Rare Giant Squid Caught Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Posted by jamshaid in Science & Technology, Simply Strange.add a comment
A giant squid measuring 8.62m is on display at London’s Natural History Museum after being caught by a trawler off the coast of Falkland Islands. Such huge squids are very rare and are found at ocean “depths of 200-1000m”. Largest squid ever seen measured 18.5m and was found in 1880. They can weigh as much as 1000kg.
Source: BBC News: Giant squid grabs London audience
Study more about squids at Wikipedia
Gates Unveils Vista Editions Monday, February 27, 2006
Posted by jamshaid in Computers.2 comments
There will be six different versions of Windows Vista (previous code name Longhorn) which is expected to be launched by end of 2006. The versions are organised by what you are planning to do with your computer. So they are:
- Vista Business
- Vista Enterprise
- Vista Home Basic
- Vista Home Premium
- Vista Ultimate
- Vista Starter
Vista Ultimate is my choice, because it has all the features of Home and Business editions all in one package. I am planning to lots of stuff my computer, so this the perfect choice for me. Although, I am also thinking to install a version of Linux in my PC for practicing programming in C++ but don’t know which one would be the best for a newbie like me.
By the way, I used to be a PROGRAMMER. I used to program in Visual Basic 6.0, made a couple of programs and then realized how limited it is so I started learning C++. Had to stop because of my O Level exams. After the exams I don’t know why I didn’t resume and lost interest. Hopefully I will resume after installing Linux and programme in that.
Links: Windows Vista Website
Aftermath of Recent Rainfall Across UAE Sunday, February 26, 2006
Posted by jamshaid in Miscellaneous.add a comment
Everybody cheers up overhere whenever there is rain. Obviously because the temperatures falls down greately and freshen up everything. But here are the negative impacts of rain in UAE which can easily be avoided.
Traffic Accidents
I was shocked to read in Gulf News that there was an accident every two minutes in Dubai roads during the recent rains. In just two days of rain, 1,400 accidents have been reported, two people were killed and one injured.
Reasons:
- Speeding (as always)
- Not leaving safe distance between cars (35m when at 60kph is recommended)
- Low visibility
- Lack of driving experience in such conditions
I am sure speeding is the main cause of accidents, specially during the morning rush hour where everyone wants to reach their destination first. Actually the accidents reduce the traffic speed greatly, sometimes to a complete standstill. Everyday I go to Dubai from Sharjah and crossing the Sharjah-Dubai roads is a big challenge. In some cross-sections, there is complete chaos, caused by irresponsible drivers.
I think no matter how many new roads are built, the daily traffic won’t ease unless the number of cars on the roads are reduced and an efficient public transportation is introduced. I hope the Dubai Light Rail System which is not yet completed would help greatly at least in Dubai.
Links: Gulf News report on the accidents
Start of Dubai Metor’s construction work
Pond Formations
If you live in areas where there are no bituminous roads, then you will end up with ponds after the rainfall. Sometimes it occupies the whole street and the only way to get out is by car, it happened in the street where I live. The muncipality tries to pump out the water into tankers, but still there is a big pond in our street. Today its sunny, so hopefully evaporation would solve the problem.
There is the same case in some main roads too. This is of course due to poor drainage system. Look at Gulf News poll result of Feb 23 on this matter. 79% of the voters agree with this.
Property Floodings
There were reports that rain water “flooded” into homes. [Read more]
Even the shopping malls were not spared. Rain water had seeped into the malls. In one case a shopkeeper is seeking Dh2-million compensation after his carpet shop was flooded. [Read more]
Other Rain-Related Accident
In another sad case, a teenage football player was “fatally electrocuted” at a sports club. [Read More]
And there might be several other negative impacts of rain which I am not aware of.
The Godfather: The Game Thursday, February 23, 2006
Posted by jamshaid in Miscellaneous, Video Games.add a comment
I have seen the GodFather movie more than 4 times and still would like to watch it again. I love that movie. I become very happy to know that the company Electronic Arts (EA) who has developed game of The Godfather, is going to release it on 21 march in US and 24 march in Uk. I hope to get it and start playing as soon as possible.
The game has 130 venues, you can personalize the main character to look like you and 75% of the game is based on the movie. 15% on the orginal novel and the rest on additional materials.
It is an “interactive remake of the classic movie” and the user takes the role of mobster and gradually works his way up to the ranks of the Corleone family.
Sounds very good…..
My other favourite games are:
- Hitman Contracts
- Half Life 1 & 2
- Counter Strike
- Call of Duty 1 & 2
- Battle Field 2
- Freedom Fighter
- NFS Most Wanted (currently playing, trying to beat rival no.4)
Link: The Godfather: The Game website
Click here to read more about it.
Best Moments In Life Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Posted by jamshaid in Miscellaneous.1 comment so far
To fall in love.
To laugh until it hurts your stomach.
To manage for a vacation at some pretty place.
To listen to your favorite song in the radio.
To go to bed and to listen while it rains out.
To leave the shower and find that the towel is warm.
To clear your last exam.
To find money in a pant that you didn’t use last year.
To laugh without reasons.
To hear accidentally that somebody says something good of you.
To wake up and realize it is still possible to sleep a couple of hours.
To hear a song that makes you remember a special reason.
To make new friends.
To be part of a team.
The first kiss.
To feel butterflies in the stomach every time that you see that person.
To pass a while with your best friends.
To see people that you like, feeling happy.
To use a sweater of the person that you like.
See an old friend again and to feel that the things didn’t change.
To have somebody that tells you that he/she loves you
“Toby is mine!” Monday, February 20, 2006
Posted by jamshaid in Sports.add a comment
After years a father finds his missing son or lost son finds his father; such stories are very emotional and touching. So far I had seen in movies, but now there is such a case involving the Winter Olympics skier.
Toby Dawson, the US skier who won a bronze in the Winter Olympics, have found his natural father after 25 years, though not yet confirmed. He was lost when 3 years and now a South Korean man has claimed he is the natural father of Toby. Read more here
On the parents part, how hard it must have been to lose a 3 years old child and how traumatizing and challenging for the child to suddenly lose parents. One can only imagine.
