Controversy on human origin ! !

New research supports the theory that the ancestors of modern humans came from many different regions of the world, not just a single area -- but critics remain far from convinced.

The study, published in the current issue of Science by University of Michigan anthropologist Milford H. Wolpoff and colleagues, is the second study in a week to fuel the debate on the origin of the human species.

Australian researchers set off a storm last week when they announced that their analysis of mitochondrial DNA from 'Mungo Man' also supported the so-called 'regional continuity theory'. Their study is due to be published this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study presented in this week's Science comes to the same conclusion following a comparison of early modern and archaic fossil skulls from around the world.

"Ancient humans shared genes and behaviours across wide regions of the world, and were not rendered extinct by one 'lucky group' that later evolved into us," says Wolpoff. "The fossils clearly show that more than one ancient group survived and thrived."

The researchers analysed the similarities and differences between fossil skulls from Australia and Central Europe, and peripheral regions far from Africa, where according to the dominant "Out of Africa" theory -- also known as the "Eve" or "Replacement" theory -- modern humans evolved.

"Basically we wanted to see if this comparison could disprove the theory of multiple ancestry for the early European and Australian moderns," said Wolpoff.

The researchers said they found that the most recent European and Australian skulls shared characteristics with the ancient African and Near Eastern population and with the older fossils from within their own regions. They also found there were many more similarities than could be explained by chance alone -- a finding which amounted to "a smoking gun" for the regional continuity theory.

The findings are the latest evidence in the continuing scientific controversy about the origin of modern humans (Homo sapiens). Most scientists believe that all living humans can trace their ancestry exclusively to a small group of ancient humans, probably Africans, living around 100,000 years ago. If this theory was true it would mean that all other early human groups, whose fossils date from this time back to almost two million years ago, must have become extinct, possibly wiped out in a prehistoric genetic holocaust.

Other scientists, including Wolpoff and Australian National University anthropologist Dr Alan Thorne, maintain that there is little evidence that a small group originating in a single geographic region replaced the entire population of early humans.

"In asking the question a different way, and directly addressing the fossils, this study provides compelling evidence that replacement is the wrong explanation," says Wolpoff. "Instead, the findings support the theory of multi-regional evolution. Modern humans are the present manifestation of an older worldwide species with populations connected by gene flow and the exchange of ideas."

Palaeoanthropologist Associate Professor Peter Brown of the University of New England disputes the findings.

"I'm amazed that Science has published this article. If it had been submitted to me by a third year student I would have failed them," he told ABC Science Online.

Professor Brown said that Wolpoff and colleagues had chosen an Australian fossil that was unrepresentative of the skulls of that time.

"It's pathologically different. It has a skull as thick as a bike helmet," he said. "They've just chosen a fossil that suits their theory".

He said that the authors had also ignored literature that was contrary to their theory.

Dr Alan Thorne, however, insists that the evidence is on his and Wolpoff's side.

"What we've found is mitochondrial DNA in an Australian fossil that is much more primitive than anything that's been found in Africa," he said. "And there is no archaeological or physical evidence to support the idea that Aboriginal Australians originated from Africa."

Anna Salleh - ABC Science Online

Knife stabbed to a skull

Do you ever know that the largest object ever to be removed from the human skull was a survival knife ? It was big with 20.32 cm (8 inch). The Individual who survived was a 41 year-old Michael Hill. Michael answered the door to his friend's place and had a knife plunged into his skull. He then walked down the street to another friend's house. Four hours later the knife was removed. Michael didn't even have an infection and was well enough to leave the hospital a week later. Since his close brush with death, Michael's memory isn't the same and he needs medication to prevent seizures.

Dr, A.P. J. Abdul Kalam's Final speech as a President in Hyderabad

* The President of India DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 's Speech in Hyderabad . *

Why is the media here so negative?
Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our
Achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success
Stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.
Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a
Self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements
But our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters. I
Was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the
Day
After a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The
Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a
Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid
And a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The
Gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the
Newspaper, buried among other news.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so
NEGATIVE? Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign
Things? We want foreign T. Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign
Technology.

Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that
Self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this
Lecture,
When a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal
In life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her,
You and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India
Is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation. Do you
Have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is
Yours.
YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.
YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke,
The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - YOURS. Give him a
Face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International
Best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in
The stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay
$5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim
Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking
Lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or
A shopping mall irrespective of your status identity... In Singapore you
Don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during
Ramadan, in Dubai . YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered
In Jeddah . YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange
In London at 10 pounds ( Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD
Calls are billed to someone else.'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph
(88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop,
'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son.
Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell
Anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New
Zealand .
Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use
Examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still
Talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system
In other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and
cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an
involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the
same here in India ?

Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay , Mr.
Tinaikar , had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the
streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And
then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the
authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the
officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure
in his bowels?
In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job.
Same in Japan . Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to
the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.
We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do
everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the
government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all
over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper
and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms
but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.
We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and
toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.
This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to
the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to
women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room
protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the
whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my
sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?
What does a system consist of ? Very conveniently for us it consists of our
neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the
government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually
making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with
our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far
away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a
majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.
Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their
glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to
England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out
to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and
brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape
the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is
mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great
deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too.... I am echoing J. F.
Kennedy 's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians.....

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA
AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA
WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'

Lets do what India needs from us.

Thank you,

Dr. Abdul Kalaam

Charlie Chaplin.. A Born Legend ! ! !

Biography of Charlie Chaplin

THE EARLY YEARS

Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London, England on April 16, 1889. His father was a versatile vocalist and actor; his mother, known by her stage name Lily Harley, was an actress and light opera singer. The early death of his father and his mother's ill-health left Charlie and his brother Sydney, virtually on their own. Charlie was less than 10 years old. Their familiarity with the stage naturally led them to performing as a way to earn money; Charlie Chaplin debuted as a member of the troupe called "The Eight Lancashire Lads" where he won popular acclaim for his performances.

FROM STAGE TO SILVER SCREEN

Charlie Chaplin got his first chance to act in a legitimate stage show when he was about 14; he appeared as the page boy in "Sherlock Holmes" which starred William Gillette. At the close of the engagement, Charlie embarked on a career as a comedian in vaudeville which would take him to the United States as a featured player in the Fred Karno Repertoire Company. He was an immediate sensation especially in the more physical comedy sketches. When the Fred Karno troupe returned to the United States in the fall of 1912, Charlie Chaplin was offered a motion picture contract with Mack Sennett's Keystone Film Company which came into effect with the completion of his vaudeville commitments in November 1913. His starting salary was $150 a week. Charlie Chaplin was an overnight success prompting other producers to start negotiations for his services. When his Sennett contract was up, Chaplin moved on to the Essanay Company (1915) for a great deal more money. Sennett in the meantime, kept the Chaplin name on the marquee, hiring Charlie's brother Sydney Chaplin, newly arrived from England.

In 1916, Charlie Chaplin signed with the Mutual Film Corporation to make 12 2-reel comedies including "The Floorwalker", "The Fireman", "The Vagabond", "One A.M.", "The Count", "The Pawnshop", "Behind the Screen", "The Rink", "Easy Street", "The Cure", "The Immigrant" and "The Adventurer".

WITH SUCCESS COMES INDEPENDENCE

Charlie Chaplin began to yearn for the freedom to make the movies he wanted to make, the way he wanted to make them. When his contract with Mutual expired in 1917, Chaplin took on the role of independent producer; his first move was to begin the construction of his own studios at La Brea Avenue in the heart of Hollywood. Early in 1918, Charlie Chaplin entered into an agreement with First National Exhibitors' Circuit, a new organization specially formed to exploit his pictures. His first film under this new deal was "A Dog's Life". Soon after its release and with the start of World War I, Charlie Chaplin went on a national tour to promote the war effort; he made a film called "The Bond" for the US government, in support of the Liberty Loan drive. And in 1918 he produced a comedy dealing with the war. "Shoulder Arms" was a huge box office success making Chaplin more popular than ever. "Sunnyside" and "A Day's Pleasure" soon followed in 1919.

1919 was notable for other reasons as well; in that year, Charlie Chaplin joined with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith to found the United Artists Corporation. It was a new concept for the film industry; until its founding, producers and distributors had been the employers. With the launch of United Artists, the stars became their own employers, receiving the producer profits as well as their fair share of the distribution profits. For the first time in the history of the young film industry, the stars were in control.

THE MASTERPIECE FEATURES

First however, Charlie Chaplin had to complete his contract with First National which he did in 1921 with the release of a 6-reel masterpiece. In "The Kid", Chaplin introduced Jackie Coogan, one of the era's greatest child actors. Also released in 1921, "The Idle Class", in which he played two roles. Then, in September 1921, Chaplin sailed for Europe where he was given an enthusiastic reception wherever he went. When, after a long vacation, Chaplin returned to Hollywood, he began his active association with United Artists.

Charlie Chaplin made eight feature-length pictures with United Artists: "A Woman of Paris" (1923) which he wrote, directed and produced, and appeared in a cameo role; "The Gold Rush" (1925); "The Circus" (1928); "City Lights" (1931); "Modern Times" (1936); "The Great Dictator" (1940), in which he played a dual role and talked on the screen for the first time; "Monsieur Verdoux" (1947) in which the public saw a new Chaplin, minus his traditional moustache, baggy trousers and wobbly cane; and "Limelight" (1952).

In 1957, Charlie Chaplin released his comedy "A King in New York" which he wrote, acted in and directed, and for which he composed the music. In 1966, he produced his last picture, "A Countess from Hong Kong" for Universal Pictures, which starred Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando.

As if a lifetime of writing, producing, acting and directing movies wasn't enough, Charlie Chaplin wrote at least four books, "My Trip Abroad", "A Comedian Sees the World", "My Autobiography", "My Life in Pictures". He was an accomplished self-taught musician, playing a number of instruments well including the violin and cello. And along with the music for all his films, Charlie composed a number of popular songs. In the end, Charlie Chaplin was the 20th century's renaissance man.

Charlie Chaplin died on Christmas day 1977, survived by eight children from his last marriage with Oona O'Neill, and one son from his short marriage to Lita Grey.

New Chennai International Airport. Under proposal

New Chennai International Airport

These are the proposed pictures of
Sriperumbudur- Chennai International Airport

If it is completed it will be the Number-1
in South Asia ....
and also those pictures contain the
proposed Express Highways in Chennai.....

My School ! ! SCIMA ! !

My school Sri Chakravarthy International Matriculation Academy is one of the famous schools in Chennai. My schooling began right here from L.K.G. I was loved by all the staffs in the primary section. I had a beautiful handwriting when I was in primary.(Definitely not now). Still 5th std there was a great competition for ranking in my class. A big clash.

Then my high school education continued in the same school in the middle block. this is where I started enjoyin my school life, because there were lot of friends who were always humorous and make something silly and a lot. We even got caught a few number of times( SSSSHhHH.... Secret).Got lot to say. But this will no tend in a day.

My higher secondary education was the best part of my life. Had loads of fun during the 11th and 12th std. Lots and lots of lovely friends. Good and well wishing staffs always bless me. Later in 12th, the most enjoyable and memorable days of my life, did stage performances in drama and even sung a song and I was the SPL(School People Leader) and I was always on the stage in assembly and other special events in our school. I still remember the day whan my birthday was celebrated in the school, The whole school sung the birthday song for me and I still hear those voices loud in my ears. (Emotional na??) But I can't help out. Tears were rolling out of my eyes in happiness and thet was the best birthday I had in my life.

I'll keep posting about my school days regularly whae I get sufficient time.

A Tribute to S.P.B.! A legend born to sing ! ! !

Singing is divine ! ! It reflects the mood of a person to which songs he listens to. A born legend S.P. Balasubramaniam, who's 1g4t is Karnataka, But he is the record breaking singer of Tamil Nadu.( Vandhorai Vaazha Vaikum Thamizhagam). He has sung more than 7,000 songs and holds the record for most number of songs sung by a male singer in this whole world (for Female it's Lata Mangeshkar). There's no person upto my knowledge in India dislikes his voice. When you just put your ears to his song, you'll forget what actually you were doing before listening. He has given Hits right from his first song. He has given many hits with the combination of the maestro Ilayaraaja and also with the Isai puyal A. R. Rehman. They are legends in their own style. Songs like "Nilave vaa " from mouna raagam and other songs like " Kaadhalin dheebam onru" from Thambiku endha ooru , " Raagangal padhinaru" from thillu mullu, Come on ! ! Just can't mention all his 7000-odd songs. They are a massive count. He is known for his acting too. He has acted in more number of movies and I like his role in every movie. At this age, while his son S.P. Charan is singing too, S.P.B's voice still sounds young. You got a proof in Chennai-28' which was released 3 months back has his voice as the intr and also has sung a song " Yaaro" the duet version. His songs are really "a pill of ecstacy". I start floating when I hear his songs. No conflicts that he is the born legend ! ! !

Photography ! !

Photography is an art. It is the art of capturing objects just on a thin film. It's not just pictures which is said to be photography, it's all about bringing the objects in the picture to life. You come to know what the picture depicts by having a look at the picture. The objects in the pictures i.e. animals or human beings(ofcourse human beings are social animals;-)) shows some emotions which are taken. If they are not taken in the right angle of projection or the right intensity of light, it's taken in day or night, All these things run in the part which is inside the skull of the photographer, because it is important to capture the mood of the scene into the picture. Pictures like Natural scenary, a portrait, violence(mob fight) or any pictures which depict the feel. For eg. Consider the picture of the praying hands. Such pictures mean a lot. So my interest towards photography is way bigger than anyone think. But there's no proper guide for me. Hope I should learn everything myself.

Genius thinks different ! !

My friends

I'ld like to highlight some of my school friends who are really interesting to be with and they carry you away to a world of fun you have never been.

Let me introduce to you CHRISTOPHER who is also graduating his B.E final year. We call him kosu( mosquito) because of his size. But he is well built now. He loves his friends more than I do. He is really good to be with and frank and outspoken. He is the best kalasifier in our group. He is actor Vijay's big fan.

Next is GANESH ,also graduating B.E. Commonly known as SAMDIGA or (****DIGA)(ha ha)
Not easy to predict the word... In school he is popularly known as SAPPAI. Good athelet. plays kho-kho really well. He has good helping hands. Always loves to hang out with friends. Eats a lot. Specially likes to go to KFC. We both always study together as we both are in the same stream of CSE. Very nice to be his friend.

VIJAY my buddy, I think I know him from 2nd grade if I'm not wrong. Very smart fellow,Courageous, and outspoken.He's somewhat of my kind. Loves sports and movies a lot. MUSIC is everything to him.(JUST LISTENING). Plays PC games well. He's really strong. Want example ? ? During our 6th std lunch break, I jus put my hands in his lunch box, He pushed my hand so hard that my hand got fractured. Helps people a lot. No hesitations to hang out and help out. Straight forward guy, picks his friends very choosy.

RANJITH ho ho my big fat buddy known as YAANAI or BANJO is the big fat guy of our team. He is a good guy but he tries to fool other people with his art of telling lies. He is the no.1 master of lies in our school. He was never on time to school but had loads of lies to pick from at that time. Wise guy, we people always find out when he lies. easy for us because we are witrh him for more than 6 years. Shortly a Big fat friend nice and fraud.

How can I forget SANDEEP ? He is the humming bird of our group. known as SPOON.
He is always quite even when we are around. He's one among my old buddies right from 5th. He remains silent in nature, but who knows that a Manmadhan is always awake within him. But he's always a good chap....

There are a lot of friends to mention, but my hands are paining a lot . so thought that I would say about them later. But these friends keep me going and they push me forwardc and never let me down.

How did we miss this in the Delhi tour ? ? ?

Akshardham Complex, New Delhi

After 5 years of non-stop, round-the-clock construction, the massive and awesome Akshardham Temple Monument to World Peace was inaugurated today. The Akshardham Temple in New Delhi , India , constructed by the BAPS foundation -- the builders of the various Swaminaryan Temples across the world, is truely a modern day Wonder of the World.

It is one of the biggest and most intricate religious places of worship ever constructed. Combining several completely different and contrasting architectural styles of Hindu temple architecture of northern India -- Rajasthani, Orrisan, Gujarati, Mughal and Jain -- the Akshardham Monument is entirely constructed of marble and the red-sandstone that Delhi is famous for, and that so many of her monuments are constructed of. It was completed in only 5 years a world record of sorts

So after years of waiting, the Temple was yesterday opened to the public -- and to photographers. Below is the New Delhi Akshardham Complex as seen through the eyes of a BAPS photographer. The pictures are a great many and will take a long time to load, but totally, totally worth the wait!

At its inaguration, it is widely being heralded as one of the greatest monuments India has ever produced. I hope you enjoy viewing this architectual marvel as much as I enjoyed having the honor presenting it.

Monument of Akshardham

The Akshardham monument, built without steel, is entirely composed of sandstone and marble. It consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, 20 quadrangled shikhars, a spectacular Gajendra Pith (plinth of stone elephants) and 20,000 murtis and statues of India 's great sadhus, devotees, acharyas and divine personalities.

The monument is a fusion of several architectural styles of pink stone and pure white marble. Pink stone symbolizes bhakti (devotion) in eternal bloom and white marble of absolute purity and eternal peace. The monument was built after over 300 million man hours of services rendered by 11,000 volunteers, sadhus and artisans.

It is the one of the wonders of the modern world, and the wonders of modern India .

World's Costliest Advertisement ! A must see

This Advertisement for the new Honda Accord was shot in real time with no CGI involved in the sequence. It required 606 takes and cost $6 million to shoot and took 3 months to complete.

Click here to view the ADVERTISEMENT

The equipment was so precisely set up that the crew literally had to tip toe around the set for fear of disturbing things, which led to some unexpected problems. "As the day went on, the studio would get hotter," says Steiner. "It meant that the wood would expand and the cog or exhaust that spins around would move slightly faster." These tiny changes made big differences to the precision set-up of the equipment......

.....The sequence where the tires roll up a slope looks particularly impressive but is very simple. Steiner says that there is a weight in each tire and when the tire is knocked, the weight is displaced and in an attempt to rebalance itself, the tire rolls up the slope

Stomach aching JOKES.. Can't stop laughing

Indian IT company rankings

The Economic Times
Nasscom’s annual ranking of exports of Indian software companies holds no great surprises this fiscal. Like the previous year, Tata Consultancy Services emerged the country’s No. 1 software exporter in 2001-02 too with an export earning of Rs 3,882 crore.

According to Nasscom list of top 20 Indian software export companies, Infosys occupied the second position with Rs 2,553 crore while Wipro was the third-largest software exporter with export revenue of Rs 2,298 crore.

Satyam Computer came fourth with Rs 1,703 crore export earnings, followed by HCL Technologies with Rs 1,320 crore. Next in the rankings came Patni Computer System at No. 6, followed by Silverline, Mahindra British Telecom, Pentasoft and HCL Perot Systems.

Among the top 10 MNC software exporters were IBM, Cognizant, Oracle, Hughes Software, Hewlett-Packard, Digital Globalsoft, Syntel, Covansys, PwC and Orbitech Solutions. This is the first time that Nasscom has decided to publish separate lists of top MNC and domestic software exporters. Orbitech Solutions has recently been merged with Polaris Software, but this is not reflected in this survey.

Nasscom survey also listed top third-party IT-enabled services (ITES) companies in the call centre and BPO space. Exl service is the largest of call centres, followed by Spectramind and GTL.

On the macro front, the country’s software and services industry registered a growth of 22% during 2001-02 at $10.1 billion, with software exports segment clocking a growth of 23% at $7.68 billion, according to Nasscom’s annual industry survey. Nasscom has estimated that the software services industry would clock revenues of Rs 60,700 crore ($12.3 billion) during the current financial year.

In 2001-02, revenue from domestic market stood at Rs 11,500 crore, with growth rate sliding to 16% during the year, from 30% in the previous year. In the financial year ending March 31, 2003, IT services exports are expected to grow 22% to Rs 35,800 crore and ITES exports to grow 65% to Rs 11,700 crore.

Replying to a query on whether travel advisories or border tensions could impact export growth of the country, Karnik said although growth targets worked out earlier did not have such built-in factors, events in the past few months were not likely to have a substantial impact on projections for the fiscal.

Business Standard
Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) emerged as India’s number one software exporter in 2001-02 with an export earning of Rs 3,882 crore.

Bangalore majors Infosys Technologies and Wipro were the number two and three, respectively, in the list of top 20 software firms compiled by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom).

The top 20 list also have few surprises with companies like DSQ Software, Tata Infotech, Pentamedia Graphics and Cognizant Technologies, who were in the list last year, being replaced.

The new entrants in the list include Mastek Systems, BirlaSoft, Polaris Software, L&T Information Technologies and Hexaware Technologies.

According to a Nasscom’s list of top 20 Indian software export companies, Infosys occupied the second position with Rs 2,553 crore, while Wipro was the third largest software exporter with export revenue of Rs 2,298 crore.

Satyam Computer came fourth with Rs 1,703 crore export earnings, followed by HCL Technologies with Rs 1,320 crore.

Next in the rankings came Patni Computer System at number six followed by Silverline, Mahindra British Telecom, Pentasoft and HCL Perot Systems.

Mascot system occupied the 11th slot ahead of NIIT which ranked 12th with Rs 400 crore export earnings followed by i-flex, Mphasis BFL and Mascon Global.

NIIT was ranked number eight in the Nasscom top 20 list in 2000-01. Others in the top 20 list included Mastek, Birlasoft, Polaris, L&T Information and Hexaware.

Among the top 10 multinational companies in terms of number of employees were IBM Global Systems, Cognizant Technology, Oracle, Hughes Software, Hewlett-Packard, Digital Globalsoft, Syntel, Covansys, PWC and Orbitech Solutions.

IBM Global Services is largest MNC software employer in the country with 3, 100 employees, with Cognizant and Oracle in number two and three positions employing 2,712 and 2000 people, respectively.

Nasscom survey also listed top third party IT enabled services (ITES) companies and put ‘EXL Service’ in the top slot which was followed by Spectramind, GTL, and Daksh in terms of revenues.

The industry association also ranks the mid-sized companies (revenues between Rs. 50 - Rs 100 crore).

SSI Technologies tops the list, with Visualsoft and Ramco Sytems at number two and three slots.

The top five product companies in terms of revenues include, I Flex, Infosys, TCS, Polaris and Nucleus Software.

Leading Indian R&D services companies are Wipro, HCL Technologies, Sasken Technologies, Satyam and TCS.

Controversy on the road to 1,000th Goal ! !

Romario, Brazil's legendary striker, is two goals short of reaching a milestone: his 1,000th goal.

Romario inspires a love-him-or-leave-him response, experts say

At the age of 41, he is the main striker of his team, Vasco da Gama, one of Brazil's leading squads.

This year alone, he has scored three hat-tricks.

If he does not score his 1,000th on Wednesday, his fans will look forward to Sunday, when Vasco confronts its most bitter rival, Flamengo, at Brazil's holy football ground, the Maracana Stadium.

So far, Romario has been outscored in world football only by Pele.

The legendary player hit the net 1,282 times - the only one to have scored more than 1,000 times.

And now the player known by his many fans as Shorty is likely to follow suit.

But is he really?

Own goal count

The goal count was done mainly by Romario himself and in order to speed up the process, he recently took part in a series of friendly matches and played short seasons for squads in the US and in Australia that would make Accrington Stanley look like Manchester United.

In Brazil, the local press acknowledges that Romario is nearly there, but says that the numbers are somewhat debatable.

Football's greatest striker has reservations about Romario's claim

Placar, one of Brazil's leading football magazines, claims Romario's personal stats credit him with 100 goals more than he has really scored.

"Currently, there are several parallel counts going on in Brazil," says Joao Carlos Assumpção of SportTV, a Brazilian sports channel.

"Some say Romario has seven goals fewer than he claims and others think he should not include the ones he scored during his youth league days, before becoming a professional.

"Critics say that the perfect day for goal 1,000 would be on April Fools Day," he says.

But many of Brazil's football pundits and fans have chosen not to dig deep in the controversy, for they believe Romario has more than earned the goals he claims.

Romario is absurdly gifted

Tostao

Among them is Tostao, currently one of Brazil's leading football writers and a former legend of the 1970 Brazilian squad.

Tostao claims that whether he is about to reach 1,000 or a bit less is irrelevant.

"Some goals are being disputed because they were not scored in official games.

"But it's Romario's figures and he should be respected. Whether he scored 900, 950 or 1000, that does not diminish the genius of Romario, one of the greatest players of all time."

According to Tostao, "he is not only a fabulous striker, but a player who foresees the moves of his opponents in a few seconds. It's a knowledge that goes beyond logic. Romario is absurdly gifted".

Jose Geraldo Couto, who is also a leading film critic, says that the controversy surrounding Romario's 1000 goals is a bit like the famous quote from the western The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: "When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."

"A great deal of football history is based on myth and cannot rely solemnly on facts and figures," the critic says.

"The exact number is less relevant than the fact that Romario always dreamed of scoring 1,000 goals".

Ipod Models Amazing ! ! !

Identifying iPod models

This post will help you determine the model of iPod you have as well as the latest version of iPod software available for your model.

You can tell which iPod model by checking:

If it has a scroll wheel, a touch wheel, or a Click Wheel.
The capacity of its hard drive.
If it has a color or monochrome screen.
The dock connector.

Icon	Model	Year-Month introduced	Scrolling device	Capacity	Current iPod Software Version
	iPod shuffle (Second Generation) (1 GB)	2006-09	n/a	1 GB	1.0.3
	Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) (30 GB or 80 GB)	2006-09	Click Wheel	30 GB or 80 GB	1.2.1
	iPod nano (Second Generation) (2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB)	2006-09	Click Wheel	2 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB	1.1.3
	iPod nano (1 GB)	2006-02	Click Wheel	1 GB	1.3.1
	Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video) (60 GB)	2005-10	Click Wheel	60 GB	1.2.1
	Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video) (30 GB)	2005-10	Click Wheel	30 GB	1.2.1
	iPod nano (4 GB)	2005-09	Click Wheel	4 GB	1.3.1
	iPod nano (2 GB)	2005-09	Click Wheel	2 GB	1.3.1
	iPod with color display (60 GB)	2005-06	Click Wheel	60 GB	1.2.1
	iPod with color display (20 GB)	2005-06	Click Wheel	20 GB	1.2.1
	iPod photo (30 GB) (also known as iPod with color display)	2005-02	Click Wheel	30 GB	1.2.1
	iPod mini (4 GB Second Generation)	2005-02	Click Wheel	4 GB	1.4.1
	iPod mini (6 GB Second Generation)	2005-02	Click Wheel	6 GB	1.4.1
	iPod shuffle (512 MB)	2005-01	n/a	512 MB	1.1.5
	iPod shuffle (1 GB)	2005-01	n/a	1 GB	1.1.5
	iPod photo (40 GB) (also known as iPod with color display)	2004-10	Click Wheel	40 GB	1.2.1
	iPod photo (60 GB) (also known as iPod with color display)	2004-10	Click Wheel	60 GB	1.2.1
	iPod (20 GB Click Wheel)	2004-07	Click Wheel	20 GB	3.1.1
	iPod (40 GB Click Wheel)	2004-07	Click Wheel	40 GB	3.1.1
	iPod mini	2004-01	Click Wheel	4 GB	1.4.1
	iPod (20 GB dock connector)	2003-09	touch wheel	20 GB	2.3
	iPod (40 GB dock connector)	2003-09	touch wheel	40 GB	2.3
	iPod (10 GB dock connector)	2003-04	touch wheel	10 GB	2.3
	iPod (15 GB dock connector)	2003-04	touch wheel	15 GB	2.3
	iPod (30 GB dock connector)	2003-04	touch wheel	30 GB	2.3
	iPod (10 GB touch wheel)	2002-07	touch wheel	10 GB	1.5
	iPod (20 GB touch wheel)	2002-07	touch wheel	20 GB	1.5
	iPod (10 GB scroll wheel)	2002-03	scroll wheel	10 GB	1.5
	iPod (5 GB scroll wheel)	2001-10	scroll wheel	5 GB	1.5

How to tell iPod's hard drive size

To determine your iPod's hard drive size:

Select Main Menu > Settings > About.
On some models, the hard drive size is engraved on the metal case near the bottom.

How to tell which model you have

Several external features can help you identify your iPod.

Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) (also known as iPod with video)

You can distinguish the Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) from the original Fifth Generation iPod by the last three digits of the serial number. The Fifth Generation iPod (Late 2006) serial number's last three digits will be one of the following: V9K, V9P, V9M, V9R, V9L, V9N, V9Q, V9S, WU9, WUA, WUB, WUC, and X3N. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (30 GB Late 2006) serial number's last three digits are W9G.

Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video)

The Fifth Generation iPod is a a hard drive-based iPod featuring a large, widescreen color display, a Click Wheel, and the capability of displaying photos and videos. Like iPod nano, it uses USB for syncing and comes in white and black.

iPod nano (Second Generation)

iPod nano (Second Generation) is distinguished from other models by:

Its smaller size.
Its colors.
The dock connector and headphones port are both located on the bottom of the unit.

The iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED Special Edition is an iPod nano (Second Generation) available in red and with a 4 GB or 8 GB drive capacity. With each iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED purchased, $10 from the sale goes directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

iPod nano

iPod nano is smaller than iPod mini and has a color screen and a Click Wheel but has flash memory instead of a hard drive. Song and photo syncing only occurs over USB 2 (not FireWire). iPod nano comes in white and black. The capacity of the iPod nano is engraved on the back of the case (1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB).

The dock connector (1) and headphone jack (2) are both on the bottom of the iPod nano.

iPod shuffle (Second Generation)
iPod shuffle (Second Generation) is smaller than the original iPod shuffle and has no USB connector.

iPod shuffle
iPod shuffle is smaller than iPod mini and has no display. There are LED lights on the front and back. The capacity of the drive is engraved on the front USB connector.

iPod mini is distinguished from other models by:

Its smaller size.
Its colors.
The Hold switch, which is on the top-left side.
The Click Wheel's button labels, which are on the wheel itself.

The iPod mini (Second Generation) models are distinguished from the original iPod mini models by:

Hard drive size engraved on back of unit.
Click Wheel text color matches iPod mini (Second Generation) color
Click here for more differences.

iPod with color display
iPod and iPod photo are now one and the same, with every white iPod boasting a full-color display. They continue to have the same controls as iPod (Click Wheel) but now all models have a color display like iPod photo - ideal for viewing album artwork and playing slideshows. These are considered fourth generation models along with iPod (Click Wheel).

iPod (Click Wheel)
iPod (Click Wheel) models have a Click Wheel like the iPod mini, but are larger and the hold switch is on the top-right side. iPod (Click Wheel) models have a monochrome display. iPod (Click Wheel) is referred to as the fourth generation iPod.

iPod Special Edition U2
The iPod Special Edition U2 is a standard iPod model with certain external differences including: Black plastic exterior, red Click Wheel, signatures of the U2 band members engraved on the back, and "iPod Special Edition U2" engraved on the back. The first model was based an iPod (Click Wheel) with a 20 GB hard drive. In June 2005 a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that was based on an iPod with color display Generation iPod . These are both also considered fourth generation iPod models. In June 2006, a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that is based on a Fifth Generation iPod (also known as iPod with video) with a 30 GB hard drive. In Sept 2006 a model based on the Fifth Generation iPod (30 GB Late 2006) was introduced. You can distinguish Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (Late 2006) from the Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod by the last three digits of the serial number. The Fifth Generation U2 Special Edition iPod (30 GB Late 2006) serial number's last three digits are W9G.

iPod Special Edition Harry Potter
The iPod Special Edition Harry Potter is a standard iPod model with the Hogwarts Crest engraved on the back:

The first model was based an iPod with color display with a 20 GB hard drive. In October 2005 a new version of the iPod Special Edition Harry Potter was introduced that was based on an Fifth Generation iPod with a 30 GB hard drive.

iPod photo (also known as iPod with color display)
iPod photo models are functionally and visually identical to the iPod with color display (see above photo).

iPod (dock connector)

iPod (dock connector) models have a dock connector as illustrated here.

Newer iPod models like iPod (Click Wheel) and iPod mini also have a dock connector, but the iPod (dock connector) has a touch wheel instead of a Click Wheel and the four control buttons are above the touch wheel. iPod (dock connector models are referred to as third generation iPod models.

iPod (touch wheel)

All iPod (touch wheel) models have a FireWire port cover. Scroll wheel models don't, and dock connector models don't have a FireWire port. The iPod (touch wheel) model controls look similar to the iPod (scroll wheel) but the touch wheel itself does not turn. iPod (touch wheel) models are considered second generation iPod models. The top of an iPod (touch wheel) model is shown here:

1. FireWire port cover
2. FireWire port
3. Headphones port
4. Hold switch

iPod (scroll wheel)

iPod (scroll wheel) models have a scroll wheel that physically turns. The controls (Play, Menu, Next, Previous) appear in a circle around the wheel. iPod (scroll wheel) models are referred to as first generation iPod models.

Courtesy : www.apple.info

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