Monthly Archives: August 2013

Chennai kid identifies 210 car models in less than 7 minutes

Lakshin received a certificate from ASSIST World Records Research Foundation for identifying 210 car brands and models in 6.45 minutes. | EPS
Lakshin received a certificate from ASSIST World Records Research Foundation for identifying 210 car brands and models in 6.45 minutes. | EPS

If you are wondering what a six-year-old boy can do in less than seven minutes, meet S Lakshin, who can  identify brands of 210 cars in that brief span of time.

Lakshin, a class one student of a city school, received a certificate from ASSIST World Records Research Foundation for identifying 210 car brands and models in 6.45 minutes, in the city recently.

According to the organisers, Lakshin has set a new record by beating the previous record set by another child, who was able to identify 100 car models in Puducherry.

At the competition held recently, Lakshin started identifying the car models as their pictures were flashed on the screen.

He was able to identify the brands without misspelling their model numbers as well. The car brands spanned from national to international ones including Hindustan Motors, Audi, BMW, Bajaj, Brusa, Bugatti, Caparo, Chevrolet, Chrysler, DC, DMC, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Jaguar, Maruti, Mercedes, Nissan, Tata and Volvo.

Sreedaran, the boy’s father said Lakshin developed an interest for cars since the age of two.

“After we noticed his keen interest in cars, we encouraged him to identify the types. He is so fond of cars that our house is filled with toy cars,” he added.

“You show the models of 210 cars in any order, he would be able to identify them in no time,” he claimed.

Asked about his favourite car, Lakshin quipped “Rolls Royce”. “Of late, my son is curious about knowing the prices of these cars,” his mother said.

Earlier, V G Santhosam, Chairman, V G P Group of Companies, lauded the boy for his talent and wished him success in the automobile sector in future.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service – Chennai / July 29th, 2013

Free Linux installation fest

Chennai:
A team of 300-odd youngsters will soon be seen on the streets of Tamil Nadu with their laptops.
They are volunteers from Indian Linux Users Group (ILUG). who have embarked on a major mission to install Linux open source operating system to computers whose users love to get away from Windows.

T. Shrinivasan, an active member of ILUG, said every year several lakhs of people buy desktop computers and laptops loaded with Windows ( Microsoft’s proprietary operating system) for a hefty rate.
“When one can get more facilities with added security in Linux free of cost why should we invest more for a proprietary software?” Shrinivasan asked.
Explaining the objective of the Linux Install Fest, which will take place between August 1 and 31, Shrinivasan said they liked to help the Linux community grow larger in size.
“We have volunteers across the state who will go to houses/educational institutions to install Linux free of cost and we will also help them whenever they have any issues with Linux”, he added.
P. Raman, another Linux enthusiast and ILUG member,  lamented that even though Tamil Nadu government installed Linux in its free laptops students had not used it.
“Students don’t have awareness about Linux, which made us think of install fest. We want youngsters to join the Linux revolution across the state”, he said.
Those interested either to volunteer the group or get Linux loaded onto their computer can browse: www. ilugc.in.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DC /  N. Arun Kumr / August 01st, 2013

Met service to make highway rides smooth

Online facility will provide details of weather on State roads connecting 13 important destinations, and some Puducherry highways

The next time you plan a long trip that will take you through the State’s highways, you can ensure there are no disruptions to your travel due to bad weather.

The meteorological department has recently introduced an online service ‘Highway Forecast’, which provides details of the weather on highways connecting 13 important destinations in the State, including Chennai, Kodaikanal and Nagapattinam. Highways of Puducherry will also be covered under the service.

The service, available on www.imdchennai.gov.in, will have details of the forecast for the next 24 hours, including maximum and minimum temperature and the possibility of thundershowers or heavy rains.

This type of user-specific weather services is offered by meteorological departments in other countries, including UK and USA. Some private online weather service providers give details for travel-related weather forecast on even an hourly basis or for 15 days.

S.R. Ramanan, director of area cyclone warning centre, said the new service would also help to plan trips by taking into consideration the prevailing weather conditions at their destination.

“We have developed this service with the data available in the weather stations in these locations. We will add more features and places depending on the patronage,” he said.

More, better services

As part of its efforts to upgrade its website and be more user-friendly, the department is in the process of adding more features.

“We have digitised the data on thunderstorms and cyclones. This would be useful for people to check details of thunderstorms in their region and the rainfall received,” said an official.

Statistics on cyclones as well as depressions over Indian seas have also been digitised and have been made available as ‘cyclone e-atlas’. “Earlier, we had to check the old records for any data on cyclones. People can now check the movement of cyclones and specific details by accessing the link of the cyclone warning and research centre,” an official said.

The department plans to add analysis related to winds during tropical cyclones soon. There are also plans to add more tailor-made user services such as venue-specific forecasts.

Mobile service delayed

The launch of mobile weather alert services through text messages is being delayed in the city as the meteorological department is finalising some of the aspects such as the number of weather parameters to be covered and whether it would be a paid or free service.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by K. Lakshmi / Chennai – July 17th, 2013