Prakash Advani's Blog

Support for a specific hardware on Linux has always been a concern , most Linuxers check for compatiblity before they buy the hardware. Here are some sites which has a compatiblity database which can be referred to before doing a purchase.

Phoronix.com

LinuxCompatible.org

I have used various mass transport systems such as trains and buses; cable cars, roller coasters at amusements parks and cars/taxis as well. Most of these have various limitations because of which not every one prefers to use them and prefer to take taxis or have their own vehicles.

The goal of the next generation mass transport system should be to provide a viable alternative to both existing mass tranports such as trains and buses and private vehicles.

Here are some thoughts on what an ideal mass transport system should be like.

The system should use tracks like trains, it should have small capsules like cable cars and should be designed in a way that each of the capsules can be used only when it is occupied by passenger/s.

It should be controlled centrally whereby the speeds, routing, etc. are all controlled centrally and fully automated with an option for the user to manually override, only in case of an emergency.

It should allow the flexiblity of taking the vehicle close to the persons home or work place rather than only going from point to point.

Advantages over cars/taxis

• The pre-laid out tracks would ensure that proper lanes and certain speeds are maintained.
• Being automated, it would reduce the chance of collisions. Most of the accidents that happen today, are due to human errors and this can be eliminated with automation.
• This can be build using zero emission fuels such as electricity thereby reducing the dependency of fossil fuels all together.

Advantage over trains and buses

• Today the trains/buses need to run even if there are just a few passengers. With this new system, the user can engage a capsule only when there are sufficient people to occupy it.
• Since the capsule can be small (to accommodate 2-4 people) it can be used optimally even if there are only a few passengers.
• Tracks for running a small capsule is easier than laying out tracks for a train to run as it can bend around roads much easily.
• This system offers a degree of privacy that a bus/train cannot offer because of which families prefer to use their own private vehicle.
• Like a taxi, a customer will be able to direct the capsule close to where he/she wants to go, unlike a train/bus which drops off only upto a certain point.

Limitations or disadvantages

• People today trust a vehicle being run by a driver, they may not trust a system without anyone visble to manage it.
• People may still prefer cars since they can offer more privacy, comfort and personalisation than public transport.
• People may feel insecure traveling alone all by themselves.

I have often heard about people’s concern about how much information your bank/credit card companies knows about you. Friends has also questioned how much information Google knows about you. But the most information that anyone knows about you is the mobile service company.

Here is all the things they know about you:

The cellphone you use, how often do you change your handset and when.
Where you live, based on which cell site you connect to and where do you travel to everyday and how often you travel.
Where you went, which route you took and how much time did you spend there.
Who you called and how often. They even know who do you call most often. They can even listen to your conversation if they like.
They can build a social network based on this information on who calls who.
They can combine the location information with the who you called and get how often you met the person based on both people connecting to the same cell site.
If you always call a friend when you travel to a different city, they know that as well.

Has the mobile service provider provided a privacy statement that they will not disclose your information? If not, they can use all this information.