February 28, 2006
February 27, 2006
A380, World's largest commercial aircraft
A380, World's largest commercial aircraft, successfully takes to the sky.
Aviation history was made this morning when the first A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft, successfully took off on its maiden flight leaving Blagnac International Airport in Toulouse, France at 10.29 hours local time (08.29 UTC) from runway 32L. The A380 first flight will take place above the region west of Toulouse and South West France.
The A380's first flight is being jointly captained by Claude Lelaie, Senior Vice President of Airbus' Flight Division and Chief Test Pilot and Vice President Jacques Rosay. The other crew members are Fernando Alonso, Vice President Flight Division, Flight Test Engineering, who leads a team of two other flight test engineers Jacky Joye and Manfred Birnfeld, and test flight engineer Gérard Desbois.
For its first flight, Airbus' 21st century flagship, carrying the registration F-WW0W, took off at a weight of 421 tonnes / 928,300 lbs, the highest ever of any civil airliner at take-off to date. It is powered by four Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. In addition to water ballasts, the equipment on board the A380 comprises a full set of flight-test instrumentation to record the thousands of parameters necessary to enable in-flight performance analysis. Being a true twin-aisle double-decker, the test A380 is fitted with two test instrumentation sets and working stations, one on the main deck and another on the upper deck.
Prior to taking off, the A380 had successfully completed a series of ground tests, which started in the summer of 2004 when the electrical power was put on for the first time (so-called "power-on" milestone). Since then Airbus has systematically and exhaustively tested all A380 systems, from hydraulics to electrics, and all parts of the airframe structure, including static testing and wing and fuselage load testing; a programme that has been carried out over thousands of hours at centres across France, Germany and the UK.
The first flight marks the beginning of a flight test campaign involving as many as 2,500 hours of test flights on a total of five development aircraft. This rigorous sequence of test flights will lead to the certification of the A380 by the European and US airworthiness authorities, allowing the world's largest commercial airliner to enter into service in the second half of 2006 with first operator Singapore Airlines.
Airbus has optimised the A380's flight performance and economics by incorporating cutting-edge technologies in systems and materials. It benefits from the significant weight savings brought about by composites and other advanced materials (for instance GLARE) which comprise 25% of its structure, and from the weight, reliability and cost benefits of new systems such as its 5,000 psi pressure hydraulic system. It also benefits from an advanced cockpit with the latest interactive displays and avionics that retains the unique benefits of Airbus' operational commonality between all fly-by-wire models.
The 555-seat A380, Airbus' newest and largest aircraft, offers unequalled passenger comfort, longer range and much lower operating costs thanks to state-of-the-art technology and its engines minimize noise, fuel burn and emissions. The A380 is a significant evolutionary step in the history of commercial aviation that promises to ease congestion at major airports by transporting more people more efficiently than ever on the world's major air routes.
To date 15 customers have announced firm orders and commitments for a total of 154 A380 Family aircraft, comprising 127 passenger aircraft from 13 customers and 27 freighters from four customers. The freighter version of the A380, the A380F, will enter into service in 2008.
Additional information regarding the A380 programme, the aircraft and its crew can be found on the Airbus website at www.airbus.com. Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.February 24, 2006
Stem Cell
The Best Reason Yet to Support Stem Cell Research by Hans PhingersARTIST’S COMMENTS: Can any of us honestly say we haven’t dreamed of having tiny hands on the ends of our fingers and thumbs? Well, evolution may have fallen asleep at the wheel, but stem cell research could very well make finger-hands a possibility! Or at least that’s what my total lack of familiarity with virtually all scientific disciplines has led me to believe. But never mind that - let’s, for now, just think about the incredible advantage finger-hands would give us. Now, my numbers may be a bit off here, but I think it’s reasonable to assume that with finger-hands we would all be able to type somewhere in the neighbourhood of 12,000 words per minute, and although almost no one would be able to afford manicures anymore, sign language would be the high speed communication tool of the future, we could all give massages to beat the band, and everyone in the world would be a piano player extraordinaire! Also, even a small group of people would be able to create tremendous levels of applause, thereby bringing huge amounts of joy to street performers everywhere. So, in conclusion, stem cell research will almost certainly lead us to a utopian civilization made possible by the incredible versatility of finger-hands.
February 21, 2006
Incredible
This snippet is from Tokyo.
What do you think these are?
Look closely and guess what they could be...
Pens with hidden CAMS?
Any wild guesses now?
No clue?...
No clue?...
Congratulations!
You've just now looked into the future...
You've seen something that would replace your PC in the future....
NOW SEE THIS...
You've just now looked into the future...
You've seen something that would replace your PC in the future....
NOW SEE THIS...
In the revolution of miniature computers, the scientists are ahead with Bluetooth technology...
See the forthcoming computers within your pocket.
This pen instrument produces both the monitor as well as the keyboard on flat surfaces from where you can just carry out the normal operations you do on your desktop.
That great big dinosaur that you are using right now may be replaced by a couple of pen sized devices in the not too distant future. .February 19, 2006
Gone are the days
Gone are the days
When the school reopened in June,
And we settled in our new desks and benches.
Gone are the days
When we queued up in book depot,
And got our new books and notes.
Gone are the days
When we wanted two Sundays and no Mondays, yet
Managed to line up daily for the morning prayers.
Gone are the days
We learnt writing with slates and pencils, and progressed to fountain pens
and ball pens and then micro tips.
Gone are the days
We began drawing with crayons and evolved to
Colour pencils and finally sketch pens.
Gone are the days
We started calculating first with tables and then with
Clarkes tables and advanced to calculators and computers.
Gone are the days
When we chased one another in the corridors in Intervals,
And returned to the classrooms drenched in sweat.
Gone are the days
When we had lunch in classrooms, corridors,
Playgrounds, under the trees and even in cycle sheds.
Gone are the days
When all the colours in the world,
Decorated the campus on the Second Saturdays.
Gone are the days
When a single P.T. period in the week's Time Table,
Was awaited more eagerly than the monsoons.
Gone are the days
When cricket was played with writing pads as bats,
And Neckties and socks rolled into balls.
Gone are the days
When few played "kabadi" and "Kho-Kho" in scorching sun,
While others simply played "book cricket" in the confines of classroom.
Gone are the days
Of fights but no conspiracies,
Of Competitions but seldom jealousy.
Gone are the days
When we used to watch Live Cricket telecast,
In the opposite house in Intervals and Lunch breaks.
Gone are the days
When few rushed at 3:45 to
"Conquer" window seats in our School bus.
Gone are the days
While few others had "Big Fun", "pulippu muttai",
"gulfi ice", "seeval ice !" and "pepsi !" at 4o Clock.
Gone are the days
Of Sports Day, and the annual School Day ,
And the one-month long preparations for them.
Gone are the days
Of the stressful Quarterly, Half Yearly and Annual Exams,
And the most enjoyed holidays after them.
Gone are the days
Of tenth and twelfth standards, when we
Spent almost the whole year writing revision tests.
Gone are the days
We learnt, we enjoyed, we played, we won, we lost,
We laughed, we cried, we fought, we thought.
Gone are the days
With so much fun in them, so many friends,
So much experience, all this and more.
Gone are the days
But not the memories, which will be
Lingering in our hearts for ever and ever and
Ever and ever and Ever ....
When the school reopened in June,
And we settled in our new desks and benches.
Gone are the days
When we queued up in book depot,
And got our new books and notes.
Gone are the days
When we wanted two Sundays and no Mondays, yet
Managed to line up daily for the morning prayers.
Gone are the days
We learnt writing with slates and pencils, and progressed to fountain pens
and ball pens and then micro tips.
Gone are the days
We began drawing with crayons and evolved to
Colour pencils and finally sketch pens.
Gone are the days
We started calculating first with tables and then with
Clarkes tables and advanced to calculators and computers.
Gone are the days
When we chased one another in the corridors in Intervals,
And returned to the classrooms drenched in sweat.
Gone are the days
When we had lunch in classrooms, corridors,
Playgrounds, under the trees and even in cycle sheds.
Gone are the days
When all the colours in the world,
Decorated the campus on the Second Saturdays.
Gone are the days
When a single P.T. period in the week's Time Table,
Was awaited more eagerly than the monsoons.
Gone are the days
When cricket was played with writing pads as bats,
And Neckties and socks rolled into balls.
Gone are the days
When few played "kabadi" and "Kho-Kho" in scorching sun,
While others simply played "book cricket" in the confines of classroom.
Gone are the days
Of fights but no conspiracies,
Of Competitions but seldom jealousy.
Gone are the days
When we used to watch Live Cricket telecast,
In the opposite house in Intervals and Lunch breaks.
Gone are the days
When few rushed at 3:45 to
"Conquer" window seats in our School bus.
Gone are the days
While few others had "Big Fun", "pulippu muttai",
"gulfi ice", "seeval ice !" and "pepsi !" at 4o Clock.
Gone are the days
Of Sports Day, and the annual School Day ,
And the one-month long preparations for them.
Gone are the days
Of the stressful Quarterly, Half Yearly and Annual Exams,
And the most enjoyed holidays after them.
Gone are the days
Of tenth and twelfth standards, when we
Spent almost the whole year writing revision tests.
Gone are the days
We learnt, we enjoyed, we played, we won, we lost,
We laughed, we cried, we fought, we thought.
Gone are the days
With so much fun in them, so many friends,
So much experience, all this and more.
Gone are the days
But not the memories, which will be
Lingering in our hearts for ever and ever and
Ever and ever and Ever ....
Smart Johnny did that again
During class, a teacher trying to teach good manners, asks her students:
"Michael, if you were on a date, having supper with a nice young lady, how would you tell her that you have to go to the bathroom?"
Michael says: "Just a minute, I have to go pee.."
The teacher says: "That would be rude and impolite! What about you Peter, how would you say it?"
"I am sorry , but I really need to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back."
"That's better, but it's still not very nice to say the word 'bathroom' at the dinner table. And you, Little Johnny, are you able to use your intelligence for once and show us your good manners?"
Little Johnny says: "I would say: 'Darling, may I please be excused for a moment. I have to shake hands with a very dear friend of mine, whom I hope you'll get to meet after supper."
The teacher fainted.
"Michael, if you were on a date, having supper with a nice young lady, how would you tell her that you have to go to the bathroom?"
Michael says: "Just a minute, I have to go pee.."
The teacher says: "That would be rude and impolite! What about you Peter, how would you say it?"
"I am sorry , but I really need to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back."
"That's better, but it's still not very nice to say the word 'bathroom' at the dinner table. And you, Little Johnny, are you able to use your intelligence for once and show us your good manners?"
Little Johnny says: "I would say: 'Darling, may I please be excused for a moment. I have to shake hands with a very dear friend of mine, whom I hope you'll get to meet after supper."
The teacher fainted.
First Time
(Assume you are a girl if you are a boy)
It's your first time. As you lie back your muscles tighten. You put him off for a while searching for an excuse, but he refuses to be swayed as he approaches you. He asks if you're afraid and you shake your head bravely.
He has had more experience, but it's the first time his finger has found the right place. He probes deeply and you shiver; your body tenses; but he's gentle like he promised he'd be.
He looks deeply within your eyes and tells you to trust him - he's done this many times before. His cool smile relaxes you and you open wider to give him; more room for an easy entrance. You begin to plead and beg him to hurry, but he slowly takes his time, wanting to cause you as little pain as possible.
As he presses; closer, going deeper, you feel the tissue give way; pain surges throughout your body and you feel the slight trickle of blood as he continues. He looks at you concerned and asks you if it's too painful. Your eyes are filled with tears but you shake your head and nod for him to go on. He begins going in and out with skill but you are now too numb to feel him within you.
After a few moments, you feel something bursting within you and he pulls it out of you, you lay panting, glad to have it over. He looks at you and smiling warmly, tells you, with a chuckle; that you have been his most stubborn yet most rewarding experience.
You smile and thank your dentist. After all,it was your first time to have a tooth pulled.
It's your first time. As you lie back your muscles tighten. You put him off for a while searching for an excuse, but he refuses to be swayed as he approaches you. He asks if you're afraid and you shake your head bravely.
He has had more experience, but it's the first time his finger has found the right place. He probes deeply and you shiver; your body tenses; but he's gentle like he promised he'd be.
He looks deeply within your eyes and tells you to trust him - he's done this many times before. His cool smile relaxes you and you open wider to give him; more room for an easy entrance. You begin to plead and beg him to hurry, but he slowly takes his time, wanting to cause you as little pain as possible.
As he presses; closer, going deeper, you feel the tissue give way; pain surges throughout your body and you feel the slight trickle of blood as he continues. He looks at you concerned and asks you if it's too painful. Your eyes are filled with tears but you shake your head and nod for him to go on. He begins going in and out with skill but you are now too numb to feel him within you.
After a few moments, you feel something bursting within you and he pulls it out of you, you lay panting, glad to have it over. He looks at you and smiling warmly, tells you, with a chuckle; that you have been his most stubborn yet most rewarding experience.
You smile and thank your dentist. After all,it was your first time to have a tooth pulled.
Inzy's interview...yesterday
Rameez: So Inzy, disappointed with your performance today?
Inzy: Bismilla-e-rehman-e-rahim. Thank you allah.ya the indian batsman is play very good today. we is try very hard but is not win the game.
Rameez: Any words for Dhoni?
Inzy: Ya dhoni is play very well. He is hit his shot very hard in our gaps. In start, we is protect our gaps very well. the grass is also thick.. but dhoni is split our gaps with his bat.
Rameez: Another ordinary bowling performance?
Inzy: Ya our balls is loose. the bowler is went for many run. Asif is bowled well. Also, after some shots the ball is out of shape. umpire is not give another ball. it is tough to play with one ball
Rameez: Dropped catches.. did that prove costly?
Inzy: ya the ball is not stick to our hands. we is practice a lot sticking our bat in our hands.. but now we is more practice sticking balls in our hands.
Rameez: Any plans for the next match?
Inzy: ya India is on top but we is try to bounce on our back. Insha allah we is play better.
Rameez: All the best Inzy
Inzy: Thank is you
Inzy: Bismilla-e-rehman-e-rahim. Thank you allah.ya the indian batsman is play very good today. we is try very hard but is not win the game.
Rameez: Any words for Dhoni?
Inzy: Ya dhoni is play very well. He is hit his shot very hard in our gaps. In start, we is protect our gaps very well. the grass is also thick.. but dhoni is split our gaps with his bat.
Rameez: Another ordinary bowling performance?
Inzy: Ya our balls is loose. the bowler is went for many run. Asif is bowled well. Also, after some shots the ball is out of shape. umpire is not give another ball. it is tough to play with one ball
Rameez: Dropped catches.. did that prove costly?
Inzy: ya the ball is not stick to our hands. we is practice a lot sticking our bat in our hands.. but now we is more practice sticking balls in our hands.
Rameez: Any plans for the next match?
Inzy: ya India is on top but we is try to bounce on our back. Insha allah we is play better.
Rameez: All the best Inzy
Inzy: Thank is you
February 16, 2006
February 15, 2006
Lateral Thinking - Part I
Check your lateral thinking prowess! The first 4 are the questions and the last 4 files are the answers. Do not look at the answers first! These are really good!
ANSWERS
February 14, 2006
Jammu & Kashmir in Winter
A driver sits near his vehicle at Jammu-Srinagar national highway after heavy snowfall near Patnitop about 110 km from Jammu
A View of a Snow Covered Taxi Stand in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Migratory Birds at the partially frozen Dal Lake in Srinagar as the night temperature dipped to four degrees celsius below freezing point.
A shopkepper clearing the thick layer of snow in front of his shop in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Dal Lake , Jammu & Kashmir
Frozen Dal Lake. Two kashmiri youths walks on the frozen surface of Dal Lake where a Kashmiri boatman guides his shikhara through a narrow channel of water on the frozen surface of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Thiksey Monastery
House Boat Hotel
A boatman carrying essential commodities in the Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
A man with charcoal walking down the snow covered boulrvard road along the partialy frozen Dal Lake in Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir
Visitors having a close look at the frozen parts of the Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
Rowing through the partially frozen Dal Lake
A boatman rowing his boat through the snow-covered Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Visitors having a close look at the frozen parts of the Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
A boatman extending his hand towards a girl tourist on the frozen surface of Dal lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
A View of the frozen surface of the World Famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Goats on Sale in Srinagar as Kashmiri Muslims start buying animals for sacrifice on Eid - Ul - Zuha being celebrated across the World
A Security Jawan on Guard along the Snow Covered Boulevard Road in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
A Taxi driver in Srinagar removing the snow from his vehicle
Kashmiri children play cricket on the frozen surface of world famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
A Kashmiri Girl rowing her boat, another boat invaded by Crows and Sparrows in the Dal Lake
Kashmiri Women rowing a boat with LPG Cylinders in the partially frozen Dal Lake
A view of the meeting point of Indus and Zanskar rivers in Ladakh which has frozen due to Winter, Jammu & Kashmir
Paramilitary personnel patrolling. A Snow Covered Boulevard road along the banks of the World Famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Shikarawala rowing the boat through the partially frozen Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu &
Kashmir
Security Jawan
A Kashmiri man selling the traditional Kangri ( Fire-Pots) on a Snow - Covered Road in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
The Snow Covered Zaberwan Range overlooking the World Famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Sunny Day after snowfall
House Boats
Lamayuru Village
Mountain pass on the Lamayuru-Chilling trek, Ladakh
Srinagar in Snow
Thiksey Monastery
View from Wanla gompa
Wanla Gompa
Lamayuru villagers weaving, Ladakh
River valley near Wanla
Mountain Skyline
A View of a Snow Covered Taxi Stand in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Migratory Birds at the partially frozen Dal Lake in Srinagar as the night temperature dipped to four degrees celsius below freezing point.
A shopkepper clearing the thick layer of snow in front of his shop in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Dal Lake , Jammu & Kashmir
Frozen Dal Lake. Two kashmiri youths walks on the frozen surface of Dal Lake where a Kashmiri boatman guides his shikhara through a narrow channel of water on the frozen surface of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Thiksey Monastery
House Boat Hotel
A boatman carrying essential commodities in the Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
A man with charcoal walking down the snow covered boulrvard road along the partialy frozen Dal Lake in Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir
Visitors having a close look at the frozen parts of the Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
Rowing through the partially frozen Dal Lake
A boatman rowing his boat through the snow-covered Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Visitors having a close look at the frozen parts of the Dal Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
A boatman extending his hand towards a girl tourist on the frozen surface of Dal lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
A View of the frozen surface of the World Famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Goats on Sale in Srinagar as Kashmiri Muslims start buying animals for sacrifice on Eid - Ul - Zuha being celebrated across the World
A Security Jawan on Guard along the Snow Covered Boulevard Road in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
A Taxi driver in Srinagar removing the snow from his vehicle
Kashmiri children play cricket on the frozen surface of world famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
A Kashmiri Girl rowing her boat, another boat invaded by Crows and Sparrows in the Dal Lake
Kashmiri Women rowing a boat with LPG Cylinders in the partially frozen Dal Lake
A view of the meeting point of Indus and Zanskar rivers in Ladakh which has frozen due to Winter, Jammu & Kashmir
Paramilitary personnel patrolling. A Snow Covered Boulevard road along the banks of the World Famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Shikarawala rowing the boat through the partially frozen Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu &
Kashmir
Security Jawan
A Kashmiri man selling the traditional Kangri ( Fire-Pots) on a Snow - Covered Road in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
The Snow Covered Zaberwan Range overlooking the World Famous Dal Lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Sunny Day after snowfall
House Boats
Lamayuru Village
Mountain pass on the Lamayuru-Chilling trek, Ladakh
Srinagar in Snow
Thiksey Monastery
View from Wanla gompa
Wanla Gompa
Lamayuru villagers weaving, Ladakh
River valley near Wanla
Mountain Skyline
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