Category Archives: General

The Virus Warriors Ride Again

Posted on April 4, 2011 by

Back in January 2010, I wrote about the virus-warriors of Chennai – Microsoft’s Consumer Security Support team. Yesterday, I had occasion to call them again. They’re still awesome, though the phone access isn’t as good as last year. (And they’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Communications, Doing Business in India, General, Infrastructure | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Technology like chocolate: An Internet Christmas

Posted on December 28, 2010 by

We keep Christmas, even though we’re not Christian. India’s the land of festivals, and I grew up believing it’s vital to celebrate — and that it’s easier to get in the mood when all around you is festive. Especially for … Continue reading →

Posted in Communications, General | Tagged | 5 Comments

Dolls’ clothes and E-readers: What does it all mean?

Posted on December 12, 2010 by

Two things happened recently that made me think about convenience, competition and change, and where electronic markets are taking us. First: I got an e-reader, specifically, a Kindle. Second: We bought clothes for a doll. BOOK-LOVERS AND E-READERS At first, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, General | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Air India Crash: The Reason Why

Posted on November 17, 2010 by

Back in May 2010, I blogged about a tragic Air India flight from Dubai that crashed in Mangalore and killed 158 people. The plane ran out of runway on the airport, which is built on a narrow plateau. It went … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Business in India, General, Infrastructure | Tagged | Leave a comment

Space age design

Posted on November 6, 2010 by

Literally. Take a look at this. Meet Fred. Contrary to appearances, this thing that landed on our doorstep isn’t a sleek spaceship operated by tiny orange aliens. So, guess? (Or scroll down.) . . . . . . . . … Continue reading →

Posted in General, Intriguing Products | Tagged | 2 Comments

Car Tunes

Posted on September 29, 2010 by

My car is in the shop, and I have a Toyota Prius as a loaner. It’s rather nice, a hybrid (as everyone knows) between an electric car and one that uses gasoline (or petrol). “You know,” said my companion as … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Mosquito Madness

Posted on September 19, 2010 by

Sometimes, it seems like the bugs are taking back the world. New York’s got bedbugs, which are spreading all over the US. The blame, apparently, lies with the banning of toxic insecticides that were Even Worse Than Bedbugs: Malathion and … Continue reading →

Posted in Doing Business in India, General | Tagged , | 1 Comment

India – Getting Stuff Repaired

Posted on September 2, 2010 by

A few days ago, one of my friends passed on a post from the blog of Shekhar Kapur, the well-known film director/ producer. It was an amazing tale of how a youngster in a hole-in-the-wall store in Mumbai fixed his … Continue reading →

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Mad at Mattel – Followup

Posted on August 13, 2010 by

When I wrote to Mattel about their “victory” over Super Duper Inc , the company making games for special-needs kids, Mattel did indeed send me their canned response. And since it’s a canned response, it’s been pre-responded to on the … Continue reading →

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Mad at Mattel

Posted on August 13, 2010 by

As someone who has worked with and for a lot of companies, I’m pretty sympathetic to the need to protect intellectual properties. This time, though, I think Mattel has shot itself in its PR foot. It’s gone after a family-owned … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment