Lou Vincent's interview on match fixing

Find the Lou Vincent's interview on how he got lured into match fixing at

part 1 - http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/video/zbtv-lou-vincent-part-1-2jul2014
part 2 - http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/video/zbtv-lou-vincent-part-2-2jul2014

CLEAN MASTER for Android devices

We often experience slow down in the our mobile performance. Phone's hardware specifications does not matter. Your phone can have 2GB RAM, Quad Core processor and so on but it is never sufficient unless we manage the memory properly.

I have been using this little tool called Clean Master which is available at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cleanmaster.mguard in Google Play store. This has very nice and intuitive UI. More than that it can prompt if available memory is below certain % and offers one touch Clean up.

Apart from above, the same app has an app manager,  Flashlight and few other functionalities.

I found it to be very handy tool to install. Hope you will find it the same. 

World Cup 2014 highlights

You can watch WC 2014 highlights at  http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/videos/highlights/index.html.

Cricket's Bizarre

KP gets a glimpse of Bravo's flair

Low blow by AUS - Full over of that indecent Under-arm bowling in the last ball

Freakish catch

Andhra Pradesh

Customizing RUN command to open any application

We often use the RUN command box to open word using command "winword", excel using "excel" etc. Similarly we can open any application through RUN command box using any of the following methods.

• Method 1:
  Create a shortcut to the program you want to launch in the the same directory as the program. Then copy this shortcut file into the WINDOWSdirectory, i.e C:\WINDOWS and rename this file to anything (any shortcut name) you want. Now just type in the name into Run command box and enjoy .

• Method 2:
  This is a registry hack for doing the same thing. It doesn’t need any shortcut thing. Do this at your own risk..
  1. First open the Registry Editor using type regedit in the Run.
  2. Then Navigate to
     HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE –> SOFTWARE –> Microsoft –> Windows –> CurrentVersion –> App Paths
  3. Now create a new key in there as
     [shortcut name].exe (dont forget the .exe extension otherwise it won’t work)
  4. Modify the Default Value to the [path to the program (e.g C:\Program Files\My Program\Me.exe)] of the program.
  5. Alternatively you can add a Path string and also set that up (optional only if you know the values you can see the path name from the properties of the program).

  Now just typing the in the Run command should run the program.

Why Copenhagen Still Matters

We have been hearing a lot about the convention that is going to take place in Denmark in a week or so. Why so much fuss about it? This article helps in understanding it.

http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/dec2009/gb20091210_681961.htm

Why Copenhagen Still Matters

The climate talks won't seal a binding global deal, but a lot can still go right in Denmark

By Eileen Claussen

SPECIAL REPORT
Two years ago this week, on the island of Bali, representatives of 180 nations agreed on an ambitious timeline for reaching a global agreement to address climate change. The Bali Road Map, as it was called, identified key issues to be resolved and set a 2009 deadline for completing the negotiations.

That deadline has now arrived. Yet as nations gather for the climate talks in Copenhagen, the real negotiating has barely begun. The draft text is a lengthy, confusing compilation of every single proposal from a wide swath of nations. Many of the ideas are implausible, but all remain in play. President Barack Obama and other world leaders recently confirmed what was widely presumed: Copenhagen won't deliver a final legal agreement. The goal is now an interim political deal setting the stage for a full treaty in 2010.

The delay is disappointing to many but comes as no surprise. Obama is putting a "provisional" target on the table, but until Congress enacts comprehensive climate legislation, the U.S. is in no position to take on a binding international commitment. And there are many other obstacles. Governments still remain far apart on core issues: how to finance stronger efforts in developing countries, whether major emerging economies such as China will take on binding commitments, and how fulfillment will be verified.

ADVANCES NONETHELESS
But important and heartening progress has been made since Bali. In Washington, the House passed a comprehensive bill in June aimed at reducing U.S. emissions and fostering a clean-energy economy. Meantime, the U.S. government has taken positive steps—with stimulus funding and proposed regulatory actions—to support the development of lower-carbon energy sources and to reduce emissions.

In China, which now surpasses the U.S. as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the government has set ambitious goals for increasing renewable power and energy efficiency, and it just announced a voluntary goal of reducing by 2020 the carbon intensity of its economy 40% to 45% from 2005 levels. India and other emerging economies are also pledging stronger action, while the European Union already has an emissions- trading system in place that is beginning to deliver actual reductions.

But all of these positive developments fall far short of a viable global solution. With leadership from the world's major economies, we need an international agreement to ensure that all countries are doing their part to reduce emissions and that these combined efforts are getting us to a place where scientists affirm we can avoid the worst effects of climate change.

A LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
Copenhagen can propel us toward that goal. Many governments have come prepared to announce political commitments. Wealthy nations also can be expected to pledge up-front money to help poorer countries reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. But it is critical that the talks in Copenhagen make substantial progress in establishing the legal and institutional framework for converting these pledges into a binding treaty with a robust design. There must be legal clarity about countries' commitments and their compliance with them, so that each can be confident that all are delivering their share. And there must be a sensible, accountable system for providing the support developing countries will need to do their part.

Simply building this framework will require the major parties to do something they've so far resisted: compromise. And compromise requires political will. Countries will have to embrace real commitments, and they will have to look beyond short-term political concerns so we can forge a solution that protects all nations and all people for decades, even centuries, to come.

The science on this issue is now absolutely clear: Climate change is largely the result of human activities, it is happening now, and it is happening much faster than predicted. But it is political reality, as much as science, that will drive the global climate talks. And right now the political reality is that key countries have a lot of work to do to resolve core issues before a lasting global agreement can be reached.

No one is expecting miracles out of the Copenhagen meeting this month. But it is imperative that we see genuine gains—with the goal of agreeing to a final climate treaty when the negotiators meet at the end of 2010 in Mexico City. The Bali Road Map misjudged the distance from Bali to a final agreement, but at least we can take heart that the nations of the world are still on this road together. The challenge is to stay on course to a destination that proves itself worth the trip.

Article by
Eileen Claussen is president of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

పురుష ప్రయత్నం

శివుడి ఆజ్ఞ లేనిదే చీమైనా కుట్టదు. మనకి ఏదైనా రాసి పెట్టి వుంటే తప్పక జరుగుతుంది. జరగబోయే దాన్ని ఎవడు ఆపగలడు? .... శ్రీ కృష్ణుడు భగవద్గీతలో అన్ని చేసేది, చేయించేది నేనే, నీవు కేవలం నిమిత్త మాత్రుడవు అని అన్నాడు. పైన అన్నవే నిజమైతే గనుక మన భవితవ్యం అంతా ఎప్పుడో దేవుడు నిర్ధారించేసాడు. మనం కేవలం కీలు బొమ్మలం అని అనిపిస్తుంది. చేసింది, చేస్తోంది మరియు చేయబోయేది అంతా భగవదేచ్చ అయితే మానవుడికి కర్మ ఫలం ఎలా అంటుకుంటుంది? మరి జన్మ జన్మల కర్మ ఫలాలే ఈ సుఖ దుఖాలు ఎలా అవుతాయి? ఈ పుణ్యం చేస్తే స్వర్గం, పాపం చేస్తే నరకం అనే వాటికి అర్ధం ఏమిటి?

దీనికి సమాధానం యోగ వాశిష్ట్యములో మనకు కనిపిస్తుంది. రామ చంద్రుడు చిన్నతనంలో చాలా తీర్ధయాత్రలు చేసాడు, ఆ క్రమంలో ప్రజల కష్టాలను, దుఖాలను చూసి అత్యంత నిరుత్సాహానికి గురి అయ్యాడు. అదే సమయంలో విశ్వామిత్ర మహర్షి, రాముని వెంట పంపమని దశరధుని కోరటం జరుగుతుంది. నిండు సభలో విచారవదనంతో వున్న రాముడిని చూసి విశ్వామిత్రుడు కారణం కోరగా, రాముడు తన బాధకు గల కారణాన్ని వివరిస్తాడు. అప్పుడు వశిష్ట మహర్షి రామునికి బోధించినదే యోగ వాశిష్ట్యము. ఆ బోధలలో నాకు బాగా నచ్చింది "పురుష ప్రయత్నం" గురించి వశిష్టుడు చెప్పిన మాటలు.

మానవుడికి జన్మని ఇచ్చిన భగవంతుడు ఏదైనా ఎలా చేయవచ్చు, ఎలా చేయకూడదో వేదాల ద్వారా తెలియచేసాడు. కాని చేయడమో, చేయకపోవాడమో, ఎలా చెయ్యాలనుకుంటున్నామో నిర్ణయించుకునే స్వేచ్చని (ఫ్రీ విల్) మనకి ఇచ్చాడు. మనం చేసిన పనుల బట్టి, చేసిన విధానం బట్టి మన మంచి చెడ్డలు నిర్ణయిన్చబడుతున్నాయి. కాబట్టి మనం ఏమి చేస్తాం ఎలా చేస్తాం అనేది మన చేతుల్లోనే వుంది.

మానవుడు తన పూర్వ జన్మల ఫలితాన్ని, ఈ జన్మలోకి కూడా మోసుకుని వస్తాడు. మనం ఎంత ప్రయత్నించినా కొన్నిటిని సాధించలేక పోతాం, మన ప్రారబ్ధం ఇంతే అని సరి పెట్టుకుంటాం. దీనికి కారణం మనం ఇంతకుముందు చేసిన కర్మల ఫలం. కాని ఇక్కడ మనం నేర్చుకోవాల్సింది ఏమిటంటే, "మన కర్మల ఫలం మనకి అడ్డంకుల రూపం లో వస్తుంది తప్పితే ఫలితం రూపంలో రాదు". ఫలితం కావాలంటే ఎం చెయ్యాలో అది మన చేతుల్లోనే వుంది, అదే "ప్రయత్నం". వచ్చిన అడ్డంకుల్ని అన్నింటిని అధిగమించిన వాడే విజయం సాధిస్తాడు. మనం సాధారణంగా చేసేది ఏమిటంటే కొంత వరకు ప్రయత్నించి, ఆ పైన మన ప్రారబ్ధం అని వదిలేస్తాం లేదా బాగా కోరిక వుంటే అడ్డ దారులు తొక్కడానికి ప్రయత్నిస్తాం. వదిలేయడం అనేది అలవాటు అయితే మనం ఎప్పుడు ప్రయత్నం చేయం. దాని వల్ల మనం కర్మహీనులుగా మిగిలి ఇంకొంచెం పాపం మూట కట్టుకుంటాం. పైపెచ్చు గత జన్మల పాప ఫలాన్ని పోగొట్టడానికి ఏమీ చేయలేదు కాబట్టి ఎన్ని జన్మలు ఎత్తినా అలానే జీవితంలో వొడి పోతూనే వుంటాం. ఒకవేళ పాప కర్మల ద్వారా ఫలితాన్ని సాధిస్తే ఇంకొంచెం ఫలితాన్ని ఖచ్చితంగా అనుభవించాల్సి వుంటుంది.

మనకు అర్ధం అయ్యే భాషలో చెప్పాలి అంటే, పుట్టుకతోనే మనం కొంత "Opening Balance" తో పుడతాం. అది పాజిటివ్ కావచ్చు లేక నెగటివ్ కావచ్చు. నెగటివ్ బాలన్స్ తో వున్నప్పుడు అది +ve లోకి రావాలంటే ముందు -ve ని సున్నా చెయ్యాలి. ఆ -ve పాయింట్స్ మనకి అవరోధాల రూపంలో వస్తాయి. వాటిని సంకేతాలుగా తీసుకుని ప్రయత్న విరమణ చేస్తే, ఫలితం ఎన్నటికి సిద్ధించదు. వాటిని మనం మన కర్మ ఫలాలుగా స్వీకరించి, అర్ధం చేసుకుని, వాటిని ప్రయత్న పూర్వకంగా అధిగమించాలి. అలా చూస్తే అవరోధాల పట్ల మన దృక్ప్రధం మారుతుంది. నిరుత్సాహం కలుగదు.

HOPE THE ABOVE MAKES SOME SENSE

Corporate Internal Cricket matches

In 2007, when the tournament started for the first time, it was a disaster for our (Technology) team. We entered the tournament with a lot of hype (as we have many corporate players) but were eliminated in the first round. 2008 was not that cruel for us. We won the league match with Data In puts but lost to Financials (eventual winners) in the Semis.

In the league stage we played with Securities which is a good team in their own right. They won the toss decided to bat first. In a 12 overs match you want all your big-hitters to have a go in the middle for the most part of the innings. They made a mistake of saving their hitters for last, and promptly paid for their mistake. We got the 2 of their (supposed to be) best batsmen, one for run-out and another for a dreadful half tracker which was missed completely by the bats man only to get bowled. Final few overs flourish took the score to 60+, which was reasonable but not competitive. We had a good opening stand between Vinay and Raghu Vamshi, followed by Rajesh and Srivatsav. How can there be a Tech team's match without drama, there were few jitters towards the end where we lost couple of wickets in quick succession and the required scoring rate was floating around 7.5. At the end of the day, Vatsav's composure saw us through the final hurdle rather easily. Raghu vamshi was the star with the bat. As we got BYE in the next match we entered into semis.

In Semis, it was a repeat of last year tie(then it was a league match), Data Inputs. We knew batting was not their strength and we wanted to fold them out rather cheaply by bowling first and chase a relatively small total. In this match as well they won the toss and decided to bat first. But we were unable to take early wickets that started proving costly. We have been bowling at least one bad ball per over which they capitalized. Scoring was soaring at 9 per over in the first 6 overs. We slowly clawed back and managed to restrict them for 90+ in 12 overs. We started disastrously with Vinay getting out in the 1st over. Wickets kept on tumbling and the required rate soared to around 10 with 5 overs to spare. Vatsav and my self batted for a while to keep the chase alive. I got out soon. When we were pushed to wall by the Req.rate, DP joined Vatsav and then it was purely magical. Vatsav scored 40+ in 20+ balls and DP scored around 20 in 10 balls and we were in finals. Thats what I call a comeback.

The win in the semis kept the spirits up for us and we are ready for BI-GP team who trounced defending champions - Financials in their semis match. This time as well, I asked Satish (opp captain) to call the toss and he won and they decided to bat first. So that made a 3rd consecutive chase for us. Per me this final match belongs to Santosh, who opened their innings and played beautifully at the top of the order, scoring 20+ in quick time. We leaked runs with few bad balls in the power play but few quick wickets pegged them back. Subbu played sensibly and last overs flourish took the total to a competitive 110 in 15 overs. BI-GP had good bowling unit and we were confident of our batting, which made it anybody's match. We started rather well this time with Both Vinay and Venkat started to look good. Again it was Santosh who bowled well and kept the run rate in check, with sensible support from the other end. We managed stay afloat for a while with runs coming steadily. When Vatsav and I were at the crease, we were confident that we could see it through. But when Vatsav nicked one to the WK for a not so good delivery the hopes were fading fast. I started connecting the ball well and Raja Sekhar and I were doing reasonably OK. We needed 22 from the last 2 overs. We both got out in quick succession which put a lot pressure on the next batsmen to hit boundaries and we eventually fell short by 15 runs. But it was a good match.

We are hoping to continue the trend next year as well, which should make us winners of Internal tournament.

Excel trick - Pasting unique records from a selection

I have some values in the excel sheet in a column. I want to find the distinct values in that column. Most of us (at least until now I was doing this) first sort the values, then delete the rows while retaining the distinct values. Here is a functionality that excel offers us.

Click on the "Advanced" in the "Sort & Filter" functionality group in the Data Menu item.

In the dialog box that follows, select the range of cells (which has duplicate values), select the pasting region and check the check box "Paste Unique records only".