I am engaged now

On 25th January, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. My engagement party started. Some 120 people attended it (in Vijay Nagar, Bangalore); we had solid fun. The wedding is on 27th June 2004. Be there for some yummy Tamilian food.
Shall post pics laters.
Some one asked me what's so special about marrying the one that you love; I said, 'People who have never seen, used, heard of a telephone will never miss it.'
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

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CafePress Publishes my novel

CafePress Publishes my novel

Sunnu, my first novel, was published today.
I just created an account and published it myself ha ha. Anyway if you are from USA you may want to check it out.
Buy it hot off the presses at Cafe Shops
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

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How to Blog through SMS... For free!

How to Blog through SMS... For free!

Ok guys, I am sure you're gonna love me for this, especially if you are a blogger pro user. Other blogging system users may also be interested in this. I just discovered a way to post through SMS (short-messaging-service; allows your mobile to send messages (text/multimedia) to other phones).

First, can you blog via e-mail baby?

But first, whether you are using a hosted service like Blogger, Typepad or if you are hosting your own script (MT, Nucleus, B2 Evolution); your blog system should allow you to post via e-mail. For Blogger Pro users it is very simple; they just need to set-up a secret mail id in the 'Settings'. I know that Nucleus has plugin that allows one to post via e-mail. I am sure even MT has such a plug in. OK, get the basics right; you can already post via e-mail. If you can't blog via e-mail stop right here.
Or, go haul'em up Blogger guys: Ev wrote to me some time back saying that Blogger Pro is shelved and that all its features are now part of the free-service. Ah! I wonder why they excluded 'blog via e-mail' to you free-service (ha ha) users. Go ask Ev.

Yes, I can blog via e-mail. Show me the money!

All right. Follow the steps, Come back and buy me a beer.

1. Go to Excell.to and register yourself using your mobile phone


2. Test if you can send e-mails through your mobile phone (using SMS)


3. If you can e-mail through SMS; send an e-mail to your 'blog via email' secret email id (yea yea through SMS)


4. Check if your SMS is posted on your blog; you gotta be careful with the SMS commands (read about it here)


5. Buy me a beer if it all works out fine; else consult a neuro surgeon

Free blogger users; shame on you buggers, upgrade, go get your own domain, hosting and blog scripts. Other blogging system users: I know for a fact that Nucleus and B2 Evolution offer blog via e-mail service. I am sure even your script does (if you don't use Nucleus or B2); if it doesn't give a shout in your forums.

The catch: The day Excell decides to pull its free service off... Damn, no let's pray they won't. And hey, you'll have to pay your mobile phone company for all the SMSs; smart ass! Whoa some people...
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

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blog thru sms

this was posted thru sms. Shall post in detail later. This is exciting stuff.

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Times are changing

Times are changing

Last night, while having dinner at the mess, the mess owner smiled at me and pointed to a package that read �Universal VCD/ACD/Mp3� . �I bought it', he said. His wife and his two kids smiled too. �6500 rupees with home-theater system, I pay 100 a day, installment scheme you see.� The mess owner added. I nodded and gave a thumbs-up.
The country is progressing. 2003 was indeed a great feel-good year. I did not subscribe to all the dramatic headlines in the Economic Times (I wont link to their site; why do you need links to a toilet paper site?) and the lavish stories in all the leading tabloids.
To me this was the sign that sealed it; a middle class business man acquiring a home theater system at 100 bucks a day; yea, now we are talking.
I am sure there are thousand more families that had bought a fridge or a TV or a VCD player and are smiling right now. They want their kids to go to the best schools. They want to live it up. They want to work hard. So far so good.
Back in late 80s we got our first sofa. As the men moved the leather (or so the vendor claimed) clad monster to our living room, I had tears in my eyes. It was a dream come true for me and I had to wait for five years for it. I was ashamed to invite my friends to our home as we had no furniture but for the two ancient wooden chairs. No TV, no tape-recorder, no nothing.
After the sofa we got a black and white TV (portable) and a Dyanora-National tape-recorder; through an installment scheme. That day I had thought, �these installment schemes will revolutionize buying.� They did. And I am glad.
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

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Inspiration

Inspiraton

...Via a friend.

Work like you don't need the money,
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's heaven on earth !

I thought that was um er cool?
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

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Ganguly's Dumb-Ass Tactics

Ganguly's Dumb-Ass Tactics

In today's one-day match against the Aussies, Ganguly waited till the freaking 40th over to get Sehwag into the bowling attack. And Sehwag took a wicket on the fourth or fifth ball of his over. Now, I don't understand why Ganguly the great intrepid captain had to wait -while Symmonds was plundering the Indian attack and the run rate was hovering around 6 per over- until 40th over! And, Ganguly brought himself on BEFORE Sehwag... What do we call this? Delusion? Or a simple case of megalomania?
Update: We lost the match by 18 runs. Ganguly had given away 40 runs in his 5 overs. If only Sehwag had bowled those... ok wishful thinking! Ganguly played a brilliant knock though.
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

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The Airtel guide to 'How to torment your customers'

The Airtel guide to 'How to torment your customers'

This is the fourth post by me on Airtel's utter incompetence and unabashed insensitivity towards its customers ( Read related article here).
I took off for my Christmas holiday on 24th December. On 27th I get a message from Airtel stating that I had crossed my 'credit limit' and that I had to make an interim payment to avoid termination of services. Well, I was pissed off... But yes, considering their trouble in collecting payments I didn't want to fuss too much over it. So called up their customer-care executive and asked him 'Can I make a payment in Hyderabad?' for which he said 'No. You have to come to Pune sir.' I was stunned. A corporation that makes claims that it is India's number-one mobile phone service provider has not bothered to implement a global billing system.
I requested them to hold on and NOT terminate my connection. I told them that I was on a holiday and that I can make the payment only on January 5th 2004; it was of no avail. They suspended my in-coming and out-going calls during the period I had needed them the most. I couldn't wish all my friends nor could I receive any calls or messages. I have realized that it doesn't pay to be a nice guy to these jokers. It serves them well that so many people use and never pay for the services. The day they start respecting sincere customers is when Airtel and corporations like them will prosper. Right now I am no the look out for a better service provider; Reliance is ruled out as there are many 'inter-connectivity' problems. Any suggestions?
Write to me: suman 'at' sumankumar 'dot' com

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