Nov 18

Secure phone communication

Last  Saturday, I was speaking to someone  and  was surprised at the poor quality of  communication network.  I could not hear  what he  was saying  for a major part of the conversation and  it  seemed that his voice was changing suddenly.  

 With the increasing computerisation  of phone technology, it appears that it is  easier to intercept, distort and spoof  phone conversations on both mobile and landline phones.

These notes on  Intercepting communications  are very educative.

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Nov 10

Book reading in India

Posted in business, internet

Unlike developed countries like USA, UK  and even other  countries like Russia , where millions of books are sold, reading books is not a popular activity in India.

From http://indiaedunews.net/In-Focus/April_2009/Book-reading_disappearing_in_India_-_Javed_Akhtar_7969/

“Do you know how books are selected in some of the homes in my city of Mumbai? They are chosen by interior decorators… by interior decorators! If you have brown-coloured furniture and carpet, you must have brown-coloured books,” the award-winning poet told sources.

Another article

http://expressbuzz.com/magazine/book-reading-a-dead-culture-in-india/65191.html

Reading books (and not just for exams) improves your knowledge and creativity and is important for innovation.   The quality of  India specific online content is quite poor and there is little incentive for  real experts to share their information online. Books may be expensive,  but they are worth spending money on.

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Nov 3

Privacy and power

The power of  the internet and  mobile communications has been overestimated for one reason – there is no privacy when you are online.   When you realise you are under surveillance,  you are willing to pay a price for privacy  – buy a book ” Schneier  on Security” costing Rs 1000+ though the same information is available for free online.

Links to 2 articles from the book

The Value of Privacy

Privacy and Power

the proverb  -  “Who watches the watchers?” is very relevant today, especially in the Indian context.

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Oct 30

Security concerns

Posted in business, cyberlaw, internet

If  you are trying to secure your computer and websites, it is very difficult to distinguish between hype and the truth and  choosing the wrong consultant/ expert/ software  could only aggravate your problems.

This website on  online security  has some interesting updates on security related news, companies and cybersecurity experts.

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Oct 6

Drivers for your computer/ notebook

Posted in internet, technical

If you purchase a desktop / laptop /netbook, without an  OS preinstalled,  finding suitable drivers can be very time consuming.

You can download the drivers you need using  the links posted at  Driverpool

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Sep 13

Declining credit card usage

Posted in business, internet

An RBI report  shows that  both the number of credit cards issued and credit card transactions is declining.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Credit-cards-out-debits-in/articleshow/6543407.cms

One of the reasons could be the poor customer support offered by certain banks issuing credit cards.

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Sep 1

Internet – privacy / reputation management

Posted in internet, law

The risks of social networking explained in this article  – The web means the end of forgetting .

If you don’t have a profile at a social networking website, there is  a  risk that some one will create a fake profile. If you have one, it could be hacked or misused.

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Aug 16

Indian postal rates / tariffs

Posted in business, government

The rates / tariffs for the various services offered by Indian post are as follows:

Domestic / inland postal rates

Rates for Speed Post, Speed Post(International), Express Parcel, Corporate Money Order, Gift Service – Premium services calculator

Tariff for sending mail/ parcels to foreign countries / international postal rates for India

The rates are usually revised during the annual budget.

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Aug 9

BSNL Customer care / complaints

Posted in government, internet

You can register BSNL complaints at

http://portal.bsnl.in/bsnlcca/login.aspx

A 17 digit tracking number is generated.

You also register for

  • BSNL Broadband connection
  • BSNL 3G
comments: 1 »
Aug 7

NEFT / RTGS

Posted in business, internet

List of banks participating in NEFT

http://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/bs_viewcontent.aspx?Id=112

Receiving funds through NEFT is free , while some banks charge for payments made through NEFT.

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