It struck me suddenly while I was going through the BBC news feed inside my Firefox browser for the umpteenth time today.
I just can't resist clicking on any story that has the words 'Google', 'Apple', 'Obama' or 'Turkey' in them!
I gave it some thought to find out why these subjects arouse my curiosity so much.
I've been browsing through some Tech Forums recently, and discovered there are still lead heads around who'll spitefully label anybody who praises Apple, Google, Linux or Firefox as 'Fanboys'. :-/
At the risk of being denigrated as a 'fanboy' by jealous dinosaurs who can't see the world beyond Windows and Internet "Explorer", I hereby state that I am a huge Google fan, and would love to work with that company someday! They just fascinate me with their innovative features and tremendous growth.
I would even love to work for Apple, maybe. Innovation. The catchword's 'Innovation', baby!
WHY would anybody want to defend Windows? Beats me.
Just take a look at mainstream Microsoft products.
I've used Vista, and it sucks. If there was a 'Wow', I completely missed it. The Zune music player would have been cool, if only it had been released 5 years earlier. XBox just got popular because Sony delayed their PS3 and besides, the Nintendo Wii beat everyone. Even the HD-Dvd lost the 'format wars' to BluRay, despite Microsoft backing it.
Their bestselling product, MS Office is a proprietary software that can't do anything that a free open source software can't.
Even MSN Live Search is a pain to use.
I don't know how Microsoft manages to stick so steadfastly to its 'uncool' reputation.
It also has something to do with charismatic CEOs, if not good products. Take El Jobso, His - Jobsness, the - CEO - of - Apple - and - spice - and - all - things - nice, Steve Jobs (He da man!) That guy is CHARISMATIC and even funny, for the right reasons too.
The only funny statements I've heard from Steve Ballmer of Microsoft were his threats to take over Yahoo! (Gimme a break!)
What irks me the most about Microsoft is that, despite their gargantuan R&D budget, they've yet to come out with anything even remotely innovative. Where's Microsoft's answer to Mac OS X (Vista? *snigger snigger*) iPhone? iPod Touch?
Microsoft's defense that they're just a software company, unlike Apple who also produce their own hardware, is just plain absurd. Even the MS interfaces suck. The much hyped 'Aero' interface in Vista doesn't excite.
The Gmail story should be sufficient for detractors. Back in the days of 10 MB storage, when deleting emails daily was the norm, Google launched their Gmail - with a 1GB inbox, and features such as Mail Search and conversations. People thought it was a joke back then.
Of course, Hotmail does provide 5 GB of space.... NOW.
Like a banner at the Apple WWDC in San Francisco said, 'Redmond has a cat too.. A copycat!'.
Oh yeah, Microsoft sucks.
Now, coming to Obama.
He seems to me to be the most liberal candidate around, but hard pressed to prove his "patriotism".
On one hand he has lambasted the Bush government for trying to equate patriotism with support for the war, on the the other hand he bows down to pressure to pin the American flag to his lapel as proof of his 'patriotism'. The same goes for his vow to stand by "our ally", Israel.
Yet, he's a fresh face, and has a fresh approach. At least the rhetoric part of it. I'm sure he's made enemies of the Oil companies and the corporates - not to mention Hillary supporters - already. Besides, many people still believe he's a Muslim. Looks like a tough ride ahead for Obama.
Hmm...
Now I move on to Turkey - the country, not the bird. It's easily the most fascinating place on earth right now, considering the huge 'Islam vs. Just about Everything else' debate raging on in the media.
Just this week, the Turkish constitutional court reinstated the ban on Hijabs in Turkish Universities after the government lifted it some time back, citing personal freedom and discrimination against veiled women who wished to pursue higher studies.
The court cited secularism.
The impressive secular foundations laid by Kemal Ataturk appear so strong in that country! Where else would you find a democratically elected ruling party (the AKP) at the risk of facing a ban for violating the 'secular principles' of Turkey?
How I wish somebody would take the lead in instilling some secular character in the Maldives. I've read the current draft of the constitution under progress.
I must say I'm very disappointed with it.
The current crop of leaders seem to have neither the vision nor the guts to take a public stand against cheap populism. The new constitution, if enforced, shall completely bar Non-Muslim Maldivians from existing, and we shall continue living in a dreamworld where all Maldivians are thoroughbred Muslims, incapable of other faiths.
The Turkish example doesn't really go down well with most Maldivians, for whom the very mention of the Bible or Jesus or Buddha evokes hysteria, and fears of apostasy.
Secularism is an unacceptable, unattainable concept - the current mob of 'politicians' shall ensure that.
Meanwhile, I'll just read about Turkey.
It helps that I'm currently reading Turkish author Orhan Pamuk's 'My Name Is Red'. Splendid writing. Absolutely stunning prose, steeped in Turkish culture.
I would also like to say I'm extremely pleased with the Indian Muslim clerics, who have recently begun making the right noises against all forms of terrorism in public platforms, and doing a marvelous job of dissociating themselves and the mainstream Muslim public from the so-called Jehadis. A fatwa against terrorism! Yee Haa!!
It's a commendable effort, and stereotypes shall be busted! It's an opportunity to snatch back the mantle of 'Islam' from the Taleban types! :p
This should shut up critics who keep complaining about the lack of 'unequivocal condemnation of terrorism' from mainstream Muslims and clerics. The 'silent majority' has finally spoken!
I just can't resist clicking on any story that has the words 'Google', 'Apple', 'Obama' or 'Turkey' in them!
I gave it some thought to find out why these subjects arouse my curiosity so much.
I've been browsing through some Tech Forums recently, and discovered there are still lead heads around who'll spitefully label anybody who praises Apple, Google, Linux or Firefox as 'Fanboys'. :-/
At the risk of being denigrated as a 'fanboy' by jealous dinosaurs who can't see the world beyond Windows and Internet "Explorer", I hereby state that I am a huge Google fan, and would love to work with that company someday! They just fascinate me with their innovative features and tremendous growth.
I would even love to work for Apple, maybe. Innovation. The catchword's 'Innovation', baby!
WHY would anybody want to defend Windows? Beats me.
Just take a look at mainstream Microsoft products.
I've used Vista, and it sucks. If there was a 'Wow', I completely missed it. The Zune music player would have been cool, if only it had been released 5 years earlier. XBox just got popular because Sony delayed their PS3 and besides, the Nintendo Wii beat everyone. Even the HD-Dvd lost the 'format wars' to BluRay, despite Microsoft backing it.
Their bestselling product, MS Office is a proprietary software that can't do anything that a free open source software can't.
Even MSN Live Search is a pain to use.
I don't know how Microsoft manages to stick so steadfastly to its 'uncool' reputation.
It also has something to do with charismatic CEOs, if not good products. Take El Jobso, His - Jobsness, the - CEO - of - Apple - and - spice - and - all - things - nice, Steve Jobs (He da man!) That guy is CHARISMATIC and even funny, for the right reasons too.
The only funny statements I've heard from Steve Ballmer of Microsoft were his threats to take over Yahoo! (Gimme a break!)
What irks me the most about Microsoft is that, despite their gargantuan R&D budget, they've yet to come out with anything even remotely innovative. Where's Microsoft's answer to Mac OS X (Vista? *snigger snigger*) iPhone? iPod Touch?
Microsoft's defense that they're just a software company, unlike Apple who also produce their own hardware, is just plain absurd. Even the MS interfaces suck. The much hyped 'Aero' interface in Vista doesn't excite.
The Gmail story should be sufficient for detractors. Back in the days of 10 MB storage, when deleting emails daily was the norm, Google launched their Gmail - with a 1GB inbox, and features such as Mail Search and conversations. People thought it was a joke back then.
Of course, Hotmail does provide 5 GB of space.... NOW.
Like a banner at the Apple WWDC in San Francisco said, 'Redmond has a cat too.. A copycat!'.
Oh yeah, Microsoft sucks.
Now, coming to Obama.
He seems to me to be the most liberal candidate around, but hard pressed to prove his "patriotism".
On one hand he has lambasted the Bush government for trying to equate patriotism with support for the war, on the the other hand he bows down to pressure to pin the American flag to his lapel as proof of his 'patriotism'. The same goes for his vow to stand by "our ally", Israel.
Yet, he's a fresh face, and has a fresh approach. At least the rhetoric part of it. I'm sure he's made enemies of the Oil companies and the corporates - not to mention Hillary supporters - already. Besides, many people still believe he's a Muslim. Looks like a tough ride ahead for Obama.
Hmm...
Now I move on to Turkey - the country, not the bird. It's easily the most fascinating place on earth right now, considering the huge 'Islam vs. Just about Everything else' debate raging on in the media.
Just this week, the Turkish constitutional court reinstated the ban on Hijabs in Turkish Universities after the government lifted it some time back, citing personal freedom and discrimination against veiled women who wished to pursue higher studies.
The court cited secularism.
The impressive secular foundations laid by Kemal Ataturk appear so strong in that country! Where else would you find a democratically elected ruling party (the AKP) at the risk of facing a ban for violating the 'secular principles' of Turkey?
How I wish somebody would take the lead in instilling some secular character in the Maldives. I've read the current draft of the constitution under progress.
I must say I'm very disappointed with it.
The current crop of leaders seem to have neither the vision nor the guts to take a public stand against cheap populism. The new constitution, if enforced, shall completely bar Non-Muslim Maldivians from existing, and we shall continue living in a dreamworld where all Maldivians are thoroughbred Muslims, incapable of other faiths.
The Turkish example doesn't really go down well with most Maldivians, for whom the very mention of the Bible or Jesus or Buddha evokes hysteria, and fears of apostasy.
Secularism is an unacceptable, unattainable concept - the current mob of 'politicians' shall ensure that.
Meanwhile, I'll just read about Turkey.
It helps that I'm currently reading Turkish author Orhan Pamuk's 'My Name Is Red'. Splendid writing. Absolutely stunning prose, steeped in Turkish culture.
I would also like to say I'm extremely pleased with the Indian Muslim clerics, who have recently begun making the right noises against all forms of terrorism in public platforms, and doing a marvelous job of dissociating themselves and the mainstream Muslim public from the so-called Jehadis. A fatwa against terrorism! Yee Haa!!
It's a commendable effort, and stereotypes shall be busted! It's an opportunity to snatch back the mantle of 'Islam' from the Taleban types! :p
This should shut up critics who keep complaining about the lack of 'unequivocal condemnation of terrorism' from mainstream Muslims and clerics. The 'silent majority' has finally spoken!
P.S. I pray, I hope the Maldivian football team lifts the SAFF cup at least this year. Our team is in tremendous form!
Bloody Indian newspapers don't even cover the SAFF cup football matches, despite the fact that India are the defending champions, and they even beat Maldives 1-0 in a match. No wonder Indian football sucks. Nobody knows it exists!
If the Indian media cannot even provide a few sentences of coverage to the sport, maybe it should stop complaining about the pathetic state of Indian sports. Bar cricket.
If the Indian media cannot even provide a few sentences of coverage to the sport, maybe it should stop complaining about the pathetic state of Indian sports. Bar cricket.
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