Photography at its Best...

RoyHancliff :

He was born in Oxford England.He moved to Spain in 1985 with my wife Sharon for a better climate and simpler life. Photography took a back seat as he carved out a living. He finally moved to Canada in 2003, settling in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. He now had the time to dedicate to my passion of photography that had been put on hold for so long. He chose to concentrate on Birds in flight as they have always intrigued him. He wanted to capture the beauty of nature that is not normally visible to the naked eye. Even Birds that we consider to be common and uninteresting come into their own element when wings are frozen mid flight.

He often finds himself sitting in a hide  at temperatures of -15 C trying to capture that all important shot. Or in the case of the Hummingbirds +35 C with sweat running down the backs of his legs but he would not have it any other way.  He studies their flight patterns and feeding habits for hours to determine where they will come into the frame, every bird has a completely different approach as they feed. His first real camera was  Nikon F2S with photomic head. I think it would be fair to say that whatever the shot it is calculated and taken in his mind before he even begins. He gives a different perspective into Bird and insect in-flight photography.

A few samples are here FOR YOUR EYES ONLY..  

For more photos of his, goto this site:

http://www.royhancliff.com/

What can anyone say about his love for birds, insects and animals. Photos taken by him are amazing.Its always a treat to watch his photos. If any atheist looks at his pictures i am sure he/she would change his/her opinion about God..Who else could have created such wonderful creatures...

There may be many beautiful things on this planet but there should be someone who brings such things to people's notice to appreciate the beauty with in it...

You can also find Roy's pictures on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/38337571@N02/

What do u think ??

These ads caught my attention.. I think such ads are not so flamboyant but definitely give the PUNCH !!!! What do u think ???

Amazon’s latest Kindle ad makes fun of Apple iPad’s sunlight vulnerability. 

Some may argue that they would like to read it under shades than on dark. But, love it or hate it, Amazon did throw a punching proposition with this new television commercial. By the way, my friend suggests no one can concentrate on reading when you have such hottie tanning her like this.

But Hold on !! Apple fought it with a new pool commercial...It has got the Punch..

Super quickly Apple has reverted with a response. Just the beginning of iPad vs Kindle advertising battle. Kindle is getting some of the “magazine” and video features in the coming months probably which the iPad already has. And who knows, there is always rumor that iPad is bringing better “text technology” so you can read long articles and books on it without having to take an Advil for your eye-headache.

Top Brands' logos and their evolution

GE Logo: Design, History, Evolution 

GE has a long history of commercially successful research and innovation from Thomas Edison’s light bulb to today’s nanotechnology breakthroughs, locomotives, health care, aviation, finance, energy and many more . In 1890 Edison General Electric Light Company was founded by the great scientist of 19th century Thomas Edison initiated Edison.

The first GE font face designed in 1892 is still almost similar to the present one. The circular shape seemed eternal and the movement near the perimeter of the circle gives a sense of motion and fluidity that is reinforced by the elegant treatment of the interconnected initials. With time, the circular engulfing the fonts took over and now with evolution it probably exemplifies the diverseness of the group. The white space symbolizes it’s openness and its being equal to everyone. The new slogan for GE is “Imagination at work” which has replaced the longtime standing “we bring good things to life.”

Google Logo: Design, History, Evolution

Just as its home page, Google logo is made of simple fonts and colors. In September, 1998, Sergey Brin unveiled the first Google logo using GIMP after learning how to use it. In 1996, two Stanford University computer science graduate students Larry Page and Sergey Brin built the search engine and named it Google which meant 1 followed by 100 zeros. In 1998, some changes were made, a shadow effect given along with Yahoo! Like exclamation mark. However, soon it was dropped.

Ruth Kedar, Stanford’s Consultant Art Professor has designed the current logo. Do you know Google logo is made of what font? It is called, Catull.

Google also celebrates different events and people by redesigning it’s corporate logo from time to time. It organizes Doodle 4 Google competition where it invites young people to design the Google logo in their very own style based on a different theme. 

Microsoft Logo: Design, History, Evolution

The prodigy named Bill Gates and his friend Paul Allen created the first computer language for a PC in 1975 and named it BASIC. First Microsoft logo with a disco flavor (kind of) is reminiscent of 70s and 80s. That year itself the logo was discarded for green new one and with all uppercase letters which had some trick on the letter “O.” The employees called it as “Bibbet,” it is believed that then Microsoft cafeteria used to serve double cheeseburger named “”Blibbet Burger.” (More about Microsoft product logos)

The logo ran for 12 years and employees used to love it. In 1987, when the company wanted to change it, employees even ran campaign to “Save the Bibbet.” The logo, however, got an adieu and a new logo by Scott Baker was born. Due to the distinctive cut in the “O,” it was called “the Pacman Logo.” According to the March 1987 Computer Reseller News Magazine, “The new logo, in Helvetica italic typeface, has a slash between the o and s to emphasize the “soft” part of the name and convey motion and speed.”

In 1994 a tagline was added ‘Where do you want to go today?’ within it, kind of stabilized the design, no major development on the logo occurred after that. The taglines was changed in 2006 with a new one, “Your potential. Our passion”

IBM Logo: Design, History, Evolution

IBM logo is a distinctive statement of depicting company’s promise of commitment to its principles and fosters immediate recognition all across the world. Over the years, IBM logo has been perceived as an image of expertise, innovation, service and trust, thereby reinforcing the strength of IBM in the industry.

The IBM logo story began in 1924 when the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company was renamed as International Business Machines. As part of the re-branding exercise, the ornated letters that formed the “CTR” logo was replaced by the words “Business Machines” in more contemporary sans-sarif type, and in a form intended to suggest a globe, girdled by the word “International.” In line with company’s global expansion mode a new global shape logo was born girded by the word “International.” More aboutIBM Logo

To help carry its transition from punch-card tabulating business to computers, in 1947, the “globe” was replaced by simplistic “IBM” in a Beton Bold font. In 1956, Paul Rand conceptualized first IBM continuity logo in solid black letters with City Medium type font. The idea was to make the logo look more solid, grounded and balanced. The celebrated graphic designer again had redone the logo in 1972 with horizontal stripes to suggest more speed and dynamism.

Coca-Cola Logo: Design, History, Evolution

Coca Cola is world’s biggest brand and its logo is most omnipresent in consumer psyche. In numerous surveys over the years it has been ranked as the most popular and most trusted brand of the world which is sold in more than 200 countries of the world.

Pharmacist John S. Pemberton was the inventor of Coca-Cola. It was invented as patent medicine. His partner Frank Mason Robinson created first Coca Cola logo in 1885. First it was called, Coca Wine, but Robinson came up with the idea of Coca-Cola because he thought the two Cs would look well in advertising, and visualized the logo’s distinctive cursive script. The typeface is called Spencerian script which was a prevalent form of handwriting in 19^th century’s United States. The red and white color combination was chosen as it was attractive, has blend of energy and purity. It was also meant to attract the youngsters.

Example of one basic logo design that has ruled the world without having much change in it, yes there was some subtle and minute alteration, but it has not drastically changed the properties of the logo.

Compared to Pepsi, Coca-Cola logo better positioned in consumer psyche, that’s because when most people think about it, they think of this logo only and not of many variants. But when Pepsi is mentioned, many logos flow into people’s minds. Coca-Cola’s barely changing logo is better for people to remember and I think it looks better with all the curvy letters!

Ever wondered what made them change their logos over the course of time ?

Hacker or Hijacker ???

Hacker Hijacks Times Square Screens

A guy with a transmitter plugged into an iPhone and a repeater placed near a screen on Times Square beams up footage of himself. Unless it's a masterful hoax, that is.

Hatsoff to the technology !!!

My first short movie..(a raw one though)

Goto this URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D77i4AK-0No

A small attempt to bring out the other side of me...A short movie on war & peace and a lot of other factors that are of major concern in today's world..

How did u like it ? 

Ready for a VW test ride ? Here we go...

Test drive a Volkswagen ... inside a print ad

Volkswagen in Norway is offering what it claims is the world's first test drive inside a print ad. The ad, placed in several Norwegian magazines, presents a long stretch of road (there are summer and winter versions) and urges readers to download an app (developed by Mobiento) that lets you "drive" a car on the road by hovering your iPhone over it. You can test three different features of the vehicle—lane assist, adaptive lights and cruise control. Sure, it's not quite as immersive as a real test drive, but it's a nice idea executed well. 

see more at 

http://bcove.me/7bq86h1b

Few Commercials for Superbowl

Volkswagen Super Bowl Ad/Commercial: 2012 Passat Is The Force 

Super Bowl Commercial for 2012 Volkswagen Passat is called The Force. This is a one-minute ad spot that features how a child is practicing his Jedi-training around the house in a Darth Vader costume.

Emotional, yes, and like any great super bowl ad, this Volkswagen Passat tugs on your heartstrings like the classic Budweiser ones with the Clydesdale horses or the Coca-Cola commercial with (Pittsburgh Steelers’ legend Mean) Joe Greene.

The Star Wars-themed commercial has also already become the most talked about ad on Twitter, what’s more its also being watched in YouTube more than any Super Bowl 2011 ad.

Volkswagen Commercial 2011: The Force

Volkswagen 2010 Super Bowl Commercial 

Volkswagen Terrorist themed Ad

Volkswagen banned tv commercial Bollocks

Suzuki Super Bowl Ad/Commercial For Kizashi: Wicked Weather

For the first time, Suzuki is advertising in the Super Bowl 2011 to promote its Suzuki Kizashi all-wheel-drive car. The Super Bowl Ad features the Suzuki Kizashi showing off its AWD system by evading some evil snowball-throwing snowmen. (Which really is kind of terrifying. It’s like beingchased by zombies who are throwing hunks of their own flesh while you scramble to safety.)

Suzuki Kizashi Super Bowl commercial

http://www.youtube.com/embed/9vorlZMAnBg

Mercedes-Benz Super Bowl Commercial/Ad Featuring Five New Models

The New S-Class With 8 Airbags

Mercedes-Benz is splashing a 60 second ad spot in 2011 XLV Super Bowl to celebrate the 125^th anniversary by unveiling not one but five new models. This is first time ever Merc is advertising during NFL’s ultimate game. The ad spot has four new Mercedes Benz vehicles including a fast peek at the upcoming C-Class Coupe and the SLS AMG Roadster.

The 60 second ad is going to cost $6 million, says the Mercedes blog, it writes,

So now, without further ado, the first view of the 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe and the first view of the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster (along with a couple other already outed Mercedes models), all on display in the video and gallery below.

…hit the video and gallery below for the Mercedes Super Bowl ad featuring the first views of the 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe and the 2012 Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster

Mercedes-Benz Super Bowl Commercial “Welcome” Extended Cut 

Mercedes-Benz Super Bowl Ad Behind The Scenes 

OMG !!! It Is A Treat 2 Watch These Commercials
I guess no one would want to miss any of these ads....Do you have any other thoughts ? If yes Please do reply to me...

Here is the complete set of commercials, in case you are interested.

http://www.adglitz.com/category/super-bowl-commercials/super-bowl-2011-commercials-complete-collection/

Heathrow third runway...A thing of the past

Heathrow third runway cancelled: we won!

Fantastic news - climate-wrecking plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport have been axed.

The Cameron/Clegg government confirmed yesterday evening that it will not only scrap the third runway at Heathrow, but also refuse additional runways at Gatwick and Stansted. So all our Airplot campaigning has finally won out - and a huge thank you is due to all you Airplotters, and everyone who's written to their MP or taken part in one of the many protests demanding that the plan be shelved.

Right from the start, we argued that building a third runway at a time when we(Greenpeace) are battling to reduce our carbon emissions made no sense. We worked with a huge coalition to oppose it, including residents' groups Hacan and NoTRAG, local councils, Climate Camp, WWF and RSPB - and it's paid off.

This morning Airplot campaigners headed to Downing Street to present the new prime minister with a legal Deed of Trust containing the names of over 90,000 Airplotters who are joint beneficial owners the plot of land at the centre of the proposed runway development, and thank David Cameron and Nick Clegg for agreeing to officially scrap Heathrow expansion.

We planned to use the Airplot to create a significant legal headache for any government which tried to build the runway, and were preparing to defend the land if the runway went ahead, but now it seems that it won't be needed. Particularly since new deputy PM Nick Clegg is one of the beneficial owners of the one acre plot, and David Cameron agreed to have a tree planted on the land in his name.

This is a huge victory in the fight for genuine action against catastrophic climate change - a recognition of the impact aviation is having on our climate.

It's also wonderful news for local residents. There will be parties in Sipson, which was due to be demolished under the plans. Sipson resident Linda McCutcheon (on the right in the photo above), who came with us to hand in the Airplot deed, was moved to tears to know that her home and village has been saved.

But this is not the end of our campaign. Neither the Tories nor the Lib Dems have yet ruled out expansion at other airports around the country - so our campaign will keep going until the new government recognizes that all airport expansion has to stop. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrh0xNnnTf4&feature=player_embedded

In fond rememberance...

Major Harminder Pal Singh, Sena Medal (Posthumous) 18 Grenadiers

Maj HP Singh was the leader of a search party to search a suspected house on 13 Apr 99 when militants opened fire on them from the said house. Maj HP Singh suffered bullet injury on the left arm. Displaying utter disregard to personal safety and crippling injury, he moved with lightning speed firing his weapon and shot dead one militant on the spot. This daring and decisive act surprised and trapped the militants. Refusing to be evacuated, he gave direction to the search party and crawled upto a position of advantage. The second militant attempted to  fire a  grenade. Realising  immediate  danger, Maj H P  Singh  displaying  astounding

bravery and nerves of steel, fired from close range killing him. In the simultaneous militant fire Maj Harminder was hit and later succumbed to his injuries. You make us proud.. Your love for your country ensures we are safe..Take a bow sir..

Google in trouble with Android developers

Disgruntled Android developer sounds battle cry, rallies troops, demands Market tweaks from Google (updated)

A dude making a living writing Android apps -- who, by all appearances, is an upstanding guy with actual quality software in the Android Market -- is taking Google to task this week for what he calls "unacceptable" treatment. His beef seems to originate from the unexplained pulling of one of his titles -- Rapid Download -- a fact that he discovered not through any sort of communication from Google, it seems, but by the fact that he noticed was no longer making any coin from it. He goes on to say that he was unable to get anyone in Mountain View to explain the situation until his third attempt, at which point he received some unhelpful "generic information" plus a threat tacked on that if he violated the rules again, he'd have all of his titles pulled. For someone whose Market apps are breadwinners, we can imagine that would be a little scary.

Long story short, this particular developer decided he wasn't going to take it -- not after paying "over $14,000 in 'service fees'" -- and started a site to get his story public and enlist fellow devs unhappy with the way Google's been treating them. Now, we can't vouch for the accuracy of the guy's story, but if this movement and ones like it gather enough steam, it puts Google in a precarious position; the Market, after all, is the crown jewel in the company's strategy of allowing only approved devices to be the most relevant to consumers. Take away the absolute importance of the Market -- like, say, Amazon is trying to do -- and the power structure starts to shift.

Update: If you look at the legacy Market posting for Rapid Download on AndroLib, we can immediately spot at least one thing that's wrong here -- the guy is encouraging users to infringe copyrights right in the product description. Whoops! Sure, Google should be more proactive in letting developers know where they went wrong... but if you don't see the problem in this, you probably have no business being a professional developer -- at least, not one that's claiming ethics on their side. 

ipad2

ipad 2: Are u buying one ?

iOS 4.3 is getting itself a pretty snazzy launch vehicle in Apple's brand new iPad 2. The thinner, lighter, faster Apple tablet now comes in a choice of black or white, has cameras on front and back, and we understand its cake-cutting abilities are unrivaled. Now that you've had a good few hours to digest the news, consume the subsequent comparisons against the original iPad and the rest of the tech world'stablet offerings, we want to know what you think. Will the iPad 2 pry open your purse, is the oldie still a goodie, or will you wait for the bigger and better things coming down the road?

My Country

Good day everyone. I love my country for it has a great significance in my life. I am proud to be an Indian. I just wanted to know what others feel about their countries. So I want you to write a few things about your country. Your likes and dislikes.


First, Its my turn.


My Country: INDIA
Likes: Unity In Diversity, Traditional Background, Universities and Indian Education, Potential for growth, Performing well in Cricket and tennis, Awesome places to visit.
Dislikes: Politics, Law enforcement system, Corruption, Illiteracy, Irresponsible Media.


Pour-in your choices as Comments. Hope you do.

Air print

TruPrint brings proper printer support to iOS:

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3OUQ__zuV0&feature=player_embedded

 

AirPrint is great in theory, but in practice your chances of finding a supported printer in the copier room are roughly equivalent to spotting a yellow-eared parrot in the wild. TruPrint boosts those chances dramatically, adding iOS support for "most" printers that are shared on the network. It's $9.99, which is a bit steep, but if it saves you having to wait in just one line at the airport terminal to print a boarding pass it's well, well worth it.

iDisplay is now the secondary display...

iDisplay now ready to turn your Android device into a secondary display

While iPhone and iPad users have been able to use iDisplay to turn their device into a secondary display for some time now (with at least some degree of success), Android users have unfortunately been left to their own devices -- until now, that is. The folks behind the app have finally made an Android version available as well, which is apparently compatible with all Android smartphones and tablets running Android 2.1 or later, and works in both portrait and landscape modes. As with the iOS version, it's also compatible with both Windows and OS X, and it'll set you back the same $4.99.

Amar rahe...

Major Ajay Singh Jasrotia, Sena Medal (Posthumous) 13 JAK Rif

Maj Ajay Singh Jasrotia, moved with the unit for 'OP VIJAY' as part of 56 Mtn Bde. The unit was tasked to capture Pt 5140, which dominates the Srinagar-Leh Highway. Accordingly, an administrative base was sited at Drass. On 15 Jun 99, the location came under heavy enemy artillery shelling. The very first shell injured six OR and sent across a wave of shock and panic among other who desperately ran for cover. Maj Ajay Singh Jasrotia, immediately sensed  the gravity of the  situation, took  charge  and  ordered  all   the  troops to take cover within the area of the adm base

Thereafter, instead of taking cover, he attended to the casualties inspite of the continuing artillery shelling and arranged for evacuation of the wounded to safety. He organised troops into suitable groups and along with them, carried the soldiers on his back amidst heavy artillery shelling which continued unabated. During the evacuation of the casualties, a shell landed in close vicinity of Maj Jasrotia, injuring him seriously. With total disregard to his injuries, Maj Jasrotia continued with his task of evacuating the injured soldiers. This worsened his condition due to steady loss of blood, but inspite of persistent persuasions by the troops, Maj Jasrotia refused to be evacuated even as life slowly ebbed out of him. He finally succumbed to his injuries, thus making the supreme sacrifice of his life, but not before he had sent six serious casualties to their safety, all of whom later survived.

We all heard of 'Live and let live'. This Hero tweaked it a l'il. A Gallant Soldier sacrificed his life to save his Mother Land. Ajay Singh Amar rahe !!!

Real Heroes

They are heroes. Not on the screen but on the battle field. They save our country from various external perils. Lets know about them one-by-one.

Colonel Lalit Rai, Vir Chakra 1 /11 Gurkha Rifles

On 02 July 1999, Colonel Lalit Rai was tasked to capture the formidable Khalubar, and led his Battalion into the attack. As the leading columns reached 500 meters short of the objective, the enemy brought down intense and accurate fire. Tasking Bravo company to clear the interfering enemy bunkers, he advanced to Khalubar top with a handful of men, to turn the enemy's flank. The enemy engaged the advancing party with intense fire, but they succeeded in reaching Khalubar top. The enemy counter attacked repeatedly, killing and wounding several soldiers and also wounding Colonel Lalit Rai, but the attacks were beaten back by the handful of Khalubar top. Despite his injury, Colonel Lalit Rai refused evacuation and continued to direct the operations. He tenaciously held on to the vital lodgment on Khalubar top, which resulted in the capture of Bunker area and Khalubar.

A large quantity of arms, ammunition and documents were recovered and over 24 enemy killed. The capture of Khalubar proved to be the turning point in Operation Vijay and led to the complete rout of the enemy. Colonel Lalit Rai exhibited the most conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy. He inspired his men with exemplary leadership. For this singular act of gallantry and selfless devotion, beyond the call of duty, with grave risk to his life, he was awarded the Vir Chakra.

Salaam colonel sir. Take a Bow!!!