Migrated to Windows 7 ... finally!!

Today (20 March, 2010) is the National day of Unplugging. If you are unsure about what this means - it is a day to encourage people who are addicted to technology to practise abstinence towards all gadgets (for a day, that is). Ironically, I made a big switch from Windows Vista to Windows 7 today. Though I have been using Vista Ultimate since late 2007, I haven't really liked it. There were instances where I abhorred this operating system. I installed Ubuntu linux on my laptop in early 2009 and have been using Ubuntu and Vista in a 70-30 ratio.

I wanted to buy a new laptop but did not want to get rid of my ThinkPad. So, I decided to get rid of my operating system and my dual-boot option, which slowly became a minor nuisance. All it took was a stroll to Staples store. I bought a Windows 7 Home Premium upgrade CD and the installation took 20 minutes. This is my first blog using Windows 7. Connecting to the network etc, was a breeze.

At the outset, I liked the look and feel of the OS. Till today, Windows to me was all about style and nothing much about substance. But looks like Microsoft turned the corner with Windows 7. They seemed to have worked on both style and substance. And as a result, Windows 7 looks to be a good blend of both as opposed to Windows Vista which was a hero in style and a zero in substance.

Anyways..my first impression is pretty good about Windows 7. Hope it stays that way!

...the ides of March...

This phrase may not mean a lot to many, but it sure does mean a lot to me. It is from William Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'. 'Beware the ides of March...' the Soothsayer warns Caesar. Caesar all but dismisses the warning. The play was part of our English class in 1994-95. That year, my teacher, my classroom everything is clearly etched in my mind. I liked this play so much that at that time I knew most of the dialogs and soliloquies by heart. My favorite is 'Friends, Romans, Countrymen...lend me your ears. I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him...'.

I liked this play for several reasons. Firstly, I like the way Caesar is portrayed as an all-powerful and egoist emperor. Mark Antony aptly says When Caesar says "do this", it is performed! I also liked Caesar's quote - Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once. The characters of Antony and Brutus command great respect though I felt bad when Brutus turns tables on Caesar. Et tu Brute! While Antony is portrayed as a noble and devoted follower of Caesar, Brutus is portrayed as a stoic and devoted citizen of Rome. Mark Antony's aforementioned speech is my all-time favorite. The way in which he stirs the crowd to mutiny is very convincing and gripping. Cassius is shrewdness personified. The way Brutus asks Cassius - Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius - is very interesting.

It is a nice day to remember Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. You can find the play here.