Terrific Ten

This is a list of the ten things/technologies that I've associated myself with in the past some time which I think were absolutely Fabuolous. They are totally unrelated to each other so I don't expect any relevant comparisons of why something is at a specified rank as compared to other itmes in the list. Besides, all this is my personal opinion based on my experiences so followers of Michael Porter, please dont send me offer letters for marketing your products, I am enjoying my job ;)

10. Apple iPhone, Cocoa and objective C  - Was there a time, not so long ago when Steve Jobs made the iPod an iCon... and then came the iPhon (Alright, I was just trying to rhyme). The iPhone, stunning looks and amazing beauty, crafted to perfection, brilliant UI and awesome animations. Everything is just right about this masterpiece till I delved into the deeper details and ended up putting it at number 10. A very robust software platform with a comparitively sad hardware platform, lack of "standard" features such as video recording et al...My journey with handheld devices started when I wanted to carry a tiny computer in my pocket that I could program and do things. I enjoyed programming the Pocket PC and the Palm (and to mention the various PIC16x and 8080s along the way) but my recent stint with iPhone development model was a disappointing one. Choice of objective C, still bearable (Apple, why do you chose to obfuscate your stuff from all the loving, nice, geeky developers around the world, always) but yea the testing and deployment process and the $99 development licence, you're handicapping us guys...SJ you there? listening to us?

9. R/C planes - Soaring high in the limitless skies, I've always liked flying, and yes I often have dreams of being winged and flying the way I want to. For me going R/C has been an expression of freedom...and what have i learnt, I can do rolls :D finally after putting to dust 2 electrics and 1 nitro...

8. Chinese cuisine - General Tso's chicken, or Spicy shrimp, I never knew that Chinese cuisine was so exciting. Dragon ball Chinese buffet, I have started liking your stuff...not to forget the fortune cookie

7. Rock Band 2 - The Game - 1. 2. 3. 4. 1n2n3n4n...I am still not a perfectionist with the 1/16th notes...but Harmonix you surely have done a wonderful job of creating this game, you've just reinforced my idea of utilizing games as a media for delivering knowledge besides just fun...the controller for your game has definitely ended up with the Police knocking my front doors but for the love of the game, I have managed to get drum mutes 

6. Xbox - Three processors, DirectX based graphics, small and portable, HD capable, what more could one ask for besides WiFi, Bluetooth, physical controllers, BluRay, MS you missed all these on the console, didnt you? and that was to price it right enough to be sellable. Agreed, graphics and performance freaks like me enjoy the Xbox over what others have to offer but yea you could've included these for another couple of USDs. Yet, your console rocks...

5.ASUS P750 Mobile Phone  - Fifth of my PDA handlheld devices, 1. Casio A25 or something  2. Casio X something 3. Cassiopea 4. HP iPaq 5. ASUS P750 - Amazing processor, no hangups like the HPs, marvellous battery life, good memory, inbuilt GPS, Wifi, Bluetooth, and a free WinMo 6.1 upgrade. Not to forget the 3.2 MP camera (no flash, I can manage that) and the Sony Ericsson style boardroom looks. Dude you were a great companion till you chose to break down... I hope you recover soon and I am able to have fun with you again...

4. Asus Eee PC - One of my best buy's till date. You are an awesome piece of work my friend. The best thing I like about you is your size and the worst thing your storage size. When I saw you for the first time, I fell in love with you. No doubt I feel that you were a bit pricey back then, but Hey you 're great, and you look so awesome when you adorn the dashboard of my car...I remeber watching "Bachna ae haseeno" on our way back home...and I remeber coding on your little screen. You are good my friend, absolutely amazing...

3. WPF - ground breaking, earth shaking, techo-saurus, what do I call this technology. Well thought, amazing presentation and beside everything so so so easy to use. Power of C++ with the looks of Flash, 

2.OGRE 3D - One of the best multi-platform graphics rendering library (not technology). This one has the oomph factor to it when it comes to ease of usage and abstracting the hard ones like DirectX and OpenGL from the naive programmer. Steeve Streeting and team have done a wonderful job in creating this> i specifically enjoyed the way it has been architected.

1.Bhagvad Gita - Number 1 on my list, this compartively medium sized text seems to have everything that other great and religious texts embibe. The good thing about the Gita is its no more a religious text and instances relate so closely to today's world. Translated to so many languages, and often context lost in the translation, I chose to acquire this book in Sanskrit...I dont remeber sanskrit anymore but i tried to stay closest and considered the Hindi translations. I see close references to Fifth generation warriors, Competitive intelligence, the importance of work, time and money in ones' life, political turmoils, ladders and snakebites, thoughts and reactions, defence and offence, utilization of resources, bureaucracy, team work...hardcore management principles...