Back to work, Fire, Linux...
Been back from home about three weeks ago and what three weeks these have been... Had to get back to work on the new project we are starting on Disaster Management (sounds quite relevant given the recent events around) and finish up stuff from my phd. Then, disaster struck... fire in our building.. I witnessed it first hand on Sunday the 2nd Nov. as I was driving to London... (see some pictures). Thank God our side of the building was not touched but still, we were not allowed in up till today... Up to now, we had been relocated in another building, all hotdesking.
The fact that i no pc to work on did not help... until i got my new Toshiba Portégé M300 last week. Things started getting better as i could work from home. I particularly wanted to see if i could install linux on it as we would have to work on that platform later on anyway. So i grabbed the Ubuntu distro, after reading some reviews, and installed it. Contrary to my previous experiences with Linux, the Ubuntu install went ahead without any hitches! All devices were recognised - from the wireless card to the bluetooth. Note, you need a utility called dambt to power the bluetooth device up. Tried to install toshiba utilities for linux but that did not work well.. so i left it for later. Also installed a web calendar software called Plans (free). It's very easy to install - was done in 10 mins.
On windows, i managed to sync my palm tungsten t2 and use the web browser on my palm through bluetooth with my pc (connected to a router) - used a nice piece of software called MochaPPP
Now all is well...
Monday, November 14, 2005
Monday, July 04, 2005
The 'Alliance Sociale' wins the 2005 national elections in Mauritius. The alliance led by Dr. Navin Ramgoolam won 38 seats against 22 for the MMM-MSM alliance led by the outgoing PM Paul Berenger. The result was close in many areas (particularly nos 15,16,8,1,3,14). The overall result was kind of expected but this marks a change in politics (a 3 party system where an alliance of two of them would usually win) where a Labour led alliance won the election against 2 main political parties (with one of them having their leade voted out!).
The new PM announced that he will start working as from tomorrow on the the important dossiers. I do hope he selects the most competent people in his team of ministers and presses ahead with much needed changes.
I've been following this event on the following (mostly live) news channels (if you are interested in Mauritian radio/news):
1. www.servihoo.com (look for the section on national elections)
2. mbc.intnet.mu - the national tv and radio (look for a link to the general elections page). Here you'll get both the live evening news (video) and live radios (koolfm and taalfm).
3. www.r1.mu (the radio one web site with high quality audio LIVE)
4. www.topfmradio.com (another free radio with more music than news)
Other web sites worth noting (popular newspapers in Mauritius):
1. www.lexpress.mu (also provided news on the elections)
2. www.lematinal.com
Unfortunately there is no live broadcast from my favourite Mauritian radio broadcasting station - Radio Plus - which provides a really fair coverage of news/music/events. I'll put up a link if their web site ever come up.
For other sites relating to political parties in Mauritius:
Labour Party (and associates) -
The new PM announced that he will start working as from tomorrow on the the important dossiers. I do hope he selects the most competent people in his team of ministers and presses ahead with much needed changes.
I've been following this event on the following (mostly live) news channels (if you are interested in Mauritian radio/news):
1. www.servihoo.com (look for the section on national elections)
2. mbc.intnet.mu - the national tv and radio (look for a link to the general elections page). Here you'll get both the live evening news (video) and live radios (koolfm and taalfm).
3. www.r1.mu (the radio one web site with high quality audio LIVE)
4. www.topfmradio.com (another free radio with more music than news)
Other web sites worth noting (popular newspapers in Mauritius):
1. www.lexpress.mu (also provided news on the elections)
2. www.lematinal.com
Unfortunately there is no live broadcast from my favourite Mauritian radio broadcasting station - Radio Plus - which provides a really fair coverage of news/music/events. I'll put up a link if their web site ever come up.
For other sites relating to political parties in Mauritius:
Labour Party (and associates) -
- labour.intnet.mu (the official website)
- www.bizinchangement.net (more info)
- www.alliance-sociale.biz (media centre)
- www.diehardlabour.com(open articles)
- http://www.mmmonline.org/ (not well maintained...)
Monday, June 27, 2005
Mauritian Elections coming up in a week's time exactly. The Mauritian Labour Party/PMXD is facing tough competition against the MSM/MMM alliance (which form the current government). Today, there were the biggest rallies organised by both sides since the campaign started. Estimates of the crowds were 40K for the MLP/PMXD and 20K for the MSM/MMM but these do not guarantee anything on election day. I'm just hoping the population will vote for the government that will best serve their interests.
For the past 5 years, our economic stability has been undermined with increasing national debt and the loss of major assets to the private sector. Hopefully things will change when the new government comes in. They will obviously make mistakes (since there are bound to be some numb nuts who will become ministers) but at least i hope they will build the future of the country with serious and intelligent measures. Right now, Mauritius could become the most efficient ethanol producer in the area, the most sophisticated IT hub, and the most efficient freeport in the region. Also, we could become nearly self sufficient if sugar-cane land were properly converted to farmland or vegetable growing. Hopefully, some of these will happen.... let's see.
For the past 5 years, our economic stability has been undermined with increasing national debt and the loss of major assets to the private sector. Hopefully things will change when the new government comes in. They will obviously make mistakes (since there are bound to be some numb nuts who will become ministers) but at least i hope they will build the future of the country with serious and intelligent measures. Right now, Mauritius could become the most efficient ethanol producer in the area, the most sophisticated IT hub, and the most efficient freeport in the region. Also, we could become nearly self sufficient if sugar-cane land were properly converted to farmland or vegetable growing. Hopefully, some of these will happen.... let's see.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Some good news to share with you! I passed my Driving Test last Thursday (2nd June 2005). Made 3 minor mistakes and got through. I did the test at Forest Hills test centre in Southampton. Claire was my examiner and we had a good 40 mins drive around the town. I kept winging about different things about the road and conditions of traffic all along (probably attracting some pity... :P). But in the end it was a great relief to know i had passed. I have to say i have a very good and experienced driving instructor (Colin Pritchard) from the AA.
So the next step is to get a Pass Plus certificate and buy a new car.... probably going for a low insurance car.
To those wanting to learn how to drive, I strongly recommend the AA driving school. It's not that much more expensive and you get really good advice. Also, for a good review and some driving tips - try www.2pass.co.uk. It's a great web site with lots of animations, tips about driving and other stuff, which you can use to revise before going to your practical or theory test!
So the next step is to get a Pass Plus certificate and buy a new car.... probably going for a low insurance car.
To those wanting to learn how to drive, I strongly recommend the AA driving school. It's not that much more expensive and you get really good advice. Also, for a good review and some driving tips - try www.2pass.co.uk. It's a great web site with lots of animations, tips about driving and other stuff, which you can use to revise before going to your practical or theory test!
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Technology - canada.com
Check this link for some info about the CELL... the latest computer chip that is supposed to revolutionise IT in the coming years... at least that's their prediction.
Check this link for some info about the CELL... the latest computer chip that is supposed to revolutionise IT in the coming years... at least that's their prediction.
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