Speech by Chetan Bhagat at Symbiosis.

Don’t just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful. Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in good order. There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.

"Life is one of those races in nursery school where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same is with life where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die…

One thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. Life is not meant to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? …

It's ok, bunk a few classes, scoring low in couple of papers, goof up a few interviews, take leave from work, fall in love, little fights with your spouse. We are people, not programmed devices...”

"Don't be serious, be sincere."!!!

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM

Designed to deliver ultra-high quality images along with lightning fast operation, the new Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens brings a favorite zoom range to the celebrated Canon L-series of lenses. It features two Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) elements for improved image quality and reduced chromatic aberration, incorporates a floating focusing mechanism for sharpness from close up to infinity, plus an IS system that increases usability by approximately four stops. The Image Stabilization system also features a function that allows it to continue to operate, even when used on a rigid tripod. An optional Canon Tripod Mount C (W II) is available as an accessory, for balanced mounting on a tripod or monopod. Gleaming white on its exterior, the lens is dust- and water-resistant, and now also features a newly-developed Fluorine coating that resists smears and fingerprints, and significantly eases lens cleaning. For any serious and critical EOS user, this new L-series lens represents an excellent and portable solution to versatile telephoto lens shooting.

Specifications,

Focal Length & Maximum Aperture	70-300mm 1:4-5.6
Diagonal Angle of View	34° - 8° 15'
Focus Adjustment	Lens extension via inner focusing and focus cam plus floating mechanism
Closest Focusing Distance	1.2m/ 3.9ft
Filter Size	67 mm dia., P=0.75 mm /1 filter
Max. Diameter x Length, Weight	3.5 x 5.6 in, 2.31 lbs. / 89 x 143mm, 1050g

My Little Boy

Oh how the years go by,
Oh how time can certainly fly.
From once just a thought in far away dreams,
now into my arms and in my eyes gleam
the presence of you.
Your laughter and smiles
which go on for miles,
warms my heart and soul.
You're growing up so fast,
as I wish each moment with you to last forever.
My little boy will someday be a man
and right by your side I will forever stand.
I will pick up the pieces when you fall,
I will hold your hand and help you stand tall.
And when the day comes when you are on your own,
never feel that you are alone.
No matter how near or far apart
I am always right there in your heart.
Always remember whatever you go through
that no matter what, I will always love you !

Difference between a Canon EF lens when compared to a EF-S lens

Pre 2003, all Canon digital SLR cameras were compatible with a standardized EF lens. EF stands for Electro-Focus and refers to its lens mount. You can recognize EF lenses by its red dot, where you line up the dot on the lens mount to a similar looking one on the camera body.

However, if your Canon camera lens has both a red dot and a white square to line up the body to when mounting the lens, then it is an EF-S lens. EF-S is stands for Short Back Focus. EF-S lenses were first developed in 2003, when Canon bought out its EOS 300D/Digital Rebel/Kiss range of digital SLR cameras.

What are the main differences between an EF and EF-S lens?

• The differences between the two lenses are purely cosmetic. The EF-S lens has been made to sit deeper into the camera's body when connected. Hence the reason EF-S stands for short back focus, as there is less space between the lens and the sensor.
• The idea behind developing EF-S lenses in the first place, was to create a more cost effective solution (especially when talking about wide angle zoom lens), aimed at the mid range SLR camera user. Therefore, this is usually considered a good thing as far as beginners are concerned.
• Many experts have noticed no differences in the end result of the actual photograph.

Are there any disadvantages to EF-S lens?

• The main disadvantage to using an EF-S lens is that they are only compatible with Canon EOS cameras that contain both a red dot and a white square on the lens mount. The red dot means the camera supports EF-S lenses. Whereas the white square means it also supports a standard EF lens. Therefore, if in future you want to upgrade your digital SLR camera to a more professional model, you may need to also replace any lens that is an EF-S model

Considering this limitation, should you buy an EF-S lens?

• If cost is the main consideration when purchasing a quality lens, then yes certainly think about purchasing an EF-S lens. When compared to Canon's L (professional) series, it was very low cost as well. Especially for someone first starting out in SLR photography.
• As explained earlier, if you're planning to upgrade your camera to a more professional body any time in the future, then you may want to stick to buying an EF lens, for compatibility reasons. EF lenses are compatible with all Canon EOS camera bodies. Whereas, EF-S is only compatible with mid range camera's (EOS 20D and Digital Rebel bodies) that support them.

How to know if your digital SLR camera is compatible with an EF-S lens?

• Have a look on your digital SLR camera where the lens mounts onto the body. If you see a red circle and a white dot / square, then your camera is compatible with EF-S lenses

 

Canon EOS 60D

The Canon EOS 60D is a digital single-lens reflex camera from Canon. It is part of the Canon EOS line of cameras and succeeds the EOS 50D. It was publicly announced on August 26, 2010 with a suggested retail price of US$1099.00

Canon's X0D series has throughout its life appealed to a wide range of photographers, from enthusiasts and semi-pros through to some pros who appreciated having a lightweight option. Each model offered a high enough specification (usually in terms of build quality and AF sophistication) to ensure it was both aspirational and attainable for users who had out-grown their Rebel/XX0D series. However, the feature set always left a sizeable gap below the company's full-blown 'pro' models.

The arrival of the EOS 7D, with its highly configurable 19-point AF system and 8 frames per second continuous shooting capability changed much of this - here was a 'mini 1D' that drew the attention of many people who previously would have been X0D customers. However, the price tag (a 30% premium over the 50D at launch) pushed it beyond the reach of most people who weren't making at least a bit of money from their photography.

The 50D (and by extension the X0D range) was starting to look somewhat redundant: expensive (and in some ways outdated) compared to the rebel T2i (EOS 550D), underpowered compared to the EOS 7D. It seemed obvious that Canon needed something to balance out the EOS range to fill the big gap between the Rebel and the 7D. And so we have this, the EOS 60D.

With the 60D Canon has unashamedly moved the X0D range out of the 'semi pro' bracket and instead focused on the enthusiast photographer looking to upgrade from their Rebel. As a result, it's not the obvious continuation of the 30D - 40D - 50D pattern that its naming might suggest. Instead it sits pretty well precisely in the same market position as was once-upon-a-time occupied by the 'Elan' series of 35mm film SLRs (which in Europe were not-so-coincidentally given double-digit model numbers).

So gone is the magnesium alloy construction that featured in previous models, replaced by a lighter weight plastic shell. Naturally the 60D gains some key 'step up' features from the Rebel line (top panel LCD, rear control dial, higher burst rate), including a few that have trickled down from the EOS 7D. There's also a video- (and tripod-) friendly 3:2 ratio articulated LCD. In imaging terms it brings the EOS mid-range in line with those above and below by upping the sensor resolution to around 18MP and adding full HD movie capture.

The EOS 60D also gains a couple of brand-new features of its own. There's now a wide range of color variations (or 'Ambiences') which can be applied to the image when using the scene modes, and whose effect can be previewed on screen in Live View. The 60D also finally gains the ability to convert raw files to jpeg in-camera, including the option to correct for lens aberrations including distortion and chromatic aberration. As an added bonus, you can retrospectively apply new 'Creative Filters' to files you've shot, including 'Grainy Black and White' and 'Toy Camera' looks.

And so, from a spec and feature point of view, the EOS 60D sits almost exactly half-way between the EOS 550D and the EOS 7D, with a few new tricks of its own. Which, we think, is exactly where it should be (regardless of the inevitable howls of protest at the apparent 'dumbing down' of the venerable X0D line).

Key features

• 18MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12,800)
• 5.3 fps continuous shooting
• 1080p HD video recording with manual controls
• SD / SDHC / SDXC storage
• In-camera raw development
• Subject modes with 'Ambience Selection' (Standard, Vivid, Soft, Warm, Intense, Cool, Brighter, Darker and Monochrome)
• In-camera Creative Filters (special effects)
• Fully articulated 3.0" screen (3:2)

Kassapa Lions Rock Resort– Sigiriya

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If you are visiting the `holy triangle` and you need a fantastic place to stay, this is the one!!

Located in the peaceful village of Digampathaha, Kassapa Lions Rock boasts an outdoor pool with views of the well-known Sigiriya Rock. The rooms are small houses (chalets) with air conditioned, open air bathrooms and private balconies.

Kassapa Lions Rock Resort is 20 minutes’ drive from Dambulla, where the UNESCO heritage site of the cave temple is located. The resort provides parking and bike rental for free.

Fitted with a cable TV and minibar, well-appointed rooms also have a fan and seating area. Private bathrooms come with a bathtub and heated showers.

Surrounded by greenery, the open-air restaurant offers a range of local and international dishes. Staff is very helpful and friendly. The buffet dinner is quite large and had different local curries, meat and fish. The restaurant is open on three sides, so it utilizes the evening breeze.

Breathtaking views of the Sigiriya and Pidurangala Rocks and refreshing cocktails are available at Sakya Bar.

All in all great place to stay and very reasonable price.

iPad 3 badly needed? Kindle Fire users reportedly growing.

A new data shows that the Amazon Kindle Fire is a popular device, can Apple stop the growth with the iPad 3?

The Amazon Kindle Fire is a popular tablet, and arguably the most popular Android tablet — and it looks like users are really the device to browse the web according to the latest data provided by online ad network Chitika.

Based on Chitika’s ad impressions from mid November to first week of December, online activity for the Amazon Kindle Fire is growing and massive growth came during the last week of November to first week of December. Apparently, the trend will continue if Kindle Fire users will use the tablet’s Silk Browser more, and second, if Amazon can sell more Kindle Fire tablets this month that will result to more Kindle Fire users that will access the web.

Kindle Fire is one of the cheapest tablets in the market right now, but it is also a powerful media device because Amazon’s own ecosystem is large and can accommodate all customers, from music lovers to mobile app buyers. However, analysts predict that Amazon is losing $3 to $10 per Kindle Fire, and one analyst said Amazon might be losing $50 which includes the shipping, labor, etc.

In return, Amazon will try to profit from Kindle Fire users by selling Amazon products like apps, music, cloud storage, e-books and more because the Kindle Fire is using a heavily customized Android Gingerbread version. Amazon’s new tablet strategy is obviously competing against Apple and its glorified iPad which also offers music, e-books, games and other media.

In related news, Apple is reportedly set to release the new iPad 3 in February of next year, the month of lovers (gift giving, the lovers edition). What’s with the February release? If you’re an avid reader of Apple news, you know that Apple loves April when it comes to the iPad. For example, the iPad 1 was released April 2010 and the iPad 2 was released in April 2011. So, iPad 3′s release date is in February?

If the new rumor is accurate, then it is highly possible that Apple is feeling the Kindle Fire’s heat and wants to protect its tablet market share. According to multiple data presented by research firms, Apple is still the most popular tablet PC vendor with nearly 75% of market share, while other tablets (Android, etc) folded and sharing the remaining market share.

And aside from the Kindle Fire, Apple is also facing retail-iation from Google Android courtesy of the new Android Ice Cream Sandwich. Manufacturers like Samsung, Motorola and HTC are expected to use the new Android version next year to attract more tablet customers.