Popular and Privacy

What does APJ Abdul Kalam or Amitabh Bachchan, cannot do easily, but you and me can just do easily? If you have not got it, read the topic once more, yes probably by now you might have got it. The answer could be as easy as "Just go to the nearest udupi hotel and have idly or dosa" or other such easy things. Being popular has its own advantages and as well disadvantages. Mostly you lose your privacy. Words you speak, actions you take, gets noticed in detail and some times makes it extremely difficult for you. In yesterday's wikicamp at Chennai many participants were requesting for a photograph with Mr. Jimmy Wales. No I am not complaining about the participants for requesting Jimmy Wales for a photograph. It is natural in such events to move with a prominent personality and takes photograph, even if there is a small chance. But I am just trying to say sometimes, how difficult it is for a popular personality at a public place or conference. But hats off to Jimmy, I didn't see him turning down any requests and patiently took photograph with all who required them. For those who wondering, if I had taken any photograph with Jimmy.. no, I didn't take my camera , neither posed (knowingly) for any photographs. That is just because of my personal wish and I am happy for all who had taken photograph with Jimmy :-)

WikiCamp

Today attended the WikiCamp and it was an great experience. Learned a lot of stuff in general and as well about Wiki and Wikipedia. Although it is a unconference, Undoubtedly the star of the show was Mr. Jimmy Wales. Quite surprisingly his session was at the start of the show ( a presentation and a Q&A section). It was very good, but since this is the highlight of the show, a few members left after his session was over. (But It was very small say probably 10-20 on a crowd of around 180). Lot other sessions were interesting as well. There were quite number of live blogger at the event check. There was a interesting session about wikipedia entries in Tamil language. Very few takers here (not more than 30) was a sad issue. But since there was a spilt in the sessions after lunch, could not expect more than this. A sad thing at the end of day is that I had misplaced by notes which I have taken all day :-(.

Trying to recollect things happened today. The two things which I remembered very well are

a) Two Leg Principle - If you are uncomfortable at a position, please use your legs and move to a new position.
b) Wikipedia Editors - What you feel does not matter for wikipedia, what is the actual fact matters for wikipedia. Do write what you feel in your blog, but write/edit what is the actual fact in the wikipedia.

At the end of the unconference, spoke to Jimmy Wales on the wikipedia donation for India.Earlier in his speech at the start of the day he has mentioned most of the donations in wikipedia is small in numbers 50 or 100 dollars.I was mentioning to him, in India even 50 or 100 dollars is a big amount, and many cannot afford it. The best method which would work for India, is having a INR currency account in India. He accepted it was a nice idea, but make take a longer time to implement, as they may to need to register in India and do other legal formalities.

Though using wikipedia for almost 2 years, not yet created an account there. But now I am definitely going to create and account and start giving back something it.

Our Iceberg is Melting

Though we all have strong and very good reasons to worry about our environment and protect it. This post is not about the environment. Rather this is about a book, which I bought and read last week. This book deals about "Change Management". Unlike some management books which are bulky and difficult to understand, this comes in the form of a story (just like "Who Moved My Cheese" and "The Present". Infact the forward for the book is written by Dr. Spencer Johnson M.D. (who has written the above books). The book is written by Johh Kotter and Holger Rathgeber. (hearing them for the first time). The book deals with a story about penguin colony which is living on a iceberg, one of the penguin discovers that the iceberg is about to melt. What happens next, how the penguins deal with the change management is the rest of the book. Priced at Rs195/- it is a good deal with the quality content, paper and printing. Perhaps the best thought is given by Dr Spencer Johnson himself "... everyone from CEO to highschool students can gain from what they take from this story".

You could check the website http://www.ouricebergismelting.com/ for more information.

Valentine's Day

After a Hectic Day at Office, The following SMS made me laugh and took the stress off.

"For Those who are single on 14th of Feb, Wish You A Happy Independence Day :-) "

(Vijay) T. Rajendar

No I am not a fan of T. Rajendar, neither do I hate him. I like few of his lyrics and music which he has done in early part of his career. Yes it takes some thing special to do more than one type of work at a time. He has done almost nine different specialized works for his films story, screen play, dialogue, direction,art,music, dance, lyrics, and of course acting

To add to this, he was a editor of a weekly magazine some time back (not sure, if the magazine still comes).Often I used to wonder if he had stick to only lyrics, probably he would have given a tough fight to Vairamuthu. Incase if he would have taken only music as a profession, probably he would be much more successful.When I heard one melody in his new movie Veeraswamy, I think I might be correct. Although he is a bit fat, he dances as good as Simbhu. But still I could not control my laugh, when I see the songs in sound mute mode.

Second One Day Match India and Srilanka.

Ever seen any James Bond film, in which James bond successfully kills all the side villans and reach the main villan, but unfortunately has a empty gun, and gets killed by the villan.Yes that was the feeling I got, after seeing yesterday's ODI match between India and Srilanka where Srilanka won by five runs. No It is not a single player's fault, I feel India's' bottom four batsman (bowlers) should rotate strike to the main batsman who is still there, in these circumstances.

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/indvsl/engine/current/match/267712.html

Only small consolation is that even World Champions Australia too lost two finals in CB series after winning seven out of eight league matches.

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/current/match/249241.html

WikiCamp 2007

Most of have been should have heard and used Wikipedia. Ever heard about "Wiki" and its potential. Here is a Platinum opportunity (got bored with Golden opportunity) to know about "Wiki". There is Wiki Camp, which is being held in Chennai on 25Th Feb at Tidel Park. Check out the details in www.wikicamp.in .

If you not have clicked on the above URL, here is an additional information, which surely will make you to click and think a bit to register as well. The special guest for the wiki camp is Mr. Jimmy Wales. Yes, the same person, who is the founder of Wikipedia. Only very few seats are available, please click and register soon!!