wicd is a better (replacement to) network-manager

Network Manager (the nm-applet) is the default networking utility in gnome based distros.
Somehow I was unhappy over Network Manager for the amount of time it takes to connect to a network every time it gets disconnected. This led me to search for a replacement for Network Manager. I never thought that there would be one. However I found out wicd being listed in couple of blogs and wikis. So I set out on trying wicd myself. Till now the experience has been better than Network Manager.

Since I use a ubuntu distro all I had to do was add
"http://apt.wicd.net hardy extras" my /etc/apt/sources.list file; followed by
"wget -q http://apt.wicd.net/wicd.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -" It automatically uninstalled Network Manager. On the next login, wicd showed the networks available and the preferences window gives much needed choice of drivers to choose etc etc.

wicd seems to give better performance and stability. On hardy with intel 3945 wireless card, Network manager was stuck eternally trying to find the network. Wicd gives you a choice to choose between wext, ipw, madwifi and with wext it was able to connect.

Also wicd was able to list other wireless networks and the kind of security they had. (Inspite of terror mails from unsecured wireless locations, I still find people near my house using unsecured wireless) Moreover it seems to recognize LEAP by default, I have to try it at office to see if really works with LEAP authentication.
I suggest try replacing network-manager to wicd and you may start liking what you get.

For more information on wicd and howto download and install for other distros please refer
http://wicd.sourceforge.net/download.php

Dreams and lunch time discussions.

As usual today's lunch time discussion (either cricket or politics: what else can u expect Indians to discuss over lunch) started in some topic and got carried away to unrelated stuff.
It all began over an IT raid and how lesser earning mortals were found with loads and loads of unaccountable cash. It soon moved over to Mr L and Miss M's desire to be Prime minister one or the other day.

I dont think neither of them make a great prime minister. But looking at the way they fooled people and continue to do the same (In democracy :the person who makes maximum fools becomes the PM!!!), I expect them to be the PM sooner or later. Think of this: a person has 100 crowns, 50 Crores of Ruppees , statues all over the place. All because of poor fans pouring (or should I say donations) in money and still people vote for them thinking that Mr L or Miss M is their saviour. Any leader winning 40/50 seats (10% of overall seats) aspires to be PM. Any person with more than 2 seats expects a cabinet berth.

So Here is my solution to the problems:(And yes this solution is not at all implementable.)

1. Why have a President/Governor and all those other white elephants. They are rubber stamps. We can convert all Rastrapathi Bhavan's /Raj Bhavans to some five star hotels or atleast make them museums. We not only save money (a. maintaining these white elephants; security, avoid traffic jams because of dignitaries visting them), we also end up earning money. Most of these bhavans are in the center of the city and prime real estate.

2. We need a maximum age for all politicians. Even Judge has to retire at 65; There is no govt employee aged above 6o who can work, then why have CM's PM's and others who are above 70.
Think of it, How can you have a PM who cant walk, a CM who cant see, a minister in hospital bed? A thorough heath checkup should be mandatory for people aspiring for top posts.

3. Have a minimum qualifications for candidates contesting election. Its okay if people fake and get the minimum qualification. Let them struggle atleast that much.

4. Make voting compulsary. Funda: If you have to choose among three idiots, choose a better among the bad lot. Not voting or abstaining shoud not be a choice.

5. PM/CMs should be elected directly. That way we stop all the horse trading. The person who is elected knows he has definite time to do something (i.e he can keep on eating for next 5 years).
The only way he can thown out is by impeachment by 2/3rds majority. But still he has be elected directly by the people. This will avoid MLAs and MPs the urge to do engage in horse trading. To counter frequent impeachments, Every time we elect a primeminister, we elect MLAs and MPs . So MLAs and MPs will scared to impeach.

Okay lets end this dream here.

DTDC sucks

These days the central government is spending less on employing postmen. This has been a boast to the courier companies. But are the courier companies equipped to handle the situation. Atleast they dont seem to. One of the bigger and known Couriers has been awful in this respect.
My house being in a remote area doesn't seem to help the cause.

Many a time couriers to be delivered by DTDC are being returned back to the dispatcher stating the address given is wrong. I have been the scapegoat for two such occasions. The suprising thing is DTDC delivery office is probably the closest courier to my place. Its not even 3 kms from my residence. Yet the laziness and lethargy of the courier services sometimes makes me to trust on the unreliable post office. Worse being the dispatcher being told that "No such address exists". Cant understand why they accept the courier if they dont want to deliver it.
(Touch wood) Other courier services seem to be better atleast till now. Hope DTDC wakes up before it earns more bad name. They atleast not say "No such address" if they aren't willing to deliver.

Be aware of your roots

Be aware of your roots is a though provoking article that came in The NewIndianExpress by Francois Gautier.