Link Yard - Click Starts Here

Being an advertising

2005-10-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

Being an advertising freak I am expecting a lot of discussion on how to use the new age media and publicity tactics in creating a newer version of media planning. The turf no longer is just the newsprint and a couple of TV channels. Its so much more with all the new avenues opening up. Thanks to the technology. Read this article on NYT to realize the impact of the same.

Viral Marketing!

2005-09-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

Viral Marketing at its best. http://www.onedegree.ca/2005/08/30/saw-the-viral-bought-the-tshirt. The link argues that Viral marketing becomes a roaring success if its delivered in a personalized manner. I must say, the page opened a new dimension of thought in me.

What a phone

2005-08-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

After the entire circus the cell-phone companies have done the world has come to where it has started. Simple and hassle-free mobile communication. Vodafone looks like the one to start the war on a new turf. But this product might take another 5-6 years to reach India as we are still stuck up with our brick phones and snake games.

However, Vodafone is bucking this trend with its line of Vodafone Simply phones. What’s remarkable about the Vodafone Simply phone is how unremarkable it is. It’s not sleek. It doesn’t play games. And you can’t take pictures with it. Read more.

Fianlly someone found this too :D

2005-08-16T10:52:00.000-07:00

Researchers have finally found evidence for what good Catholic boys have known all along � erotic images make you go blind.

Read more. Looks like lot of researchers have lot of free time to analyze the non-obvious effects of porn on humans.

Hiring Spree

2005-08-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

I am one of the happiest persons to know that the software biggies are hiring like mad. TCS hired 1100 people from campuses in one day.

No more Rs. 499.95

2005-08-02T19:07:00.000-07:00

This is interesting. FOR decades, it was a price tag that drew instant jokes, sarcastic comments and sometimes even arguments over consumer rights, but ending it all, Bata India has withdrawn its famous 95 paise pricing.

Waterlogging of currency notes and documents?

2005-08-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

Amidst all the rain and floods it really seems we are using the poorest of technology and applications of it when it comes to "strongrooming" our money or documents. Some of the bank branches in Mumbai are suffering from soiled currency notes and documents.

The strong rooms and vaults of most of the banks are located in basements. If not flooding in basements, banks had to deal with the problem of water leakage, said a bank official. An official of State Bank of India said that two to three branches in Vile Parle, Juhu and Bandra were waterlogged, causing damage to currency and documents.

BiBC

2005-08-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Someone is seriously trying to mimic Apple's iTunes idea by offering video downloading facilities. Read more.

Vital Statistix

2005-08-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

- one blog created every second - Number of blogs doubling every 5 months - 13% of the total tracked blogs by Technorati are updated weekly or so Read more.

What can make sure that google remains google?

2005-08-01T14:15:00.000-07:00

A wonderful article on FastCompany about Google's future. Read here.

CD Baby

2005-07-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Some people would like to call it a typical JumboShrimpCompany while to me CD Baby seems like it is just another application of long tail theory of economics. Whatever it is CD baby is a killer idea of offering a service by being oneself. Inspiring!

Brain damage and investment excellence

2005-07-23T05:10:00.000-07:00

Apparantly 'Brain damaged people can make better investment decisions'. Sounds really crazy.

New ways to use ebay

2005-07-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

After auctioning adspace on body parts, someone thought of selling royalties on future works over ebay to raise money to make a music album. Read here.

Now they can do it...

2005-07-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

You never know what the other people in this world are going through. apparently there is an university in this world which expels its students for having pre marital sex. Thankfully it is removed now. Read more.

Benefits of computer games

2005-07-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

A professor of Gambling Studies at Nottingham Trent University did a study and concluded that Computer games do have benefits reports BBC.

Mark Griffiths says they can be a distraction for children undergoing painful treatment.

Telixo

2005-07-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

Bhatia's panaceas to mobile dependence pains.

Sabeer Bhatia has come up with Telixo, a technology that offers mobile users instant access to their personal information � phone book, address book, calendar and to-do lists, via the phone but independent of it.

Corporate Governance or ...?

2005-07-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

BSNL buys Rs. 4,770 crore LIC policy for 3.5 lakh employees

Petrolhead

2005-07-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

hopping the web and landed up here to see the definition of petrolhead.

Hahaha...!

2005-07-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

Overheard in the office!

Shutterbugs!

2005-07-12T07:20:00.000-07:00

Being an amateur photographer myself I follow photoblogs/sites very passionately. Some sites worth staring at, - orbit1 - Chromasia

Its raining jobs

2005-07-12T06:53:00.000-07:00

Even though its cliched there is actually a hiring spree going on out there. See these links. - Infosys to hire 13,500 in 9 months - TCS plans to up headcount by 13,000 - IBM to reportedly hire 14,000 in India All this means more jobs/offers to me and my friends :D

More on Electronic Waste

2005-07-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

Instead of throwing your old cell phone in the garbage bin, you may like to sow it, and in few week�s time, see the mobile bloom into a sunflower.

says this article on ET.

The Music Genome

2005-07-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

If this releases as an add on to our music players its going to be the biggest hit for sure. The Music Genome aims at codifying all the music so far created and developing linkages between them. Read more here. Via Scoble.

Cultural sensitivity and marketing

2005-07-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

Finally rigid services like banks & insurance started realizing the importance of culture in designing the offerings. Latest is,

LIC's new international joint venture company - Indo-Saudi Insurance Company -- will be the first to introduce takaful. This Arabic word means 'guaranteeing each other' or joint guarantee. ...Takaful can be described as cooperative insurance where policyholders contribute a certain amount of money to a common pool. Each member pays his subscription (premium) to help those that need assistance.

Via Rediff.

Manager Elbow Syndrome!

2005-07-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

you read ight!

Life at 4200+ meters above sea-level

2005-07-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

A wonderful article in TIME on the lives of Indian and Pakistani soldiers working at Siachen Glacier. There is a pictorial also. Worth reading.

ePET Manager Ver 1.0

2005-07-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

I always thought we keep pets for the joy of petting them. Apparently it is not. A smart dish that feeds pets automatically.

Treat for your eyes

2005-07-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

Satya has posted some interesting Ad-links here. Switch on your speakers first.

High time we(ee) started thinking about this.

2005-07-06T11:53:00.000-07:00

There is 11,000 tonnes of it in Mumbai and 9500 tonnes of it in Delhi. Even Hyderabad has 3000 tonnes of it. I am talking about Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE). Read this interesting article on growing challenge and implications. Via Business Line.

Stuff cult brands are made of...

2005-07-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

There is a huge furore as the news item broke about the Murder in iPod theft. What is more interesting is Apple Chief called up the grieved family and spoke with them. Read here. Via NY Times.

National Geographic's 100 Best Photos - 2004

2005-07-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here.

Comics for adults or what?

2005-07-06T01:30:00.000-07:00

Unintentionally sexual comic book covers Via The Best Page in the Universe.

.in

2005-07-06T01:01:00.000-07:00

I came across this rediff ad for .in domains that they are selling. Must say, the ad has achieved its purpose.

Will they kiss for more than 31 hours?

2005-07-06T00:46:00.000-07:00

Apparently it is National Kissing day in UK. Some insights in to the most enduring (?) yet (s)exciting competition on the earth here. Lips lock in 31-hour record bid Via BBC.

New ways to cheat in exams

2005-07-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

False breasts betray exam cheats Via BBC.

Download movies legally

2005-07-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

This seems to be a possibility now. An NY Times article on the trends of movie downloading.

Look who is bloggin now

2005-07-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

Blogging While Browsing, but Not Buying Via NY Times.

Mission Impossible

2005-07-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

A blog on mission statements.

I do

2005-07-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

Couple say 'I do' by cell phone Via New Ind Press.

Daily dose of economics

2005-07-03T14:44:00.000-07:00

Economies of marriage tries to prove that marrying a non-working girl can economically improve your life. But there seems to be some holes in the argument. Try figure.

Desperate Advertising...

2005-07-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

Last time I have seen highly desperate ad is this. But recent auctions on ebay seems to have over taken. Sample this,

Get the advertising your business needs with the PERFECT CANDIDATE! Mom sells ad space on forehead

Death of distan ce

2005-07-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

Can I make STD calls on local rate? Via ET.

Noses, eyeballs ... what is the next target of marketers?

2005-07-03T03:50:00.000-07:00

The Battle for Eardrums Begins With Podcasts Via NY Times.

Who said customer is king?

2005-07-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Recent example of RBI norms [read more here, here and here] on credit cards is just another example of how poor service these banks are throwing at us. Why do a credit card company need RBI mandating them to maintain a 'Do not call registry' or 'Clear specification of rules' or 'Illustrated interest calculations' or for that matter even 'Enough time to pay the bills and timely delivery of bills'. Beats me.

Greenhouse Effect

2005-07-02T07:32:00.000-07:00

Want to see how much greenhouse effect will be there in 2020, 2056 etc.? Via BBC.

Interview with Wiki's founder

2005-07-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

In a short interview he talks about Wiki's philosophy and innovation. Via CIO-Insight.

Whats in a name?

2005-07-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered why a blog becomes roaring success while another one doesnt. The naming and branding blog points out us to some of the most favorite blognames here.

Creative Condom Ads

2005-07-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

Click here [Not suitable for office viewing] via Crazy Russian

Wrong solution to the right problem?

2005-07-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

Swedes ban downloading of movies and music. The point is why cant the prices of the digital media go down to reasonable extent instead of blanket bans like this. As such the variable cost of producing the CD/DVD is less than a dollor. May be filesharing softwares can enable n% royalty to the owner and start selling the files as mentioned here. Related links [Govar on Piracy]

Do you know what you dont know?

2005-07-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Intersting link on 125 big questions that science can't answer. Via Boing Boing.

Indian Women in Nobel Race

2005-07-01T13:59:00.000-07:00

Reading a lot of news items on Indian Women nominated for Nobel peace prize. Some interesting links,

- Two Bihar Dalit women nominated for Nobel Peace Prize via HT - 3 more from AP [the link might require a free registration] via Newindpress - 12 more from Gujarat, 27 from Capital Region via ExpressIndia - 3 more from TN Via Chennai Online

All the Best India.

Support services for Support services

2005-07-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Look how IT is permeating into every possible are of organizations. HCL's unique HR solution. Via Rediff.

Latest Rankings

2005-06-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

Kerala is the least corrupt state, says study. Excerpts,

A report released by the Transparency International here has chosen Kerala as the least corrupt state in India. While Andhra Pradesh was placed at the 17th position, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are defined as �more corrupt� states and placed in the 9th and 4th positions respectively in the corruption index. Bihar is the most corrupt state.

Via Newindpress

Street kids paint murals in restaurant

2005-06-30T22:58:00.000-07:00

Having been to Mumbai's cafes I cannot overemphasise the importance of murals in creating a culture around a cafe/restaurant. This article tells us something innovative and touching. Excerpts,

...when they were asked by the famous hotel chain Nirula's to give a new look to its Defence Colony restaurant here, the joy of the children of the Salaam Baalak Trust knew no bounds.

Via The Hindu

More Economy Blah Blah!

2005-06-30T22:53:00.000-07:00

This article can help us in understanding the African Economy through maps. Via BBC

Toxic Leaders

2005-06-30T22:48:00.000-07:00

Are you following a toxic CEO? via Economic Times

Watch, someones making movies for your mobile phone

2005-06-30T10:41:00.000-07:00

In China, directors now developing films for phones

Computer games and women

2005-06-30T08:09:00.000-07:00

Looking like an obvious oxymoron. This is going to change soon. Atleast that is what this article argues. Excerpts,

...We are soon going to be seeing massively-multi-player online games that are dominated by female players...

Via BBC

Blogging too much... eh?

2005-06-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

via Vulturo

Chikubuku Chikubuku Railey...

2005-06-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered how our trains got their names? Via Business Line

Online advertising scenario in India

2005-06-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

This article suggests that the boom pops up. Somebody read it and click on the ads in my site too :D Via Business Line

Story of Wahaha

2005-06-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

Watch out, Coke and Pepsi - Here comes Wahaha via Knowledge @ Wharton

Before flying in to the skype...

2005-06-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

The challenges of Skype via Business Pundit via Strategy-Business.

Global Economy Blah Blah!

2005-06-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

This article proves that there may not be much change in the package I recieve when I pass out. Excerpts,

Worldwide growth will slow to 3% in 2005, down from 2004's 4.1%, according to the report from the UN's Department of Economic & Social Affairs (UNDESA). ...Developing countries will generally see better growth...

Via BBC.

The terminal man

2005-06-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

A man who has been living in Nairobi's international airport for a year has been given British citizenship. Via BBC

Retail Alphabet Game

2005-06-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

This is fun. Play it here. Via Seth Godin

Youth Curry!

2005-06-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

A must read for many of us. Boy, oh boy! and One Thing Via Youth Curry

'Visual spam filter' to help you drive better

2005-06-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

This article talks about new glasses which can block billboards/advertisements or 'visual spam' while driving. Via Business Line.

BPOs are hitting villages

2005-06-29T03:54:00.000-07:00

Kizhanur is like any other village in Tamil Nadu's Thiruvallur district, surrounded by paddy fields and grazing cows. But look closely at No:1 Sivan Koil street which is awash with a new phenomenon -- a business process outsourcing...

Via Rediff

Marketing Gimmicks - Way too much!

2005-06-29T00:17:00.000-07:00

Catching them Young! Apparently someone got a wrong meaning of customer service and retention. Excerpts,

...Kerala Bar Hotels Association here, organised a function where children of their regular customers were supplied with school notebooks, school bags and umbrellas � free of cost. ...One of the organisers equated the gesture with the free supply of "touchings" (as the pickles provided free of cost along with liquor in bars in central Kerala are referred to in local parlance). He felt that such gestures are essential to retain customer loyalty.

Via Hindu

Check Newshound

2005-06-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is somewhat similar to Google news. Rediff says the news is aggregated from 700 sources. Check here.

Now you can count your laps while swimming

2005-06-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Smart eyewear for keen swimmers Via BBC

Rudetones

2005-06-28T06:53:00.000-07:00

Ringtones are getting rude, says, The tech beat blog of BusinessWeek Online. Excerpts,

...These rudetones come in the following flavors: police siren, car alarm, fart and even (don't ask me what this sounds like, this really is gross) burp vomit. You can check them out on this Australian Web site.

Unlearning the B-School teachings

2005-06-28T01:51:00.000-07:00

Ravi Swaminathan, IIMA alumnus argues that,

Business is fundamentally simple. It's we who make it complicated. ...Whenever I recruit people, I try to find out how hungry they are -- for the job, achieving certain objectives or changing the world. If that drive is there, half the battle is already won.

Via Rediff I personally feel that the managers job is to "simplify things and be modest".

How much do you know about bonds?

2005-06-28T01:42:00.001-07:00

All you want to know about bonds Via Rediff

Art of Science

2005-06-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

This is fun. The First Annual Art of Science Competition at Princeton University via BoingBoing.

Viral Marketing

2005-06-27T13:02:00.000-07:00

This article talks about viral marketing and its challenges/opportunities. Via ET

News paper of the future

2005-06-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

A wonderful article on NY Times about a paper called Lawrence Journal World. Really futuristic. Know more about the company here.

File sharing verdict

2005-06-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

You never know, one day somebody sues Camcorder companies for allowing to shoot porn and bang they go. File-sharing suffers major defeat via BBC excerpt,

The US Supreme Court has ruled that file-sharing companies are to blame for what users do with their software. ...But in this latest ruling the judges sets aside this precedent and the lower court decisions and means the makers of a technology have to answer for what people do with it if they use it to break the law.

Infosys sets up a hotel

2005-06-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

Infosys sets up luxury hotel via Rediff.

My gym plans stalled!

2005-06-27T01:44:00.000-07:00

Losing weight can kill you: research via The Hindu

Why does the moon look so big now?

2005-06-27T00:58:00.000-07:00

2 Theories explaining the phenomenon. Via BBC

Flaoting Islands

2005-06-27T00:52:00.000-07:00

Lake Titicaca has a lot to recommend it, but among its most remarkable features are the floating Uros islands. via BBC

Good question, Why do projects take so long?

2005-06-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

Answers here. via Dilbert

30th Anniversary of India's Emergency

2005-06-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

Read some of the editorial articles / columns on 1975 Emergency of India on Rediff, HT, total recall of Indian Express

This could be the country's biggest gas find

2005-06-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

GSPC makes 20 trillion cubic feet gasfind, read on BBC, NDTV, Hindu and Reuters India

Bans in Schools

2005-06-26T00:31:00.000-07:00

Its interesting to know various things banned in schools. Cellphones, fashion shows banned in schools via NewIndPress, Delhi Govt bans mobile phones in schools via Outlook, Spanking banned in Goan Schools via Project No Spank, Bombay University plans to ban women from wearing mini skirts, tight tops and shorts via Express India, White ink banned in schools via The Hindu Excerpt,

Most schools in the Doon Valley have banned use of "ink whiteners" by students following reports of some children inhaling it to get a "kick".

Syndication gets Importance

2005-06-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

I always believed that RSS/XML based content access will rule the next generation of internet. Longhorn has in-built RSS capability: Microsoft Via ABC Money