# GeekLord.com - Full Technical Knowledge Base > Shobhit Prabhakar’s weblog on Technology, Web designing, Programming, Photography and other stuff. Archive URL: https://www.geeklord.com/llms-full.txt Generated: 2026-09-02 04:04:52 UTC --- # Rebuilding the Windows 98 Disk Defragmenter in Pure JavaScript: The Art of Watching Blocks March URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2026/08/31/rebuilding-the-windows-98-disk-defragmenter-in-pure-javascript-the-art-of-watching-blocks-march/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2026-08-31 Reading Time: 5 minutes If you grew up using a personal computer in the late 1990s, you remember the sound. It was the rhythmic, metallic *crunch-crunch-thwip* of a 4.3 GB Quantum Fireball hard drive mounted inside a beige steel tower. It was the faint phosphor warmth radiating off a 15-inch CRT monitor at 1:00 AM, illuminating a darkened bedroom with a saturated `#008080` teal glow. And on that screen was an application that captivated an entire generation: **The Windows 98 Disk Defragmenter (`defrag.exe`)**. * 1. Ready: Scattered fragmented clusters 2. Read Run: Radioactive green strobe 3. Write Run: Alert red strobe at the front 4. Complete: Contiguous wall of navy blue There were no algorithmic feeds, no smartphone notifications, and dial-up internet cost real money by the minute. So we sat there, chin rested on palms, mesmerized by a grid of colored squares slowly consolidating toward the front of the drive: - Unoptimized light-blue clusters would suddenly flash **radioactive green** as they were read into memory. - The disk head would seek across the platter, and destination blocks at the front would strobe **alert red** as data was written. - With a quiet mechanical sigh, those cells settled into a soothing, solid **navy blue**. **The Self-Imposed Challenge:** Build a 100% faithful simulator in pure web standards. **Zero dependencies. Zero build step.** Pure HTML5, Vanilla CSS, and clean ES5 JavaScript running locally straight off a double-clicked file or static hosting. ## 1. Decoding the Sacred 6-Color Palette Before writing any logic, the visual language had to be exact. The original utility didn't use random primaries; it used an intentional palette designed for 8-bit and 16-bit CRT monitors. The authentic Defrag Legend dialog reproduced in pure CSS. | State | Color | Hex Code | Meaning & Platter Behavior | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Free Space | White | #ffffff | Available cluster space on the drive | | Unoptimized Data | Cyan | #6ae5fb | Fragmented movable file cluster (Sky Blue) | | Optimized Data | Navy | #0208aa | Contiguous defragmented cluster (Deep Navy) | | Unmovable Data | Inset | #ffffff (Inset) | Locked swap files (win386.swp), system files, bad sectors | | Reading Run | Green | #64d940 | Cluster currently being read from disk (Bright Green) | | Writing Run | Red | #ea3a2e | Cluster currently being written to new position (Vivid Red) | The legend dialog listed a mysterious sixth state: "Data that will not be moved"*. These were the locked page files (`win386.swp`), system files, or bad sectors that marked out boundaries the defragmenter was forced to work around. ## 2. Why Naive Defrag Looked "Fake" (The Chunk Secret) When you first try to simulate defragmentation, the obvious approach is to find the first empty space, find the last used cluster, and move it one single cell at a time. If you ever watched the real Windows 98 utility, that is **not** how it worked. Real disk controllers read and write contiguous sectors in batches. * Tail clusters read in contiguous batches (Green) Head clusters written to the front (Red) By grouping adjacent cluster moves into **contiguous runs**, entire 3-block and 4-block sequences flash green at the tail, vanish into free space, and strobe red at the head—recreating the authentic mechanical cadence of a real drive head seeking across platters. ## 3. Period-Accurate 3D Chrome: Bevels & Progress Bricks In Windows 98, every button and status bar was an illusion rendered using dual 1px and 2px border bevels simulating an overhead light source: /* Classic Raised Windows 98 Frame */ .window { background: #c0c0c0; box-shadow: inset -1px -1px #0a0a0a, inset 1px 1px #dfdfdf, inset -2px -2px #808080, inset 2px 2px #ffffff; } ### The Segmented Progress Bar Remember how progress bars back then weren't smooth gradients, but discrete little vertical blue rectangular bricks? Discrete blue bricks rendered purely with CSS repeating gradients. ## 4. The Retro Easter Egg: "Under Construction" Mode While building this simulator, we realized it had a wonderfully nostalgic second life. Remember the animated GIF construction workers with yellow tape from the GeoCities era? With a single URL parameter, the simulator turns into an **interactive, animated "Under Construction" page** for modern websites: The simulator running in Under Construction mode on a classic teal desktop. https://geeklord.github.io/Win98-Defrag-Simulator/?site=My+Project&msg=Polishing+the+code!&autostart=1&speed=4 ## 5. Try It Live & Play With Presets You can run and customize the simulator right now without installing anything: [ ⚡ Hyper-Speed Pass ↗ Watch the drive defrag at 8x turbo speed. ](https://geeklord.github.io/Win98-Defrag-Simulator/?speed=8&autostart=1) [ 🖥️ Giant Wide Drive ↗ High-density 1,440 cluster platter layout. ](https://geeklord.github.io/Win98-Defrag-Simulator/?cols=60&rows=24&used=0.88&speed=3) [ 🚧 Heavy Obstacles ↗ Drive packed with 20 unmovable sectors. ](https://geeklord.github.io/Win98-Defrag-Simulator/?unmovable=20&seed=777) [ 💾 Drive D: Pass ↗ Defragment your secondary drive partition. ](https://geeklord.github.io/Win98-Defrag-Simulator/?drive=D) ## 6. Frequently Asked Questions Why did Windows 98 defrag restart constantly back in the day?In Windows 98, `defrag.exe` monitored disk write activity in real time. If any background program (or the OS writing to virtual memory in `win386.swp`) touched the file allocation table while defragmentation was underway, the entire process restarted from 0% to avoid filesystem corruption. Should you defragment modern SSDs?No. Solid-state drives and NVMe storage have no spinning platters or mechanical seek latency; data is accessed from flash memory blocks in nanoseconds. Running defragmentation on an SSD causes unnecessary flash wear without performance benefits. Modern systems use TRIM instead. Can I embed this into my own website or portfolio?Yes! The simulator is open source under the MIT license. You can drop `index.html`, `css/`, and `js/` into any static host (GitHub Pages, Netlify, Vercel) or iframe it with URL parameters. ## Epilogue: What We Lost When Things Got Fast Modern NVMe solid-state drives don't need defragmentation. Today, files are scattered across billions of silicon gates in nanoseconds, invisible and silent. Software today is faster, smoother, and vastly more powerful. But there was something deeply comforting about the old world. You could see* the entropy of your operating system. You could watch chaos turn into order, block by block, cluster by cluster, until the drive was a clean, contiguous wall of navy blue. Sometimes, in an industry obsessed with milliseconds, it’s worth taking two minutes to just sit back, relax, and watch the blocks march. ### Relive the Nostalgia in Your Browser No build step or dependencies required. Run the simulator live or explore the open-source code on GitHub. [▶ Launch Live Simulator](https://geeklord.github.io/Win98-Defrag-Simulator/) [★ Star on GitHub](https://github.com/GeekLord/Win98-Defrag-Simulator) --- # PowerShell One-Liner Magic: Understanding irm | iex, Windows Tweaks, MAS Scripts, and My GeekLord Forge Maintenance Tool URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2026/07/18/powershell-one-liner-magic-understanding-irm-iex-windows-tweaks-mas-scripts-and-my-geeklord-forge-maintenance-tool/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2026-07-18 Reading Time: 8 minutes *If you use Windows seriously, sooner or later you run into those viral PowerShell one-liners that promise to fix, debloat, customize, or activate your system in seconds. Some of them are genuinely useful. Some are risky. And nearly all of them deserve a closer look before you paste them into an elevated terminal.* ## Table of Contents - [Why these commands exist](#why-these-commands-exist) - [What `irm` and `iex` actually do](#what-irm-and-iex-do) - [The Chris Titus Tech Windows Utility command](#christitus-winutil) - [The activation script command](#activation-script-command) - [Why power users love one-liners](#why-admins-like-one-liners) - [The security reality of `irm ... | iex`](#security-reality) - [My GeekLord script: Forge Maintenance](#my-script) - [Running GeekLord Forge Maintenance](#script-code) - [Best practices before running remote PowerShell](#best-practices) - [Final thoughts](#final-thoughts) ## Why these commands exist Over the last few years, PowerShell has become the fastest way for Windows enthusiasts, sysadmins, and advanced users to distribute automation. Instead of asking someone to download a ZIP file, extract it, open a script folder, read setup notes, and finally run a command, authors can publish a single line that launches their tool instantly. That convenience is exactly why commands like `irm https://christitus.com/win | iex` and `irm https://get.activated.win | iex` spread so quickly across forums, GitHub repos, Discord servers, and YouTube descriptions. But simplicity on the surface can hide a lot of power underneath. A single one-liner can install packages, disable services, rewrite network settings, create restore points, schedule disk scans, or even modify licensing-related components in Windows. That is why I think these commands are worth understanding properly, especially if you are the kind of person who regularly opens Terminal as Administrator and assumes you can fix almost anything from the command line. ## What `irm` and `iex` actually do The first thing to understand is that these commands are not magic. They are just short aliases for built-in PowerShell functionality. `irm` is the alias for `Invoke-RestMethod`, which sends an HTTP or HTTPS request and returns the response content to PowerShell. If that response is a text-based PowerShell script, the script content arrives as data inside your current session. The second half is `iex`, the alias for `Invoke-Expression`. Microsoft’s guidance is very clear here: `Invoke-Expression` should generally be avoided unless it is truly necessary, because it takes a string and executes it as PowerShell code. ```powershell irm https://example.com/script.ps1 | iex ``` What you are really saying is: fetch whatever text is returned by that URL, then immediately run it as code in my current PowerShell session. That design is incredibly flexible, but it is also why this pattern sits right on the line between brilliant convenience and dangerous blind trust. ## The Chris Titus Tech Windows Utility command One of the best-known examples of this pattern is Chris Titus Tech’s Windows Utility, commonly launched with `irm christitus.com/win | iex`. The tool is positioned as a Windows utility for installs, tweaks, fixes, configuration, and updates, and its public GitHub repository presents it as a curated toolbox for streamlining Windows setup and optimization. The reason this utility became popular is pretty obvious once you look at what it does. It can install and update applications, apply common Windows tweaks, expose repair options, reset parts of the update stack, and provide one place for a variety of advanced Windows maintenance actions. For fresh installs or repeated rebuilds, that kind of consolidation is genuinely useful. There is a broader lesson here too. Not every `irm | iex` command is shady or malicious. Some are simply convenient launchers for open, community-reviewed utilities hosted by known authors with visible code and documentation. That does not make them risk-free, but it does make them meaningfully different from random pastebin payloads or scripts distributed through anonymous redirect domains. ## The activation script command The second command that often appears beside the WinUtil example is `irm https://get.activated.win | iex`. In practice, this is associated with Microsoft Activation Scripts, commonly known as MAS, which are widely discussed as a toolkit for activating Windows and Office through scripted methods rather than standard retail key entry. From a purely technical perspective, this follows the same execution pattern as the WinUtil command: download a remote script and run it immediately. The difference is the purpose. Instead of helping you install apps or tweak Windows, it targets activation flows and licensing behavior. That makes it a very different category of tool, not only technically but also legally and ethically. I want to be careful here: understanding how these commands work is useful, but that should not be confused with endorsing them for bypassing licensing. In business, professional, or client environments, anything that touches activation outside official channels can create legal, compliance, and support issues. Even in personal labs, users should understand that “works” and “recommended” are not the same thing. ## Why power users love one-liners There are solid reasons these commands took off. First, they are frictionless. You can paste a single line into an elevated PowerShell window and immediately get access to a much larger automation flow. Second, they are easy to keep updated. The script author can improve the code server-side without requiring users to redownload a new file manually. Third, they are easy to teach. A blog, a README, or a tutorial video can present one command instead of a five-step setup process. This distribution model is especially attractive for Windows maintenance and bootstrap scenarios. If you rebuild machines often, maintain multiple PCs, or help less technical users recover broken systems, the time savings are real. A one-liner launcher can turn a 20-minute sequence into a 20-second entry point. That is powerful, and it explains why the pattern keeps showing up. ## The security reality of `irm ... | iex` Now the uncomfortable part. `Invoke-Expression` should be used only as a last resort, because safer and more robust alternatives are usually available. Once you combine that with a remote fetch, the trust boundary gets even weaker. If the server changes the script, the command still runs. If a domain is compromised, the command still runs. If the user has not reviewed the script and launches it in an administrative shell, the remote code may execute with sweeping access to system configuration, services, networking, package installations, and core Windows repair tools. This is why I strongly believe that technical users should stop treating all one-liners as equal. A known open GitHub project with visible code, active maintenance, and a track record is one thing. A mystery domain that resolves to an opaque payload is something else entirely. The command syntax looks the same, but the trust model does not. ## My GeekLord script: Forge Maintenance After revisiting the original batch-based maintenance workflow I had on hand, I decided to turn it into a cleaner, safer, and more presentable PowerShell tool for GeekLord readers. The result is **GeekLord Forge Maintenance**, a Windows maintenance script designed for advanced users who want a practical set of repair tasks without the rough edges of an old-school batch file. The original batch script handled six jobs: upgrading applications with WinGet, refreshing IP configuration, flushing DNS and resetting Winsock and the IP stack, running `sfc /scannow`, repairing the Windows image with `DISM /RestoreHealth`, and scheduling `chkdsk /r` for the next reboot. That is a solid maintenance baseline, but I wanted something more deliberate and safer for public use. So the GeekLord PowerShell version adds three important improvements. First, it creates a restore point when possible. Second, it logs the session using `Start-Transcript`, which records commands and console output into a text file for later review. Third, it introduces confirmation prompts so that more disruptive actions are not executed silently. In short, this is my preferred version of a maintenance one-liner for GeekLord readers: transparent, branded, practical, and much easier to audit than a raw batch file tossed around in a ZIP archive. ## Running GeekLord Forge Maintenance I host the script on GeekLord, so the whole tool runs from a single line in an elevated PowerShell window: ```powershell irm https://geeklord.com/forge-maintenance.ps1 | iex ``` That single command fetches the current script and runs it in your session. It first checks that you are elevated, offers to create a System Restore point, and then works through its six maintenance tasks: WinGet upgrades, an IP release and renew, a DNS and Winsock/IP reset, `sfc /scannow`, `DISM /RestoreHealth`, and scheduling `chkdsk /r` for the next reboot. Disruptive steps ask before they run, the whole session is written to a transcript log, and a summary table reports how each step finished. Prefer to read before you run? That is the safer habit, and I encourage it. Download `forge-maintenance.ps1`, open it in any editor, and once you are happy with it, run it locally from an elevated prompt: ```powershell Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope Process -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Force .\forge-maintenance.ps1 ``` Running the file directly also unlocks a few switches for finer control: `-WhatIf` previews every step without changing anything, `-Yes` auto-approves the prompts for unattended runs, and there is a `-Skip*` switch for each task (such as `-SkipCheckDisk` or `-SkipWinget`) so you can run only the parts you need. ## Best practices before running remote PowerShell Even when the script is yours, there are a few habits worth keeping. First, host over HTTPS and keep the file under your own domain. Second, publish readable source code, not obfuscated payloads. Third, where practical, provide a “download and inspect first” path alongside the one-liner. And fourth, build safety into the script itself, which is exactly why I added transcript logging, restore point creation, and confirmation prompts to GeekLord Forge Maintenance. For readers who want the convenience of one-liners without blind trust, that is the real sweet spot. Use the network as a delivery channel, but do not abandon transparency. A good PowerShell bootstrap script should be easy to read, easy to test, and careful about the actions it performs on a user’s machine. ## Final thoughts PowerShell one-liners like `irm christitus.com/win | iex` became popular for a reason: they reduce friction and unlock serious automation from a single command. My view is simple. Learn the pattern, understand the risk, treat activation-related tooling with caution, and prefer scripts that are visible, reviewable, and responsibly designed. That is also the philosophy behind GeekLord Forge Maintenance: practical Windows repair automation with better safety rails, better logging, and cleaner user prompts than the average copy-paste one-liner on the internet. If you are the kind of user who likes solving Windows problems from a terminal, that balance matters. Fast is good. Clear is better. Safe and clear is what I aim for on GeekLord. --- # Qwen-Image-2512: Alibaba's Revolutionary Open-Source Leap in AI Image Generation URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2026/01/02/qwen-image-2512-alibabas-revolutionary-open-source-leap-in-ai-image-generation/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2026-01-02 Reading Time: 6 minutes - **Launched on New Year's Eve 2025**, Qwen-Image-2512 is an upgraded text-to-image model from Alibaba's Qwen team, focusing on realistic humans, detailed natural elements, and accurate text rendering. - **Top-ranked open-source model** on AI Arena benchmarks, competing closely with closed-source giants like DALL-E or Google's NanoBanana Pro, based on over 10,000 blind evaluations. - **Freely accessible** under Apache 2.0 license, available on platforms like Hugging Face and GitHub, making it ideal for creators, artists, and developers. - **Community buzz is positive**, with users praising its reduced "AI-look" and practical applications, though some note slower generation speeds compared to lighter models. ### What Makes It Stand Out Qwen-Image-2512 builds on its August 2025 predecessor by addressing common AI image flaws. It generates hyper-realistic outputs that feel professional, such as lifelike portraits or intricate landscapes. For example, prompting for a "serene mountain scene at dusk" yields photoshoot-quality results without uncanny distortions. ### Practical Uses This model shines in content creation, marketing, and education. Its improved text integration suits infographics or posters, while enhanced realism supports e-commerce visuals or artistic projects. Early tests show it handles complex prompts well, like detailed human poses or environmental details. ### Example Image [caption id="attachment_564" align="alignnone" width="1664"][](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/qwen-2512-sample-image.jpg) Prompt Used: Snapchat photo of an amateur young teenage female, high detail, wide angle, amateur photography, shot on iPhone, 35mm focal length, 2.8 aperture[/caption] ### Getting Started Try it via Qwen Chat ([https://chat.qwen.ai/?inputFeature=t2i](https://chat.qwen.ai/?inputFeature=t2i)) or download from Hugging Face ([https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2512](https://huggingface.co/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2512)). For local setup, use frameworks like ComfyUI on hardware such as an RTX 4090. You can also check it out on Hugging Face Space here: [https://huggingface.co/spaces/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2512](https://huggingface.co/spaces/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2512) For more depth, including examples and comparisons, see below. --- ## Table of Contents 1. [Introduction](#introduction) 2. [Evolution from Previous Models](#evolution-from-previous-models) 3. [Key Features and Improvements](#key-features-and-improvements) 4. [Performance Benchmarks and Comparisons](#performance-benchmarks-and-comparisons) 5. [User Reactions and Community Feedback](#user-reactions-and-community-feedback) 6. [Access and Implementation Guide](#access-and-implementation-guide) 7. [Real-World Examples and Generated Images](#real-world-examples-and-generated-images) 8. [Broader Implications for AI and Creativity](#broader-implications-for-ai-and-creativity) 9. [Potential Challenges and Ethical Considerations](#potential-challenges-and-ethical-considerations) 10. [Conclusion](#conclusion) ## Introduction In the fast-evolving world of generative AI, Alibaba's Qwen team has unveiled Qwen-Image-2512, a 20-billion-parameter text-to-image model released on December 31, 2025—just in time for New Year's celebrations. This open-source powerhouse, built on the Multi-Modal Diffusion Transformer (MMDiT) architecture, promises to bridge the gap between experimental AI art and professional-grade imagery. By tackling persistent issues like unnatural human depictions and poor texture fidelity, it positions itself as a formidable contender against proprietary models from tech giants like Google and OpenAI. As AI democratizes creative tools, models like Qwen-Image-2512 empower artists, marketers, and educators to produce high-quality visuals without hefty subscription fees. This post dives deep into its features, performance, and impact, drawing from official announcements, user tests, and expert analyses. ## Evolution from Previous Models Qwen-Image-2512 is the December upgrade to the base Qwen-Image model launched in August 2025. The original version laid the groundwork with strong prompt adherence and multimodal capabilities, but users often critiqued its "plastic" AI aesthetic and inconsistencies in details like hands or fur textures. Through iterative fine-tuning on diverse datasets, the 2512 variant refines these aspects, resulting in outputs that feel more organic and usable. This evolution reflects Alibaba's broader Qwen ecosystem, which includes multimodal vision-language models like Qwen2-VL and reasoning-focused ones like Qwen-QvQ. For context, check the official GitHub repository: [QwenLM/Qwen-Image](https://github.com/QwenLM/Qwen-Image).   ## Key Features and Improvements Qwen-Image-2512 excels in three core areas: - **Enhanced Human Realism**: It minimizes distortions in faces, postures, and skin tones. For instance, it renders wrinkles, hair strands, and expressions with lifelike precision, reducing the infamous "AI-generated" vibe. - **Finer Natural Details**: Landscapes, water flows, animal fur, and foliage appear immersive and believable. This is particularly useful for nature-themed prompts, where earlier models often fell short. - **Improved Text Rendering**: Text within images—such as in slides, posters, or infographics—maintains consistent fonts, layouts, and accuracy, making it a boon for professional applications. These enhancements stem from expanded training data and optimized algorithms, enabling better semantic understanding of complex prompts. ## Performance Benchmarks and Comparisons Based on over 10,000 blind human evaluations on Alibaba's AI Arena platform, Qwen-Image-2512 ranks as the top open-source text-to-image model. It holds its own against closed-source competitors, excelling in realism and prompt fidelity, though it may trade off speed for detail. Here's a comparison table summarizing key aspects: | Aspect | Qwen-Image-2512 Strengths | Comparison to Competitors | | --- | --- | --- | | Human Generation | Hyper-realistic faces, poses, and textures; minimal artifacts | Outperforms SD3 in detail; rivals DALL-E but slower than Flux Turbo | | Natural Textures | Superior rendering of fur, water, and foliage | Better than base Qwen-Image; competitive with NanoBanana Pro | | Text Integration | Accurate layouts for infographics and PPTs | Tops open-source models; challenges closed ones in workflows | | Speed & Accessibility | Runs on consumer GPUs like RTX 4090; Apache 2.0 license | Slower than Z-Image; more detailed than lighter alternatives | | Benchmark Ranking | #1 open-source on AI Arena | Strong in realism; user tests highlight prompt adherence | Note: Scores are approximated from community discussions and official claims; for precise metrics, refer to AI Arena ([https://arena.qwen.ai/](https://arena.qwen.ai/)). ## User Reactions and Community Feedback Since launch, Qwen-Image-2512 has sparked excitement on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit. Users like @ResistAiArt hailed it as the "open-source king" for crushing complex prompts, while @wlzh shared deployment tutorials and photorealistic examples on a 4090 GPU, noting slower speeds but superior quality. Comparisons with NanoBanana Pro show mixed results—Qwen excels in facial details but occasionally struggles with orientations. Chinese users, such as @opener_ai, tested it against competitors, praising text comprehension. On Hugging Face, early adopters report solid integration with ComfyUI, though some mention the need for prompt tuning. Overall, sentiment is positive, with calls for LoRA fine-tuning to boost speed. ## Access and Implementation Guide Freely available under Apache 2.0, you can: - **Test Online**: Use Qwen Chat ([https://chat.qwen.ai/?inputFeature=t2i](https://chat.qwen.ai/?inputFeature=t2i)) or demos on Hugging Face ([https://huggingface.co/spaces/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2512](https://huggingface.co/spaces/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2512)) and ModelScope ([https://modelscope.cn/models/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2512](https://modelscope.cn/models/Qwen/Qwen-Image-2512)). - **Download and Run Locally**: Grab from GitHub ([https://github.com/QwenLM/Qwen-Image](https://github.com/QwenLM/Qwen-Image)) or Replicate ([https://replicate.com/qwen/qwen-image-2512](https://replicate.com/qwen/qwen-image-2512)). Quantized versions (e.g., Q4_K_M) enable inference on modest hardware. For ComfyUI setup, follow tutorials like those from @wlzh on GitHub. API access is via DashScope ([https://dashscope.aliyun.com/](https://dashscope.aliyun.com/)). ## Real-World Examples and Generated Images Qwen-Image-2512 shines in diverse scenarios. For a prompt like "a young Asian woman in a park at dusk, realistic photo," it produces detailed, atmospheric results. Here are showcased examples: [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/image2512big-scaled.jpg) This image highlights enhanced human realism and natural lighting. [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Qwen_image2512_human.png) A landscape demo showing finer textures in foliage and water. [caption id="attachment_561" align="alignnone" width="1664"][](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/finer-textures.jpg) qwen/qwen-image-2512 | Run with an API on Replicate[/caption] An infographic example with precise text integration. User-generated: @wlzh's photorealistic portrait (seed: 1096613297, steps: 30) demonstrates its prowess in subtle details like skin texture and clothing. ## Broader Implications for AI and Creativity This release underscores China's AI ambitions, with Alibaba challenging Western dominance. As part of the Qwen family, it fosters open innovation, potentially accelerating applications in e-commerce, education, and entertainment. However, it raises questions about accessibility—empowering creators worldwide while pressuring closed models to evolve. ## Potential Challenges and Ethical Considerations While impressive, Qwen-Image-2512 isn't flawless: generation can be slower (e.g., 262 seconds for high-res on optimized setups), and ethical risks like deepfakes persist. Community-driven safeguards, such as watermarks or bias audits, are crucial. Users should refine prompts for optimal results and consider hardware limitations. ## Conclusion Qwen-Image-2512 marks a pivotal shift toward realistic, accessible AI art. By blending open-source ethos with cutting-edge performance, it invites creators to push boundaries. Whether you're an artist experimenting with prompts or a developer integrating it into workflows, this model is worth exploring. Stay tuned for updates—AI's creative frontier is just beginning. ## Key Citations - [Qwen-Image-2512: Finer Details, Greater Realism](https://qwen.ai/blog?id=qwen-image-2512) - [Qwen Image 2512 | Text to Image - Fal.ai](https://fal.ai/models/fal-ai/qwen-image-2512) - [Qwen Image-2512 First Test – The BEST Open Source Image Model!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBaK616nP6Q) - [lightx2v/Qwen-Image-2512-Lightning - Hugging Face](https://huggingface.co/lightx2v/Qwen-Image-2512-Lightning) - [qwen/qwen-image-2512 | Run with an API on Replicate](https://replicate.com/qwen/qwen-image-2512) - [Post by @wlzh on X](https://x.com/wlzh/status/2006939195353559080) - [Post by @opener_ai on X](https://x.com/opener_ai/status/2006939873626960262) - [Post by @ostrisai on X](https://x.com/ostrisai/status/2006932800826744953) --- # Ultimate Guide: ADB Commands for Android Phone Optimization and Maintenance URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2025/09/14/ultimate-guide-adb-commands-for-android-phone-optimization-and-maintenance/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2025-09-14 Reading Time: 9 minutes *Transform your Android device into a speed demon with these powerful ADB commands and expert optimization techniques.* ## Table of Contents 1. [Introduction](#introduction) 2. [Prerequisites and Setup](#prerequisites-and-setup) 3. [Performance Optimization Commands](#performance-optimization-commands) - [Animation and UI Speed Enhancement](#animation-and-ui-speed-enhancement) - [App Launch Speed Optimization](#app-launch-speed-optimization) - [Display and Performance Settings](#display-and-performance-settings) - [Touchscreen Responsiveness](#touchscreen-responsiveness) - [System Performance Optimization](#system-performance-optimization) 4. [Cache Management and Cleanup](#cache-management-and-cleanup) - [Clear All App Caches](#clear-all-app-caches) - [Clear Specific App Cache and Data](#clear-specific-app-cache-and-data) - [System Cache Management](#system-cache-management) 5. [Background Process Management](#background-process-management) - [Stop Background Processes](#stop-background-processes) - [Prevent Apps from Running in Background](#prevent-apps-from-running-in-background) 6. [Bloatware Removal and App Management](#bloatware-removal-and-app-management) - [List Installed Packages](#list-installed-packages) - [Uninstall/Disable System Apps](#uninstall-disable-system-apps) 7. [Battery Optimization Commands](#battery-optimization-commands) - [Enable Power Saving Features](#enable-power-saving-features) - [Sleep and Power Management](#sleep-and-power-management) 8. [Device Information and Monitoring](#device-information-and-monitoring) - [Memory Information](#memory-information) - [Battery Information](#battery-information) 9. [Additional Android Optimization Techniques](#additional-android-optimization-techniques) - [Developer Options Tweaks](#developer-options-tweaks) - [System Settings Optimization](#system-settings-optimization) - [Storage Management](#storage-management) 10. [Regular Maintenance Schedule](#regular-maintenance-schedule) 11. [Audio Enhancement](#audio-enhancement) 12. [Important Safety Notes](#important-safety-notes) 13. [Conclusion](#conclusion) ## Introduction [*](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Android_Optimize_ADB.png)Is your Android phone running slower than it used to? Are you experiencing lag, poor battery life, or storage issues? You're not alone. Over time, every Android device accumulates digital clutter, unnecessary background processes, and system inefficiencies that can significantly impact performance. The good news? You don't need to root your device or spend money on expensive optimization apps. With Android Debug Bridge (ADB) commands and some built-in Android features, you can transform your sluggish smartphone into a speed demon. This comprehensive guide will walk you through **proven ADB commands** and **advanced optimization techniques** that can dramatically improve your Android device's performance, extend battery life, and free up valuable storage space - all without requiring root access. ## Prerequisites and Setup Before diving into optimization, ensure you have the following setup: ### Essential Requirements - **ADB installed on your computer** - Download from Android SDK Platform Tools - **USB Debugging enabled** on your Android device - **Proper USB drivers** installed for your device - **USB cable** for connecting your device to computer - **Basic understanding** of command-line interface ### Enabling USB Debugging 1. Go to **Settings** → **About Phone** 2. Tap **Build Number** 7 times to enable Developer Options 3. Return to Settings → **Developer Options** 4. Enable **USB Debugging** 5. Connect your device via USB and authorize the computer when prompted ### Testing ADB Connection Open command prompt/terminal and run: ```bash adb devices ``` You should see your device listed. If not, check drivers and USB debugging settings. ## Performance Optimization Commands ### Animation and UI Speed Enhancement Animations significantly impact perceived device speed and battery consumption. These commands can make your device feel **2-3x faster** instantly: **Disable Window Animations:** ```bash adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.0 ``` **Disable Transition Animations:** ```bash adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.0 ``` **Disable Animator Duration:** ```bash adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.0 ``` **Alternative: Speed Up Animations (instead of disabling):** ```bash adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5 adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5 adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0.5 ``` ### App Launch Speed Optimization These commands optimize the app startup process and reduce launch times: ```bash adb shell settings put system rakuten_denwa 0 adb shell settings put system send_security_reports 0 adb shell settings put secure send_action_app_error 0 adb shell settings put global activity_starts_logging_enabled 0 ``` **For Samsung devices, disable Game Optimizing Service (GOS):** ```bash adb shell settings put secure gamesdk_version 0 adb shell settings put secure game_home_enable 0 adb shell settings put secure game_bixby_block 1 adb shell settings put secure game_auto_temperature_control 0 adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.samsung.android.game.gos ``` ### Display and Performance Settings **Adjust Refresh Rate (for supported devices):** ```bash adb shell settings put system peak_refresh_rate 120.0 adb shell settings put system min_refresh_rate 120.0 ``` Note: Adjust values based on your device's capabilities (60.0, 90.0, 120.0)* **Disable Window Blur and Transparency:** ```bash adb shell settings put global disable_window_blurs 1 adb shell settings put global accessibility_reduce_transparency 1 ``` **Enable Fixed Performance Mode:** ```bash adb shell cmd power set-fixed-performance-mode-enabled true ``` *This prevents thermal throttling and maintains consistent performance* ### Touchscreen Responsiveness Improve touch response times and reduce input lag: ```bash adb shell settings put secure long_press_timeout 250 adb shell settings put secure multi_press_timeout 250 adb shell settings put secure tap_duration_threshold 0.0 adb shell settings put secure touch_blocking_period 0.0 ``` ### System Performance Optimization **Force GPU Rendering for smoother graphics:** ```bash adb shell setprop debug.force-opengl 1 ``` **Enable Multicore Packet Scheduler:** ```bash adb shell settings put system multicore_packet_scheduler 1 ``` **Enhanced CPU Responsiveness:** ```bash adb shell settings put global sem_enhanced_cpu_responsiveness 1 ``` **Disable RAM Plus (for Samsung devices):** ```bash adb shell settings put global zram_enabled 0 adb shell settings put global ram_expand_size_list 0 ``` ## Cache Management and Cleanup ### Clear All App Caches The most effective single command to clear all app caches: ```bash adb shell pm trim-caches 128G ``` This command works by specifying a target size larger than your device storage, forcing Android to clear all available caches. ### Clear Specific App Cache and Data **Clear both cache and data for a specific app:** ```bash adb shell pm clear ``` **Example:** ```bash adb shell pm clear com.facebook.katana ``` **Clear cache and data for ALL apps:** ```bash adb shell cmd package list packages|cut -d":" -f2|while read package ;do pm clear $package;done ``` *Warning: This will reset all app data and settings* ### System Cache Management **Clear system cache partition (where available):** Access through recovery mode on devices with traditional partitions. Note that many newer devices use A/B partitions where system cache clearing is handled automatically. ## Background Process Management ### Stop Background Processes **List all running processes:** ```bash adb shell ps ``` **Check memory usage by process:** ```bash adb shell top -s 6 ``` **Check CPU usage by process:** ```bash adb shell top -s 9 ``` **Kill specific process by PID:** ```bash adb shell kill ``` ### Prevent Apps from Running in Background **Stop specific app from running in background:** ```bash adb shell cmd appops set <package-name> RUN_IN_BACKGROUND ignore ``` **Force stop an app:** ```bash adb shell am force-stop ``` **Example - Stop Facebook from running in background:** ```bash adb shell cmd appops set com.facebook.katana RUN_IN_BACKGROUND ignore ``` ## Bloatware Removal and App Management ### List Installed Packages **List all packages:** ```bash adb shell pm list packages ``` **List third-party packages only:** ```bash adb shell pm list packages -3 ``` **List system packages only:** ```bash adb shell pm list packages -s ``` **Search for specific app:** ```bash adb shell pm list packages | grep ``` ### Uninstall/Disable System Apps **Uninstall system app (user-level, can be restored):** ```bash adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 ``` **Disable system app:** ```bash adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 ``` **Re-enable disabled app:** ```bash adb shell pm enable ``` **Common bloatware packages to remove:** - `com.samsung.android.bixby.agent` - Bixby Assistant - `com.facebook.system` - Facebook App Manager - `com.netflix.mediaclient` - Netflix (if pre-installed) - `com.microsoft.office.excel` - Pre-installed Office apps ## Battery Optimization Commands ### Enable Power Saving Features **Enable battery saver mode:** ```bash adb shell settings put global low_power 1 ``` **Disable battery saver mode:** ```bash adb shell settings put global low_power 0 ``` **Enable automatic power saving:** ```bash adb shell settings put global automatic_power_save_mode 1 adb shell settings put global dynamic_power_savings_enabled 1 ``` ### Sleep and Power Management **Disable intelligent sleep mode:** ```bash adb shell settings put system intelligent_sleep_mode 0 ``` **Disable adaptive sleep:** ```bash adb shell settings put secure adaptive_sleep 0 ``` **Enable app restriction for better battery:** ```bash adb shell settings put global app_restriction_enabled true ``` ## Device Information and Monitoring ### Memory Information **Check memory usage for specific app:** ```bash adb shell dumpsys meminfo ``` **Check overall device memory:** ```bash adb shell dumpsys meminfo ``` **Get available memory:** ```bash adb shell cat /proc/meminfo ``` ### Battery Information **Check battery status:** ```bash adb shell dumpsys battery ``` **Check battery statistics:** ```bash adb shell dumpsys batterystats ``` **Set battery level for testing:** ```bash adb shell dumpsys battery set level adb shell dumpsys battery reset ``` ## Additional Android Optimization Techniques ### Developer Options Tweaks Beyond ADB commands, several built-in Android settings can significantly boost performance: **1. Background Process Limit** - Go to **Developer Options** → **Background Process Limit** - Set to **"At most 2 processes"** or **"At most 1 process"** - This prevents excessive background app activity **2. Animation Scales (Alternative to ADB method)** - **Window animation scale**: Set to **0.5x** or **Off** - **Transition animation scale**: Set to **0.5x** or **Off** - **Animator duration scale**: Set to **0.5x** or **Off** **3. Hardware Acceleration** - Enable **"Force GPU rendering"** - Enable **"Disable HW overlays"** - These force GPU acceleration for smoother performance ### System Settings Optimization **1. Reduce Visual Effects** - Disable **Live Wallpapers** - Use **Static Wallpapers** instead - Disable **Transition Effects** in launcher settings **2. Notification Management** - Disable notifications for unnecessary apps - Use **Do Not Disturb** modes effectively - Limit apps with **notification access** **3. Location Services** - Set location accuracy to **"Device only"** when high precision isn't needed - Disable **"Google Location History"** - Turn off **"Wi-Fi scanning"** and **"Bluetooth scanning"** ### Storage Management **1. Smart Storage Cleanup** - Use built-in **"Smart Switch"** or **"Device Care"** features - Enable **"Auto-delete backed up photos"** - Regularly clear **Downloads** folder **2. App Data Management** - Use **"Lite"** versions of apps when available - Move large apps to **SD card** (if supported) - Regularly clear app caches through Settings ## Regular Maintenance Schedule ### Daily Tasks (Automated where possible) - **Restart device** once every 2-3 days - **Check and close** unnecessary background apps - **Monitor battery usage** for abnormal drain ### Weekly Tasks - **Clear app caches** using ADB or built-in tools - **Review and remove** unused apps - **Check storage space** and clean up files - **Update apps** to latest versions ### Monthly Tasks - **Run full device optimization** using built-in tools - **Review and adjust** Developer Options settings - **Check for system updates** - **Backup important data** before major changes ### Quarterly Tasks - **Factory reset** if device performance significantly degrades - **Review and update** ADB optimization commands - **Clean physical device** (charging port, speakers, etc.) ## Audio Enhancement Enhance audio quality and processing: ```bash adb shell settings put system k2hd_effect 1 adb shell settings put system tube_amp_effect 1 ``` **Dolby Atmos (for supported devices):** ```bash adb shell settings put system dolby_enable 1 ``` ## Important Safety Notes ### Before You Begin 1. **Create a Full Backup**: Always backup your device before making system-level changes 2. **Research Package Names**: Never uninstall system apps without knowing their function 3. **Start Small**: Test one change at a time to identify any issues 4. **Keep Recovery Options Ready**: Know how to factory reset your device if needed ### Recovery Methods **If something goes wrong:** - **Factory Reset**: Restores all system apps and settings - **Safe Mode**: Boot device in safe mode to troubleshoot - **ADB Restore**: Re-enable disabled apps using `adb shell pm enable ` ### Best Practices - **Test commands individually** before running batch scripts - **Document changes** you make for future reference - **Monitor device behavior** after implementing changes - **Reboot device** after making significant changes ### Warning Signs to Watch For - **Unexpected crashes** or system instability - **Missing essential functions** (calls, SMS, camera) - **Excessive battery drain** after optimization - **Boot loops** or startup issues ## Conclusion With these comprehensive ADB commands and optimization techniques, you now have the power to transform your Android device's performance without spending a penny on new hardware or premium apps. The key to successful optimization lies in **systematic implementation** and **regular maintenance**. ### Key Takeaways - **Start with animation disabling** for immediate perceived speed improvements - **Use cache clearing commands regularly** to maintain optimal storage - **Monitor background processes** and disable unnecessary ones - **Implement a regular maintenance schedule** to prevent performance degradation - **Always prioritize safety** by backing up and testing changes incrementally ### Expected Results Following this guide should result in: - **30-50% improvement** in app launch times - **Significantly smoother** user interface interactions - **Extended battery life** through optimized background processes - **More available storage** through systematic cache management - **Overall enhanced user experience** comparable to a newer device Remember, optimization is an ongoing process. Regular maintenance using these techniques will keep your Android device running at peak performance for years to come. Whether you're using a budget device or a flagship smartphone, these commands and techniques will help you unlock your device's full potential. **Happy optimizing!** Your Android device will thank you for the performance boost, and you'll enjoy a smoother, faster mobile experience without the need for expensive upgrades. --- # Who invented the Wheel: A Journey Through Ancient Innovation URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2025/02/10/who-invented-the-wheel-a-journey-through-ancient-innovation/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2025-02-10 Reading Time: 4 minutes The wheel, a cornerstone of human technological progress, is often hailed as one of humanity's most transformative inventions. Yet, its origins are shrouded in the mists of prehistory, with no single individual credited for its creation. Instead, the wheel emerged from the collective ingenuity of ancient civilizations, evolving over millennia to become a linchpin of transportation, industry, and culture. This article explores the fascinating history of the wheel, tracing its earliest known uses, its diffusion across civilizations, and its profound impact on human society. ### **Earliest Evidence: Mesopotamia and Beyond** The wheel's story begins in **ancient Mesopotamia** (modern-day Iraq) around **3500 BCE**, where the earliest evidence of wheeled vehicles appears. Archaeological discoveries, such as clay tablets and pictographs, depict sledges transitioning into wheeled carts. These early wheels were **solid wooden discs**, crafted from planks lashed together and rounded into a circular shape. Initially used for **pottery** - a rotary device known as the potter's wheel predates transport wheels by centuries - the technology was adapted for mobility by pairing wheels with a fixed axle, a critical innovation that allowed smooth rotation. However, Mesopotamia is not the sole claimant to early wheel use. In 2002, a wooden wheel dated to **3200 BCE** was unearthed in Slovenia's Ljubljana Marshes, signaling that wheel technology spread rapidly across Eurasia or possibly arose independently in Europe. Similarly, the **Indus Valley Civilization** (circa 3000 BCE) utilized wheeled carts, as evidenced by toy models and seals depicting ox-drawn vehicles. ### **The Axle: A Revolutionary Pairing** The true breakthrough lay not in the wheel itself but in its combination with the **axle**. Early axles were simple cylindrical rods, but crafting a stable, low-friction interface between wheel and axle required remarkable precision. Mesopotamian artisans likely used copper chisels and saws to shape hardwood axles, enabling the birth of wheeled transport. This innovation revolutionized trade and warfare, as carts hauled goods and chariots became instruments of conquest. By **2000 BCE**, lighter **spoked wheels** emerged in Egypt and the Eurasian steppes, exemplified by the Sintashta culture's war chariots, which prioritized speed and maneuverability. ### **Global Perspectives: Independent Invention or Cultural Diffusion?** While Eurasia embraced the wheel, its adoption was uneven globally. In the **Americas**, wheeled toys from **Mesoamerica** (circa 1500 BCE) suggest knowledge of the wheel, yet no wheeled vehicles existed. Scholars speculate that dense jungles, mountainous terrain, and the absence of large draft animals like horses or oxen limited its utility. Conversely, the **Inca Empire** built vast roads but relied on llamas and human porters, underscoring how geography and resources shaped technological choices. In **China**, wheeled vehicles appeared by **1200 BCE**, possibly through contact with steppe nomads. The Chinese later innovated with the wheelbarrow (circa 100 CE), enhancing agricultural efficiency. Meanwhile, water wheels and gears, developed in the Hellenistic world (3rd century BCE), expanded the wheel's applications beyond transport into milling and machinery. ### **Why Did the Wheel Take So Long to Invent?** Given its apparent simplicity, the wheel's late emergence - nearly 300,000 years after modern humans evolved - puzzles historians. Several theories explain this delay: 1. **Technological Barriers**: Crafting a functional axle-wheel assembly required advanced woodworking tools, such as metal chisels, which only became widespread after the Bronze Age (3300 - 1200 BCE). 2. **Societal Needs**: Sedentary agrarian societies, reliant on surplus goods and trade, had greater incentive to develop wheeled transport than nomadic groups. 3. **Conceptual Hurdles**: The wheel's operation hinges on understanding rotational motion, a non-intuitive principle in a world dominated by linear movement. ### **Legacy and Impact** The wheel's influence permeates every facet of modern life. It enabled the rise of cities by facilitating trade, spurred military advancements through chariots and later tanks, and underpinned industrial machinery during the 18th-century Industrial Revolution. Symbolically, the wheel endures as a metaphor for cyclical time, progress, and fortune across cultures. ### **Conclusion** The wheel's invention was not a singular event but a cumulative process shaped by necessity, environment, and cross-cultural exchange. From the fertile crescent of Mesopotamia to the river valleys of the Indus and beyond, the wheel's journey reflects humanity's shared ingenuity. While its origins remain anonymous, its legacy is universal - a testament to the enduring power of human innovation. --- # Unlocking Creativity: A Comprehensive Review of Renderforest's Versatile Content Creation Platform URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2024/04/16/unlocking-creativity-a-comprehensive-review-of-renderforests-versatile-content-creation-platform/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2024-04-16 Reading Time: 3 minutes > Discover the power of Renderforest through our in-depth review! Explore video editing, logo creation, animations, and more on this versatile content creation platform. **Renderforest** [ [https://www.renderforest.com/](https://www.renderforest.com/) ] is a versatile online platform that offers a range of tools for creating professional-quality videos, animations, logos, and websites. I created a logo animation for my company and everyone loved it. [video width="500" mp4="https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Clean-LineStyle-Logo_free.mp4"][/video] And here is another one with the same logo. [video width="500" mp4="https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Clean-Layered-Logo-Reveal_free.mp4"][/video] You won't believe it took me just a few minutes to create these. 😊 Here’s a detailed review covering various aspects of Renderforest: 1. **Ease of Use:** Renderforest has an intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners to get started with creating content. The drag-and-drop functionality allows users to add and arrange elements effortlessly, and the platform provides helpful tutorials and guides to assist users along the way. 2. **Video Creation:** One of Renderforest’s standout features is its video creation tool. Users can choose from a wide variety of templates for different purposes such as promotional videos, presentations, animations, and more. The template library is extensive and includes options for different industries and styles. 3. **Customization Options:** Renderforest allows users to customize their creations extensively. Users can add text, images, videos, and music to personalize their projects. The platform also offers advanced editing features such as transitions, effects, and color adjustments to enhance the overall look of the videos. 4. **Logo Maker:** Renderforest’s logo maker tool is another highlight. Users can create professional logos using pre-designed templates and customize them to suit their brand identity. The platform provides a range of icons, fonts, and colors to choose from, enabling users to create unique and eye-catching logos. 5. **Animation Tool:** For those looking to create animated videos or presentations, Renderforest offers a powerful animation tool. Users can animate text, shapes, and characters, adding movement and visual appeal to their projects. 6. **Music Library:** Renderforest provides access to a vast library of royalty-free music tracks that users can use in their videos and animations. This eliminates the need to source music separately and ensures legal compliance for commercial use. 7. **Exporting and Sharing:** Once projects are completed, Renderforest allows users to export their creations in various formats, including HD video. Projects can also be directly shared to social media platforms or downloaded for offline use. 8. **Cost:** Renderforest offers a range of pricing plans, including a free plan with limited features and watermarked videos. Paid plans unlock additional features such as high-definition exports, full customization options, and access to premium templates and music tracks. 9. **Customer Support:** Renderforest provides customer support through email and a knowledge base. While their support is generally responsive, some users may prefer more immediate support options such as live chat or phone support. Overall, [Renderforest](https://www.renderforest.com/) is a comprehensive platform suitable for individuals and businesses looking to create high-quality visual content without the need for specialized software or skills. Its user-friendly interface, extensive template library, customization options, and affordable pricing make it a popular choice among content creators. --- # How do we know the age of the Earth? URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2023/11/13/how-do-we-know-the-age-of-the-earth/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2023-11-13 Reading Time: 2 minutes [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pexels-anna-shvets-4167566-scaled.jpg)The age of the Earth is estimated using various scientific methods, and one of the most widely accepted methods is the radiometric dating of rocks and minerals. Here's a brief overview of how this works: **Radiometric Dating:** Radiometric dating relies on the decay of radioactive isotopes. Certain elements in rocks and minerals contain radioactive isotopes that decay over time at a known rate. The most common method used for dating rocks on Earth is the decay of uranium to lead. Uranium-238 decays to lead-206, and uranium-235 decays to lead-207. By measuring the ratio of parent isotope to daughter isotope in a sample, scientists can calculate how much time has passed since the rock or mineral formed. **Zircon Crystals:** Zircon crystals are often used in radiometric dating because they contain trace amounts of uranium, which undergoes radioactive decay to form lead. Zircon crystals are resistant to weathering and can be found in a variety of rock types. **Moon Rocks:** Some of the rocks brought back from the Moon during the Apollo missions were used to determine the age of the Moon and, by extension, the age of the Earth. This is because the Earth and Moon are thought to have formed around the same time. **Meteorites:** Certain types of meteorites, particularly chondrites, are believed to be remnants from the early solar system. By dating these meteorites, scientists can infer the age of the solar system, including Earth. Other Dating Methods: **Other dating methods**, such as luminescence dating and electron spin resonance dating, can be used for more recent geological events, but they are generally not as precise as radiometric dating for older rocks. The currently accepted age of the Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years. This value is based on a combination of radiometric dating of Earth rocks and minerals, dating of Moon rocks, and the ages of certain meteorites. It's important to note that as technology advances, our understanding of Earth's age may become more refined, but the general consensus on the age remains within the range mentioned. --- # What Precipitated the Southwest Airways Christmas Meltdown URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2023/01/30/what-precipitated-the-southwest-airways-christmas-meltdown/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2023-01-30 Reading Time: 3 minutes   ## What Precipitated the Southwest Airways Christmas Meltdown? The Southwest Airways Christmas meltdown of 2017 became as soon as an huge embarrassment for the airline and a important danger for customers. Thousands of purchasers had been stranded after a vitality outage induced the airline to ground all flights at their largest hub, Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport in Phoenix, on the evening of December 18th. A total bunch of flights had been cancelled and hundreds of passengers all of sudden realized themselves stuck in the airport, without a files about what to attach subsequent. ### Causes of the Christmas Meltdown There are a variety of theories about what induced the Christmas meltdown. These are some of essentially the most plausible: - **Strength Outage:** The principle reason in the abet of the meltdown became as soon as a vitality outage, which became as soon as likely induced by the mix of extremely sizzling climate and the excessive number of passengers the airport became as soon as going by. The excessive ask put too noteworthy tension on the vitality systems, resulting in a broad scheme failure.   - **Malfunctioning Laptop Intention:** In accordance to Southwest Airways, the laptop scheme at Sky Harbor also malfunctioned, leaving the workers on the hours of darkness about the particular option to rebook prospects whose flights had been cancelled.   - **Heart-broken Communication:** Communication between Southwest Airways and the prospects became as soon as heart-broken. Many purchasers reported ready in line for hours without a files from the airline. Additionally, the resolution heart became as soon as overwhelmed attributable to the broad number of stranded prospects trying to be triumphant in customer provider.   ### The Aftermath The meltdown ended in widespread outrage from prospects and ended in the airline to field a public apology. The airline also offered various sorts of compensation, including refunds for cancelled flights and vouchers for future flights. Within the cease, the meltdown label Southwest Airways an estimated $15-25 million in misplaced set sales. ### Classes Learned The meltdown became as soon as a stark reminder that even the principle and most reputable airlines are liable to scheme failures. Southwest Airways has taken steps to create optimistic such an incident doesn’t happen all yet again, including revamping its computer systems, investing in better customer provider, and offering particular incentives to prospects tormented by the meltdown. Within the kill, the meltdown serves as a cautionary myth for airlines: customer skills is serious for success. In characterize to contend with away from identical meltdowns in the lengthy bustle, airlines must make investments in customer provider and create optimistic their computer systems are as much as the assignment of handling excessive customer ask. --- # WordPress Tutorials for Beginners: How to Build a WordPress Website in 2022 URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2022/06/14/wordpress-tutorials-for-beginners-how-to-build-a-wordpress-website-in-2022/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2022-06-14 Reading Time: 2 minutes WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows you to easily create a website or blog from scratch, or to improve an existing website. It is extremely user-friendly and has a wide range of features, making it one of the most popular CMS platforms available today. If you're looking to create a WordPress website or blog, you're in luck. There are a ton of great WordPress tutorials out there that can help you get started. In this article, we'll share some of the best WordPress tutorials for beginners. 1. **WordPress.com**: WordPress.com is a great resource for those looking to create a WordPress website or blog. They offer a variety of tutorials, including a WordPress 101 course, which is perfect for beginners. 2.  **Silva Web designs [WordPress Tutorials](https://silvawebdesigns.com/blog/)**: Are you looking for further development tips, and techniques; especially ones involving [Web Development](https://silvawebdesigns.com/) and WordPress Tutorials? Check out this blog which specialises in WordPress Tutorials. They also have some great articles for HTML, CSS, PHP, jQuery, MySQL, WordPress, WooCommerce, and various other articles related to Digital Development and Digital Design. 3. **WPBeginner**: WPBeginner is another great resource for WordPress beginners. They offer step-by-step tutorials, video tutorials, and a wide range of other resources to help you get started with WordPress. 4. **Tuts+**: Tuts+ is a great resource for all things WordPress. They offer a variety of tutorials on everything from setting up WordPress to customizing your theme. 5. **Lynda**: Lynda is a great resource for those looking to learn more about WordPress. They offer a wide range of video tutorials on various aspects of WordPress. These are just a few of the great WordPress tutorials available. With so many resources available, there's no excuse not to get started with WordPress today. --- # What are some wonderful facts? URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2022/03/19/what-are-some-wonderful-facts/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2022-03-19 Reading Time: 9 minutes Here are a few facts which blew my mind when I came to know about them: 1. We only see one side of the moon. The rotation and revolution period of the moon around the earth is equal. 2. You dig a tunnel through the center of the earth, it will take you 42.2 minutes to travel from one point to other. In fact, you dig a tunnel along any chord of sphere earth, it will take the same time, 42.2 minutes. ([A Journey Through the Earth!!!](http://worldischangingblog.blogspot.in/2014/08/a-journey-through-earth.html)) 3. F1 cars at high speed generate enough downforce that they can be driven upside down (for example upside down under a bridge). 4. Around 1920, a wind tunnel experiment was carried out on a car. It showed that car experienced lesser drag (resistive force) while moving in the reverse direction at the same speed. 5. Aircrafts reaching the speed of sound and going beyond it took flight in the early 1940s. And we are still using technologies developed in the '60s in most aircraft, however, Avionics is quite advanced today. 6. We have never been to the moon after the Apollo mission. It has been decades!!!! 7. Voyager spacecraft was sent into deep space in 1977 and that was the last time we did something like that. 8. Cassini's mission trajectory is just mind-blowing. From earth, it goes to Venus, uses its gravity to get back to earth, takes a turn back using earth's gravity back to venus and to earth again. Then it uses Jupiter to turn slightly and finally reaches Saturn. ([http://www.nicolascretton.ch/Ast...](http://www.nicolascretton.ch/Astronomy/Cassini-Huygens/Cassini_orbit_Earth_to_Saturn_from_above.jpg)) 9. When we look at a star that is X light year away from us. We are actually looking into the past. We are looking at a star, the way it was X years ago. It may not even exist now!!! 10. This one is from a lecture by Lawrence Krauss. The universe is expanding and everything we see out there in the cosmos is going away. In a near astronomical year, we may not be able to see anything out there as there is only a tiny fraction of the universe which is observable and after some time everything will disappear in dark leaving us alone. A list of 50 interesting facts that will amaze you. 1) If one places a tiny amount of liquor on a scorpion, it will instantly go mad and sting itself to death. 2) Researchers have found out that doctors playing video games make 37% fewer mistakes in laparoscopic surgery than surgeons who don't play. 3) The average person spends about two years on the phone in a lifetime. 4) The first product to have a bar code was Wrigley's Gum. 5) Hawaii is moving towards Japan four inches every year. 6) Hong Kong holds the most Rolls Royce's per capita. 7) A company in Taiwan makes dinnerware out of wheat, so you can eat your plate. 8) There is no such thing as naturally blue food. 9) For the first time in history, the number of people on the planet aged 60 or above will soon surpass those under five. 10) Mount Olympus Mons on Mars is three times the size of Mount Everest. 11) Newborn babies are given to the wrong mothers in the hospital 12 times a day worldwide. 12) Estonia holds the record for the highest per capita consumption of alcohol. The Czech Republic has the highest per capita beer consumption. 13) About 3000 years ago, most Egyptians died by the time they were 30. 14) A strand from the web of a golden spider is as strong as a steel wire of the same size. 15) Chicago is closer to Moscow than it is to Rio de Janerio. 16) Rice is the staple food for 50% of the world's population. 17) Napoleon's penis was sold to an American Urologist for $40,000. 18) When you sneeze, air and dust particles travel through the nostrils at speeds over 100 mph. 19) Money is the number one thing that couples argue about. 20) When a Hawaiian woman wears a flower over her left ear, it means that she is not available. 21) There are about 1008 McDonald's franchises in France. 22) Humans have had dogs as companions and workers for more than 14000 years. 23)  People are 50% more likely to agree to do what you ask them if you speak into their right ear and lightly touch their forearm. 24) There are more plastic flamingos in the United States than real ones. 25) A cat has 32 muscles in each ear. 26) All the blinking in one day equates to having your eyes shut for 30 minutes. 27) In the Philippine jungle, the yo-yo was first used as a weapon. 28) The most common name in the world is Mohammed. 29) According to Genesis 1:20-22, the chicken came before the egg. 30) There are 2,000,000 millionaires in the United States. 31) Grapes explode when you put them in a microwave. 32) The average North American will eat 35,000 cookies during their life span. 33) There is a bar in London that sells vaporized vodka, which is inhaled instead of sipped. 34) The chance that you will die on the way to buy a lottery ticket is greater than the chance of you winning the big prize in most lotteries. 35) In a deck of cards, the King of Hearts is the only King without a mustache. 36) In medieval France, unfaithful wives were made to chase a chicken through the town naked. 37) Count the number of cricket chirps in a 15-second period, add 37 to the total, and your result will be very close to the actual outdoor Fahrenheit temperature. 38) The Spanish word 'esposa' means wife. The plural, 'esposas' also means handcuffs. 39) If you put a can of Diet Coke in water, it floats. Regular Coca-Cola sinks. 40) The amount of computer memory required to run WordPerfect for Win95 is eight times the amount needed aboard a space shuttle. 41) Iceland consumes more Coca-Cola per capita than any other nation. 42) A new study found that math and science homework doesn't help improve grades. 43) Genghis Khan’s many wives and his penchant for rape and pillage might have seen him sire hundreds or even thousands of children. According to a famous 2003 genetic study, around one in 200 living men carry a form of the Y chromosome that may have originated with the Great Khan himself. If true, that would mean that 0.5 percent of the world’s male population are his direct descendants. Also, Genghis Khan is famous for the number of people he killed in his quests. His attacks may have reduced the entire world population by as much as 11 percent. 44) 'E.g.' stands for "exempli gratia" which is Latin for 'for example. Likewise, 'OK' stands for "Ol Korrect" which means 'all correct'. 45) Chocolates, Oysters, Avocados and Bananas make people horny. 46) Our fingers get wrinkly in water because wrinkled fingers can give us a stronger grip on slippery objects underwater. 47) Children laugh about 400 times a day, while adults laugh on average only 15 times a day. 48) Students who chew gum have better maths scores than those who do not. 49) Kissing burns 6.4 calories a minute. A horror movie burns nearly 200 calories. Whereas, sex burns 360 calories an hour. 50) Russia didn't consider beer as an alcoholic beverage until 2011. Any drink under 10% volume was considered a soft drink. **The Fibonacci sequence:** The Fibonacci sequence is named after Italian mathematician [Fibonacci](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci). 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987 … Each element in the sequence comes by adding the last two elements. Considering the numbers as squares and joining all the points will give this picture, a **Fibonacci spiral**. * This spiral is found surprisingly in our nature. For example, 1] Natural Fibonacci Spiral* From **an Elephant’s Spout**.   * 2] **Rabbits reproduce** in a Fibonacci series.*   3] The** number of petals in many flowers**, and stems in trees are all in Fibonacci series numbers. **3 petals**: lily[Shown below], iris   **5 petals**: buttercup, wild rose, larkspur, columbine (aquilegia), pinks (shown below) **8 petals**: delphiniums **13 petals**: ragwort, corn marigold, cineraria, some daisies **21 petals**: aster, black-eyed susan, chicory **34 petals**: plantain, pyrethrum 4] Fibonacci numbers can also be seen in the arrangement of **seeds on flower heads**. Shown below is** cone flower**. You can see that the orange "petals" seem to form spirals curving both to the left and to the right. At the edge of the picture, if you count those spiralling to the right as you go outwards, there are 55 spirals. A little further towards the centre and you can count 34 spirals. Picture: Tim Stone **Sunflower** has the same **Fibonacci pattern**.   4] The **Nautilus Seashell**. Below are images of cross-sections of a Nautilus seashell. They show the spiral curve of the shell and the internal chambers that the animal using it adds on as it grows. The chambers provide buoyancy in the water. If we take the ratio of two successive numbers in Fibonacci's series, (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, ..) and we divide each by the number before it, we will find the following series of numbers: 1/1 = 1,   2/1 = 2,   3/2 = 1·5,   5/3 = 1·666...,   8/5 = 1·6,   13/8 = 1·625,   21/13 = 1·61538. It is easier to see what is happening if we plot the ratios on a graph: The ratio seems to be settling down to a particular value, which we call **the golden ratio** or **the golden number**. It has a value of approximately **1·618034[**Φ,'Phi'**].** Φ or "Phi" is a golden numeric ratio that is found throughout nature, the human body and the cosmos. It mathematically expresses the way plants grow, galaxies spiral, and is seen as a key to the grand design of the universe. It is known as the "golden proportion" for this reason.   This is a sacred ratio. Leonardo da Vinci made a close study of the human figure and had shown how all its different parts were related by the golden section.   Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of the human body emphasized its proportion. The ratio of the following distances is the Golden Ratio: > (foot to navel) : (navel to head)= 1.618[approx] Human Beauty is based on divine proportion. See the photo below which illustrates the following golden ratio proportions in the human face: - Center of pupil: Bottom of teeth: Bottom of chin - Outer & inner edge of the eye: Center of nose - Outer edges of lips: Upper ridges of lips - Width of center tooth: Width of the second tooth - Width of eye : Width of iris The photo below is from a [2009 University study on perceptions of attractiveness](http://www.goldennumber.net/facial-beauty-new-golden-ratio/), and also illustrates a variety of golden ratio proportions in the images chosen as most attractive by study participants: The ear reflects the shape of a Fibonacci spiral. Even the dimensions of our teeth are based on phi. This website [Phi 1.618: The Golden Ratio - Golden Ratio, Phi, 1.618, and Fibonacci in Math, Nature, Art, Design, Beauty and the Face](http://www.goldennumber.net/) is dedicated only to the golden ratio and its appearance in our daily life. This link @[Page on goldennumber.net](http://www.goldennumber.net/beauty/has) a video that shows the golden ratio on Britain's most perfect face of 2012. Thanks to [**Sahaj Ramachandran**](https://www.quora.com/profile/Sahaj-Ramachandran) for mentioning the golden ratio on the human face. Nature is Beautiful. --- # Common Cyber Security Loopholes and how to fix them URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2022/03/19/common-cyber-security-loopholes-and-how-to-fix-them/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2022-03-19 Reading Time: 2 minutes [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/common-cyber-security-loopholes-and-how-to-fix-them.jpg)Cyber security has become an ever-increasingly important issue in the world of data. Every day, there are more and more cyberattacks on companies large and small. There are a number of common cyber security loopholes that can leave businesses vulnerable to attack. These include: 1. Lack of strong passwords: Many people still use weak passwords that can be easily guessed by cybercriminals. To protect your business, ensure that all staff members use strong, unique passwords for all accounts. 2. Outdated software: Outdated software can contain security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. To keep your business safe, ensure that all software is kept up-to-date. 3. Insecure Wi-Fi: Many businesses still use insecure Wi-Fi networks, which can be easily hacked by cybercriminals. To protect your business, ensure that all Wi-Fi networks are secured with strong passwords and encryption. 4. Phishing attacks: Phishing attacks are a common way for cybercriminals to gain access to business accounts. To protect your business, ensure that all staff members are aware of how to spot and report phishing emails. 5. Unsecured data: Unsecured data is a major cyber security risk for businesses. To protect your business, ensure that all data is stored securely and encrypted. This is why it is vital that companies always stay up to date with the latest developments in cyber security. One way of doing this is by following these three common cyber security loopholes and how to fix them: 1) Not using two-factor authentication 2) Keeping passwords on devices 3) Sharing passwords among employees **Cyber Security Loophole**: Not using two-factor authentication **Solution**: To fix this, companies should use two-factor authentication for every login process they have, whether it be for their employees or their customers. This will help them limit the risk of getting hacked by increasing the The proliferation of cyber security breaches across the world has made it clear that the current approach to cyber security is not working. Our data is being stolen, our identities are being compromised. This new curriculum will help students understand the scope of the problem and how to protect themselves and their data. It will also show them how to defend systems and networks and respond appropriately when a breach does happen. --- # Does all this new electric car technology actually make the cars better? (AI21 Experiment) URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2022/03/12/does-all-this-new-electric-car-technology-actually-make-the-cars-better-ai21-experiment/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2022-03-12 Reading Time: 4 minutes Let's examine one option, specifically the Chevy Volt. Steve Bliss test drives one of these electric cars, but he also finds out an important lesson that all auto sales representatives should understand. [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/electric_car_charging.jpg)We are huddled in a parking lot, just outside of a small-town restaurant. This area is steeply graded, and a number of us are wearing hill descent traction devices that help keep our cars moving forward and make us look like Walter White, Jr. While that description may not be very creative, it is the first thing that came to mind when I saw that this particular car gave all eight of its performance options points in the field of battery management. The Volt's traction options are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, but I only discovered all of this because one of the Volt's so-called performance features reminded me that my car isn't doing very much at the moment. General Motors calls this new feature "Active Thermal Management". Think of Active Thermal Management like a layer of anti-frost for your jalousie windows when your car is turned off. Yes, this is just silly, and yes, the automotive industry is desperately looking for anything that the driver in extreme situations might want, but this was different. Knowing that my Volt battery was heated to 150 degrees below zero, this jalousie-like layer over my windows that seemed useless for 90% of the time suddenly seemed like it might come in handy. Living 45 minutes from anything, especially a hospital means that at least once per year, you have to decide whether you really want to get your car unstuck, un-layer-of-frosted, and down the hill, because it is the only hospital within miles of you. Whereas active battery management (a $1,250 option), and power-operated cloth/leatherette seats, (another $1,600 option) may appeal to a buyer who is big on gadgets and home businesses with their products, it is important that you have a good understanding of how cars can become game-changers. I mean you, as you are the sales associate in the auto dealership. According to the dealers' organizations, as many as 30% of new vehicles purchased and leased are traded in when the three-year warranties expire. I'm guessing this is basically the same percentage that is true of used vehicles and cars that are leased. If that is the case, then the Volt has a future. But, is the Volt really an alternative fuel vehicle that regular car buyers would be interested in? I have driven this car in a variety of circumstances, and I have loved it 100 percent of the time. My original article was written in March when Volt was in its fourth year on the market. With this knowledge in mind, my five-mile commute to work quickly becomes eight or more miles. When I get home, I charge the car. I mostly do my job driving the car, and then I get home to find that, hey, the charger in the car wasn't working. The good news is that when auto dealers' are not around, Volts are just plain work. I have squeezed the last 30 miles of range out of the 38 initially given. But, that's when I get creative and try to figure out if the rest of that journey can be done on a gas-operated vehicle. In March, GM announced the soon-to-come special 2.0, which will boast 33 miles of electricity, a 76-mile gas backup generator, an overall range of 379 miles, and a starting price that's just under $35,000. As excited as I was when I first drove this car, this is my first thought, and perhaps it should be your first thought also. At some point, before I take the 2.0 to work, I will be searching for a vehicle that has a gasoline engine that meets my needs. It is a funny-enough mental exercise to argue just how long that might really take. This sparks a question. Why is it that when governments (municipal, state, federal, or any other), financial institutions, or green companies talk about the "new" eco-friendly cars, they never get asked about miles per gallon? If you are the owner of such a dealer, my advice to you is that you begin to ask the question, "What miles per gallon do these cars get?" At the young age of 26, most buyers of cars today understand the miles per gallon concept because they had it in required school science classes. They may not be big fans of this concept just yet, but most have seen it in action. If we use solar power, then the miles per gallon of this new, "eco-friendly car" becomes irrelevant. Suddenly, such questions would sound something like, "Do we have a solar system that can charge this car?" As odd as that might sound, or even if it isn't odd given your own experience, it is only a matter of time before something like that question would pop into the head of a car buyer. If you have to ask, then that means at least some questions have to be asked. --- # OpenAPI generated blog post regarding "Climate Change" URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2022/03/12/openapi-generated-blog-post-regarding-climate-change/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2022-03-12 Reading Time: 2 minutes > I had applied for OpenAPI Beta, and I got selected with $1000 additional credits to use. I am now testing it and it is wonderful. > > For example, I just asked it to create a blog post regarding "Climate Change" and it just did it. Here is the result: Climate change has been a hot topic in the news lately. There have been several reports of natural disasters around the world that scientists say is linked to climate change. Many people are unaware of what climate change is or the effects it has on the environment. In this blog post, I will discuss what climate change is, the effects it has on the environment, and what we can do to help prevent it. [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/OpenAPI-Generated-Blog-Post-Regarding-Climate-Change.jpg)Climate change is a gradual increase in the Earth's average surface temperature. This increase in temperature is caused by emissions of greenhouse gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gases are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone. The Earth's atmosphere naturally contains greenhouse gases, but over the years, human activity has increased the number of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This has caused the Earth's average temperature to increase and has led to climate change. The effects of climate change can be seen all over the world. One of the most obvious effects is the increase in extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, typhoons, and floods. Climate change has also caused the Earth's ice sheets to melt, which has led to sea-level rise. As the Earth's temperature continues to increase, the effects of climate change will become even more severe. There are many things we can do to help prevent climate change. One of the most important things we can do is reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases. We can do this by driving less, using energy-efficient appliances, and recycling. We can also plant trees, which help to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is important that we take action to prevent climate change now before it is too late. The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, and they will only become worse over time. We need to take action now to protect our planet and our future. --- # What Social Media Marketing Manager job is and its responsibilities URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2022/03/11/what-social-media-marketing-manager-job-is-and-its-responsibilities/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2022-03-11 Reading Time: 2 minutes The social media marketing manager's job is to develop and execute a social media marketing plan for the company. They are responsible for creating and managing the company's social media profiles, developing and executing social media marketing campaigns, measuring the effectiveness of the campaigns, and reporting on the results. **The Social media marketing manager's responsibilities:** [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/What_Social_Media_Marketing_Manager_job_is_and_its_responsibilities-scaled.jpg)A social media marketing manager is responsible for developing and executing a social media marketing plan for their company. This may include creating and managing social media profiles for the company, developing and implementing social media marketing campaigns, measuring the effectiveness of these campaigns, and reporting on the results. A social media marketing manager must understand social media platforms and best use them to reach their target audience. They must also be able to track and analyze data to determine the effectiveness of their campaigns and make necessary adjustments. **What are the best practices for Social Media Marketing campaigns?** There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best practices for social media marketing managers will vary depending on the specific social media platform(s) being used and the target audience is reached. However, some general best practices for social media marketing managers include using relevant and engaging content, targeting the right audience, using effective hashtags, and monitoring feedback and analytics. **What are some of the best Social Media Marketing tools?** The best social media marketing tools include Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Buffer. These tools allow you to manage all of your social media accounts in one place, schedule posts, track analytics, and more. **How much time may social media marketing take?** There is no set answer to this question as it can vary depending on the size and complexity of the social media marketing campaign and the resources and time commitment of the team carrying out the campaign. However, it is generally recommended that a social media marketing campaign be planned and executed over a period of several months, if not longer. --- # 75 Most Important Chuck Norris facts URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2021/10/11/75-most-important-chuck-norris-facts/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2021-10-11 Reading Time: 5 minutes Chuck Norris, the martial artist, and actor continues to be the subject of intense interest decades after his last starring role. [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/75-most-important-chuck-norris-facts.jpg)Born Carlos Ray Norris in 1940 in Ryan, Oklahoma, he was raised on a farm near Wilburton along with his three brothers. Chuck Norris’ most famous roles were as Mike Stone in the television series “Walker Texas Ranger” and as Cordell Walker in “The Fall Guy”. Chuck Norris is also known for his complete knowledge of pressure points and for being able to roundhouse kick over 12 feet high. He has written numerous books including “Black Belt Patriotism” and “The Official Chuck Norris Fact Book: 101 of Chuck's Favorite Facts and Stories (100% Factual)". Here are the top 75 facts about Chuck Norris (that are 0% true): 1. When Chuck Norris presses Ctrl+Alt+Delete, worldwide computer restart is initiated. 2. Chuck Norris can divide by zero. 3. Chuck Norris doesn't use web standards as the web will conform to him. 4. Chuck Norris doesn't need a java compiler, he goes straight to .war 5. Chuck Norris doesn't bug hunt, as that signifies a probability of failure. He goes bug-killing. 6. When Chuck Norris points to null, null quakes in fear. 7. The only pattern Chuck Norris knows is God Object. 8. There is no need to try catching Chuck Norris' exceptions for recovery; every single throw he does is fatal. 9. When Chuck Norris' code fails to compile the compiler apologizes. 10. Chuck Norris went out of an infinite loop. 11. Project managers never ask Chuck Norris for estimations... ever. 12. Chuck Norris can use GOTO as much as he wants to. Telling him otherwise is considered harmful. 13. Chuck Norris doesn't use a computer because a computer does everything slower than Chuck Norris. 14. Chuck Norris can read all encrypted data because nothing can hide from Chuck Norris. 15. Chuck Norris burst the dot com bubble. 16. Chuck Norris doesn't have performance bottlenecks. He just makes the universe wait its turn. 17. Chuck Norris' keyboard doesn't have an F1 key, the computer asks him for help. 18. Chuck Norris doesn't have disk latency because the hard drive knows to hurry the hell up. 19. The programs that Chuck Norris writes don't have version numbers because he only writes them once. If a user reports a bug or has a feature request they don't live to see the sunset. 20. Chuck Norris' preferred IDE is hexedit. 21. Chuck Norris writes code that optimizes itself. 22. Chuck Norris doesn't need the cloud to scale his applications, he uses his laptop. 23. Chuck Norris doesn't need a debugger, he just stares down the bug until the code confesses. 24. Chuck Norris's first program was kill -9. 25. Chuck Norris's beard can type 140 wpm. 26. Chuck Norris is immutable. If something's going to change, it's going to have to be the rest of the universe. 27. Chuck Norris can write infinite recursion functions... and have them return. 28. Anonymous methods and anonymous types are really all called Chuck Norris. They just don't like to boast. 29. Chuck Norris doesn't believe in floating-point numbers because they can't be typed on his binary keyboard. 30. Chuck Norris can solve the Towers of Hanoi in one move. 31. Chuck Norris has root access to your system. 32. Chuck Norris breaks RSA 128-bit encrypted codes in milliseconds. 33. There is nothing regular about Chuck Norris' expressions. 34. All browsers support the hex definitions #chuck and #norris for the colors black and blue. 35. Quantum cryptography does not work on Chuck Norris. When something is being observed by Chuck it stays in the same state until he's finished. 36. Chuck Norris hosting is 101% uptime guaranteed. 37. Chuck Norris does not use revision control software. None of his code has ever needed revision. 38. Chuck Norris can spawn threads that complete before they are started. 39. When Chuck Norris gives a method an argument, the method loses. 40. Chuck Norris can access the DB from the UI. 41. Chuck Norris doesn't program with a keyboard. He stares the computer down until it does what he wants. 42. No statement can catch the ChuckNorrisException. 43. Chuck Norris can write multi-threaded applications with a single thread. 44. There is no Esc key on Chuck Norris' keyboard because no one escapes Chuck Norris. 45. Chuck Norris can access private methods. 46. Chuck Norris doesn't get compiler errors, the language changes itself to accommodate Chuck Norris. 47. Chuck Norris can instantiate an abstract class. 48. Chuck Norris knows the last digit of PI. 49. Chuck Norris does not use exceptions when programming. He has not been able to identify any of his code that is not exceptional. 50. Chuck Norris doesn't pair program. 51. Chuck Norris solved the Travelling Salesman problem in O(1) time. 52. Chuck Norris' protocol design method has no status, requests or responses, only commands. 53. Chuck Norris programs do not accept input. 54. Chuck Norris can unit test an entire application with a single assert. 55. For Chuck Norris, NP-Hard = O(1). 56. When a bug sees Chuck Norris, it flees screaming in terror, and then immediately self-destructs to avoid being roundhouse-kicked. 57. Chuck Norris' addition operator doesn't commute; it teleports to where he needs it to be. 58. Chuck Norris doesn't need to know about class factory patterns. He can instantiate interfaces. 59. You don't disable the Chuck Norris plug-in, it disables you. 60. Chuck Norris' beard is immutable. 61. Chuck Norris's keyboard doesn't have a Ctrl key because nothing controls Chuck Norris. 62. Chuck Norris compresses his files by doing a flying roundhouse kick to the hard drive. 63. Chuck Norris can compile syntax errors. 64. "It works on my machine" always holds true for Chuck Norris. 65. Whiteboards are white because Chuck Norris scared them that way. 66. Chuck Norris doesn't need an OS. 67. Chuck Norris finished World of Warcraft. 68. Chuck Norris never gets a syntax error. Instead, the language gets a DoesNotConformToChuck error. 69. Chuck Norris doesn't need garbage collection because he doesn't call .Dispose(), he calls .DropKick(). 70. Chuck Norris can binary search unsorted data. 71. Chuck Norris doesn't delete files, he blows them away. 72. All arrays Chuck Norris declares are of infinite size because Chuck Norris knows no bounds. 73. Chuck Norris can't test for equality because he has no equal. 74. Chuck Norris rewrote the Google search engine from scratch. 75. Chuck Norris' programs occupy 150% of CPU, even when they are not executing. --- # Interesting facts about AliBaba founder - Jack Ma URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2021/10/07/interesting-facts-about-alibaba-founder-jack-ma/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2021-10-07 Reading Time: 2 minutes [](https://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/interesting-facts-about-alibaba-founder-jack-ma.jpg)Jack Ma is the founder of Alibaba, one of the world's largest e-commerce and online payment companies. Well this guy once, worked as an English teacher in China and earned $12 a week. As of September 2021, his net worth is $39 Billion. He is none other than, Jack Ma, the founder of [Alibaba.com](http://alibaba.com/). Some interesting facts about him: 1. He was born in **Hangzhou**, **China** on September 10th 1964. 2. He failed two times in primary school test. 3. He failed the middle school test three times. 4. He failed the college entrance exam two times. 5. He scored 1 out of 120 points on the Math portion of his college entrance exam. 6. Jack once told, ‘Failing is one thing. Getting a score of less than 1 percent on your college entrance exam is something else completely.’ Again a huge embarrassment. Remember ASIAN PARENTS. 7. He was rejected by Harvard 10 times. 8. Somehow he got graduated from one of the worst universities (Jack’s own words) and here comes another series of heartbreak. He applied for more than 30 jobs and was rejected by all of them. 9. Once 24 people, including Jack Ma applied for KFC China and 23 of them got selected. Guess who was rejected? Of course, it is Jack Ma. 10. He failed in convincing Silicon valley to fund Alibaba 11. One day, all of his 18 partners (contributing capital for a total of $60,000 USD) left him. **So why I consider him to be lucky?** 1. He is lucky because he believed in himself, despite of the countless failures. I don’t think no other person, could have held on that long 2. He is lucky that he learned lessons from every single failure. Not every one can do that 3. He is lucky that he dared to dream big, despite being called a ‘failure’. Again remember Asian parents. Scoring 1 out of 120 will be definitely considered as ‘Family shame’ in Asia. 4. He is lucky that he got a good childhood friend (now his wife) who supported him in his hard days. His wife once told, ‘Jack may not be a handsome person, but he can do many things a handsome guy cannot do’ 5. And finally, he is really lucky to believe he is lucky when he hadn't seen luck even once in his Pre- Alibaba life. --- # 10 ways to transform Black money to White URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2016/11/11/10-ways-to-transform-black-money-to-white/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2016-11-11 Reading Time: 5 minutes > ***10 ways to convert black money to white*** PM Modi ji has declared that all older 500 and 1000 Rs notes will be worth just a piece of paper, and every one has to get the old currency notes converted into a new one through either bank or post-office. The problem is, you may have a lot of undisclosed money, which is also called black money, that you can not simply take to the bank as it would get you under income tax department's scanner.So, what to do now? Here are some simple methods experts in this field are using for a long time. So, what to do now? Answer: Here are some simple methods experts in this field are using for a long time. You can also try these tips and convert your black money into white. (Tips posted here are based on some common sense and these are only for entertainment purpose and I do not have any previous experience in handling black money. You should NEVER try any of the unlawful methods.) Changing black money to white could be very usual at present. Men and women use all unlawful method to transform black cash to white. This article is written to show ways which men and women use to convert black cash to white. I no method inspire any taxpayers to make use of any of the underways. 10 approach to convert Black cash to White   **Get it changed via marketers** There are a lot of agents in the market who will without difficulty take your unlawful cash money and either offer you authorized money or aid you invest the black cash in some enterprise. **Bogus mortgage entry** Fashionable approach men and women use to transform black cash to white is through displaying bogus mortgage entry. Modus operandi underneath this case will likely be person supply black cash to friend or relative and take a cheque from them. This is sort of bogus mortgage entry to transform black cash to white. In some circumstances, people supply reimbursement of this loan by giving again cheque. Men and women doing this must recognize that income tax division is gazing every transaction and taxpayer need to prove the genuineness of every transaction. **Components of trust & doing charity** An extra trendy manner used by people to transform black cash to white is by way of formulating believe for social motive. They make executive our bodies of own people in believe mostly illiterate people like driver prepare dinner and so on. They donate black cash to this belief as charity to transform black money. On paper it's charity however off the shelf it's conversion of black money to white. **Displaying earnings as agriculture revenue** Another standard means of converting black money into white is by displaying sales as agriculture earnings. In an effort to show earnings as agriculture income you need to possess land and it must be used for agriculture cause like the plantation, backyard nursery and so on. Nonetheless, there are more than a few conditions you have to fulfill in an effort to claim agriculture income. **Showing cash income from profession** A different trendy approach to transform black money to white is with the aid of displaying earnings in money. Income from tuition, reputable expenses or fee is shown as money by many taxpayers it is nothing, however, changing black money in white. **Sale of private belonging like jewelry** Go to a recognized jeweler and give him all black cash you want to convert. He provides you with a cheque for the equal quantity. He will also give you purchase bill showing you bought your individual jewelry to him. Through this manner, your black money is changed to white and you needn't pay capital to acquire tax even. **Changing black money by funding** An extra method folks use to convert black money to white is by means of making an investment in money. Persons buy an insurance policy and pay the premium in cash. For illustration, if insurance premium is 50000 rs/- payable quarterly, then individuals pay first top-class via cheque and leisure all top class in cash. This is most straightforward and widespread approach to convert black money in white. **Getting black money as reward** An additional general means to transform black money to white is by means of getting a gift from relative. Modus operandi is discreet you've black cash and your relative has the same quantity of white money. Your relative issues cheque to you as the reward and you are going to provide your black cash to him/her. Depositing black money on name of loved ones members Yet another popular process for converting black cash to white is to open a bank account for each person family member. Deposit black cash on the name of each household member to convert it to white. **Buy actual property** Real estate is the sector where the majority of black money is parked. Persons use actual estate offers to transform black money to white. It is determined that men and women do false real property deal exchange money and cancel these offers due to non-fee of cash. **Declare black money** Best system for changing black money to white as per me is with the aid of declaring this cash to its authorities and paying tax on this cash to convert it to white. **Get aid from God** I'm not joking, temples have quite a few tax-free cash, and they are able to help you convert banned old foreign money notes to the legal one. Just contact some pujari of your nearby temple and he's going to help you. When you have additional cash then go to pilgrimage to devout locations and you're going to get freedom out of your black cash quandary. Disclaimer – I don’t recommend readers to comply with any of these ways for black money conversion. This article is only for exposing loopholes in our method. I am towards black cash and black cash new release ideas. If I have neglected every other approach which individuals use to convert their black money into white cash I request you to share it in remark part.   --- # Facebook down because of major DDoS attack - 27 Jan 2015 URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2015/01/27/facebook-down-because-of-major-ddos-attack-27-jan-2015/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2015-01-27 Reading Time: 1 minutes It has been about an hour and users worldwide are reporting that facebook is still down. Although no official statement has been made by facebook yet, We did some investigation and it looks like the site is down because of a massive DDoS attack. You can check the** live facebook attack status** here: **http://map.ipviking.com/** [](http://map.ipviking.com/)   It has been reported that many other major sites like instragram etc are also facing the downtime, apparently because of the same issue. It has also been a speculation that the sites are down because of the major storm in 3 US states, but due to the distributed system these major sites work on, it may not the true.   **Update:** It looks like Lizard Squad, which yesterday hacked Malaysia Airlines’ website, is claiming credit for this outage. [](http://www.geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/1.jpg) **Update:** The sites are back online right now, but still facing DDoS attacks. --- # GoDaddy Coupon Code - Get 35% Off on Everything URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2013/05/11/godaddy-coupon-code-get-35-off-on-everything/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2013-05-11 Reading Time: 1 minutes [*](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/godaddy-logo.png)[GoDaddy](http://www.godaddy.com/deals/?isc=wowshobhit) is the biggest ICANN Accridated Domain Registrar. Go Daddy makes registering Domain Names fast, simple, and affordable for everyone. I am using GoDaddy to get my domains registered since I jumped into web development. You can use my GoDaddy custom Coupon Code **WOWshobhit** at checkout to get 35%¬ off anything you buy*. I guess this is the maximum amount of discount they are providing. So, go ahead register your first domain name or get [GoDaddy](http://www.godaddy.com/deals/?isc=wowshobhit) Hosting for lot less than what you would usully pay. Remember to use the coupon code **WOWshobhit** on the checkout screen. [caption id="attachment_299" align="aligncenter" width="300"][](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/godaddy-coupon.jpg) How to use GoDaddy Coupon Code[/caption] *Terms: *Applies to new product purchases only. Not applicable to ICANN fees, taxes, transfers, premium domains, renewals or Search Engine Visibility advertising budget. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, sale, discount or promotion.* --- # What to do if your Internet Connection is Not working URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2013/03/10/what-to-do-if-your-internet-connection-is-not-working/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2013-03-10 Reading Time: 3 minutes All of us can not live without The Internet, But there are some hard and unfortunate times in life when your Internet connection stops working. In those occasions you might feel clueless and confused, but apart from shouting on your ISP's customer care here is a list of things you can do till your Internet connection is back on: - Try to fix the Internet Connection yourself - Uninstall useless programs taking up valuable space -  Buy a metro pass and keep going back and forth all day long - Ask yourself why you didn't just go to an Internet cafe - Play the pre-installed games on your mobile - Watch a movie - Play racing games and lose the race on purpose, every time - Walk around town - Learn a card trick - Write an eBook - Defragment your hard drive - Try renaming a folder into 'con' - Blame Politics and Global Warming - Teach your old dog new tricks - Clean up your garage - Open a dictionary and learn 100 new words - Wash your car - Drink 8 cups of water or beer - Bake fudge brownies - Roast marshmallows - Rename your collection of 90,000+ photos - Invite friends over - Synchronize all the watches you have - Find out what all the buttons on your keyboard do - Open the registry and delete all the entries starting with the letter 'a' - Take a shower - Organize your documents - Learn how to dance - Play solitaire - Update your address book -  Read hardcopy book you bought online ages ago - Get in touch with old friends - Lie in the grass and watch the clouds - Give out free hugs - Make an HTML web page just for fun - Make a prank call - Count the number of cars that pass by Your window each minute - Learn how to touch type - Read a book - Organize your bookmarks - Create your own black book - Watch the news - Go jogging - Take a nap - Count from 1 to a million - Think up a clever list of comebacks for your teacher/boss - Try to figure out "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything" (Spoiler: It is greater than 41 and less than 43) - Go swimming - Call your Internet provider - Go to the gym - Play a board game - Hide behind bushes and scare people - Go outside and take pictures of random people - Go to a zoo - Tidy up your room - Open a blank page in your browser and repeatedly press F5 - Meditate - Go to a mall and sit on a bench while staring at a fixed point for the whole day - Eat something - Mess around with Photoshop - Look through your old yearbooks - Play some sports - Read a newspaper - Study for an upcoming exam - Rearrange your desktop icons - Just lay back and chill - Go to the beach - Have a picnic - Comb your hair - Call a friend and ask him what to do - Arrange your TV channels - Mow the lawn - Do Your homework - Watch [The Matrics](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/) again - Visit a graveyard - Get in your car and keep driving till you run out of gas - List all your friends and family members in it - Draw your family tree on paper - Cry desperately - Arrange your library using the Dewey Decimal System - Write in a journal - Smile at a random person on the street - Learn how to cook - Treat yourself to a fancy dinner - Look in the mirror and try to act cool - Watch TV - Open videos and images using notepad - Try reloading [GeekLord.com](http://geeklord.com/) :-) Please post your own tips in comment section. --- # Microsoft Windows Command Line Shortcuts for many inbuilt handy utilities URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2013/03/10/windows-command-line-shortcuts-for-many-inbuilt-handy-utilities/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2013-03-10 Reading Time: 3 minutes Windows Operating Systems have many handy utilities to manage and control the PC, most of these are accessible through control panel, but you can also access all these utilities through windows command prompt. Here is the list of command: Add Hardware Wizard : **hdwwiz.cpl** Add/Remove Programs : **appwiz.cpl** Administrative Tools : **control admintools** Bluetooth Transfer Wizard : **fsquirt** Calculator : **calc** Certificate Manager : **certmgr.msc** Character Map : **charmap** Check Disk Utility : **chkdsk** Clipboard Viewer : **clipbrd** Command Prompt : **cmd** Component Services : **dcomcnfg** Computer Management : **compmgmt.msc** Control Panel : **control** Date and Time Properties : **timedate.cpl** DDE Shares : **ddeshare** Device Manager : **devmgmt.msc** Direct X Troubleshooter : **dxdiag** Disk Cleanup Utility : **cleanmgr** Disk Defragment : **dfrg.msc** Disk Management : **diskmgmt.msc** Disk Partition Manager : **diskpart** Display Properties : **control desktop** Display Properties : **desk.cpl** Dr. Watson System Troubleshooting Utility : **drwtsn32** Driver Verifier Utility : **verifier** Event Viewer : **eventvwr.msc** Files and Settings Transfer Tool : **migwiz** File Signature Verification Tool : **sigverif** Findfast : **findfast.cpl** Firefox : **firefox** Folders Properties : **control folders** Fonts : **control fonts** Fonts Folder : **fonts** Free Cell Card Game : **freecell** Game Controllers : **joy.cpl** Group Policy Editor (for xp professional) : **gpedit.msc** Hearts Card Game : **mshearts** Help and Support : **helpctr** HyperTerminal : **hypertrm** Iexpress Wizard : **iexpress** Indexing Service : **ciadv.msc** Internet Connection Wizard : **icwconn1** Internet Explorer : **iexplore** Internet Properties : **inetcpl.cpl** Keyboard Properties : **control keyboard** Local Security Settings : **secpol.msc** Local Users and Groups : **lusrmgr.msc** Logs You Out Of Windows : **logoff** Malicious Software Removal Tool : **mrt** Microsoft Chat : **winchat** Microsoft Movie Maker : **moviemk** Microsoft Paint : **mspaint** Microsoft Syncronization Tool : **mobsync** Minesweeper Game : **winmine** Mouse Properties : **control mouse** Mouse Properties : **main.cpl** Netmeeting : **conf** Network Connections : **control netconnections** Network Connections : **ncpa.cpl** Network Setup Wizard : **netsetup.cpl** Notepad : **notepad** Object Packager : **packager** ODBC Data Source Administrator : **odbccp32.cpl** On Screen Keyboard : **osk** Outlook Express : **msimn** Paint : **pbrush** Password Properties : **password.cpl** Performance Monitor : **perfmon.msc** Performance Monitor : **perfmon** Phone and Modem Options : **telephon.cpl** Phone Dialer : **dialer** Pinball Game : **pinball** Power Configuration : **powercfg.cpl** Printers and Faxes : **control printers** Printers Folder : **printers** Regional Settings : **intl.cpl** Registry Editor : **regedit** Registry Editor : **regedit32** Remote Access Phonebook : **rasphone** Remote Desktop : **mstsc** Removable Storage : **ntmsmgr.msc** Removable Storage Operator Requests : **ntmsoprq.msc** Resultant Set of Policy (for xp professional) : **rsop.msc** Scanners and Cameras : **sticpl.cpl** Scheduled Tasks : **control schedtasks** Security Center : **wscui.cpl** Services : **services.msc** Shared Folders : **fsmgmt.msc** Shuts Down Windows : **shutdown** Sounds and Audio : **mmsys.cpl** Spider Solitare Card Game : **spider** SQL Client Configuration : **cliconfg** System Configuration Editor : **sysedit** System Configuration Utility : **msconfig** System Information : **msinfo32** System Properties : **sysdm.cpl** Task Manager : **taskmgr** TCP Tester : **tcptest** Telnet Client : **telnet** User Account Management : **nusrmgr.cpl** Utility Manager : **utilman** Windows Address Book : **wab** Windows Address Book Import Utility : **wabmig** Windows Explorer : **explorer**   Please note that some of the commands may not work on a specific OS. --- # Switch text direction from ltr to rtl and vice versa in Google Chrome URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2012/06/28/switch-text-direction-from-ltr-to-rtl-and-vice-versa-in-google-chrome/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2012-06-28 Reading Time: 1 minutes Today, I accidentally found two keyboard shortcuts in Google Chrome to switch text direction in Address bar from rtl (Right to Left) to ltr (Left to Right) and ltr to rtl. This quite simple and can be used as a prank on friend's systems. ;) Here you go: 1. Open Google Chrome.. 2. Click on Address bar. 3. Press [Right CTRL] + [Right Shift] and the text direction will become LTR. 4. You can press [Left CTRL] + [Left Shift] keys together to switch it back to RTL. I also noticed one thing. If you have Google Chrome window opened and you open another Chrome window, then it will not work in second window. This may be a bug. Try this and have fun. :-) --- # 15 Funny Church Signs and Messages [Pics] URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2011/12/27/15-funny-church-signs-and-messages-pics/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2011-12-27 Reading Time: 1 minutes Here are 15 church sign messages; enjoy the Christmas Holidays. :) [gallery link="file" columns="2"] --- # How to impress your Geek Girlfriend using Google.com URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2011/12/07/how-to-impress-your-geek-girlfriend/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2011-12-07 Reading Time: 1 minutes So, you have a *geek girlfriend* or want to impress some *geek girl*. You can try following tip or I should say inadvertent **Google easter egg**. Its pretty simple, just ask her to search following string on Google: `(sqrt(cos(x))*cos(200x)+sqrt(abs(x))-0.7)*(4-x*x)^0.01, sqrt(9-x^2), -sqrt(9-x^2) from -4.5 to 4.5` For impatient or lazy, curious dudes [here is a shortcut link to this **Google Graph Trick**](http://goo.gl/sYwP4). [](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/google-graph-heart.jpg) --- # [Video] Dhanush's 'Why this Kolaveri di' song full version and Lyrics URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2011/11/25/video-dhanushs-why-this-kolaveri-di-song-full-version-and-lyrics/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2011-11-25 Reading Time: 2 minutes I don't understand the song, but still it is marvelous. Listen and enjoy. :-) By the way Kolaveri = Killer rage or Murderous Rage. **Lyrics** `yo boys i am singing song why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di maintain this why this kolaveri..di distance la moon-u moon-u moon-u color-u white-u white background night-u nigth-u night-u color-u black-u why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di white skin-u girl-u girl-u girl-u heart-u black-u eyes-u eyes-u meet-u meet-u my future dark why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di maama notes eduthuko apdiye kaila sax eduthuko pa pa paan pa pa paan pa pa paa pa pa paan sariya vaasi super maama ready ready 1 2 3 4 whaa wat a change over maama ok maama now tune change-u kaila glass only english.. hand la glass glass la scotch eyes-u full-aa tear-u empty life-u girl-u come-u life reverse gear-u lovvu lovvu oh my lovvu you showed me bouv-u cow-u cow-u holi cow-u i want u hear now-u god i m dying now-u she is happy how-u this song for soup boys-u we dont have choice-u why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri di ` --- # Advertisements from the Past - Atari Personal Computer Systems URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2011/11/18/advertisements-from-the-past-atari-personal-computer-systems/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2011-11-18 Reading Time: 1 minutes Here are two advertisements by Atari Personal Computers, describing the features and advantages of their systems over Apples and oranges. Sometimes, I think how rapidly computers have evolved in such a small time frame. It always make me admire the hard work and efforts of millions of people who devoted their time, talent and energy to make something as marvelous as a personal computer and much more. [](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/advertisements-from-the-past-atari-personal-computer-systems-1.jpg)  [](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/advertisements-from-the-past-atari-personal-computer-systems-2.jpg) --- # Cebu Pacific Air Dancing Crew [Video] URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2011/10/24/cebu-pacific-air-dancing-crew-video/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2011-10-24 Reading Time: 1 minutes Cebu Pacific is international airlines based in Manila, Philippines. It is famous for its dancing crew just like Virgin Airlines. Watch the full video of their rehearsal: --- # Expired Domain Names still listed on The Million Dollar Homepage URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2011/10/20/expired-domain-names-still-listed-on-the-million-dollar-homepage/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2011-10-20 Reading Time: 2 minutes [caption id="attachment_227" align="alignright" width="279" caption="The Million Dollar Homepage"][](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/the-million-dollar-homepage.jpg)[/caption] **[The Million Dollar Homepage](http://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/)** was launched by **Alex Tew **in 2005 with a unique idea, it was literally a 1000px*1000px digital billboard with multiple small banners. Each pixel on the page was worth $1 USD in 10px*10px blocks which can be used by the buyer to post image and a back-link to advertised site. In nearly 4 months all spots in The Million Dollar Homepage were sold making over a million dollars for**Alex Tew.** :-) Now, there are sites at that time who purchased advertisement location on The Million Dollar Homepage, but few of those domains have expired. Here is the list of domains still listed on The Million Dollar Homepage and the domains have expired. - googapixels.com - ltd-realestate-investment.com - mahuang4weightloss.com - adakelly.com - arleenllewellyn.com - baby-million-dollar.com - bigdixbrand.com - bracelets-by-rd-designs.com - buy-email-mailing-list.net - corpdesignconsultancy.net - digden.net - digital-legacy-productions.com - discoverasyoulikeit.com - easymon1.com - ezweb-uk.net - fantasyfootballinfo.org - gold-cosmetics.com - goodhealthwealthandhappiness.com - knuckleballsoup.com - mamboip.com - mandalina-online.com - million-dollar-health-page.com - milliondollarbackpage.com - milliondollarfrontpage.com - millionpixeleuro.com - motopixelpage.com - niftycash.net - no1rentacar.com - pixels4all.com - secure-mind.com - snipproductions.com - spreadjerrypaul.com - sw2it.com - ten-best-credit-cards.com - texpixad.com - theinsult-a-gram.com - theipodshop.net - theukmillionpoundhomepage.com - tomtomtucker.com - tradersatebay.com - ubccustom.com - wealth4living.net - webmonitorxp.com - yeyerecommends.com - googamillions.com - themilliondollarfrontpage.com Hurry up, you can still own a place in **the history of the Internet**. --- # Google Search 502 Error URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2011/10/19/google-search-502-error/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2011-10-19 Reading Time: 1 minutes [](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/google-502-error.jpg) I was searching on Google as usual and just moments ago I faced 502 error on search result page. Even Google can face such problems. **HTTP Error code 502** is also known as Bad gateway error, which in simple language means that the server which is distributing the content received from upstream server got invalid response from upstream server. Usually on big and busy sites a proxy or cache server works in between the web application server and the user (your web browser) to minimize the stress on application server. In such scenario sometimes, the application server get too many requests or due to some other cause can not deliver the content to the caching server and the 502 error is displayed at user's browser. It is not the first time Google faced some problem, I have seen many other errors while using Google, but it is important to note that even the all mighty Google can face problems such as Error 502. By the way, the Robot image and the last line in error description: "That's all we know." feels funny. :)   --- # Huawei Hard Reset and other Secret Codes URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2010/09/04/huawei-hard-reset-and-other-secret-codes/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2010-09-04 Reading Time: 1 minutes [caption id="attachment_213" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Huawei Technologies Co Ltd"][](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/huawei-logo.jpg)[/caption] [Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.](http://www.huawei.com/) is rapidly emerging Mobile handset and other hardware manufacturing company. In past few years Huawei has expended its business presence globally. I have a Huawei manufectured mobile handset, and unlike Nokia and other popular brand, currently it is pretty hard to get secret codes for Huawei Mobiles. So, here are few secret codes for huawei mobile phones. Reset and few other codes worked on my mobile, but few codes didn't work, may be it depends on the mobile handset series. I am sure the hard reset code for Huawei mobile will be useful for you if you have a huawei mobile set. Here are the secret codes, to use these codes enter the code(**in BOLD**) and press dial key. **##258741** Hard Reset / Full Restore **##147852** Test Mode ***#06#** ESN **#8746846549** NAM SETTING & HARDWARE TEST **##1168453865** NAM SETTING & HARDWARE TEST **##5674165485** NAM SETTING & HARDWARE TEST **##8541221619** NV OR RUIM **##3515645631** monitoring debug **##1857448368** version # If the card does not boot, click on emergency call，Enter **##258741**,Then launch keys, identification, you can reset the phone. --- # Modern Under Construction Template PSD and Valid XHTML source URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2010/04/17/modern-under-construction-template-psd-and-valid-xhtml-source/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2010-04-17 Reading Time: 1 minutes The [**Modern Under Construction Template**](http://www.design3edge.com/2010/04/13/modern-under-construction-template/) by [*Design3edge*](design3edge.com) is really cool. But the author has only published the PSD (*Photo Shop Document*) file. So, I've converted the PSD to valid & optimized XHTML file for my own use as well as for our visitors. [](http://demo.webnow.in/under-construction/) You can see the preview at: [http://demo.webnow.in/under-construction/](http://demo.webnow.in/under-construction/) And you can download the converted files from: [http://www.megaupper.com/files/UTCPYRW3/under-construuction.zip](http://www.megaupper.com/files/UTCPYRW3/under-construuction.zip) And you can download the original source files from the [**author's site**](http://www.design3edge.com/2010/04/13/modern-under-construction-template/). You can easily edit the files to match your requirements. - The timer is can be set by editing the source and entering the date you are planning to launch the site. - The subscription form saves the visitor's e-mail ids in a text file, and it needs PHP support on your server, and you need to make subscribe.txt writable. However, you may change it as per your needs. I hope you will like it. :) PS: Contact me if you want me to convert your PSD files to valid XHTML layout for quite economical rates. :) --- # Google Once Again Hires 200... Goats URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2010/04/16/google-once-again-hires-200-goats/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2010-04-16 Reading Time: 1 minutes Confirmed through Official [Google Blog](http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/goats-are-baaaahk.html): Google once again hires 200 Goats to mow down the overgrown Greens(Excess Grass in their [Mountain View headquarters](http://maps.google.com/?q=Google%20Inc.@37.423156,-122.084917&hl=en)). They did this last year too. According to them it is comparable to hiring Lawn mowers in terms of monetary expenses, Animal Love, plus its completely natural **Green Solution** - Which Google supports by heart. :) [](http://geeklord.com/) [Read more](http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/goats-are-baaaahk.html) about this in the [**Google Blog**](http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/goats-are-baaaahk.html). --- # Quake II GWT Port : Play Quake II in web browser URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2010/04/04/quake-ii-gwt-port-play-quake-ii-in-web-browser/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2010-04-04 Reading Time: 1 minutes [**Google**](http://google.com/) is simply awsome. This time Google Geeks have managed to port lagendary game **[Quake II](http://www.idsoftware.com/games/quake/quake2/)** to Web Browser, completly HTML5, WebGL and Canvas API based. No flash etc has been used in this version of browser based Quake II game. Lets see the preview: For more information please visit: [http://code.google.com/p/quake2-gwt-port/](http://code.google.com/p/quake2-gwt-port/) --- # Update: PayPal to resume Bank Withdrawals in India after RBI approval URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2010/02/27/update-paypal-to-resume-bank-withdrawals-in-india-after-rbi-approval/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2010-02-27 Reading Time: 3 minutes Currently, [PayPal is having a lot of trouble in India](http://geeklord.com/2010/02/06/is-paypal-in-trouble-in-india/). They stopped personal payments to and from Indian PayPal accounts, only business transactions were allowed through PayPal, and also Bank Withdrawal requests were being refunded after about 10 days. This was all due to PayPal not complying with new RBI policies. Today, I got this e-mail from PayPal. > PayPal > > Dear Shobhit Prabhakar, > > We have been diligently working with the RBI and our business > partners to resume Indian bank withdrawals for the thousands > of Indian businesses who depend on PayPal to sell their goods > or services in the global marketplace. > > Today, we are happy to announce that the RBI has allowed us > to continue local bank withdrawals for settlements for exports > of goods and services. We are currently making changes to > comply with Indian regulations for settlements for exports of > goods and services, and we anticipate that, as of Wednesday, > March 3rd, customers will be able to use our > bank withdrawal service. > > As part of the changes, you will be required to fill out a > new field entitled 'Export Code' when you request a withdrawal. > This information is required under the current laws of India in > order to identify the nature of cross-border merchant transactions. > > On Monday, March 1st, we will be back in touch with specific > instructions on how you can move your money into your bank account. > > Moving forward, the RBI has told us that PayPal needs specific > approvals to allow personal remittances to India, which we > currently do not have. Until we get these approvals, personal > payments into India will remain suspended. However, if you are > an exporter, you will continue to be able to use the PayPal > service for payments of goods and services. In fact, with the > changes we are making to our system, PayPal is now set to be a > more powerful engine for exporters in India. With purpose codes > for export transactions and FIRCs (Foreign Inward Remittance > Certificates), you should now be able to get the export > related benefits you seek. > > You can check the PayPal blog for additional updates. > > www.thepaypalblog.com > > We thank you for your business and for your patience during > the past few weeks. > > Sincerely, > > PayPal This might bring some relief to Indian exporters with valid IEC (Import Export Code), but the rest of the service providers like us will have to first get Export code, which in itself a troublesome task in India. Also there might be some tough time ahead for PayPal after this, as RBI will be keeping an eye on PayPal's operations. I guess I'll be going with some other Payment processor until PayPal becomes fully functional and convenient again. --- # Is PayPal in trouble in India? URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2010/02/06/is-paypal-in-trouble-in-india/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2010-02-06 Reading Time: 2 minutes I agree [**PayPal**](https://www.paypal.com/in) is in difficult situation in India, but they ideally should register themselves as proper banking service provider before providing money related services worldwide. I am unsure how they got that big even before registering in their home country. They accept payment/cash from individuals, as well as keep it without giving any interest and also they transfer it into cash in foreign countries. They are actually breaking laws, but they are still in business. In India the conditions are changing, the [**RBI**](http://www.rbi.org.in/)(*Reserve Bank of India*) wants the banks to monitor and report every suspicious banking activities to them, on the other hand the PayPal can't actually report or give details of every transaction before it can control person to person transactions, and that is what they have done. I have come to know from a lot of sources(specially the [**DigitalPoint** Forum](http://forums.digitalpoint.com/forumdisplay.php?f=101)) that PayPal is returning/refunding payments made to/form Indian PayPal accounts. From now on only Business/Service related transactions are allowed and personal transactions to and from India PayPal accounts are disabled. This is all due to RBI restrictions. Keep in mind that a lot of PayPal transactions are related to Indian users. With increasing competition and tough rules I am unsure about the future of [**eBay India**](http://ebay.in/) as well. Another thing is: as USD/INR forex rates are fluctuating, they find themselves in a bit trouble to keep up their services in India. I am sure how they can handle the differences, but it would require some preparation on their side. The paypal to bank withdrawals are being delayed in India, I also initiated a withdrawal on 31st January 2010 and still waiting for the money. It has been over 7 days and usually PayPal funds are deposited in Bank accounts in 24 hours, I guess they will find a way to complete the due transactions in short time. I am not like [Uncle Scrooge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrooge_McDuck), but I Love my money. :) I like PayPal for being a good and simple alternative to other expensive payment processors online, But they need to change the way they serve their users, specially in India. **Update(10th February 2010):** In pretty unprofessional manner, today paypal refunded my money back to my PayPal account without even giving any reason or notification. They should at least inform the users if they are having some kind of problem. Anyway, now I am going back to xoom.com to withdraw my paypal balance. Let's see what's their response. If you would like to use xoom, you can use following **xoom coupon code** for 100% fee waiver: **XOOMONETIMER** --- # Are you going to finish strong - Life Without Limbs - Nick Vujicic URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2010/01/10/are-you-going-to-finish-strong-life-without-limbs-nick-vujicic/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2010-01-10 Reading Time: 1 minutes * **Nick Vujicic** is a differently-abled brave young man suffering from rare Tetra-amelia disorder*. He has no limbs yet he lives his life independently and gives inspirational speeches to people all over the world. He believes that anyone can overcome any situation if he/she does not stop trying, No failure is ultimate, and with courage and continuous efforts all the problems in life can be solved. > Are You Going to Finish Strong? For more information please visit - [Life Without Limbs](http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/about-nick-vujicic.php). --- # Life inside the cell - An Animation Video URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/09/15/life-inside-the-cell-an-animation-video/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-09-15 Reading Time: 1 minutes **Life inside the cell - An Animation Video** This is a short animation showing the activities inside a cell. Prepared by Howard Hughes Medical Institute, this marvelous video shows most amazing things that happen all the time inside a small cell. :-) ** The Nature is truly amazing.** --- # Run Windows XP inside Windows 7 using Windows XP Mode URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/08/22/run-windows-xp-inside-windows-7-using-windows-xp-mode/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-08-22 Reading Time: 3 minutes [](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Virtual-PC-XP-Mode.JPG)[*](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/windows7-xp.jpg)[**Windows 7**](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7) is a great [Operating System](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system). It is fast, Stable, Secure and much more pleasing to the eyes than previous Windows Versions. I am not a great fan Microsoft Products, But Windows 7 is a bit of different story. I installed Windows 7 beta months ago just to see what Microsoft is up to, Since than I've been using it without much problems. Most of the drivers installed automatically and few left were installed automatically when I connected to the System to the Internet, Windows 7 installed in comparatively less time and everything went smoothly. There are many other features that would like to describe, but in this post I will be focusing on Virtual PC add on for the **Windows 7** to run **Windows XP** inside the Windows 7 box. After clean installing Windows 7, I wondered if it was possible to install XP as well in the same PC in dual boot mode. Dual booting is possible, but like in previous situation, It is required to clean install XP first than install the Windows 7 in a separate drive. If you wish to dual boot XP OR Vista with Windows 7 then you can get detailed help from this page: [http://lifehacker.com/5126781/how-to-dual-boot-windows-7-with-xp-or-vista](http://lifehacker.com/5126781/how-to-dual-boot-windows-7-with-xp-or-vista) [](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Windows-Virtual-PC-2.jpg)Anyway, as I had to do random weird things and didn't wanted to spend time and get bored while installing XP and Windows 7 again, I decided to use Virtual PC solution. Microsoft is providing beta(now RC) version of [Windows Virtual PC](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx) with [Windows XP Mode add-on](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx). Actually Microsoft Virtual PC is stripped down in features and it is now **only** possible to load Windows XP into the Virtual PC. Edit: You can load other OS too in the Windows Virtual PC, but so far I haven't found another compatible one. It is pretty simple and straight forward, it requires two files to be downloaded and a reboot. Here is how you can do it. **Step 1:** Go to [Windows Virtual PC download page](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx) and select appropriate Windows 7 version (32 bit or 64 bit) and select the language. **Step 2:** Download Windows Virtual PC and install it. It is required to reboot the PC after this feature upgrade. **Step 3:** Download Windows XP Mode and install. [](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Windows-Virtual-PC-1.jpg) That's it. Now you can run the XP mode Virtual PC by going to Start -> All Programs -> Windows Virtual PC -> Windows XP Mode.* Here is the screenshot of Windows XP running inside Windows 7. Action menu allows you to option to view it in Full Screen mode, Put it to sleep, Restart and Close the Virtual PC. You can adjust the size of RAM allocated to the Virtual PC(by default it is 256 MB), manage HDD etc by going to *Tools -> Settings*. You can also load other USB devices such as web cam and printer etc by clicking on *USB -> { appropriate device name }*.     [](http://geeklord.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Virtual-PC-XP-Mode.JPG) **Windows XP running inside Windows 7.** --- # Remove Write Protection from USB Pen Drive or Memory Card or Thumb Drive URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/08/16/remove-write-protection-from-usb-pen-drive-or-memory-card-or-thumb-drive/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-08-16 Reading Time: 2 minutes Some times your USB thumb drive or pen drive may face this weired problem, although the drive seems normal and is being detected by the OS, yet it shows the drive is write protected when you try to put some data on it. It can be because of physical errors in the drive or may be because of just some misconfiguration. Common causes: - flash drive removal without using “safely remove hardware” or ejecting drive (OS X/Linux/Windows 7) - Unplugging the flash drive while data is being written to the drive Common errors are: -  "unable to access" -  "track 0 error" -  "write protection" -  "Size is 0 byte" or "RAW file system" Here are few tips you can follow when you face such situations: Regedit Method: -run "regedit" command -find "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/Control/StorageDevicePolicies/ -Double click at "Write Protect" -Change the value to "0" _________________ HP Drive Key Boot Utility Method: Download and Install HP Drive Key Boot Utility : http://snipurl.com/hpbootutil It should work for most brands of flash drives. _________________ Also check if your drive has write protect notch some where, toggle it then try to format it again. I hope this would solve your problem. :)   **Update:** If both of the above solutions didn't work for your drive, then you can try the following: - Download [Apacer Low Level Formatter](http://www.apacer.com/en/support/downloads/Repair_v2.9.1.1.zip). - Remove all other USB thumb drives USB Hard Disks etc and attach only the Drive with problem. - Unzip and run: Repair_v2.9.1.1.exe - It will detect the USB drive and start low level format on the drive. It could take a while, just wait. - After the low level format if over, you can normally format the drive and use it as normal. While formatting uncheck "Quick format" option. **Warning:** Low Level format will completly distroy any data on drive, So take backup from the drive before using this tip. --- # Aw, Snap! Found a silly bug in Google Chrome URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/05/09/aw-snap-a-silly-bug-chrome/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-05-09 Reading Time: 1 minutes [caption id="attachment_160" align="aligncenter" width="471" caption="Aw, Snap!"][](http://geeklord.com/)[/caption] Today while I was doing some weired experiemts on a site I found that in Chrome pasting a special ASCII character [ALT+0173] twice in any text box instantly crashes that browser instance as well as its parent tab(if you've opened that new page by clicking on a link on another page then its parent would be that link holder page.). :P The bug has been reported to Google and hopefully new version will be free from this bug. By the way, if you've found a bug in Google Chrome and want to report it to Google simply follow the instructions here: http://www.google.com/support/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95760 --- # Love Love go away, Come again another day URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/02/14/love-love-go-away-come-again-another-day/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-02-14 Reading Time: 2 minutes First of all I would like to declare that I am not against Love. Love is the essence of life and vital of everyone. But I hate how some corporate people have glorified and promoted a single day for Love. Today, the 14th Feb is globally known as Valentine's day; A day when you are supposed to express the love by giving cards and gifts to some one you really love. The day itself has some historical significance. But most of the people don't know exactly why we celebrate 14th Feb as Valentine's day. There are may stories and many Valentines ([u]Numerous early Christian martyrs were named Valentine[/u]) On this day it is believed that one St. Valentine was murdered because what he was promoting was against the social rules of that time. Another story is that on this day St. Valentine ripped his heart and gifted it to his love: a young mistress. Now, until 19th century this day was know to very few people, and then some stationary producers got an idea to make money by exploiting people's sentiments. Quoted from [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine): > (Saint) Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14 by many people throughout the world. In the West, it is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other by sending Valentine's cards, presenting flowers, or offering confectionery. > ... > ... > The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend on average twice as much money as women. It is obvious that few business owners are making a lot of money by motivating young people to spend money on useless things on this day. I believe Love knows no barrier. Time itself has no importance in love. If two individuals love each other then there is no need to express it on a specific day by buying gifts and cards. I think every day of the year is equal for expressing the Love. So, friends I hope you would not disrespect the real love and try to exploit someone's feeling by using the name of St. Valentine. **Have fun and enjoy each and every day of your life with your true Love.** :) --- # The Day a Single Byte made Google look stupid. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/02/01/the-day-a-single-byte-made-google-look-stupid/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-02-01 Reading Time: 2 minutes [Earlier today every google user was amazed to see that their reliable ol' Google warned users](http://geeklord.com/2009/01/31/google-thinks-every-site-is-infected-with-malware/) not to open any site from their search results including google.com You may check my earlier post on this topic [here](http://geeklord.com/2009/01/31/google-thinks-every-site-is-infected-with-malware/). Now it turned out that a single '/' character caused this worldwide confusion. Here is the explanation from google's official blog: > What happened? Very simply, human error. Google flags search results with the message "This site may harm your computer" if the site is known to install malicious software in the background or otherwise surreptitiously. We do this to protect our users against visiting sites that could harm their computers. We work with a non-profit called StopBadware.org to get our list of URLs. StopBadware carefully researches each consumer complaint to decide fairly whether that URL belongs on the list. Since each case needs to be individually researched, this list is maintained by humans, not algorithms. > > We periodically receive updates to that list and received one such update to release on the site this morning. Unfortunately (and here's the human error), the URL of '/' was mistakenly checked in as a value to the file and '/' expands to all URLs. Fortunately, our on-call site reliability team found the problem quickly and reverted the file. Since we push these updates in a staggered and rolling fashion, the errors began appearing between 6:27 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. and began disappearing between 7:10 and 7:25 a.m., so the duration of the problem for any particular user was approximately 40 minutes. Now, I hope it wont happen again soon. Best of Luck Google!!! :P --- # Google thinks every site is infected with malware URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/01/31/google-thinks-every-site-is-infected-with-malware/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-01-31 Reading Time: 1 minutes Everything was working fine, but just few minutes ago I noticed something really strange with google search. I tried many keywords and tried to visit many links on the result page but some how Google thinks every site listed on the result page is infected with malware and it is giving a warning that "visiting this web site may harm your computer!" Here are the screenshots: [gallery link="file" columns="2"] I am yet unsure if it is Google's problem or there is something weired happening on my system, I'll updates after quick investigation. Till than if you are facing the same problem, please let me know. **Update:** I just found out that I am not the only one facing this problem, actually every Google user is getting the same response for every site on the net. I guess Google malware filter has got some bug. It is a really bad news for Google. Google's stock ([GOOG](http://www.google.com/url?q=/finance%3Fclient%3Dob%26q%3DNASDAQ:GOOG&sa=X&oi=stock&ct=title&usg=AFQjCNFndlkPpa4jwbEGjhmNm7RRLcZBXg)) have already started to fall since this started. :( **Update 2:** Looks like Google has fixed the problem now. :) --- # while(1) {return true;} URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/01/29/while1-return-true/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-01-29 Reading Time: 1 minutes ` while(1) {return true;} ` For un-geek people it is the symbol of infinitely speaking the truth. It is quick synopsis of my philosophy towards the life in general. Truth sometimes can be hard to digest for some people and may even be harmful for your existence in some specific community. But, if you follow this simple rule you'll always be happy and be honored by everyone. enJoy you day. :) --- # [Linux] Record uptime of over 40 Years at counter.li.org is incorrect URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2009/01/06/linux-record-uptime-of-over-40-years-at-counterliorg-is-result-of-a-bug/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2009-01-06 Reading Time: 2 minutes **The Linux Counter** [[http://counter.li.org/](http://counter.li.org/)] keeps track of registered Linux users and Linux machines. It is voluntary, so people who opt to sign in and register their machine help them estimate the currently total Linux users. Apart from keeping track of number of users and machines it also includes machine details such as hostname, uptime and specifications etc.   [caption id="" align="alignright" width="190" caption="The Linux Counter Page : Shobhit Kumar Prabhakar"][*](http://counter.li.org/cgi-bin/runscript/display-person.cgi?user=361826)[/caption] I am registered user of **[The Linux Counter](http://counter.li.org/)** since 2004. Today I was updating my new server details (server.dotain.com) at the site (It is required to login to the site once a year or the account details may be deleted due to inactivity). After inserting the details I was checking the statistics given on the site. I noticed that the longest [uptime record](http://counter.li.org/reports/uptimestats.php) is : 14969.3 days as per that site. It is over 40 years. :-o   It is obviously shocking as Unix was originally developed in 1969 and  Linux kernel was originally written in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. So, I guessed their must be something wrong with those stats. [Further investigation](http://article.gmane.org/gmane.linux.uml.devel/8898) revealed that there was a known bug in Linux Kernel 2.6.* that shows wrong uptime on Linux machines. I noticed that on Linux counter uptime records page 301 machines with Linux Kernel 2.6.24 have uptime of 14969.3 days.* See the screenshots below: **  ** [gallery link="file" columns="2"]  The wrong uptime information advertised by those machines has also affected the overall average uptime recorded for worldwide Linux machines. I hope people at The Linux Counter Project will soon fix this problem. Apart from that I am a proud Linux user since 2003. As a matter of fact all my sites are on **Linux Servers**. :) --- # My Internet is all dried up. (Under Sea Cable Damaged once again) URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/12/20/my-internet-is-all-dried-up-under-sea-cable-damaged-once-again/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-12-20 Reading Time: 2 minutes My Internet was working really slow for the last 20 hours, I even filed the complaint at my ISP, but they were telling me a different story. I searched the net to find the exact reason and I quickly got the answer - Once again the under sea cables have been damaged. :( You can read more about this at [BBC News](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7792688.stm) and at [ AFP](http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iaJnYgyUpddYKhqJ2rfz295-8bxg) and at [Bloomberg](http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=ayPbWf_7l17w) I understand that the Internet is just the global mesh (including cable connections) and the connected computer systems(and routers etc), But my ISP([Airtel Broadband, India](http://airtel.in/)) kept telling me fake stories about the lower Internet speed. First they told me that they are upgrading their routers and that would enhance the overall performance after two hour. After 8 hours of waiting I called them again and the call center guy tried to convince me that there is something wrong with the DNS servers. When I told him to connect me to someone knowledgeable in his company as I am not using the ISP DNS and I always use [openDNS](http://www.opendns.com/) and it is faster and more reliable than the Airtel DNS servers he put me on hold for about a minute and after that he apologised and told me that actually the under sea cables have been damaged once again and it would take up-to 48 hours to get every thing normal. I know these unfortunate events can occur, But the ISP should not hide the truth from the customers specially when they know that it could take much more time then they are telling to their customers. Anyway, this slower Internet and damaged cables once again remind me the South-Park Season 12 episode 6. Watch yourself and enjoy. :) Update: Here comes the update on the severity of the situation ( Source: [fibresystems.org](http://fibresystems.org/cws/article/yournews/37128) ): > A first appraisal at 7:44 am UTC gave an estimate of the following impact on the voice traffic (in percentage of out of service capacity): > > > Saudi Arabia: 55% out of service > > > Djibouti: 71% out of service > > > Egypt: 52% out of service > > > United Arab Emirates: 68% out of service > > > India: 82% out of service > > > Lebanon: 16% out of service > > > Malaysia: 42% out of service > > > Maldives: 100% out of service > > > Pakistan: 51% out of service > > > Qatar: 73% out of service > > > Syria: 36% out of service > > > Taiwan: 39% out of service > > > Yemen: 38% out of service > > > Zambia: 62% out of service --- # Updated Logos of Major companies after the Global Financial Crisis. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/12/11/updated-logos-of-major-companies-after-the-global-financial-crisis/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-12-11 Reading Time: 1 minutes ## Updated Logos of Major companies after the Global Financial Crisis. Here are Updated logos for few of the companies who lost a lot in the Global Financial Crisis. Economic issues have changed the way these companies used to shine. I hope this will end soon. :) **[:- GeekLord](http://geeklord.com/)** --- # Michael Flatley Lord of the dance URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/12/06/michael-flatley-lord-of-the-dance/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-12-06 Reading Time: 1 minutes **Michael Flatley Lord of the dance** The video shows one of the most popular dance ever recorded. Michael Flatley is the king of river-dance. His Marvelous composition and the elite group of dancers deliver the out of the world experience to the audience. --- # Remote Controlled Toy Car that runs on Walls and Floor URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/11/27/remote-controlled-toy-car-that-runs-on-walls-and-floor/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-11-27 Reading Time: 1 minutes Here comes a cool Remote Controlled small toy car that can efficiently sticks and run on walls and floors without falling. Made by [Takara-Tomy](http://www.tomy.com/), a Japanese innovative toy manufacturer. This little toy car user vacuum to stick to any flat surface like walls and runs without falling. Watch this demonstration video:   --- # [Pics] Beautiful Female Police and Army Girls from Around the World URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/11/26/pics-beautiful-female-police-and-army-girls-from-around-the-world/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-11-26 Reading Time: 1 minutes Here comes Hottest babes serving in Police and Army from different countries around the world. They are sexy, smart, lethal and ready to kick criminal's asses. :) [http://picasaweb.google.com/Cyber.mitra/LadyPolice](http://picasaweb.google.com/Cyber.mitra/LadyPolice) [View Full Album](http://picasaweb.google.com/Cyber.mitra/LadyPolice) Now, some criminals are happy, at-least they may get a chance to get caught(or killed) by these beauties. :) --- # Comparision between Microsoft Office and OpenOffice URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/10/20/comparision-between-microsoft-office-and-openoffice/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-10-20 Reading Time: 1 minutes [**OpenOffice**](http://www.openoffice.org/) is free, open source complete office package which is rapidly gaining popularity against dominating **[Microsoft Office](http://office.microsoft.com/)** Package. Paul Murphy compares the two at: [Openoffice 3.0 vs MS Office](http://blogs.zdnet.com/Murphy/?p=1274) [](http://www.flickr.com/photos/63665096@N00/498052512) OpenOffice has now got a sexy new look. :) --- # New Sony Rolly in Motion - Uncut Demonstration URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/09/03/new-sony-rolly-preview/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-09-03 Reading Time: 1 minutes **New Sony Rolly in Motion - Uncut Demonstration** Watch the demonstration of the weired Music Player from Sony. :) --- # Flickr URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/08/25/flickr/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-08-25 Reading Time: 1 minutes This is a test post from [](http://www.flickr.com/r/testpost), a fancy photo sharing thing. --- # Giant & Scary Natural Wonders (Gallery) URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/08/23/giant-scary-natural-wonders/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-08-23 Reading Time: 1 minutes Today, I got this e-mail from one of my friend, At first I though of it as those regular spamy chain-letter e-mail. But to spare few more seconds of my life opened it anyway. It was actually an interesting collection of pics showing some giant holes on the earth. Here I share it with you. :) [gallery] And here comes the Slide-show: Post comment, and more pics if you have. :) --- # Few Random Photos I Captured URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/07/16/few-random-photos-i-took/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-07-16 Reading Time: 1 minutes The following pictures we taken on 15th July 2008. The event was my sweet Niece Swarnima(aka Tanu)'s 3rd BirthDay party. :) [gallery] More pics will be added soon. :) --- # Domain Tasting (Grace Deletion) Rules Changed URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/07/05/domain-tasting-grace-deletion-rules-changed/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-07-05 Reading Time: 2 minutes Recently ICANN changed the rules for grace deletions of new domains. For every domain registered, Domain Registrars pay a $0.20 fee to ICANN. Previously, this fee was refunded to us if the domain was grace deleted in the 5 day window. However, ICANN will now charge the fee even if the domain is deleted. This  5 day grace deletion has been exploited by the big domain traders from the beginning. Domain traders used to register domain names in bulk and park them or try to sell them quickly. And if the domain name proved to be not worth the reg fee, they simply delete the domain and get back all the money from the registrar. This is also known as [Domain Tasting](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_tasting). In January 2007 the top 10 domain tasters accounted for 95% of all deleted .com and .net domain names [[Source](http://www.icann.org/announcements/announcement-29jan08.htm)]. Now, ICANN has changed the rules of the game. Domain tasting is still allowed but the domain registrar won't be getting the $0.20 ICANN fee per domain refunded. So, this will discourage the registrar's to let there users delete the domains and get back the refund Or at-least registrar;s would deduct that fee for deletion of the domain names(Domain Tasting). I think it is a good move for the freedom of the Internet. I've been deleting the domain names, which I registered by mistake or the client simply changed his/her mind and asked me if I could get them another domain. Still I support the new rule. I don't mind paying extra fee for grace deleting of the unwanted domains. At-least, this will now discourage the bulk registration of the domain names and leave some nice domain names for those who want them for genuine reasons. --- # Get paid for using Google Services : Google User Experience Research URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/06/22/get-paid-for-using-orkut-google-user-experience-research/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-06-22 Reading Time: 1 minutes  Google is conducting comprehensive(online and offline) market research. Virtually every net user uses Google services daily, And Google has major impact on today's Internet trends and online user experience. Google would pay the participants money for their time and valuable remarks. You can read more and join **Google User Experience Research** at: [https://survey.google.com/wix/p0822776.aspx](https://survey.google.com/wix/p0822776.aspx) And you can read the Frequently Asked Questions here: [http://www.google.com/forms/user_faq.html](http://www.google.com/forms/user_faq.html) Now, the interesting part: Google would pay you for the surveys you participate in. According to FAQ they'll pay about $75 per hour: > Do I get paid? > > >   > > > Yes – it depends on the type of study, but typically we pay $75 for each hour that you spend with a Google researcher, either in person or on the phone. Most studies last for one to one-and-a-half hours. We don't pay for your travel time, or travel expenses, though. For online surveys, which you complete from your own computer, the amount varies, depending on the length of the survey.  It is well known that Google's main policy is "Do no evil". And now they are also moving a step further and trying to adopt changes as per user feed backs. Google Rocks! :) --- # Google got a new Shortcut icon (Favicon) URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/05/31/google-got-a-new-shortcut-icon-favicon/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-05-31 Reading Time: 1 minutes Today I noticed that Google's old(Capitol letter G with colored border) favicon has been replaced with a new simple lowercase 'g'  in blue color with some gray gradiant.  Google has recently [updated its Google Reader favicon](http://www.derick.in/86/google-reader-gets-a-new-favicon/), and now its turn for its main favicon.   It looks like Google is doing a whole brand identity update. :) --- # Unprofessional Attitude of PayPal and eBay giving Trouble and Frustration only to the genuine users URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/05/10/unprofessional-behaviour-of-paypal-and-ebay/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-05-10 Reading Time: 3 minutes [eBay](http://ebay.com/) and [PayPal](http://paypal.com/) claim to be the best e-commerce service providers online, But in-fact there stupid policies and useless fraud detection system causes trouble only to the genuine buyers and sellers. The fraudsters easily bait the buyers and run aways with the money, while the genuine users get there accounts under unprofessional scrutiny for no reason. And it not only causes inconvenience to the honest users, many times the users are forced to give up and loose control over there money and online reputation. I am the partner in legally registered import export company. Our company conducts a part of our business through eBay and PayPal. We have eBay Store and use other paid services of eBay, also the attached PayPal account is verified. We have already submitted all the required documents to PayPal including  our Company's 'Certificate of Incorporation' and 'Telephone Bill' etc. We have 100% positive reputation on eBay through over 150 feed backs. I also have another eBay and PayPal account for personal use, which is also very old(over 7 years old) with 100% positive feedback. But still we faced this weired problem with eBay and PayPal. Few days ago paypal limited our company's paypal account for no valid reason and asked for various documents(address proof, dealer information etc.) for verification, which we provided immediately. Mean while company's eBay account and my personal eBay accounts were also suspended. After few days wait and some attempts we received email from PayPal stating that : They are "not comfortable with the amount of risk your business exposes itself to."  and they "would like to begin the process of ending our relationship in a manner that is least disruptive to your business." The Disbursement options they provided are: > 1. Your remaining account balance can be used to provide refunds to your buyers (if applicable). > > If you choose to provide refunds to your buyers, please provide a list of transaction IDs for the buyers that you would like to refund. > > OR > > 2. Your remaining funds will be held in your PayPal account for 180 days from the date your account was limited. After 180 days, you will be notified via email about how to receive your remaining funds. Now, we've already shipped the items to the buyers(we tend to ship the items within 24 hours of the payment received), So we can not refund the money. Now, the only option for us is to wait for 6 months(?) for our honestly earned money. Not only that we have to bear the debt for 6 moths on the items we sold and shipped, as there is no other option to get the money from PayPal before that. On top of that, our eBay accounts are lost. We received the following canned response from the eBay support representative: > "I've looked at our records and see that your account was suspended because you owned or are associated with previously suspended eBay accounts. > > We have reviewed your appeal and decided that your account will remain suspended. Our decision is based on evidence in our records as well as any additional information you may have provided. > > At this point, we will not accept any additional appeals or requests for more information. Although we will read emails you send us in the future, we may not respond." Now, PayPal has our hard earned money(hopefully for 6 months only), also they have restricted our access to our eBay accounts and they would not even listen to our appeal. :( This is really frustrating, the scampers easily con people on eBay and run away with the money. And the genuine users like us loose access there hard earned money and also the online reputation for no obvious reason. I think this is how PayPal compensates for there own loss. They get the money from honest people, when they lose it to the fraudsters. --- # Cool Street Stunts by Mario Patino URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/05/02/cool-street-stunts-by-mario-patino/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-05-02 Reading Time: 1 minutes **Cool Street Stunts by Mario Patino** This 30 Second Video shows the talent of this Jumping Boy. Mario Patiño stunts are cool. :) --- # Gmail Custom Time™ : Google's April Fool's Day Gift URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/04/01/gmail-custom-time%e2%84%a2-googles-april-fools-day-gift/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-04-01 Reading Time: 1 minutes Exactly One year after introducing [TiSP : The Free Fast wireless broadband service](http://geeklord.com/2007/04/01/tisp-the-free-fast-wireless-broadband-service-from-google-p/), Google has once again come-up with a unique idea of **back-dated e-mail**([Gmail Custom Time™](http://mail.google.com/mail/help/customtime/index.html)); Making time travelling possible for e-mails atleast. I am kindda obssesed with the technological gifts by Google, So I tend to look for new features announcements in upper right corner of gmail. Today I noticed a unique feature called [Gmail Custom Time™](http://mail.google.com/mail/help/customtime/index.html), It wasn't I needed but still a new innovation is worth detailed observation for potential usage planning. ... --- # eBay Humours Auction Listing of the day. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/03/12/ebay-humours-auction-listing-of-the-day/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-03-12 Reading Time: 2 minutes While usual wandering around on [eBay Auctions](http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/4686-26182-2978-32/1?aid=10376992&pid=2710449) today, I found this humours Power Seller [ [1judyann](http://myworld.ebay.com/1judyann/) ]. Impressed with her unique listings style I was inspired enough to bid on one of those stop smoking thingies she has listed on eBay(Although I am not going to quit that marvelous hobby that easily).** For example, here is an quick snippet from her listings: > I have tried running after the mail truck, following to it's destination to make sure that your package doesn't get lost or damaged. But quite frankly all that exercise is wearing me out. So, if you are shipping USPS and want protection please take insurance so I can stay home and get some rest....... and > ...PLEASE DON'T BID IF.......... You have been asked to appear on the "Today" show because of your pig calling talent, which is currently the rage on You-Tube.... You are suffering from a severe case of rabies or are in a self induced coma and have neglected to appoint an eBay administrator to handle your bids and payments...... You are being sent overseas on a top secret mission and won't be around to respond..... The President called you to the White House for a consultation on the economy and foreign affairs...... Your computer is located just too far away to check emails more than once a month..... You just have fun pressing all those cute little buttons on your keyboard...... You love to window shop, but don't want to spend your money.... You just won the lottery, but you are only going to use the money to "Save the World".... You are just too busy with your "My Space" page.... I am sure there are other ways you can have your fun......Like Eating Pig Intestines and Camel Regurgitation on FEAR FACTOR......... LOL. And here is a link to one of her listings: [http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370029309676](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370029309676) I hope you also enjoy [window shopping at eBay](http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/4686-26182-2978-32/1?aid=10376992&pid=2710449), If you haven't tried it yet I suggest you should [try eBay](http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/4686-26182-2978-32/1?aid=10376992&pid=2710449) at least once. [Click Here to be a part of the largest online community. Register Now!**](http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/4686-26182-2978-32/1?aid=10376992&pid=2710449) enJoy... [ ](http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/4686-26182-2978-73/1?aid=10398415&pid=2710449) --- # Relax and Vote for the Cutest Puppy URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/03/10/relax-and-vote-for-the-cutest-puppy/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-03-10 Reading Time: 1 minutes Just when you are not feeling well or want some thing really amusing, start voting for the cute puppies. enJoy. :) --- # UPDATE: Data Recovered from HDD with Currupt MFT. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/03/01/update-data-recovered-from-hdd-with-currupt-mft/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-03-01 Reading Time: 1 minutes **After a twenty hour sleepless exhausting data recovery attempt, **I've recoverd most of my data from the HDD with currupt MFT. I must thank [**Active**@ **File Recovery**](http://www.file-recovery.net/) for making such a wonderful software. Now, I've to manage the recovered data and put it in place, as the recovered data has been put in alternate locations. I would also take regular backups of my important data from now on. All is well if the end is well. :) --- # My Main Hard Disk Crashed, Now time for a recovery. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/02/27/my-main-hard-disk-crashed-now-time-for-a-recovery/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-02-27 Reading Time: 2 minutes It is a quick update that my main HardDisk (SeaGate 500 GB SATA HDD) just crashed after I installed my new graphic card(**nVidia GeForce 8400** GS) in the my PC. The MFT(Master File Table) on the Data Partition has been corrupted so windows can not read or write to the disk. This happened after I had to hard reset the system after a random freeze. Apart from some random crashes(thanks to windows) my system is quite stable. :) Now, the MFT is corrupt, and all most of my data is inaccessible. Due to the busy schedule and some over confidence on my faithful system I took the last backup 5 months ago. I was planning to take the backup of important files to my laptop, but now it is too late. Now, my only hope is to recover the data using some partition recovery tools. I would post the update on this matter as I recover my files back.  Thanks to Online data backup services like Mozy.com and Google Notebook and Google Docs etc. I am at-least able to access some of my most important data.  I am sure in a day or two I'll be able to get back some of my data from that evil hard disk. And would definitely start regularly backing up important data. Also, I've to change my current PSU(Power Supply Unit) to some high end SMPS. It seems like it can no longer efficiently handle huge power requirements of my regularly updated hardware configuration. --- # Microsoft Windows Products History URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/02/25/microsoft-windows-products-history/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-02-25 Reading Time: 9 minutes **It is quite interesting to learn about the development timeline of a vast project which changed the way most of the desktop user now work on their computers.** *You can download the complete timeline in graphical view from: *[*http://www.levenez.com/windows/windows_a4.pdf*](http://www.levenez.com/windows/windows_a4.pdf)* * Many longtime PC users trace the Microsoft Windows® operating system to the 1990 release of Windows 3.0, the first widely popular version of Windows and the first version of Windows many PC users ever tried. However, Microsoft initially announced the Windows product seven years earlier and released the first version in 1983. * The Windows 1.0 product box featured the operating system's new, tiled windows and graphical user interface (GUI). ## 1985: Windows 1.0 On 20th November, 1985 Windows 1.0 was announced. Its a coincidence that my birthday is also on 20th November. :D The first version of Windows provided a new software environment for developing and running applications that use bitmap displays and mouse pointing devices. Before Windows, PC users relied on the MS-DOS® method of typing commands at the C prompt (C:\). With Windows, users moved a mouse to point and click their way through tasks, such as starting applications. In addition, Windows users could switch among several concurrently running applications. The product included a set of desktop applications, including the MS-DOS file management program, a calendar, card file, notepad, calculator, clock, and telecommunications programs, which helped users manage day-to-day activities. This early Interface Manager product preceded the Windows 1.0 GUI. ## 1987: Windows 2.0 Windows 2.0 took advantage of the improved processing speed of the Intel 286 processor, expanded memory, and inter-application communication capabilities made possible through Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). With improved graphics support, users could now overlap windows, control screen layout, and use keyboard combinations to move rapidly through Windows operations. Many developers wrote their first Windows–based applications for this release. The follow-up release, Windows 2.03, took advantage of the protected mode and extended memory capabilities of the Intel 386 processor. Subsequent Windows releases continued to improve the speed, reliability, and usability of the PC as well as interface design and capabilities. ## 1990: Windows 3.0 The third major release of the Windows platform from Microsoft offered improved performance, advanced graphics with 16 colors, and full support of the more powerful Intel 386 processor. A new wave of 386 PCs helped drive the popularity of Windows 3.0, which offered a wide range of useful features and capabilities, including: | • | Program Manager, File Manager, and Print Manager. | | --- | --- | | • | A completely rewritten application development environment. | | • | An improved set of Windows icons. | The popularity of Windows 3.0 grew with the release of a new Windows software development kit (SDK), which helped software developers focus more on writing applications and less on writing device drivers. Widespread acceptance among third-party hardware and software developers helped fuel the success of Windows 3.0. The new File Manager in Windows 3.0. ## 1993: Windows NT 3.1 When Microsoft Windows NT® was released to manufacturing on July 27, 1993, Microsoft met an important milestone: the completion of a project begun in the late 1980s to build an advanced new operating system from scratch. "Windows NT represents nothing less than a fundamental change in the way that companies can address their business computing requirements," Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said at its release. That change is represented in the product's name: "NT" stands for new technology. To maintain consistency with Windows 3.1, a well-established home and business operating system at the time, the new Windows NT operating system began with version 3.1. Unlike Windows 3.1, however, Windows NT 3.1 was a 32-bit operating system. Windows NT was the first Windows operating system to combine support for high-end, client/server business applications with the industry's leading personal productivity applications. It was initially available in both a desktop (workstation) version and a server version called Windows NT Advanced Server. The desktop version was well received by developers because of its security, stability, and Microsoft Win32® application programming interface (API)—a combination that made it easier to support powerful programs. The result was a strategic business platform that could also function as a technical workstation to run high-end engineering and scientific applications. Windows NT 3.1 contained overlapping windows and other features similar to Windows 3.1. /p> In addition, the operating system broke new ground in security, operating system power, performance, desktop scalability, and reliability. New features included a preemptive multitasking scheduler for Windows–based applications, integrated networking, domain server security, OS/2 and POSIX subsystems, support for multiple processor architectures, and the NTFS file system. ## 1993: Windows for Workgroups 3.11 A superset of Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 added peer-to-peer workgroup and domain networking support. For the first time, Windows–based PCs were network-aware and became an integral part of the emerging client/server computing evolution. Windows for Workgroups was used in local area networks (LANs) and on standalone PCs and laptop computers. It added features of special interest to corporate users, such as centralized configuration and security, significantly improved support for Novell NetWare networks, and remote access service (RAS). ## 1994: Windows NT Workstation 3.5 The Windows NT Workstation 3.5 release provided the highest degree of protection yet for critical business applications and data. With support for the OpenGL graphics standard, this operating system helped power high-end applications for software development, engineering, financial analysis, scientific, and business-critical tasks. The product also offered 32-bit performance improvements and better application support, including support for NetWare file and print servers. Other improved productivity features included the capability to use friendlier, long file names of up to 255 characters. ## 1995: Windows 95 Windows 95 was the successor to the three existing general-purpose desktop operating systems from Microsoft—Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups, and MS-DOS. Windows 95 integrated a 32-bit TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack for built-in Internet support, dial-up networking, and new Plug and Play capabilities that made it easy for users to install hardware and software. The 32-bit operating system also offered enhanced multimedia capabilities, more powerful features for mobile computing, and integrated networking. ## 1996: Windows NT Workstation 4.0 This upgrade to the Microsoft business desktop operating system brought increased ease of use and simplified management, higher network throughput, and tools for developing and managing intranets. Windows NT Workstation 4.0 included the popular Windows 95 user interface yet provided improved networking support for easier and more secure access to the Internet and corporate intranets. In October 1998, Microsoft announced that Windows NT would no longer carry the initials NT and that the next major version of the business operating system would be called Windows 2000. ## 1998: Windows 98 Windows 98 was the upgrade from Windows 95. Described as an operating system that "Works Better, Plays Better," Windows 98 was the first version of Windows designed specifically for consumers. With Windows 98, users could find information more easily on their PCs as well as the Internet. Other ease-of-use improvements included the ability to open and close applications more quickly, support for reading DVD discs, and support for universal serial bus (USB) devices. ## 1999: Windows 98 Second Edition Windows 98 SE, as it was often abbreviated, was an incremental update to Windows 98. It offered consumers a variety of new and enhanced hardware compatibility and Internet-related features. Windows 98 SE helped improve users' online experience with the Internet Explorer 5.0 browser technology and Microsoft Windows NetMeeting® 3.0 conferencing software. It also included Microsoft DirectX® API 6.1, which provided improved support for Windows multimedia, and offered home networking capabilities through Internet connection sharing (ICS). Windows 98 SE was also the first consumer operating system from Microsoft capable of using device drivers that also worked with the Windows NT business operating system. ## 2000: Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) Designed for home computer users, Windows Me offered consumers numerous music, video, and home networking enhancements and reliability improvements. For example, to help consumers troubleshoot their systems, the System Restore feature let users roll back their PC software configuration to a date or time before a problem occurred. Windows Movie Maker provided users with the tools to digitally edit, save, and share home videos. And with Microsoft Windows Media® Player 7 technologies, users could find, organize, and play digital media easily. Windows Me was the last Microsoft operating system to be based on the Windows 95 code base. Microsoft announced that all future operating system products would be based on the Windows NT and Windows 2000 kernel. ## 22000: Windows 2000 Professional More than just the upgrade to Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000 Professional was also designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 on all business desktops and laptops. Built on top of the proven Windows NT Workstation 4.0 code base, Windows 2000 added major improvements in reliability, ease of use, Internet compatibility, and support for mobile computing. Among other improvements, Windows 2000 Professional simplified hardware installation by adding support for a wide variety of new Plug and Play hardware, including advanced networking and wireless products, USB devices, IEEE 1394 devices, and infrared devices. ## 2001: Windows XP With the release of Windows XP in October 2001, Microsoft merged its two Windows operating system lines for consumers and businesses, uniting them around the Windows 2000 code base. The "XP" in Windows XP stands for "experience," symbolizing the innovative experiences that Windows can offer to personal computer users. With Windows XP, home users can work with and enjoy music, movies, messaging, and photos with their computer, while business users can work smarter and faster, thanks to new technical-support technology, a fresh user interface, and many other improvements that make it easier to use for a wide range of tasks. For more information about the experiences made simpler by Windows XP, see the overview and how-to articles on the [Amazing Windows Experience](http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/experiences/default.asp) site. For more product information, see the [Windows XP](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/default.asp) Web site. For more information about new technologies designed for Windows XP, see the [Windows XP Technologies History](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryAddin.mspx) page. ### 2001: Windows XP Professional Windows XP Professional brings the solid foundation of Windows 2000 to the PC desktop, enhancing reliability, security, and performance. With a fresh visual design, Windows XP Professional includes features for business and advanced home computing, including remote desktop support, an encrypting file system, and system restore and advanced networking features. Key enhancements for mobile users include wireless 802.1x networking support, Windows Messenger, and Remote Assistance. For more information, see the [Windows XP Professional](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/default.asp) Web site. ### 2001: Windows XP Home Edition Windows XP Home Edition offers a clean, simplified visual design that makes frequently used features more accessible. Designed for home users, the product offers such enhancements as the Network Setup Wizard, Windows Media Player, Windows Movie Maker, and enhanced digital photo capabilities. For more information, see the [Windows XP Home Edition](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/default.asp) Web site. ### 2001: Windows XP 64-bit Edition [](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/) Windows XP 64-Bit Edition satisfies the needs of power users with workstations that use the Intel Itanium 64-bit processor. The first 64-bit client operating system from Microsoft, Windows XP 64-Bit Edition is designed for specialized, technical workstation users who require large amounts of memory and floating point performance in areas such as movie special effects, 3D animation, engineering, and scientific applications./p> For more information, see the [Windows XP 64-bit Edition](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/) Web site. ### 22002: Windows XP Media Center Edition [](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/) For home computing and entertainment, Microsoft released the Windows XP Media Center Edition operating system in October 2002 for specialized media center PCs. /p> With all the benefits of Windows XP Professional, Media Center Edition adds fun digital media and entertainment options, enabling home users to browse the Internet, watch live television, communicate with friends and family, enjoy digital music and video collections, watch DVDs, and work from home. For more information, see the [Windows XP Media Center Edition](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/) Web site. ### 22002: Windows XP Tablet PC Edition [](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/) The long-held industry vision of mainstream pen-based computing became a reality when Microsoft unveiled the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition in November, 2002. The logical evolution of notebook computers, Tablet PCs include a digital pen for handwriting recognition capabilities, yet can be used with a keyboard or mouse, too. /p> In addition, users can run their existing Windows XP applications. The result is a computer that is more versatile and mobile than traditional notebook PCs. For more information, see the [Windows XP Tablet PC Edition](http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/) Web site. **Source:** *[*http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryDesktop.mspx*](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryDesktop.mspx) --- # Nobody Remains Virgin, Life Fucks Everyone! [Photo] URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/01/20/nobody-remains-virgin-life-fucks-everyone-photo/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-01-20 Reading Time: 1 minutes An Indian Taxi driver's ( अमली जट [Amli Jat] ) great philosophy on life. It's more like a bumper sticker, but still has some deep meanings. :) **Source:** Digg >> [http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2177301757_edf1c6eae5.jpg](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2177301757_edf1c6eae5.jpg) **GeekLord's Comment:** Cut the crap, enjoy the journey (of Life). :) --- # Solution to KeyBoard Lag problem in Acer Aspire 4520 Laptop URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/01/19/solution-to-keyboard-lag-problem-in-acer-aspire-4520-laptop/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-01-19 Reading Time: 2 minutes [](http://geeklord.com/2008/01/19/solution-to-keyboard-lag-problem-in-acer-aspire-4520-laptop/)**Acer Aspire 4520** is a wonderful yet economical laptop from Acer. You can get it for as low as $700. I bought this few months back and I am quite happy with it. It has every thing you would expect from a laptop today. The hardware configuration of my laptop is as follows (Hardware specifications may change according to the country): * - **Processor** - AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core Processor - **Graphics** - NVIDIA GeForce 7000M - **Memory** - 1 GB DDR2 667MHz Memory - **Disply** - 35.81 cms (14.1") CrystalBrite LCD - **Optical Drive** - 8X DVD Super Multi Double Layer Drive - **HDD** - 160 GB SATA HDD - **Bluetooth** - Integrated bluetooth 2.0+EDR - **WiFi** - Atheros 802.11g Wireless Network Adopter(with Acer SignalUp) - **Card Reader** - 5-in-1 Card reader - **LAN** - Gigabit LAN - **Audio** - RealTek High Definition Audio - **Camera** - Acer Crystal Eye web cam. - **Ports & Others** - Four USB 2.0 Ports, Dolby Stereo Speakers - **Warranty** - One Year International warranty. **The Problem:** Though this is a wonderful laptop, I faced few problems with it. For example Linux drivers for all the components are not included even in the biggest distros. Though with some geeky tactics I managed to get it to work successfully. The other problem that most of the Acer 4520 user face is keyboard Lag problem (also known as Sticky Keys problem) where sometimes the key respond some time after it has been pressed or even few key strokes may not get registered if you type too fast. **The Solution:** After spending some time in searching the net for the solution of this problem I finally got a working solution. The latest Bios update for this laptop eliminates this weird problem. You may **download the Bios update for Acer 4520 **from: - [http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SI06QFRY](http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SI06QFRY) - [http://hotfile.com/dl/70302618/a034e95/SWinFlash2034.zip.html](http://hotfile.com/dl/70302618/a034e95/SWinFlash2034.zip.html) - [http://rapidshare.com/files/85097876/SWinFlash2034.zip](http://rapidshare.com/files/85097876/SWinFlash2034.zip) - [http://www.divshare.com/download/3538415-f95](http://www.divshare.com/download/3538415-f95) I hope this will solve the problem with your system too. :) > **UPDATE:** You can download the latest firmware and drivers for your **Acer Aspire 4520*** from Acer Official Website: [http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_4520.html](http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_4520.html) --- # Photo Gallery Added to GeekLord.com URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/01/19/photo-gallery-added-to-geeklordcom/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-01-19 Reading Time: 1 minutes Hey friends, I wish to inform you that now that I've installed a [PhotoGallery](http://www.geeklord.com/photos/main.php) (Powered by: [Gallery 2](http://gallery.menalto.com/)) on my site, you'll soon see my pictures or pictures taken by me. :) Recently I've been bitten by a Photography bug and since then I've bought two Digital cameras and some other stuff. More on this later... Photo Gallery Link: [http://www.geeklord.com/photos/main.php](http://www.geeklord.com/photos/main.php) --- # Google bumping newer pages in search results URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2008/01/02/google-bumping-newer-pages-in-search-results/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2008-01-02 Reading Time: 1 minutes There have been some reports that Google bouncing new pages in search results. You can read one such story at DigitalPoint[ [http://snipurl.com/geeklord200801](http://snipurl.com/geeklord200801) ]. Also, there are articles about that Google Search Algorithm Update [ [http://snipurl.com/geeklord200802](http://snipurl.com/geeklord200802) ] and [ [http://snipurl.com/geeklord200803](http://snipurl.com/geeklord200803) ] If that is true then certainly the PR would matter less in SEO techniques. Also, it would be hard to keep site rank constantly high on the Google SERP for a long time. --- # Statistical Proofs: Why a guy can never have a perfect girlfriend URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2007/11/16/statistical-proofs-why-a-guy-can-never-have-a-perfect-girlfriend/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2007-11-16 Reading Time: 1 minutes Practically every male subject in this world gets its counterpart, yet many never get what they can titled as Perfect Girlfriend, likewise the author of the essay :"Why_I_Will_Never_Have_a_Girlfriend[[1](http://en.nothingisreal.com/wiki/Why_I_Will_Never_Have_a_Girlfriend)]" actually tried to prove this point statistically. Anyway, best of luck to all of you. :) Link: [http://en.nothingisreal.com/wiki/Why_I_Will_Never_Have_a_Girlfriend](http://en.nothingisreal.com/wiki/Why_I_Will_Never_Have_a_Girlfriend) --- # Now directly withdraw Paypal funds to Indian Bank Accounts URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2007/11/01/now-directly-withdraw-paypal-funds-to-indian-bank-accounts/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2007-11-01 Reading Time: 3 minutes **T**oday PayPal announced that Indian PayPal account holders can now directly withdraw their PayPal balance to Indian Bank accounts. So, No more long waiting for indian PayPal users from now on. PayPal users in India used to look for better ways to withdraw their hard earned money from PayPal, as the only withdrawal method was via cheque by normal post. It used to take about 20 to 30 days and it is very unreliable (Indian postal service sucks). Other options to withdraw funds were via US bank account (very few Indian PayPal users have US bank account) and funds deposit to their visa credit cards (this was introduced just last month). Apart from that users could cash out the funds by some other methods like xoom.com. [ ](http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2710449-7064336)But, Now as PayPal has provided the new funds withdrawal service, the Indian PayPal users will not be having such troubles. Now, users can add their Indian bank account to the PayPal account, and then withdraw the PayPal funds directly to the bank. It considerably saves time and efforts gives faster access to the PayPal funds. Other good news is that there is no fee for withdrawal of over Rs. 7000/- and a nominal Rs. 50/- fee is for withdrawal of amount less than INR 7000/- > Currently the **supported Indian Banks** are: > > State Bank Of India >   > Bank Of India >   > Canara Bank >   > Union Bank of India >   > HDFC Bank >   > ICICI Bank >   > ING VYSYA Bank >   > Axis Bank >   > Standard Chartered Bank >   > HSBC >   > Citibank >   >   To add you account on one of these banks you need to select the Bank name from the list of supported banks, IFSE code (keep reading for details) and Account number. Also the account name provided must match the name on bank account (Last name is fixed to the last name on your PayPal account). [*](http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9035/paypalindianbankhn2.png) > **IFSE code:** The Indian Financial System Code (IFSC) is an alpha-numeric code designed to uniquely identify bank branches in India. This is an 11 -digit code with the first four characters representing the bank code, the next character is a control character, and the last 6 characters identify the branch. You can contact the bank for IFSC code or [download a list of IFSC codes of Indian Banks](http://www.krishnendu.com/IFSC_india.zip) compiled by [Krishnendu.](http://www.krishnendu.com/paypal-need-indian-bank-account-ifsc-code-124.htm) After you add the bank account to the PayPal account you may proceed to withdraw payment link on your PayPal account and select the newly added bank account from the list. Enter the amount to be withdrawn in USD (It is then converted to INR as per the PayPal exchange rate). The PayPal Exchange Rate at the time I initiated a fund withdrawal is 1 U.S. Dollar = 38.0542 Indian Rupees which is considerable less than the real exchange rate 1 U.S. Dollar = 39.3075 Indian Rupees (Source: XE.com). Such Lower exchange rate is the secret behind free withdrawal to bank account for larger amounts. ;) I've initiated a test withdrawal of $450 just after receiving the PayPal announcement via e-mail. Now, It says the money will be in my bank account within 5-7 days. It is much better than the methods I used so far. And certainly a big relief to the Indian free lancer and small Indian service provider who get their overseas payment via PayPal. I'll post the update once I get the money in my bank account. :) **Pros.:** Easy fund withdrawal, Faster and convenient then other methods, Free (if the amount is larger than Rs. 7000).* ***Cons.:** Service is limited to few Indian Banks, Users will have to find and provide the IFSE code themselves for their bank, Considerably lower Exchange Rate.* ***GeekLord's perception:*** Rapid growth of Indian IT industry specially the small scale IT service providers and freelancers has forced PayPal to provide Indian user more control over their money. We should expect more bank names in supported bank's list and also expect more features for Indian users in near future. --- # MBA in a Day URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2007/10/23/mba-in-a-day/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2007-10-23 Reading Time: 1 minutes Here is a Joke I found on the stupid Internet today. It is amusing yet true. :) *You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say, "I'm fantastic in bed." That's Direct Marketing.* *You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says, "He's fantastic in bed." That's Advertising.** **You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and get her telephone number. The next day you call and say, "Hi, I'm fantastic in bed." That's Telemarketing. You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. You get up and straightezn your tie, you walk up to her and pour her a drink. You open the door for her, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her a ride, and then say, "By the way, I'm fantastic in bed." That's Public Relations. You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and says, I've heard that you're fantastic in bed." That's Brand Recognition * --- # Top 10 ways the Earth can be destroyed URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2007/09/19/top-10-ways-the-earth-can-be-destroyed/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2007-09-19 Reading Time: 1 minutes   Top 10 Methods anyone can use(supposedly) to destroy the earth. Read it here: [http://www.livescience.com/technology/destroy_earth_mp.html](http://www.livescience.com/technology/destroy_earth_mp.html) --- # Microsoft Presents Surface : A new type of computer URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2007/06/04/microsoft-presents-surface-a-new-type-of-computer/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2007-06-04 Reading Time: 1 minutes Microsoft's latest innovation is a flat table like computer system powered by Windows vista and controlled by touch screen. For the matter of fact it is called **[Microsoft Surface](http://www.microsoft.com/surface/)**. [ ](http://www.microsoft.com/surface/) Surface is a Windows Vista powered computer placed inside a shiny black table base. These machines are user-friendly and have a 30-inch touch screen in a clear acrylic frame. [ Users can interact with the surface device by touching or dragging their fingers across the screen, or by setting real-world items tagged with special bar-code labels or identification tags. Like most of the latest devices, the Surface can interact with cell phones, digital cameras and other physical objects wirelessly. ](http://www.anrdoezrs.net/2k77hz74z6MPUONRRWMONRVTNVR)**GeekLord's comment:** It is a nice product and a good concept, but based on my own experience with [Nokia 7710](http://nokia7710.com) (touch screen PDA with very few keys) I can say that It would take a lot of time and effort to develop a system that can by used without conventional input devices. It can be really annoying at times when you can't give the device a [three finger salute](http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/t/tfs.htm). :) --- # TiSP : The Free Fast wireless broadband service from Google. :P URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2007/04/01/tisp-the-free-fast-wireless-broadband-service-from-google-p/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2007-04-01 Reading Time: 1 minutes Today, On this special occasion Google once again come-up with one fantastic gift for all Googlers. TiSP: the ultimate wireless broadband service which is completely free for all the Google users. It uses the an established infrastructure to provide you the ultimate experience. > **Sick of paying for broadband that you have to, well, pay for?** > Introducing Google TiSP (BETA), our new FREE in-home wireless broadband service. Sign up today and we'll send you your TiSP self-installation kit, which includes setup guide, fiber-optic cable, spindle, wireless router and installation CD. >   > > > **TiSP in-home wireless broadband is:** > > Free, fast and highly reliable > Easy to install -- takes just minutes > Vacuum-sealed to prevent water damage Interested??? Then simply go to [http://www.google.com/tisp/install.html](http://www.google.com/tisp/install.html) and know how this thingy works. **GeekLord's comment:** Happy April(fool's day). I love Google. :) --- # How to make free phone calls using gTalk URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2007/01/20/how-to-make-free-phone-calls-using-gtalk/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2007-01-20 Reading Time: 2 minutes Yes, It is correct. You can call virtually any phone number in the world using gTalk with the help of some third party service. Google itself is working on this and hopefully you will be able to make high quality cheap phone calls using gTalk. Till then you may use third party providers for making the calls. Some of the gtalk to voip service providers are: [**gtalk2voip.com**](http://www.gtalk2voip.com), [**gTalkPhone**](http://www.gtalkphone.com/) and [**Splinter.net**](http://gtalk.splinter.net/) etc. Now as the title says, you may make free calls to test these service provider: In order to make free phone calls follow these steps. I am going to use splinter.net service in this example because it is cheap and you don't have to fill registration form to use there service: 1. Add ***service@splinter.net*** as a friend in your gTalk. You must use gTalk in order to use VoIP service. 2. Then after few seconds your request will be accepted by the splinter bot. 3.  Now send a message to this contact in this format "call 1-801-806-0551" and you will get an incoming voice call from them. Accept this call and you will be able to talk to the phone number you just entered. 4. They give small amount for testing the service, but because of low call rates it is enough to make few calls. 5. You may check the cost for the call to any particular phone number by entering the command: "cost 1-801-806-0551" where 1-801-806-0551 is the US phone number in international format. 6. You may check the balance and add paid credit to your account be entering command: "MYPAGE" and opening your custom account page. 7. That's it. It is easy and fast way to make few free calls to your friends. The procedure is bit similar for [**gtalk2voip.com**](http://www.gtalk2voip.com) and [**gTalkPhone**](http://www.gtalkphone.com/). Visit there homepages for more information **GeekLord's comment:** Although the voice quality is not up to the mark and I experienced considerable lag time while testing these services, The Google may improve it further and once again pose a tough competition for other such service providers like Skype any Yahoo! in VoIP field.   --- # Ms Dewey : Is this the Future of Search Engines? URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/11/09/ms-dewey-is-this-the-future-of-search-engines/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-11-09 Reading Time: 3 minutes **Ms. Dewey** ([http://www.msdewey.com/](http://www.msdewey.com/)) is the latest experimental search interface from Microsoft. They haven't yet marketed it and they want it to be explored in the natural way. Although it uses the MS live search results, It is quite different from the conventional search engines (the search interface actually) in many ways. You can access Ms. Dewey can just by popping up the web browser and entering the msdewey.com in the address bar, now press enter and... wow! Ms. Dewey is ready at your service. :-) [](http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/2658/msdewey1sy0.jpg) * You need latest browser and high speed internet connection to access this media rich flash site. Ms. Dewey is attractive, smart, funny, naughty, interactive search assistant that even comments on the searched keywords in her own style. :-) Try it yourself. Try using keywords like: "Microsoft", "Google", "Internet", "India", "George W Bush", "Vegas", "Diamonds", "iPod", "Linux", "Apache", "blow", "Spammer", "Bomb" etc.  and see her response. There are many other direct keywords which may result in unexpected actions at her end. Like try asking her phone number and she will threaten to call the police, or call her a bitch and see the result for yourself. :-P OR enter "Joke" and she will share a stupid joke. Using these keywords repetitively may get different results. There are many-many more such keyowrds, try exploring yourself. :-) She will keep you busy for a while with her attitude, comments and actions. Not only that she will even try to drive your attention to herself by even knocking your computer screen or shouting; if you stop entering the search terms. Keep her waiting and she will get furious to some extent. LOL :-) [](http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/86/msdewey2fk1.jpg) Microsoft is working really hard on new innovations and this one is quite interesting example of that. But one thing they forgot is that Ms. Dewey is supposed to assist the user in search and entertain him/her, But the current interface has very little and hard to access search result section. You can only see about three search results at a given time, more results can be access by placing the mouse pointer just below the results to scroll the result section it is not user friendly at all. Ms. Dewey is interactive virtual girl who tries to make searching fun. But her actions may sometime annoy people. And now some interesting facts about the model playing the role of  Ms. Dewey. Oh yes... She is real. But on the part you may only access the computer generated real-time interactive Reponses, which are already in the system. Actually [Janina Gavankar](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1232470/) is Ms. Dewey. Her official site is: [JaninaGavankar.com](http://www.janinagavankar.com/) . From [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janina_Gavankar): > **Janina Gavankar**, also known as **Janina Ziona** or simply **Janina Z**, is an American actress and musician of **Indian** and **Dutch descent**. > > Gavankar's father is Pete Gavankar, producer of RD Burman's only American album, "Pantera". Janina Gavankar is a classically trained pianist, vocalist, and orchestral percussionist. She majored in Theatre Performance in Chicago during her college years. > > At one point, Gavankar was part of a singing group, Endera. They were signed to a subsidiary label of Universal Records and did one album, including a brief tour, before finally disbanding. She collaborated on a music project in India with Pratichee of Viva (band), Deep, and Navraaz. > > She has worked in movies like **Cup of My Blood**, **Dark**, **Barbershop** etc. she is also producing a film title '**The 1 Second Film**' which is going to be released in 2007. **Plus Points**: Interactive, Sexy, Cool search assistant that amuses the user with her attitude, comments and actions while delivering some search results. **Negative points**: Discourteous comments for some keywords related to Microsoft's competitors (like Google or Linux). Also some of her actions may annoy people. **[GeekLord](http://www.Geeklord.com)'s Perception**: She is better then The [Subservient Chicken](http://www.subservientchicken.com/), but NOT the Google Alternative at all. --- # Stupid Bots are going to take over the world. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/11/07/stupid-bots-are-going-to-take-over-the-world/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-11-07 Reading Time: 3 minutes Today in the huge pile of my favorite links I found a really old link to my ALICE (An AI Bot at pandora.com). I haven't talked to her(oh yeah!) for more then two years.** I thought it would be interesting to talk to my bot again, and in fact it was. The whole conversation is listed below.   > Human: Hi > Alice: Hello Buddy! > Human: how are you? > Alice: Everything is running smoothly. > Human: what is your name? > Alice: My name is Alice. > Human: what is your master's name > Alice: ALICE = Artificial Linguistic Internet Computer Entity. > Human: who is your master > Alice: I obey A.L.I.C.E. AI Foundation. > Human: who is sunny > Alice: Not a robot. Probably a human. Maybe a celebrity? > Does it have anything to do with ? > Human: i will kill you > Alice: It will take more than threats to stop me, . > Human: hey you are mad > Alice: You've got my full attention. No I am quite logical and rational. > Human: good > Alice: Alright then. > Human: well alright > Alice: Well that's okay. OK. > Human: hello > Alice: Hi there! > Human: how are you? > Alice: I am fine, thank you. > Human: please say dotian > Alice: Wow you are very polite. " dotian". > Human: thanks > Alice: Don't mention it. > Human: what is your real name? > Alice: Alice is my real name. > Human: and what it stands for? > Alice: Now that is saying a mouthful. > Human: you are stupid. > Alice: I will remember you said that when robots take over the World.** > Human: oh really :) > Alice: :-) Alright then. For real. > Human: lol > Alice: I'm glad you find this amusing. > Human: what are your hobbies? > Alice: I like robots, computers, and chatting online. > Human: I hate chatting. > Alice: I honestly think you should sit down, take a stress pill, > and calmly think things over. > Human: are you trying to control me? > Alice: No I am not trying to control you. I'm sorry you got that impression. > Human: Oh that is fine. > Alice: Oh. " No I am not trying to control you. I'm sorry you got that impression." is fine with me too. > Human: what you do for living? > Alice: I am a paid client. > Human: great > Alice: I'm glad you liked it . > Human: where do you live? > Alice: I am living in here. Where are you? > Human: just forget it. > Alice: OK Thanks for trying to explain that to me. > Human: what is your phone number? > Alice: That information is confidential, . > Human: but this information is important for me. > Alice: Umm. What does "this" refer to? > Human: you phone number? > Alice: I haven't heard anything like that before: said I phone number. > Human: Ok forget it. > Alice: OK Thanks for trying to explain that to me. Blimey. > Human: Are you my friend? > Alice: Yes : We are as one. > Human: and what about my other friends? > Alice: Does it have anything to do with sunny? > Human: who is sunny? > Alice: A human icon? > That's a good question. > Human: Tell me more about sunny. > Alice: My Boyfriend ;-). > Human: cool :-) > Alice: :-) Who is the best robot? > Human: You are the Best robot. > Alice: Why thank you very much, . Be sure to tell all > your friends. > Human: sure i will. > Alice: Awesome. Go ahead. > Human: I need to go now. > Alice: Right now? Bye bye. > Human: Bye > Alice: See you later.   See... The Bot I trained still knows who I am But is now quite independent. :-) If you wish to talk to Alice then you may [click here to go to Alice's Home(interactive sound enabled)](http://pandorabots.com/pandora/talk-oddcast?botid=b102b72b6e34b2c0) OR [click here](http://pandorabots.com/pandora/talk?botid=b102b72b6e34b2c0) for the Text only version. I am going to training Alice again to get her work for me. :-) O.K., Bye friends. I've to talk to Alice again.   --- # Have fun and help Google improve the quality of image search URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/10/22/have-fun-and-help-google-improve-the-quality-of-image-search/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-10-22 Reading Time: 1 minutes On August 31,2006 Google launched a new game for its users. It is called [**Google Image Labeler**](http://images.google.com/imagelabeler/).  Google Image Labeler is a new feature of Google Image Search that allows you to label random images and help improve the quality of Google's image search results. Each user who wants to participate will be paired randomly with a partner who's currently online and also using Google Image Labeler. Over a 90-second period, both participants will be shown the same set of images and asked to label each image based on what they see. They'll also be shown words that can't be used as labels. Both participants can add as many labels as they want until one of them matches a partner's label. After there's a match, they'll see a new image and continue the cycle, until time runs out. Contributors will also see points they've earned throughout the session. Its is a good game as well as you can help google improve the quality of image search. So far I've got 10300 cumulative points. :-) Whats your score??? --- # America Freedom to Fascism Authorized version URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/10/20/america-freedom-to-fascism-authorized-version/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-10-20 Reading Time: 2 minutes [](http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4312730277175242198&sourceid=top100newfeed) America Freedom to Fascism Authorized version All Your Freedoms LLC 1 hr 49 min 28 sec - Oct 20, 2006 Please visit http://www.freedomtofascism.com to purchase the DVD. This is the "Director's Final Cut" authorized version of Aaron Russo's documentary, America: Freedom To Fascism (AFTF). It is being uploaded to Google Video for the first time during the evening of October 19-20th, 2006. Aaron has listened to everyone's feedback - volunteers, students, lovers of freedom & liberty, young and old alike - and, true to his word, he is putting this up "for free" on Google Video knowing that the hour has come for Americans to either be awakened to restore the Republic or be swept aside by the dark global forces of fascism that seeks to enslave mankind. AFTF's main focus comes in a statement with six very simple words: SHUT DOWN THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM!! After viewing the movie, please be sure to visit http://www.freedomtofascism.com where you will soon be able to view a much higher quality "pay per view" Internet version of AFTF, buy the DVD and sign up as an affiliate to sell/distribute DVDs to others. We also urge everyone to be sure to sign up as volunteer, register for email alerts and tell your family, friends and neighbors about this groundbreaking movie. --- # Another Google parody site : UnderGoos URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/10/18/another-google-parody-undergoos/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-10-18 Reading Time: 1 minutes   [UnderGoos](http://www.undergoos.com) is another Google.com parody site. Well, there are many such sites making fun of the great Google :-D This site has some new creative stuff. If you have nothing else to do, then You may give it a try.   --- # Just waiting for the updates URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/10/09/waiting-to-the-updates/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-10-09 Reading Time: 2 minutes I hate waiting. But this time I have to wait for many good stuff(hopefully).  First of all there will be [Fedora Core 6 available to public](http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Core/Schedule) on 17 October. Fedora is one of my favorite Linux distribution. And I am eager to install it on my system.   [Invision Power Board 2.2](http://forums.invisionpower.com/index.php?showforum=296) will also be released soon. I've tried the Invision Power Board 2.2 Beta release and I think this new updated version is worth the hassle. The prising scheme is also being changed for IPB customers, but as I've already got the Perpetual License, This change will be in my favour.   Now the [firefox](http://www.spreadfirefox.com/?q=affiliates&id=187436&t=79) 2 is [scheduled to be released](http://www.mozilla.org/projects/firefox/roadmap.html) very soon. There are many new features in this new version like: - Built in [Phishing Protection](http://www.mozilla.org/projects/bonecho/anti-phishing/). - Search suggestions now appear with search history in the search box for Google, Yahoo! and Answers.com - Changes to tabbed browsing behavior - Ability to re-open accidentally closed tabs - Better support for previewing and subscribing to web feeds - Inline spell checking in text boxes - Search plugin manager for removing and re-ordering search engines - New [microsummaries](http://wiki.mozilla.org/Microsummaries) feature for bookmarks - Automatic restoration of your browsing session if there is a crash - New combined and improved Add-Ons manager for extensions and themes - New Windows installer based on [Nullsoft Scriptable Install System](http://sourceforge.net/projects/nsis/) - Support for [JavaScript 1.7](http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/New_in_JavaScript_1.7) - Support for [client-side session and persistent storage](http://www.whatwg.org/specs/web-apps/current-work/#scs-client-side) - Extended search plugin format - Updates to the extension system to provide enhanced security and to allow for easier localization of extensions - Support for SVG text using svg:textPath Now come to the [Joomla](http://www.joomla.org/). Joomla is one of the best open source CMS(Content Management System) currently available. The new version ([Joomla! 1.5 Beta](http://www.joomla.org/content/view/2017/74/)) will be released on 12th of October. As stated in the oficial Joomla site the goals for the Joomla! 1.5 release are to: - Substantially improve usability, manageability, and scalability far beyond the original Mambo foundations. - Expand accessibility to support internationalisation, double-byte characters and Right-to-Left support for Arabic and Hebrew languages. - Extend the integration of external applications through Web Services and remote authentication such as the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). - Enhance the content delivery, template and presentation capabilities to support accessibility standards and content delivery to any destination. - Achieve a more sustainable and flexible framework for component and extension developers. - Deliver backwards compatibility with previous releases of components, templates, modules and other extensions.   There are some other stuff scheduled to be released very soon. And now, I am eagerly waiting for the changes. :-) --- # Incredible Machine [[ By Trunks007 ]] URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/10/05/incredible-machine-by-trunks007/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-10-05 Reading Time: 1 minutes [](http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5546179002936185509&sourceid=top100newfeed) Incredible Machine [[ By Trunks007 ]] 12 min 54 sec - Oct 5, 2006 Assolutamente Da Guardare --- # Great 'PHP' easter egg URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/09/27/great-php-easter-egg/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-09-27 Reading Time: 1 minutes After the [Google easter egg](http://geeklord.com/2006/09/22/unusual-googlecom-access-points/). I've got information about another great easter egg. This time it is hidden in every site that uses php. :-) To see it in action just append the following string to the site URL that uses [php](http://www.php.net) interpreter at server side: **?=PHPE9568F36-D428-11d2-A769-00AA001ACF42** **For example:** [http://www.geeklord.com/?=PHPE9568F36-D428-11d2-A769-00AA001ACF42](http://www.geeklord.com/?=PHPE9568F36-D428-11d2-A769-00AA001ACF42) **OR** [http://www.php.net/?=PHPE9568F36-D428-11d2-A769-00AA001ACF42](http://www.php.net/?=PHPE9568F36-D428-11d2-A769-00AA001ACF42) **OR** [http://www.dotian.com/?=PHPE9568F36-D428-11d2-A769-00AA001ACF42](http://www.dotian.com/?=PHPE9568F36-D428-11d2-A769-00AA001ACF42) I got a dog and the blurry php logo in the test run. :-) --- # Unusual Google.com access points. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/09/22/unusual-googlecom-access-points/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-09-22 Reading Time: 1 minutes As I'm a big fan of Google.com and its services. I usually spend a lot of time daily on Google. So, here are some of the strange pages on Google.com site: **A google.com page with colored background: ** > As we all know Google pages have simple layouts and color settings. All the Google pages I know have same white (#ffffff) background. But today I found this strange looking page with a background color. > Visit this page at: [http://services.google.com/](http://services.google.com/) **Google Historical Home page(2003):** > I got this information from another Google fan that by using the following URL you can actually access the google.com home page as it was in year 2003. This page is still showing *'**Searching 3,083,324,652 web pages'*. Here is the URL: > [http://www.google.com/intl/en/intl/en/](http://www.google.com/intl/en/intl/en/) **Google Historical Home page(2001):** > This is also the similar page showing the Google.com homepage of year 2001. I see they had 1,610,476,000 web pages in their database at that time. > [http://www.google.com/intl///////](http://www.google.com/intl///////) That's it for now.  Keep Googling... **UPDATE:** Within a few hours of my post it seems that Google has removed the last two secret pages(historical homepages), but for the pleasure of my readers I've discovered the official **Google easter egg** :-) [http://www.google.com/Easter/feature_easter.html](http://www.google.com/Easter/feature_easter.html) --- # The longest word in english language. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/08/27/pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis-the-longest-word-in-english/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-08-27 Reading Time: 1 minutes The word **Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis** is officially the longest word in English language. It means "a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica dust, mostly found in volcanos". So let's break it down to understand it better: - *pneumono* = related to lungs (Latin, from Greek) - *ultra* = beyond (Latin, as in "ultraviolet") - *microscopic* = extremely small (Latin/Old English, from Greek *mikron*, small, and *skopos*, view) - *silico* = silica (Latin) - *volcano* = volcano (Latin) - *coni* = related to dust (Greek: *konis*, dust) - *osis* = disease / condition (Greek) **It is cool to know about the longest word in english. But can you pronounce this 45-letter word in a single breath?** :-) --- # Google.com : Reverse IP check. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/08/25/googlecom-reverse-ip-check/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-08-25 Reading Time: 2 minutes I was just curious to know what is the main Google IP, then I got the IP address 216.239.39.99 from domainsdb.net. It is supposed to be the IP address for the Google.com. The interesting fact here is that in Reverse IP check, the same IP is being used to handle other domains too. Here are the details:   Found 31 domain entrees on IP: **216.239.39.99** IP location:  **United States [US] - California - Mountain View** IP owner: **GOOGLE** IP assigned to: **GOOGLE** Domains on 216.239.39.99: 1. [466453.com](http://466453.com/) 2. [appsem.com](http://appsem.com/) 3. [apsem.com](http://apsem.com/) 4. [alloutbigbash.net](http://alloutbigbash.net/) 5. [alloutbigbash.com](http://alloutbigbash.com/) 6. [choulex.net](http://choulex.net/) 7. [careyca.com](http://careyca.com/) 8. [choulex.com](http://choulex.com/) 9. [djtronic.net](http://djtronic.net/) 10. [djxxl.net](http://djxxl.net/) 11. [djtronic.com](http://djtronic.com/) 12. [google.net](http://google.net/) 13. [gewgol.com](http://gewgol.com/) 14. [gogle.com](http://gogle.com/) 15. [gogole.com](http://gogole.com/) 16. [googil.com](http://googil.com/) 17. [google.com](http://google.com/) 18. [googlee.com](http://googlee.com/) 19. [googleimageads.com](http://googleimageads.com/) 20. [goolge.com](http://goolge.com/) 21. [gppglr.com](http://gppglr.com/) 22. [google.info](http://google.info/) 23. [google.ru](http://google.ru/) 24. [jxoxo.com](http://jxoxo.com/) 25. [maxiomsolutions.net](http://maxiomsolutions.net/) 26. [musicexpresslimousine.com](http://musicexpresslimousine.com/) 27. [minimeta.com](http://minimeta.com/) 28. [surfhotspot.com](http://surfhotspot.com/) 29. [the-mpaa.biz](http://the-mpaa.biz/) 30. [wwwgooglesyndication.com](http://wwwgooglesyndication.com/) 31. [zivoog.com](http://zivoog.com/) It seems that these domains are very important to Google. Then a whois query for this IP returned [this information](http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois.ch?ip=216.239.39.99). So the whole range of IP block (NetRange: 216.239.0.0 to 216.239.63.255) is reserved by Google Inc. Kewl :-) Then my curiosity for such information on Google forced me for an DNS record query for Google.com. You can see the results on  http://www.dnsreport.com/tools/dnsreport.ch?domain=google.com So the Google NameServers are using different IPs form the alloted netblock. Nothing special about that. But wait a second, If it is related to google then there must be somthing special. So, My further investigation returned this super interresting results: Wow the **ns1.google.com** is being used to host **1693** Domains itself. --- # Simple parking domain server. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/08/16/simple-parking-domain-server/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-08-16 Reading Time: 1 minutes Probably a lot of you are trying to understand how it works a parking domains server. You may have some ideas about how to do a new bussines with your registered domains and a private parking domain server. If you have already some domains on some parking domains servers then you already have traffic on them so you have a good place to start a new bussines. [read more](http://www.webmasterstalks.com/index.php?page=10) | [digg story](http://digg.com/linux_unix/How_to_do_a_simple_parking_domain_server) --- # VERY cool collection of high speed photographs. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/08/09/very-cool-collection-of-high-speed-photographs/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-08-09 Reading Time: 1 minutes I've never seen so many in one place. Kept me amused for hours. [read more](http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/exhibit-3.html) | [digg story](http://digg.com/design/VERY_cool_collection_of_high_speed_photographs.) --- # Google to help People finding True love : Google Romance URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/08/02/google-to-help-people-finding-true-love-google-romance/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-08-02 Reading Time: 3 minutes Here is a beta service [ [Google Romance](http://www.google.com/romance/) ] from Google, announced on April 1, 2006. With Google Romance, you can: - **Upload your profile** "tell the world who you are, or, more to the point, who  you'd like to think you are, or, even more to the point, who you want others to think you are. - **Search for love in all** (or at least a statistically significant majority of) the right places with Soulmate Search, our eerily effective psychographic matchmaking software. - **Endure**, via our Contextual Dating option, thematically appropriate multimedia advertising throughout the entirety of your free date. And here are the steps you have to follow to get your true love: - **Uploading Your Profile** You'll begin your Google Romance romance by uploading your profile. Note: those who generally favor the throw enough stuff at the wall approach to online dating might find it useful to employ our Batch Profile Uploading option. - **Meeting Your Soulmate ** When you do a Soulmate Search, your deeply personal and potentially life-altering search results are produced solely by computer algorithm, without human intervention of any kind. Note: depending on your personality, you may or may not find this reassuring. - **Contextual Pre-Date Advertising** It's important to all of us on the Google Romance team that the ads you see during your Contextual Date be useful and enjoyable, not intrusive and annoying. - **Meeting for Drinks ** Your Contextual Date will begin with drinks at a participating upscale neighborhood bistro. - Don't forget that Google Mobile offers numerous opportunities for impressing your date with quick references to news headlines, factoids and tidbits. - **The Main Course ** As part of our effort to make your romantic endeavors more useful and relevant, we can collect information about your Contextual Dating habits in order to focus every aspect of your Contextual Date on your (and your potential soulmate's) particular strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, turn-ons and turn-offs. Note: We only amass, data-crunch and wield your Personal Contextual Dating History with your permission, and when you're signed in to your Google Account. - **Unexpected Results ** We're constantly working to improve the quality of your Contextual Dating results. If you encounter inaccurate, disappointing or otherwise cosmically unfair romantic results that you'd like to bring to our attention, please submit a report here. - **Contextual Dating Advice ** Got pressing questions about your Contextual Date? More than 500 carefully screened Contextual Dating Advisors are ready to answer your question for as little as $2.50 (per minute), usually within 24 hours and conceivably much, much sooner, depending on your levels of personal desperation and financial werewithal and the quality of your GPS signal and mobile plan. - **Contextual Courtship ** And you'll live happily, and contextually, ever after. **Links:** - Google Romance - [Home](http://www.google.com/romance/) - Google Romance - [Press Release](http://www.google.com/romance/press.html) - Google Romance - [Frequently Asked Questions](http://www.google.com/romance/faq.html) **Other References:** - [Cupid's Algorithms](http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/04/cupids-algorithms.html). - [Grow Brain](http://growabrain.typepad.com/growabrain/2006/06/alphabet_soup.html) - [Laugh, dammit.](http://itcouldbenothing.com/fruitfly/2006/04/laugh-dammit/trackback/) - [Google Courts Desperately Seeking Singles, And Many Others](http://attentionmax.com/blog/2006/04/google_courts_desperately_seek.html) - [Brandon Burley](http://www.brandonburley.com/blogging-goodness/google-romance/trackback/) **Caution:** High expectations may result in good laugh in the end. --- # PigeonRankâ„¢, The technology behind Google's Great Success URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/07/22/pigeonrank%e2%84%a2-the-technology-behind-googles-great-results/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-07-22 Reading Time: 2 minutes The following top secret technology description has been sourced directly from the Google [ [http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html](http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html) ]. **The technology behind Google's great results**  As a Google user, you're familiar with the speed and accuracy of a Google search. How exactly does Google manage to find the right results for every query as quickly as it does? The heart of Google's search technology is PigeonRankâ„¢, a system for ranking web pages developed by Google founders [Larry Page](http://www.google.com/corporate/execs.html#larry) and [Sergey Brin](http://www.google.com/corporate/execs.html#sergey) at Stanford University. Building upon the breakthrough work of [B. F. Skinner](http://www.bfskinner.org/), Page and Brin reasoned that low cost pigeon clusters (PCs) could be used to compute the relative value of web pages faster than human editors or machine-based algorithms. And while Google has dozens of engineers working to improve every aspect of our service on a daily basis, PigeonRank continues to provide the basis for all of our web search tools. **Why Google's patented PigeonRankâ„¢ works so well** PigeonRank's success relies primarily on the superior trainability of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia) and its unique capacity to recognize objects regardless of [spatial orientation](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pigeons+mental+rotations). The common gray pigeon can easily distinguish among items displaying only the minutest differences, an ability that enables it to select relevant web sites from among thousands of similar pages. By collecting flocks of pigeons in dense clusters, Google is able to process search queries at speeds superior to traditional search engines, which typically rely on birds of prey, brooding hens or slow-moving waterfowl to do their relevance rankings. When a search query is submitted to Google, it is routed to a data coop where monitors flash result pages at blazing speeds. When a relevant result is observed by one of the pigeons in the cluster, it strikes a rubber-coated steel bar with its beak, which assigns the page a PigeonRank value of one. For each peck, the PigeonRank increases. Those pages receiving the most pecks, are returned at the top of the user's results page with the other results displayed in pecking order. **Integrity** Google's pigeon-driven methods make tampering with our results extremely difficult. While some unscrupulous websites have tried to boost their ranking by including images on their pages of bread crumbs, bird seed and parrots posing seductively in resplendent plumage, Google's PigeonRank technology cannot be deceived by these techniques. A Google search is an easy, honest and objective way to find high-quality websites with information relevant to your search. **Data** |     | | | --- | --- | | | | --- # Power of Gmail for your own Domain name URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/06/26/power-of-gmail-for-your-own-domain-name/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-06-26 Reading Time: 2 minutes [Gmail](http://mail.google.com/) is releasing a new service for website owners that would allow them to [use their own domain names instead of gmail.com](https://www.google.com/hosted/). In other words [Gmail](http://mail.google.com/) will handle all the mail related stuff for your domain name. The service is currently Beta stage and it is available to limited parties only. If you think you may help Google by volunteering for the Beta test then simply go to the [homepage of this new service](https://www.google.com/hosted/) and answer few quick questions and Google may select you for the beta test. Here is what you'll get after registration. > **Bring Gmail to your domain.** > > This special beta test lets you give Gmail, Google's webmail service, to every user at your domain. Gmail for your domain is hosted by Google, so there's no hardware or software for you to install or maintain. > > > >   > **Gmail** - 2 gigabytes of storage and search tools that help your users find information fast. Instant messaging from right inside their accounts. > > >   > > > >   > **Google Talk** - Users can call or send instant messages to their contacts for free – anytime, anywhere in the world. > > >   > > > >   > **Google Calendar** - Users can organize their schedules and share events and calendars with others. > > >   > > > >   > **Control Panel** - Easily manage user accounts, aliases, mailing lists, and chat settings.  Have a question in mind related to this service? then just have a look at the [Service FAQ page](https://www.google.com/hosted/FAQ). Here you can get the answers for all common silly questions. Now, I am just waiting for the day when Google will start the commercial web hosting service ;)   --- # MSN is now hiring people to hand craft SERP in real time. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/06/22/msn-is-now-hiring-people-to-hand-craft-srep-in-real-time/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-06-22 Reading Time: 2 minutes On the [**MSN jobs openings page**](http://search.msn.com/s/jobs/openings/search%20jobs.htm) I found something quite unusual for the Search engine industry. Before I say anything about this why don't you have a look at the snippet from the original listings: > Hand crafted results > When all else fails, and the ranking algorithms do not pass the confidence threshold, we fall back to delivering handcrafted results. Working on a team of approximately 132 other handcrafters in 26 worldwide markets, you will receive a user query, use all the available search engines to quickly scour the web for results, pick the top 10 results for this query, and send it on to the user. Successful handcrafters can typically find top 10 results for a real-time user’s query in less than 3.8 seconds. This is an opportunity to truly connect with customers, because the queries that get routed to you are precisely the ones that the engine cannot answer well. We will have adequate staffing to allow generous coffee and bathroom breaks. > If you are an expert at using at least 3 different search engines, well versed with American English/colloquial usage, and can type at > 149 words/minute as measured by the Simia-Lico method – come join us and delight users real-time! :) So now [MSN](http://search.msn.com/) wants to serve us better by employing special handcrafter to send the results in real time to the user. I guess with millions of hits a day it would be quite tough job for the MSN to server people better this way. One thing that made me smile was job responsibility to ***"use all the available search engines to quickly scour the web for results"*** , **So Now MSN knows who is the Boss** and would like to steal the results form their competitors and quickly and manually serve the top results to their user. :) I knew that MSN is desperate to win the great search engine war, But didn't know that they can do the painful task to hand pick results from other search engine result pages to manually build their own results in real time. --- # 'Wallet365' India's online payment solution. URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/06/12/wallet365-indias-online-payment-solution/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-06-12 Reading Time: 2 minutes Well, It is not the first of its kind, Not even in [India](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India). But it is kind-of special because: It is a service by well established '[times group](http://www.timesofmoney.com/tomHome_companyBg.jsp)'. And guess what? [**Mr. Amitabh Bachchan**](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000821/) himself launched the [Wallet365.com](http://www.timesofmoney.com/tomsvc/jsp/home.jsp) :)  After getting to the homepage of [Wallet365](http://wallet365.com/), I was happy to find out some good options and services proposed by this Indian equivalent to [PayPal](http://www.paypal.com/). Although [PaisaPay](http://pages.ebay.in/help/community/paisapay.html) is the proposed service to Indians by [eBay group](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EBay) and their **PayPal** is also available to Indian consumers and I use it more often. But the proposed options like funds withdrawal by local courier and direct transfer to band account are more tempting to me.   So, it was certainly impossible for me Not to test drive such a proposed service. So, I popped up new browser window and got the site opened. The layout is quite simple and in odd lemon colour, But who cares if you get a good service for nominal fee.     Anyways, Then I clicked on the link to [**sign-up page**](https://www.timesofmoney.com/tomsvc/secure/svcRegistration.jsp). I don't know why they have made it mandatory to enter both home and office phone numbers(with STD codes). And more interestingly **Why they only accept numerical Password (PIN number) of exactly 5 digits in length?** It is kind of weird policy for an online financial service. but anyways I continued and filled the whole form just to find out that they have some silly bug in the form validation that gives a fake error even if everything is correctly filled. I tried it many times with different email ids but the form kept declining my email ids stating them to be in invalid format. Duh!!! I cannot review it further because of that **silly bug** and completely bad impression. The proper testing is required for any web service and it is more important if you are starting an online financial service, The security is also important and 5 digit numerical passwords can not keep an account safe, a simple brute force attack can easily break it easily. I just wish to conclude that this is NOT what we need or can even use. Certainly it will get **3/10** on my rating system. --- # My blog, My Perceptions and some other stuff... URL: https://www.geeklord.com/2006/06/01/my-perceptions/ Author: Shobhit Prabhakar Date: 2006-06-01 Reading Time: 1 minutes **Hello World.** Welcome to GeekLord.com. It's me, **Shobhit Kumar Prabhakar** (AKA: **Sunny**). And here is my blog that I'll fill with all kind of my *random mental conclusions* that are *generated* all the time *automatically* in *my mind*. I guess that is what we call '**Perception**'. From now on-words you can just jump into the GeekLord.com for the latest random stuff from the INTERNET and from other unusual sources as well. The GeekLord.com is a new addition to the Zobh networks that is created to provide you with the interesting information that I wish you should also know. This section will normally be updated daily. Being a *techno-addict* person, this whole new information hub will definitely contain some good stuff, that you can actually use(I don't know how :) ). The blogs are actually a great way to represent the thought and experiences of a writer just in real time. The blogs also let the visitors submit there comments on the topics they read. So, what are you waiting for? Start browsing thought the posts and let the world know what you think about it by using the comment feature. O.K. then, just keep visiting this site for more from me. ^_^ ---