DTMF tones in Skype (or how to use pin/access numbers with Skype)

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I was trying to make a call to a toll free number with Skype today. The toll free number was accepted properly and I got the intial greeting but any numbers entered after that (the pin number) was not being accepted. I searched a bit and found that the reason was Skype was not recognizing the DTMF tones for the pin number.
Solution:
The solution for this is to upgrade to the latest Skype version (the current version is 2.5.0.126) which has improved support for DTMF. I upgraded my Skype installation and now I can enter pin/access numbers for toll free numbers in Skype.
Links:
– Download latest version of Skype
– What is Skype?
– Skype forum discussion

Nashville in Lebanon and Lebanon near Nashville

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Was reading an article on CNN that the USS Nashville was in Beirut, Lebanon to evacuate the stranded US citizens.
Could not help but notice the coincidence.
For those who are unaware, there is also a place called Lebanon (wikipedia | map) near Nashville, Tennessee. Hence the title of this entry: “Nashville in Lebanon and Lebanon near Nashville” :). Nashville is the capital of Tennessee is considered the home of country music.
Trivia:
– Dell Inc. has a desktop manufacturing facility (EG1) at East Gate, Lebanon, TN.
– Just learnt that the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain originated in Lebanon, TN! I love Cracker Barrel :).
– Lebanon, TN is pronounced “LEB-nun”, as opposed to the “LEB-uh-non”. That reminds me of my conversation with my friend Jenny that Antioch, TN is pronounced “Ani-ock” 🙂

How to delete/clear drop-down list of Google past searches

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One of my friends was asking me how to remove the drop-down list of past searches in Google. And I realized that I had thought about it but I did not know. So I searched a bit and found out the answer.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
1. Go to the “Tools” menu.
2. Select “Internet Options” and the “Content” tab.
3. Within the “Personal information” area, select “AutoComplete.”
4. Click on “Clear Forms.” You can also un-check the “Forms” box in this window to keep this information from being stored in the future.
5. Click “OK” to exit.
www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=465
Related Questions:
– How to delete Google Toolbar search history?

Slashdot redesign

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I noticed the redesigned Slashdot website today. It looks much better now. Searched a little bit and it seems that the new CSS design was selected from a pool of user submitted designs. The winning design was created by Alex Bendiken and the runner up design was by Peter Lada. Some users have said that the runner up design is better.
05/31: Official Announcement
05/30: Alex’s post about the redesign
05/17: Cmdr Taco’s post about the three final entries
A preview of the old design is here.

Changes

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So many changes in the last couple of days. Someone had told me that change is one thing is which is constant in this company and they were right. But change is good, especially the ability to implement changes/requirements from customers and forecasts into your product line. It indicates that the firm is dynamic and constantly growing.
Hope to learn a lot in the next 12 weeks. Learning from the best people in the industry is indeed a great opportunity.

Taipei 101

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I used to think that Petronas Towers is the tallest building in the world. But it seems that the tallest building in the world is now Taipei 101 (since 2004).
Taipei 101 - click to enlarge (200 kb).
1. Taipei 101, Taiwan: 508 meters
2. Petronas Towers, Malaysia: 452 meters
A comprehensive list is here. It also includes uncompleted buildings.
The Burj Durai, Dubai will be the tallest building in the World (810 meters) when it is completed in 2008 (expected).
One of my classmates from Taiwan says that her dream is to work at Taipei 101 after she completes her MBA.
And did you know that the official name of Taiwan is the “Republic of China” and the official name of China is the “People’s Republic of China”? Interesting.
Photo Courtesy: Emporis http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=329425

Mission Impossible III

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Watched “Mission Impossible III” yesterday. It was great. The action scenes were awesome. I do have to admit that I liked the first one the best. I don’t remember much about part two :). If you are in for a nice action movie, then this movie is definitely recommended.
Mission Impossible III - click to enlarge (41 kb).
Related Links:
– CNN Review
– Yahoo Movies
– Official Site
Another movie I am looking forward to is “The DaVinci Code” which will be released on May 19th.

Fries With That?

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I was discussing this with my friends previously but they did not believe it. Then I came across this article today. It is an NY Times editorial which talks about how McDonald’s is starting to implement long-distance call centers for taking orders from drive-thru customers! Some 50 McDonald’s franchises are reportedly testing this remote order-taking technology. So, when you are sitting in your car and giving that order for your McChicken, the person you are talking to might actually be sitting in California instead of good ol’ Knoxville! Think about that.
NY Times (4/13/2006): Fries With That?
NY Times (4/11/2006): The Long-Distance Journey of a Fast-Food Order

Fries With That?
NY Times Editorial. April 13, 2006
Sometimes it’s all too easy to lose perspective in the modern world. On Tuesday, The Times reported that McDonald’s has begun experimenting with a new way of routing menu orders at the drive-through window. The voice you hear at the squawk box comes not from an employee inside the restaurant but from a call center hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away. The order is then relayed to the front of the very restaurant where you are bodily present and filled as usual. A man who wants a Big N’ Tasty in Wyoming and a woman who wants an Egg McMuffin in Honolulu may be placing their orders with the same teenager in California. Several customers, told of the fact, seemed taken aback.
And yet where is the surprise? There you sit, perhaps miles from home, idling in a car that was manufactured almost anywhere, burning gasoline refined from a substance pumped out of the ground who knows where and shipped, in all likelihood, across the ocean to be trucked to the station where you last filled up. Meanwhile you’re talking to your best friend on your cellphone