The ASUS Zenbook in Simple Words

ASUS Zenbook was my first purchase abroad and sharing some of the pictures of the same

Asus has done an extremely good job in keeping the box simple and putting in an additional wooden carry handle, just to give the impression of a suitcase. In France the handle was helpful in making me spend an extra euro for a bag as it would not be provided with the PC at Fnac.

 Some additional packing for making it look good and ofcourse to save it from the harsh environment

At last the final box made visible. If you believe that vacuum can't be created using paper boxes, you should try opening one of these. I had to drill 4 small holes on the corners in order to open it without any vacuum (just kidding). Difficult but not impossible.

2 good and sufficient accessories taking into consideration only presentation and web access without Wi-Fi. I think that should be good enough for low performance office usages or meetings :)

A small charger for a small ultrabook. Oops, the windows authentication code is on the charger. Better not loose it. or may be write it down somewhere.

A very good bag to carry you PC. Nothing else would have mattered more in buying the ASUS. The flip open Carry bag looks much more bulkier than expected once the ultrabook is placed inside it. Doesn't look so in all the review videos i saw on the net.

Some additional documentation for people who like to read. When reading these documentation do note that the more minuscule in size it looks, the more important it is. P.S: The small book like thing on the extreme right is a wiping cloth.

A pic just to show the size of the Ultrabook in perspective. aaaaaaah.. "My hand is a dolphin" and the Ultrabook is really very small.

Last but not the least, the internals of the Ultrabook.  A very good finish on the internals. Seems like the driver issues for the trackpad was fixed or may be i did not get to it yet.

SSD Memory fully utilized to provide a 2 second sleep wake up. Might slow down later when i install a few more applications on the Ultrabook or may be not because of shortage of memory.

Lack of memory on the 64 Gb version is a big issue = only 16 Gb of memory free on the drive when opened for the first time with nothing but the operating system installed. It would be a better option to take a UX31 since it also has a SD card slot.

Please do not compare Macbook Air with Zenbook. I wasted a lot of time, both on the net as well as on the shop floor. The easiest way to look about it is as given below

"Go to a electronic good store, have a look at the Macbook Air. Oh my god, how light it feels, how beautiful it looks etc etc etc. Then go meet the zenbook. Holy god, cannot believe it can be made this way also, and cheaper too, and so much better. Buy a zenbook and go home. Don't speak to friends with Macs, they will think u have got a Mac as well"

Excerpts from Mamboy's Diary: Meeting prospective spouses - Episode 2

    After the first tragic Episode Mamboy decided to reflect upon all the mistakes committed on that day. He realized that the only person who could give an unbiased opinion was the broker itself and thought about asking him. Even before Mamboy could ask him, he had already come up with a feedback list and decided to tell Mamboy about the same.

The Feedback of Girly 1

1. He has not shaved (pretty much understandable with Hardware designers)

2. He did not talk much (Don't really know what Mamboy could have spoken more. But looking back to those engineering days, Mamboy was not that talkative and his voice unrecognizable. This made him one of the ideal candidates for helping out with our attendances )

3. Mamboy wears spectacles. I want my husband to wear contact lens

    On hearing the third feedback Mamboy wanted to meet the girl for one last time and say "Dear, i dont wear glasses while on bed". Broky got a clear impression that Mamboy does not talk much, he is a laid-back kind of person. His parents were now afraid of him more than ever during his entire life. Mamboy could sense the pressure getting built up at home.

    In the mean time Mamboy's Mom got a second profile for consideration. This time once again they were supposed to meet up at Mysore. Mamboy after working hard for the whole week found it really annoying. Mamboy's mom tried to wake him up early on "the day" but by the time Mamboy got up it was too late for a shave. Mamboy parents ensured that the car is stopped on the way at a parlor and that his hooligan looks are changed.

    The journey was pretty long (4 hours) and all the way he had to listen to lecture sessions from his parents and Broky. By the time they reached Mysore, Mamboy was tired but was happy that he got out of the lecture hall (car). Mamboy and his parents reached the hotel where they were supposed to meet Girly. To Mamboy's surprise Girly's family seemed to be much more comical than his own. About 10 people turned up at the occasion which included the granny, uncle, aunt and a few other relatives. After the usual introduction it was the time to pick up a conversation.

    Girly's mom took this opportunity and started off stating that Girly is not that talkative and spoke very less. On hearing this Mamboy's parents got a sense of relief and jumped in stating that their son also doesn't speak much. To add to the cherry on top Mamboy's parents also stated that Mamboy usually opens the door for guest and walks away without welcoming anyone. The guests would keep guessing as to who opened the door.

   Mamboy could not get a better introduction for himself. Mamboy's thoughts of having something by his choice on the menu was spoiled as the order had already been placed, Poori it was. Mamboy said to himself "Don't mind it". Mamboy was been stared at by 9 people on the table except the girl who seemed to have lost something on the floor and was looking for it. Mamboy had so far only heard about the term "Ankhon se Balatkar".

    Seeing that the session is going no where and the intensity of the stares taking an upward graph, Broky decided to interrupt. He turned towards Mamboy and said "Speak to Girly"

    Hearing this Mamboy's Mom whispered into his ears: "Talk in front of us".... Mamboy felt like Laughing his *** off. Mamboy just could not get angry. He knew that his mum was a totally normal person provided she was not in that situation. Mamboy's mom was basically nervous and wanted to know what his son was talking to Girly's that they rejected at the first meet itself

    Mamboy decided to be "the Man" and make the first move. He asked the girl whether they both could go out to another table.. and hell broke out. All the 9 who were staring at Mamboy till now were now looking at each other. Mamboy remembered that if S.Narayan was right there at that moment, he could capture the emotions which could be put for telecast to a minimum of 7 to 8 episodes. Mamboy had a feeling that even though the country has progressed so far, Girly's family might have been from the 18th century warlords.

    Broky said "Carry On",but  the granny wouldn't let Girly go. Mamboy before this meeting had thought that his parents were over protective, but it seemed like his benchmark had hit a new low. The granny let the two sit at the corner of the same table but Girly still seemed to searching for something on the floor. Mamboy even though cautious enough not to concentrate only on the Poori was tensed by the fact that Girly's mom was sitting right next to her and next to Girly's mom was Girly's aunt.

Mamboy started off with the conversation

Mamboy: (To Girly) Hi

Girly: (Smile)

Mamboy: (Guessing that its the first time she has come to meet anyone) So.. First time.. haan?

Girly: No no. ... Third

Mamboy: (Third ??? They why the hell is she so shy?).. Oh ok.. What are your expectations

Mamboy decided that he will use the same set of questions that he was asked the last time. He was prepared better than the last time for sure

Girly: Nodded her head

Mamboy: Nothing???

Girly: (In a feeble voice) No

Mamboy: (Hoping to regain from the bouncer).. Where did you Study?

Girly's Aunt: She studied in GSS in Mysore. Its a girls college

Mamboy did not expect Girly's aunt to answer this question but in the hope that she might spill out something asked her if she was working

Girly: No, Parents send me to Bangalore alone

Girly's Aunt: Just a few months back she has finished studies. Anyways after marriage she has to work. So we have asked her to play at home....

Mamboy was confused and disturbed at this point.. Play???? not spend time at home?

Mamboy: Oh ok!!! so you have many friends

Girly: No, not many

Mamboy: You go out for movies/shopping with friends?

Girly: No

Mamboy: So how do you send your time

Girly: TV, Sometimes i read some book

Mamboy: Any questions for me?

Girly: No

    Girly was still searching for the lost article on the floor and hence staring at the floor. Mamboy could not decide anything at this point of time and could not speak anything more. He could not decide whether she will be able to adjust to Bangalore or his environment.

    Mamboy had just wasted 8 hours on travel and his second lecture session of 4 hours was all about the qualities of Girly and the hope that she will be happy since she doesn't have many expectations. He was also asked to think about what happened in the first interview

Mamboy's Mom: (after reaching home) What do you say about the girl

Mamboy: Next time lets have interviews in Bangalore itself, else I am not coming anywhere

Excerpts from Mamboy's Diary: Meeting prospective spouses - Episode 1

    Mamboy after serious consideration decided that he would be going by the arranged marriage system. His decision was also aided by the fact that he did not find any success by any other means. He was supposed to meet up with Girly who works at Infosis Mysore and it was the first time that he was going to attend such a ceremony. Mamboy even though hesitant initially decided to attend the ceremony so that the amount paid to the broker does not go wasted. His hesitance also meant that his preparation levels were too low even by his own standards


    The "INTERVIEW" was arranged in a hotel by Girly's parents. They met up at the hotel and after some formal introductions sat down for the process to begin. Mamboy and Girly were seated on a separate table while the entire families from both side sat at the other table with watchful eyes.


    It was the time to order breakfast. Mamboy thought for a moment and said to himself that he hadn't had "Rava Idli" for a long time and decided to try it out. Girly was fine with a juice. Mamboy started having his "Rava Idli" which was tasting great and was almost done with one when he realized that the main purpose of the meet was not having the awesome "Rava Idli". Girly seeing no response from Mamboy decided to make the first move by calling out to him by his name. Mamboy wanted to respond to the call but just then remembered that he doesn't remember her name (the typical "Oh shit" moment). Mamboy asked out for her name and the rest of the conversation follows....


Mamboy: This is my first experience of such a meeting (interview). I don't really know what to ask you. I want you to start


Girly: Ok, What kind of a girl are you looking for?


Mamboy preparation had backfired. Even though Mamboy was pretty adamant about his VLSI design specification, he hadn't thought much about this question and didn't know what to say but did try his level best


Mamboy: I don't have specific requirements (with a big smile)


Girly: What? You don't have any requirements. She need not be good looking.?


Mamboy: Need not be...Ah wait i have just 2 requirements


Since Mamboy had not thought about the requirements, he was trying to generate requirements on the go. Mamboy was good at doing this @ his company meetings and thought the same would apply over here


Mamboy: My first requirement is that she should be working. I am not saying this for the sake of you earning money but i don't want you to waste time watching mega serials and reality shows at home.


On hearing this requirement, Girly's smile got a bit reduced. His requirement was not unjustified as he had pretty bad experience with the bonding between his mom and mega serials and would kill S.Narayan (Director of a few mega serials in Kannada) if he got the opportunity to do so.


Mamboy: My second requirement is that she should not get angry


On hearing this Girly spit back the juice she was having into the glass in surprise


Girly: Not get angry???? I am very short tempered person.. Don't you get angry?


Mamboy: on very rare occasions


Mamboy wanted to get out of the session but he still had one more "Rava Idli" on his plate and he did not want to let it go.

Mamboy: What are your requirements.?

Girly: He should be caring, loving, understand my feelings, He should not object to what i say/do.


Mamboy at this point of time wasn't sure whether she was describing her husband or her dog. He interrupted in the hope that the requirements end.

Mamboy: Wait. All these are cliches. How will u get to know that he has all these qualities in the first few meets?

Girly: hmmmmmmmmmm. (wondering why this guy is using logic) . haan yes i cant. (biiiiig pause)


Mamboy: But still u take decision right after first meet

Girly : YES!!!!

Mamboy : Do u have any ambitions in life (not that i have many)

Girly : No no. I want to marry.

Mamboy: (Waaw what an ambition)

Mamboy's mom had been very worried by the course of the events. She hadn't let her child speak to a girl for such a long time and she did doubt Mamboy's capability that he could talk to a girl. She had been looking at them (Mamboy and Girly) all the time through the mirror right next to their table. She couldn't control her curiosity any more and reached out to Mamboy's table

Mamboy's mom : enamma ivnu enaadru maataadna. illa sumne kootidna. avna baidu maataadsu ..... (Did he speak anything at all or did he sit quite. Scold him and he will talk)


Mamboy could not imagine what an impression his mom had created and that too at the first meeting. He could not say anything more and decided that its time to leave

Mamboy: Mom, We have spoken.. You carry on


Mamboy's mom: What did you speak? I couldn't hear a single thing


Mamboy did not know whether to curse his fate or burst into laughter. He managed to control himself till his mom left the table

Girly : What are your hobbies?


Mamboy: music, movies and cricket. What about you?

Girly : I go to malls and shop a lot

Mamboy : Ah???

Girly : I like shopping a lot. I also watch all the movies.

Mamboy : Any more questions?

Girl : No. 

Mamboy : Then wait, let me finish off the idly

Mamboy and Girly joined the main table along with the others. Girly's father had ordered a juice. Seeing the tiring look of Mamboy he decided to offer it to him instead. Mamboy accepted it without any hesitation and was happy that it was over.

Girly and her parents left and that was the last time Mamboy heard from them !!!


Mamboy is still wondering what went wrong?

Thinking in a Different Language

A pretty good example of what happens when you think in a different language and convert the same into English from the movie "Phas Gaya Re Obama"

The gyan and the implied sentences

You long hair and lanky fellow. Stand where you are sitting (Jahan pe baite ho, khade ho jao). Teacher enter, no notice. full insulting (Masterji aye hein aur dhyan bhi nahi raha, itni be-izzati).  Your mother father manners, this? (Tumhare Ma Baap ne tumhe ye sanskar sikhaye hain?) Speak in English. This English Coaching, not a local language (Ye Angrezi hai, koi airi gairi bhasha nahi) full stop (muh band). Sorry ka baby (Sorry ke bacche). You together thinking, english speaking like a rice plate eating, no, never, not (Tum dono sochte ho ki angrezi bolna chaval khane ke barabar hai, nahi, kabhi nahi). English speaking not a children play (Angrezi bolna bachhon ka khel nahi). English speaking like a undertaker play (Ye sirf bade logon ke liye hai). Tajmahal create (no idea what this means). Again time, careful (Phir se bol raha hoon, sambhalke raho). Again time this behaviour, so touch to my finger print, your chick (Phir se ye dohraya to meri ungliyon ke nishan tere gaal pe hoga). So big chick, you chick, red red chick (Ye bade gaal tumhare lal ho jayega). Understand. The postman, the busiman, the collector.... (no idea what he says)


Its really amazing how every minor bit of detailing has been taken care of in the scene. Appreciate the script writer for the effort.

GoAir : The Airline Whose Customer Service Representatives are "ALWAYS" busy

 

    The Experience of ticketing with GoAir can be put as the worst experience i had so far with any airlines. Its really amazing how well they have put it up together to give the worst possible experience to the customers

Lets start with the Website:

    Booking tickets is as easy as every other website with just a simple flaw. you just don't know which date you are booking for. The previous/next day booking buttons is as terrific as possible. its as simple and user friendly as learning to fly a concorde after training on a home made propeller plane. Please be careful when you click on any of those. And you never know which dates you end up with

Once you end up having a wrong booking this is what you do

     There is a very intuitive way of being able to modify your booking by browsing through the website which you take you not more that 30 minutes. Once you have found the same you go ahead and modify you dates of departures. Now you are doubly careful about what you are clicking on. The feeling of the time it takes after recovering from hanging a hundred times cannot be put in words, its only to be experienced.

Time to save your new changes

     At last you get the right preferences and click the save button. OOPS you are supposed to pay a bit extra.. just about 2K more ((Interactive Voice Response)IVR system says you can do a rescheduling for 150 Rs, but that's just the IVR). With a smiling face you decide to pay and then click on the make payment button. You end up filling a lot of details and then proceed to make the payment

    SURPRISEEEEE: You have an error shown on the window stating that there was an error in the server. You try again and again, but in vain. Now the issue is that your ticket preference has got changed to the new date but you really don,t have the ticket for it. You have lost the booking done earlier and you don't really know whether you have got the new one.

     At last you decide to take on the numbers provided on like with the server error and try calling them up. These are the same numbers that are given on the opening page of the website. If anyone has ever been able to get through the IVR of GoAir and get an answer after pressing the reschedule button please do let me know. Would like to personally congratulate you as you have been one of those few chosen ones in a million who have been able to get through it. Congratulations once again. Sadly i never made it through.

    You fight it out again and again and at last give up. The Customer representatives are Really Busy out there, you are asked to wait and in the mean time a totally pleasing instrumental carcass is delivered through the phone which you don't want to hear more than once. This just happens for about 5 times after which they get bored i believe and hang up (Sorry, the system automatically disconnects, since they do not want customers to be waiting for long period of time you see).

    At last i decided that atleast a few people in the system should know how good they are doing and decided them by using the Contact us link provided on the bottom of the website. The topping on the cake was delivered when the GoFeedback link refused to open.

    The prefix to the link said "Your feedback is important. To add your feedback click here"

We do know that feedback is important but what's the point when you not interested in listening