Empire Avenue

There are times (post the online gaming, wikipedia, gmail, facebook era) when I feel that everything new that could be created/developed on the net has been done already….& then something new hits you !
Actually this is something which happens often in life….but didn’t expect it to happen frequently on the net…

The spotlight in this post is on Empire Avenue – a social stock market game which runs on people rather than the business world…or you can think of it as the social network which combines all the others out there…or in Tolkein’s words – “One ring to bind them all” (ok …I rearranged some words of his famous lore…but you get it!)

Basically, once you register on their site, you become an entity in which people can invest in. The price of your stock fluctuates depending on your social activity which is why its a good idea to link your other social network accounts with this site.
Unlike the others, Empire Avenue encourages you to be active on the other social networks like Facebook, Google+, Linkedin, WordPress, FourSquare, Instagram, youtube etc.
(Note : For those worried about the privacy of lets say your fb messages, you don’t have to worry. Only your public messages show up here. The private ones add to your social activity & are thus responsible for your stock price but they remain private.)

You can invest in other people or companies (like WWE) too. The virtual currency here are Eaves. You earn via completion of missions (if you wish to take them up) or via dividends of your investments. The usual tools used in stock markets also exist here (like stock price alerts).

Once you invest in others, you can follow their social activities (eg: you get an intimation of their recent blog entry) & thus expand your online social network.

The best thing about it is that its so complex (which is why I like the whole system of the original Financial Stock Market) & we can use it in a number of ways :

• You can use it to connect with people of similar interests
• You can play it to compete with others by leveling up since its after all an online game.
• Brand managers (or even us normal bloggers) can use the ‘mission’ functionality (rewarding people with Eaves) to gain more hits on their online campaigns/posts.

The only problem it has is that it lacks help pointers which should be sprayed all through the site….kinda like ‘bubble notes’ which should appear with helpful tips when we click on some uncharted part of the site. So the initial learning curving is quite high. But once you understand it its fun.

The good thing about it is that it kinda gels with my new year resolution – To be more active on the blgoging world

As a parting shot, I will leave you with the following links :

1. Empire Avenue Tutorial
2. A registration link : Register here (I think we get some Eaves as reward if you join via this link)
   

Exam Fever !

If you got nervous after you read the title, I wont blame you…honest !

Most memories concerning examinations involve moments like :

• Leaving out some parts of the subject…& then someone’s declaration that he/she is sure that part is gonna come…sigh….last minute cramming time !
• Last minute stressful revisions.
• Watching your friend make chits for himself & survive to tell the tale later !

I remember being calm before exams of subjects I loved (subjects involving logic at its purest form – programming,maths) probably because I wasn’t afraid of being tested here.
I used to be tense for exams of subjects which I disliked…subjects in which I had no interest….but I had to learn simply since its there in the curriculum. I am not talking of subjects like philosophy or economics….those are needed to understand the world….I am talking of subjects dealing with a specific narrow line of work…subjects which require the student to remember huge chunks of data !
Anyway….I managed to hold on to my sanity……I survived !

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Looking back I wish the focus of our education system was more on the children gaining knowledge…understanding the nature of the world around them ….rather than their performance in the rat race.

I love to read about places where a person is graded via constant evaluations over a period of time over a range of activities & subjects.
I didn’t have the luck to go through such a system but I feel glad to know that such places do exist.

Btw I am not afraid of exams…..I still give exams….but on my own accord…for certifications… to test my knowledge of subjects which I love ….& I believe I am doing well

The below cartoon is 1 of my fav ones…Calvin showing another form of his intelligence….something which won’t be appreciated by the authorities for sure

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Ref :
Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

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The Blood Donation Guide

Its the begining of the year 2010…As per the Chinese Zodiac we are nearing the end of the Year of the Ox…to be succeeded by the Tiger (from Feb 14).
Blood donation is a noble generous act…..something which I always approved but never participated in…..I think the fear of the needle held me back.
As a begining to this year, I decided to vanquish that fear & strengthen my reasons for the need to donate blood.

Someone needs blood every two seconds.

Source : www.americasblood.org

Q. Why is Blood Needed?

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Blood product	Main uses
Whole blood	Open heart surgery, newborns
Red blood cells	Trauma, anemia, surgery
Platelets	Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy
Fresh frozen plasma	Massive transfusions
Plasma	Burns
Cryoprecipitate	Hemophilia

Q. Why should I donate ?

 

• Reduce the chance of heart diseases by as much as 1/3rd.
• Enhance the production of new Red Blood Cells.
• Helps in fighting hemochromitosis (iron overload disorder).
• Burns calories.One pint of blood (450 ml) when donated burns 650 calories in donor’s body.
• Donor gets a basic blood test carried out.

Q. Whats the shelf life of donated blood ?

 

• Platelets must be used within 5 days of donation.
• Red blood cells may be stored under refrigeration for a maximum of 42 days.
• Plasma is generally frozen and must be used within one year.

Q. Who Can Donate ?

 
You can donate Blood if :

• You are between 18 and 60 years.
• Your weigh over 45 kg.
• Your haemoglobin is over 12.5 gms.
• Your last blood donation was three months earlier.

Q. Which Tests are carried out before blood donation ?

 
The core tests recommended by the World Health Organization are :

• Hepatitis B Surface Antigen.
• Antibody to Hepatitis C.
• Antibody to HIV, usually subtypes 1 and 2.
• Serologic test for Syphilis.

Q. How is the Blood taken ?

 

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• The blood is drawn from a large arm vein close to the skin, usually the median cubital vein on the inside of the elbow.
• The skin over the blood vessel is cleaned with an antiseptic such as iodine or chlorhexidine to prevent skin bacteria from contaminating the collected blood and also to prevent infections where the needle pierced the donor’s skin.
• The donor may also be prompted to hold an object and squeeze it repeatedly to increase the blood flow through the vein.
• Whole Blood Method :
  • The most common method is collecting the blood from the donor’s vein into a container.
  • The blood is usually stored in a flexible plastic bag that also contains sodium citrate, phosphate, dextrose, and sometimes adenine. This combination keeps the blood from clotting and preserves it during storage.
• Apheresis :
  • Apheresis is a blood donation method where the blood is passed through an apparatus that separates out one particular constituent and returns the remainder to the donor.
  • Using this method an individual can donate plasma or platelets much more frequently than they can safely donate whole blood.

Q. What blood type is needed most?

 

• Common blood types are needed because there are many patients with them. Less common blood types are needed because there are fewer donors to give them.
• People with O- blood are particularly in demand because they are the “universal donor.”
• AB types are universal recipients.
• This relationship is reversed for plasma products. AB type plasma can be transfused to all patients, while O- types are the universal plasma recipients.
• Therefore, all types are really needed!

 

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Ref :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_donor


http://www.givelife2.org/aboutblood/faq.asp


http://www.americasblood.org


http://www.rotarybloodbank.org/press/reports.htm


http://www.sankalpindia.net/drupal/health-benefits-donating-blood

Thanks to ImageShack for Free Image Hosting

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India’s Best Trains

Its travel time folks ! I am heading to Kolkata this weekend to attend a friend’s wedding.
While the event as also the time spent there are expected to be a blast, we decided to enjoy ourselves even during travel time
I have NEVER been on a long distance train in India…..so travelling for 26 hours via the Durunto Express should be a novel experience !

[Update : The Duronto Express is a well maintained fast train which really goes non stop to its destination ! They have a great catering service also with regular bursts of food supplements.]

Speaking of trains, most of us have a rather bad opinion of train travel in India…..not very clean….very cramped (short distance trains!) etc.
I thought why not look up something on some of the best trains of India instead ? That ought to make most people change their opinions on train travel here ! (yaya…I know I am a very optimistic person )

Palace on Wheels :

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Started In	:	Jan 26 1982
Route	:	Delhi – Jaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Sawai Madhopur – Udaipur – Bharatpur – Agra – Delhi
Duration	:	7 Nights / 8 Days .
Season	:	August- April
Cost	:	450$-670$(September-April) or 340$-500$(August) per person per night depending on the type of occupancy.
Description	:	Rated amongst the top ten luxury trains of the world. A journey, which takes you to enthralling Rajasthan – the land of chivalry, then on to a rendezvous with one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal at Agra. Completely self-sufficient, its public spaces include two restaurant coaches and a bar coach with an attached library.

Deccan Odyssey :

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Started In	:	2004.
Route	:	Mumbai – Ganapatipule – Tarkarli – Goa – Pune – Aurangabad (Ellora) – Ajanta (Nashik)
Duration	:	9 Nights / 10 Days .
Season	:	October to March
Cost	:	285$-950$ per person per night depending on the type of occupancy.
Description	:	This really aims to be a complete 5-star hotel on wheels, with two restaurants and a bar, a sauna, business centre and other such amenities on board. One gets to visit the beautiful beaches in Goa and Maharashtra, the grand forts and palaces of the Marathas and the Osho Ashram in Pune.

Golden Chariot :

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Started In	:	October, 2009.
Route	:	Bangalore – Kabini – Mysore – Hassan – Hampi – Badami – Goa – Bangalore
Duration	:	7 Nights / 8 Days.
Season	:	October – April
Cost	:	285$-485$ per person per night depending on the type of occupancy.
Description	:	Named after the famous Stone Chariot in Hampi, a world heritage site. It takes enthusiasts across exotic locations in the state of Karnataka, in India. There are Eleven Passenger Saloons of Four Sleeping Chambers(cabins) each;Two Dining Cars with onboard Kitchen; Bar Lounge Saloon; & facilities of Conference Space,Business Center,Mini Gymnasium,Aryuvedic Spa center.

Royal Orient :

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Started In	:	1994-95.
Route	:	Delhi-Chittorgarh – Udaipur – Palitana – Somnath – Diu – Ahmedpur – Mandvi – Sasangir National Park – Junagarh – Ahmedabad – Jaipur – Delhi
Duration	:	07 Nights / 08 Days .
Season	:	September – April
Cost	:	175$-350$(October-March) or 132$-263$(April & September) per person per night depending on the type of occupancy. (not including liquor,laundry ,video camera expenses)
Description	:	The train covers some of the most exotic and lustrous destinations comprising of serene lakes, ancient temples, beautiful sea resorts and it also provides you an opportunity to closely monitor the rich wildlife of Rajasthan and Gujarat. A restaurant car is attached with the train to provide you Indian, continental, Chinese as well as Rajasthani and Gujarati cuisine. Additional facilities include a well stocked bar & a library.

The Fairy Queen :

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Started In	:	1855-1908 , 1997-Present.
Route	:	Delhi – Alwar – Sariska – Delhi
Duration	:	2 Days .
Season	:	October-March.
Cost	:	48$-165$ per person per night depending on the depth of travel(1 way/2way,Sariska travel etc).
Description	:	It holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest working Steam locomotive in regular operation. This train has got only a first class chair car having 50 seats and a pantry car for on board catering. The train will stop at every major destination and the ambience of it will provide you an excellent opportunity to feel like a maharaja as you travel through the royal land.

Other fantastic luxury trains include Heritage on Wheels, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels ,India on Wheels etc .

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Ref :

http://www.visit2india.net/


http://www.famousinindia.com/famous_trains_in_india.html


http://www.irfca.org/faq/faq-seltrain.html

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World Famous Reality Shows

Reality shows have become the talk of the town. Moving away from cliched daily soaps, they have become a wonderful alternative for TV viewers.
They have crossed over to reach the global populace ignoring boundaries of every country.
This blog entry is dedicated to Reality Shows (only the competition based ones for now).

American Idol :

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1st Season	:	2002 (USA).
Latest Season	:	2009 (USA).
Description	:	It is a reality competition to find new solo musical talent, created by Simon Fuller. It is a spinoff from the reality program Pop Idol, which first aired in 2001 in the United Kingdom. The program seeks to discover the best singer in the country through a series of nation-wide auditions.

Big Brother :

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1st Season	:	1999 (The Netherlands).
Latest Season	:	2009 (India,Israel).
Description	:	It is a reality television show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for around three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash prize by avoiding periodic evictions from the house. It has been a prime-time hit in almost 70 countries.

Dancing With The Stars :

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1st Season	:	2004 (Australia,Italy).
Latest Season	:	2009 (USA).
Description	:	The show pairs a number of celebrities with professional ballroom dancers, who each week compete by performing dances. These are then given scores by a panel of judges. Viewers are given a certain amount of time to place votes on their favorite dancers. The couple with the lowest combined score (judges plus viewers) is eliminated, and continue in the next week. This process continues until there are only two or three couples left, at which point one couple is declared the champion.

Deal or No Deal :

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1st Season	:	2000 (The Netherlands).
Latest Season	:	2009 (Many countries).
Description	:	It is played with up to 26 cases (or in some versions, boxes) with certain sums of money. The Player chooses a case or a box to knock an amount of money off the board. Throughout the game, after a predetermined number of cases have been opened, the banker offers the contestant an amount of money and/or prizes to quit the game, the offer based roughly on the amounts remaining in play and the contestant’s demeanor. The player then answers the titular question, choosing: * “Deal”, accepting the offer presented and ending the game, or * “No Deal”, rejecting the offer and continuing the game.

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! :

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1st Season	:	2002 (U.K).
Latest Season	:	2009 (India).
Description	:	Celebrities live together in an jungle environment with few luxuries, competing to win a cash prize for charity. In return for their appearance, celebrities nominate a charity to which the show makes donations. The celebrities are paid a fee (reported to be £25,000 for UK competitors) to compensate for loss of earnings. The money is raised by allowing viewers to vote, by phone, text message or TV interactive service, for the celebrity to complete a “Bushtucker Trial” – a physical task usually involving snakes, spiders or other animals – and, later each series, for the celebrity they would like to see win. The last celebrity, after others have been evicted, is the winner and named King or Queen of the jungle.

Survivor :

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1st Season	:	1997 (Sweden).
Latest Season	:	2009 (USA).
Description	:	The show is credited for making Reality television a popular T.V. genre. In the show, contestants are isolated in the wilderness and compete for cash and other prizes. The show uses a system of progressive elimination, allowing the contestants to vote off other tribe members until only one final contestant remains and wins the title of “Sole Survivor”.

The Apprentice :

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1st Season	:	2004 (USA).
Latest Season	:	2009 (USA).
Description	:	As originally conceived, the show depicted 16 contestants from around the country with various backgrounds competing in an elimination-style competition to become an apprentice to Donald Trump. The premise of the show is to conduct a job talent search for a person to head one of Trump’s companies for a whole year. The show led Trump to become known for his fateful catch phrase “You’re Fired!”.

The Biggest Loser :

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1st Season	:	2005 (USA).
Latest Season	:	2009 (India).
Description	:	It centers around overweight contestants attempting to lose weight to fight for a cash prize. The basic premise of the show is that obese people become contestants who are competing to win $250,000 (originally $100,000) by losing the highest percentage (originally the highest amount) of weight.

The Price Is Right :

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1st Season	:	1972 (USA).
Latest Season	:	2009 (USA,Brazil).
Description	:	It is believed to be the second longest-running game show on television, trailing only the Spanish-language variety show Sábado Gigante. 4 contestants place one bid on an initial product; the player who bids closest to the product’s actual retail price without going over then gets to play one of several mini-games (dubbed Pricing Games in most countries) for an additional and more substantial prize or prizes. One contestant, through various elimination formats, could find themselves winning a large showcase of prizes at the show’s conclusion by predicting the total price of a “showcase”.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? :

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1st Season	:	1998 (U.K).
Latest Season	:	2009 (Denmark).
Description	:	It is the most internationally popular television franchise of all time, having aired in more than 100 countries worldwide. Television quiz show which offers very large cash prizes for correctly answering 15 (some versions, 12) consecutive multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty. Most international versions offer a top prize of one million units of the local currency. Once in the hot seat, a contestant is asked increasingly difficult general knowledge questions by the host. Questions are multiple choice: four possible answers are given (labelled A, B, C and D), and the contestant must choose the correct one If at any point the contestant is unsure of the answer to a question, he or she can use one or more “lifelines” (50:50,Ask the Audience,Phone-A-Friend being the original lifelines)

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Ref :

http://en.wikipedia.org

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