any Majestic bus. BIAS 7 from BDA complex (till Double Road). 348 series from sector 6/7.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Market, Lalbaugh, Kalasipalya:</span> 340/340K go direct. Otherwise use any bus to Agara and switch from there. There are [lenty of buses from Bellandur/Sarjapur road (341, 342 series) that go to Market. You can also go up to Lakkasandra and change from there. Don't wait for the direct bus to these places since they are rare.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">ShivajiNagar, St. Mark's road, Richmond, Residency Road, MG Road side:</span> 340F/S are the direct routes (morning trip goes via Vidhan Soudha though). Don't wait specifically for these routes if you see a 340 A/M ready to go. Go up to Double Road on 340A/M and change to ShivajiNagar buses (13, 20, 27, 34, 210 etc.) from there. Another option is to switch at Madivala to the Big-10 bus from Electronics city (G-3) that goes to St. Patrick's Church (near Brigade road).<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mayo hall, Manipal Center, Taj hotel/Lido:</span> BIAS 7A goes to Trinity circle and gets there in about half an hour to 45 minutes. Other option is to go towards Double road, change to ShivajiNagar buses (13, 20, 34, 210) to Richmond bus stop (just after the double road flyover) and change to bus numbers between 304 and 319 to get to Lido mall.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dell/EGL/Domlur/Inner ring road/Indiranagar side:</span> BIAS-7A goes to Domlur. Another option is to take any 340 series bus to Madivala/Koramangala water tank and change to 201 series from there (some 201 series buses turn left at Sony World, always check). Yet another option is to change to 171 series from Koramangala last stop and change again to 201 series at Sukh Sagar/Sony World.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">ITPL/Ring road towards Marathahalli:</span> Get to Agara and change to 500 series buses from there.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sarjapur road/Wipro corporate office:</span> 342 series/G-2 from Agara.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Electronics-city/Bommanahalli:</span> Get to Agara and use 500 series to get to silk board. Walk on to hosur road and get 356, 360 series from there. BIAS-8 and 505 passing via Agara go directly.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">BTM/Jayanagar/Mysore road side:</span> Change to 500 series from Agara. Many of them go up to Banashankari bus station passing through BTM, Jayadeva.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Getting to HSR</span>When you need to get to HSR layout, the best approach is to first get to major bus stops like St. John's or Agara that have many routes passing through them. This increases your chances of getting a bus that goes all the way to HSR layout. All 340 series buses to HSR pass through St. John's, so it's a good changeover point. Route numbers between 340 and 362 pass through St. John's. All routes from 340 to 342 from St. John's pass through Agara. There are also some buses to Sarjapur that start from St. John's. </div>
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G-3 buses starting from Brigade road touch St. John's. These buses are very frequent in the evenings.</div>
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201 series that you get from Domlur or Trinity Circle go through the Koramangala Water tank bus stop from where you can get 340/A/C/F/M/K/S.<br />
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If you are in ShivajiNagar bus station and don't see 340F or 340S there don't wait for them. Get on to a route like 362C or 342 to get to St. John's or Agara. If you don't find any routes between 340 and 362 at Shivajinagar, use 13, 20, 34, 37 or 365 series to ShantiNagar/Double road from where you'll get plenty of buses (340 to 360) that will go to St. John's. At St. John's you'll get any of 340/A/C/F/M/K/S to HSR.<br />
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Changing multiple buses like this often gets you home faster when compared to waiting for a direct bus (using direction based routes instead of specific destination based routes). Having a daily pass is very convenient if you need to switch between multiple buses. Daily passes cost Rs. 45 (Rs. 40 if you buy a BMTC identity card for Rs. 25) and can be used on any BMTC bus expect the Volvo services. BIG-10 buses also accept daily passes. Volvo buses have a daily pass available for Rs. 90. These passes can be used on all services except the BIA buses. Month pass charges range from about Rs 660 for ordinary buses to Rs. 1300 for Volvo buses.</div>
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I'll update this with maps when I find the time.</div>
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binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com177tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-30516281933089278132008-12-03T00:03:00.000-08:002008-12-03T00:31:43.289-08:00BIAL Bus Fares Lowered for City CommutersBMTC's BIAL services had a flat fare structure (Rs. 100 minimum on the BIAS Volvos), making it unviable for city commuters. I've often seen BIAS-7 (towards Koramangala) pass by empty while I waited on double road in the evenings. BMTC has changed the fare structure today, probably prompted by the 5 lakhs in losses they were accumulating every day on the airport schedules. I wonder why it took them so long to figure this out.<br /><br />You now pay regular Volvo fares if you are using these buses within the city (up to Hebbal). The higher, flat fare structure only applies to airport commuters.<br /><br />Here's a link to the BIAS routes: <a href="http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/bial.html">http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/bial.html</a>. I'm looking forward to using BIAS-7 from today.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-72422325955645900912008-07-28T21:36:00.000-07:002008-07-28T23:04:47.911-07:00The Last LectureYesterday, I read the transcripts of a very inspiring speech by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Pausch">Dr. Randy Pausch</a> known as <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TenWays/story?id=3675954&page=1">"The Last Lecture"</a> . Inspirational stuff. Definitely watching the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo">lecture video</a> at home this weekend.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-5550636557529744442008-02-20T19:09:00.000-08:002008-02-20T19:55:49.822-08:0032A 5 bit counter won't do now and I'm nowhere close to a retired planter's life in Coorg. Sigh ...binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-13332584245904589712008-01-21T20:23:00.000-08:002008-01-21T22:12:51.925-08:00LOLCODEHere's one programming language that you won't find in many resumes: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOLCODE">LOLCODE</a>. More on the <a href="http://lolcode.com/">LOLCODE home page</a>.<br /><br />Sample code:<br /><blockquote><code><pre>HAI<br />CAN HAS STDIO?<br />PLZ OPEN FILE "LOLCATS.TXT"?<br /> AWSUM THX<br /> VISIBLE FILE<br /> O NOES<br /> INVISIBLE "ERROR!"<br />KTHXBYE</pre></code></blockquote><br />For the non-geeks, there's a project to translate the <a href="http://www.lolcatbible.com/index.php?title=Main_Page">Bible to lolcat slang</a>. Any guesses on who the Ceiling Cat is? That site has a <a href="http://www.lolcatbible.com/index.php?title=How_to_speak_lolcat">guide to speaking lolcat</a>. The next time I get one of those e-mails written in txtspeak (E.g. "cn we mt now? rgds, xxxx") I'll reply in lolcat. Srsly!binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-17380465800540290362008-01-16T19:13:00.000-08:002008-01-16T22:28:04.279-08:00Zzzz....Some interesting links I followed from the <a href="http://lifehacker.com/">LifeHacker blog</a> today:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Lucid-Dream">Lucid dreaming</a>. I'll control the script now. The next time there's a crazy cow after me, I'm going to whip out a bazooka, or grow horns and counter-attack. And no more hiding behind the podium when making a presentation to a packed hall. I'll materialize size 34 pants from thin air :)</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Wake-Up-Without-an-Alarm-Clock">Waking up without an alarm clock</a>. This is something I have been doing for a while now. I've got into a rhythm for the working days. What amazes me however is that when I need to wake up much earlier on some days I wake up before alarm rings.</li></ul>binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-38070719073748766742008-01-10T01:38:00.000-08:002008-01-10T03:01:19.392-08:00My Best Macro Shots of 2007Here's a showcase of my best macro shots from last year. Used a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro lens on an EOS 350D for all of them. I couldn't have got any of these shots without the external flash that I used to light the subject. I had the Tamron lens with me for quite a while before I got satisfying pictures with it. Without the extra light from the flash, I couldn't stop down the lens to f/11 or f/16 to get the depth field required to keep the interesting elements in focus. If you are getting into macro photography (especially moving subjects like insects), you should learn about off camera flash photography. The <a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com">Strobist Blog</a> is one of the best resources on the net for that.<br /><table><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://flickr.com/photos/binux/535632141/"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhio_seVts3nl98xhHESTr0CDyOk7HsVJKp9KxpVsz9lHjeMAKP1BLAl-7ub-0bOLfHP-xS5c_0RXm0Rwgw5CRWmvGqCkJArxha6i4iddRR76Lk3NxKNeCsu5K5m6eOMjds2bT-/s200/lynxspider.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153783986617500850" /></a></td><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://flickr.com/photos/binux/900605365/"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyUnjrsPzV2sVZVJOdnnOnKx8aICX9UNsqX9bI5FElTX4llBPt1kUv18b-v3if8aN3d6-n3CzZo4ek_dkH4_uzuWcqymsRdHB_BI4RgT_99DYiy3s-TedOB5IzaPN3o462xeS/s200/ladybugs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153783831998678178" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://flickr.com/photos/binux/529385252/"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lL3SAALkO6t52OctLEr_vlrIP0ohCJ0CbG8SR-RplIcGWMKt9z305SJDlbxWWFn1m7fhPaOoLNhDIQLhI_E-sotg-ddZ7B_YpNucTaJ4Tb9d1rhc80nYWOQ_WxEM6s_ijk7P/s200/jumpingspider.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153783621545280658" /></a></td><br /><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://flickr.com/photos/binux/626854943/"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytbPCblJM8f8r6m-qNHucGJyPK6fUXBEtaRmlD7xNc62Nf_odrJMEdu801XYpL6h1V6LcuzlI0CwB1gq6ue9fDlWwRtRAqWcb_RfwglyYpb92-HieXc7HcA-Pm_2fwPzsLtJY/s200/bluebottle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153783458336523394" /></a></td></tr><tr><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://flickr.com/photos/binux/532976077/"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkf-0ktjdpKmlqND9ATdTtcCjOg3OrEKAlj2NH-IEY0al7llxkmbAFRMDCgL5cSt4Ok-PKOZPLepg3cqudgbVPm0RG3RZ02dV2Z4qgzNcVYeVsQSV6GmaPoqxGzLVOAhBAlSl4/s200/antportrait.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153783277947896946" /></a></td><br /><td><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://flickr.com/photos/binux/712248264/"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoh5DS3FNQ3AZebDZ704j1lUQPEp_VSOi4xjlVVMy7jTiEl6cB9QyJY84qq0Mn0Zv67pUT8hoHdOfOUs-fQpQFw7RBFdRq1myEB3f16EvWZvbH2PWflwkJCZZ0YFpQh8FBIRE4/s200/antaphids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153776208431727682" /></a></td><br /></tr></table><br />The biggest difficulty was finding someone to hold the light for me, or in some cases shooting single handed. That involved manual focussing by moving the camera since I would be holding the flash with the other hand. I have since got a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Delta-Flip-Flash-Camera-Bracket/dp/B00009R93R/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1199961941&sr=8-1">flash bracket with a flexible arm</a> to take care of the flash, but my priorities have changed. Now I don't get any time to chase bugs between the nappy changes :)binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-25801352241668949692007-12-27T02:51:00.000-08:002008-01-11T01:39:09.828-08:00Online Photo PrintingI got a couple of albums printed online at <a href="http://www.gkvale.com">G K Vale</a>. At Rs. 3 for a 6" x 4" print it is a sweet deal. I haven't found any studio willing to print below 4.50. Strangely, G K Vale charges Rs. 5 per print if you visit any of their studios.<br /><br />Also found a couple of nice places for books. There's Blossom Book House on Church Street near Amoeba. Three floors of new and used books at discounted prices. Premier book shop (near Night Watchman at the beginning of Church Street) sells new books at a discount. It's a tiny shop stacked haphazardly but the guys there can locate any book for you in no time. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L-space#L-space">L-Space in DiscWorld</a> must have been inspired by similar bookstores. Landmark, Crossword and Gangarams can kiss my wallet goodbye.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-55611762082217712892007-12-17T21:26:00.000-08:002007-12-17T21:46:06.822-08:00That Warm Feeling<a href="http://htamak.blogspot.com">Papa Kamath</a> on fatherhood:<br /><blockquote>When I hold him, I get that warm feeling ...<br />and I know he has done it again.</blockquote>binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-82307667061249658352007-10-24T23:03:00.000-07:002007-10-24T23:42:17.007-07:00UN Flag, Flat Earth, DiscworldWhat does the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_the_United_Nations.svg">United Nations flag</a> have to do with a flat Earth theory? Lots apparently. Take a look at the <a href="http://theflatearthsociety.org/forum/index.php?topic=11211.0">Flat Earth Society Forum's FAQ</a>. Yes, there are people who hold on to that belief. The UN logo closely resembles the map of the Earth proposed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_earth_society">the society</a> and it is also used as evidence of a conspiracy to cover up the truth.<br /><br />I stumbled upon the site when I was looking up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Discworld">DiscWorld</a> on the Net. I just finished my first Disworld novel (Thud!) and I'm hooked. Explore the portal on Wikipedia to get a taste of what the books are about.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-37401597439671205582007-09-30T21:49:00.000-07:002007-09-30T22:25:08.233-07:00Worst Headline PunThe days of straightforward news headlines are over. The newsrooms seem to be where <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pun">punsters</a> congregate these days. Just when headlines that cleverly played on Sonia (so near) or Khan (can) seemed tolerable, Bangalore Mirror heralded Dhoni's team's victory over Pak screaming, "Doni-T-20". I want to nominate the reporter/editor behind this front-page atrocity for this year's Punitzer prize.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-5779497110264092142007-09-26T02:15:00.000-07:002007-09-26T02:15:28.314-07:00Bison Wells, Off Kodai<span style="font-style:italic;">(This writeup that has been in my drafts folder for close to two years now.)</span><br /><br />Located about 30 km from Kodaikanal is one of the best getaways I have been to. I went there on my honeymoon in May 2005. We reached Kodai after a lovely drive from Munnar. After lunch at Kodai, we met George who owns the place. The road to Bison Wells is not motorable unless you have a 4 wheel drive with massive ground clearance. We had to leave our car at a garage that George had arranged. The drive to the cottage in George's '64 vintage Nissan truck was an experience in itself. It took a little more than an hour to reach the place. We were accompanied by our cook for the next two days, Antony. George had planned the menu after taking our preferences in advance. Bison Wells is not the place where you can get any provisions if there are last minute changes.<br /><br />After we reached the cottage and settled in, George and Antony left us to ourselves till dinner. The cottage is basic, built from mud and wood. It faces a valley in front and it's surrounded by a pine forest. It can accomodate two. There's an attached bath, without running water. Water is filled up in a drum from a well nearby. There'e no television, A/C, fan or lights in the room since there's no electricity either. It's as basic as it can get. And that is the charm of the place. You will be cut off from civilization for your stay at Bison Wells. Thankfully, your cook will be a call away in another hut nearby.<br /><br />On the first day we took a walk to a lake downhill. Other than a truck that passed by, there was absolutely no one in sight. There was a settlement some distance away from the lake. After spending the evening at the lake-side, we were back for dinner by seven. In a place this basic we didn't carry much expectations about the food. But here came the surprise. It was a candlelight dinner in the cottage. The fried rice and curry was heavenly and so was the red wine.<br /><br />At the camp, you can sit in the lounge and catch up with your reading. You'll hear no sounds other than bird calls or squeaks of the Malabar squirrel. You can also trek around the place. George can arrange a guide if required. If you are lucky you will spot bisons on the trek. We went for a moderate trek. The views were very good. We didn't spot any bisons though despite George's efforts. The place is safe for short unguided treks as well. After 7 or so in the evening, you have to tuck yourself into bed. It was very cold when we went there in May.<br /><br />For all this, you will be surprised by the tarrifs. Rs. 1500 per night inclusive of all meals for a couple. The jeep ride to the place is expensive though. A two way trip to Bison Wells from Kodai will set you back by Rs. 1600 at least. <br /><br />Here's the web-site if you are planning a trip:<br /><a href="http://www.wilderness-explorer.in/index.htm">http://www.wilderness-explorer.in/index.htm</a><br /><a href="http://www.wilderness-explorer.in/thouse.htm">http://www.wilderness-explorer.in/thouse.htm</a><br /><a href="http://www.wilderness-explorer.in/tcost.htm">http://www.wilderness-explorer.in/tcost.htm</a><br /><br />Some photos I clicked during our stay there: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/sets/321758/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/sets/321758/</a>binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-2032848170234333782007-06-13T05:07:00.000-07:002007-06-13T05:24:26.152-07:00Project/Issue Tracking with TracI saw <a href="http://trac.edgewall.org/">Trac</a> being used by <a href="http://pjsip.org/trac/">some projects</a> recently. Decided to give it a try today for tracking a small prototyping project that I'm working on. It didn't take more than half an hour to get it running and it does its job without getting in the way. If you are looking for a bug tracker that's easy to set up and use, give it a try. It has an integrated wiki and source browsing tools (if you are using svn). I set it up to use <a href="http://www.sqlite.org/">SQLite</a> and to run as a standalone server, which is the simplest way to get it running for a small project.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-8116286501697848192007-05-31T02:19:00.000-07:002007-05-31T02:54:06.553-07:00Picture Window ProThe post processing I do on my photos is limited to sharpening, saturation and simple contrast adjustments in <a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa</a>. I was looking for software that gave a little more control (<a href="http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/photoshop-curves.htm">curves adjustments</a> and <a href="http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/unsharp-mask.htm">unsharp mask</a> for example). Photoshop is the popular choice, but the pricing (600$) is beyond reach. I used GIMP (on Linux) for a while, but its speed is frustrating. It was then I came across <a href="http://dl-c.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=28">Picture Window Pro</a>. Costs 90$ and the download size is a mere 5MB (300MB for the Photoshop trial). It does almost everything that Photoshop does (at least whatever you'd want for post processing photos). Head to <a href="http://www.ncplus.net/~birchbay/tutorials/">IMAGEs by DEN</a> to see what it's capable of. Check the before and after comparisons by moving the mouse over the images on that page. It not only convinced me about Picture Window Pro but also about the importance of post-processing.<br /><br />Picture Window Pro runs smoothly in Linux with Wine. I ran the installer with the default Wine settings. I only had to copy gdiplus.dll from my windows partition to my fake windows directory to run it. It's much faster than GIMP and more stable than the Linux version of Picasa. I'll be trying it for a month before deciding whether it's worth buying.<br /><br />Oh, and do checkout some stunning night photography at <a href="http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/cambridge-gallery.htm">Cambridge in Colour</a>.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-31890494451035608462007-05-03T03:03:00.000-07:002007-05-03T03:12:54.800-07:00HappynessI didn't realize until Preethi pointed it out that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pursuit_of_Happyness">The Pursuit of Happyness</a> was based on a true story. Beautiful film. Don't want to ruin it for you if you haven't watched the film already, but if you already have, here's the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_gardner">Wikipedia page on Chris Gardner.</a>. The real Chris Gardner makes a cameo appearance at the end of the movie.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-18151107813261196092007-03-14T20:56:00.000-07:002009-04-08T22:09:45.685-07:00340N - BMTC Volvo Service to HSR and Koramangala - (Route Withdrawn)<h3><span style="font-weight: bold;">Latest information on bus routes connecting HSR Layout is available here: </span><a href="http://binux.blogspot.com/2009/04/bmtc-bus-guide-for-hsr-layout.html"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">http://binux.blogspot.com/2009/04/bmtc-bus-guide-for-hsr-layout.html</span></span></a><br /></h3><br /><h3><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Jan 22, 2008: This route has been withdrawn by BMTC. There were not enough users. Sad.</b></span></h3><br /><blockquote><i>Apr 16, 2007: <b>Some updates:</b> The BMTC website now lists the timings and route information for 340N: <a href="http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/v340n.htm">http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/v340n.htm</a><br />The buses on this route still run nearly empty most of the time. Fares have been reduced yesterday. Do give it a try before BMTC re-deploys these buses on more lucrative routes (335E often has standing passengers) to cut losses.</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bmtcinfo.com/english/index.htm">BMTC</a> has started a new Volvo bus route from Majestic to HSR Layout (Sector 1 and 2) via Koramangala. That means hassle-free, comfortable rides in air-conditioned comfort if your office falls on this route. BMTC has a web-page that lists all Volvo bus routes, timings and fares at <a href="http://bmtcinfo.com/english/volvo.htm">http://bmtcinfo.com/english/volvo.htm</a>. <strike>Route 340 N isn't listed yet. But for a brief report in the papers on the day of the launch, there's no information on the exact route or the timings.</strike> Consequently, there aren't many users of this service yet. I wish BMTC did better by putting up the details at the bus-stops on this route. Here are the details I've gathered so far from using this service over the last two weeks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Route</span><br /><b>New: I got a Google Maps API key. Here's my first try at the API. <a href="http://binuks.googlepages.com/340n.html">View 340N route on Google Maps.</a></b> I wonder why Google hasn't come up with simpler ways of marking points and paths on their maps without using an API/javascript.<br /><b>From HSR Layout:</b> Parangipalya (2nd sector), CDWD Quarters/FoodDays, Agara, Jakkasandra (Koramangala 1st block), Sony World Junction, National Games Village, Koramangala Police Station, Raheja Arcade/Forum, Adugodi, Elgin Prestige, Richmond Road, Corporation, Mysore Bank, Majestic.<br /><br /><b>From Majestic:</b> It's nearly the same route in reverse except that it comes via Subbiah cirle (beginning of Lalbagh road), crosses Double Road under the flyover, DivyaSree Chambers, Nanjappa circle, Langford Road, Elgin Prestige, Adugodi.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Timings</span><br /><strike>There are two buses on this route. Officially the frequency is one every 45 minutes, but due to the traffic on the route, it's lower than that. This timings aren't stable yet.</strike> <i>(Schedule is now available on the BMTC site.)</i> The first bus from HSR starts between 7:45 and 8:00 am on most days. This is the one I use. It drops me at Richmond road by 8:40 am latest. <strike>If I'm lucky, I get the return bus in the evening at around 6 pm from the Double Road junction.</strike> <i>Check the official schedule. There are changes in the evening schedules.</i><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fares</span><br />Minimum fare is Rs. 15 (Rs. 12 during non peak hours). <strike>If you have a Pushpak pass, you can get a concessional fare of Rs. 20 for the full trip. Wait for the fare chart and schedule on bmtcinfo.com.</strike><i> The fares have been reduced from April 15th and the pass holder concessions are gone. That doesn't affect me since the revised fare from HSR to Corporation is Rs. 20 (30 earlier), the same as the concessional fare for Pushpak pass holders. Costs Rs. 15 to Koramangala, 20 to Corporation and 25 to Majestic from HSR now.</i><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bus Location by SMS</span><br />There's an interesting SMS service being tried out with the Volvo buses. These buses have GPS on them and you can get the current location of buses on any route by sending an SMS. The details are available here: <a href="http://www.clinf.com/yi/Index.html">http://www.clinf.com/yi/Index.html</a>. <strike>The project is in pilot stages now and available on two routes.</strike> <i>(Available on almost all Volvo routes.)</i> Simple services like these can go a long way in keeping cars off the roads. Apparently most of the regular BMTC buses too have GPS trackers on them.<br /><b>Update (23 March 07):</b>The SMS service works for 340 N too. Send "Yi V340N U" to 99456 34666 to know where the bus heading to HSR is. Change the U to D to get the location of the bus towards Majestic. It works fine most of the time. Yesterday, I used it to track the bus in the evening and left office at just the right time.</blockquote>binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-59482806487181577842006-11-02T02:34:00.000-08:002006-11-02T04:05:45.934-08:00Palace Estate, Kakkabe, Coorg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.flickr.com/119/277990536_6888bb1a33_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/119/277990536_6888bb1a33_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I spent the Diwali weekend at a beatiful home-stay in Kakkabe. Palace Estate, owned by the Apparanda family is located on the route from Virajpet to Kakkabe. Most visitors go there for the trek to Thadiyendamol peak, the highest point in Coorg. We headed there with the same plan. <br /><br />The trek had to be abandoned within an hour. It had rained and there were leeches on the trail. When Preethi noticed a couple of leeches on her shoes, her shrieks could have woken up the dead. If birdwatchers around Kakkabe had poor sightings that weekend, they now know why. The number of leeches wasn't anywhere close to what we got on our trip to Narasimha Parvatha. Carry a dettol swab, and you can do the two hour trek easily, unless you are mortally scared of leeches. Some other guests did go up to the peak during our stay. Preethi convinced me that the whole point of taking a break was to beat stress and the trek wasn't working for her ("Stress?!?", I can see some at Kodiak snickering when they read this). It was decided that I would try the trek sometime later with the baays (and that could be as soon as this month for our team outing :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.flickr.com/100/277989465_5b709a5058_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/100/277989465_5b709a5058_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Luckily, the place is enjoyable even if trekking on leech infested trails isn't your idea of fun. The estate has a private waterfall which is a five minute walk through the plantation from the rooms. Don't pack your swimming trunks though as you are not allowed to bathe in it since it's the primary water source. The walks within the coffee estate are refreshing. I could hear many types of bird calls in the mornings (though I'm no good at identifying birds), so birders will have a fun time here. A short walk away from the estate is the Nalnad palace which is more than a century old. There are paddy fields further downhill. The rooms have a vernadah with a beatiful view of the valley. Pick up a book or just relax watching the mist filled valleys below. On clear nights, the lights at Madikeri town are visible.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.flickr.com/83/277975062_f0674d9958_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/83/277975062_f0674d9958_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The hospitality is excellent. Prakash Poovanna, our host made us feel at home on arrival. The food is vegetarian and it is served in the company of Prakash's family in their dining room. I loved the traditional Coorgi dishes that were served. We picked up a couple of recipies from there. The breakfast was the best part- Kapputtu on the first day and Akki Roti on the next. Almost everything is rice-based, so your mileage may vary.<br /><br />The tariffs are pretty decent. The room came for Rs. 1200 a day (accommodates two). Prakash told me the rates had gone up to 1500 by October. We got the deal since we booked a month in advance in September. Meals cost Rs. 70 per head for breakfast and Rs. 110 per meal for lunch/dinner. The services of a guide for the trek to Thadiyendamol cost Rs. 200. Our total expenses for a two day stay there came to Rs. 3600.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.flickr.com/118/278001311_7c45fb63e7_b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/118/278001311_7c45fb63e7_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Getting There:<br />To get there from Bangalore, head to Mysore and take the Srirangapatna bypass before Mysore twowards Hunsur. Stay on the highway near Hunsur. Just after the fork on the left to Hunsur town, the highway will fork again. Take the road on the left that goes to Virajpet and Kannur (Cannanore) (the highway continues to Madikeri). At Virajpet, take the a turn towards Madikeri. After 4 km, there's a cement bridge where you need to take a left towards Kakkabe (follow the Coffee Country signboards from there till Nalnad Palace). There are a couple of bad stretches since the road from Mysore to Hunsur is being widened. Cars can go all the way up to Palace Estate. There are KSRTC buses to Virajpet from Bangalore.<br /><br />For bookings, contact:<br />Mr. Prasad Poovanna<br />Ph: 98804 47702 <br /><br />Here's the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/sets/72157594342568143/">trip photo album on flickr</a>.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-8839808716931823222006-10-12T22:41:00.000-07:002006-10-12T23:50:47.656-07:00Cryptic Crosswords, Loos, Archimedes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/4405/792/1600/IMG_4531.0.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/4405/792/320/IMG_4531.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I had to find something to keep me occupied during the bus ride to work. On some days you can tune into interesting conversations, but you don't get to sit next to a smart aleck everyday. (Diverging: Sparun the pun-dit was pretty pleased with himself for writing "Smart Elecs" on the Electrical Engineering department's display board once.) Reading in a moving bus strains the eyes. Listening to the radio with earphones will gradually deafen you since you'll have to turn up the volume amidst all the din. Enter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptic_crossword">cryptic crosswords</a>. Read the clue, think it over, and when the bus halts at a stop or junction, fill in the boxes. Almost every newspaper carries a decent cryptic crossword. I get Deccan Herald at home and it carries one in the Sunday edition. One crossword a week is good enough for a beginner like me. I also picked up a book with 80 crosswords from The Daily Telegraph. That should last me for months. Try this <a href="http://www.anandnatrajan.com/FAQs/crosswords.html">cryptic crossword solving tips page</a> to get a hang of it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/4405/792/1600/thinker.0.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger2/4405/792/320/thinker.0.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>I completed last week's Sunday DH crossword in a day. It was done in five or six sittings on the porcelain throne (I had a terrible stomach upset from a visit to Empire with the baays on Saturday.) Normally I don't even come close to solving one in a week. I think this is conclusive evidence to show that you think better in there. I know others who share this feeling. As further proof, I present the exhibit on the left - "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thinker">The Thinker</a>". What do you think this suggests? This leads to the question: Was Archimedes really in a bathtub when he had his great idea? I firmly believe King Heiro's PR department fudged the facts. If you are convinced and want to get yourself a really good "think station" now, consider one from <a href="http://www.totousa.com/productpage.asp?PID=135">Toto</a>.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-4985757905085854642006-09-26T21:32:00.000-07:002006-09-26T22:07:08.139-07:00Growing Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/253856786/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/98/253856786_40ebc6357b_b.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />After his wedding, our man starts a comic book collection, gets an XBox, goes on volvo bus rides to Majestic, takes a liking for flashy t-shirts and buys <a href="http://www.1mobileman.com/Rattlesnake_Sound_Eggs.html">rattle snake eggs</a> to irritate everyone around. But when he shows his love for Kannada star Darshan with a car sticker (bought on one of his volvo bus trips to Majestic), his dad pulls him over for some serious talk. The kind of talk that wayward teens half his age get.<br /><br />Here's to you Kamath:<br /><br />"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. When I became wise, I learned the value of childish things and turned to them once more."<br /><br />"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."<br /><br />Quotes picked up from a discussion thread on Slashdot.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1158901032186181832006-09-21T21:52:00.000-07:002006-09-21T22:00:26.336-07:00Fishermen, Cherai<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/243629427/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/79/243629427_8344e0ded2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />A photo that I particularly liked from my recent trip to Cherai for Onam.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1155536272102541482006-08-13T23:04:00.000-07:002006-08-13T23:19:44.703-07:00Trip to Chikka Tirupati and John's Terror Alert<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/214715634/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/60/214715634_349e01a96c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />We went on a drive to Chikka Tirupati yesterday. This sleepy little town is 10 km off Sarjapur. It takes about an hour from the Sarjapur ring-road junction. The road (if you can call it that) is very bad for a few kilometres after the Wipro office. It gets much better as you near Sarjapur. The scenery certainly isn't breathtaking, but it is a nice break from the chaos in Bangalore. There are plenty of small villages and farms on the way. The temple at Chikka Tirupati wasn't very crowded in the evening.<br /><br />On, the way back, we stopped by a small bridge before Sarjapur. While the rest of us were scouting a location on the bridge for a photo, my brother in law, Praveen, was accosted by a man who seemed drunk. Their conversation went on for a while. Later, when Praveen narrated what happened, we had a good laugh. This is how it went:<br /><br /><blockquote><br />Drunkard: Yellinda bandirivaru neevu? (Where are you from?)<br />Praveen: Bengaluru (Bangalore :)<br />Drunkard: Bengalura?<br />Praveen: Haudu, Marathahalli inda. (Yes, from Marathahalli.)<br />Drunkard (eyeing Praveen with suspicion): Marathahalli-alli nimmanna node ilvalla ... (I don't remember seeing you in Marathahalli ...)<br /></blockquote><br />Like Marathahalli is a village where everyone knows your name. Praveen didn't have an answer for this one. The next question was more direct.<br /><blockquote><br />Drunkard: Baamb haakakke bandideera? (Have you come to bomb this place?)<br />Praveen: Illanna, naavu yaake bomb haake beku illi? (No, why would we want to bomb this place?)<br />Drunkard: Alla, paper-nalli itthu, America minister iddaralla, ... Jahn,.. avaru heliddaranthe, bridge-igella baamb haktharanthe. Adukke kelidhe. (Don't mind, but I read in the papers about this American minister,... John, ... saying that people are out to bomb all bridges.)<br />Drunkard (walking away): Navella vyasaya maduvavaru, namma mele baamb haaku bedi. (We are people making a decent living, don't bomb us.)<br /></blockquote><br />Looks like there aren't many unaffected by the terror threat.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1153251732604115392006-07-18T11:13:00.000-07:002006-07-18T12:42:12.716-07:00Blogspot BlockedBlogspot is not accessible from most ISPs in India now. The government passed on a list of sites it wanted blocked and the ISPs went ahead and blocked the whole of blogspot. Surely, this will pass since there are too many workarounds to block. I'm using <a href="tor.eff.org">tor</a> to get around this ban.<br /><br />For the technically inclined, there's an article on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion_routing">Onion Routing</a> at Wikipedia if you want to know how tor works.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1152621015127743962006-07-11T05:06:00.000-07:002006-07-11T05:30:15.173-07:00Ubuntu LinuxI received my free Ubuntu Linux CDs from shipit.ubuntu.com today, exactly a month after I ordered. I have been using this release (6.06 aka Dapper Drake) at work for a couple of weeks now, thanks to a colleague who downloaded the DVD images while I was waiting for the CDs. The new release boots up faster than the previous version and feels snappier to use. Like the previous version, it detected all hardware on the laptop including the WiFi card without any tweaking from my side. The CDs are live CDs that boot up Ubuntu Linux and let you get a feel of the system before you install it on the hard disk. This also means that you don't have to sit twiddling your thumbs when the installation is in progress. I could browse while the installation went on.<br /><br />Order your free CDs from shipit.ubuntu.com or drop me a mail (binu5ue yahoo.com). I might be able to send you a copy sooner.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1148387176492777932006-05-23T02:05:00.000-07:002007-03-27T22:49:37.643-07:00Thirunelly/Thirunelli and Irpu/IruppuMohan's wedding this Monday provided us an excuse to make a trip to Thirunelly over the weekend. The place is known for an ancient temple nestled between forest covered hills. The view from the temple is breathtaking. It is relatively unspoilt and nowhere as crowded as some of the other popular pilgrim centres.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/151774243/"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/46/151774243_a45a4f137b_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>The route to Thirunelly via Mysore, Ranganathittu bypass, Hunsur, Nagarahole, Kutta and Tholpetty is as scenic as the destination. On a good day you will be able to cover the 250 km route in 6 hours including a halt at Lokaruchi and a slow drive through Nagarahole. The roads are good but for a 30 km stretch through Nagarahole. Here, you need to roll down the windows and drive slow, looking out for animals on either side of the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/151776373/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/54/151776373_6286d8e14a_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Accommodation at Thirunelly should be reserved in advance at the Panchatheertham guest house (phone no: 04935-210201). Book a VIP room (Rs. 600 per day) if you want a fan and heater. The basic rooms are much cheaper (Rs. 160 per day). Be prepared for a volley of questions about everything including the purpose of the visit and your marital status when you call them for a booking. There are no other options in Thirunelly other than a forest department guest house on the way. There are stay options at Tholpetty (20 km) and Kutta (25 km) too. The food at the two restaurants in Thirunelly is nothing to write home about. Suffice to say that even Mallus will need to get adjusted to the food here.<br /><br />The temple is ancient, said to be 3000 years old. According to legend, it was created by Brahma in honour of Vishnu. The older parts of the temple are in ruins. You can see stone pillars around the Eastern part of the temple. There is a also a stone aqueduct that still channels water from the Brahmagiri hills into the temple. The dress code is not as strict as with the other temples in Kerala. Shirts are not allowed inside the sanctum sanctorum. Photography is allowed around the temple if you donate to the temple renovation fund. There is a notice about non-Hindus not being allowed inside the temple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/151796295/"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/49/151796295_7894e4da11_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>After a day's stay at Thirunelly, we headed to Mananthavady. The 30 km drive through the forest was good. The roads are excellent on this side with teak forests on either side. After a second breakfast at Mananthavady we decided to head to Kutta instead and try out one of the Coorgi home-stays there. We got a log hut at Ramcaud Estate in Irpu, 7 km from Kutta. The rents are reasonable at Rs. 750 per day. The total for both of us ran to Rs. 1100 including food. We got to try out some Coorgi delicacies here. The main attractions are Irpu falls, walks in the estate and the view of the Brahmagiri hills from the room.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/sets/72057594143041888/">Trip photo set</a> on flickr.binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492469.post-1135258337765213232005-12-22T05:32:00.000-08:002005-12-22T05:38:30.446-08:00BallalRayanaDurga<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/73731909/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/34/73731909_6620276d4a_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/73731909/">DSC02840</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/binux/">binux</a>. </span></div>Two weeks ago, we went on a team outing from Kodiak. We stayed at <a href="http://www.silentvalley.net/">Silent Valley Resorts</a> which is on the route to Kudremukh. The highlight of the trip was the trek to BallalRayanaDurga peak. This is a moderate trek that can be done in about 2 to 3 hours if you know the trail. We took longer than that due to a small misadventure. A cowherd warned us in time that the trail we were attempting initially was dangerous. The views from the top were spectacular. There is a dilapilated fort at the top. It looked like it is a popular camping spot though there wasn't anyone else doing the trek on the day we went. If you are interested, book a cottage at Silent Valley Resorts and ask anyone there to guide you. The trek starts at Horekhan estate which is about 20 km from the resort. The trekking trail continues beyond BallalRayanaDurga to Bandaje falls. We didn't attempt this part since we were already late and the cowherd had warned us about bears and bisons on the trail.<br /><br />The resort is pretty good. The pool looks inviting in the pictures but it was quite dirty during our stay. We plunged in despite the muck and the frogs and had a good time. Kamath and Ramu couldn't see much without their glasses. I guess I could've enjoyed as much as they did without my 20/20 vision.<br /><br />The complete photo album is on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/binux/sets/1583483/">flickr page</a>.<br clear="all" />binuxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12406042433723676841noreply@blogger.com1