Tag Archives: Microsoft

Why Income Tax department is promoting Microsoft and Oracle

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Open source vs. proprietary software.

Govt of India has reiterated its policy to prefer open source software over proprietary software as part of its Digital India Initiative which is available here. However when it comes to application, different department behave differently. For over ten years income tax department forces citizens of India to use Window and Excel which is a proprietary software of Microsoft. Few years back they brought out an alternative and introduced a Java version of ITR as well. Though it does not work at all, never the less look at the choice. This time they picked Oracle proprietary version of Java. Why not pick open source? No body seems to know anything. Few months back, I had posted a grievance ticket too on their website. The officer who called up, knew nothing and kept on trying to convince me that I should borrow somebody’s window lap top to do the needful. Arrogance in stupidity.

Now I have asked following questions from Government of India under RTI Act

Kindly provide following Information under RTI Act:

1. Who is officer responsible for checking the functioning of ITR 3 Java Version, Please provide his name address and phone Number? If an entire team is responsible please provide the details of team leader.

2.If the aforesaid Officer is in the service of Govt. of India, please provide the name, designation, address of the disciplinary authority over him.

3. What is policy of Income Tax department about using open source software ? If no policy has been formulated please do state so. Continue reading →

BlackBerry Curve 9220 User Review with Evaluation of it’s good, bad or ugly qualities and specifications.

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Blackberry Mobile phone 9220

Blackberry-9220

BlackBerry has launched Curve 9220 in April 2012 and It’s Global Launch began from India instead of USA. The best thing about this phone is its price that it is cheap and the worst thing is its plastic looks which are also cheap. After using it for three months, I would suggest that one should buy this phone only in certain circumstances which have been formulated at the end of this page. Continue reading →

Linux v. Windows – practical reasons for beginners to choose Linux.

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An overview comparison of windows and Linux:

Ubuntu Precise Pangolin with Cinnamon Desktop.Window is like firmware. Very little scope for customization. Even though it does not sell hardware, it is like buying a phone with camera and music player etc. but without scope of expansion. Actually window’s popularity is due to its Games. However Linux is like a smartphone that has a lot of options. Once we install Linux, it brings with it loads of free software created by volunteers who created it for themselves and distributed it over the net.
At one time it could be said that, the first time computer buyer or for beginner, Windows is the safer option but that is not true any more. It was true, back then because the non-availability of hardware drivers. Linux was not able to run on large number of computers or support other apparatus due to non-availability of drivers. Now major hardware producers are supporting the Linux Foundation which is responsible for its core or kernel and compatibility of all major products are built-in kernel itself.
Here are some of the practical and day-to-day reasons which keep me stuck with Linux. Nothing emotional about it.

Windows’ Price

It is expensive. Worst problem is that a new version is rolled out every three years and it will not work on old machine, so we have to go out and buy a new machine as well. The worst part is dishonesty. The Microsoft first rolls out an alfa product as free trial and then sells beta product as new system. It keeps fixing the bugs and then it releases the final product as new edition. Look at past track record. Window 95 was a beta and 98 got it right. Windows 2000 and Millennium Edition were beta and finally XP was rolled out. Again Vista was a Beta and the Windows 7 was the final. My guess is Windows 8 is another Beta for touch screen monitor machines. Final will be the next.
Now after the purchase of OS, software is to be purchased which is no less expensive. Of course a pirated version is around the corner but why use a pirated when there is a free alternative which is also better? Continue reading →

RIM’s Berries turn sour

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Sorbus berries close-up

Sorbus berries close-up (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Research in Motion was the first successful company to provide data communication on the move. It’s unique business model ensured is stupendous success and windfall profits. But earning from an idea can never be forever. About three years back Google started to offer same data sync and Gtalk services for free with its Android and email sync on other devices and Microsoft followed the suit. RIM instead of finding new idea or model went on to sell blackberry to house wives and students (with free b2b chat). That served only as a temporary measure to postpone the doomsday. Sadly the new  CEO of the company could know the need for change only now. He admits:

I did my own reality check on where the entire company really is,” he said during a conference call with analysts. “It is now very clear to me that substantial change is what RIM needs.” ( See http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/03/30/rim-idINDEE82S0J020120330)

It is a pity that people who evolved such a brilliant concept should fail to find new ideas.

© Sandeep Bhalla

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Where BlackBerry went wrong? Review and Suggestions.

Selecting right smartphone

Installing HudeeMail/Shangmail on Blackberry

RIM's Berries turn sour

Posted on by
1
Sorbus berries close-up

Sorbus berries close-up (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Research in Motion was the first successful company to provide data communication on the move. It’s unique business model ensured is stupendous success and windfall profits. But earning from an idea can never be forever. About three years back Google started to offer same data sync and Gtalk services for free with its Android and email sync on other devices and Microsoft followed the suit. RIM instead of finding new idea or model went on to sell blackberry to house wives and students (with free b2b chat). That served only as a temporary measure to postpone the doomsday. Sadly the new  CEO of the company could know the need for change only now. He admits:

I did my own reality check on where the entire company really is,” he said during a conference call with analysts. “It is now very clear to me that substantial change is what RIM needs.” ( See http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/03/30/rim-idINDEE82S0J020120330)

It is a pity that people who evolved such a brilliant concept should fail to find new ideas.

© Sandeep Bhalla

Related Posts

Where BlackBerry went wrong? Review and Suggestions.

Selecting right smartphone

Installing HudeeMail/Shangmail on Blackberry