Distracting elements and e-reading

Posted by Ashesh on

Already 3 weeks of using my new Apple iPad 2, and I am loving it! My primary purpose if for e-reading. Today is the eve of the annoucement of the new iPad 3.
iPad 3 preview

Well, me personally, I wanted to have an e-reader. I found that I could not carry my bookshelf (My Bookshelf) along with me, despite the availability of the PDF or epub version of the books. That’s was sad because I so want to read (or go through again) the books. And this urge tempted me to purchase iPad 2 on 13 Feb. 2012 at eShop Caudan, Port Louis. Since then, I am a happy e-reader!

Apple iPad (iBooks)

Apple iPad’s iBooks application can read .epub format e-books. In order to read your .epub book on the iPad, you’ll need to sync the book file to iBooks.

1. Open up iTunes and verify that you have the latest updates for the iBooks app. 2. Navigate to “Books” in your iTunes library. You should see any other books you have synced to iBooks. 3. Drag the .epub file  into the iTunes Books library. 4. Plug in your iPad device. 5. Click on the device then navigate to the “Books” syncing preferences. 6. Check “Sync Books” and either:

• “All books” will put your entire iTunes library of books on your device. • “Selected books” will require you to check the box next to the books you want to read on your iPad. Check

the box next to the  book title. 7. Click “Sync” to sync your iPad.

When you open up the iBooks application, your Rockable Press book will appear in your library. Enjoy!

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Then furthermore, the joy of reading latest issues of magazines or the New York Times on the Newsstand:

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I have subscribed to Newsweek and hence can download the latest issue of the magazine, as soon as they are available for download.

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Below is a help on How-To navigate in a Magazine.

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I find it super-interesting to view the high-quality photos, the tweet updates, the social bookmarking options and most importantly the ability to view Videos featured in the magazine. That’s awesome. Furthermore, for purchasing books (The Kindle Edition) from Amazon.com, there is the Kindle App for iPad.

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On the other hand, there are some arguments against e-reading outlined int the Gizmodo.com post: Reading Books on a Tablet is Dumb

It is argued that tablet device has a distracting nature: Our emails, IMs, and apps are perpetually notifying us about new things.

Extract from The New York Times article:

People who read e-books on tablets like the iPad are realizing that while a book in print or on a black-and-white Kindle is straightforward and immersive, a tablet offers a menu of distractions that can fragment the reading experience, or stop it in its tracks.

E-mail lurks tantalizingly within reach. Looking up a tricky word or unknown fact in the book is easily accomplished through a quick Google search. And if a book starts to drag, giving up on it to stream a movie over Netflix or scroll through your Twitter feed is only a few taps away.

My Personal Opinion:

I agree that one is tempted to check the incoming mail upon hearing the “New Email sound notification” or comment on the Facebook notification on a photo or status update etc… But, anyway, there is the Airplane mode!!

 

Maha Shivratree 2012

Posted by Ashesh on

To all Devotees of Lord Shiva, Wish you a Pious Maha Shivratree!

Firstly a resume of blog posts concerning my trips to Ganga Talao:

2006: No Pilgrimage but instead my first Char Pahar Ki Puja. At 6am on way back home, bought the daily fresh bread, got ready and then went to college. I had to submit my computing project I think.

12 Feb 2007: The HSC results were out and on way to Ganga Talao, I purchased the afternoon edition of ‘Le Mauricien’ at 9eme Newsstand seller to read that I am ranked after laureates in Economics Side. I was in high elation and was receiving lots of calls of congratulations during the first miles of the trip. A Mini Kanwar was used at that time.

1 March 2008: Constructed a Kanwar and the first year at University of Mauritius. Was feeling sleepy in the Lecture Classes as the night was spent mostly in giving a helping hand to get the kanwar ready on time. Blog Post: http://asheshr.com/2008/03/01/i-am-going-on-pilgrimage-for-maha-shivratri-2008/

22 Feb 2009: Blog Post: http://asheshr.com/2009/02/22/maha-shivratree-2009/ Opportunity to Dance with the Kanwar!

1 Feb 2010: Blog Post: http://asheshr.com/2010/02/12/wishing-you-a-pious-maha-shivratree-2010/ Pilgrimage without Kanwar :( but use of my new iPhone 3GS GPS :)

2 March 2011: Blog Post: http://asheshr.com/2011/03/04/on-the-tv-this-week/ I was featured during the reportage of MBC at Maheshwarnath Mandir Triolet on Maha Shivratree. (UoM Days over, Trainee Associate Software Eng. at Accenture IT). This was a horrible year given that I was not able to do the pilgrimage, being committed to the new world of work.

18 Feb 2012: This year was a special one since the trip was not on my normal route. Well, to get started I had to manage for a work leave for Friday 17, which I did not get. I had to assist a very important web re-design meeting at 4pm till 6pm on Friday! :( Then on Sat. in order to avoid the trauma of not being able to do my yearly pilgrimage, I quickly planned out something to make it happen, and it happened!

My Flickr Photo Set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiousengine/sets/72157629398642985/

Its 5.30pm and at 6pm Char Pahar ki Puja will start. This year the 1st Pahar from Maheshwarnath Mandir Triolet will be broadcasted live on MBC TV. And I have to get ready quickly to be there on time!!!

Update on Wed. 22 Feb 2012:

Yesterday, could not assist fully the char pahars given had to “webwork” yesterday as from 8.30am. Was present at only the first Pahar. Notable presence of Hon. Anil Baichoo, Minister D. Ritoo and the President of MSDTF. It was raining heavily and the mandir was jam-packed with devotees.

I greatly appreciated the ‘bhajan mandali’ comprising of Northern Artists, who were all Youngsters.
Bhajan Mandali

So, this year my trip started on Sat. 18 Feb, at around 4pm, I travelled by bus to the south of the island to join members of a Sabha. It was a nice group consisting of around 20 youngsters. The walk was 3hours and the major challenge was : steep climbing at road contours. Maybe that’s why I saw only 1 Kanwar at that time. Furthermore, it was a great first experience to be playing the Dhol and other instruments which the sabha members had. My cousin Vashish guided me throughout the walk, hmm despite their pace was a bit too quick for me ;)

This year I noticed that more Pligrim Groups (with Kanwar) had their members form a band and play the instruments. I believe there is some sort of funding behind so that most could afford purchase the percussions.
bhakht gan

Reached Ganga Talao at around 11.00pm.  The route was around 18 km and the map is: http://g.co/maps/u8mh2. It was heavenly to do prayers at night at Ganga Talao. This was my best ever moment at Grand Bassin till yet. Took the Bonne-Terre/Curepipe Bus at around 2.30am and got a lift from St. Paul (Vacoas) Till Port Louis. I reached at around 5am at the Kovil where most of the Triolet Kanwarthis have their stay. Yeps, this year could not make it at the Hindu House.

From 7.30am, we took off the way back to our village. I was excited to carry the kanwar of the Shivmay Group which I joined.
Maha Shivratree 2012

p louis

First pause at ‘Kailason Kovil’ Terre Rouge, second at ‘Gro Latet’, Arsenal and final at Solitude Kovil. These were the major points to re-energize or re-plenish. No need to describe the various items being offered to pilgrims – fruits, yoghurt, gato bhajia, Alouda, juice, Mineral water, Piksidou etc. Personally, I was happy to join back people of the North as on my way to G.Bassin, I was acquainted to new friends of the South.
Kailason
Maha Shivratree 2012

At the Total Filling Station, there you could see the Ministers Faugoo and Ritoo in their big cars BMWs, Jaguar walking and meeting the tired pilgrims. They would be in the procession with band and headed by S. Dulthumun. At around 12.30pm, the final walk from Solitude to 9th Mile Triolet.

Solitude Filling

Update 6 March 2012

Added photos to the blog post. My favourite Kanwar photo:

On the other hand, there was one group having done a Kanwar which let many controversies arise