Jenson Button won the thrilling Australian Grand Prix ahead of Robert Kubica and Felipe Massa. Button made an early gamble to opt for dry tyres on a damp track which turned out to be a decisive moment of his first win for Mclaren. Alonso came 4th after dropping to 22nd on first lap. Michael Schumacher managed to grab the last point on the last lap.

All prices are in AUD. 1 AUD = 0.953934 USD.

But on Yes Plans you get less worth of calls and text compared to Yes Cap Plans.

The new redesigned Zune software with Zune Marketplace and the new now playing screen looks cool.

If Apple had not already managed to convince hundreds of millions of Windows users to download and use iTunes and QuickTime in place of the Window Media Player software that comes bundled with Windows, it might be hard to imagine why Windows users might want to use Safari.#

IMO it’s BULLSHIT. I admit that I am a Windows user all my life, but right now I am planning to switch to Mac very soon and join the club. I am also closely following all the Mac related websites in my feed reader and after reading couple of articles on the above mentioned site, anyone can guess what he is trying to tell. So here is my question to all of you.

Do you use iTunes and QuickTime instead of Window Media Player ?

I am using Vista and the program to sync my Vista laptop with my mobile is Windows Mobile Device Center. According to Microsoft,

Windows Mobile Device Center helps you to quickly set up new partnerships, synchronize business-critical information such as e-mail, contacts and calendar appointments, easily manage your synchronization settings, and transfer business documents between your device and PC. #

Lets see how it syncs.

1. Contacts: Without Outlook installed on your PC you cant sync your Windows Contacts.
2. Calendar: Without Outlook installed on your PC you cant sync your Windows Calendar.
3. E-mail: Without Outlook installed on your PC you cant sync your E-mail from Windows Mail.

Ok wait, if I install Outlook, I can sync these simple things from my PC to my mobile. But Outlook is not a free program and I don’t care how much it costs. The most expensive Vista already comes with

1. Windows Contacts.
2. Windows Calendar.
3. Windows Mail (Replaced with Windows Live Mail).

Why these features exists in Windows Vista, if I cant sync those to my Windows Mobile. Ofcourse I can do these things directly on any phone not just Windows mobile phone. But check how some of these simple things can be done on iPhone using iTunes both on Mac and PC. And did I say iTunes is FREE. Lets see

iPhone syncs with the address book you already use on your computer ? Address Book or Entourage on a Mac, or Outlook or Outlook Express on a PC.#

iTunes already syncs iPod Contacts with Windows Contacts and I guess it will be same for iPhone.

iPhone uses iTunes to sync with the calendar application you already use on your computer ? iCal or Entourage on the Mac, or Outlook on a PC ? just like it does with your contacts.#

iTunes won’t sync iPod calendar with Windows Calendar currently but I wont be surprised if they allow iPhone to sync with Windows Calendar.

iTunes will make email setup on iPhone a breeze by automatically syncing the settings from email accounts stored in Mail on a Mac or Outlook on a PC.#

I am not sure if iTunes supports automatically syncing the settings from email accounts stored in Windows Mail. But I hope Apple will support those Vista features and beat Microsoft to it when iPhone and new iTunes are released on June 29th.

These are just some of the basic things any smartphone users want to sync with their computer and clearly Microsoft fails with their Windows Mobile. Here is a response from someone in Microsoft to a user who asked how to Sync Vista Windows Contacts to PPC in Windows Mobile newsgroups.

Currently, WMDC does not support sycning of Windows Mail and Windows Contacts. It is something that the feature team is considering for future releases. Currently, WMDC only supports syncing of data with Outlook.

Shame on you Microsoft and Windows Mobile team.

Woot.

1. Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 (AUD$75): Unlimited licence; or
2. Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 Subscription-1 year (AUD$25): 12 month licence from date of activation

Considering that MS Office Professional Academic 2007 version is $299.00 and MS Office Home & Student 2007 version is $245.00, this is one hell of a deal to ignore. All prices are in Australian Dollars.

Note: This offer is only available to University students of Australia at http://www.itsnotcheating.com.au/ and all purchases must be made by 11:59 PM (Sydney time) on May 28, 2007.

w apple – opens Apple’s Wikipedia page.
g apple – opens Google’s search page for Apple.
imdb cars – opens IMDb’s search page for movie Cars.

The list goes on. You can even search for music using keywords, then you can open the results in Media Player.

This method is faster than using Firefox and IE7′s inline search, which requires more steps to do some basic searches. Start++ is still in beta and expect some bugs to show up and its only for Vista. Check it out….

Warning: 3columnk2 is no longer compatible with WordPress 2.0

With revision 291, K2 no longer supports WordPress 2.0. We’ll judge demand for a bugfixed v0.9.5. If it’s wanted badly enough we’ll do a branched version of r290 and fix bugs on that for a v0.9.5 final, otherwise we’ll move directly into 1.0. Let us know. #.

Download it from 3ColumnK2 page. Njoy.

And regarding long silence here, I am sorry for the lack of posts and updates in the past 2 months. I was bizy with my other work and I hope to post and release updates more frequently from now on.

The best moment in the whole process is ofcourse when Chris decided to showcase some of his personal favourite styles for K2 on sillyness and started with my 3 Column K2. Thanx Chris. And ofcourse I am still hoping that the 3 Column K2 will make it to WordPress.com soon.

15. REASSIGN TO ANOTHER DEVICE.
a. Software Other than Windows Anytime Upgrade. You may uninstall the software and install it on another device for your use. You may not do so to share this license between devices.

Our intention behind the original terms was genuinely geared toward combating piracy; however, it’s become clear to us that those original terms were perceived as adversely affecting an important group of customers: PC and hardware enthusiasts. You who comprise the enthusiast market are vital to us for several reasons, not least of all because of the support you’ve provided us throughout the development of Windows Vista. We respect the time and expense you go to in customizing, building and rebuilding your hardware and we heard you that the previous terms were seen as an impediment to that — it’s for that reason we’ve made this change. I hope that this change provides the flexibility you need, and gives you more reason to be excited about the upcoming retail release of our new operating system.#.

Now why I am blogging this news is, there’s a youtube video circulating about how the packaging will be if Microsoft manufactures ipod. Microsoft certainly did their homework as we can see from Zune’s packaging and the new Vista and Office packaging definetly looks cool.

Even though Schumacher retired officially from racing, lot of media have been spreading rumors that he may be back. The 37-year-old Schumacher retired as a driver after placing his Ferrari to fourth place in the Brazilian Grand Prix last Sunday. Michael Schumacher won a record seven world titles and was with Ferrari as driver from 1996 until he retired. But Micheal Schumacher turned down the offer to become a regular test driver for Ferrari. This was revealed by Italian team’s chiefs Luca di Montezemolo and Jean Todt at Monza at the weekend. Montezemolo, the Ferrari president, said

Yes, I do not think that it is what Michael wants to do. But if he should turn up at Fiorano tomorrow and want to do a dozen laps, we will of course reply to him ‘why not?’. I’m very happy that Michael will continue to work with us and to share our choices and contributing to them and this is important. Even if he won’t be inside the cockpit, his experience and his professionalism will be very useful for the future of Ferrari.

Montezemolo also hailed Schumacher for never hitting out at Ferrari, even when at Suzuka we left him with a smoking motor. Team Principal and newly appointed Ferrari CEO Todt added,

If Michael wants to test the car he is free to do it, but to this date he has not said that he wants to. Michael has always been interested in following young drivers. I remember Michael talking to me about Felipe when he still was in lesser series. One of Schumacher’s responsibilities as a super-assistant in the future will be his involvement in driver decisions, even though he will not be at the races. We are eager to utilise Michael’s knowledge and expertise for our technical and strategic needs. It will not be necessary for him to be at our factory nor at our test sessions and races, but he will be an important interface for the all the important decisions. Finally, as he’s done up to now, he will make his contribution on the definition of the road cars.

The news conference was attended by Schumacher and his co-driver of last season Felipe Massa too. Schumacher said that he would leave it until December before fully getting to grips with his new responsibilities.

I don’t think right now there is any need to specify in concrete terms exactly how and what. For the moment I just want to get away from things and turn my attentions to my new life. After that I will see what I can do for Ferrari. I’m so happy that Ferrari gave me this opportunity. As it’s always been, Ferrari gave me the confidence but also gave me the freedom to reach decisions and come to terms in common agreement.

I hope I can see him in Ferrari Paddock for the next year’s season starting Australian GrandPrix, because I will be attending it at Melbourne Park.#.#.#.

When I am not at home, I check my feeds from Bloglines on my mobile and I found this funny message from Bloglines today. BTW have you all checked new OS X skin for Bloglines by Jon Hicks. Its pretty cool.

The race started with Massa holding his place at the front and Schumacher passed both the BMW’s to move up to eighth place. By lap 4 Schumacher moved up to 6th place having got past Ralf and Barrichello. The safety car which came out as a collision between both Williams holded Schumacher’s charge for another 2 laps. On lap 7 Schumacher already started making moves to get past Renault’s Fisichella and Fisi tried to defend to slow down Schumacher as the man in front of Fisi was Alonso. On lap 9 Schumacher goes round the outside of Fisichella into turn 1 to take P5. But a contact with Fisichella’s Front wing cut his rear tyre and left Schumacher with a puncture. Thats a disaster considering his problem in qualifying but Massa was cruising at the front in other Ferrari. The Puncture left Schumacher in the last place while making it to pits. He had fresh tyres and fuel before coming out. Everyone thought thats the end of Schumacher in his last race. But he is a 7 time World Champion and he has something else in his mind.

He started to make way up to the front slowly by slamming fastest laps in the 17th place. He was almost 72 seconds behind race leader Massa but making progress by putting some fastest sector times. By lap 31 he is up to P13 and on lap 38th, he is running in P8 while continuing fastest laps. Lap after lap, he continued to make classic overtaking manouveres over Heidfeld, Kubica, Barrichello, Fisichella. Again Fisichella tried to defend his position from the charging Schumacher but the Italian was forced to do mistake run over the grass while Schumacher takes P5. Raikkonen is Schumacher’s next target and Schumi was second a lap quicker than the Finn at that moment on lap 64. And an yellow flag for the next 3 laps left Schumacher behind Raikkonen even though he is right on the Finn’s gearbox. On lap 67 Schumi tried to go round the outside into turn 1 but Raikkonen closed the door not just once but in the next 2 laps. But Raikkonen is no match for Schumacher and Ferrari on that day and eventually Schumacher gets through into turn 1 in a classic, clean racing from both drivers. But Schumacher is out of time as both Raikkonen and Fisichella held him for nearly 5-10 laps unnecessarily even though they are too slow. But Schumacher will never give up and sets a stunning fastest laps on lap 70 and 71 but its too late.

Massa wins his home race for Ferrari while Alonso finishes second and in the process became World Champion again for a second time. Button takes the final podium but the day belongs to the retiring seven time World Champion, Michael Schumacher who finished fourth after a stunning drive in his last GrandPrix. The result means Renault do the double for the second year in a row in Driver’s and Constructor’s titles.

The most successful driver of all time is retiring, he did a lot for the sport and because of him, especially in Germany, F1 is very popular. As a thank you to Michael Schumacher we have Thanks Michael and Danke Michael on the rear wings of our cars.

In friday’s morning practice, the rear wings of the BMW cars read retirement messages in big blue lettering “Thanks Michael” and “Danke Michael”, in reference to 37 year old Michael Schumacher’s 250th and last Grand prix in an illustrious sixteen year career.

German teenager Sebastian Vettel’s third BMW Sauber also paid homage to his retiring countryman and commented “I hope he saw and he enjoyed it”. Ofcourse Schumacher spotted the retirement message and thanked his rivals. Schumacher told reporters after practice,

Apart from the extra photographers and cameras, I feel the same as usual, The only difference is the Danke message from BMW, which made me very happy when I saw it. I can only say thanks to them in return.

Thanx Schumi.

The track was wet with water all over the track at the start but it was not raining. Most of the drivers started with intermediate’s and it was evident from the Saturday’s qualifying that Ferrari and Bridgestone runners struggled in wet conditions. Both the Renaults got to a good start as race begins but both the Hondas lost out to Raikkonen who started at 5th. Schumacher held on to his 6th position as Alonso just vanishes at the front. By lap 4 Schumacher was almost 14 sec’s behind race leader which shows how fast the Michelin runners are. On lap 9 Schumacher passes Barrichello and sets a fastest 2nd sector. Looked like Schumi coming interms with the Michelin runners but he was already 22 seconds behind Alonso. On lap 13 Raikkonen passed Fisichella who came on a heavy load to hold everyone behind him so that Alonso cruises at the front. On lap 14 Schumacher passes Button to take 4th place. By lap 15 Alonso had almost 16 seconds lead just from Raikkonen in second place and Schumi started to close on Fisichella but he was 25 sec’s behind Alonso. Schumi was upto 3rd as Raikkonen pits on lap 17 and Schumacher was rapidly closing on Fisichella. By lap 19 Schumacher was just half a second behind Fisichella but the good news for him was the slowing McLaren of Kimi. So Schumi all has to do was pass Fisichella and limit the damage and on the way he set new fastest 3rd sector time. The Ferraris all of a sudden started coming alive in the wet conditions. On lap 21 Schumacher pits for fuel and his tyres were not changed which looked interesting but on lap 22 Alonso pits for fuel and new front tyres. Fisichella pits on lap 23 and rejoins ahead of Schumacher.

The real race started after these pit stops as the track is really getting dry. On lap 25 Kubica of BMW pits for new dry tyres and runs off the track couple of times just on his out lap. That proved how disastrous it is to go for full dry tyres and was valuable information for all the drivers going to pit. Because Alonso who also changed his front tyres started loosing almost 3 sec’s a lap to Fisi and Schumacher. By lap 28 all his 20 plus lead is gone as Fisichella passes him to take the lead but looses again. But it didn’t last long as Fisi passes Alonso again on lap 29 leaving Alonso at Schumacher’s mercy. It took just 2 laps for Schumacher to overtake Alonso and Renault cant believe this is happening. But Fisichella maintained his 2 sec’s lead over Schumacher as Alonso still lapping slowly as the track looks pretty dry. On lap 35 Alonso makes an early pit stop for dry tyres but a rear tyre problem cost him 19 sec’s for his stop as Schumacher sets new fastest lap. This is where Alonso lost his race completely leaving Fisichella to win for Renault. By lap 39 Schumacher was just half a sec adrift of Fisichella in the lead as Schumacher dives in to pits. Schumi gets his new dry tyres and a front wing adjustment but the point is when Fisichella stops and will he retakes the lead. Alonso back in to the race lapping as fast as the front runners but he was dropped to 6th place because of his early 2nd pit stop. The moment came when Fisichella pitted from the lead on lap 41 and came ahead of Schumacher to take the lead. But its very short as Schumacher dives up the inside to take the lead. Disaster for Renault.

Unbelievably Schumacher now has victory in sight as he never finished better than 12 here in the last 2 years. Who would have imagined that Schumi can lead the race at all after the qualifying and and wet start to the race. Alonso started to make some fast laps to atleast grab the second place as Schumacher was almost unreachable already. On lap 46 Massa pulls of to retire leaving Schumacher to get all the points for Ferrari. With 10 laps to go Schumacher was almost 16 sec’s ahead of Alonso in third even though Alonso is closing fast. On lap 49 Alonso moves ahead of Fisichella as they negotiate traffic and was 14 sec’s behind schumi. Alonso continues to put on fast laps to close on as Schumi takes it easy to the end. But the most scary moment came on lap 52 as few drops of rain started falling which is a good news for Renault and fast charging Alonso. Schumi started his final lap as the rain increases but he was almost safe as its too late for anything to happen. Michael Schumacher atlast takes his first and final chequered flag at Shanghai’s china Grand Prix.

What a race and what a win it was for Schumi. Simply unbelievable. Schumacher simply drove a great race for Ferrari as lot of drama happened all through the race and even in the final lap behind him. Schumacher closes the 2 point lead Alonso had and now both of them are on same points BUT Schumacher leads the Championship by virtue of having won more races than Alonso in this season. But Massa’s retirement means Renault leads constructors Championship by 1 point. With 2 races to go Ferrari and Schumacher looks stronger to win both the races.

Designed around the principles of sharing, discovery and community, Zune will create new ways for consumers to connect and share entertainment experiences. The Zune experience centers around connection — connection to your library, connection to friends, connection to community and connection to other devices.#.

Microsoft says Zune starts with a 30GB digital media player with three choices, black, white or brown. Are they gonna release with more capacity too?. Anyways check out the features and additional information from the Zune’s fact Sheet.

Features

• Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing.
• Your own personalized Zune.
• Large color screen. Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode.
• 30GB player. Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video.
• Zune Pass. Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace.
• Built-in FM tuner.

Additional Information

• Online music store. You can browse the huge selection of music designed to work seamlessly with your Zune in the Zune Marketplace. When you find new music that you love, it’s simple to buy it and sync it on your player. You can purchase music online without a credit card.
• Import your music. Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings, as permitted by the online service from which it was purchased. Zune software can import audio files in unprotected WMA, MP3, AAC; photos in JPEG; and videos in WMV, MPEG-4, H.264.
• Zune can also be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC will let you know when updates are available for download. And with built-in wireless capability in each player, the future is filled with possibilities.

Zune also comes with great music and videos out of the box. Three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Everything looks promising but one thing we have to wait and see is if Zune can be an ipod killer.