"A meek endeavor to the triumph" by Sampath Jayarathna

Friday, November 16, 2007

World fastest cars - Top 11 new ranking

***Update: See the newest list of Top 14 for 2011/2012 at my previous post

Lots of us, we lived in a dream world, always thinks about our dreams.....dream home, dream life, dream job, hey what about dream car???? Yeh that's what I'm gonna talk about today. Not our beloved Mitsubishi Galant with maximum speed of 120 mph and 195 Horsepower??? Nooooway......this is not only about my dream I guess. All of u guys and gals all around the world, wanna know what is the fastest (production) car in the world? I guess u would love to, right? Ok.....we'll dig this in and see. I tried on several Google queries to see a list of fastest cars available with current rankings and ratings. What do u think? What is the world fastest production car available now? Lots of u'r answers would be "Bugatti" right? Nop u are wrong this time, u r completely wrrrong....the list changed and the top place is reserved by another master blaster (not sanath jayasuriya replaced by anyone else ha). OK we'll see the list shall we??????

Number One : SSC Ultimate Aero
Top Speed: 256 mph

Horsepower: 1183
Torque: 1094lbs
On September 13th, 2007, the SSC Ultimate Aero broke the official top speed world record, traveling 256.18 mph down a closed section of a Washington State highway. Impressive, considering the Ultimate Aero's engine is only a twin-turbo V8 - half the size and turbo count of the Veyron below.

Number Two : Bugatti Veyron
Top Speed: 253 mph
Horsepower: 1001
Torque: 479lbs
No introduction is needed for the amazing Bugatti Veyron. Powered by a W-16 style, quad-turbo engine, the Veyron is commonly considered the Ultimate Supercar.




Number Three : Koenigsegg CCX
Top Speed: 250 mph
900 Horsepower






Number Four: Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo
Top Speed: 248 mph
750 Horsepower





Number Five : McLaren F1
Top Speed: 240.14
620 Horsepower
The McLaren F1 was made in 1994, 13 years ago, and it's still one of the fastest cars in the world.



Number Six : Ferrari Enzo

Top Speed: 217 mph
657 Horsepower
Ferrari's newest Mega-Car seems to have people crashing it left and right, but the drivers always walk away fine (physically). With only 399 of these ever made, the value of the car goes up with each crash.

Number Seven : Jaguar XJ220

Top Speed: 217 mph
549 Horsepower
Even older than the McLaren F1, the Jaguar XJ220 has been on this list since 1992.



Number Eight : Pagani Zonda F
Top Speed: 215 mph
602 Horsepower






Number Nine : Lamborghini Murcielago
Top Speed: 213 mph
633 Horsepower








Number Ten : Porsche Carrera GT
Top Speed: 209 mph
605 Horsepower








Number Elevan : McLaren Mercedes SLR
Top Speed: 207 mph
626 Horsepower

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

LTTE Child soldier next to Tamilselvan's coffin speaks loud and clear

Tigers were caught red handed when they published the photo of a ten-year-old girl in a military uniform just next to Tamilselvan's coffin, being carried by Tiger cadres in Vanni.The photo appeared in a pro-Tiger website that gave an account of Tamilselvan's funeral.
A local English daily (The Island) reproduced it on Page One yesterday (06). The paper also mentioned that the embarrassed Tiger website later cropped the photo to hide the truth. Still many have the unedited version of the photo as evidence to prove that Tigers are continuing their hunt to run their "Baby Brigade".
The issue of forced conscription of children by the Tigers has been discussed at various levels including the UNICEF. Each time this allegation was put to the Tigers, they claimed that they have imposed strict rules and regulations to avoid children (or underage) joining their organization.

Wheres Human Rights Watch & organizations? Those who were present at the funeral will vouch for this fact. It was highly unfortunate that high ranking Catholic clergies (Rayappu Joseph) and Hindu priests were there to conduct final religious rites were witness to this cruelty to children without any protests (terrorists?).

Read more on Asian Tribune

Saturday, November 03, 2007

How to Install Ubuntu on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and resolve the Graphic Problem

When i checked my site traffic last few days, there was a considerable amount of requests related to "How to install Ubuntu on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007" or "Ubuntu Graphic problem on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007". I thought its better to guide my blog readers and show them a good resource place that they can learn all this with good graphical explanations (instead of repeating all and without violating the copy writes ha). Here is the link that you can use for step by step explanation on Ubuntu Installation on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and resolving the graphic problem.

Click here to view the step-by-step procedure

My advice here is, first finish your full installation on the Ubuntu on Microsoft Virtual PC and then start debugging on the graphic problem. For this you need to start your installation on text mood, not the graphic mood. You can use to following key combinations to start the text mood.

Clt+F4

One doubt that I had in the middle of the installation, where it asked to format the virtual hard disk. Don't worry this is not your hard disk C: partition. This is the virtual partition we selected way before the Ubuntu installation :)

If someone has any question on this, forward your request to my email
sampathid2003@yahoo.com No scamming please and also please use a proper heading for your email, otherwise those will end up at my junk folder. Happy hunting on the Microsoft Virtual PC 2007!

Friday, November 02, 2007

Thamilchelvan Killed - Hurrah to Sri Lankan Air Force.....Keep up the good work

I was thrilled when i saw this news. First I didn't believe when I saw the news in the Defense.lk web. Normally we need to see both sides specially defense web as well as tamilnet web to get some sort of idea what happened actually. This case both posted similarly story. LTTE so called political wing leader (still ruthless terrorist tiger) Thamilchelvan killed by a pinpoint air raid by Sri Lankan Air Force. What else to say. Hip Hip Hurrah.....to Sri Lankan Air Force........cheers all Sri Lankan who hate Tamil Terrorism not the Tamil people. Its time for celebration..........







Read More at Defence web.......

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Oracle DBMS..............

These days I'm having fun with Oracle. Ye, its kind of cool stuff, feels like mysql that we used to expertise on our past undergrad database class taught by Amalka , I guess Dr. Amalka Pinidiyarachchi by now : ) We used to work with mysql, SQLServer, Access (better to say every bit of MS Access). Now time for Oracle.
Subject is CS 5332 Database Theory class. Two weeks ago we had our first lab quiz and u know how much I got out of 100? 95 and 5 Bonus points add up to 100 marks. Yee.... I was bit scared usually like old days, b'se I started work for it just 2 days before the exam and I tried to solve the example queries given on previous lab classes. I was shocked when I realized that I didnt know how to write at least some simple queries mentioned on the lab examples! So, I just phoned one of my friend to know whats up with these questions and then she mentioned that there was another note that I need to read before working on the queries. Actually that note was the major one that we needed to work on, stupid me. I realized that there was only 3 hrs for the quiz and thought that gonna mess with the quiz this time. There was one such query I couldn’t hold I tried my best to understand I couldn’t do so, then the only thing tried to cram and memorize it.
Before the quiz, Prof Anne Nug, our professor for the subject explained what expected from the lab quiz and showed us the problem before hand. When it was started I was really nervous and couldn't help my self to start the work almost 10 or 15 minutes. After a while I saw that Krishan Pramod, one of my Indian buddy, got answer for the first questions. Oh I was pretty nervous at that time. I couldn’t realize what the hell with my output. It was not in correct format. Then Krishan told me that I need to change the linesize parameter to 250. Here it comes first one down. Two more to go. Then, my cramming helped me out for other 2 questions. I finished entire exam within 2hrs with another 1 hr left. Both those questions from the one that I had problems and that I memorized how to tackle it. Hurrah for my instincts. There was 3 main questions and 1 bonus question. This is how I scored on them,
First question 35/40
Second question 30/30
Third question 30/30
Bonus question 5/10

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

HALLELUJAH (shrek song)

This is one of amazing song I heard of. Especially the last singer kert Nilsun... amazing... wouldn’t expect such a beautiful voice... legendary. Keep coming back to this video.. It’s awesome!!! All their voices are beautiful! :) Lovely tight harmony

Awesome........u'd love it.

Click here to view the song

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Ubuntu on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007

Last Thursday morning I spent alomst 5hrs on how to install Ubuntu on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007. One of Professor in Nims department asked my help to sort out problems he had on the preinstalled Ubuntu on MS VirtualPC in order to run it on Graphic mode. The graphic was trashy and couldn't see or execute anything on the graphic mode, though the text mode working pretty much. Started the work at Prof. Hahn's office around 7.30 am but was not successful till 11.30. I knew the problem was in emulated graphic hardware support on the virtual machine. It supports only 16 bit or less display color depth, which will leads to modify the display configuration manually. I found that if we can change the xorg.conf file, it would sort out everything. Problem was where to find it. Normally it should be in /etc/X11/xorg.conf but its possible to be at /target/etc/X11 or something like target/usr/lib/X11/xorg.conf
When I searched it on the web, I found several forums saying different locations for the xorg.conf location. Problem was I couldn't find it in any place. Started with fresh copy of the installation on MC virtual pc and started the text mode on the boot by pressing alt+clt+F1 combo. I was pretty much-fooled b'se it was in the middle of the installations, lots of packages specially graphics emulators not configured at that time. Silly me, I searched all around to find the file but no hit at all. Then I realized something wrong with the installations and continue the process again. It was almost 12 noon, I missed all my morning session at the international office. So I thought of taking the laptop back home and check it again at night.

When I started work again at night (that time the installation was pretty much done) and for my surprise I found the file at the default location /etc/X11/xorg.conf now the problem how to modify it to support only 16 bit. The file was read only and I didn't know how to make it modifiable on nano. GNU nano is a simple terminal-based text editor. Though not as powerful as Emacs or Vim, it is easy to learn and use. Nano is ideal for making small changes to existing configuration files or for writing short plain text files. Though its easy, had bit of problem on initial learing on how to work on it, specially how to exit from it :) we can see the commands on the editor but problem was on the representaion, its something like ^x for exit but how on earth I know this ^ means Clt key ha. Ok the orignal problem, how to open the file with wirte permission. I tried su and for my surprise I couldn't remember entered any super user for the system at the time of the installations, Mmm interesting ha. No super user on Ubuntu? Then I realiesed the use of sudo command. The actual command is like this,

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup

this line just to backup the config file incase of any problem, that kind of things can happen. Then I used actual command for modifying the file
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

then by removing the line default '24' and change it to '16' hurrah here it comes Ubuntu on Virtual PC 2007.

May be I need to try installing Linux, Fedora & Ubuntu combo on my office PC too. Its kind of a cool stuff. But need to find some time.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

15Hr stopover at London Heathrow airport - any comments???

***Update: I have a new post regarding transit visa here.

Yesterday we booked our tickets to Sri Lanka for the winter break. Hopefully if everything works well we'll be at Sri Lanka on December 13th. We both pretty much excited. Only problem is the long transit time we have to spend on the tour. We have 6hr transit at Chicago and bone crushing 15hr stopover at London Heathrow airport. We don't know what to do??????? Totally confused. Yesterday I talked to Pola (charith) regarding this, what he mentioned me that we can visit London on the stopover. But I have no idea what to do. Do we need transit visa for that, how much we need to pay for it? We already paid almost $3400 for the tickets, and don't wanna waste much on anything. But I'm worried about the 15hr waiting at the airport. We need to face this same transit problem on the way back. Same hours on the same places. I can remember how I spend my 6hr transit at LA on my first arrival to US, but its bearable, but 15hrs????Yesterday we booked our tickets to Sri Lanka for the winter break. Hopefully if everything works well we'll be at Sri Lanka on December 13th. We both pretty much excited. Only problem is the long transit time we have to spend on the tour. We have 6hr transit at Chicago and bone crushing 15hr stopover at London Heathrow airport. We don't know what to do??????? Totally confused. Yesterday I talked to Pola (charith) regarding this, what he mentioned me that we can visit London on the stopover. But I have no idea what to do. Do we need transit visa for that, how much we need to pay for it? We already paid almost $3400 for the tickets, and don't wanna waste much on anything. But I'm worried about the 15hr waiting at the airport. We need to face this same transit problem on the way back. Same hours on the same places. I can remember how I spend my 6hr transit at LA on my first arrival to US, but its bearable, but 15hrs????Yesterday we booked our tickets to Sri Lanka for the winter break. Hopefully if everything works well we'll be at Sri Lanka on December 13th. We both pretty much excited. Only problem is the long transit time we have to spend on the tour. We have 6hr transit at Chicago and bone crushing 15hr stopover at London Heathrow airport. We don't know what to do??????? Totally confused. Yesterday I talked to Pola (charith) regarding this, what he mentioned me that we can visit London on the stopover. But I have no idea what to do. Do we need transit visa for that, how much we need to pay for it? We already paid almost $3400 for the tickets, and don't wanna waste much on anything. But I'm worried about the 15hr waiting at the airport. We need to face this same transit problem on the way back. Same hours on the same places. I can remember how I spend my 6hr transit at LA on my first arrival to US, but its bearable, but 15hrs????Yesterday we booked our tickets to Sri Lanka for the winter break. Hopefully if everything works well we'll be at Sri Lanka on December 13th. We both pretty much excited. Only problem is the long transit time we have to spend on the tour. We have 6hr transit at Chicago and bone crushing 15hr stopover at London Heathrow airport. We don't know what to do??????? Totally confused. Yesterday I talked to Pola (charith) regarding this, what he mentioned me that we can visit London on the stopover. But I have no idea what to do. Do we need transit visa for that, how much we need to pay for it? We already paid almost $3400 for the tickets, and don't wanna waste much on anything. But I'm worried about the 15hr waiting at the airport. We need to face this same transit problem on the way back. Same hours on the same places. I can remember how I spend my 6hr transit at LA on my first arrival to US, but its bearable, but 15hrs????

I saw several posts regarding the possibility of getting 24hr transit to pass the immigration area of the London airport without visa. But I don't know whether its available for Sri Lankans. Both of us on valid F-1 student status with valid visa and I-20. Anyone with some ideas will be really appreciated. Anything to do in London Heathrow airport in this long stopover????????

Friday, September 14, 2007

Twenty20 Highest team score by Sri Lanka - Hurrah

I hate when this happened. Today I planed everything to watch the Cricket match Sri Lanka Vs Kenya, and just started searching through the Cricinfo web around 6.30am for the time schedule, guess what..............match is already done. Oh............freaking time tables............I missed the chance to watch a high scoring game.

Cheers for the Sri Lankan team

Highest ever Test team total 952
Highest ever ODI team total 443
Now Highest ever Twenty20 team total 260

Who else can do this????? Name any country. Australia? Are u day dreaming????? They r packing to go with West Indies. Planning to buy tickets for both teams, b'se its cheap in that way.

Hurrah for the Sri Lankan Cricket

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Indiana Jones & the Infernal Machine PC Game - Oh I love to play again

A week ago I upgraded my laptop to 1GB RAM. Now its in super fast mode with 1.18GB of RAM (not like a super computer, but kind of a way that I feel it). Spent almost $60 for it, bit expensive ha. Not like at Sri Lanka. Guess what the firist feeling I got with the new RAM? To play my all time faivarite game Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine. I played lots of games mostly third person games (better to say almost all games i played are 3rd person) b’se I hate to play games like Tiberian sun, Commandos, with small tiny characters and to handle 5 or 6 people at a time. But I can remember few of my friends who loved to play those, specially chamila (Virtusa) my old BIT friend. I don’t know from who I got that CD which included almost 500 arcade games plus Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine. But I definetly remember how I lost it. I told about this game to Ranga (Virtusa) better know as Anangaya, one of my colleague at University pera, and gave the CD to him, then I forgot to ask to return. I still disapointed how careless I’m. That’s my faivarite game but I lost it. shame on me.As Sri Lankans we know all about the collections CDs and how expensive those are. Just kidding. We don’t even pay a cent to buy those, specially collctions CDs and games. We used to borrow those from friends install it, if its with CD supprot , then install the virtual CD option and play it. But here at the other side of the world , at US we have to spend money for everything. I checked the price of the game CD Indiana Jones , almost $5 dollars plus the shipping. will cost about $ 8. Its not a big deal to spend 8 bucks now but the problem is my comprehensive exam which is on next September 5th. May b later I can play the game.

I still can remember how much adicted to the game Indiana Jones. I spent almost 3 months to finish the game. In one level I spent 2 weeks to think how to solve that puzzle to move on. Two weeks!!!! Can you belive? Yep no joking. Even in sleep think about the puzzled place and how to track it down. Final levels of the games was so hard, so that I had to use some cheats to play it to end (If u wanna play the game and to feel how cool it is, dont use cheats, but I bet u cant move on, that much hard to play the latter levels). There are about 16 basic levels plus one bonus level. The game is like Max payne and Tomb Rider. With super cool graphics and lots of tools to use. But the coolest thing is the puzzls in each level. We have to think very deep to solve each to move on in additon to 4 super natural beasts in 4 main levels, Ice gurdian, Lava Gurdian, Quetzalocoatl and Robot Gurdian. But the fifth one the Marmaduk is the hardest of all. I saw the new game on the same character, Indiana Jones and the Empere’s Tomb, you guys and gals know where it start playing, Waariyapola, Sri Lanka!!! Amaziing isnt it. But couldn’t play that game due to the vedio card limitations. It needs the ligtning and rendering and high memory VGA card. Like Gforce 4 or 8. Graphics is awsome. But the game control is little bit odd. I certainly wanna play it but latter , may be when I buy a desktop with a high performance.

Wanna walkthrough my game? Here it is. Bet u wanna play this game.

Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine – Walkthrough

While working in the canyons of Utah in 1947, Dr. Jones is visited by his old girlfriend Sophia Hapgood, who now works for the CIA. She tells Indy that the Russian Communists are excavating the ruins of Babylon looking for something. She asks Indy to take the assignment which is to find what the Soviets are looking for. Jones takes it.

When he arrived in Babylon, Jones overhears a conversation between a Russian radio operator and Dr. Gennadi Volodnikov, a physicist. Volodnikov says he's looking for clues about a machine buried in the Babylonian ruins that was used for communicating with Marduk, the Babylonian god. Jones then slips away and infiltrates the Russian dig site. He then goes into a ruined building where he finds a locked door. He goes back and is confronted by a Russian soldier. Before the guard can shoot, he is shot from behind by Simon Turner, Sophia's boss in the CIA. Turner gives Jones the key to the door and opens it, finding ammunition and oil barrels. He shoots the barrels, creating a massive explosion, and sees a gaping hole made from the blast. Jones then drops down and finds an elevator. Going deeper into the palace, Jones finds Nebuchadnezzar's Library. In there, he finds three cuneiform tablets. When he puts them together Jones reads, "Make welcome seeker, know that it was Nebuchadnezzar, in heed of the writing that Marduk, made appear unto him, who builded the Great Engine. Having no understanding, the rabble hath thrown down is work, but four trusted disciples are scattered all over the earth and the relics go with them. Wouldst thou tread the path of knowledge, look eastward. Urgon, it is, who flees to the heavenly mountains, where Shambala holds a mighty secret." Jones finds a map leading to the heavenly mountains, which is the Tian Shan Mountain Range in Kazakhstan. Indy leaves the room but finds an idol of Marduk that Turner requested he find for him. Indy sees Turner at the area where he started this level and gives him the idol. After telling Turner everything, Jones gets in his jeep and drives off, remembering Turner's warning that Kazakhstan is in Soviet territory.

After parachuting out of a plane, Jones travels through the snowy mountains and comes across a Soviet border post. He enters it, after shooting up all the guards, and finds a raft. He inflates it and navigates the treacherous rivers, where he then finds a strange candle holder. On the other side of the river, Jones sees a large monastery he believes is Shambala. But the bridge is not open for use. Believing he needs to find candles for the holder, Jones again navigates the rivers and locates them. He brings them back, sets them on the candle holder, and lights them up. A gust of wind activates the windmill on the other side, and the bridge swings across for Indy. He then crosses the bridge and enters Shambala Sanctuary.

Expecting to find monks roaming the halls, Jones finds the monastery abandoned. Instead the place is inhabited with little ice minions who attack him. As he fends them off, Jones sees a bell in the bell tower and a small statue that's supposed to ring the bell. He uses it to ring the bell and an old woman appears before him. She says she is the temple's caretaker and asks Indy to "search for a golden treasure". Indy goes off and explores the temple. He finds a little flower which he later puts in water and douses it in sunlight. Afterwards it now sprouts a little bud. He returns to the woman and gives her the flower. It fully blossoms and the woman is now young and strong. She then opens a door that leads inside the mountain next to the temple. Indy enters the doors, slides down a tunnel, and ends up in a large chamber. Landing in front of him is a gigantic ice monster which roars menacingly at him. As Jones evades the beast, he runs into a smaller room that houses a strange mechanical device; Urgon's Part of the Infernal Machine. The device is used to smash open weakened walls by emitting a small concussion wave. As Indy leaves the room, he's cornered by the ice monster. Jones activates Urgon's Part which hurts the beast. Jones activates two more times in the monster's face and it explodes in a shower of icicles. Jones walks outside the temple and sees the holy woman. She thanks him for his efforts and guides him through a secret passage way to the jungles of Palawan Island in the Philippines.

Jones, now in a beach and jungle environment, comes across a volcano which is active. He enters it through a door and after navigating some passageways, Jones is greeted by Sophia. She is then captured by the Russians, causing Jones to later rescue her and shoot up some more Russians. After freeing her, Indy is assisted by Sophia through a door but she leaves him saying she has more spy work to do. Jones goes off and comes across a small gondola which takes him to the lower levels. Down there, Jones sees large rock creatures that ruthlessly attack him. As he dodges them, Jones comes across a lava lake which is inhabited by a large creature made of lava. Indy evades the monster and finds Taklit's Part of the Infernal Machine. This device makes him invisible. He uses it to sneak past the lava monster and goes outside where Jones finds a lake of water. He pushes a button and a statue head opens its mouth draining the water. Inside the cave, another statue head open its mouth and the water pours through, cooling and hardening the lava. The lava monster is then cooled and hardened as well. Now completely free to walk on the lava, Jones exits the cave. Outside he finds a campsite where he expected Sophia and Turner to meet him. Wrong! Jones is ambushed by the Russians and he escapes them on his jeep. After navigating the maze-like passageways of Palawan, Jones sees Sophia and her helicopter. Jones gets on the chopper and he and Sophia leave the island for Mexico.

Indy enters the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico. It's dark inside the pyramid so Jones opens some doors that bring in the light, which later bounces off a statue holding a mirror, and opens a large door. Jones enters it and comes across a hidden valley once inhabited by the Olmec civilization. As he navigates it, Jones finds a large pyramid and enters it. The chamber he's later in had two large doors on both sides of the room. Jones opens one and finds it empty save for a pressurized platform. He steps on it and then goes to the second door. When he opens it, he sees a large feathered snake named Quetzalcoatl. Behind it is Azerim's Part, just a bit too high for Indy to get. But the pressurized plate Indy stepped on raised a platform for Indy to step on and get the part. As he evades the snake, Jones gets the part which makes him levitate when he stands under crystals called The Jewels of Heaven. Jones levitates himself onto an overhead walkway and is safe from the snake. On the ends of the walkway, Jones sees elevator platforms that not only lower him back down, but raise up spikes from some pitholes. Using this to his advantage, Jones has the spikes impale Quetzalcoatl several times before the snake explodes. As Jones leaves the pyramid, he is ensnared in a rope trap set up by Gennadi Volodnikov.

Onboard the Russian freighter, the V.I. Pudovkin, Jones is a prisoner. He escapes his room, finds his stuff, and finds the three machine parts. He then gets off the freighter by using a small motor boat and speeds off to the African coast. Then, probably by private plane, Jones arrives at Meroe, Sudan. He explores several of the pyramids there and finds a passageway into a mine shaft. Hitching a ride on a minecart, Jones navigates the mine caverns and finds three jewels believed to be owned by King Solomon. Using them to open another passageway, Jones enters the tomb of King Nub, one of the disciples of Marduk. After exploring some areas and running into several robots that attack him, Jones finds Nub's Part, a battery that powers up machinery. After defeating a large robot of Nub's creation, Jones exits the tomb and finds Sophia and Turner waiting for him. Turner demands he give them the machine parts but Volodnikov appears behind Indy, saying the agents are gangsters. Indy, however, gives them the parts and they leave him behind. Volodnikov says their betrayal will cost them their lives but Jones follows them.

Back at Babylon, Jones discovers the Infernal Machine. He sees Turner and Sophia put Taklit's Part in a socket and activate some levers. A crystalline cage drops down in front of them and Turner orders Sophia to enter it and go to the Aetherium, where Marduk lives. Sophia refuses and Turner pushes her in anyway. He sees Jones and says he will use the machine to destroy the Communists and secure the world for the Western Powers. Jones doesn't like the idea but Turner disappears with Taklit's Part. Jones discovers that Turner has stuck the machine parts, except Taklit's, in the wrong places. As he searches for Turner, he puts the parts in the right places. Afterwards, Jones faces Turner in a gun showdown and wins. He takes Taklit's Part and installs it. Sophia then drops down into the portal and Jones dives in after her.

Jones ends up in the Aetherium, a world filled with machinery. In this place he finds the Tool From the Beyond. This device opens portals back to Earth (usually places Jones has been before in his adventure) so Jones can replenish his health. Afterwards, Jones faces Marduk but can't defeat him easily. He rushes through a portal that leads him back to the Pyramid of the Sun and gets the mirror from the statue. Rushing back to face Marduk, Indy used the mirror to bounce back Marduk's electric balls back at Marduk, causing him to flee and drop his medallion. Indy inserts the medallion into a socket and an electric ball drops down. Indy then charges his whip with it (which is why Indy's whip is electric in his picture) and goes off to free Sophia. He succeeds in doing so but Marduk swoops in and merges his body with Sophia, creating Mophia, a large harpy-like creature with Sophia's face. As Jones evades Mophia, he finds portals linking him to the mine shaft in Meroe and retrieves King Solomon's jewels. Returning, Jones uses the jewels to unlock three doors that have portals leading to Babylon behind them. Jones opens these portals causing a leak between realms and weakening Mophia. Jones later attacks Mophia with his electrified whip and Marduk is destroyed, releasing Sophia. The two share a romantic moment that is interrupted when the Aetherium begins to collapse. Sophia and Indy run through the portal back to Babylon and the Aetherium vanishes behind them. Volodnikov confronts the two but admits that it was wrong to have tried and used the Machine for world domination and becomes friends with Indy and Sophia. The three then walk away into the sunset.
Also, for fun, if players accumulate enough money by finding treasures, they can buy a map that leads to a secret level, The secret level is in Peru, South America. This is the place Indy went to at the start of Raiders of the Lost Ark. There, he goes to the same temple and finds new passageways and finds another idol. He gets it and escapes another boulder, glad that Belloq won't get this idol.


Characters
Indiana Jones
He holds an advanced degree, speaks and reads a dozen languages, has an encyclopedic knowledge of the past, and teaches school. Yet Indy is anything but a mild-mannered professor. He’s been everywhere, seen everything, and when he gets into trouble he knows how to get out–using his wits, his fists, his whip, a gun–whatever it takes. His boundless appetite for treasure and adventure stems from an abiding faith in the mysteries of life.

Sophia Hapgood
Indy has crossed paths with this resourceful and independent woman before. They worked a dig site in Iceland together, where she found a medallion that awakened her psychic powers. Later she helped him find Atlantis. Then, after a tumultuous romance, she disappeared. Now she's back, a spy for the newly formed Central Intelligence Agency, recruiting Jones to figure out why the Soviets are digging up Babylon.

Dr. Gennadi Volodnikov
Analytical by training, mystical by nature, this near-sighted Soviet genius spent the war years designing top secret military codes. Now he's busy investigating the ruins of Babylon, convinced that the Tower of Babel once housed a power more terrifying than America's atomic bomb. Volodnikov is an unlikely archaeologist, more at home with tea and piroshki than fieldwork. He's not much of a Party man either, but the force of his intellect keeps the Communist ideologues at bay.

Simon Turner
Sophia's boss. He's a military intelligence officer who parachuted into France to help organize the Resistance during World War II. When President Truman established the CIA, Turner was one of the first to join. He's cool and competent, always near the action, rarely in it. He hates the Communists, because no one gets rich in their system. Where would America be without men like him?

Nubian Boy
An agile young boy living among the pyramids of the Sudan. Educated in a British missionary school, he's fascinated by European technology–and scared to death of hyenas. He wears a blue diaper.

Holy Woman
The last resident and apparent caretaker of an ancient sanctuary in the high mountains of Soviet Kazakstan. Her withered frame and abrupt manner conceal a radiant energy Indy must learn to release.

Marduk
Babylonians worshipped him as a god, but he’s actually the power-hungry ruler of a strange domain called the Aetherium. If the mechanical gateway he designed to connect his world with ours had ever worked—woe befall mankind!

Levels
Canyonlands
This is where you learn to be Indiana Jones. The location is in the canyons of Utah. it is here where he gets his assignment by Sophia who dropped by to visit.

Babylon
Jones arrives in the ruins of Babylon where he sees a Russian dig site. He infiltrates it and is met by Simon Turner, Sophia's boss in the CIA. Jones later finds three cuneiform tablets telling him where his first destination is and an idol of Marduk which he gives to Turner.

The Tian Shan River
Jones has to navigate the perilous rivers of snowy Kazakhstan in order to find four candles that'll permit him to enter the monastery. Opposing him are the Russian border guards and some wolves.

Shambala Sanctuary
Jones has to navigate the monastery and activate the machinery so he can explore more of the building. The Russians follow him in but are defeated afterwards. Jones later encounters devilish ice-minions, a holy woman who helps him in some areas, and the ice monster that guards Urgon's Part. After acquiring the part, Jones uses it to destroy the beast and get Urgon's part and is guided where to go next by the holy woman.

Palawan Lagoon
Jones makes it to Palawan Island in the Philippines well ahead of the Russians since they don't appear in this level. He later finds a useful machete to hack the vines, a half-sunken Japanese freighter, and underwater passageways that'll permit him to enter the local volcano.

Palawan Volcano
Jones carefully makes his way through the lava tunnels of the volcano and eventually meets Sophia. She's later captured by the Russians but is eventually freed by Indy. She helps Jones get through a door but abandons him in order to do some spying. She warns Jones of another danger ahead and the archaeologist makes his way to the volcano's lower levels.

Palawan Temple
Jones enters a wrecked temple deep in the volcano and is confronted by slow-moving stone creatures. They're easily destroyed by Urgon's Part and the archaeologist continues onward. He moves outside briefly and after careful navigation of rotting rope bridges, he makes it to a lava filled chamber inhabited by the guardian of Taklit's Part, a large lava creature. Dodging it's attacks, Jones makes it to Taklit's Part and uses its invisibility power to sneak past the monster and freeze it to death with water. (level will not work on xp unless switching propteries and switch from xp to 2000 of 98

Jeep Trek
(switch to disc 2) Even though Indy didn't see the Soviets back at the temple, they greeted his arrival when he walked out. He then escapes them with a jeep and is picked up by Sophia flying a helicopter. This level enables you to run over Russians and do long jumps over broken bridges.

Teotihuacan
Indy lands in the ancient, multi-story Pyramid of Sun. The goal of this level is to put up a mirror in the hands of the central statue. When all the upper floors are enlightened it will reflect the light and open a massive door to the next level. To do this you must move around rock gears in order to open four doors. Behind the Jaguar, Fish, and Bird doors there are a few easy puzzles to get to an idol. Behind the fourth door there are places to put the idols. Beware, once you get to the idol behind the Fish door, the Russians will move in to engage you.

Olmec Valley
This level features a large valley once inhabited by the Olmec tribes. Several regions of the valley are connected with three bridges. To activate the bridges Indy must position the corresponding Olmec Stone Heads onto the proper pressure platforms. The goal of this level is to reach the pyramid at the end of the valley. Indy meets a giant snake Quetzalcoatl inside there, much to his displeasure. He acquires Azerim's Part which enables him to levitate if he stands underneath blue crystals called "The Jewels of Heaven". After destroying the large snake with spikes, Jones is captured by the Russians and finally meets Dr. Volodnikov.

V. I. Pudovkin
Indy escapes his confinement onboard the Russian freighter, V.I. Pudovkin. He later gets his whip, revolver, and all three machine parts. Before he leaves, he overhears Volodnikov talking about Meroe with the ship's captain. Knowing that's where the last machine part is, Jones gets on a motorboat and speeds off ahead of the ship.

Meroẽ
This level features four ancient pyramids of Nubian kings. Inside each pyramid there is a Lens Room. Indy must turn on all four lenses to open the door to the next level. The light beams from the lenses will show the exact locations of the four one-eyed statues, which require an Eye Crystal to open each of the four hand-type locks on the exit door. In this level Indy meets a Nubian boy, who helps him to get this Crystal, ravenous heyenas, and a squad of Russian troops. (Level has malfunction on 2000)

King Sol's Mines
The goal of this level is to gather Three King Sol's Gems, Eye of Horus and install them in a small pyramid. The pyramid is on top of an elevator which will permit him to enter Nub's Tomb. During this quest, Jones causes a minecart with Russians to fall off into a pit.

Nub's Tomb
This level features large underground chambers with pillars and hidden passages. Indy's goal is to claim the final Infernal Machine's part – Nub's part, which accumulates some electric power and allows Indy to use different electric devices. The part is protected by an energy shooting Electro-Ball and the many rooms are inhabited by robotic machines that attack Indy. He enters the crypt of Nub and accidentally releases a vast robotic guardian who attacks him. Jones activates several electronic plates that the robot steps on, eventually short-circuiting until it's deactivated. After he gets outside, Jones faces a difficult choice: give the machine parts to Sophia and Turner or to Volodnikov.

Infernal Machine
The beginning of the level brings you back to the map room in the Babylonian library, but the map is torn off, revealing a door to the machine. Jones comes across the awesome Infernal Machine and sees Turner and Sophia install Taklit's Part. Turner then ruthlessly shoves Sophia into a crystalline cage so she can be a "diplomat" to the other side. Turner tells Jones that he plans to use the machine to destroy the Communists and make the world safe for democracy... and capitalism. Turner then takes Taklit's Part out and becomes invisible. Jones searches for him and puts the other machine parts in their rightful places since Turner installed them incorrectly. After a heated gun battle, Jones kills Turner and gets Taklit's Part. He installs it and tries to free Sophia but Marduk satute comes out and sends them both fall into the Aetherium.

The Aetherium
In this envisioning, the Aetherium was another plane of existence, ruled by the god Marduk, which was composed primarily of bluish mists, alien machinery, glowing lights, extraplanar creatures, and other such oddities, and was almost entirely insubstantial to the protagonist, Dr. Jones, who entered it near the end of the game. Sophia is still stuck in the glowing ball while Jones has a survival bar, similar to the ones for breath or Boat, and if it runs out, will constantly sustain damage to his health as a direct result of being outside his usual plane. It's impossible for Jones to walk through the mist, but instead allows Indy to "swim" through".
This level is something completely different from the usual Indy-like style. Indy is inside some "multi-dimensional" substance, which allows him to access different places from the levels he has already been to in reality through special portals. To activate a portal he needs a Tool from Beyond. Here he also meets two incarnations of Marduk and he must kill him by whipping electric blasts. Indy needs to find Three King Sol's Crystals and open three portals to Babylon. The result of this is collapse of Aetherium. Indiana has to escape through the opened portal. At the end Indy climbs out and shakes hands with Sophia and... Volodnikov, who turns to be a nice guy appreciating a true archeologist in Indy and offering rivers of vodka to celebrate the happy ending of the level.

Bonus Level - Return to Peru
This little bonus mission is either possible to get to by purchasing the map, by completing the game, or by gaining a certain amount of treasures.
This level brings Indy back to the Temple seen during the beginning of Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, but coming through another entrance (Since a certain boulder is stopping you). Indy must work his way through the old traps ("Stay out of the light", the ravine, etc.), new traps (Falling platforms, spikes, etc.) and dangerous animals, including a jaguar, piranhas, and snakes. After retrieving a familiar-looking idol, another boulder rolls after Indy, but goes 'up'. But we all know the rules. What goes up, must come down. The boulder returns, and once again Indy must use his running skills to get out of danger.
After the boulder drops, return to the crypt room, and continue the same route you used; since the boulder is no longer there, you should see a brown circular plate instead. Jump to it, then make your way through the narrow hole on the right. There are five square buttons on the wall in this room. Pressing each button gives you a unique musical tone. Press them in a certain order, corresponding with a prominent five note musical sequence from another famous Steven Spielberg film. This opens another door, showing a familiar structure; you also receive a nice bonus of some herbs and trauma kits.

Machine Parts
When the Tower of Babel was destroyed, Marduk's disciples fled to different parts of the world carrying four critical parts of the Infernal Machine with them. Each part has its own power, and can in certain cases be used as weapon. Indy can only endure using parts for short periods without demage. Only when all four machine parts are returned can the Infernal Machine operate again.
Urgon's Part (Q Key)
Found in the snows of Kazakstan. When used by Indy, it sends out vibrations, and capable of destroying weak walls (will not work on level 7 on xp)

Taklit's Part (W Key)
Found in a volcano in the Philippines. When used by Indy, it confers invisibility.
Azerim's Part (E Key)
Found among the artifacts of the mysterious Olmec civilization of Mexico. When used by Indy with strange crystals called the Jewels of Heaven, it causes levitation.
Nub's Part (R Key)
Found in a tomb in the Sudan. When used by Indy, it powerfully energizes certain machinery of unearthly origin.
Tool From Beyond (T Key)
Opens permeable membranes separating the Aetherium from our own world when Indy is on the other side. It resembles a machine part.
Bosses
Each of the machine parts has a supernatural guardian or monster, keeping it safe from intruders, which unfortunately includes Indiana Jones, as well.

Ice Guardian
This enormous icy ogre in the Shambala Sanctuary guards Urgon's Part with the aid of little ice minions. Moving quickly will save you health and do not try to kill the ice monster with regular weapons. He is defeated with Urgon's Part.

Lava Guardian
The corporeal lava deity of Palawan Temple lives in a fiery lake and guards Taklit's Part with the help of lava warriors. The lava warriors are slow moving, but the Lava Guardian is not - so be quick. The Guardian is defeated by running across the bridge and opening a cave allowing water into the lava lake. This solidifies a portion of the lake, including the Lava Guardian.

Quetzalcoatl
Deep within the Olmec Valley, the ancient god, Quetzalcoatl, has become embodied in a giant feathered snake who fires smaller snakes from its tongue. The colosssal serpent guards Azerim's Part. Hint - open the door that the giant snake statue is not facing first. The pressure switch is timed. The snake can't attack you if you can't be seen.

Robot Guardian
Within Nub's surprisingly electrical, mechanical Egyptian Tomb, a giant bronze robot is the sentinel over Nub's Part.

Marduk
Ethereal Marduk
In the Aetherium, Indy first encounters (and must avoid) its ruler, the Babylonian god Marduk. Without any weapons to fight Marduk in his pure energy body, Indy cannot defeat him. However, Indy acquires a mirror to reflect Marduk's ether blasts back at him, to weaken him, and eventually, force him to flee temporarily. Final Marduk
After some further exploration of the Aetherium, Indy is able to electrify his whip, which will prove useful in battling Marduk who possesses Sofia's body, creating a majestic, female, birdlike nemesis.

Minions
Along the way, Indy also encounters all different members of an army of Communist soldiers, predatory wildlife, and lethal creatures like spiders, sharks, and jaguars. However, each "boss level" is chock-full with an additional amount of particular devious minions that go along with each boss:

Ice Demons
Small, otherworldly monsters found inside Shambala's walls that travel around by rolling and fire icicles at their victims. They resembles miniature versions of the ice guardian.Lava Warriors
Humanoid monsters made completely out of molten rock and come to life when approached, dwelling within Palawan Volcano. They move slowly, clubbing and smashing their prey, and can only be defeated using Urgon's Part.
Venomous Snakes
Seemingly ordinary serpents that inhabit the Olmec Valley, but that are unusually great in number and have the telltale red band markings. They're poisonous, but aren't too hard to kill.
Robotic Minions
Apparently, long ago, the Egyptians had secretly found a way to harness electrical power and develop the world's first mechanized robots. Alas, they're not friendly robots, but basically self-propelled killing machines. The robots in King Nub's Tomb come in all shapes and sizes and can be destroyed with most of Indy's usual firearms, but cause a rather large explosion when they are killed.
Aethereal Demons



A diverse variety of apparently Aetherium-inhabiting organisms have come into being. They range from plump, spiked insectoid creatures (poisonous) to what appear to be large reptilian fetuses with wings (which are harmless). Nevertheless, stear clear, and always be prepared when about to turn a dark corner.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

How to Spot a Sri Lankan in a Foreign Country (test it to see the truth)

I got this from an email, and found it sooo funny. Many stuff will aplly to u, if u are a Sri Lankan who lives in a foreign country. The original story says just "How to Spot a Sri Lankan", and I changed it to " How to Spot a Sri Lankan in a Foreign Country".
Read and see whether it's true. Specially the Toilet has a plastic bowl part :)


This is so true and so funny. You know that you are definitely a Sri Lankan.

Everything you eat is flavored with garlic, onion and chilies. (True)

You try and re-use gift wrappers , gift boxes, aluminum foil and of course disposable cups & plates. (True)

You try to eject food particles from between your teeth by pressing your tongue against them and making a peculiar noise like, tshick, tshick! (True ???)

You are standing next to the two largest size suitcases at the Airport. (True)

You arrive one or two hours late to a party, and think it's normal. (definetly True)

Your toilet has a plastic bowl next to the commode. (True it is)

You name your children in rhythms (example, Honey & Money, Sita & Gita, thunga & --singhe, Nimal & Vimal)

All your children have pet names, which sound nowhere close to their real names. (True most of the time)

You take Sri Lankan snacks anywhere it says 'No Food Allowed' (ture? I dont know)

You talk for an hour at the front door when leaving someone's house. (true again)

You load up the family car with as many people as possible. (true )

You use plastic to cover anything new in your house whether it’s the remote control, VCR, carpet or new couch (Ture True True)

Your parents tell you to not care about what your friends think, but they won't let you do certain things because of what the other Uncles And Aunties' will think. (Sub Continet)

You teach you kids to say uncle and auntie to anyone older related or not.

Owning a rice cooker is a top priority. (I doubt)

Use the dishwasher to store dishes - use it only for special occasions. (True Again)

Say ’NO’ after every sentence. i.e . . . . That’s good NO. Very expensive NO...etc (Not all i guess)

Men use the word 'PUT' frequently i.e. PUT a drink, PUT a Jump ! (Only False)

You live with your parents even if you are 40 years old. (And they like it that way). (is this true?)

If she is NOT your daughter, you always take interest in knowing whose daughter has run with whose son and feel it's your duty to spread the word. (Definetly True)

If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight . (true)

When your parents meets a Sri Lankan for the first time and talk for a few minutes, you soon discover they are your relatives. (true ture true)

Your parents don’t realize phone connections to foreign countries have improved in the last two decades, and still scream at the top of their lungs while talking. (May b)

You have bed sheets on your sofas so as to keep them away from getting dirty but the sheet on your bed has not seen water for months! (true for Dewaniya)

It is embarrassing if your wedding has less than 600 people (true)

You list your daughter as 'fair and slim' in the matrimonial no matter what she looks like. (true)

You have a big cabinet in your hall to keep glass wares & ceramic utensils (you have never used) (yep true again)

You have really enjoyed reading this because you know some, or most of them apply to you. (i bet u did)

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Wanna know current USA Diesel and Petrol prices??


There is always an excuse from the government for price hike........the magical words for every government UNP, or Mihin brotherhood (just kidding…hope CID wont bail me on this)…..its not time to say anything about JVP cause they didn't govern yet. Guess what is that magical word?


"Price hike due to the Oil price change in the world market"

So I thought its better to give some idea about the US Oil market and how the changes going on......I have good source of price changes and hope Sri Lankans wanna know whats going on here at US.


Major gasoline products used on vehicles at US

3.78 Liters = 1 Gallon (US)
$ 1 = Rs. 111.75

So how much a Liter of regular Diesel and Petrol in Sri Lankan Rupees?

Gasoline Type : Regular Unleaded - (Petrol)
Current Price (1 Gallon) : $ 2.99
In Rs (1 Liter) : Rs. 88.39

Gasoline Type : Midgrade (Petrol)
Current Price (1 Gallon) : $ 3.13
In Rs (1 Liter) : Rs. 92.53

Gasoline Type : Premium(Petrol)
Current Price (1 Gallon) : $ 3.25
In Rs (1 Liter) : Rs. 96.08

Gasoline Type : Diesel
Current Price (1 Gallon) : $ 2.99
In Rs (1 Liter) :

Rs. 88.39


Normally our Mitsubishi Gallant needs $ 35 worth regular unleaded to make it tank full.
Hoping to update this list, whenever there is a change of price on the gasoline

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Microsoft Surface - New Era of Computing

I heard buzz about this Microsoft Surface computing for several days, but by chance found the Microsoft link for the Surface-computing web. I guess this is the change what we expect from the computing world; there are lots of hopes about new computers made up of neurons for fast response or use of optical technology for hasty data transfer. At least we have something new to try out soon. Surface computing!!! I’m wondering how it feels. When I first saw the new Apple iPhone which is going to be released on June 29th, there is a fundamental similarity between Microsoft Surface and Apple iPhone. Both of them actually trying to provide real time feeling actually touch , not touch of a button. Its like computers and techs we saw in Sci-Fi’s. New Era of technology.

Wanna know more about the Microsoft Surface.......

Microsoft Surface represents a fundamental change in the way we interact with digital content. With Surface, we can actually grab data with our hands, and move information between objects with natural gestures and touch. Surface features a 30-inch tabletop display whose unique abilities allow for several people to work independently or simultaneously. All without using a mouse or a keyboard.

While the first Microsoft Surface units won’t hit the market until winter 2007, over the coming months you’ll have opportunity to get hands on with surface at a host of events.

SIGGRAPH Conference, San Diego, CA August 5-9, 2007.

Read more?
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Apple iPhone - Available on June 29th, 2007


What will happened if I’m not using Tmobile and not in a situation of a 2 year contract for Tmobile plan, I wanna definitely buy this monstrous phone, Apple iPhone. The phone is expected to come out in June 29th 2007 in USA, Europe in the fourth QTR and Asia in 2008 and it will be available exclusively on Cingular for $499 on a two-year contract for the 4GB version and $599 for the 8GB version.

The Apple iPhone is not just a phone - it is a phone, music player, video player, internet device, and camera all in one. Like its Apple iPod Nano and iPod video cousins, the iPhone is slim and sleek at just 11.6mm thick, 2.4-inches wide, and 4.5-inches tall.

Steve Jobs has such confidence in the new iPhone that he has said he wants to sell over 10 million of them by 2008. I think he's setting his sights a little low, and project that Apple will sell over 10 million iPhones in less than 6 months. With the following that Apple has, and the fact that this device has been rumored about and anticipated for almost four years now, it shouldn't be too far out of the realm of possiblity.
iPod Features:
The Apple iPhone is a widescreen iPod that features touch screen controls that allow you to enjoy all your content, including audiobooks, music, TV shows, and movies. It features an amazing 3.5-inch widescreen display, and allows you to sync content from your iTunes library on your PC or Mac, making that content also accessible with just the touch of a finger.

iPhone users will be able to scroll through songs, artists, albums, and playlists with just a flick of a finger. One cool new feature of this function is the display of album artwork - you can now use Cover Flow to browse your music library by album artwork for the first time on an iPod.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Kyle XY - ABC Family Sci-Fi series

A few weeks ago, I saw a post at Indika's blog regarding an exciting dram series (I guess it is Sci-Fi) called "Roswell High". So I thought its better to mention another one, which is popular in US these days. One good thing about this is you can even watch it for free using the streaming. Its called Kyle XY and if u r at US, u can see it on every Monday at 7pm (I guess this is the correct time, check your local ABCFamily TV guide for more info) on ABC Family TV channel. If you wanna watch it online, here's the link for ABC Family watch site. Nim and me started with the "Kyle XY series one" I guess after the first episode. But I missed lot of episodes due to my working schedule, Nim never miss any :) Fortunately before the second series starts, ABC Family channel repeated the "series one" last Sunday, one after another.

So what is Kyle XY????

"A teenage boy is found wandering alone. He has no name. He has no past. As innocent as a newborn, he doesn't speak and he seems to look at the world as if for the first time. With no place else to take him, the police send him to juvenile hall where he's given the name Kyle. It's obvious that Kyle isn't like the other kids, but when it's discovered that he has no bellybutton, an administrator begins to realize just how different Kyle might be. He calls in Nicole Trager, a kind-hearted social worker, to help with the case. Sensing something special about Kyle, Nicole takes him home, much to the chagrin of her husband, teenage daughter and boisterous young son.

Settling into the Trager's busy household isn't easy. There is so much Kyle doesn't know, and yet he demonstrates amazing abilities no one can explain. His talents are just the tip of the mystery, and the questions are just starting to grow: Who is Kyle? Where did he come from? Who is the man watching him?

Every day, Kyle encounters something new.....music, a pretty neighbor, a wild party, danger, lies, jealousy, humor, touch, trust, love. And each day, the Tragers think they are getting to know him. But the mystery surrounding Kyle is just beginning."

Wanna read more about Kyle XY?

Monday, June 11, 2007

Money, Others, and Me

Today I just thought, why we earn (and specially save) money? Whether it is Sri Lankan rupees, US Dollars, Euros, Yens.......whatever, I guess this is what I think about it (say my perspective)


For happiness?
Extra lavishness?
For upcoming success?
Outdo the others! (Relations or friends)
Feel the comfort?
Life along peace & harmony (except happiness)
Healthier life (why money for this? I guess just to pay the bills. Simple it is)
Give helping hands (first we need to be stand to give others hand)
To be stand with less helping hands
See the unseen (purely to visit the places we never did so, nothing else!)
Be on the safer side (no worries)
Feel protected
Reach un-reached (goals)
Realize dreams

But what others think (and say) about it?
Selfishness
That's what the others think. I'm speechless

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Prof. V.K. Samaranayake passes away – this salute is for you professor

Well-known Emeritus Professor of Computer Science, V.K. Samaranayake has passed away on the night of 6th June 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden.

This is shocking news; he was the founder of the BIT (Bachelor of Information Technology- External) program at the University of Colombo (UCSC). Thanks to him lots of people, including me got the opportunity to step into the IT world. Specially because of the knowledge I gained from the BIT let me to perform exceptionally in my internal undergraduate program at the University of peradeniya to get the exclusive computer science special entrance (just a 13 computer specials students out of 100+ computer students from the faculty)
Prof. V.K. Samaranayake, was the founder Director, University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) of the University of Colombo, and Chairman of Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) of Sri Lanka,
Late Prof. V.K. Samaranayake was a Fellow of the Harvard Information Infrastructure Project and the National Center for Digital Government of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He is also a Post Graduate holder of the University of Kalaniya.
In the field of IT he has pioneered work on IT Policy, Legal Infrastructure, EDI/E-Commerce, Security, Internet Technology, Computer Awareness and IT Education. He was actively involved in the formulation of the ISO 10646 standard for Sinhalese Characters and in the development of multilingual web sites. He has also been instrumental in helping to apply computers in many areas of governance, including in national elections. He also actively extended his contribution in implementing the 'Nanasala' concept in to a reality.
The Government of Sri Lanka has honoured Prof. Samaranayake for his contribution towards IT by the award of Vidya Prasadini in 1997 and the national honour Vidya Jyothi in 1998. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has presented its President's Award for International Cooperation to Prof. Samaranayake in 1996 in recognition of his contribution.
His remains will be brought to Sri Lanka and funeral arrangements will take place in Colombo

Special Note: Here's pic of the BIT batch photo, at the front seated Prof V.K Samaranayake, and me at the 3rd row standing in the middle (rounded circle marked)

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Texas Driver - Cheers sam!

After desperate 3rd attempt, finally I got my Drivers License from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) San Marcos, Texas. In my whole 27yers of short lifetime, I never failed an exam more than once, but see what happened; here the local DPS lady examiners failed me twice (actually 3 times but 1st fail b'se of the inspection tag expiration of the vehicle I took for the test). Lots of my friends advised me not to go for San Marcos DPS, b'se the lady examiners are too picky on the driving test. But there was no option than the San Marcos, it's the nearest! If I went to Seguin (40miles from San Marcos) or New Braunfels (20 miles from San Marcos) DPS, there was a fair amount of chance of getting it done so soon. But it was almost impossible; I didn't have a vehicle, still the same :) and had to ask my friends to come with me for the driving test.
I still remember how was my first driving test at Sri Lanka. It was nothing actually. I was the first of the raw at that day. And the examiner asked few maneuvers like backing on a small road rise (just to check the cluck balance I guess), then he asked to get on to the road (I still remember the place, it was the front road of the Sri John Kothalawala college Krunegala) after 20 meters he asked me to get off the van and that's all about my driving test experience. I still think I'm a good driver according to the conditions at Sri Lanka. I used to drive when I was almost 13 years of age. My father was an Inspector of Police and no problem on driving underage (that's how the Asia) In my whole driving experience only one major accident and that also not because of my fault.
Here at Texas State the situation is totally strange. Actually I took it so easy and didn't care about the test. But when I think about it again, its bit of a tough job, what we need is some practice and techniques. Examiners test all the maneuvers listed on the driving test leaflet. For my first test (May 14th) I took Mr. AL's car it's a Toyota corolla (AL Nanji). His wife Shenise was there to take me to the test. At the time of the vehicle inspection, the examiner said the inspection tag was expired. Here at USA, vehicle must have registration tag as well as an inspection tag that is to verify the vehicle condition is suited for the road (like emissions tests, signal lights, break, windscreen etc). So they asked me to bring another vehicle or bring the same with new inspection tag. That's my first fail. Next day (May 15th) I took Mr. AL's other vehicle, it's a Honda van. It was much more comfortable to drive b'se I used to drive a Nissan Serena van at Sri Lanka. If you wanna look at the test leaflet here it is.
I'll just explain the testing situation for the driving test at San Marcos. First the examiner asked to bring the van to the back of the DPS office in order to check the inspection , registration and insurance. Then she checked the signals, and the break lights. Then she sat beside me and explained the testing procedure. Normally they asked to start the vehicle and when we feel comfortable we can run it. Then the parallel parking, the hardest maneuver of all. We have to park the vehicle between two posts. If success then we have to move to the next testing place, backing on a straight line. Then the road test. It's a one-way road with 3 lanes. The examiner asked me to bring the vehicle to the left most lane, and I started signaling and try to make the lane change, see how unlucky I was at that time, there were 5 or 6 vehicles on the lanes one just behind my back. I hesitate to do so, and stayed at the same right most lane. Then the examiner asked to right turn on the next intersection and bring it back to DPS office. Then she said I failed the test b'se not following the instructions. Then she explained what I did wrong. Lots of errors in signaling. Especially at the parallel parking, moving, lane change we have to make sure to signal. So I missed lots of points due to that and failed the exam not following the instructions.

Then I went for my 3rd attempt on the same vehicle on May 17th. The same lady examiner was there and asked me to bring the vehicle to back for inspection but when I went, there was a different lady examiner to test me (I'll explain why this happened later) She took me for the driving test and this time I was extra cautious on the signaling, and managed to go over whole testing route. After we came back to DPS she explained the situation and errors I made. I lost almost 41 points. Further I went for the test around 3.00pm without making any appointments, she said next time I needs to come early to make an appointment. If we lost greater than 30 points then we fail the driving test. For each maneuvers they check for Control, observation, position and signaling. Say parallel parking, they check all 4 whether it's bad, fair or good. If bad, then we get minus points. Here's the actual testing leaflet marked by the examiner.
I was frustrated and that was my 3rd time and the examiner said I have only one chance for the driving test, otherwise I have to retake the written computer based test again and needs to pay $25 application fee.

I went again for the test, this time early in the morning around 8.15am to the DPS San Marcos Office. Same lady examiner was there and surprisingly she refused to go with me for the test. Believe me, she refused to test me. Can you guess why? she said on my 2nd attempt I didn't respond due to the lack of understanding of what she told me. She said between us, the communication is difficult and asked me to take the other lady examiner for the test. For my bad, that examiner was off that day (May 22nd) and I have to wait till next day for the test. Then there was another problem of finding someone to come with me for the test, b'se Mr. AL was on summer break on May 23rd he went to Washington for a break. I was so worried, me and Nim on desperate situation on finding someone for the driving test. We contact sunny, one of Nims friend and he agreed to come with us. And also we contact Terry from Texas Watch (Nims office coordinator) and finally we decided to go with Terry b'se she agreed to come early in the morning. She was having a Honda CR-V and that was the first time I drove a small SUV, though I feel comfortable with it. We went for the test around 8.00am on May 23rd. I got the appointment at 9.00am. Same lady examiner on my last test was there for the test and you know what she mentioned at the time of the test? She said that's my last chance and if I apply for an instruction permit now before doing the test, even if I failed the test I don't have to re-sit for the written test and I can do the driving test as long as 2 years with that permit. It was kind of a challenge. I asked her whether its possible to do the driving test today if I get my instruction permit now. Then she said NO; I have to wait another 72hrs for a driving test. 72 hrs??? Again, No way, I said to my self. Then I told the examiner that I want to try this time. Here the test leaflet for my final test,
Who knows, I did well on the test. I got 16 negative points, compared to previous 41 points, its nothing. Actually the examiner was impressed and she said I did a good job. Finally I got my license to drive at Texas. Thanx Nim for ur continues encouragement, and also I wanna thank Mr. AL and Terry Wedland for helping me out for my driving test.


Sunday, May 06, 2007

First ever 'A' grade at US

My end term started last week, 2 exams from my 3 subjects already ended. One to go. I'm pleased with my performance at the Math 5358. Its good to have, 'A' grade for first ever exam at USA. Here exam results are extremely difficulty to obtain not like in Sri Lanka. The grading is so stupid, I don't know why. We need to get 91 to obtain A grade and 81 to obtain B grade. Nothing in between A and B. But when I was there at University of Peradeniya, we had lots of grading stars at A+ to F.......A+, A, B+, B, B-, C+, C. And also its not a problem to get A for a subject. If we can stay at the top of the class or at least top 5 or 6 then there is no problem with getting A+ for it. The bell curve will decide who gets A+ and who gets F. At least lots of people will get B+ which is 3.3 in the GPA points. Here the same GPA points for A , which is 4.0 and B 3.0. This makes kind of a hard to stay at least at 3.0 margin. Hope my A grade will do help for it. B'se I'm not sure about my other 2 exams. The final grades are yet to release. One good thing is, now I know how to tackle this system. My target is next Fall semester. A's for all the subjects and 4.0 GPA. We'll see. Hurrah for my First Ever 'A' at Texas State University.

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

world cup Cricket watch for Free

Cant believe how much people love to talk about ICC world cup (though they are out of country). When I'm on the University shuttle bus after my work at International Office, when I get on to it, Driver asked me "where u from?" I said Sri Lanka. So he was really happy and get started talking abt ICC world cup. I was shocked, American talking abt Cricket ? na .......not possible. Guess what, he is from West Indies and then there was another girl, she said she is from South African......suddenly we felt like a family bond by Cricket, talking with each other while the guy was driving ;) what a nice time. Just a 5 minutes ride to my apartments but feels like actually watching a Cricket match. Girl was really upset and said better if she can buy a channel to watch the entire world cup. And I just said we have some free online streaming sites to watch. They cant belive, specially the bus driver was so anxious to know the site. I know all my readers also wanna know this. How to watch ICC world cup live.....and for free with a good quality picture without any introuption. In my previous post I mentioned all the information regarding this. I wanna state it again due to heavy traffic on my site too.

This is the link
ICC world Cup Live Streaming . This link is Courtsey of Rahul Reghunathan and all it needs is Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer to stream live cricket matches. Streaming is really good for a free service.

I watched 2 games on this link, quality is really really good........and no interruption at all, like satellite picture on television. Cant believe this much of achievement on this. I know what the streaming is when I checked the other links. But this one is truly exceptional.....so here's my gratitude again for the link and for the author Rahul.

India and Pakistan, the giants in world cricket world, OUT from the second round. Can't believe. This salute for youngsters, Upul Tharanga, Chamara Silva and Dilshan, in the Sri Lankan team, thanx guys and hope u can continue ur form for the rest of the matches......specially with the # 01 South African and Auzis........Beware of Sri Lanka. I'm still not sure about the selection of the Dilhara Fernando?? Though he got the fantastic Sachin Thendulkars wicket, he's not in a good shape to face for good teams specially Auzis and South Africa. These teams are pretty good on fast bowling especially if you are not in good line and length. So I doubt selecting Dihara instead of Atapattu or Maharoof. We need someone like Maharoof to tackle the back of the innings specially we need some big sloggers like Sanath, Vass or Murali (scared on fast bowlers though)
Currently Sri Lanka is on the top with highest run rate hope they can maintain this through out the super 8 round. There is no advantage on the bonus points b'se all the others have similar advantage on playing with Bangladesh and earn some extra points. We have Ireland OK.....but need to get rid of West Indies and England from the list. Here is my semi finalists

1. Sri Lanka
2. Australia
3. New Zealand
4. West Indies

Most probably we are having the semi final with West Indies and Finals (if everything happened for the best) with New Zealand.

So here’s my big prediction…..World Cup Final

"Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand"