I was virtually stunned by this. Being a Windows user all my life I was so sure Mac would have this useful feature but it did not – the rename files feature has long been implemented on Windows. It works like this.
When you move a file that’s going to be duplicated, Windows system asks you if you want to Rename it or let Windows give it a default name — in which case it adds an ‘_numeric’ to it.
Mac does have this auto-rename feature but only for its Downloads. For instance you downloaded a file using the Safari browser, it defaults the name to ‘_numeric’ if a duplicate file is found. That is a boon because users download a whole lot of stuff and don’t want to be bugged by dialog boxes asking for renaming/replacements or whatever.
But here’s where the goodness is soured. If you use Finder to move a bunch of duplicate files across 2 folders, Mac just gives you 3 options – Don’t Replace, Stop and Replace. There’s no ‘Rename File(s)’ option available! I fail to understand this but my hunch is that this nifty feature might have been patented by Windows. For whatever reason, it’s a basic choice which Mac just could not have ignored.
I have posted my feedback to Apple and hopefully they will include it in their next release Snow Leopard. Looking at current times when content creation and warehousing are mere necessities, empowering the user with features that streamline the processing of his/her data would always be welcomed.
[tags]macintosh, apple, leopard[/tags]
May 20th, 2009
I was shocked to see the video of Jarnail Singh, a correspondent of one of India’s largest Hindi-daily the Dainik Jagran launching a shoe at P C Chidambaram at a Congress Party press conference. Firstly, the conference was called by the ruling party for the updates to the upcoming elections. Secondly, Mr. Chidambaram was presiding over the function in his capacity as a Congress Party member, not as the Home Minister of the Union of India. But I think he did a tremendous job by maintaining his composure and controlling the commotion as one can see in the video.
The flinging of the shoe was not merely and expression of anger from an individual, it signified that the democratic system of modern India had broken down and that the citizens had lost faith in the fundamentals laid down by the very Constitution of India – Freedom of Expression & Speech. It’s shockingly ironical to have the keepers of this very fundamental right harbor a belligerent view of protest in a nation that has awarded its citizens freedom of expression through the Fourth estate. We have to note the exemplary work done by advocate H S Phoolka who has taken up the cause of fighting for aggrieved Sikhs of the 1984 riots using the apparatus offered by the Constitution of India. There is no lawlessness in this country or circumventing of Human Rights that requires a futile act of courage from a reporter who has the ability to enlighten the society through his writings. When did the shoe become mightier than the sword? one must ask Mr. Singh.
This episode has drawn a disappointing parallel to the supposed act of protest by a journalist in Iraq. One must be forewarned that Chidambaram is not a variant of the policies that were supported by Bush and despite the alphabetical alikeness, India could never be an Iraq. The Indian justice system would decide fairly what the outcome of the case would be. Let’s remind ourselves that the same courts condemned and sentenced criminals like Manu Sharma (Jessica Lall Murder case) and Vikas Yadav (Nitish Katara murder trials) despite their high & mighty political affiliations and the media must be thanked in part for highlighting the shortcomings of the case and bringing the culprits to book. No doubt if proven guilty Tytler would be censured for his deplorable acts against humanity. For the present though the focus is on Jarnail Singh and his unconstitutional chivalry that needs to be debated & condemned across the society.
[tags]chidambaram, india, dainik jagran, jessica lall, nitish katara[/tags]
April 7th, 2009
Just as there are moments of great achievements in career like a promotion, getting a mac would undoubtedly rank among the higher for me – no less a promotion from a Windows system for me. The journey from knowing a Mac to owning one has been 13 years long. From my first computer lessons on a PowerMac in 1996 to getting a Macbook Pro in 2009. And the moments leading to my first Mac just made it more memorable for me.
FedEx would have delivered the package on March 23rd if Mount Redoubt had not erupted ‘untimely’. All FedEx flights were diverted and the package took a week more than usual for delivery. It was a situation beyond anyone’s control but I was getting impatient. Finally the good news from FedEx that the package had arrived in Regina early morning and was going to be delivered today. No way I was going to miss the delivery schedule (and wait another day). I requested the executive to let me know an hour before the delivery van was at my doorstep so I could go home and she agreed.
Finally the call came from FedEx but guess what?!! the delivery van had already reached my doorstep and the lady was apologetic for missing the point (aw! darn!). The driver said “sorry” he couldn’t wait and his next stop would be the Sask Energy building just in case I could catch him. I made a dash for my house in the cold and saw the FedEx white van turning at the corner of the street 2 blocks away from my location and vanishing- oh dang! I reached my doorstep to see if there was a note but couldn’t find one but I knew the van was in the vicinity. Reaching the Sask Energy building was my next goal and the biting cold made a block look like a kilometer long.
Soon enough I saw the white van turning into the backyard of the huge Sask Energy building and I was running once again to catch it before it vanishes once again. The van was parked amidst a few more white vehicles camouflaging it nicely. It felt like I had been set up for a cruel joke – when I reached the driver had disappeared. I wasn’t sure how long I would be waiting in the harsh cold. I wanted my Mac TODAY, I said to myself and I’m not leaving without getting it. Sooner than I’d finished cursing myself, a uniformed personnel arrived smilingly like he knew who I was and what I was looking for. Apple, he told me had not authorized him to reroute the package to the office address (which was pitiful) and he had a schedule to meet so he had to rush. After the preliminary exchange of greetings, he vanished inside the van to find what I was looking for and reappeared with a puny little box that hardly look like it contained Mac. And it was so freaking light! A few “thank you”s and “apologies” later we both went our ways. I left the box at my apartment and it’s lying there now awaiting my arrival in the evening.
And so the Mac is here FINALLY. The question that begs an answer – is this the end of my long affair with the PC?
[tags]apple, macintosh, macbookpro[/tags]
March 31st, 2009
Moving away from Mumbai where I was born and bred was never going to be easy. However It was an exciting idea to battle out in sub-zero temperatures trying to survive under odd circumstances. And Regina or ‘Ra-gy-na’ like the people call it here has given me plenty of reasons to smile.
To start with Regina is the capital of of Saskatchewan, a province of Canada. The temperature in this prairie country could be freezing under -40C in the peak season. However when I landed it was -5C and considered pleasant by local standards. Rest assured nothing could prepare you for this climate, not even the warm clothes that were bought off the shelves of the Indian supermarkets as I found out later. I had to bring a Westbeach coat that provided the comfort I was looking for.
There’s nothing much to explore in this cold season in Regina because everything’s covered under snow. It’s also difficult to walk on the streets when the wind chill factor is low (or should I say high). So although one might be an avid walker in Mumbai, being adventurous in this season in Regina could mean a nasty frost bite or exhaustion. Ice gets deposited on any part of the body that remains exposed to the cold wind while you’re taking a stroll. Feet even though wrapped in woolen socks turn numb and ache. All sidewalks and roads that are covered with snow will make walking a very challenging task. It’s not surprising that most people around here own a car while others take the Regina Transit bus service for commuting. Cab services are also available and just a call away if you can afford the fares. But wait until the summer turns up. The locals keep talking a lot about the season when they go mountain biking or trekking. I am eagerly awaiting the the sun to bring me the comfort of its warmth.
Regina is full of nice people as I found out much earlier than I expected. My first contact in this city was Surjit, a security officer at the 711 store on Broad Street. I met Syed later originally from Pakistan and introduced by a friend from the project who gave me and my teammate a ride in his Honda around the city. On another evening a Regina Transit lady driver helped me find a bus to take me to Downtown from the Eastern parts of the city. She took a pamphlet out and marked the bus timings for me ensuring I am not left out in the cold literally. Then 2 youngsters became fast friends at the McDonald’s outlet – one from Afghanistan the other from Azerbaijan. However that is nothing as compared to the smiles and greetings that I receive everyday from countless strangers on the streets and in the elevators. Friendliness is like a way of life for these wonderful people.
Food is another thing that one enjoys in Regina. In fact this city is well-known for it’s wide variety of restaurants. There’s a food court in the Cornwall Centre mall quite adjacent to my office which caters to every taste bud on this planet. My favorites include Manchu Wok and their Garden Plate dish, the Opa from Greece with their delicious Veggie Pita wraps cooked in Olive oil and also Edo from Japan who serve one of the best Udon Noodle soups I have tasted so far. It’s difficult to finish the bowl but that’s pretty much lunch for me. Veggie food is not difficult to find but be assured that soups would use meat broths as I found out later in one of the city restaurants. Be a little flexible on the eggs too if you enjoy eating out too often. Not to mention how addicted I have become to the Hot Chocolate and Cafe Mocha from Tim Hortons. It’s far easier to compare anything with India and get away but Canada could be exciting too if you learn to adapt yourself to it’s environment and the society. The good thing about this country is you can make friends as easily as getting freezed in the wind chill. There’s a lot to be shared about Regina and I think I haven’t actually. It’s getting interesting now as I start to dig my feet into the frozen earth of Regina.
[tags]canada, regina[/tags]
January 30th, 2009
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