Experience with truth.

This will be a description on past two month’s life of a guy. Just thought of sharing with you all. He has been seeing some peaks and lows of life during this time.

That day was pretty normal. Everything felt normal, even the wind, the air, and the people, nothing felt changed. Yeah I was thinking to him... I’ve been here around for sometime now... I’m pretty secure here.


I had just returned from my Hometown after a short leave. Yeah it was a pleasant weekend, had sometime at home. Had some moments to cherish.... i was back to office, with a fresh mind and fresh thought hoping to make the week a memorable one

The day began as any other day I woke up late, by 9 am. Yeah “need to go to office” I got that thought to my mind .I got myself ready quickly out to office

Reached Office… As I walked to my cubicle I was having a strange feeling in my mind, but I was not able to understand it, I just pulled himself out of my mind and started thinking about my daily activities. Yeah its recession time and I was losing a lot of friends for past 6 months from my company. Things were not going smoothly. Even both from the client side and from the offshore side... The main aim of mine was to go onsite for this project as an onsite coordinator... But that looked like never to happen... The Guy, who is already there, never seems to be coming back… and he makes things complicated it show himself as a smart guy... From deep in my mind I felt like giving his current coordinator a tight slap on the face.

It happened all of a sudden. But I was feeling it in my heart and smelled it about a month before it happened. Ring. Ring...my office phone rang... Yeah Just another call from some call centers...I thought, but to my surprise I heard the sound of his manager at the other end. All my hopes and believes were over shadowed by the call from my manager. The phone rang like a wake up alarm; I thought it was just another call. But my manger asked me whether I would be free to meet our account manager sometime that day. As I was not held up with loads of work, I said yes. Still my senses did not detect any red alarm. My thinking went in the good way.

By around 11:30 am, my manager fixed an appointment with my account manager. We both walked into his room. The room was closed but the walls were transparent. I watched his facial expression while we were closing to his room, no everything looked normal and my thoughts went free. But I have noticed my manager’s voice when she called me up asking for the appointment time, she had something hidden in her voice; felt something bad is coming in my way, felt like she was trying to give some sympathy to me.

FIAT Grande Pundo....Launched!!!!!!!!!!!!

A true Italian beauty.. what else i can say....
The Grande Pundo is a car designed to be one with the driver. It offers excellent road handling and drive quality irrespective of whether your are in a highway or city

The Grande Punto’s sporty and muscular styling can be attributed to the ‘Car Designer of the Century’ Giorgetto Giugiaro. The strong character of the Grande Punto is defined by a sleek and aggressive nose which conveys an incredibly real dynamism. The rear end is softer and rounder, and it balances the aggressive front end. In true Fiat tradition, the exciting design of the car is complemented by adherence and exceeding of superior quality standards. Internationally, Grande Punto has an excellent track record and has produced and already sold 1.6 Million units across markets.



The car is agile and probably delivers the most enjoyable drive in its segment. This brilliance is derived from the state-of-the-art FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotized Engine) and MULTIJET engines which combine superb performance with low fuel consumption. To add to it, these engines are also environment friendly and Euro 4 ready.

The Grande Punto comes loaded with features and will be available in three versions known as Active, Dynamic & Emotion for both the petrol and diesel variants. Additionally a fully loaded Emotion Option Pack will also be available.

At the time of launch, consumers can choose from a range of 6 electrifying colors: Bossa Nova White, Hip Hop Black, Minimal Grey, Medium Grey, Exotica Red and Electric Blue.
Tech details are given below:


The Grande Punto will be priced as follows:
PETROL-1.2
City Grande Punto Active
DELHI Rs. 3.99 lakh

PETROL-1.4
City Grande Punto Dynamic Grande Punto Emotion Grande Punto Emotion Pack
DELHI Rs. 4.66 lakh Rs. 5.06 lakh Rs. 5.61 lakh

DIESEL-1.3
City Grande Punto Active Grande Punto Dynamic Grande Punto Emotion Grande Punto Emotion Pack
DELHI 4.85 lakh Rs. 5.16 lakh Rs. 5.56 lakh 6.11 lakh

Globally, the third generation Fiat supermini, the Grande Punto was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and is certified with EURO NCAP 5 star ratings in Europe which will ply soon on Indian roads. Many would agree, the Grande Punto is a perfect follow up to the Linea and symbolises the Fiat brand’s journey back into reckoning in the competitive world of the Indian car industry.

Colours offered :

Style:

* Sporty grill
* Flared wheel arches
* Muscular contours
* Sporty dual tone interiors
* Sporty wide profile 195/60 R15 15″ alloys

Comfort & convenience:

* Electrically adjustable outside rear view mirror
* Automatic Climate Control
* Blue & Me: unique technology developed jointly by Microsoft & Fiat. Unique technology to connect and sync mobile via blue tooth and voice dial / read SMS
* Customized instrument display setting with My Car
* Remote foldable key
* Intelligent rear de-fogger : switches off after 20 minutes to prevent damage to the glass
* Convenient driver facing key slot
* Intelligent Ignition: prevents turning the key when the engine is running

Safety:

* ABS with EBD
* Dual stage front driver & passenger airbags : unique system deploys the air-bags depending on the severity of the impact
* Fire prevention system: cuts off fuel in case of an impact to reduce chances of fire
* Fiat Code System: Immobilizer with rolling code
* Load limiters and pre-tensioners

Engineering Technology

* Unique CAN bus system with 7 micro-chips - no conventional wiring in this car.

Engines:

* 1.2 FIRE (Petrol) engine: 68.2 ps @ 6000 rpm and 95.75 Nm @ 2500 rpm
* 1.4 FIRE (Petrol) engine: 90ps @ 6000 rpm and 115 Nm @ 4500 rpm
* 1.3 Multijet (Diesel) engine: 76 ps @ 4000 rpm and 197 Nm @ 1750 rpm

Music review: Alone, Loved & Lost (Malayalam Pop - Rashee)

01 - Ekanaay - Vineeth Sreenivasan -
Vineeth Srinivasan is at his usual best in Ekanaay and Rashee adds amazing support with a remarkable tune and inventive arrangements . I'll rate this song with 3.2 out of 5

02 - Akalukayano - Rashee
This is a sentimental song, had some influence of a devotional touch. Even as the composer gets behind the mike for the brooding and melodic Akalukayano. But i felt this songs a bit incomplete..
I'll rate this song with 3 out of 5

03 - Iniyethu Janmam - Gayathri.
Pritam-styled orchestration adds character to Gayathri’s Iniyethu janman while its second interlude showcases Rashee’s mighty ambitions! YES this is a wonderful song... I'll rate this song with 3.5 out of 5

04 - En Ormakal - Rashee
This song starts with rocking beats,,,Has a western mild rock touch in this song... has a lot of guitar worked in this.. En ormakal’s mild rock base is interesting..I'll rate this song with 3 out of 5

05 - Orkkunu Njan - Karthik
5 out of 5.. Both for singing and the Music.. Karthik’s delightful vocals aid the melody in Orkkunu njan.. I'll say this is the best song of the album.

06 - Ormakale Ormakale - Benny Dayal, Rashee
Benny Dayal’s Ormakale is a pacier number. This will be the song i'll wish to perform from this album, if i have a chance.. I'll rate this song with 4 out of 5.

07 - Innen Nenjile - Franco
Franco’s Innen nejile is the another album pacier number - catchy and arranged sensibly.
I'll rate this song with 3 out of 5.

Rashee’s imaginative tunes work pretty well in this oddly titled album! Overall Rating : 3.5

HONDA JAZZ Specs : Sometimes, we have to pay to be (jazz)y in our country

Honda Jazz 1.2 i-vtec Indian Version

key details:

varients: only one

engine:

1.2 i-vtec
displacement:1198 cc
valve gear: SOHC
valves per cylinder: 16 valves, 4 per cylinder
max power: 90 ps (89bhp) @ 6000 rpm
max torque: 110 NM (11.2 kg-m) @ 4800 rpm
fuel delivery: PGM-FI

dimensions:

length: 3900 mm
width: 1695 mm
height: 1525 mm
wheelbase: 2500 mm
ground clearence: 160 mm
fuel tank capacity: 42 litres

transmission: 5-speed manual, 5F+1R, all forward speeds synchromesh with overdrive on 4th and 5th gear

steering: electric power assisted, rack and pinion

suspension:

front: McPherson strut with stabiliser bar
rear: H shaped torsion beam with stabiliser bar

brakes:

front: ventilated disc
rear: self adjusting drum, leading and trailing shoe type

wheels and tyres:

steel rims
5.5J X 15 wheels
tyre size: 175/65 R 15 tubeless

alloy wheels: not available

key features:

safety
ABS
dual SRS airbags
G-CON
fog lamps not standard, will be in accessories

exterior
colour keyed bumpers, door handles and side mirrors
15-inch wheels with full wheel cover

interior:
manual A/c with heater, 4-speed blower
integrated 2-DIN advanced audio with MP3/WMA capability
4 speakers, 2 tweeters
steering mounted audio controls
innovative storage spaces
driver's seat adjust
tilt steering
CD player
remote keyless entry with immobiliser
rear foldable seat
adjustible front and rear head restraints
rear wash/wipe with intermittant/ defogger
fuel consumption/ distance to empty meter

colour options:

crystal black
tafeta white
habanero red
alabaster silver
polished metal
bold beige
bluish silver

Honda Motorcycle unveils new version (PGM-FI) of CBF Stunner

Motorcycles and Scooter India (HMSI) today launched a new version of its 125 cc sports bike - CBF Stunner - priced at Rs 64,630 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The launch is part of the company's strategy to increase its sales in the Indian two-wheeler market.

"Last fiscal we sold about 10.7 lakh units of two-wheelers and this year we are targeting 12 per cent increase at 12.5 lakh units. And the CBF Stunner will play an important role," HMSI Chief Executive Officer Shinji Aoyama told reporters here.

The new bike will be equipped with PGM-FI (Programme Fuel Injection) technology, which gives more power, the company said.

It will be available in the market by the first week of June, it added.

According to Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the total two-wheeler sales in the last financial year increased by 2.60 per cent at 74,37,670 units compared to 72,49,278 units in FY'08. PTI RKL BSM SM 05261243 DELHI

When You Say Nothing At All - RONAN KEATING

"When You Say Nothing At All"

It's amazing
How you can speak
Right to my heart
Without saying a word,
You can light up the dark
Try as I may
I could never explain
What I hear when
You don't say a thing

[CHORUS:]
The smile on your face
Lets me know
That you need me
There's a truth
In your eyes
Saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says
You'll catch me
Whenever I fall
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all

All day long
I can hear people
Talking out loud
But when you hold me near
You drown out the crowd
(The crowd)
Try as they may
They could never define
What's been said
Between your
Heart and mine

[Repeat chorus twice]

(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)

The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Let's me know
That you need me

[Repeat chorus]

(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)

The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Let's me know
That you need me

(You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all
You say it best
When you say
Nothing at all)

SEMA 2008: Knight XV - THE WORLD'S LARGEST, MOST LUXURIOUS, HANDCRAFTED, BIOFUEL POWERED FULLY ARMORED SUV

The first word that came to mind when we saw the Knight XV was this: warthog. Sure, there are other words you could use, but consider this: it's not attractive, it's ridiculously tough, it's called in to deal with nasty situations and it kills things, all of which tend to be the traits of vehicles that earn the moniker "warthog." Based on the Gurkha military vehicle, the 10,000-pound, Ford F-350 Super Duty-based Knight XV is armored to an unspecified degree, but looks like it will stop more than a pea-shooter. It's got a 6.8-liter V10 that packs 400 hp and 500 lb-ft to keep you moving, and inboard ABS brakes to get you stopped. Those tires are 40-inchers wrapped around 20-inch aircraft-grade wheels. Oh, and it also runs on E85, which means it's more environmentally friendly than any other warthog. Except the hairy one. Check out the specs after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos below featuring details shots and images of the interior, as well

CANADIAN COMPANY UNVEILS THE KNIGHT XV™ -- THE WORLD'S LARGEST, MOST LUXURIOUS, HANDCRAFTED, BIOFUEL POWERED FULLY ARMORED SUV

Conquest Vehicles Inc., the Toronto-based company that specializes in the design and manufacturing of fully armored, ultra-luxurious, handcrafted sport utility vehicles has unveiled its flagship vehicle, the KNIGHT XV™ at the 2008 SEMA show in Las Vegas, announced William Maizlin, President, Conquest Vehicles, Inc. Inspired by the Gurkha military vehicle, the KNIGHT XV™ is an ultra-luxurious handcrafted, Bio-fuel powered fully armored SUV. The KNIGHT XV™ is powered by a V10, 6.8-liter engine and sits on a commercial class chassis. It provides 400 hp and 498-ft lbs of torque. The KNIGHT XV™ is priced at $295,000 USD. Only 100 will be made available as a limited first run. Each vehicle takes 1,500 hours to build by hand.


The KNIGHT XV™ offers interior appointments including Wilton Wool luxury carpeting; Andrew Muirhead leather; 6-way electric leather boardroom-style seating; Tandem sunroof glass with privacy shades; Personal side-mounted lap top stations; LED cabin lighting; Alpine AM, FM, CD, DVD navigation and Bluetooth equipment; TV Monitors; Night vision and rear op camera system and Playstation 3 (PS3). The cabin's 283-cubic-foot interior is larger than the interior of most SUV's on the road today and can comfortably seat six professional basketball players.

The KNIGHT-XV™ is built using ballistic hardened steel making it fully armored including ballistic fiberglass fenders, bumper and up to 64 mm. (2.5 inches) transparent armor (glass). The KNIGHT XV™ is 240" in length, 98" in width with a ground clearance of 14" and stands at 100". It's wheelbase is 141" and has an armored curb weight of 10,000 pounds. The vehicle holds 40 gallons of fuel and sits on four, LT40X13.50R20 Mickey Thompson Baja Radial ATZ tires with ballistic run flats. Additionally, the KNIGHT XV™ contains an E-85 Ethanol conversion system (Flex Fuel) with California emission certification, thereby making it certified in all 50 States.

Exterior Appointments The KNIGHT XV is built using ballistic hardened steel, making it fully armoured including ballistic fiberglass fenders, bumper and up to 64 mm (2 and a 1/2 inches) transparent armour (glass).
Ballistic Run-flat tire system: Tires and Rims: 40" tires with specialized custom designed and engineered 20" rims that utilize forged 6061 aluminum - the same used on commercial aircraft landing gear. The outer flange was reinforced to exceed to four times the normal impact testing required for standard wheels. Coupled with its ballistic run flat tire system it creates the pinnacle of safety in tire and wheel system exceeding anything on the market today.
The Ballistic Run-Flat System: The ballistic run flat system is custom build for the KNIGHT XV vehicle by one of the most reputable manufacturers in the industry. This lightweight, high strength tire insert adds a real measure of safety and performance to the KNIGHT XV vehicle (for more information please visit our website). Interior Appointments Interior features: • Wilton Wool luxury carpeting • Andrew Muirhead luxury leather • Spacious extended interior • Leather 6 way electric conference seating • Tandem sunroof glass with privacy shades • Personal side mounted lap top stations • LED cabin lighting • Alpine AM,FM,CD,DVD Navigation and Blue tooth equipment • TV monitors • Night vision** FLIR PathfindIR Thermal imaging Camera (front & back) with rear op camera system
• PlayStation 3® (PS3) gaming console • Cabin's interior: 283-cubic-feet
** FLIR PathFindIR is standard equipment on all Knight XV vehicles sold in North America.

Knight XV Specifications Length 240" (6096 mm) Width 98" (2489 mm) Ground clearance 14" (355 mm) Height 100" (2540 mm) The KNIGHT XV is built on a Ford F350 commercial platform chassis (making parts easily accessible globally) Engine: 6.8L V10 gas power plant with E-85 Ethanol Conversion system - Flex Fuel with California emission (making it certified in all 50 US States). Flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are designed to run on gasoline or a blend of up to 85% ethanol (E85). Horsepower: 400 HP and torque 498 ft lbs. 4 X 4: Four wheel drive with locking hubs 4.30 ratio limited slip differential transmission: 5-speed automatic Brakes: Four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes Wheelbase: 141" (3576 mm) GVWR: 13,000lbs (5,896 kg) Armoured Curb Weight: The finished vehicle weight is approximately 10,000 lbs. (4,545 kg) Fuel tank: 40 gallons (US) (151Litres) Air conditioning: Factory Air conditioning Tires: Four LT40X13.50R20 Mickey Thompson Baja Radial ATZ with ballistic run flats Vehicle armour: The armour specifications as well as the levels of armour are available upon request.

Microsoft Zune 80GB Media Player

Though the old 30GB Zune didn't go over too well, Microsoft's kept at it and managed to produce an impressive pair of players in its second-generation Zunes. The $230 80GB hard-drive model I tested would make a capable alternative to an 80GB iPod Classic if wireless syncing or built-in radio interest you.

	Features
		Photo Viewer FM Tuner

Dimensions
Depth	0.5 in
Weight	4.5 oz
Width	2.4 in
Height	4.3 in

Audio Quality
Audio Codecs Supported	AAC MP3 WMA WMA DRM

Compatibility
System Compatibility	PC
Network Architecture Supported	Wireless Ethernet - 11 Mbps IEEE802.11b Wireless Ethernet - 54 Mbps IEEE802.11g

Video Quality
Display Type	Color LCD
Video Playback	Yes

Memory
Total Included Memory	80 GB
Storage Media Supported	Internal Hard Drive

Interface
System Connectivity	Proprietary USB
Audio Output Connectors	Audio - Headphone Out (1/8" Mini)

The 80GB Zune is just about the same size as Apple's 160GB iPod Classic, which makes it a bit thicker than the 80GB model it's competing with. In our objective audio tests and my listening tests, the Zune performed well, producing clean sound with little distortion. One tiny annoyance, though: The player's 20-step digital volume control doesn't provide much granularity. Occasionally, I'd reach points where one step was too low and the next too high.

The 80GB Zune comes with premium in-ear headphones that are easily better than the standard earbuds you'll find with most players. While most included headphones I test get tossed after a brief listen, this model would actually be worth keeping--a nice addition.

The Zune supports MP3, WMA, WMA lossless, AAC, and its own DRM format for Zune Pass subscriptions. If you'd rather listen to radio, the Zune includes a built-in FM tuner. It also plays back video and displays photos on its 3.2-inch 320-by-240-pixel screen, and the Zune now supports h.264 and MPEG-4 encoding in addition to WMV.

Video playback looked nice on the Zune's screen, though compared with other players the screen's low dots per inch (dpi) stood out as a negative. Pixels are very noticeable.

Touch Controls

All of the new Zunes center on a rounded touch-sensitive control that also doubles as a clickable D-pad-style controller, much like the Click Wheel on Apple's iPods. Flick your thumb up or down the pad repeatedly, and you begin to build up momentum while scrolling through long lists. At any time, you can tap to stop the scrolling, though it will eventually come to a halt naturally. In my experience, it's a very fun way to navigate through a music collection, even in a long view of artists on the 80GB player.

As you browse through the interface, you'll find that you can often scroll left and right as well. So if you've selected an artist and an album, scrolling up and down will take you through songs on that album, while scrolling left and right will switch to other albums by that artist.

Though the touch control is the highlight of the interface, you can also click your way up and down through lists using the hard buttons of the D-pad. (The Zune is still very responsive in scrolling through lists, too.) That allows for simple blind navigation, such as adjusting volume or fast-forwarding a track or two without taking the player from your pocket--always a nice option.

Unfortunately, the player's lock switch doesn't include a way to lock out the touch control but not the physical buttons. That's not much of a problem with upward and downward swipes that simply adjust the volume, but it can be annoying when an inadvertent horizontal swipe fast-forwards you out of the song you're playing.

Wireless Syncing

Ever since Wi-Fi-equipped media players such as the Zune and the Sansa Connect came out, users have been clamoring for wireless syncing. Well, it's finally here. To set up a Zune for wireless syncing, you first select the appropriate wireless network using the PC you'll sync the Zune with. Enter the appropriate security key, and you should be good to go.

When your Zune is within range, you enter 'settings, wireless' on the player and select 'sync now'. Your PC reports that it has found new hardware--a 'Zune Wireless'--and installs the proper driver. Then, if the Zune software isn't running already, it pops up and your sync begins. Over my 802.11g wireless network, transfers weren't exactly lightning-fast, but I could easily imagine buying a stereo dock for my player and setting it up to charge and sync overnight without ever coming near my PC.

At the same time, Microsoft has made a few tweaks to the Zune's wireless music sharing feature. Originally, shared tracks could be played only three times over a period of three days, and couldn't be passed on. Now you can pass along shared tracks to other users and play them up to three times over any time period you like.

Subscriptions and Software

Among other additions, the Zune's software now includes support for podcasts. You can browse for them and subscribe to them easily, and the player will download new subscriptions whenever you sync it.

Microsoft has spent a lot of time rethinking the social aspects of the Zune player, removing several restrictions on how you can share tracks between Zune players and adding an online community called the Zune Social. At the time of this review, the Zune Social wasn't available for testing.

All in all, the 80GB Zune is a decent choice as an 80GB MP3 player. It sounds great, its interface isn't a hindrance, and its pricing is right in line with the competition. Accessories and features such as premium headphones and an FM tuner give it at least one area where it's a step up from an iPod Classic, and if you're interested in wireless syncing, this could be the player for you.

Canon vs. Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Canon vs. Nikon - which one? It's a common question that comes up when consumers are comparing digital SLR cameras. I had the same confusion in my mind so i thought of writing some facts on this.

These two companies were the first to make the leap from film to digital, and their initial presence in the market make them the dominant players.

Consumer Level Cameras

The focus of many of the digital SLRs that I list below is simplicity: the cameras aren't cluttered with a lot of buttons and features that would be overwhelming to the beginning photographer.

Instead, they are optimized to produce clear, bright, colorful images whether you use them in full AUTO mode or leverage some of the manual settings.

Canon has two cameras in this this category, while Nikon has three (although the D40x has been discontinued and is hard to find):

Canon

Camera	Release Date
Rebel xTi (400D)	October 2006
Rebel XS (1000D)	August 2008

Nikon

Camera	Release Date
Nikon D40	December 2006
Nikon D40x	April 2007
Nikon D60	March 2008

Let's take a quick comparative look at the Canon Rebel XS and the Nikon D60, since these are the latest cameras in this category from each manufacturer.

	Canon XS	Nikon D60
Megapixels	10.1	10.2
Max Speed	3 photos/sec	3 photos/sec
Autofocus Points	7	3
ISO Range	100 - 1600	100 - 3200
Max Shutter Speed	1/4000	1/4000
LCD Size	2.5 in.	2.5 in.
Dust Control
Image Stabilization
Live View
Extra Dynamic Range
Dimensions	5.0x3.9x2.6in 126x98x65mm	5.0x3.7x2.5in 126x94x64mm
Weight	17.7oz (502g)	18.4oz (522g)

These cameras have a lot in common, and for me it's a bit of a tie in terms of features and performance.

While you are certainly welcome to try to determine which one has better "image quality" (an imprecise term that is the result of a variety of camera settings), experience using and reviewing photos from a wide range of both Canon and Nikon cameras has demonstrated to me that the photos captured by SLRs from both manufacturers are exceptional.

Since the cameras themselves are so similar I'm going to talk about something completely different: lenses.

One big difference between the Rebel XS and the Nikon D60 is that the Nikon D60 is NOT 100% backwards-compatible with older Nikon lenses — while the Rebel XS works just fine with a large number of Canon and third-party lenses.

If you try to use a lens on the Nikon D60 that does not include AF-I or AF-S (internal focusing motors) autofocus won't work - you'll have to focus manually.

So what does this mean for you - the consumer photographer?

It impacts both the flexibility and price of owning a camera like this for the long term:

• Flexibility - if at some point in the future you decide you'd like a nice specialty lens (for wildlife or closeups or architecture), your choices with the D60 will be limited (if you'd also like the lens to autofocus)
• Cost - with the Rebel XS, you can purchase any Canon lens you like, or you can also choose from a wide range of compatible third-party lenses that are often much cheaper - with the Nikon D60, your potential for finding a good deal on a lens is reduced, snce very few third-party manufacturers make lenses that have their own focusing motors

So a lot of your decision about which of these two cameras to get comes down to how you intend to use the camera in the future and how you plan to upgrade.

If you think that you'll replace BOTH camera and lens when you upgrade, then either the Rebel XS or the Nikon D60 will work fine. If you'd like to build up a collection of lenses (without spending a forture) that you can continue to use on future cameras, then the Rebel XS is the better choice.

Pro-Sumer Cameras

The next stage of the Canon vs. Nikon battle are the cameras geared toward photographers who have some experience taking photos with SLR cameras (either film or digital).

This group is often referred to as "Advanced Amateurs", "Professional Consumers" or Pro-Sumers for short.

Pro-Sumers are looking for a bit more functionality from their cameras than what's offered by the true consumer models, and they're willing to pay more for increased image control.

The cameras in this category often bridge the gap between the entry-level cameras and those designed with more professional photographers in mind.

Currently, there's one Canon and one Nikon camera in this category:

Canon

Camera	Release Date
Rebel XSi (450D)	April 2008

Nikon

Camera	Release Date
Nikon D90	September 2008

Let's compare the two:

	Canon XSi	Nikon D90
Megapixels	12.2	12.3
Continuous Speed	3.5 photos/sec	4.5 photos/sec
Autofocus Points	9	11
ISO Range	100 - 1600	100 - 6400
Max Shutter Speed	1/4000	1/4000
LCD Size	3.0 in.	3.0 in.
Dust Control
Image Stabilization
Live View
Extra Dynamic Range
Movie Mode
Dimensions	5.1x 3.9x2.4in 129x98x92mm	5.2x4.1x3.0in 132x104x76mm
Weight	18.5oz (524g)	21oz (595g)

If you consider these cameras based solely on their ability to capture high-quality photos, then you'll find that these two cameras are quite similar.

But the Nikon D90 includes a feature that's not available on the Rebel XSi (or virtually any other DSLR for that matter): it's the first digital SLR that can capture both photos and video.

So if you're looking to capture some motion with your stills, the Nikon D90 is the camera to choose.

However, if you already have a dedicated video camera and just need a really nice camera to take photos with, then either camera should serve you well.

The XSi is slightly easier to operate and therefore less intimidating if you're just starting out in the world of DSLR cameras but want to learn more about advanced features.

The high ISO noise performance on the D90 is exceptional - some of the best that I have seen - making it a good camera if you tend to take a lot of photos in dim available light.

And yes, let's not forget about lenses: while the XSi 18-55mm kit lens is quite capable (and a huge improvement over some previous Canon kit lenses) the 18-105mm Vibration Reduction (VR) lens bundled with the D90 provides more zoom range and has a more professional feel.

Semi-Professional Cameras

If you have a dream of one day making some money off this "hobby" of yours, or just take a lot of action shots, then these are the Canon and Nikon cameras to consider.

Considerably more expensive than the other models listed above, what sets these cameras apart from all others is their sheer speed.

Most digital SLR cameras are capable of capturing about three consecutive photos per second - and this is just fine for anyone passionate about landscapes and portraits.

But action junkies need a bit more from their digital SLR - the ability to rapidly capture several consecutive frames for that one action shot that is a real winner.

The minimum consecutive capture speed of cameras in this class is 5 photos per second (the maximum - if you're curious - is 8 per second).

Paired with this impressive speed are advanced autofocus systems, and about a hundred different ways to customize the camera to suit your specific shooting style.

Canon

Camera	Release Date
40D	September 2007
50D	September 2008

Nikon

Camera	Release Date
Nikon D200	November 2005
Nikon D300	November 2007

Here's the comparison of the two latest models:

	Canon 50D	Nikon D300
Megapixels	15.1	12.3
Continuous Speed	6.3 photos/sec	6 photos/sec
Autofocus Points	9	51
ISO Range	100 - 12800	100 - 6400
Max Shutter Speed	1/8000	1/8000
LCD Size	3.0 in.	3.0 in.
Dust Control
Image Stabilization
Live View
Extra Dynamic Range
Dimensions	5.8x4.3x2.9in 146x108x74mm	5.8x4.5x2.9in 146x114x74mm
Weight	29oz (822g)	32.6oz (925g)

Once you get up to this level of camera, the question of which one to get - Canon vs. Nikon - is less about comparing features and more about name recognition.

I've talked to enough people interested in digital SLR cameras to realize that they often have a built-in bias about one company.

Some people lean toward Canon because it is such a prominent name in the industry (and because they also have a wide range of very popular compact cameras) while those that have used Nikon gear in the past are firm that they will never switch brands.

Both companies are well aware of this brand loyalty, so the cameras that are available in this category satisfy the needs of the most demanding photographers.

If you're fanatic about Canon cameras, then the 50D has all the features that you could ever need to capture stunning images. Those who lean toward Nikon should be blissfully happy with the D300 in hand.

I will state one personal difference that I have found working with these cameras: if you are interested (now or in the future) of taking a lot of photos using flash instead of natural light, then go with Nikon.

Nikon has done a great deal of work to ensure that their cameras communicate well with their flashes - something Nikon calls the "Creative Lighting System" or CLS for short.

With relatively little fussing, you can quickly set up three independent wireless light sources, and you're able to control the amount of light output from each flash directly from the camera.

While you can certainly achieve the same effects with a Canon digital SLR it takes more gear, costs more and doesn't have quite the same plug-and-play simplicity of the Nikon system.

Yamaha YZF-R15 150cc Review

How does it look?

This bike is perhaps one of the best looking bikes in India. The design has been cloned from its dad, the Yamaha YZF R1. Except for a few minor changes including single silencer which does not fit under the seat as R1, it is almost R1 when looked from a distance. The dual head lamps, the rear view mirrors, shape of the tank, seating position all add up to a ‘WOW’ effect. This bike is definitely a head turner where ever you go.

To add to its looks, Yamaha did not include the center stand. This is perhaps the only bike in India which does not have a center stand. And another thing to notice is that the bike has no safety guard!

The handle bars are curved as it is in high-end sports bikes and adds to the grandeur of the sitting posture. Well, the rear part looks a bit disappointing because compared the front the rear looks too small and does not fit in with the whole bike’s look. I wished that Yamaha could provide some big manly tires, but I will justify this point in the performance review part below.

How does it perform?

When I was ready to take Yamaha YZF R15 for a test ride, I really did not expect much out of this machine. I thought it was just another 150cc bike with too much of external make up. But the actual ride did prove my thoughts wrong. Even with a pillion rider, the pickup was awesome. I went upto 30 kmph in the first gear easily without much resistance from the engine.

The bike never vibrates and the ride is so smooth The first thing that I felt (and the most important thing) is that the bike has a great acceleration in lower speeds. Also it went to 110 kmph pretty soon... If you take her to the limit she looks after you pretty safelly .Moreover the feel the bike is providing id awesome.

The dashboard has the tachometer dial… the only dial and the digital console incorporates the fuel gauge, ODO meter and a bold speedometer.

Do not be disappointed about the thin tires. I heard from some bike owners that the thin tires actually perform very well, the bike is very stable even on wet roads. Yamaha engineers realized that along with great looks, indians also need mileage - hence the thin tires which reduces friction and consumes much less fuel. The bike is said to have a fuel efficiency of 40 kmpl in cities and 50 kmpl in highways.

From safety point of view, the bike performs great. The user’s have reported that the rear disc brakes does make a difference. It wouldn’t be long before all the high end bikes in India comes with compulsory rear disc brakes. The bike comes with mono suspension as in the Unicorn and claims to have better stability. But personally I don’t find a remarkable difference in mono-suspension.

Conclusion:

If you give high importance to the looks and status of owning one of the costliest bikes in India, go ahead and buy this bike. There needs to be a match in looks and performance. If I buy the the original 1000c Yamaha YZF-R1, it wouldn’t really make a great difference because people will think that it is R15 in the first look.

Overall Rating: 4.25/5

Beauty Rating: 5/5

Performance Rating: 3.5/5

Pros: Great looks, 6 speed gear

Cons: Thin tires

Yamaha YZF-R15 Specifications:

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4-valve
Cylinder arrangement: Single cylinder
Displacement: 149 .8cc
Bore x Stroke: 57×58.7mm
Compression ratio: 10.4:1
Maximum power: 17PS @ 8,500rpm
Maximum torque: 15 N.m @ 7,500rpm
Starting system: Electric Start
Fuel tank capacity: 12 liters
Fuel supply system: Electronic fuel injection
Clutch type: Constant-mesh wet multi-plate
Transmission type: Return type 6-speed

Dimensions

Overall length x width x height: 1,995mm x 670mm x 1,070mm
Seat height: 790mm
Wheelbase: 1,290mm
Minimum ground clearance: 160mm
Dry weight / Curb weight: 120kg / 131kg