Follow me on Twitter

Hi everyone, sorry I haven’t been posting much. This is mainly because I started micro-blogging on Twitter. I find it faster, easier and simpler.

So follow me on twitter: @sonu27. I still will be posting on WordPress.com, but only major stories of great interest to me.

You might also like to check out my YouTube channel.

Thanks.
ASR

UEFA Champions League Quarter-final Draw 2009

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINAL DRAW

Villarreal v Arsenal

Manchester United v Porto

Liverpool v Chelsea

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

The first legs will be played on 7/8 April with the second legs on 14/15 April.

Blyk Offers More Freedom, But At A Price

Blyk the mobile phone network which offers free allowance of texts and minutes to people aged between 16 and 24 living in mainland Britain, has a new price plan. This removes the old allowance of 217 texts and 43 minutes and instead gives you £15 of balance to use how you like. The main advantage of this is that you can now send MMS and browse the internet without having to top-up.

However, as sweet as this sounds, you have a much lower allowance than before. At 8p a text, they may be cheaper when compared to other UK mobile phone networks, but £15 of balance only gives you 187 texts if you don’t use any other services that cost, like calling. Previously, you were getting 217 texts. On the other hand, you do get more minutes, a total of 62.5 minutes (at 24p per minute) to be precise. If we were to use the current rates on the old plan, we would get a balance of £27.68 (calculated (8p * 217 text) + (43 minutes * 24p)). A loss of £12.68 balance. Which in turn for them is a lower cost of operating their business.

Simple IQ Test Part 2 Released

We’ve just released Part 2 of the Simple IQ Test, you can give it a go here: http://simple-iq.com/part2/.

If you signed up for news from intelligence-test.net and don’t really know what simple-iq is – check out the original here: http://simple-iq.com.

A lot of you have been asking for answers to the intelligence tests, so, as always, we’re giving you the links to all the tests and answers, enjoy!

Tests: http://intelligence-test.net/
Answers: (don’t cheat, try to do your best before giving up and looking at the answers!) – Answers Part 1 | Answers Part 2 | Answers Part 3 | Answers Part 4 | Answers Part 5

More Posts

Google This Week (26/11/2008)

Gmail now has themes.

Google Chrome gains a bookmark manager.

Google SearchWiki Launched

Google Maps Has a New Interface

Google SketchUp 7 Released

Lively Will Be Discontinued

YouTube Experimenting With 720p HD Video and Now At 16:9 Aspect Ratio

Google Chrome – A New Web Browser

Google Chrome is a browser that combines a minimal design with sophisticated technology to make the web faster, safer, and easier.

The browser uses WebKit as the rendering engine and has Gears integrated into it.

A word of advice, it looks much better on Windows Vista and when it is maximised. You might also want to enable the Home button and keep the bookmarks toolbar visible at all times.

Like this:

One thing I absolutely hate is when you install the product, it adds a startup entry of GoogleUpdate.exe. So each time your computer starts it runs the exe and it never shuts down. It also does not install in the Programs Folder like normal software programs, but instead at C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Local on Windows Vista.

I know that this is beta software, so this may change when the final product is out, but Google don’t add files or services to our startup list, no matter how small. You don’t see Mozilla Firefox doing that.

Overall, it is a very good web browser, but too simple for my liking. It’s hard to keep lots of bookmarks and it doesn’t support RSS yet, but it is very fast. It is also supposed to be more efficient then other web browsers in the way it handles processes and threads. I would not recommend it for daily use just yet. A lot of sites that use advanced JavaScript functions have problems e.g. the new Facebook, so many features to do work, like joining a new group or deleting a comment.

Read the Comic Book to get a better insight into the ideas and features behind Google Chrome.

View: Comic Book about Google Chrome
Download: Google Chrome (BETA)

160GB PlayStation 3 Announced for Europe and North America

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced at Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig that the 160GB PLAYSTATION 3 will launch in October/November 2008 in the PAL markets as part of a bundle box including additional PLAYSTATION Network content. It will have the same features as the 80GB PAL PS3 except double the storage.

Other sources have also reported that there will be a 160GB PS3 for North America. This will include Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, PLAYSTATION Network Voucher for PAIN and a DUALSHOCK3 Wireless Controller.

This has come as a complete surprise as the new 80GB PAL PS3 is due to release this Friday (22nd August). Too bad I have already ordered my 80GB PS3. I might have waited for the 160GB version, but then they may have announced another one. You can always change the HDD to a higher capacity one on your own.

Press Release: Europe | North America

UEFA Euro 2008 Final – Germany 0-1 Spain

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was Spain’s goal hero, striking after 33 minutes when he cleverly lifted Xavi’s pass over Jens Lehmann.

Spain dominated the final throughout, with Torres heading against the post and Marcos Senna within inches of adding a second after 80 minutes.

Michael Ballack came close for Germany, shooting narrowly wide after the break.

Source: BBC Sport

UEFA Euro 2008 Semi-final Fixtures and Quarter-final Results [Updated]

Final Fixture
Sunday 29 June 2008
Germany vs. Spain at 19:45 GMT

Semi-final Fixtures
Wednesday 25 June 2008
Germany 3 – 2 Turkey at 19:45 GMT

Thursday 26 June 2008
Russia 0 – 3 Spain at 19:45 GMT

Mozilla Firefox 3 Out Today

Mozilla has announced that the final version of Firefox 3 will go public today, Tuesday, June 17, 2008:

After more than 34 months of active development, and with the contributions of thousands, we’re proud to announce that we’re ready. Put on your party hats and get ready to download Firefox 3 — the best web browser, period.

As part of the celebration, design firm Nobox has created a cool new poster that summarizes the robot series headed with the word Victory. You can get a large version of it at Flickr.

For the full details of Firefox 3, check the full review.

Download Day starts at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time for other times see: http://tinyurl.com/4e7fv5. This is 6 p.m. GMT.

Download: Firefox 3

UEFA Euro 2008 Match Schedule and Scoresheet (Excel Spreadsheet) [Updated]

The UEFA EURO 2008 starts on 7th June 2008 (tomorrow) and is going to be the biggest football event this year.

I tried looking on the official UEFA Euro 2008 website and could not find a Excel match schedule and scoresheet like the one from the World Cup 2006 website. So I have found you an unofficial Excel spreadsheet which you can use as a match schedule and scoresheet for the UEFA Euro 2008. All the dates and times should be correct when you adjust them for your time zone.

This template is equipped with formulae that will automatically calculate the group standings of each team, based on Euro 2008 match regulations. When all group matches have been played, the template will automatically put each group winner and runner up in the template and you just simply put the score in the correct score cells. The formula will continue to work until the champion is revealed.

Author: R. Musadya – Exceltemplate.net

Download: Original | Updated Version

View: UEFA Euro 2008 Website [English]

UPDATE: I have uploaded an updated version, with all the results filled in just before the semi-finals. So you don’t have to fill them in yourselves if you were late in getting this spreadsheet.

Microsoft Pro Photo Tools (v2), Windows Search 4.0 and Windows Installer 4.5 Released!

The Pro Photo Tools allow you to add, change, and delete common metadata properties for digital photographs. You can place photos on the Live Earth map and then drag them to the right location. The GPS information will be stored back into the photos. If you have a GPS device, can load track route files from the most popular formats (NMEA, GPX, and KML) and see them on the map. Then you can place your photos on the track route. Again, the GPS info will be stored into your file. When you have the right GPS location for your photos, you can automatically generate location info like country, state, city and even street names. Or if you know the location where a picture was taken, you can type it in and get the GPS location information automatically.

More Information: Microsoft Pro Photo Tools
Download: Microsoft Pro Photo Tools version 2 [Validation Required]
Homepage: Microsoft Professional Photography

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Windows Search 4.0 lets you perform an instant search of your computer. Windows Search 4.0 helps you find and preview documents, e-mail messages, music files, photos, and other items on the computer.

Virgin Media Throttling Heavy Downloaders Even More (Updated)

Virgin Media will double the number of hours it throttles the bandwidth of customers who hammer its network day and night, changes to its traffic management policy have revealed.

The tightened regime means that between 10am and 3pm subscribers to its “M”, “L” and “XL” packages will have their connection throttled for five hours if they download more than their full speed ration.

Full Story: The Register
View: Virgin Media Traffic Management

UPDATE: Virgin Media to start mailing letters to high broadband usage customers, from 29th May. Read about it here: Cable Forum.

Adobe Flash Player 10 and Shockwave Player 11 Downloads

The following downloads will give you the latest versions:

Flash Player 10

Operating System	Browsers	Languages	Installer
Windows	Internet Explorer	All supported languages	Download EXE Installer Download MSI Installer Download MSM Installer
Windows	Plugin-based browsers	All supported languages	Download EXE Installer Download MSI Installer Download MSM Installer

UEFA Champions League 2008 Final (Moscow): Manchester United vs. Chelsea

Manchester United win 6-5 on penalties. 1-1 at the end of half-time till the end of extra-time. Scorers: Cristiano Ronaldo 26′ and Lampard 45′

Manchester United FC vs. Chelsea FC
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Wednesday 21 May 2008 – 19.45 (GMT)
Attendance: 67,310

Drogba gets a red card on the 116 minute.

Not only that but Ryan Giggs takes over Sir Bobby Charlton’s 758-game feat to become United’s all-time record appearance holder, a Legend.

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT
TEVEZ SCORES Man Utd 1-0 Chelsea
BALLACK SCORES Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea
CARRICK SCORES Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
BELLETTI SCORES Man Utd 2-2 Chelsea
RONALDO MISSES Man Utd 2-2 Chelsea
LAMPARD SCORES Man Utd 2-3 Chelsea
HARGREAVES SCORES Man Utd 3-3 Chelsea
A COLE SCORES Man Utd 3-4 Chelsea
NANI SCORES Man Utd 4-4 Chelsea
TERRY MISSES Man Utd 4-4 Chelsea
ANDERSON SCORES Man Utd 5-4 Chelsea
KALOU SCORES Man Utd 5-5 Chelsea
GIGGS SCORES Man Utd 6-5 Chelsea
ANELKA MISSES Man Utd 6-5 Chelsea

View: Champions League Final [BBC.co.uk]

Almost ten months after launching their season with a penalties victory over Chelsea FC, Manchester United FC repeated the feat in the UEFA Champions League final with Edwin van der Sar saving from Nicolas Anelka to take the trophy to Old Trafford for the third time.

Manchester United Premiership Champions! And the link between La Liga

Manchester United won the English league title for the second year in a row and the 17th time overall, defeating Wigan, 2-0, Sunday on the last day of the season, but it was Ryan Giggs who perhaps achieved the greater feat.

The former Wales winger appeared in his 758th game for Manchester United, tying the record set by Bobby Charlton four decades ago. Giggs can break the record if he plays in United’s May 21 European Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow.

The 34-year-old has been a part of each of United’s 10 league championships under Coach Alex Ferguson and also has seven more winner’s medals from other tournaments.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored United’s first goal, his 41st of the season in all competitions, and Giggs added another goal after coming in as a second-half substitute.