I have the privilege of sitting besides a car expert (Robert). He has driven his Toyota Camry for over 600,000 miles. He fixes everything by himself, thus saving thousands of dollars.

Today one other colleague came to him and told about his Honda that stalled on the road with a check engine light on. He had taken it to the Honda service. And they reported that the Radiator and engine gasket need to be replaced.

Then Robert was mentioning a very easy check to see and confirm that the gasket was indeed the problem. He suggested checking the oil cap and if you notice Vaseline like creamy coating on the cap, then it might be a gasket leak. This is formed because the coolant leaks and mixes with the oil.

Just thought of noting down the ways I try to find a good deal (especially applicable for electronic products).

Check the below websites:

• deals.hardkap.com: This is a page I created that will allow fast search of various deal sites. Best method to search rather than visit all the deal websites.
• deals2buy.com: This is a popular deal site. If you want to get more details with pictures compared to the above search.
• edealinfo.com: Another popular deal site.
• amazon.com: Sometimes, we might be able to find good deals here.
• ebay.com: Make sure you look for “buy it now” items. Also check for the feedback of the seller.

Second set of sites you can search:

• bestbuy.com
• circuitcity.com
• frys.com
• target.com
• walmart.com

Usually, when I am looking for an electronic item. I search all these sites in the order specified and go for the cheapest and best deal. Make sure you check the full amount (price+tax+shipping).

The trick to center a div in IE.

• Body selector: text-align: center;
• Div/Container: margin: 0 auto;
• Div/Container: text-align: left; on the container to counter the center align for body

I saw this google product that can be very helpful for businesses and creating products.

http://www.google.com/insights/search/#

You can see what people are searching, what regions are searching for a particular search term. You can compare search volume patterns across specific regions, categories, and time frames.

The below page lists some ways in which you can use the data from Google insights:

http://www.google.com/support/insights//bin/answer.py?answer=96693

Some of them are:

* Choosing advertising messages
* Examining seasonality
* Creating brand associations
* Entering new markets

One interesting study I came across recently was stating that, when comparing linux and ubuntu using the google search trends, they found that the linux searches are decreasing and Ubuntu is increasing. Ubuntu might soon overtake Linux in search trends. This is showing the marketing behind Ubuntu. Now the world is beginning to think that Linux is Ubuntu instead of the fact that Ubuntu is just a flavor (very successful) of Linux.

Another post based on one of the recent reading on the web. This is related to presentation skills.

As always you are encouraged to read the full article at:
http://wziwyo.com/?p=177

Take aways for me from this article:

1. Set the theme: (example: There is something in the air today – a theme for Macbook air announcement). Once you identify your theme, make sure you deliver it several times throughout your presentation.
2. Demonstrate enthusiasm: If you think a particular feature of your product is “awesome,” say it.
3. Provide an outline: Make lists and provide your audience with guideposts along the way. Divide into sections and make clear transitions in between.
4. Make numbers meaningful: Dont just throw out a number. Make it meaningful, explain in detail.
5. Try for an unforgettable moment: This would be the part of the presentation that everyone would be talking about later.
6. Create visual slides: Even if its a single sentence, try having a slide.
7. Give them a show: Enhance your presentations by incorporating multimedia, product demonstrations, or giving others the chance to say a few words.
8. Don’t sweat small stuff: Don’t sweat minor mishaps. Have fun. Few will remember a glitch unless you call attention to it. Try handling such situations in a cool or funny way.
9. Sell the benefit: Your listeners are always asking themselves, “What’s in it for me?” Answer the question. Don’t make them guess. Clearly state the benefit of every service, feature, or product.
10. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse: Self explanatory. This helps coordinate between the words, multimedia, slides etc.

Just thought of writing about the morals/thoughts I learned or realized after watching the hindi movie called “Tare zameen par” which means “Stars on the Earth” in english. The movie is about a boy who has difficulty in reading and writing, but has other significant skills with painting and creativity.

Parents and teachers continually put him down branding him as a good-for-nothing foolish child. Once a teacher who had similar problems in his own childhood meets this boy, he realizes and helps this boy. Finally, the boy’s confidence develops and he starts making very good progress that the teahers speak very well of him.

Some thoughts I had after watching the movie:

- Parents – never break a child’s spirit. Never brand them negatively.

- For all of us- We all have unique talents and ways of creativity. Dont ever stop pursuing it. Dont allow the world and others to adulterate the unique creativity in you.

I really love what Google is doing. It says – you ‘ve to work 4 days a week for the projects assigned. We will pay 1 day for you to be creative and dream. Popular google products like Gmail and many others came out of this 1 paid day of creativity. When will the other companies learn from this example?

- One statement in the movie goes like this: “…each child has his pace to study and pick up things .. dont pressurize them, they will learn it today or tomorrow.

As example to this statement. There were very studious and average and below average students from my school and college. But finally, I see most of them ending up with top IT companies. Some below average or average folks are even managing the studious folks.