Mission ‘Uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 a.k.a. IE7’

Wow Internet Explorer 7!!! It is Awesome!!! Tabbed look, RSS feed viewer, Search box, Quick Tabs, Stronger Security, and lots of other things. I feel blessed.

Days passed & nights passed with blessings all around. But hold on what’s that? Is that a fly in my soup? IE7 doesn’t work with this software; IE7 doesn’t work with that software. Phew!!!


Googling...

Oh, it’s not the IE7; it’s the software which is not compatible with IE7. Seems like they need to release new versions. But until that happens, it seems that I need to adieu to IE7. I will miss you.

Anyways, let me uninstall the IE7. How do I do that? IE7 doesn’t have any uninstall option in the Start Menu entries. Oh, you are a dumbo Ro. You need to go to Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel. Scrolling the big list…here it is Microsoft Internet Explorer 7. Let me click on it to get the Change/Remove button. Where is the button? Hey. Hello. Where are you? Let me see others in the list. They have the button. Why it’s not on the IE7?

Let me go the Microsoft way….Reboot the machine.

Restarted -> Logged in as Local Administrator to avoid permissions issues -> Went to Add/Remove Programs. Uff, It’s not there still. (God!!! Time to file a ticket to IT Helpdesk?)

Googling...

Oh, I need to select “Show updates” on the top of the Add/Remove dialog box. I selected it and then could see few updates under IE7. YES!!! They have the buttons. Seems like I have to uninstall the updates first to get the button on IE7 item. Smart concept!!!

I uninstalled the 2 updates. Rebooted the machine. Went to Add/Remove box. . Fainted! No buttons yet. Now what is the problem? Who took the button?

Googling...
Googling...
Googling...
GREAT!!! Long live Microsoft!!! It’s a known Bug.

Microsoft believes that after installing IE7 on your machine, if you get a Change/Remove button in the Add/Remove Dialog box for IE7, you are lucky. If you don’t, you are in the mass, just like me. Read this: KB923721. The page reads: “You cannot uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2”. What a title! Though the page speaks about problems with IE 7 Beta 2 only, but it is true with the IE7 Final version too. I used the Final version only.

The suggested workaround: 7MB download cost on the network. . You need to download the Internet Explorer Uninstall Tool package.
The uninstaller uninstalls the IE7 and you get back your IE6. At last! (I am feeling better now. I will sleep well tonight. Thanks KB, thanks Microsoft.)

This is the first time I have come around a software which asks you to download the uninstaller separately. I wonder Microsoft didn’t release any patch for this too.

Lesson Learnt: When you download IE7 installer, make sure you download the IE7 Uninstall Tool too.

Cheers!

ASL Plz

I nvr tho8 dat it wud end lke diz. Scrabbled? Read ahead….

I hate using shortcuts such as hru, sm1, gr8, etc. in sms, chats. Still there are some selective ones which I use such as ttyl, asl and kit. I use asl as everyone else does for getting a stranger's introduction during online chats (which I seldom do). But last week happened a strange but funny incident.

Read this small conversation…..

Italiano (name changed): Hey!
Ro: who is this?
Italiano: I am from Italy.
Ro: not interested.
Italino:
Ro:
Italiano: Can I chat with you.
Ro: Tell me a thing first, how did you get my id?
Italiano: yahoo directory
Ro: I see.
Italiano: Can I chat with you.
Ro: (thinking)
Italiano: ??
Ro: (thinking)
Italiano:
Ro: ok.
Italiano:
Ro:
ASL plz.
Italiano: asl means???????????????
Ro: Are you new to chat?
Italiano: asl means???????????????
Ro: Age Sex Location
Italiano:
Ro: ( what did I write wrong. Let me see again what we talked. Why this blushing symbol.) What was there to be Blushing in it?
Italiano: Hmmmm, You are naughty.
Ro: Don’t be fishy with me.
Italiano:
Ro: Why this symbol? Is anything funny going on here?
Italiano: No you said na “Sex Location”. You are very naughty
Ro: (grrrrrrrrr kit kit kit kit kit)

Ro has signed out!!!


Lesson learnt: “Never use shortcuts with strangers. NEVER!!!”

Thought it was annoying to me at the time but I remember I smiled so many times after signing out thinking about the incident. And even now when I am writing this post I am smiling again. Now the scene is that anytime I read the word “ASL” I am rofl. Rofl means rolling on the floor laughing . I wsh I m nt wrtng shrtcts nymre.

Before ending this post a strong advice….avoid using shortcuts with those who you don’t know, else my best wishes with you.

CA (Come Again).

Love is just Love

It was more than 2 years back, 26th August 2004 to be specific, when I wrote these lines of thoughts. I remember I was undergoing my graduation exams at that time and during the small breaks from studies, I used to add more lines to this. [don't worry, I topped the exam :)]. And this is how this entire thing came up. Why I wrote it?......that is a completely different story. May be in another post some time?

I don't know whether I should call it a poem or not, but as for me these lines sings by themselves so I call it a poem, My First Poem. I hope to write many more in the coming days, when I am in mood.

As I am writing so many other things on this blog site I thought of putting this one too. So that it could be found anytime. And what could have been a better time to add it to this site than this week. A week when Love is in the Air all around. So, here it goes...."Love is just Love."

Love is just “LOVE”

Love is……………a Mystery.

Love is the language through which
two hearts express the intangible.
Love is an ocean of immense ecstasy
where one sinks deep
to soak soul in drops heavenly.

Love is the smile that sparkles
in someone’s presence.

Love is the tear that trickles
when one cares for someone.

Love is the immeasurable faith
that sprouts when
when one finds the other half.
Love embraces without pretenses.

Let me remain me
Let you remain you…
Let’s unite to become one forever.

Is this what Love says?

Love is the song that is sung
at the silent beats of heart.
Love is the divine rhythm
at which soul dances recklessly.

Love is a treasure of enticing pain
where one longs for someone
countless nights and days.
Love is infinite
expanding beyond the cerulean sky
and carrying in it the whole of existence.

Love is the string which ties
two souls in eternal bond.
Love is completion
with a streak of emptiness in it;
emptiness that is fulfilled
only in the presence of the beloved.

Love is the creation of a creator.
Love is the poem of a poet.
Love is the painting of an artist.
Love is the symphony of a musician.
Love is the religion of a lover.
Love creates but never destroys.
Love is a faith which never betrays.

Love is a rainbow
that embellishes eyes
with its myriad colors.

Love is the blooming flower
whose sweet fragrance
intoxicates the senses.

Love is a drop of water
on the heart of parched desert.
Love is a beam of light
flashing in vast darkness.

Love is the breath
that carries wisps of scented air.
Love is the sigh one takes
in remembrance of someone.

Love is a shower of rain
sprinkling around boundless bliss.
Love is life flourishing
in its most awesome form.

Love is Everything
and Everything is Love
yet words fail to delineate
what Love is.

Love is
ineffable

inexpressible
indefinable.

Love is beyond words.

Love is the ancient wine
with its flavor beyond description.

Falling in Love entails rising …
Falling and rising together…
A puzzle it is... isn’t it?

Love is a feeling
that one may have for a moment
but whose essence lasts forever.

Love happens once in a lifetime
but it’s tough to recognize it
it just happens…happens by itself.

Love is the purest virtue, the highest power
a dais where once you step,
you leave behind all selfishness and desires

as Love increases, desires decrease.

Love nurtures soul in a bliss.
Love doesn’t know give and take.
Love just shares…beyond boundaries.
Love doesn’t bind;

its sets one free
removing bars and inhibitions.

Love is beyond logics..

Love is beyond deductions….
Love is beyond understanding……
Love is beyond comprehension…….

A riddle that can be solved
only when one falls in Love.
So…………

Fall in Love

to see how Love elevates soul to higher terrains.

And as any other word would fail to describe
what Love is
So…………..

let it remain the way IT IS.

Love is just Love.
Nothing below nothing above……
Love Is Just “LOVE”.

Love is a gift. A feeling, an inspiration which can raise someone to the sky from the ashes.

If you love someone Express it. For, an unexpressed love can turn out to be a poison, a poison that will not kill you, but would make you suffer each and every moment. Don’t worry how your beloved would respond to you, because you didn’t ask him/her before you started loving. He/she might not respond to you at all. Never mind, if you loved honestly your duty is to just keep on loving. You never know when stars turn your way and starts shining on you with their full strength. You never know when the cupid hits the bull’s eye. You never know.

So, express your love, express your feelings to the person who matters the most in your life, i.e. your beloved.

Wishing you all the very best of luck.

With Lots of Love.

Ro

When in India do as the Indians do

3 attempts.
1st) 6 hours in line. 1st counter: cleared. 2nd counter: rejected. Result: 2+ hours sitting on stairs thinking what to do.
2nd) 2 counters: cleared. 3 verifications: negative. Result: 2+ days sitting in dark thinking what to do.
3rd) Bribe (read ‘donation’). Result: Passport in hand.

Lesson learned: “When in India do as the Indians do”. Welcome to India Ro!

I know most of the people reading this post will say, “It is alright, Ro. It happens here daily. And after all, all is well that ends well”. Agree.

But this was one thing which kept me worried for over a year since I took the 1st attempt. When I first filed the application for my passport 12 months ago, I had doubts in my own mind but someone vowed me his strong back-support (what was the word: “contacts”). And the words after the result, “Come back, let’s plan the next attempt”. I vowed, “I won’t with you”, and I didn’t. 3 months back I filed again through an agent (the word this time: “care”). And the words after the results, “You should have made some offerings too”. I talked to myself “I have never done it. I don’t want to either. Let’ see if things can be done without dirtying my hands”. Then came the third attempt with the same agent a month back; the weapon this time: bucks. And it worked. Congratulations!!!

Even still today I am unable to believe that I did such things to get things done. And I don’t know whether I should feel happy or frustrated. I had heard it many times that in India (at least) you need to pay the officers some money ‘too’ to seek happy ending. But I thought that there are only few people who expect such. But I was wrong. All men are same. I don’t know if I have got this mentality of donating injected in me now, but at least I will not be showing a cold shoulder to it if needed. Life has again been very educating through these attempts.

And today when I am writing this post, one of my friends is suffering the same problem. No offerings have already resulted in a negative feedback. Time for another warm Indian welcome, hun?

I was reading an Article in the Times of India (Newspaper, India) last week. The front page headline read “India: World’s No. 1 Bribe Payer”. No wonder to me as India has always been at the top of these lists. But this time I said to myself, “I am also a part of it, now”.

I contributed just for my passport. People do it for so many other things, everyday, everywhere.

Corruption is far dangerous than diseases like Cancer and AIDS today. Rather it would be a foolish act trying to make any comparisons. We all have read it so many times in printed media and have seen on electronic. But what are the reasons behind such bribing all around us? Who are responsible? Let’s check out the viruses:

Virus I: The Politicians. Every 1 out of 3 politicians today are charge-sheeters. No wonder that they are great inspirations to the public. And it seems like we love them so much hence re-elect most of them.

Virus II: Judicial System. 365 days in a year, 730+ scams. Lots of hearings, lots of accusations and lots of escapes (read: clearance). No big player goes to jail. Another great source of motivation.

Virus III: Population: Everything in India can be cursed to population. Too little jobs and too little average household income. Most of the people in public departments are not paid properly; hence they are forced to take bribes (officially?). Too many applicants and fewer seats; hence they are forced to make bribes (officially? Yes.) and get in. Officially because institutes/schools call it “donation”. Bribe got this official name long long ago.

Virus IV: You and Me.
Most of the people today have “I don’t care” attitude. It seems like we have become used to it. We don’t really care anymore and are ready to pay bribes as it would speed up our work. And those who don’t or can’t bribe, never raise their voices against it. I hear people say, “Who wants to take the pain of shouting, is it worth? I will find another way myself”. Seems like we all believe in system at first, don’t we?

I won’t quote lengthy on this topic because everyone knows how things work or how to make things work. So I am skipping those great stories here.

Though I personally feel (read: believe) that there is no solution to this bug but if there is any it has to be a change in our attitude. Not just me, not just you, everyone.

Time for self-check: Have you ever bribed someone in any way? (I can already see you nodding yes so many times). Feel free to share your brave endeavors with us here.

Right now, I am also in a fight with an apex Educational institute. Once it’s over, I will share the story.

With the hope that our ranking goes down.
Signing off.