For all those who use Google to search the web, and most of us probably do, here's a quick question. Have you ever hit the "I'm feeling lucky button" on the search engine and accessed the results? For the uninitiated, the button takes you directly to the number one result your query fetched. Whether it's the answer you were searching for depends entirely on your luck – hence the "I am feeling lucky" tag. Ironically, this is true of most web search results today.
Search engines may be speedy but are they precise enough? "Not necessarily. There is still a lot of confusion there," says usability professional, Manish Sinha, whose work involves providing suggestions to websites to improve the user's browsing experience. Sinha says that ambiguity creeps in because a user gets results that largely depend on the keywords used. "For example, if you type in windows, the results would range from the Microsoft software to the windows in homes. Similarly, if you type Paris, the search could show the city as well as Hilton, the socialite."
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Operators oppose TRAI's move to charge for Number
Telecom operators, including the PSUs BSNL and MTNL, have opposed the TRAI move to charge a price for allocating new numbers, saying an additional levy is totally unwarranted.
Sectoral regulator TRAI’s main reason behind suggesting a price on allocating new numbers is that the numbers are not being efficiently utilised and it feels a price can make the operators not to dole out numbers to lure more customers. It has also sought opinion on the methods of pricing.
The existing National Numbering Plan was formulated for a projected forecast 450 million mobile and 300 million basic subscribers. Due to the tremendous growth in subscriber numbers, the plan has fallen way short of designed capacity in case of mobile numbering resources as the current subscriber base is more than 550 million.
Sectoral regulator TRAI’s main reason behind suggesting a price on allocating new numbers is that the numbers are not being efficiently utilised and it feels a price can make the operators not to dole out numbers to lure more customers. It has also sought opinion on the methods of pricing.
The existing National Numbering Plan was formulated for a projected forecast 450 million mobile and 300 million basic subscribers. Due to the tremendous growth in subscriber numbers, the plan has fallen way short of designed capacity in case of mobile numbering resources as the current subscriber base is more than 550 million.
Bt Cotton failed to control PESTS - Monsanto field study
In what is bound to strengthen environment minister Jairam Ramesh's stand that GM crop technology should be handled with precaution, Monsanto on Friday admitted that its Bt cotton variety had failed to control pests in four districts of Gujarat.
Monsanto said that during field monitoring in 2009, the Bt cotton variety used in four Gujarat districts — Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagarh and Rajkot — was found to attract the pink bollworm, a major pest that attacks cotton plantations.
Monsanto said that during field monitoring in 2009, the Bt cotton variety used in four Gujarat districts — Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagarh and Rajkot — was found to attract the pink bollworm, a major pest that attacks cotton plantations.
GroundWater ,a serious concern for Indians by 2020- World Bk report
With the growing number of aquifers in India reaching unsustainable levels of exploitation, about 60% of them will be in a critical condition within 20 years if the current trend continues, says a World Bank report released on Friday.
This will have serious implications on the sustenance of agriculture, long-term food security, livelihoods and economic growth. Over a quarter of the country’s harvest is estimated to be at risk.
The World Bank in its findings called, “Report on Deep Wells and Prudence: Towards Pragmatic Action for addressing Groundwater Overexploitation in India”, has called for an urgent need to change the status quo.
This will have serious implications on the sustenance of agriculture, long-term food security, livelihoods and economic growth. Over a quarter of the country’s harvest is estimated to be at risk.
The World Bank in its findings called, “Report on Deep Wells and Prudence: Towards Pragmatic Action for addressing Groundwater Overexploitation in India”, has called for an urgent need to change the status quo.
AI to operate a long haul flight will all women crew on Women's Day
On the occasion of Women's Day on Monday, Air India will make history, deploying an all-women pilot team on the ultra long haul, non-stop flight (AI-141) from Mumbai to New York.
The Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft will be operated by a double set of all-women crew, supported by women of the National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL), the holding company of AI.
Captain Rashmi Miranda and Captain Sunita Narula will be the commanders, and Captain Swati Rawal and Captain Neha Kulkarni First Officers on the 14-hour flight. Mrs. Harpreet A De Singh will carry out a line observation safety audit; the flight will be despatched by Nandita Deshpande and the load and trim sheet will be prepared by Ferzin Kuruvilla.
The Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft will be operated by a double set of all-women crew, supported by women of the National Aviation Company of India Limited (NACIL), the holding company of AI.
Captain Rashmi Miranda and Captain Sunita Narula will be the commanders, and Captain Swati Rawal and Captain Neha Kulkarni First Officers on the 14-hour flight. Mrs. Harpreet A De Singh will carry out a line observation safety audit; the flight will be despatched by Nandita Deshpande and the load and trim sheet will be prepared by Ferzin Kuruvilla.
Stars urge BBC to relook on the closing of its Asian radio station matter
Jay Sean, Shilpa Shetty and Amir Khan were among a host of stars who urged the BBC Saturday to drop plans to close the Asian Network radio station.
Hip-hop artist Sean, Bollywood actress Shetty and world light welterweight boxing champion Khan said a key outlet for South Asian talent would be "tragically lost" if the station closed down.
They were among 158 public figures who made the plea in a joint letter to The Guardian.
"We are writing to express our profound shock at the BBC director general Mark Thompson's proposals to close down the BBC Asian Network as a national station," the signatories said.
Hip-hop artist Sean, Bollywood actress Shetty and world light welterweight boxing champion Khan said a key outlet for South Asian talent would be "tragically lost" if the station closed down.
They were among 158 public figures who made the plea in a joint letter to The Guardian.
"We are writing to express our profound shock at the BBC director general Mark Thompson's proposals to close down the BBC Asian Network as a national station," the signatories said.
Its now US to improve relations with us - Chinese Foreign Ministry
China said Sunday that it is up to the United States to improve relations that soured over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and a meeting between President Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama.
Despite the tough line, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said China's newly assertive diplomacy is simply an attempt to safeguard its core interests and shouldn't be interpreted as combativeness.
Beijing was incensed by Washington's January announcement of a $6.4 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the self-governing island it considers Chinese territory. Beijing suspended military exchanges and has threatened to retaliate against U.S. aerospace firms involved in the deal.
Despite the tough line, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said China's newly assertive diplomacy is simply an attempt to safeguard its core interests and shouldn't be interpreted as combativeness.
Beijing was incensed by Washington's January announcement of a $6.4 billion weapons package for Taiwan, the self-governing island it considers Chinese territory. Beijing suspended military exchanges and has threatened to retaliate against U.S. aerospace firms involved in the deal.
Obama's mission to reduce N-Weapons
US President Barack Obama has pledged to reduce the number of nuclear weapons and curtail their role in his country’s national security strategy, even while maintaining a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent.
In a statement to mark the 40th anniversary of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Obama also said that his administration would seek ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by the US Senate and negotiate a treaty to end the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons.
“Our forthcoming Nuclear Posture Review will move beyond outdated Cold War thinking and reduce the number and role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy, even as we maintain a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent,” he said.
In a statement to mark the 40th anniversary of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Obama also said that his administration would seek ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by the US Senate and negotiate a treaty to end the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons.
“Our forthcoming Nuclear Posture Review will move beyond outdated Cold War thinking and reduce the number and role of nuclear weapons in our national security strategy, even as we maintain a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent,” he said.
Four police officers in Pakistan have been sacked over their handling of the kidnap of a five-year-old British boy.
Sahil Saeed, from Oldham, was snatched by armed robbers on Wednesday while visiting relatives with his father.
But the police did not initially respond to the family's emergency call to "Rescue 15", the Pakistani equivalent of 999.
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik met with Sahil's father and said he hoped the boy would be recovered soon.
But the police did not initially respond to the family's emergency call to "Rescue 15", the Pakistani equivalent of 999.
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik met with Sahil's father and said he hoped the boy would be recovered soon.
Nithyanandha in Varanasi , will return on March 18
Even as speculation continues over the whereabouts of Swami Nithyananda, who is at the centre of a controversy now, his lawyer on Friday claimed that the godman had not absconded but was in Varanasi. “He is attending the Kumbh Mela, along with 4,000 devotees from world over, and is scheduled to return on March 18,” M Shreedhar, who is representing the godman in Madras High Court, told .
Asked about Nithyananda’s association with the woman seen with him in the video that had created a furore, Shreedhar said the film star started visiting the ashram to overcome depression caused by a failed marriage and soon became a devotee of the swami. Nithyananda was seen in a compromising position with the actress in the video aired by a Tamil TV channel recently.
Asked about Nithyananda’s association with the woman seen with him in the video that had created a furore, Shreedhar said the film star started visiting the ashram to overcome depression caused by a failed marriage and soon became a devotee of the swami. Nithyananda was seen in a compromising position with the actress in the video aired by a Tamil TV channel recently.
Nirupama Rao on 3 day visit to SriLanka
Visiting Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao called on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa here on Sunday and exchanged views on whole range of issues of mutual interest to both the counties in general and the ongoing rehabilitation and resettlement of the nearly three lakh Tamil civilians displaced during the war between the Sri Lankan forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the course of the 34 month war (July 2006 to May 2009) in particular.
Ms. Rao is here on a three day visit on the invitation of the Sri Lankan Government to the island nation for interaction with her interlocutors on a wide range of issues of mutual interest to both the counties. Her visit comes days after the External Affairs Minister, S.M. Krishna told Rajya Sabha in a written answer that the war in the island nation is over but the search for a political settlement continues.
Ms. Rao is here on a three day visit on the invitation of the Sri Lankan Government to the island nation for interaction with her interlocutors on a wide range of issues of mutual interest to both the counties. Her visit comes days after the External Affairs Minister, S.M. Krishna told Rajya Sabha in a written answer that the war in the island nation is over but the search for a political settlement continues.
Pak says India didn't ask for the arrest of Saeed over Mumbai attack connection
Expressing ‘surprise’ over Pakistan's claim that the issue of arrest of Hafiz Saeed, one of the 26/11 masterminds, was not taken up during Foreign Secretary- level talks, India said on Sunday that it has been demanding action against him since the barbaric and dastardly attacks in Mumbai and the matter was raised ‘strongly’ during the parleys.
"Saeed's activities including his recent vitriolic and venomous statements aimed at fomenting further acts of terrorism against India and the unhindered public space and freedom he enjoys in Pakistan was raised strongly by India during the Foreign Secretary-level talks," External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in a statement here.
Talking to reporters in Multan, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had claimed that India never demanded the arrest of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Saeed nor discussed the issue at the talks between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here on February 25.
"Saeed's activities including his recent vitriolic and venomous statements aimed at fomenting further acts of terrorism against India and the unhindered public space and freedom he enjoys in Pakistan was raised strongly by India during the Foreign Secretary-level talks," External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in a statement here.
Talking to reporters in Multan, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had claimed that India never demanded the arrest of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Saeed nor discussed the issue at the talks between Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir here on February 25.
Maya Govt has no money to offer to Victims & no legal action taken yet
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may have announced Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in the Pratapgarh ashram but Mayawati, the Chief Minister of the state where the accident happened says she has no money to offer to the victims.
Rs 2000 crore have been spent on building the statues of Dalit icons, but there is no money to help those who died in the Pratapgarh stampede.
In a press release issued on Friday night the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that the state will not be able to provide compensation to the victims due to financial constraints.
Rs 2000 crore have been spent on building the statues of Dalit icons, but there is no money to help those who died in the Pratapgarh stampede.
In a press release issued on Friday night the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that the state will not be able to provide compensation to the victims due to financial constraints.
ISRO tests its New Gen GSLV for its flight scheduled by end of 2011
The long-duration test-firing of the core stage of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV- Mark III) (for about 200 seconds) at Mahendragiri near Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu was stopped on Friday evening after 150 seconds owing to a deviation in one of the parameters, said an official of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The core stage, powered by 110 tonnes of liquid propellants, is called L-110.
The test took place at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).
ISRO officials said the data from the test was being analysed to find out why the deviation occurred.
The core stage, powered by 110 tonnes of liquid propellants, is called L-110.
The test took place at ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).
ISRO officials said the data from the test was being analysed to find out why the deviation occurred.
23 yr old Man of Indian origin held for death of child in Melbounre
A 23-year-old man of Indian origin was charged on Sunday with the death of Indian boy Gurshan Singh Channa, whose body was found far away from his home in this Australian city, a media report said.
Dhillon Gursewak has been charged with manslaughter due to criminal negligence, Australian news agency reported.
Gursewak is not a relative but he lived in the same house in David Street where Gurshan stayed with his parents visiting from Punjab.
Gurshan was found dead on Wildwood Road on Thursday night after a massive search after his parents complained that the boy had gone missing. The body was found about 20 km away.
Dhillon Gursewak has been charged with manslaughter due to criminal negligence, Australian news agency reported.
Gursewak is not a relative but he lived in the same house in David Street where Gurshan stayed with his parents visiting from Punjab.
Gurshan was found dead on Wildwood Road on Thursday night after a massive search after his parents complained that the boy had gone missing. The body was found about 20 km away.
MCOCA invoked against Godman arrested in Delhi
Delhi police today invoked provisions under stringent MCOCA against a self-styled Godman recently arrested on charges of running a multi-crore prostitution racket in the national capital.
"We have invoked the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Shiv Murat Dwivedi," DCP (south) HGS Dhaliwal said.
39-year-old Dwivedi alias Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakoot Wale, who had set up a temple in south Delhi's Khanpur, was arrested along with a man and six women, including two airhostesses, on charges of prostitution.
"We have invoked the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Shiv Murat Dwivedi," DCP (south) HGS Dhaliwal said.
39-year-old Dwivedi alias Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakoot Wale, who had set up a temple in south Delhi's Khanpur, was arrested along with a man and six women, including two airhostesses, on charges of prostitution.
Respect the views of victims of Rape - CJI
Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan on Sunday said that judges, lawyers and social activists should give "due regard" to the wishes of a rape victim if she chooses to marry the rapist or have the baby conceived from the crime.
"Judges, lawyers and social activists should also ensure that they do not take an overtly paternalistic approach when they have to make decisions for the welfare of rape victims," he said at a seminar in Delhi.
"Due regard must be given to their personal autonomy since in some cases the victim may choose to marry the perpetrator or choose to give birth to a child conceived through forced intercourse," he said.
"Judges, lawyers and social activists should also ensure that they do not take an overtly paternalistic approach when they have to make decisions for the welfare of rape victims," he said at a seminar in Delhi.
"Due regard must be given to their personal autonomy since in some cases the victim may choose to marry the perpetrator or choose to give birth to a child conceived through forced intercourse," he said.
Infy in trouble in Chandigarh SEZ develpoment
IT major Infosys has landed in trouble over alleged violation of norms in connection with the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) land it is developing in Chandigarh.
As per the established norms, the SEZ land should be vacant for getting approval. But there were some structures on Infosys' SEZ land even before the approval, alleged the revenue department in the Finance Ministry.
"Land was not vacant, some structures were there. Investigation has come up. Information has been sought," a senior CBEC is quoted as saying.
As per the established norms, the SEZ land should be vacant for getting approval. But there were some structures on Infosys' SEZ land even before the approval, alleged the revenue department in the Finance Ministry.
"Land was not vacant, some structures were there. Investigation has come up. Information has been sought," a senior CBEC is quoted as saying.
Pak will use the Modern arms provided to it by US for its Internal security - Pak spokesman
Pakistan has rejected India’s concerns regarding the sophisticated armaments being provided to it by the United States, saying the country’s military doctrine is purely defensive in nature.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit instead blamed India of ‘massive militarisation’ describing it as a threat for the region.
"It is India’s dangerous military doctrines and massive militarisation that are matters of huge concern for regional stability whereas Pakistan has always acted to protect its legitimate security interests. Our military doctrine is purely defensive in nature,” The News quoted Basit, as saying.
Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit instead blamed India of ‘massive militarisation’ describing it as a threat for the region.
"It is India’s dangerous military doctrines and massive militarisation that are matters of huge concern for regional stability whereas Pakistan has always acted to protect its legitimate security interests. Our military doctrine is purely defensive in nature,” The News quoted Basit, as saying.
Nithyananda's Disciple provides more of His guru's leela's in Ashram
In the latest development in the Swami Nithyananda's scandal, a disciple, Nithya Premananda, alias Lenin Karuppan, who admitted to leaking out the tape, has been provided police security.
According to Times of India report, Lenin has sought protection from Nithyananda's disciples, whom he alleged were attempting to eliminate him.
The scandal broke out on Tuesday night, Mar 2, after a television channel telecast a tape, showing the long-haired godman in a sexual romp with a Tamil actress.
According to Times of India report, Lenin has sought protection from Nithyananda's disciples, whom he alleged were attempting to eliminate him.
The scandal broke out on Tuesday night, Mar 2, after a television channel telecast a tape, showing the long-haired godman in a sexual romp with a Tamil actress.
Passport Seva - a gift to applicants , a curse to officials
If long queues outside shoddy passport offices gives you the jitters and, the thought of brokers and touts stops you from getting your passport by right, here is some good news for passport seekers.
Getting a passport will soon be hastle free with the revolutionisation of the current process, which at best, can be described as arduous.
It is learnt that External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who hails from IT city Bangalore and, is very tech savvy, is walking that extra mile to facilitate the implementation of the landmark Passport Sewa E- Governance initiative.
Sevety-seven hi-tech state-of-the-art IT-enabled Passport Sewa offices are likely to come up across the country under the new initiative.
Krishna recently inspected two such centers in Bangalore.
Getting a passport will soon be hastle free with the revolutionisation of the current process, which at best, can be described as arduous.
It is learnt that External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna, who hails from IT city Bangalore and, is very tech savvy, is walking that extra mile to facilitate the implementation of the landmark Passport Sewa E- Governance initiative.
Sevety-seven hi-tech state-of-the-art IT-enabled Passport Sewa offices are likely to come up across the country under the new initiative.
Krishna recently inspected two such centers in Bangalore.
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