Hasselblad H4D-60 high-end DSLR with True Focus function

The new Hasselblad H4D-60 is a 60MP DSLR camera with a True Focus function

High-end camera manufacturer Hasselblad has added to its H System of cameras with the H4D-60. The "60" refers to the unit's huge 60 megapixel medium format sensor which is combined with True Focus with APL (Absolute Position Lock), a system designed to make auto-focus substantially easier and more accurate. Aimed at professional photographers, the company says its first H4D camera marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of medium format DSLRs.

"We are thrilled to be able to announce the introduction of the H4D, says Christian Poulsen, CEO of Hasselblad. “This step represents the natural evolution of our H System and of our photographic strategy in general. As part of our efforts to inspire 35mm photographers to step up to the quality found in high-end DSLRs, the H4D series is built upon the successful H3D platform and features our revolutionary True Focus technology. The H4D also comes bundled with our new Phocus 2.0 imaging software. “True Focus helps solve one of the most lingering challenges that faces serious photographers today - true, accurate focusing throughout the image field," he said. “Without multi-point auto-focus a typical auto-focus camera can only correctly measure focus on a subject that is in the center of the image. When a photographer wants to focus on a subject outside the center area, they have to lock focus on the subject and then re-compose the image. In short distances especially, this re-composing causes focus error, as the plane of focus sharpness follows the camera's movement, perpendicular to the axis of the lens."

Poulsen says the traditional solution for DSLRs had bee to equip the camera with a multi-point AF sensor. These sensors allowed the photographer to fix an off-center focus point on an off-center subject, which is then focused correctly. "Such multi-point AF solutions are often tedious and inflexible to work with, however, and do not really solve the problem,” he said . "Photographers have grown accustomed to using auto-focus systems in their day-to-day work and we see increasingly higher numbers of focus points advertised in each new wave of AF products. The term 'multi-point' is a bit misleading, however, for cameras with sensors larger than APS," said Poulsen.

"Due to the physics of an SLR-camera, the off-center focus points that are offered are all clustered relatively close to the center of the image. To set focus outside of this center area, the photographer is still forced to focus first, and then shift the camera to reframe, with the resulting loss of focus as a result." Hasselblad has overcome this problem by using modern yaw rate sensor technology to measure angular velocity in an innovate way. The result is the new Absolute Position Lock (APL) processor, which forms the foundation of Hasselblad's True Focus feature.

The APL processor logs camera movement during any re-composing, then uses these exact measurements to calculate the necessary focus adjustment, and issues the proper commands to the lens's focus motor so it can compensate. The APL processor computes the advanced positional algorithms and undertakes the required focus corrections at such a rapid speed that Hasselblad says no shutter lag occurs. The H4D's firmware then further perfects the focus using the precise data retrieval system found on all HC/HCD lenses.

“This technology takes AF to an entirely new level, correcting for the vertical and horizontal focus-shift that results from the rotation of the camera around an axis close to camera, said Poulsen. “In simple terms, True Focus allows the photographer to concentrate on their composition, to focus on their creativity, while True Focus takes care of the other, more mechanical focus.”

Phocus 2.0

Hasselblad says its new user interface in Phocus 2.0 drastically reduces the learning curve for high-end imaging. “The average photographer will be up to speed in less than 15 minutes,” claimed Poulsen. “We've increased speed, increased functionality, and dramatically increased the speed at which photographers can learn to use this advanced software. In less than five minutes an amateur photographer can learn to work with our images. In less than ten minutes, learn how to setup for production of high-res files for Photoshop. In less than 20 minutes learn how to shoot tethered as a professional studio photographer. The new version of Phocus is just another step in our efforts to make complex functionality simple to use, allowing photographers to focus on their shooting.

The new features add to the range of enhancements found in the H4D, including Hasselblad Natural Color Solution (HNCS), which achieves consistent color reproduction using a single color profile, and digital lens correction (DAC) which perfects each image captured through the HC/HCD lenses, by removing any trace of distortion, vignetting or chromatic aberrations.

The Hasselblad H4D-60 will be available in January 2010 for US$28,995. The Hasselblad H4D-50 will replace the H3DII-50. Delivery of the H4D-50 will begin in Q1, 2010 for US$19,995. The H3DII-50 cameras purchased between now and Q1, 2010 will be upgraded to the H4D-50 free of charge. A program is also being announced for owners of H3D-31 and H3D-39 cameras to step up onto the H4D platform.

New sports optics from Pentax

 

 A new compact digital camera adapter for spotting scopes is among the sports optics offerings from Pentax expected early in 2008.

The PENTAX UA-1 digital camera adapter will allow users to attach almost any compact digital camera to the PENTAX PF-80ED or PF-65ED series of spotting scopes while the new series of PENTAX DCF SW roof-prism binoculars includes two models, an 8x25 and 10x25. They both offer a dual-hinge design that folds to be ultra-compact and are waterproof and nitrogen-filled for advanced waterproof capability in a slim, portable design. The PENTAX 9x28 DCF LV high-end roof-prism binoculars feature a maneuverable, lightweight, waterproof and impact-resistant design with an advanced optical system that offers a bright and clear field of view.

All three product models will be available in February 2008 with prices ranging from USD$70 for the PENTAX UA-1 digital camera adapter, around USD$180 for the PENTAX DCF SW binoculars models and USD$250 for the PENTAX DCF LV.

Air-cushioned sleeve promises greater laptop protection

The Sumdex Aircube laptop sleeve uses "air cell technology" to spread overall pressure between air channels and provide added protection for traveling laptops. Made from durable TPU (thermoplastic urethane) and neoprene, the Aircube sleeve is similar to surrounding your precious computer in bubble wrap – only better looking and not as bulky.

The Aircube comes in popular sizes for PC netbooks, notebooks and MacBooks and MacBook Pros and in a small range of different colored backs and trim with clear fronts.

It also offers easy view "Check-Quick" check-point friendly design for fast security clearance in airports and buildings.

A 17" Aircube will set you back around US$40.

Via Sumdex.

Seagate unveils 2.5-inch hard drive - the Momentus Thin

The Seagate Momentus Thin 7mm hard drive.

After recently announcing its first foray into the solid state drive market, Seagate has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s thinnest hard drive for slimline laptops. Measuring a mere 7mm in thickness and featuring a SATA 3Gb/s interface and spin speed of 5400rpm, Seagate believes it could pave the way for a new class of entry-level thin laptop computers.

According to Seagate, around 90 percent of netbook computers in the market today are sold with 9.5mm 2.5” drives due to the excessive cost associated with SSDs and 1.8” hard drives. The Momentus Thin is not only 25 percent thinner than traditional 9.5mm drives, but is said to rival them in both energy efficiency and performance. With demand for ever slimmer laptops at an all time high Seagate is aiming to give its equipment manufacturers the option of offering affordable slimline options to a broader market.

The Momentus Thin features a SATA 3Gb/s interface, 8MB cache and 5400rpm spindle speed and like other drives in the Momentus range it is also equipped with self encryption and free-fall sensors.

Set to be available in 250GB and 160GB capacities, the Momentus Thin is due to be shipped to Seagate’s integrator partners in January 2010.

CyberQuad: best of both worlds UAV designed for urban reconnaissance

The CyberQuad UAV uses four ducted rotors for stable, stealthy 

flight in urban or enclosed environments

If one rotor is good, four must be better. That’s the general idea behind the CyberQuad, a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Australian manufacturer Cyber Technology. The CyberQuad is an electric, remote-controlled reconnaissance platform that features four ducted rotors to provide lift and maneuverability, allowing the remote-control UAV to be used in urban and enclosed environments. The four rotors give the CyberQuad the payload capacity and stability of a helicopter-type UAV, while the ducted design avoids the dangers associated with exposed propellers.

According to the manufacturer, open propeller helicopters typically cannot fly through doorways or near people because of the risk of snagging their large exposed rotors. Ducted fan designs eliminate this danger, but require additional stabilization and generally cannot carry as much payload or provide as much endurance. The CyberQuad’s ducted quadrotor chassis is designed to take advantage of the best of both types of platforms. It features the simple mechanics, stability, and agility of a helicopter, plus the safety, compact size, and efficiency of ducted fans.

Cyber Technology, which produces several different types of UAVs, believes their CyberQuad is well-suited to the emerging market for urban aerial reconnaissance. With a payload capacity up to 1.5kg (3.3lbs) the Cyber Quad can carry a high-definition video camera or sensors for detecting gases, industrial pollutants, chemical warfare agents, or other materials. The brushless electric motors do not produce sparks so the UAV can be deployed in volatile atmospheres. In fact in November, the CyberQuad was successfully used to investigate a fire on an oil platform. The UAV was able to maneuver throughout the superstructure and transmit back high-definition video to operators located a safe distance away.

The UAV features vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and hovering capabilities like a helicopter. It measures just 53 x 53 x 16cm (21 x 21 x 6.3in.) so it is easy to transport and can be deployed rapidly.

The manufacturer claims the CyberQuad’s top speed is around 40mph (65kph) and the run time is 25 to 40 minutes. The CyberQuad’s mission time can be extended, however, because the UAV is able to “perch” on a suitable landing spot and observe without flying.

Cyber Technology designed the CyberQuad for “stealth” operations by reducing the rotor noise. The four modular rotors do not use noisy gearboxes, and noise from the propeller tips is reduced by the duct walls. The fans are arranged in counter-rotating pairs to reduce gyroscopic issues and provide better stability. Each fan is independently controlled, allowing maneuverability without the need for additional control surfaces. In addition, the CyberQuad uses inertial sensors and high-frequency speed controllers to actively stabilize the UAV’s attitude and heading.

There is no word on availability or pricing. For more information visit Cyber Technology.

IBM forecasts the next 5 big ideas for the next 5 years

IBM predicts smarter buildings, transportation,


water systems, medical will impact cities in the


next five years

Casting one’s eye into a crystal ball is a risky undertaking that can leave the forecaster as visionary or fool – particularly if they are short term predictions that can easily be checked. But that hasn’t deterred the soothsayers at IBM coming up with their fourth annual “Next 5 in 5” list of innovations that will impact our lives in the next five years.

Because the world is experiencing unprecedented urbanization, with last year seeing the majority of the world’s population residing in cities for the first time in history, IBM has focused on innovations that have the potential to change how people live, work and play in cities around the globe in the coming years. The list is based on market and societal trends expected to transform cities, as well as emerging technologies from IBM’s labs around the world that have the potential to turn these predictions into reality. So what does IBM think we can expect?

Cities will have healthier immune systems

Given their population density, IBM says cities will remain hotbeds of communicable diseases. However, the emergence of a “health Internet” will give city officials, hospitals, schools and workplaces the ability to better detect, track, prepare for and prevent infections. IBM predicts this system will share anonymous medical information contained in electronic health records to provide information for public health officials to know when, where and how diseases are spreading and even which neighborhoods will be affected next. IBM is already working with organizations to standardize methods for sharing health information and analyzing infectious disease outbreaks that would enable such a system.

City buildings will sense and respond like living organisms

The trend towards “smart buildings” has already started and IBM says the trend will only gather pace with technology used to manage building systems such as heat, water, sewage, electricity, etc. Thousands of sensors inside buildings will monitor everything from motion and temperature to humidity, occupancy and light. This system will enable repairs before something breaks, emergency units to respond quickly with the necessary resources, and consumers and business owners to monitor their energy consumption and carbon emission in real-time and take action to reduce them.

Cars and buses will run on empty

This one is a pretty safe bet too. The switch from fossil fuel powered vehicles is already underway and, although there are a few potential energy sources including hydrogen and various biofuels vying for consideration, IBM predicts that improved battery technology will be the technology to power the next generation of eco-friendly vehicles. It says the new batteries won’t need to be recharged for days or months at a time, depending on how often the vehicles are driven, and will allow trips of 300 to 500 miles (480 – 800km) on a single charge. Also smart grids in cities will allow vehicles to be charged in public places using renewable energy, such as wind power, for charging so they no longer rely on coal-powered plants.

Smarter systems will quench cities’ thirst for water and save energy

To deal with the estimate that demand for water is expected to increase sixfold in the next 50 years cities will install smarter water systems to reduce water waste by up to 50 percent. Smart sewer systems will also be installed that not only prevent run-off pollution in rivers and lakes, but purify water to make it drinkable. Advanced water purification technologies will help cities recycle and reuse water locally, reducing energy used to transport water by up to 20 percent. Like smart electricity meters, interactive meters and sensors will be integrated into water systems to provide users with real time, accurate information about their water consumption to allow them to make better decisions about how and when they use this valuable resource.

Cities will respond to a crisis – even before receiving an emergency phone call

IBM hasn’t given a lot of details about just how such technology would be implemented - although it won’t be through the use of precogs like those used in the movie Minority Report – simply saying that analyzing the right information at the right time will help prevent emergencies, such as crime and disasters.

IBM says it is already helping law enforcement agencies analyze information that will allow public servants to take proactive measures to head off crime. Also the New York Fire Department has selected IBM to build a state-of-the-art system for collecting and sharing data in real-time and the company is also designing smart levee systems to prevent cities from devastating floods.

IBM hasn’t really gone out on a limb with any of their predictions. As any regular reader would know, all of the innovations outlined by IBM are already emerging, which is hardly surprising given IBM’s next five years timeframe.

Five years could be an optimistic time frame, especially when you look back at the first IBM Next 5 in 5 list compiled in 2006. It predicted the rise of a 3-D Internet and real-time speech translation becoming the norm. That leaves only one year for this to take place. Although there have been advances in both areas, it couldn’t really be said that either has changed many people’s lives just yet. It's hard to think the same won't be true for this new list five years from now.

Ads by Google

Go 3D

3D technology looks set to hit the home consumer market next year, with Sony on Wednesday announcing plans to sell 3D televisions globally by the end of 2010.

Sony’s decision to throw its weight behind the technology will be an important boost for the 3D industry, which has so far focused mainly on cinemas. British Sky Broadcasting has said it would introduce a 3D satellite channel in the UK next year, but it had been unclear whether there would be equipment available to view it on.

Speaking at the IFA technology trade show in Berlin, Sir Howard Stringer, Sony chief executive, will announce plans not only to sell 3D Bravia television sets, but to make Sony’s Vaio laptop computers, PlayStation3 games consoles and Blu-ray disc players compatible with the technology.

Mr Stringer is expected to tell the audience: “Today, 3D is clearly on its way to the mass market through technology, distribution and content.

“As with high definition a few years back, there are a variety of issues yet to be addressed. But the 3D train is on the track, and we at Sony are ready to drive it home.”

The consumer electronics industry has yet to agree on a single 3D standard, posing the risk of a format war akin to that between VHS and Betamax or Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

There are several types of 3D technology. Sony has opted for “active shutter” technology, using electronic glasses containing tiny shutters that open and close rapidly in synch with the television image to create a 3D impression. Cinema 3D uses “polarisation” technology with simpler glasses. However, this only works when viewers are at a certain angle to the screen, making it less suited to home viewing.

The electronics industry is looking for the next technology to boost sales, as high-definition television sales move past their peak. Hyundai is producing early 3D sets for the Japanese market and Panasonic has flagged up plans for products.

Sony’s commitment, however, improves 3D’s chances of becoming mainstream. It has given no indication of prices, but analysts expect early 3D TVs to cost several thousand dollars. Hyundai’s 3D TVs cost more than €3,400.

In cinemas, uptake of 3D has grown ninefold over three years, with 7,000 digital 3D screens expected to be in use worldwide by the end of 2009.


Sony

As it turns out, yesterday's report was spot-on. Sony today announced that it is bringing the experience of looking absolutely ridiculous in 3D glasses home to the living room. The initiative is "starting in 2010" and will expand through BRAVIA LCD HDTVs, VAIO machines, PlayStation 3, and Blu-ray discs... and not in the press release, but we clearly see a CyberShot digital camera in the promotional video (look out, Fujifilm). It's hard to say from the wording if all the listed product lines will go 3D next year, but from what we gather there'll at least be BRAVIA sets in time for that Christmas. Curious see the zaniest video this side of the second dimension? Well, we don't have that, but you can giggle your way through Sony's promo after the break.

If Sony had its way according to plan, the Japanese electronics giant would be offering 3D TVs worldwide as early as end 2010. This could possibly inject a new lease of life into the home display market which is gradually cooling off after the initial full-HD frenzy. According to an IFA-related report from the Financial Times, the company is not only planning to release 3D-enabled Bravias HDTVs, but also an entire ecosystem of compatible products. These range from Vaio laptops to Blu-ray players and PlayStation 3 consoles.






Sony to debut 3D BRAVIA TVs by end of 2010, also eyeing 3D VAIOs, Blu-ray films, and PS3 games?

The Financial Times has it on good word what the major unveil in Sony chief Sir Howard Stringer's keynote tomorrow at IFA 2009 will, so much so that it's quoting him with phrases he hasn't even said yet. According to the report, the company is making a huge push into the third dimension, with 3D BRAVIA HDTVs hitting the retail channels by the end of 2010. Also on the menu is 3D-compatible PlayStation 3 titles (which we've kind of heard before), VAIO laptops, and Blu-ray movies, but it's unclear from the article if they shares the same 2010 timeline. Polarized glasses will be required for use, but hey, just consider it a fashion statement. We're now very anxious to see how close Sir Stringer sticks to this purported script for tomorrow's big event.

The upcoming Sony 3D technology will be based on "active shutter" implementation that utilizes glasses equipped with micro shutters. These synchronize with the onscreen pictures to generate a three-dimensional effect. This solution currently delivers one of the widest viewing angles among the various 3D systems in the market. The new direction is definitely welcome news compared with the ongoing "ultraslim" TV rivalry among vendors, which adds very little value as far as viewing experience is concerned for the consumers.

Press Release

Sony Brings 3D Home in 2010

Berlin, Germany, September 2, 2009 - At a press conference held in Berlin, Germany on the eve of IFA 2009, Sony Corporation announced plans to lead the way in delivering new 3D viewing experiences by bringing 3D to the home in 2010. Sony will continue to accelerate its efforts across the Sony Group to create both attractive 3D hardware and content, and provide new forms of 3D enjoyment.

Sony's 3D compatible "BRAVIA" LCD TVs incorporate frame sequential display and active-shutter glass systems*1, together with Sony's proprietary high frame rate technology to enable the reproduction of full High Definition*2 high-quality 3D images, and will form the centerpiece of Sony's 3D entertainment experience for the home.

In addition to 3D compatible "BRAVIA" LCD TVs, Sony will also develop 3D compatibility into many more of its devices, such as Blu-ray Disc products, VAIO and PlayStation®3, to provide a multitude of ways in which 3D content - from 3D movies to stereoscopic 3D games - can be enjoyed in the home.

N the growing industry of 3D cinema, Sony has supported and driven the expansion of 3D by providing a wide variety of professional equipment for the shooting, production and screening of movies in 3D. The number of digital 3D screens is increasing rapidly, and is expected to reach 7,000 by the end of 2009*3. In addition to 3D movies, Sony's range of professional 3D products is also driving the growth of 3D production and distribution across a range of entertainment industries, from theatre and music performances to sport and beyond.

Embracing the "make.believe" (make dot believe) philosophy, which signifies the company's ability to turn ideas into reality, Sony will strive to further enhance synergies across its group companies. Sony will leverage its wealth of technology and engineering resources spanning both professional and consumer markets to bring the optimum 3D viewing experience to the home, from 2010 and beyond.

*1    A method of 3D display whereby the television set alternates the image for the left and right eye, and glasses open and shut in sync with the image on the screen.
*2    Displays 1,920�~1,080 pixels image per eye

Eyes-on Panasonic's Full HD 3D plasma and Blu-ray combo 

We just got a real eyeful of 3D, courtesy of Panasonic's upcoming 1080p plasma and Blu-ray 3D setup. The system uses synced shutters, and was easily some of the best "consumer" 3D we've seen -- almost on par with a theater experience, other than the fact that the screen was a whole lot smaller, at 103-inches. Unfortunately, while Panasonic is heavily touting 3D at IFA this year, just as Sony did at its own presser, there isn't much hard news to show for it. The plasma and Blu-ray combo was actually announced a full year ago, and the only word we have on release at the moment is "next year." Obviously, readily available 3D content plays a big part in this, and we get the impression that Avatar is syncing up nicely to be available on some sort of 3D home video format by the time it's ready for a disc release -- we've certainly seen enough teaser clips and trailers of it by now, anyway. To be honest, the 3D setup was seamless enough in our demo room that sometimes it hardly felt 3D. Avatar was especially "shallow" on the 3D scale (no pictures were allowed of the presentation, not that they would help), and we've yet to see anything mindblowing on that end. If anything, Panasonic's presentation was more an opportunity to be "blown away" by the company's awesome PowerPoint skills, if anything, so feel free to follow along in the gallery below.

Nikon Reveals World’s First Projector Camera

The introduction of the world’s first camera with integrated projector as part of its brand new range of COOLPIX cameras. The ground-breaking COOLPIX S1000pj is expected to shake up the compact digital camera market as people begin to see the benefits of sharing and viewing photos and videos using personal projection.
The COOLPIX S1000pj doesn’t just pack a punch with its projector – the compact camera delivers high resolution images with 12.1 effective megapixels and a 2.7” wide viewing-angle TFT LCD monitor. With a high ISO 6400 sensitivity and using Nikon’s exclusive image processing concept, EXPEED, the camera offers the kind of high quality images you expect from Nikon. This is all wrapped up in a sleek aluminium silver or anodized black casing that contains a wide-angle 5x zoom NIKKOR lens.
Mark Pekelharing, Product Line Manager Consumer Products at Nikon Europe B.V: “The launch of our unique COOLPIX projector camera is exciting for gadget and photo lovers everywhere – and another first for Nikon with a compact digital camera that can project images. People can’t help but be blown away by such a beautifully crafted device. It’s packed with everything you need to take amazing photos so easily as well as to show your pictures; a great screen and amazing projector. Sharing photos and videos has never been so easy – or so fun.”
One touch projection
If you’ve ever wanted to share your photos or videos at a party or relive a day’s memories while on your travels, then now you can with one-touch projection on the COOLPIX S1000pj. The built-in projector easily projects an image size from approximately 5 inches up to 40 inches*1. A supplied remote control means that you can wirelessly operate both the projector and usual camera functions, and a simple projection stand is supplied for optimal viewing wherever you are.

Getting the shot you imagine
The COOLPIX S1000pj features Scene Auto mode, whereby the camera automatically selects the appropriate scene mode based on the contents of your shot, allowing picture perfect images at the touch of a button. In addition, five functions to reduce image blur and the Smart Portrait System ensures that you can get those ‘red carpet smiles’ every time. An additional feature enables users to ‘airbrush’ someone’s face using the Skin Softening function to reduce the appearance of blemishes. Together with face tracking and anti-shake functionality, the COOLPIX S1000pj helps you to get the shot you envisaged without any hassle. The COOLPIX S1000pj will be available at an RRP of £389 / €429*2  ($678)

my Picturetown
You can now store your images safely and securely using Nikon’s my Picturetown, a free online digital photo storage and sharing service. Easily share photo memories with friends and organise precious memories into online collections. You get 2GB of space free to use for storing thousands of memories and you can upgrade your membership to Gold Account at any time if you need to store more pictures.

Features
Sharper results with five advanced Nikon image stabilising features*3
Nikon's Optical lens shift and Electronic VR image stabilisation systems combine to help produce blur-free images. High ISO 6400*4 capability allows faster shutter speeds when shooting in low light or capturing fast-moving subjects. Motion Detection automatically controls shutter speed and the ISO setting to compensate for subject movement and camera shake. And, Nikon’s original BSS (Best Shot Selector) function automatically shoots a series of sequential frames and saves the one with the sharpest focus.

Nikon’s Smart Portrait System with Skin Softening
Face-priority AF helps produce more satisfying portraits by adjusting focus and exposure for as many as 12 faces in the framed shot. Skin Softening function detects and analyses a framed subject’s skin, and then adjusts smoothness to produce enhanced results. Smile Timer automatically releases the shutter when the subject smiles, while its Blink Proof function shoots two sequential frames, then saves the one in which the subject’s eyes are widest open. Blink Warning presents an alert when it suspects that someone in the shot has blinked. In-Camera Red-Eye Fix automatically corrects any perceived red-eye effect before saving the image to memory.
Intelligent automated shooting modes that promote carefree shooting
Nikon’s Scene Auto Selector makes it faster and easier to capture the moment by eliminating the need to manually select a scene mode to match the intended shot. This intelligent function determines the subject, analyses the surrounding settings, and then automatically selects the appropriate scene mode for optimal results. Subject Tracking enhances the shooting experience by following the subject’s movement to ensure clear focus and quick response when that special shutter opportunity presents itself. Subject Tracking even functions if the subject moves out of the frame for a second or two.
Quick Retouch
Quick Retouch automatically adjusts the contrast and saturation of selected photos to create an enhanced copy with the right finishing touch.
Other Features

• 2.7-in. high-resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflection coated cover
• 16 handy scene modes for optimised shooting in various settings
• D-Lighting
• Active Zoom
• Auto Sort and Favorite Pictures functions
• Four movie modes with sound
• Time zone function for easy setting of multiple locations
• Approx. 36 MB of internal memory
• Hi-Speed USB connectivity

*1 Projection area size dependent upon light conditions of the room

*2 Availability dates can vary from region to region. Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. August 2009 ©2009 Nikon Corporation.

*3 The camera selects and uses only the features required to optimise each image.

*4 ISO 3200 and 6400 are available only for image sizes of 3M (2048 x 1536) or smaller.

The Nikon COolpix S1000pj's projector module.

 

 

 

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj specifications

Sensor	• 1/2.3" Type CCD • 12.1 million effective pixels • 12.39 million total pixels
Image sizes	• 4000 x 3000 • 3264 x 2448 • 2592 x 1944 • 2048 x 1536 • 1024×768 • 640 x 480 • 3968 x 2232 (16:9)
Projector	• Brightness: up to 10 lumens • Image size : 5 to 40 in. • Throw distance : approx. 26cm to 2m  (10 in. to 6 ft. 6 in.) • Endurance (battery life: approx. 1 hour • Resolution (output) : VGA equivalent
Lens	• 5x Zoom-Nikkor (28-140mm equiv.) • f/3.9-5.8 • f= 5.0-25.0mm
Optical image stabilization	Lens-shift VR
Digital zoom	Up to 4x
Focus distance	• 30cm (1 ft.) to infinity (∞) • Macro close-up mode: 3cm (1.2 in.) to infinity (∞) [
ISO sensitivity	• ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 2000 • ISO 3200 (3M or smaller) • ISO 6400 (3M or smaller) • Auto (auto gain ISO 80-800) • Fixed range auto (ISO 80-200, 80-400)
Aperture	f/3.9 - f/5.8
Flash	• Built-in
LCD monitor	• 2.7-in TFT LCD with anti-reflection coating • 230,000-dot
Connectivity	• USB • AV out
Storage	• SD / SDHC card (optional) • Approx 36MB internal memory
Power	• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 (supplied) • AC Adapter EH-62F (optional)
Battery Life	Approx. 220 shots with EN-EL12 battery
Weight (no batt)	Approx. 155 g (5.5 oz.)
Dimensions	Approx. 99.5 x 62.5 x 23 mm (4 x 2.5 x 0.9 in.) excluding projections
Supplied accessories	• Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL12 • Battery Charger MH-65 • USB Cable UC-E6 • Audio Video Cable EG-CP14 • Strap AN-CP19 • Projector Stand ET-2 • Remote Control ML-L4 • Software Suite CD-ROM
Optional accessories	AC Adapter EH-62F

25 gigabytes of memory - it's free and available every day

USB flash drives are becoming cheaper, but they must still "be dragged along." Windows Live Figure of solving this problem. [By Gerrit Grunwald] Windows Live Figure of solving this problem. [By Gerrit Grunwald]

FREE storage options for photos, MP3s, or documents on the Internet there are a dime a dozen. FREE dozen storage options for photos, MP3s, or documents on the Internet there are a dime a. Rapidshare-the best known supplier is now used by millions of Internet users. Rapidshare-the best known supplier is now used by millions of Internet users. Years later, Microsoft offers an online platform for storing data. Years later, Microsoft offers on-line platform for storing data. Was it worth the late start? Yes! Was it worth the late start? Yes!

What is the difference from other online hard drives? What is the difference from other online hard drives?

Windows Live SkyDrive behaves almost like a (local) hard disk under Windows. Windows Live SkyDrive behaves almost like a (local) hard disk under Windows. If you have a Windows Live ID can log on immediately to SkyDrive and upload data. If you have a Windows Live ID can register immediately with SkyDrive and upload data. The upload is carried out via Drag & Drop from Windows Explorer. The upload is carried out via drag and drop from Windows Explorer.

 SkyDrive even in the uploaded documents can be distributed to folders, which can create the user himself. SkyDrive offers in the standard configuration, two main folders: a public folder and one for personal documents. SkyDrive offers in the standard configuration, two main folders: a public folder and one for personal documents.

The public folders have all the Windows Live contacts a user's access. The public folders have all the Windows Live contacts a user's access. The personal folder itself is visible only for one. The personal folder itself is visible only for one.

The contents of the public folder can also link to such a working group specifically to make the documents available. The contents of the public folder can also link to such a working group specifically to make the documents available. Even a password protection (for folders) is possible. Even a password protection (for folders) is possible.

  SkyDrive in practice

First, one selects the uploaded files. First, one selects the uploaded files.

The selected images can then be copied via drag and drop into a folder on SkyDrive.

 

 

This was a first small glimpse into the world of SkyDrive. Further articles and guides on this nice tool to follow. Further articles and guides on this nice tool to follow.

e-mail tracking

How to trace the e-mail header in different emails

When you recieve an email, you receive more than just the message. The email comes with headers that carry important information that can tell where the email was sent from and possibly who sent it. For that, you would need to find the IP address of the sender. The tutorial below can help you find the IP address of the sender. Note that this will not work if the sender uses anonymous proxy servers.

First of all, the IP address is generally found in the headers enclosed beween square brackets, for instance, [129.130.1.1]

Finding IP address in Gmail

1. Log into your Gmail account with your username and password.
2. Open the mail.
3. To display the email headers,

* Click on the inverted triangle beside Reply. Select Show Orginal

4. manually find the IP address,as below

5. Look for Received: from followed by the IP address between square brackets [ ].

Received: from [69.138.30.1] by web4587.mail.***.yahoo.com

6. If you find more than one Received: from patterns, select the last one.

7. Track the IP address of the sender

Yahoo Mail:

HOTMAIL:

AOL:

PlayStation 3 Slim review

Even before Sony's big unveil earlier this month at Cologne GamesCom, it felt like we already knew the PlayStation 3 Slim quite intimately. A leak from back in May gave us a glimpse of every angle of the hardware's exterior, and even the final retail box. At that point, we didn't know what to make of it, and the change in logo font definitely threw us off. Three months, thirty seconds of video, and a dash of legal paperwork later, and we're looking at that very same leaked device, now taking up space adjacent to our hefty 60GB "Classic" model from launch day. Unquestionably, it's smaller and lighter, but how else has Sony's Blu-ray-playing console evolved -- or regressed -- over these past few years? Read on to find out!

Hardware:

Volumetrically, the 120GB PS3 Slim takes up approximately 33 percent less space than its counterpart, and at 7.05 pounds it's about 36 percent lighter, too. Let's be honest, a 11 pound console was absolutely ridiculous, and we welcome the console now joining its competitors in a more reasonable weight class -- though it's far from the utterly dramatic size reduction we saw in the PS2 slimline. You can pick up a stand for $24, a bit steep since it should just come bundled, but even without the console sits vertically with what appears to be relatively good stability. Connectivity-wise, we're looking at the same setup as the most recent PS3 iterations, including just two USB 2.0 ports and 802.11b/g -- no Draft-N, which is a shame.

The good news about the BD-ROM drive? It still keeps your discs safe in the event the console gets moved about -- and if you've ever accidentally tapped your Xbox 360 the wrong way and found that slotted copy of Fallout 3 has now been rendered unusable by scratches, you know exactly how appreciated this feature is. The bad news? It's still just 2x speed, and none of this changes the fundamental use of PS3, meaning all those hassles of installing games while your Xbox 360-owning friends get to jump right in are still there. The AC cord has lost its ground pin and is actually the exact same, quasi-standardized cable that works with the PS2 and many laptop batteries, and just like the PS2 fat-to-slimline transition, the physical on-off switch on the backside has been made redundant and subsequently ousted.

Just above the disc drive on the front, the PlayStation logo can no longer twist to stay upright when the console stands vertically. We're sure not everyone bothered to realign it, but how much cost was really saved by cutting out the option? It's also experienced an inverse "Pleasantville" moment, whereby all its color has been removed in favor of an all-white design. The onetime touch sensitive panels for power and eject have been replaced with physical, matte buttons, ones that actually click when pressed, surrounded by a highly glossy surface. We actually really dig the new buttons and having some physical feedback when we're wanting to swap discs. Directly under that is a front-facing panel that can be removed to access the hard drive (more on that later).

Of course, the big debate here is gonna be the matte body. The Engadget staff is largely divided over the "toy-like" new form factor vs. the lustrous, fingerprint- and dust-loving predecessor, so much so that we're not gonna give a verdict one way or the other here. It does match the slimline PS2 quite nicely, and good thing it does since you'll have to keep one around if you were planning to play anything from the previous generation of games. The front panel and the sides of the body are still glossy, and even without the more mark-resistant material, you're still gonna leave smudges if you're too hands-on with the thing.

What's missing

	120GB PS3 Slim	160GB PS3	80GB PS3
Product code	CECH-2000A	CECH-Pxx	CECH-Kxx / CECH-Lxx
Price	$299.99	$399.99	$299.99
Color	Matte Black	Piano Black (Glossy)	Piano Black (Glossy)
HDD	120GB 2.5-inch SATA	160GB 2.5-inch SATA	80GB 2.5-inch SATA
Dimensions	11.42 x 2.56 x 11.42 in.	12.75 x 3.86 x 10.8 in.	12.75 x 3.86 x 10.8 in.
Weight	7.05 lb.	11 lb.	11 lb.
Power	250W	280W	280W
Vertical Stand	Optional ($24)	Not necessary	Not necessary
Compatibility	PSOne	PSOne, Linux	PSOne, Linux
PS2 compat?	No	No	No
BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC)	Yes	No	No
Bundle	Wireless DualShock 3 controller	Wireless DualShock 3 controller, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, PAIN downloadable game voucher	Wireless DualShock 3 controller

Not every feature made the transition to Slim, but gauging the severity of the cuts depends on how far back in the PS3 classic's timeline you want to go. The only aspect missing from its direct antecedent is the ability to install a third-party platform like Linux or OtherOS. It's a niche feature, sure, and we really can't imagine the average consumer is gonna care or even know that the feature's been ousted -- and if you're the sort of person that does, there should be plenty of used consoles in the market for years to come.

Go further back in the PS3's life cycle, however, and you begin to see just how much Sony's stricken from the hardware since its November 2006 debut. Two additional USB 2.0 ports, flash memory readers, and SACD playback have all met an untimely fate over these last years, but none of them sting quite as much as the loss of PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility. Sony can talk all they want about how people aren't looking at the past, but legacy support is something we've come to expect from our game consoles, and truth be told, the PS2 has one of the most impressive lineups in history of the industry (no offense meant, TurboGrafx-16 fanatics). We get it, Sony, you still haven't figured out how to emulate the PS2 on Cell and you don't want to waste the money / effort on throwing more chips inside the chassis when only a small portion of your audience will ever use it (sound familiar?), but why not give us a second, slightly more expensive model that does play (and upscales!) our old favorites instead of pushing those dedicated fans into seeking used systems from GameStop or eBay?

Noise, heat, and power consumption

	Current (ampere)		Power (watt)
	60GB PS3 Classic	PS3 Slim	60GB PS3 Classic	PS3 Slim
Plugged in / powered off	0.05	0.06	2	1
Browsing XMB	1.44	0.7	170	79
Downloading from PS Store	1.49	0.7	175	81
Installing LittleBigPlanet	1.40	0.64	162	74
Playing LittleBigPlanet	1.54	0.78	181	89
Playing Killzone 2	1.67	0.86	196	100
Watching a Blu-ray	1.44	0.68	167	75

Where the Slim and its 45nm Cell processor really shine is in the electrical efficiency department. While the results won't be as drastic as when compared with the newer "fat" models, Sony's cut power consumption nearly in half since its initial, 90nm CPU iterations. The results are pretty universal across all applications, with the lone exception being a statistical tie when the models are plugged in and idle. Also reduced is the noise of the machine, and in repeat tests, we stand by our initial results: it's about 2 to 3 decibels quieter on average during gameplay, and up to 10 decibels quieter while watching Blu-ray movies -- nothing to write home about while running missions in Infamous, but during the quieter, more suspenseful moments of Watchmen, there wasn't any loud whirring noises this time to ruin the mood. And regardless, any iteration of the PS3 is gonna be remarkably quieter than the Xbox 360.

The actual temperature hasn't seemed to fluctuate, at least in our experiences: when placed side-by-side on the same shelf under near-identical situations, both consoles hovered at around 106 degrees Fahrenheit when running Folding@Home or playing a Blu-ray disc. Kind of a bummer, but with our electricity bill now marginally lower, guess we can't complain too much here.

Swapping the HDD

At this point, we've probably swapped the Slim's hard drive over a dozen times. It's a quick and painless process as you can see in the video below, but to quickly recap: undo the panel on the bottom front of the console, take out the blue screw, slide off the front-right panel, and pull out the metal enclosure. You can replace with any 2.5-inch Serial ATA of your choosing -- a practice Sony not only supports but encourages, so no worries about voiding the warranty for 1TB of space. If you're swapping for brand new drive, you'll need to manually download the system software update via computer, transfer to disc or a USB drive into a folder called PS3 > UPDATE, and then insert when prompted on screen. Full details and pertinent links can be found on Sony's support site.

Unfortunately for those upgrading hardware, you can't simply take the HDD from your classic system, insert it into the Slim, and have it work -- even with the same firmware update on both drives (2.80), it just won't recognize it. At all. You'll need to use a combination of the PS3 Backup Utility and manually transferring files to external storage if you want to save everything -- sure, it gets the job done, but that's a pretty big hassle for what should be a fairly straightforward plug-and-play job.

Blu-ray playback

	Disc-to-XMB		Click-to-video
	60GB PS3 Classic	PS3 Slim	60GB PS3 Classic	PS3 Slim
Watchmen	9.6	10	23	27
The International	10	10	31	35
Air Force One	9	9.9	30	32
Nightmare Before Xmas	10	10	25	35

We're actually a bit surprised by the results here, so we checked over these a few times. It seems that the PS3 Slim's Blu-ray player is actually a tiny bit slower than our 60GB PS3 classic from 2006, albeit not by much. As you can see from the chart, the time between inserting the disc (listening for that last little "click" sound) and having it register in the menu was pretty much the same ten seconds each time, but once you click on the disc and actually launch into the movie, the time it takes to get to a non-loading screen was seconds quicker on the classic. Not a drastic difference, but after so many years to improve the BD technology, you think they'd bother to add something with a little more pep here, and certainly not deliver something with less.

TrueHD / DTS-HD MA audio:

 That handy little chart from Sony Japan was spot-on, the PS3 Slim now bitstreams lossless TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio. Just to be sure, we ran the console through a HD audio receiver -- in this case a Denon AVR-590 -- and popped in Watchmen Extended Edition. After selecting bitstream from Video Settings > BD/DVD Audio Output Format, the audio output at DTS-HD MA, and "The Times They Are A-Changin'" never sounded better. Frankly, it's not a difference that a majority of consumers are gonna care about, but if you're a home theater fanatic, you'll be more than appreciative.

BRAVIA Sync

Connecting directly to a 32-inch BRAVIA L-Series TV via HDMI gave us the option to utilize BRAVIA Sync and manage the system using our TV remote. Once enabled (via System Settings > Control for HDMI), we were able to do some basic tasks like navigate the XMB menu and control video playback, but other than that, there isn't a lot to see here -- sure, you can turn off both the display and the PS3 with the power button, but you can't use the same method for turning the pair back on, and browsing the PS Store comes quickly to a grinding halt once you realize there's no way to go back in the menus. It's a neat feature, but given the limitations, it's pretty pointless since you'll still need the DualShock 3 handy. Like TrueHD / DTS-HD, this feature only works on the Slim hardware and won't be coming to classic in the future.

Wrap-up

 Looking past any potential aversion to matte, anyone picking up a PlayStation 3 Slim is getting a significantly better product than an early or even mid adopter. Sony really has come through with a smaller, lighter, quieter, and more energy-efficient piece of hardware, and at $300, even if your sole interest is a Blu-ray player, it's a hard value to beat. More than anything, it's that price point that's sure to draw comparisons to the now-$300 120GB Xbox 360 Elite, and someone buying their first current-gen system now has a much more compelling reason to pick Sony than they did less than 30 days ago.

It's not all sunshine, though, as Blu-ray has taken an inexplicable performance hit that makes it slower at playing movies than its first-generation ancestor. That said, all signs point to an extension in the traditional four-year console cycle, which might make it a prime opportunity to cajole "Wii60" owners to lay down their arms and give PS3 a chance. Just don't forget to keep your PS2 handy.

Tips to Study..

How to Read and Understand Faster

Reading shapes character. Good reading habits enable one to enter into new worlds and different points of view. They introduce one to possibilities and alternatives not experienced before. So if reading is important, knowing how to read well will enable us to get more out of what we read.

A. Type of Reading

- People read for four different reasons:

1. For amusement: comics, storybooks, and novels. These require little or no effort.
2. For information: newspapers, magazines, textbooks, etc. This does not challenge our understanding.
3. For understanding: analysis, evaluative material that requires slow reading and needs repetition. See what the author says, what makes him say it, and the relation of the content with other facts….
4. For reflection: Inspirational writings, concerned with the deeper meaning of life …

B. Eye Training

- The speed of reading will differ according to the four types of reading given above.
- But in general what does speed-reading consist in?
1. Increase your eye-span: how many words can your eye take in at one glance?
2. Reduce eye-regress: Does your eye tend to refer back to check what you have read?
3. Develop a rhythmical and regular movement of the eyes while you read.

C. Mind Training

- One of the best systems suggested by Reader’s Digest’s, write Better speak Better, is the one called SQ3R. Survey, Question, Read, Restate, Review.

1. Survey
  For a book
- Read the preface, contents, and summaries of chapters; discover the author’s purpose and target audience.
  For a chapter or article:
- Read the first and last sentences of the first and last paragraphs and the first sentence of every paragraph in between.
- Long paragraphs mean heavy going
- Words in Italics indicate what the author considers important.
- Notice diagrams, key words.

1. Question: After skimming, jot down questions that occur to you. This motivates you.

2. Read: Difficult matter slowly, light matter quickly - Let your mind perceive meaning behind words: look for answers, look for essentials; keep questioning.

3. Restate: At intervals tell yourself what you have read - Do this after moderately long intervals

4. Review: Repeat the four steps quickly from time to time - There is no substitute for practice!


HOW TO PARTICIPATE EFFECTIVELY IN CLASS

Most of what you learn can be retained in the mind the very first time you hear it in class. Here’s how you can make the most of class attendance.

  In class be always alert!

This means:

C. INTELLIGENT LISTENING


  Listen to what is being said – not who is saying it!
  Listen to what is more important, essential and distinguish it from what is not.


D. INTELLIGENT QUESTIONING


  Question to understand, not to oppose!
  After you are sure you understood, be free to agree or disagree.
  If you are allowed to voice your disagreements do so, but do it with respect and politeness.

E. INTELLIGENT TAKING OF NOTES


a) There are many methods:

  Note –book system: the usual exercise book system
  Loose-leaf system: sheets of paper are put together in a file
  Card system: Thicker and smaller cards are used especially if the matter noted down will be referred to at some later point.

a) What to note down:

  Not everything the teacher says needs t be noted.
  This may vary with respect to an individual’s grasp of the subject matter.
  But always listen, understand and write.

a) How to note down:

  Be neat, orderly
  Be consistent
  Be precise
  Leave room for elaboration, summarisation and doubts.
   Use coloured pencils/markers to show emphasis


HOW TO STUDY

If youth is a time for learning and discovery, serious study is an essential part of the process. A youth leader must update her/his knowledge through study in order to be effective.

  Studying is an art! Success in study depends not only on ability and hard work but also on good study habits. Methods of study differ according to people, subjects, time….

Here are some general principles:

F. CLASS


   BListen to what is being said – not who is saying it!
   Listen to what is more important, essential and distinguish it from what is not.


G. INTELLIGENT QUESTIONING


  Question to understand, not to oppose!
  After you are sure you understood, be free to agree or disagree.
  If you are allowed to voice your disagreements do so, but do it with respect and politeness.

H. INTELLIGENT TAKING OF NOTES


a) There are many methods:

Note –book system: the usual exercise book system
Loose-leaf system: sheets of paper are put together in a file
Card system: Thicker and smaller cards are used especially if the matter noted down will be referred to at some later point.

a) What to note down:

  Not everything the teacher says needs t be noted.
  This may vary with respect to an individual’s grasp of the subject matter.
  But always listen, understand and write.

a) How to note down:

  Be neat, orderly
  Be consistent
  Be precise
  Leave room for elaboration, summarisation and doubts.
  Use coloured pencils/markers to show emphasis

10 point recipe to "SUCCESS"

Ten-Point Recipe for Success

Wipro Chairman, Azim H Premji

I am privileged to be with you here today and to share this significant moment of your life. The convocation marks the culmination of all the endless nights you worked through, all the anxieties you have gone through facing one examination after another and all the preparation you have put in, not only to enter this prestigious institution but also to graduate from it successfully. It is no mean achievement. Only a handful of the most talented people in the world have shared this success with you. Let me just say that I am very proud of each and every one of you.
I am a little wary about giving you advice- because advice is one thing young people all over the world do not like receiving. I cannot fault you for that. The world does look very different when it is seen with your eyes. You are filled with enthusiasm and are straining at the leash to get on with life. And the world is very different from what it was when I was at your age. Never before has the role of technology been so pervasive and so central. The Internet has breached all physical borders and connected the world together like no other force has done before. For the first time, opportunities for creating wealth in India are at par with the best in world. There is no need for you to sacrifice the joy of remaining in your own country any more. All opportunities are accompanied by their own challenges. I thought I would share with you a few of the lessons I have learnt in my own life, while leading the transformation at Wipro, from a small company three and a half decades back into a global corporation listed on the New York Stock Exchange. I hope you find them useful
 
Lesson # 1: Dare to dream
When I entered Wipro at the age of 21, it was a sudden and unexpected event. I had no warning of what lay ahead of me and I was caught completely unprepared. All I had with me was a dream. A dream of building a great Organisation. It compensated for my inexperience and I guess, also prevented me from being overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before me. What I am happy is that we never stopped dreaming. Even when we achieved a position of leadership in every business we operated in India. We now have a dream of becoming one of the top 10 Global IT service companies. Many people wonder whether having unrealistic dreams is foolish. My reply to that is dreams by themselves can never be realistic or safe. If they were, they would not be dreams. I do agree that one must have strategies to execute dreams. And, of course, one must slog to transform dreams into reality. But dreams come first. What saddens me most is to see young, bright people getting completely disillusioned by a few initial setbacks and slowly turning cynical and some of them want to migrate to America in the hope this is the solution. It requires courage to keep dreaming. And that is when dreams are most needed- not when everything is going right, but when just about everything is going wrong.

Lesson # 2: Define what you stand for
While success is important, it can become enduring only if it is built on a strong foundation of Values. Define what you stand for as early as possible and do not compromise with it for any reason. Nobody can enjoy the fruits of success if you have to argue with your own conscience. In Wipro, we defined our Beliefs long before it became a fashion to do so. It not only helped us in becoming more resilient to stand up to crises we faced along the way, but it also helped us in attracting the right kind of people. Eventually, we realized that our values made eminent business sense. Values help in clarifying what everyone should do or not do in any business situation. It saves enormous time and effort because each issue does not have to be individually debated at length. But remember that values are meaningful only if you practice them. People may listen to what you say but they will believe what you do. Values are a matter of trust. They must be reflected in each one of your actions. Trust takes a long time to build but can be lost quickly by just one inconsistent act.


Lesson #3: Never lose your zest and curiosity

All the available knowledge in the world is accelerating at a phenomenal rate. The whole world's codified knowledge base (all documented information in library books and electronic files) doubled every 30 years in the early 20th century. By the 1970s, the world's knowledge base doubled every seven years. Information researchers predict that by the year 2010, the world's codified knowledge will double every 11 hours. Remaining on top of what you need to know will become one of the greatest challenges for you. The Natural zest and curiosity for learning is one of the greatest drivers for keeping updated on knowledge. A child's curiosity is insatiable because every new object is a thing of wonder and mystery. The same zest is needed to keep learning new things. I personally spend at least ten hours every week on reading. If I do not do that, I find myself quickly outdated.

Lesson # 4: Always strive for excellence

There is a tremendous difference between being good and being excellent in whatever you do. In the world of tomorrow, just being good is not good enough. One of the greatest advantages of globalization is that it has brought in completely different standards. Being the best in the country is not enough; one has to be the best in the world. Excellence is a moving target. One has to constantly raise the bar. In the knowledge-based industries, India has the unique advantage of being a quality leader. Just like Japan was able to win in the overseas market with its quality leadership in automobile manufacturing, India has been able to do the same in information technology. At Wipro, we treat quality as the #1 priority. This enabled us not only to become the world's first SEI CMM Level 5 software services company in the world but also a leader in Six Sigma approach to quality in India. However, even today I am dissatisfied with several things, which we are not doing right in the area of customer satisfaction. Doing something excellently has its own intrinsic joy, which I think is the greatest benefit of Quality.

Lesson # 5: Build self-confidence

Self-confidence comes from a positive attitude even in adverse situations. Self-confident people assume responsibility for their mistakes and share credit with their team members. They are able to distinguish between what is in their control and what is not. They do not waste their energies on events that are outside their control and hence they can take setbacks in their stride. Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Lesson # 6: Learn to work in teams

The challenges ahead are so complex that no individual will be able to face them alone. While most of our education is focused in individual strength, teaming with others is equally important. You cannot fire a missile from a canoe. Unless you build a strong network of people with complimentary skills, you will be restricted by your own limitations. Globalization has brought in people of different origin, different upbringing and different cultures together. Ability to become an integral part of a cross-cultural team will be a must for your success.

Lesson # 7 Take care of yourself
The stress that a young person faces today while beginning his or her career is the same as the last generation faced at the time of retirement. I have myself found that my job has become enormously more complex over the last two or three years. Along with mutual alertness, physical fitness will also assume a great importance in your life. You must develop your own mechanism for dealing with stress. I have found that a daily jog for me goes a long way in releasing the pressure and building up energy. You will need lots of energy to deal with the challenges. Unless you take care of yourself there is no way you can take care of others.

Lesson # 8: Persevere

Finally, no matter what you decide to do in your life, you must persevere. Keep at it and you will succeed, no matter how hopeless it seems at times. In the last three and half decades, we have gone through many difficult times. But we have found that if we remain true to what we believe in, we can surmount every difficulty that comes in the way. I remember reading this very touching story on perseverance. An eight-year-old child heard her parents talking about her little brother. All she knew was that he was very sick and they had no money left. They were moving to a smaller house because they could not afford to stay in the present house after paying the doctor's bills. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and there was no one to loan them the money. When she heard daddy say to her tearful mother with whispered desperation, 'Only a miracle can save him now', the child went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Clutching the precious jar tightly, she slipped out the back door and made her way six blocks to the local drug Store. She took a quarter from her jar and placed it on the glass counter. "And what do you want?" asked the pharmacist. "It's for my little brother," the girl answered back. "He's really, really sick and I want to buy a miracle." "I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist. "His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my daddy says only a miracle can save him. So how much does a miracle cost?" "We don't sell miracles here, child. I'm sorry," the pharmacist said, smiling sadly at the little girl. "Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I can try and get some more. Just tell me how much it costs." In the shop was a well-dressed customer. He stooped down and asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does you brother need?" "I don't know," she replied with her eyes welling up. "He's really sick and mommy says he needs an operation. But my daddy can't pay for it, so I have brought my savings". "How much do you have?" asked the man. "One dollar and eleven cents, but I can try and get some more", she answered barely audibly. "Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven cents is the exact price of a miracle for little brothers." He took her money in one hand and held her hand with the other. He said, "Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need." That well-dressed man was Dr Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long before Andrew was home again and doing well. "That surgery," her mom whispered, "was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?" The little girl smiled. She knew exactly how much the miracle cost. One dollar and eleven cents ... plus the faith of a little child. Perseverance can make miracles happen.

Lesson # 9: Have a broader social vision

For decades we have been waiting for some one who will help us in 'priming the pump' of the economy. The government was the logical choice for doing it, but it was strapped for resources. Other countries were willing to give us loans and aids but there was a limit to this. In the millennium of the mind, knowledge-based industries like Information Technology are in a unique position to earn wealth from outside. While earning is important, we must have mechanisms by which we use it for the larger good of our society. Through the Azim Premji Foundation, we have targeted over the next 12 months to enroll over a million children, who are out of school due to economic or social reasons. I personally believe that the greatest gift one can give to others is the gift of education. We who have been so fortunate to receive this gift know how valuable it is.

Lesson # 10: Never let success go to your head
No matter what we achieve, it is important to remember that we owe this success to many factors and people outside us. This will not only help us in keeping our sense of modesty and humility intact but also help us to retain our sense of proportion and balance. The moment we allow success to build a feeling or arrogance, we become vulnerable to making bad judgments. Let me illustrate this with another story: A lady in faded dress and her husband, dressed in a threadbare suit, walked in without an appointment into the office of the president of the most prestigious educational institution in America. The secretary frowned at them and said, "He will be busy all day." "We will wait," said the couple quietly. The secretary ignored them for hours hoping they will go away. But they did not. Finally, the secretary decided to disturb the president, hoping they will go way quickly once they meet him. The president took one look at the faded dresses and glared sternly at them. The lady said, "Our son studied here and he was very happy. A year ago, he was killed in an accident. My husband and I would like to erect a memorial for him on the campus." The president was not touched. He was shocked. "Madam, we cannot put up a statue for every student of ours who died. This place would look like a cemetery." "Oh, no," the lady explained quickly, "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would give a building to you." "A building?" exclaimed the president, looking at their worn out clothes. "Do you have any idea how much a building costs? Our buildings cost close to ten million dollars!" The lady was silent. The president was pleased and thought this would get rid of them. The lady looked at her husband. "If that is what it costs to start a university, why don't we start our own?" Her husband nodded. Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California, where they established the university as a memorial to their son, bearing their name - the Stanford University. The story goes that this is how Stanford University began.

I wish you every success in your career and your future life.