Passing it over

Has it ever happened in a cricket test match that a team has passed its innings?

Let me explain with an example. In the current test match between West Indies and Sri Lanka in Galle, WI batted first and scored 580-9 declared. In response, Sri Lanka batted and finished with 378 all out, just 4 runs short of avoiding a follow-on. If Sri Lanka had scored 4 or slightly more runs and got all out and if the WI felt that the remaining excess runs is enough along with the time available to not bat at all, but pass the second innings and make Sri Lanka bat again, is this possible? Has anything of this type of confidence/arrogance/necessity ever happened before?

Paratrooper experience counts

With terrorists thinking of using low end tech and newer ways to attack public places, who knew that experience of playing that early 1990s game of Paratrooper on Windows computers would be so much valuable.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Lashker-paragliders-target-CWG/articleshow/6489373.cms

Exception or a norm?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1222108/Black-woman-said-raped-tortured-white-gang-claims-lied.html

Another such story in a week I have read.... I was just reading about this topic here and there and I came across a reliable research which states that approximately 10% cases of rape are just made up. What better weapon can one get than just acting like a victim for sometime and getting the guy(s) one of the harshest of punishments around.

Disgusting truth...

"OnLive"? or rather "Live On"

Well, this is not just another gaming console!

OnLive, a new service that replaces video game consoles like the XBox and PS3 with a small online device, was announced at today’s Game Developer Conference. OnLive will offer hi-res video games over your broadband connection, opening doors for video game downloads, multiday online rentals, and other exciting options.

A startup company called OnLive is trying to disrupt the gaming industry by delivering high-end games through the cloud to a computer or Internet-connected television.

The service, which is expected to launch in the winter, was unveiled Tuesday at the Game Developers Conference. The demonstration showed how it streams 3-D games from a data server to the consumer using proprietary compression techniques. A Macintosh or Windows user would first need to download a 1-MB browser plug-in, but it potentially enables users to play games with high-end visuals without the need for expensive graphics cards or strong processors. Games can be played with the keyboard and mouse, a standard USB controller, or OnLive’s proprietary wireless controller.

For gamers, the service potentially gives them access to top-shelf games without having to invest in new hardware or consoles. The service already has the backing of Atari, Eidos, Electronic Arts (NSDQ: ERTS), Take-Two Interactive Software, THQ, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. These companies plan to launch titles on OnLive at the same time as the console and PC counterparts. The product and technology sound groundbreaking. http://www.businesspundit.com/will-onlive-kill-the-video-game-console/

Perking it up

Games mutual fund managers keep playing year after year:

Window dressing, Painting the tape and Comparison shopping.

More info about these games at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122973369481523187.html

It is very interesting to note the following statistics:

Historically, 80% of all U.S. stock funds and 91% of small-company funds have beaten the market on the last trading day of the year -- and roughly two-thirds have given most of that gain right back on the first day of the following year.

A study by finance scholar Berk Sensoy shows that 31% of U.S. stock funds pick a benchmark that doesn't closely reflect what they own -- but does make it easier to beat "the market."

People are so so chicken out here

I just asked many people whether they want to accompany me in doing something that they actually loved. Guess what, almost all of them said "No". They all told me that they would have loved to but they just can't. They are all too scared to do it now. But they were willing to do it on the coming friday onwards after all the exams. Don't know whether to call them chicken or to respect their acceptance of the truth they they are all scared of addiction. The question on your mind must be "What is it that I asked them to accompany me for ?" Well, I asked them to join me for a multiplayer game of "Age of Empires2: The conquerors". I think this small poll tells a lot about the game. It is very very "addictive".

New game in town

You must have heard of drag racing.... Well, there is a new game in town here.... It is called arse-dragging... It is where you feel you have been hooked onto some vehicle on the road and your arse is being dragged along.... Unfortunately, for me it feels like an airplane dragging me on a loooong 5 km tarmac....