Windows Live SkyDrive

SkyDrive (previously Windows Live Folders) is one of the coolest services Microsoft offers for its Windows Live users. SkyDrive is a Password-protected (with Windows Live ID) online file storage that enables users to upload files & allows to keep the files private, share with contacts, or make the files public. Publicly-shared files do not require a Windows Live ID to access. Here are some of the cool features of SkyDrive as Microsoft describes....

• Easy access
  Access 5 GB of free storage from any online PC or Web-enabled mobile device. You can even drag and drop files directly from your PC to your SkyDrive with the optional upload tool (needs an ActiveX control installaation).
• Store files for yourself
  Using multiple computers? No problem. When you store your files online in Personal folders, only you can access them.
• Share with your friends
  Need to share stuff with classmates, co-workers or family? Store it in a Shared Folder and control who can see and add files.
• Link directly to your SkyDrive folders
  Each folder on SkyDrive has its own Web address that you can send in an e-mail, paste in a document, add as a favorite, save as a shortcut... you name it.

Among all the cool stuff, I found one restriction that needs more tolerance.Maximum upload file size for SkyDrive is 50MB at the moment and I hope Microsoft will increse this size when they are done with the beta testing stage...

Say your prayers DVD, Blu-ray has hit the trumpet........

Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is the name of the next-generation optical disc format jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers including Apple, DELL, HP, Sony, Samsung, LG, Pioneer,TDK & a few others.The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. This extra capacity combined with the use of advanced video and audio codecs will offer users an unprecedented HD (High-Definition) experience.

As the name itself suggests, BD makes use of a 405nm blue-violet laser rays to read & write data on the disc.The benefit of using a blue-violet laser is that it has a shorter wavelength than a red laser (650nm) used for DVD, which makes it possible to focus the laser spot with even greater precision. This allows data to be packed more tightly and stored in less space, so it's possible to fit more data on the disc even though it's the same size as a CD/DVD.

The Blu-ray has left no choice for movie & game lovers like me, but to go for a BD player, since most of the major movie studios including Fox, Warner, Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate etc. have already decided to release their movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. PS3 Games are already in the market on BD and it won't be too long before XBox360 also joins the club.

Since BD players support DVD/CD playback also, one single player would do the job, but what I'm really worried about is the price of a BD writer once it arrives in SL market. GOD please don't make it sky high......................

Bill Gates is no longer the World's Richest Man

Mexican telecom tycoon Carlos Slim Helu is now the world's richest man, according to a Mexican financial Web site Sentido Commun which has been tracking the telecom mogul's wealth.

The Mexican telecommunications magnate is said to have displaced Microsoft czar Bill Gates from the top spot following a 27% rise in the price of the shares of his company America Movil. This spurt increased Slim's wealth to $67.84 billion. Slim also controls telecom firms Telmex and Telcel.

Bill Gates, who had been the ranked the world's wealthiest man for the last 13 years, is said to be worth $59.2 billion.

What could be the 4th subject of this semester of Curtin ?

I went through the courses handbook of Curtin lately to verify the subjects we have in this semester and found bit of a contest for the 4th subject. It's interesting that neither DBMS 362 nor web technology has been added to the list. Wonder what SLIIT course administration will go for this time. Following are the 3 subjects that will be included without a doubt

• Computer Communications 352
• Systems Programming and Design 361
• Software Engineering Tools and Metrics 352

According to the handbook, one of the below will replace last year's DBMS for the 4th subject.

• Machine Perception 362
• Theoretical Foundations of Computer Science 352
• Software Security 303
• Network Systems Design 304

What ever it is, I have a haunting feeling that DBMS 362 might still remain as an option since Dr. Athauda is there at Curtin Bentley Campus as the lecturer in charge of DBMS. Anyway the issue will be addressed in one week's time as soon as the semester begins.

MaTHaKa is just one presentation away to make SLIIT shine at Imagine cup 2007

I'm extemely happy to hear that SLIIT has finally made it to the top six Sri Lankan contestants of imagine cup 2007. A team called MaTHaka representing SLIIT, will be presenting their application (code named KAMZA ) on stage on 18th June. 3 teams from Faculty of Information Technology - University of Moratuwa, one each from Informatics and UCSC will also be competing for the number 1 spot.

The prime idea of developing KAMZA according to MaTHaka, is to address how organizations can preserve a person’s intellectual gain, in a way which the organization would not be affected even though that the particular person is no longer in service. KAMZA attempts to centralize the knowledge of professionals in service, where even if the person has left the company, “the knowledge” will be stored and reused within the organization itself.

I wish MaTHaka the very best at the final presentation and may you have the stength and courage to rock Korea and bring Imagine cup to Sri Lanka.

Common ADSL Router Configuration for SLT Broadband

Many people who have got new ADSL connections seem to be having problems configuring their routers/modems. I guess the configurations provided at SLT site are bit outdated. Since I'm bit tired of providing the details to my friends over and over again, thought of adding a post here at last. The genaral parameters are as follows. These may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.

• You may leave the autentication/operation mode to its default value which is Auto, but in case of a connection error try changing it to G.992.1 (G.DMT).
• Verify the stability of the ADSL Connection by checking the indicator LED on the router. It should be emitting light continuously without blinking.
• You don't have to create a separate connection ( like in dial-up connections),but the router web interface itself has a connect button.
• You can monitor your internet usage at http://www.sltnet.lk/usagemeter.html . This is useful if your package is an entree package.