Old is gold

I must be nuts if I say “old is gold” while talking about old computer products. Or at least that is what many think. With ever falling prices and vendors vying with each other to offer better & better products aided by relentless advancement in technologies, it makes no sense to look for yesterday’s laptops, personal computers. But if you look closely you may come across many ‘diamonds in the rough’.

The reason I said these old, otherwise functional products are ‘diamonds in the rough’ is because with some simple upgrades like replacing a battery or upgrading the memory one can have a very desirable product at a bargain price that is soul satisfying. In such a hunt for bargain, one has to keep one’s use in mind.

For instance, imagine a user whose computing needs do not go beyond accessing his bank statements online or filing his/her income tax returns online or checking one’s email once in a while. Such a user does not need the latest laptops or PCs. Even an old laptop which comes in as a gift from a well meaning friend or relative will do the job. With the money saved which otherwise would have gone for a shiny new laptop/PC, one can invest it wisely for future returns or even spend it on other essentials. Here I have assumed that the user has some money saved and put aside for discretionary expenses. One other benefit with such old products is that they may come preloaded with useful applications for which we may otherwise have to spend.

This advice is all the more applicable to a person who doesn’t have any money set aside but only a credit card to swipe and buy it on credit. After a while the novelty of a shiny laptop/PC wears off and one is left with a huge bill to pay. In today’s uncertain economy it is wise to hold to one’s cash/credit and use it judiciously. Even if one is hesitant to buy a pre-owned (probably abused?) product at throw away prices, it is a good idea to consider buying not the latest but just a step behind in terms of specifications but brand new from vendors who are overstocked and offer such products at bargain prices.

OK, such tangible benefits do not move one to consider buying/reusing old products, how about some intangible benefits like saving the environment? We can delay or reduce the landfills with toxic chemicals. What do you think?

A rose by any other name

I have always been a fan of alternative energy sources. Whenever I read a news article that gives, even some sketchy details, of a pioneering research that would reduce our dependency on depleting fossil fuels, I rejoice internally and earnestly hope for the best. The findings may be in its infancy or it may not be practicable or if it is practicable not economically feasible. But often I say to myself, never mind the odds, salvation is close at hand.

In the first week of Feb 2008, I read an article titled, “Turning physics on its ear“. I was truly amazed about the revolutionary nature of this invention. Perseverance of this inventor Thane Heins is remarkable. He has found out a way to channelize back-emf to make electrical drives more efficient. That is the modest way of putting this invention. But the implications of this invention are far reaching. But in the academic circles, it would be a heresy to say that he invented a perpetual motion machine. Having seen his videos I tend to believe that he really has invented one. At least that is what my ardent desire is.

This inventor needs to be compensated well enough for all the struggles he had gone through to prove his theory. The story of how he could stay with his project for twenty long years, using all his resources to prove his concept, makes for interesting reading even to the uninitiated. His single mindedness to prove his theory even to the extent of losing his marriage and custody of his two daughters is unbelievable.

I wonder what the current status of his invention is. The last I heard was NASA has requested for a demonstration, after that I have lost track. I understand the reservation in the academic circle that any claim of invention of a perpetual motion machine will lose its support and credibility.

Even if nothing big happens, at the very least this invention claims to improve the efficiency of induction motors. So perpetual motion machine or not, we should at the earliest, put to use whatever benefits this invention offers.

To me, a rose by any other name would smell just as sweet

Ban on cigarette smoking

I am sorry if I had you drawn into reading this blog with a shocking title. Though I wish it were to be true, there is not yet a total ban on smoking cigarettes. But I believe we are going in the right direction. I am referring to a news article which states that soon there is going to be a ban on cigarette display in convenient stores in the province of Ontario. It might appear to be funny to see a transaction go through in a hush-hush manner while buying just a pack of cigarettes. But it is required.

I would even recommend that cigarettes be sold in specific outlets like the ones for buying liquor. And also restrict their sale at specific time of the day and some days of the week. The idea is not only to keep it away from the curious eyes of kids/youngsters but also to make it inconvenient for smokers who may otherwise pick it up from ‘convenience’ stores. I wouldn’t buy the argument that this will result in the loss of jobs. If you consider the cost to individuals themselves who smoke and the social cost incurred by the rest of us by way of increased medical attention given to smokers in the later years, these are small prices to pay.

In so far cigarette companies continue to make healthy profits even if their patrons tend to become unhealthy in the process, they will do all that they can to oppose such moves as outlined above. So we (smokers and non-smokers alike) should do all that we can to attach a stigma to cigarette smoking. Youngsters tend to pick up the habit of smoking at parties and told by their friends that to smoke a cigarette is a cool-thing to do. They should be made to realize that their identity or self worth is not derived in holding a roll of tobacco between their fingers.

I very much look forward to the time (I don’t know if it will happen in my lifetime) when cigarettes are no longer sold in convenience stores or gas stations or any specific outlets. And that the cigarette companies have given up this business for good and have taken up some other businesses that add value to life, the farmers who hitherto cultivated tobacco have replaced it with some other cash crops to produce ; making productive use of their land.

When that happens you may still find some unscrupulous elements selling cigarettes to vulnerable customers in the dark alleys (in the wee hours of the night) just as they sell drugs now. Youngsters and potential smokers my advice to you: ‘don’t do drugs or cigarettes’.

One thing at a time

Recently I read an article on multitasking. I recommend that you should too. In this age of competition where one tries to outsmart the other, we are under ever increasing pressure to multitask without knowing the effect it has on our mental and physical health, our life and even on the quality of our works we multitask. For instance this article is typed even as I was listening to some music on my headset, while simultaneously looking past the computer screen to see if there is anything interesting shown on TV! At least these are harmless activities carried out in the comfort of my home that don’t endanger my life. iStock_000004738853XSmall.jpg

But yesterday while I was driving, I was holding the wheel with one hand, eating a donut with the other, and cleaning out my windscreen with wiper fluid using my little finger (the weather was OK but the windscreen as well as the side windows were moist and prevented clear visibility. They desperately needed cleaning if I were to avoid collision) all at the same time. The result, my vehicle started to wobble and I had to slow down and pull over voluntarily to fix the problem. But my responsible act attracted the attention of the patrol police that pulled over behind me to see if things were OK with me.

Sir, are you lost? was the polite question posed by the police officer. If it were a philosophical question, I could have replied, Yes Ma’am (yes, it was a lady), I am lost in my life and don’t know which way to go. Well, that may not have gained her sympathy, but would have got me a ticket instead. Luckily some good sense prevailed upon me to tell her the truth. Her verdict was that I wasn’t good at multitasking and was kind enough to let me go without penalty. They say, more often than not you get a ticket from a female officer than the male. Was it my lucky day or am I a ladies’ man? I would prefer the latter though.

I resolved then and there never to multitask. So I focused on my driving till my car was out of sight from the patrol car, and then picked up the donut. That’s another one of my resolutions down the drain (It’s not the new year yet to make and break the resolutions, you say and I hear you).I would rather blame it on the donut than on my will.

Anyway let my incident be a clear reminder to you not to multitask. Hope you are not reading this while drinking your coffee or coke or whatever. Remember I am supposed to be your guide and I am not lost.