Learn your learning style

I came across an interesting article talking about one's learning style. It's a pretty interesting survey and I found out my style (which I did know from before). The results of my survey were:

Visual/Nonverbal 40 Visual/Verbal 26 Auditory 22 Kinesthetic 24

Your primary learning style is:


The Visual/ Nonverbal Learning Style

You learn best when information is presented visually and in a picture or design format. In a classroom setting, you benefit from instructors who use visual aids such as film, video, maps and charts. You benefit from information obtained from the pictures and diagrams in textbooks. You tend to like to work in a quiet room and may not like to work in study groups. When trying to remember something, you can often visualize a picture of it in your mind. You may have an artistic side that enjoys activities having to do with visual art and design.

Learning Strategies for the Visual/ Nonverbal Learner:

Make flashcards of key information that needs to be memorized. Draw symbols and pictures on the cards to facilitate recall. Use highlighter pens to highlight key words and pictures on the flashcards. Limit the amount of information per card, so your mind can take a mental "picture' of the information.

Mark up the margins of your textbook with key words, symbols, and diagrams that help you remember the text. Use highlighter pens of contrasting colors to "color code" the information.

When learning mathematical or technical information, make charts to organize the information. When a mathematical problem involves a sequence of steps, draw a series of boxes, each containing the appropriate bit of information in sequence.

Use large square graph paper to assist in creating charts and diagrams that illustrate key concepts.

Use the computer to assist in organizing material that needs to be memorized. Using word processing, create tables and charts with graphics that help you to understand and retain course material. Use spreadsheet and database software to further organize material that needs to be learned.

As much as possible, translate words and ideas into symbols, pictures, and diagrams.

Google Keyword intitle

Found a useful tip about Google today and Im sure you folks will find it useful as we all use google..atleast once a day! :)

TIP:

Many times we search particular files on google and what we do is put in the file name and run search. What google returns is tonnes of links. But these links do not gurantee if the file is going to be there or not. Also these links might give u more links to get to the files. Or they might give u links to paid websites. So for e.g. say u are searching for mp3 named "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. The normal thing to do would be to type "download bohemian rhapsody mp3" and get tonnes of hits but then a lot of times u end up surfing a lot of sites before u get the song u want. Here is a solution:


In the google search field type the following:

intitle:"index.of" (mp3wmamp4aa4) Bohemian.Rhapsody -htm -html -php -asp

This will give u the links straight to the file. Try it out. The entries in green are user controlled.

Explanation of the command:

intitle: It is Google syntax that restricts Web search results to only list Web sites that contain a keyword in their title. The keyword should follow with no spaces

index.of: This is the key word we are using here searching for the index of files

(mp3wmamp4aa4): These are the extensions of the files we are providing that we want to search

Bohemian.Rhapsody: Name of the file. (Make sure the two words are combined with a period [ (.) (dot) ]. The period takes care of special charachters like space, underscore, dash etc.

-htm -html -php -asp : These are the page extensions that we want google to search for

So next time u are on google, make sure u search efficiently. Also, the above example was just for mp3. Put on your creative caps and use it for whatever you want and go bananas. :)

9 Things The Non-Tech Savvy Do That Annoy Geeks

I came across an interesting post which is so true.. I am just reposting his thoughts. Click on the link below to read each item in detail.

9 Things The Non-Tech Savvy Do That Annoy Geeks

1: Microsoft Word is the application for everything.
2: Incorrect Aspect Ratios.
3: Everything Must Be Double Clicked.
4: Getting a faster computer will speed up the internets.
5: I won a trip to the Bahamas!
6: Your desktop wallpaper is NOT your screensaver.
7: NO, I DON’T want to fix your cousin’s brother’s uncle’s 10 year old computer.
8: The Non-Tech Savvy Geek
9: Why can’t I open this file on my floppy disk?

Rememeber the Name

With NBA season heating up... this song has also grown on me. This song plays in the background for the ads of NBA Playoffs on TNT and ESPN. The song is so well written and sung, especially the chorus. Love it. Another Fort Minor classic.


Rememeber The Name - Fort Minor

You ready?! Let's go!
Yeah, for those of you that want to know what we're all about
It's like this y'all (c'mon!)

[Chorus:]

This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!


Mike! - He doesn't need his name up in lights
He just wants to be heard whether it's the beat or the mic
He feels so unlike everybody else, alone
In spite of the fact that some people still think that they know him
But f%^k em, he knows the code
It's not about the salary
It's all about reality and making some noise
Making the story - making sure his clique stays up
That means when he puts it down Tak's picking it up! Let's go!

Who the hell is he anyway?
He never really talks much
Never concerned with status but still leaving them star struck
Humbled through opportunities given despite the fact
That many misjudge him because he makes a living from writing raps
Put it together himself, now the picture connects
Never asking for someone's help, or to get some respect
He's only focused on what he wrote, his will is beyond reach
And now it all unfolds, the skill of an artist

This is twenty percent skill
Eighty percent beer
Be a hundred percent clear cause Ryu is ill
Who would've thought that he'd be the one to set the west in flames
And I heard him wreck it with The Crystal Method, "Name Of The Game"
Came back dropped Megadef, took em to church
I like bleach man, why you had the stupidest verse?
This dude is the truth, now everybody's giving him guest spots
His stock's through the roof I heard he's f^%$in' with S. Dot!

[Chorus]

They call him Ryu, he's sick
And he's spitting fire
And mike got him out the dryer he's hot
Found him in Fort Minor with Tak
What a fuckin' nihilist porcupine
He's a prick, he's a cock
The type woman want to be with, and rappers hope he get shot
Eight years in the making, patiently waiting to blow
Now the record with Shinoda's takin over the globe
He's got a partner in crime, his shit is equally dope
You wont believe the kind of shit that comes out of this kid's throat


Tak! - He's not your everyday on the block
He knows how to work with what he's got
Making his way to the top
He often gets a comment on his name
People keep asking him was it given at birth
Or does it stand for an acronym?
No he's living proof, got him rocking the booth
He'll get you buzzing quicker than a shot of vodka with juice
Him and his crew are known around as one of the best
Dedicated to what they do and give a hundred percent


Forget Mike - Nobody really knows how or why he works so hard
It seems like he's never got time
Because he writes every note and he writes every line
And I've seen him at work when that light goes on in his mind
It's like a design is written in his head every time
Before he even touches a key or speaks in a rhyme
And those motherf^%&rs he runs with,
The kids that he signed?
Ridiculous, without even trying,
How do they do it?!

[Chorus - repeat 2x]

[Outro - Mike Shinoda:]

Yeah! Fort Minor
M. Shinoda - Styles of Beyond
Ryu! Takbir! Machine Shop!

Is career overrated?

I know its been a while I havent posted. Well, so here I am..

So I have been travelling a lot of Kansas City a lot lately on project. So it has been a lot of travel. Been on the road for almost 6 weeks now. Anyways during my travel, i got to meet some interesting people and discuss some interesting topics. One of the interesting discussions we had was about career. What color is my parachute?? I know there are tonnes of books written about it and there are a lot of folks who make a lot of money counselling. But my question is, is it so hard to decide?

Actually, this question opened a whole new can of worms for me. Why are we under a constant pressure of performing, excelling, even out performing? Why is there so much competition? Why is one labled a failure the moment he chooses not to compete? Why is the $$ amount so important? Why is the social status so important? Is it just vanity? Why is there a constant fear of failure? Does the pressure of being successful lead to our failure? There is a very thin line between being motivated and being insane. Are we flirting with this line?

Had there been no such pressure and everyone does what one wants with no one looking over their shoulder (pssst..the society).. wouldnt it be easier to decide then?

Follow one's passion, do what you like to do..all these are mere motivational/'sign of support' jargons. At the end of the day the society slaps a label with a number on your forehead which decides your level of acceptance in various classes of society. Why are we so bound to what the society cares? Is having a career overrated?

Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain

Recently I started reading Creative Visulization by Shakti Gawain. As per Shakti, Creative Visualization is the art of using mental imagery and affirmations to produce positive changes in one's life.
More on this book once I finish reading it. Seems like an interesting read. :)

Me going R&B and Gospel baby!!

Lately I have been listening to a lot of R&B and Gospel and Soul music. I guess this deviation in taste must be primarily because of American Idol. I have been following the auditions and I heard a lot of big names like Liza Minelli, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Yolanda Adams. I decided to pick up a few CDs and check them out. Oh my god...it just blew me away. I think another reason why I connected with this genre of music is only because of my love for vocals. Be it from a Hindustani Classical background, Carnatic backround or the very own R&B and Gospel...it just shows that one doesnt need instruments to make a song...its the voice that does the magic.. Here are few of my fav clips that I love to listen over and over again.


Bianca Ryan performing "And I'm telling you I am not going" at America's Got Talent. Click here to see the video.





Christina Aguilera performing "It's a Man Man Man's World at the 49th Grammys 2007. Click here to see the video.