SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY

  Though the bird count at the Bannerghatta Zoo area was on the low side today (this seemed to be more of an "audio" than a "visual" day, with many more birds being heard than seen!)...we did see a lot of interesting stuff as usual. Here's one: Isn't that really beautiful...and doesn't it look like the prismatic effect of an oil slick on the puddle? Well...it does, and though it IS an oil slick in a way, it's far more complex than that.Diatoms( here is the Wiki link about them)are a type of phytoplankton, which originated during the Jurassic period. Now, they…

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), Bangalore is organizing a free 'Vacation Training Program on Bio-Resources' for students from April 19th to 8th May 2010. Funded by Department of Bio-Technology, Government of India, this program consists of lectures and interactive sessions with eminent scientists and experts in the field of biology and bio-resources, visits to research institutes, orientation to skills required for field-biology and out-door camps. Students who have appeared Class X examination in 2010 from recognized schools in Karnataka are eligible to apply. Application forms can be downloaded from our website. For more details visit http://atree.org/vtp-2010…

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), Bangalore is organizing a free 'Vacation Training Program on Bio-Resources' for students from April 19th to 8th May 2010. Funded by Department of Bio-Technology, Government of India, this program consists of lectures and interactive sessions with eminent scientists and experts in the field of biology and bio-resources, visits to research institutes, orientation to skills required for field-biology and out-door camps. Students who have appeared Class X examination in 2010 from recognized schools in Karnataka are eligible to apply. Application forms can be downloaded from our website. For more details visit http://atree.org/vtp-2010…

I am very much against the vans that add to the traffic of the city, cruising past with various products being marketed. But once in a while, the product does intrigue me!I saw this van near my home recently: The idea seems to be an interesting one; it's claimed to be 'free' at one point, and it also says 'pay for what you consume' at another!Everything is "i" these days....iPod, iPhone...and now, iHot...!But the really ironic thing is that if this driver sleeps like this on duty, he is going to be in iHot water himself, soon!If I didn't already have…

I am very much against the vans that add to the traffic of the city, cruising past with various products being marketed. But once in a while, the product does intrigue me!I saw this van near my home recently: The idea seems to be an interesting one; it's claimed to be 'free' at one point, and it also says 'pay for what you consume' at another!Everything is "i" these days....iPod, iPhone...and now, iHot...!But the really ironic thing is that if this driver sleeps like this on duty, he is going to be in iHot water himself, soon!If I didn't already have…

It was an unusual way to end a predominantly techie meet...the FOSS.in (Free and Open Source Software annual meet which happens at the J N Tata Auditorium) closed with a keynote address by Kalyan Varma, who is well-known in software,photography, and wildlife circles.The tagline for this year's meet was, "Talk is cheap. Show me the code"!After the "workouts" discussions and reports were over, the well-"connected" audience settled down for the keynote address:Kalyan, about whom I have written in Citizen Matters here and here , put the finishing touches to his presentation:He then talked about "Free World:Sharing and Caring".He started out…

It was an unusual way to end a predominantly techie meet...the FOSS.in (Free and Open Source Software annual meet which happens at the J N Tata Auditorium) closed with a keynote address by Kalyan Varma, who is well-known in software,photography, and wildlife circles.The tagline for this year's meet was, "Talk is cheap. Show me the code"!After the "workouts" discussions and reports were over, the well-"connected" audience settled down for the keynote address:Kalyan, about whom I have written in Citizen Matters here and here , put the finishing touches to his presentation:He then talked about "Free World:Sharing and Caring".He started out…

In J P Nagar today, BSNL was conducting a Telephone Mela, with both new connections, mobile phones and internet connections being offered at a considerable discount.Here's the sign:Another view of the shamiana:The place was abuzz with people, and the staff were extremely courteous and helpful.Here are some of them, including Ms. Nagarathnamma (fittingly, speaking on the telephone), whom I have personally found very capable and helpful on several occasions:What a difference from the days when one had to make huge deposits, and wait several years for a telephone connection! It is good to see Government agencies being so proactive. I…

In J P Nagar today, BSNL was conducting a Telephone Mela, with both new connections, mobile phones and internet connections being offered at a considerable discount.Here's the sign:Another view of the shamiana:The place was abuzz with people, and the staff were extremely courteous and helpful.Here are some of them, including Ms. Nagarathnamma (fittingly, speaking on the telephone), whom I have personally found very capable and helpful on several occasions:What a difference from the days when one had to make huge deposits, and wait several years for a telephone connection! It is good to see Government agencies being so proactive. I…