Blackberry messenger for Android, BBM, hands on review - features and bugs

The new BlackBerry messenger for Android has made a splashing start. In the first two days of using it, here are the main features as I see it. I will also compare these with whatsapp.

Authentication
Blackberry ID and pin is a must for BBM unlike whatsapp. This is a different philosophy regarding privacy and can't be compared. There is slight friction in adding new contacts. Scanning QR code didn't work with my 3 MP camera. But following www.pin.bbm.com/BBMPIN lets anyone add you directly, only that there's no easy way to add the URL prefix to your pin while sharing.

Private chat
The text boxes are too big, but the font is too small. There are about four icons next to messages to signify different status of the message.
There's ping option (like yahoo messenger's buzz) which is another way of saying hi.
There's also the ability to attach images, sound notes, etc. And a lot of emoticons to choose from.

Multi person chat
No image support here.
Easy to add people.

Groups
Group is the best thing about BBM. Groups are given separate space and is not like just another endless conversation. There can be discussions in different topics.
Pictures can be uploaded which can be commented upon
Checklists can be made and individuals assigned to different items.
Events can be added which appears chronologically.

Group members can be added by anyone. There can be multiple administrators.
And members who join after a long time will still be able to see previous messages, lists, pictures, etc (unlike multi person message)

In total whatsapp groups now appear child's play :-P

Bugs
Till now, I've found some small bugs.

The settings keep reverting to default.
The blackberry connected notification needs to be on for pin invites to work properly.

But considering that this is the first release, I'm sure BBM has a bright future!

What's new in whatsapp 2.11.109

Here's an unofficial change log of the latest whatsapp version released on Oct 22, 2013

The most striking new feature of this version of whatsapp is that the image upload and download are now better. The download button below a small thumbnail has been replaced by a huge low resolution thumbnail which when clicked leads to download of the image. Similarly when uploading image there is a similar large thumbnail.

While scrolling up and down in a conversation, the date of the conversation stays in a floating box on top

There are various other minor tweaks for voice messages, etc

Links posted are automatically getting image thumbnail like in Facebook and Google+

Root Android in Mysore

If you need help rooting your android phone in Mysore, without going to any mobile shop, contact me through my Google profile or email

File system structure layout of linux and Android explained

Android is built upon Linux. The way files and folders are organized in Linux/android is different from that in Windows. (I'd say it is better in Linux)

To begin with there is root. Represented by "/"
Root folder is the root of everything, the basic, the foundation, the sum total of all folders.
Rooted on the root folder is a tree of folders.
These are represented like "/system" or "/bin"
That means, the system folder is inside the root folder, so is the bin folder and so on.

When running Linux my home folder is in "/home/akshay"
My desktop files are in "/home/akshay/Desktop"

If I insert a pen drive, it gets "mounted" on to some "branch" of the "tree" eg: "/media/akshay/Transcend"

In android phone you don't get to insert pen drives. But you have sdcard! These can get mounted similarly to some branch. In my phone, sdcard's mounted at "/mnt/sdcard".
So, the external memory seamlessly merges with your internal memory. (Everything is in "/". But things inside "/mnt/sdcard" are actually stored in SD card. Things inside "/mnt/sd-ext" are stored in external storage...)

Thus, every folder on your device is under a single hierarchical order (unlike in windows where you have C:, D:, C:/Users/akshay, I:/lost/count)

PS: If you want to actually see the root folder, and its hierarchy, you'll need a good file manager on your phone. I recommend "ES File Explorer" for all its added functionalities.

NEET UG Second Round Allotment Last Rank 2013

Here's the Last Ranks of some medical colleges in the unreserved category of NEET UG in 2013
AIR Medical College
305 Trivandrum Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
377 Kozhikode Medical College, Calicut
905 Madras Medical College, Chennai
1218 Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore
1511 Stanley Medical College, Chennai
1879 Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai
2026 Mysore Medical College, Mysore

GPF Kerala or GPF Statement 2013 Kerala

Unfortunately the GPF authorities of Kerala didn't opt to have a domain name registered for their website, which makes us go to
http://210.212.239.70/~agckerala/dakags/login.php?&task=GPF
a rather suspicious URL to do this important task.
But can't do anything, the above URL is the site to download GPF statement and stuff. It is also linked from agker.cag.gov.in
http://210.212.239.70/~agckerala/dakags/letrdetails.php?task=home will give you a more detailed understanding of all things that can be done on that website. That is, the following:

1. File Tracking: The stake holders can track the receipt and status of any communication made to this office including Closure/NRA applications of General Provident Fund, Pay slips of Gazetted Officers and other general communications including complaints made to the Accountant General.
2. GPF Admission: This link gives the status of receipt and disposal of applications for admission to General Provident Fund, Kerala.
3. GPF Annual Account Statements: The subscribers can download the Annual Account Statements of their GPF Accounts. The subscribers are requested to change the default Personal Identification Number (PIN) already available with a PIN of their choice and keep the same confidential to themselves so as to prevent its misuse.
4. Status of Pension Applications: The status of receipt and disposal of applications for Pension, including revision of Pension of Kerala State Pensioners.
5. Complaints/Suggestions: Any communication which needs close attention can be directly made to this office. Be short and specific while writing. Please note down the number generated on submission of the form for knowing status of your mail in future.

Mysore medical college latest number of seats 2013

Mysore medical college having 200 seats for academic year 2013-14 in undergraduate category for MBBS is WRONG!

MCI gave permission for 50 extra seats leading to entry of 150 students in 2011-12 and 2012-13, but in the latter year they revoked the permission and cut the seats back to 100.

But, on government request MCI agreed to extend permission for extra 50 seats to year 2013-14.

Thus, Mysore medical college &research institute has 150 seats for MBBS.

Similarly Bangalore medical college retains 250 seats.