‘Goodbye, World': a computing giant passes on

Leaving behind a legacy: Inventor of ‘C’ and co-creator of the Unix operating system, Ritchie’s enduring contribution powered the wired world that we know today.

‘Hello, World'. The simple, sleek and elementary programme that generates this phrase, written in computing language ‘C', has introduced generations of technologists to the world of computing. The man behind this code, and author of the seminal computing textbook The C Programming Language, Dennis Ritchie, passed away on October 12 at his home in New Jersey.

Inventor of ‘C' and co-creator of the Unix operating system, Ritchie's enduring contributions powered the wired world that we know today. Along with Ken Thompson, Ritchie developed tools and technologies that to this day provide the infrastructure for technologies ranging from the smartphone in your pocket to servers, data centres and supercomputers.

As the news of Ritchie's death spread, amidst obituaries and heart-felt tributes were sharp comparisons drawn with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs', who died a week before. The timing of the two deaths made comparisons inevitable; technologists and computer historians rued the manner in which the media eulogised the media-savvy Jobs, and many pointed out that Ritchie was, metaphorically speaking, “the shoulders that Steve Jobs stood on”.

On Wednesday evening Pacific Standard Time, Apple held a private memorial for Steve Jobs. It was an employees only event and was held in an outdoor amphitheater at their headquarters in Cupertino. It's been reported that the memorial was attended by former American Vice President and Apple board member, Al Gore. Norah Jones and Coldplay performed at the event. During the service closure, Chris Martin, frontman for Coldplay told everyone to get back to work because that's what Steve himself would have wanted.

Apple stores around the country remained closed on Wednesday for three hours so employees could watch the event. The glass windows that served as store fronts were covered with white sheets. Earlier in the week, Tim Cook had emailed Apple employees telling them that Apple wanted to, "take time to remember the incredible things Steve achieved in his life and the many ways he made our world a better place."

Before this memorial at Apple's campus, a private memorial was held for Jobs at Stanford Memorial Church on Sunday. It was attended by former US President, Bill Clinton, U2 frontman Bono, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and lots of other public figures, crossing the worlds of politics, technology and entertainment.

Confusion

Son:"Daddy, I fell in love & want to date this awesome girl!"
Father: That's great son. Who is she?
Son: It's Sandra, d neighbour's daughter.
Father: Ohhh I wish u hadn't said that. I have to tell u something son,
but u must promise?not?to tell ur mother. Sandra is actually ur sister.


The boy is naturally bummed out, but a couple of months later ...


Son: Daddy, I fell in love again n she is even hotter!
Father: That's great son. Who is she?
Son: It's Angela, d other neighbour's daughter.
Father: Ohhhh I wish u hadn't said that. Angela is also ur sister.


This went on couple of times n d son was so mad, he went straight to his mother crying.


Son: Mum I am so mad at dad! I fell in love with six girls but I can't date
any of them because dad is their father!


The mother hugs him affectionately and says:
"My love, u can date whoever u want. He isn't your father =))

World's cheapest tablet launched at Rs 2250

The HRD ministry distributed its low-cost tablet to 500 college students from all over the country on Wednesday. The device that took six years to develop and was once subject to widespread ridicule comes dirt-cheap at Rs 2,250.


The government would pick up 50% of the cost and a student will be able to buy it for Rs 1,125.


Christened Aakash or the Low-Cost Access Device, the tablet developed by IIT, Rajasthan and other leading institutions, packs all common features found in Android tablets. It comes as a counter to MIT academic Nicholas Negroponte`s One-Laptop-Per-Child (OLPC) project that the Indian government was considering at one point.


Sporting a 7-inch touchscreen, Aakash runs on Android 2.2 operating software. According to specifications, it has a high-definition video co-processor for good multimedia experience.


The device comes with Wi-Fi connectivity and has support for optional 3G modems. Two full-size USB ports are integrated into the unit. Aakash can be used as an ebook reader. A student will be able to access online streaming of course material and web-based research.


A BTech student of IIT, Delhi developed the first cut of the design. His father, Prem Kalra, later became director of IIT, Rajasthan and took the project to the logical conclusion.


N K Sinha, additional secretary, HRD ministry and the man behind the low-cost tablet, said considering the huge demand, the price would come down further. Sinha, the first person who conceived that a low-cost tablet could be produced in India, was once ridiculed for taking the nation for a ride.


Produced by Datawind, 100,000 tablets would be given out to students over the next year. Currently, the company is producing 700 tablets daily at its Hyderabad facility. Datawind has set up a manufacturing facility only for Aakash.