The blog has moved
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Just realized. Have not announced it here. The blog has moved. It is now
available at http://www.thegianis.in/bangalore/blog To be read as the gianis
in ba...
7 months ago
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Nikhil and Adventures
So, after a period of 6 months, I finally
saw a movie in a theatre in Bangalore. There is a new multiplex around
a couple of klicks away from home and Nikhil and I decided to check it out and see Juno.The movie is great, and I will recommend everyone to go see it. Quite different from normal movies.
Anyway, the fun part started after the movie. Nikhil had been
complaining how he does not find people to go see movies with him. So
there were a couple of girls sitting right next to us. As we were
pushing, Nikhil comes up saying how he had half a mind of asking those
girls if they would let him know if they were seeing a movie, or if
when he wanted to see a movie he would give them a call. (heh, I saw an
opportunity to make fun of him) And I pushed him to go ahead and ask.
Now, here is the conversation that followed,
Nikhil: Hi, I was wondering if you guys see movies here often
Girl: We are from out of town
Nikhil: Oh, so you see, I generally have a problem of getting
people to see movies like this, I have to pay for them (dude, I just
did not have the cash on me at short notice!), and get them here.
Girl: Yeah
me: <not meant for the girls to hear, just Nikhil> I gotta blog about this.
<unfortunately she heard it>
Girl: Its a genuine feeling, ya
<me: oh yeah! genuine it sure is :P>
For the next two kms walking home, we were just laughing relieving
the conversation. Sadly I wasn’t able to make Nikhil the butt of my
jokes. Hopefully we will manage to find some more like minded people
the next time we do this. (Hopefully next week!).
And Nikhil, better luck next time.
Friday, March 14, 2008
My Experience with Eureka Forbes
So I moved to a new place around a month back and in the process of setting it up, I bought a Eureka Forbes Crystal Water purifier.
Ah, now if there is a sour experience I have had, its with this product.
Day 1: No one lands up to install the unit.
Day 2: I ask them, please do it by 4pm as I have to go out. Someone lands up at 6 pm. They take about an hour before installing the unit and it turns out the unit does not work. Finally after much haggling I get them to replace the unit immediately, and while the unit is flushing they leave. Hours later I find out the water flow button does not work.
Since it was a minor inconvenience, I really did not bother following up on it. Couple of days later when I fill water from the filter, I notice a strange smell coming from the water. Now this issue which was a minor inconvenience becomes a major problem. I cannot use the filter. So I go ahead and actively start pursuing the Eureka Forbes service centre through my dealer. Finally someone lands up after making me wait at home for two days (thank god, I did not have any major meetings those days). He comes at 7:30 pm, and he says that he does not have some equipment to fix the unit. He says he will come the next day as he cannot get the equipment at that time. Considering the late hour, I let him go, but ask him to come early morning the next day.
The next day someone calls me up at 9:45 am. I explain to them, see whoever comes should finish the work by 11 as I have a conference call to attend at 11:30 am. At 11:45 I get a call asking me for directions. (yes, I was in the conference call then!) I was forced to send them back. No one lands up for the next two days, and I was out of town over the weekend.
Now finally with the way things are going, I decide to raise a complaint through the Eureka Forbes national helpline. This is on march 6th. I am assured someone will fix my problem within 48 hrs. No one lands up. I follow up on 10th. Again I am assured someone will be here as soon as possible. No one lands up yet again!. I follow up on 12th. Finally someone lands up on the 13th. He tells me that the unit's circuit has failed because I connected it to a 15 Amp socket. (Somehow basic electrical theory changed when I was not looking) and so my warranty is void (WHAT?!). After much arguing, explaining to him about basics of electricity, circuits (yes!) he agrees to replace the circuit, but wants another day. At this point I was fed up. More than anything, it was the attitude. It was a "I don't care what you do, I will do things as convenient to me" sort of a thing. I gave him a piece of my mind. Finally on march 13th, that is yesterday, a full week from the date I placed the complaint, the technicians agreed that the unit would have to be replaced. (And mind you this was the second unit)
Today, 14th March, morning the technician comes and takes back the unit, but I do not have a replacement unit. They want another day. This was my "Nothing doing" moment. I told him, he has to replace by today afternoon. Finally after calling up the service manager, I finally get a call from Eureka Forbes. This lady tells me that they do not have a replacement unit and they will have it replaced tomorrow. Tomorrow is not happening as I have an engagement which I cannot break for any reason (Its my 5 yr (soon to be 6) old cousin's (mentioned about over here) birthday party and I cannot miss it for any reason!). I just told her point blank that you have been making me wait since 6th March and its high time Eureka Forbes did something to my convenience. This lady disconnects the phone.
Around half an hour later, this lady calls back again and tells me that the unit will be sent today evening, but it will be installed only tomorrow. I am totally shocked. Did they not hear what I have been saying for so long. Don't they understand that tomorrow is not available. In frustration I tell her that I do not care how she does it, but the unit has to be setup and installed today. This lady goes ahead and disconnects again.
Some 15 mins later a gentleman calls me, and starts lecturing me on how to talk to ladies. For a moment I was blind-sided. This gentleman then got it from me. (hehe, he does not know that I am a kernel hacker and am very thick skinned and know how to give it back :-) ). At this point I got bugged and told him we shall meet in consumer court and disconnect. Moments later I get another call from the same number and this gentleman asks me to talk to his manager who starts shouting on me. Well, this got really annoying. How is it my problem if your person on the other end cannot handle irate customers! Apparently she started crying after handling my call. (I was shocked. For one, I was trying to figure out what I had said that she was crying, and second huh, why is this guy lecturing me instead of talking to her, and explaining to her that such things happen, its part of the job.). This was another moment for me. And he got it back from me. I told him, that he had no business talking to me like that. They have not been able to provide me the required service, its not that I have not paid any money. The problem has been there from day 1. It has been over a week since I have placed the complaint. And then they want me adjust my schedule to their convenience.
One thing I have to say, he was trying to stick to his agenda, which was I should have not spoken rudely to her. And nor is he willing to tell me what I said. I was looking at my mom and sudhir to figure out if I had said something wrong. This argument went on, and it went on till I told him I would take him to consumer court and he wanted to take me to the police station.
Now at the end of this whole situation, I believe this is something that constitutes as harassment. If the girl cannot handle irate customers, she has no business being in a customer facing role. If Eureka Forbes cannot provide me with a working water purification unit, they have no business being in this business. And on top of that coming forward and harassing a customer. I am not sure if consumer court is the right place. If folks know a better place, please let me know. I intend to fight this case. If someone has similar experiences and has successfully negotiated the situation, I would be interested in hearing their experiences.
Ah, now if there is a sour experience I have had, its with this product.
Day 1: No one lands up to install the unit.
Day 2: I ask them, please do it by 4pm as I have to go out. Someone lands up at 6 pm. They take about an hour before installing the unit and it turns out the unit does not work. Finally after much haggling I get them to replace the unit immediately, and while the unit is flushing they leave. Hours later I find out the water flow button does not work.
Since it was a minor inconvenience, I really did not bother following up on it. Couple of days later when I fill water from the filter, I notice a strange smell coming from the water. Now this issue which was a minor inconvenience becomes a major problem. I cannot use the filter. So I go ahead and actively start pursuing the Eureka Forbes service centre through my dealer. Finally someone lands up after making me wait at home for two days (thank god, I did not have any major meetings those days). He comes at 7:30 pm, and he says that he does not have some equipment to fix the unit. He says he will come the next day as he cannot get the equipment at that time. Considering the late hour, I let him go, but ask him to come early morning the next day.
The next day someone calls me up at 9:45 am. I explain to them, see whoever comes should finish the work by 11 as I have a conference call to attend at 11:30 am. At 11:45 I get a call asking me for directions. (yes, I was in the conference call then!) I was forced to send them back. No one lands up for the next two days, and I was out of town over the weekend.
Now finally with the way things are going, I decide to raise a complaint through the Eureka Forbes national helpline. This is on march 6th. I am assured someone will fix my problem within 48 hrs. No one lands up. I follow up on 10th. Again I am assured someone will be here as soon as possible. No one lands up yet again!. I follow up on 12th. Finally someone lands up on the 13th. He tells me that the unit's circuit has failed because I connected it to a 15 Amp socket. (Somehow basic electrical theory changed when I was not looking) and so my warranty is void (WHAT?!). After much arguing, explaining to him about basics of electricity, circuits (yes!) he agrees to replace the circuit, but wants another day. At this point I was fed up. More than anything, it was the attitude. It was a "I don't care what you do, I will do things as convenient to me" sort of a thing. I gave him a piece of my mind. Finally on march 13th, that is yesterday, a full week from the date I placed the complaint, the technicians agreed that the unit would have to be replaced. (And mind you this was the second unit)
Today, 14th March, morning the technician comes and takes back the unit, but I do not have a replacement unit. They want another day. This was my "Nothing doing" moment. I told him, he has to replace by today afternoon. Finally after calling up the service manager, I finally get a call from Eureka Forbes. This lady tells me that they do not have a replacement unit and they will have it replaced tomorrow. Tomorrow is not happening as I have an engagement which I cannot break for any reason (Its my 5 yr (soon to be 6) old cousin's (mentioned about over here) birthday party and I cannot miss it for any reason!). I just told her point blank that you have been making me wait since 6th March and its high time Eureka Forbes did something to my convenience. This lady disconnects the phone.
Around half an hour later, this lady calls back again and tells me that the unit will be sent today evening, but it will be installed only tomorrow. I am totally shocked. Did they not hear what I have been saying for so long. Don't they understand that tomorrow is not available. In frustration I tell her that I do not care how she does it, but the unit has to be setup and installed today. This lady goes ahead and disconnects again.
Some 15 mins later a gentleman calls me, and starts lecturing me on how to talk to ladies. For a moment I was blind-sided. This gentleman then got it from me. (hehe, he does not know that I am a kernel hacker and am very thick skinned and know how to give it back :-) ). At this point I got bugged and told him we shall meet in consumer court and disconnect. Moments later I get another call from the same number and this gentleman asks me to talk to his manager who starts shouting on me. Well, this got really annoying. How is it my problem if your person on the other end cannot handle irate customers! Apparently she started crying after handling my call. (I was shocked. For one, I was trying to figure out what I had said that she was crying, and second huh, why is this guy lecturing me instead of talking to her, and explaining to her that such things happen, its part of the job.). This was another moment for me. And he got it back from me. I told him, that he had no business talking to me like that. They have not been able to provide me the required service, its not that I have not paid any money. The problem has been there from day 1. It has been over a week since I have placed the complaint. And then they want me adjust my schedule to their convenience.
One thing I have to say, he was trying to stick to his agenda, which was I should have not spoken rudely to her. And nor is he willing to tell me what I said. I was looking at my mom and sudhir to figure out if I had said something wrong. This argument went on, and it went on till I told him I would take him to consumer court and he wanted to take me to the police station.
Now at the end of this whole situation, I believe this is something that constitutes as harassment. If the girl cannot handle irate customers, she has no business being in a customer facing role. If Eureka Forbes cannot provide me with a working water purification unit, they have no business being in this business. And on top of that coming forward and harassing a customer. I am not sure if consumer court is the right place. If folks know a better place, please let me know. I intend to fight this case. If someone has similar experiences and has successfully negotiated the situation, I would be interested in hearing their experiences.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
kernel hackers and english grammar
One thing I have noticed. If you are a kernel hacker, it is your duty to argue about english grammar :-)
Best of luck, Balbir :)
Best of luck, Balbir :)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Thanks for call ....., Can I help you?
Yes, please solve the regression I am chasing now. Please write those features missing in the OS.
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Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The Bet.
I know someone who has made claims that he/she can consume 4 DBC in a single stretch. I want to know what's your take on it.
Please take the following poll. It's got only two questions and will not take more than 15 seconds.
Click HERE
Please take the following poll. It's got only two questions and will not take more than 15 seconds.
Click HERE
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Friday, February 01, 2008
Values
http://ind.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/334413.html
Just read this article. Questions that come in mind.
1. Racism is a big issue in the western world. According to the article, Indians are known to be racist as Africans will talk about. Racism is bad, no two ways about it.
2. Family is a big issue in India. If someone calls you a mother****** or a sister****** (obviously not in english, but in hindi) it is a bad bad thing. It is something that one needs to take offense on.
Here is the question that comes to mind. What is the western world to decide the value system of the world? If calling a person a monkey is something bad (and mind you, there are a number of parents who call their kids "little monkeys" out of love), then calling sister****** or mother****** is also bad. You cannot come up and say that it is ok, and you are not supposed to take it to heart.
My response to Soumya Bhattacharya, England/Australia or the US do not define our values. Learn to be proud of your culture, of your beliefs first. If Harbhajan Singh has to be fined to be called a monkey, then Andrew Symonds should also be fined/banned for using "fuck".
There cannot be two ways about it. If monkey is offensive and taboo in their culture, then "fuck" is offensive in our culture. Respect cannot be demanded, it has to be earned. If the western world believes that it can get us to respect their culture without reciprocating, then it is wrong. We as a culture should treat it for being the child it is being. Not bow down to its demands.
Just read this article. Questions that come in mind.
1. Racism is a big issue in the western world. According to the article, Indians are known to be racist as Africans will talk about. Racism is bad, no two ways about it.
2. Family is a big issue in India. If someone calls you a mother****** or a sister****** (obviously not in english, but in hindi) it is a bad bad thing. It is something that one needs to take offense on.
Here is the question that comes to mind. What is the western world to decide the value system of the world? If calling a person a monkey is something bad (and mind you, there are a number of parents who call their kids "little monkeys" out of love), then calling sister****** or mother****** is also bad. You cannot come up and say that it is ok, and you are not supposed to take it to heart.
My response to Soumya Bhattacharya, England/Australia or the US do not define our values. Learn to be proud of your culture, of your beliefs first. If Harbhajan Singh has to be fined to be called a monkey, then Andrew Symonds should also be fined/banned for using "fuck".
There cannot be two ways about it. If monkey is offensive and taboo in their culture, then "fuck" is offensive in our culture. Respect cannot be demanded, it has to be earned. If the western world believes that it can get us to respect their culture without reciprocating, then it is wrong. We as a culture should treat it for being the child it is being. Not bow down to its demands.
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