Chance to Change !

What is common thing about Google Search, Yahoo ! and Facebook ? Besides the fact that they all have revolutionised the internet, all of them were college projects of their creators.* This truly tell you the importance of a college project project. For most of the students the finale year project is the biggest project of their college life hence this post is directed towards the finale year projects. However  it is equally valid for all engineering projects.

Your finale year project is one chance to change the world. But then what should be your finale year project ? How do you go about it ? Here are few points:

1. Create stuff that Amazes you.

You need to remember that at the end of the day the project is your baby. It has to be something that you would love to show off. It has to be something that will be proud of. Create stuff that you will be startled looking at. The best project is when you create something that others thought was impossible and still you managed to create it. And even if you are not able to get the final output I am sure you will be satisfied be your work.

2. What an Idea !

The Idea is the Heart of the project. The reason why Facebook is a big hit is not because it has some complex technology but because it is based on an amazing Idea of connecting people. The features of status updates, Like, Comment etc are part of an amazing Idea called Facebook. The part of developing the Idea of the project is one of the best part of the final year project however not many people spend enough time on it. Many times the ideas is just picked up from the net or students ask the faculty for their Idea. This should be strictly avoided. Do not refer to other sources for the Ideas of the project. The Idea should be yours. It should be a creation of your mind. The Idea of the project is the central theme of your project. Sometimes it takes even a year for a good Idea to develop and it undergoes a major changes with time. e.g. in case of my project we started an Idea of creating a GPS controlled car and ended creating an Internet controlled Robot. The finale idea, though absolutely different from the starting Idea, did evolve from the original one. This process of evolution of Idea is the most exciting one. Come up with an Idea, Check its FEASIBILITY, See if someone else has already created it, check how you can go about . Spend time and your Idea will metamorphose from a cartpiler into a beautiful butterfly.

3. Keep it Simple

Which is a bigger invention ? A bipedal robot or a stapler ? I feel a stapler is more important as it has influenced my life a lot more then a Bipedal Robot. A stapler is such a simple devise yet so awesome. I am sure you use it frequently in your life (People who take lots of supplements during exams are eternally grateful to this devise :-)). What makes it so great is the simplicity. Simple to create yet so revolutionary. Remember the simple things influence our life a lot more. So keep your project simple on technology and focus on application.This will also ensure the feasibility as well as will help in keeping the costs low. The project should be simple to create but should have profound impact on human life just like the ‘'simple machines’.

4. Focus on Application.

To have a great impact your focus of project should be on application. By application I mean what the project is providing/giving you. e.g The Application of a bed mattress is to provide comfort while sleeping. The application should come first then the simplest possible technology to achieve this application should be used. However most of the student follow exactly the opposite process. They pick up the technology and then somehow try to fit it into some application. I am sure all (almost all :-) ) the computer engineering students will be able to create a website to update a database entry when a button is clicked. However its the right application of this simple technology created the awesome ‘Like button’ on Facebook. Remember that if your project becomes available for the general public to use (and this has to be your final aim) then the public is going to choose to use it based on the application not on the technology used.

5. Create something that YOU would use.

Forget if others like your creation or not. Don't think if others will use it or not. Make a point to create something that you will not only like but also you would love to use. Create something that has capability to become part of YOUR life. After all this is your ‘chance to change’ the world and most importantly change YOUR own world.

6. Be the Donkey !

When I was a kid I was told a story of a Donkey who praised his own tail. I was taught that this Donkey was stupid. During my visit to IISC –Bangalore while speaking to Prof. Murthy I told him about how we got coverage for our project in various local media. He replied “So why did you do all this promotion of your project? Isn't it for publicity ?”. We dint knew what to answer. After all we were always taught that self publicity is bad thing to do. But then he went on to explain why all the self publicity of the project was the best thing that we did. When you have worked hard and created. the world will not come to know on its own so it is very important that we tell the whole world about it. You have to shout out about your awesomeness. This a very important change in culture we need to bring in India if we want the world to recognise our technology. If you keep quite someone else will claim it as his own. Apple products are great not just because of its design and technology but also because Steve Jobs stands on the stage at Macworld WWDC and tells the whole world how awesome, revolutionary, unprecedented, great, unbelievable etc etc their products are. Promote, Publicise because you deserve it. Remember the Donkey wasn't stupid, he was the smartest.

7. Do what you love.

The most important factor in selecting the project is to work with a technology that love to work with. By the time we reach in the final year of Engineering we all have some favourite technology, Technology we are sure we can spend hours on. For me it was Robotics and Internet hence I worked on a combination of the two.

To sum it up there is a beautiful Steve Jobs Quote which says

“ You've got to find what you love, and that is as true for work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work, and the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Note for Engicos : The Project is something that should absolutely NOT done for marks. After all everyone ends up getting similar marks in the project. You have nothing to lose so go ahead and create...

* Facts confirmed from http://www.fortystones.com/college-ideas-that-changed-the-world/

My views for buying a new Laptop

Since I have bought my Dell™ Inspiron 14R New Laptop (T540614IN8) I have been getting quite a few queries about buying a laptop. So here is my post about my views on buying the laptop. It also included a review about my laptop.

Please note that the finale choice would depend on your requirements. Also this quote is more applicable if you are buying a laptop in Goa or for use in Goa.

Why DELL?

I researched a bit about other brands.

HP: The biggest problem according to many is that the motherboard stops working after a year. For all it stopped just after the warranty expires. A motherboard costs about 12k-15k. So it may not be a good Idea to go for HP.

Apple: If you have the money go for it. Mac Book with Core 2 Duo will cost you about 75,000 and Mac book Pro with i5 will cost about 1,20,000 So that's almost 4 times. :-)

I did not do much of a research about the rest. However a good responses by almost every dell user and the “DELL Complete Accidental Cover” scored over the rest.

Studio or Inspiron ?

Studio :

• Better Graphics card: Useful if you are into designing. I don't think its a good Idea to play games on the laptop.
• Sound card and speakers with woofer. I think its better to got for speakers then the laptop speakers. The laptop ones don't make much difference.
• Hard Disk with 7200 RPM speed instead of 5200 in Inspiron.
• In studio you can go for a 9 Cell Battery instead of 6 Cell one. This gives longer battery backup. about 4 hrs instead of 2.5 hrs. This option is sometimes handy if you are in a classroom without plug points answering an open laptop exam. Though if you are joining GIM then its not much issue as the benches plug points.
• The Studio has got more customizations options like backlit keyboard, different artistic designs on the chassis etc. but go for this only if you requite as they cost a lot of money.
• Has a 3.2 Megapixel camera instead of 2 Megapixel. I don't think it makes any difference. I mean you don't click important photographs with your laptop.

Inpiron:

• Costs almost Rs.10,000 less. Thats about 25% less.
• Smaller in size.

Which Processor to go for ?

Your Choice should be between i3, i5, or i7 depending on your requirements. I went for i5.

What is the ideal Screen Size ?

15 inch gives you an option to go for 9 Cell battery instead of 6 cell even in Inspiron. Also the HDD space can be 500GB instead of 320. It hardly makes any difference in  viewing and costs about Rs 4000/- more.

14 inch looks cuter. Also if you have to carry your laptop every day to class/office its much better to carry less weight. Also a smaller laptop fits easily on bench for an MBA class. :-)

How much Hard Disk Space should I go for?

Go for the default HDD Space. In my case it is 320 GB. If you need more space then I think you should buy an external disk as that costs a lot cheaper. *Though please confirm this fact.*

How is the Keyboard and Touchpad ?

The keyboard is nice and working well. But the most surprising future of the laptop has been its awesome multi touch keypad. It has got two figure scroll, Pinch to zoom and many more features. The biggest testimony to its awesomeness is the fact that till today I have not used the Dell(TM) Bluetooth Wireless Mouse I got free with the laptop.

What is “Complete Accidental Cover ? ”

Your default warranty covers only the damages due to manufacturing defects or due to faulty company design. So what if the laptop falls from the bench in your MBA class and screen breaks(it happened to my classmate). What if you accidentally spill coke on the keyboard ? All this damages are covered in “ Complete accidental cover.”

One important point is the costs for this rise exponentially. Its Rs. 800/- for one year, Rs.4000/- and Rs. 8500/- for three years.

However if you take it for three year you are also entitled for 8% corporate discount. Please note that this discount is applicable on the total cost of the machine. So practically if you are using the corporate discount then instead of Rs.8500/- its almost costs you Rs.4000/-.

So I think one should go for this scheme (Along with the corporate discount) if you are a student or a young person since the chances in this case of accidental damage are a lot more and in case you break any part then Rs.4000/- sounds a lot cheaper as the Laptop Parts cost a lot. Even the service engineer for Dell charges Rs.1650/- for a visit to your place.

This scheme I believe is must for MBA students who use laptop like books. Its something you will carrying with you all the time and even during exams in the open laptop exams. Will you worry about your laptops or answer exams.  have to answers open laptop exams.

Why should I buy Accessories with my laptop when I can always buy them later separately ?

The biggest reason you should buy them along with your laptop is the cost. The accessories bought along with the laptop cost almost half the market prise.

The accessories I have bought are:

Targus Curve 16" Backpack [Rs.1,497.87]. Looks nice. Enough space to carry all the laptop accessories. Light weight and  compact. However the front pocket design is weird. Overall its a good buy. Though I feel the Belkin bag is better option.

Dell(TM) Bluetooth Wireless Mouse [Free worth Rs.1,033.51] as I have mentioned before I Haven't used it. But it seems good when I tested it. I was entitled for these scheme as I had the 3 Yr Complete Cover + Corporate Discount + MacAfee Antivirus for 15 months.

Dell BH200 Bluetooth 2.0 EDR Stereo Headset, VOIP Capable [Rs.1,963.34].

Pros:

• Foldable so that they even fit into your front pocket and so beautifully designed they don't make any sound when you open the folds.
• Great sound quality
• Good range
• Easy control options on the headphones itself
• Most importantly they work with any Bluetooth devise, not only laptops but even your cell phone.

I can bet you will fall in love with them. :-)

Note: This headphones cost about Rs.3500/- if you buy separately from the laptop.

Which Antivirus?

I bought McAfee(R) Security Centre (Multi-Language) - 15 Months Version [Rs.982.77]  as it also entitled me for a free Bluetooth mouse. Its running pretty good so far. Though ill need to test it for a longer time to give a final verdict.

How do I avail the Corporate Discount ?

For this you should be employee or should have been placed at any company registered with DELL. Please note that all the corporate companies are not registered so you need to check if your company is. Then as a proof you will need to send an E-Mail from your official E-Mail ID or mail them the signed copy of your placement letter. Please not that they do not accept any E-Mail placement letter as a proof and only a duly signed hardcopy is needed.

However the best part is you can enrol for these scheme even if you are not working with any of these companies. You can always avail the discount with help of your well wisher who works there. And most imp the laptop will be in your name and it will even be delivered at your place. Just ask the guys at DELL helpline and they themselves will guide you about this.

The amount of discount varies:

• 3% for inspiron
• 5% for studio
• 8% for either if you have taken the “Complete Accidental Cover” for three years.

Please note that the corporate discounts are available only if you buy directly from DELL website or on Phone (Option 3 in “Where to Buy ?“ section.) It is not available with dell resellers.

Where to buy?

Three options

1. Dell reseller: The models they sell are of different configuration. Here you can get few freebees like carry case, headphones(Don't expect Bluetooth :-) ), Mouse etc. Also in case of a problem the service may be better but I am not sure about it. One problem here is no chance to customise your laptop configuration and you have to buy the available configs. But the main problem here is the high cost as you are charged extra for VAT. So this comes to about 5% extra. Also no option for Corporate Discount. You can buy under this scheme at 160by0,Panjim Call: 9923633906
2. Dell Resellers who buy for you online: Here the main advantage is that you get the VAT discount. Also the dell resellers like Jamsons Dell Showroom (Alfran Plaza, Near Hotel Delmon, Call: 9923699827)  or Computer Shop (Kamdhenu Building, Panjim Call: 2422991) have their own service centre so an added advantage of better service. However there are no other discounts (e.g. Corporate Discount) or schemes (e.g. Free Bluetooth Mouse) available here.
3. Buy directly from DELL website or on Phone.: You can either visit www.dell.co.in or call 1800- 425- 4026 (Toll Free) or 080-2506-8026 (standard charges apply). I feel calling on phone is a much better option as the DELL person also advises you on what to buy or what are the best schemes and discounts you can possibly get. I found the person on line was very frank where he even advise me not to go for 320GB HDD instead of 500GB HDD and instead go for external hard drive so as to save my cost. That was nice on their part. Here besides the added advantage of not required to pay VAT you can also get  the corporate discount besides various other freebees (Like a Bluetooth wireless mouse in my case). So if you take the advantage of the discounts to the fullest then you can get benefits of about 5 – 7K. I will advise that after you make a choice of the configuration online have a look at that hardware at any of the DELL shops before you make final buy online. There is a lot of chance that you will change your mind after you try the hardware. Like I was planning to go for the creative earbuds initially but changed my mind to go for the awesome Bluetooth headphones after I saw them. I bet you they are a product to fall in love with.

Any Other advice?

Please do consider a very important fact that unlike a common belief your laptop is not a permanent investment. The life of a laptop is about two to three years with proper and careful use, otherwise even lesser. After that its parts will stop working one by one, starting from battery. Also most importantly you laptop will be out dated after 3 years. Its best advisable to buy a new laptop after three years.  So spend on what you really want rather then what you might want. Above specified configuration works perfectly for an MBA.

“ Have a happy new laptop.” :-)

Open Letter to Cognizant

Dear Mr. Francisco D'Souza.
(CEO Cognizant)
First of all "Cognizant Rocks" !
Here is what I have got so far coz I cleared your placement.
1) Rs. 5000/- discount on my new Dell Laptop. Simply coz I am your employee.
2) A free Bluetooth Wireless mouse from Dell. Again coz I am your employee.
3) Lots of cake to eat after selection. :-)
4) 2 Pages of recruitment letter to sell Raddiwala.
Sadly I will cease to be your employee from 1st of July. Coz I dont think I will be even starting the modules. :-(
Thank you for selecting me. It was honer to be part of your company.
I have enjoyed and extracted full benefit of your generosity. ;-)
Love you cogni,
PPV
PS:How can anyone actually select me for the Job of a progarmor. I dont even know how to spell progemer properly.
Note: In case any one of you is buying a Dell Laptop then just produce the recruitment letter (Given on the day we were placed) and you can avail the awesome offers specified above.