And the award for Best Google Reader alternative goes to..

Couple of months back, I woke up to realize that Google guys have decided to discontinue Google Reader - my personalized news reader with all the RSS feeds I have subscribed to. My anguish is well documented here. It also contained the RSS feeds of my favorite blogs and that, for me, was the only way to stay connected to fellow blogger friends around the way (ofcourse, Facebook and Twitter were also the means, but here I wanted to dramatize the situation).

That's when realization dawned on me that I have no other option but to replace my beloved Reader with able alternatives. If you do a simple Google search using the terms "Google Reader Alternatives", you will get  a plethora of replacement tools! The most popular one is Feedly. And that was, for me, an straightforward solution since its easier to go with the flow. And yes, it is an able alternative too - if you want to access your daily dose of RSS updates at your home or on your smartphone. There are certain apps / externsions that you need to download and your account is ready in seconds. Not to mention, your google reader data can be easily imported to Feedly. Also popular among netizens was Flipboard that provides similar features to feedly, but with a better magazine like interface. Good options.

But that's not what I selected!

You see, my requirements were different. All the features mentioned above were fascinating and will enhance my experience. But my basic need was to have a web alternative. I used Google Reader wherever I went to. My home, my friends home, my office, my smartphone - any system that can access the internet. Feedly and Flipboard did not have that option. So I had to look elsewhere.

Cut to the chase - I shortlisted 3 alternatives that had web interface like Google Reader. Android app / extensions is always a bonus for me. Here are my nominations - 

• Good Noows (link)
• News Blur (link)
• InoReader (link)

All the three mentioned above has similar feature set with minor differences here and there. Personally, I loved News Blur for its look and feel, but guess what, its not free anymore! Damn, I never thought I will have to shell out money (in dollars) to access my subscribed feeds. I admit, I was shocked when Google decided to terminate Google Reader, but it doesn't mean I need to pay to get a better alternative! Hence, News Blur is hereby disqualified. 

I tried Good Noows for sometime. You have a lot of options there to change the look and feel of the reader interface and its quite satisfactory. Inoreader is something I found recently and it looks very similar to Google Reader in the look-n-feel and feature department. Registration is also easy for Good Noows and Inoreader and you can directly import your google reader feeds. Once, its done, you are ready to go. So both are equally good.

My winner - InoReader! Maybe its the nostalgia factor that decided the winner. Its Google Reader with a different identity.

Notable mentions -  "The Old Reader" and "CommaFeed" if you need a web interface. Else, Feedly and Flipboard are the best!

PS: This post is not intended to be a feature by feature comparison to select the best reader alternative. I have found two that suits my requirements. Do let me know what you have selected as your Google Reader Alternative.

- Binu Thomas
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Book Review: The Homing Pigeons

"The Homing Pigeons" is a love story of two people meeting, leaving, meeting, leaving and eventually meeting again! Much like the 'homing pigeons' who are known to return to their own place irrespective of the location they are currently in. Metaphorically, the two protagonist in this book, Aditya and Radhika, go through the same motions till they meet (again). Although the title is apt for such a story, the cover page, isn't. It simply depicts pigeons flying in random directions without a destination. I would have preferred a more creative cover page. But, as they say, never judge a book by its cover!

Target Audience:

1. Youngsters looking to read relationship based novels

2. Corporates affected by recession (not that this book gives an option, but you will enjoy for sure)
3. Readers who enjoy non-linear / parallel narration.

Plot: "The Homing Pigeons" is about the stories of Aditya and Radhika - 2 stories running parallel. You meet a guy named Aditya who works as a 'gigolo' to satisfy his 'clients'. You then meet a woman named Radhika who is not sad when she loses her husband but is instead happy to own his materialistic possessions! But all's not bad with the protagonists and their life. Situations made them go that route. And those situations are described in the book. Aditya is actually a promising youngster who loses his job due to recession and lives with his working wife. He met a woman, Divya, in a bar and that meeting changed his life for the better (in terms of money) and worse (in terms of career decisions). Radhika is a small town girl whose parents gave her away to foster parents, who in turn, returned her back to real parents. How the twain meet - forms the crux of the story.

Writing: The narration is non linear. You get too know a part of Aditya's life followed by Radhika's life. Initially, they are as different as chalk and cheese. Your instinct (and the book title) reminds you that their stories will meet at one point. But that's not the point here. It's how smoothly the stories meet that makes this book worth reading. However, I felt the end could've been made a little melodramatic. Also, the stories are moving between the past and present. The writing is simple and easy to understand (a common trait by Indian authors to increase their target audience). People who know me, know that I have a thing or two for witty one-liners. Here's one from the book that's apt - "This response is as dumb as Microsoft Office help; it gives  you the most logical answer that makes no sense"

Relevance in today's times: Recession is relevant, even in today's times - ask those who are still struggling to get back in the career race. Relationships, or the fall of it, is also equally relevant. "The Homing Pigeons" captures the various reasons for the fall of relationships, (regrettable) decision made based on situations and its repercussions. The author has smartly involved two of the most sensitive issues (recession and relations) and churned out a book that's pleasant to say the least.

Overall, based on the story and parallel narration with past and present running together, this book is a worthy page turner. It's a wonderful and promising start from the author Sid Bahri. Narration is truly the differentiating factor here and is, in itself, worthy of a buy. 

My Rating: 3 / 5

- Binu Thomas
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PhotoBlog: Praying Mantis captured in Kerala..

It took me sometime to recognize that I am taking pictures of a "Praying Mantis". This is what I believe even now. Do let me know if its some other species.. Always good to learn new things!

Praying Mantis on the candle - 

Praying Mantis actually praying - 

Praying Mantis front view - 

- Binu Thomas
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PhotoBlog: Green Butterfly in Kerala..

Found this beautiful butterfly on our entrance wall. 

Tried the zoom feature to get a closer look using my Canon Powershot SX-150. It didn't work. Then somehow managed to climb the wall and used the macro feature. It worked!

PS: I am trying my hand at Photography. If you feel I can improve on something (or everything), please let me know in the comments section. Criticism will be highly appreciated. :D

- Binu Thomas
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PhotoBlog: Legal thief in our own backyard!

It happened in Kerala. In our own backyard (yes, we have Jack-fruit trees). And we couldn't do anything to stop him!

I tried capturing close-up images of him (I assume, he's a him). But somehow he came to know about it and flew away. I wonder, if they are smarter than humans! Are things changing in God's own country?

- Binu Thomas
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Photo Blog: Solitary

Here I am testing the macro function of my new Canon Poweshot SX-150. I kept a sweet dish on my table and waited patiently for ants to appear. After a long time, one of them emerged from somewhere (I am still tracking their hide-out).

And that one ant has now become the most social ant ever -

Since the ant took so long to come, I tried the macro function using a needle -

Still more pics to come. Love playing with my camera..

PS: I am off to Kerala. And from there, will be going to Bangalore (for the first time) and then back to aamchi Mumbai. Lots happening!

- Binu Thomas
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Moments of Appreciation (Part 2)..

Like they say, when God blesses you, he gives you everything you need and even more! That's exactly what has happened to me - as far as awards are concerned. Here's another Liebster award thanks to my blogging friend - "The Guy in the Mirror". Thank you buddy for the appreciation. Apart from passion, appreciation / feedback is the other important thing we need to ensure we continue blogging. And now I can say I have them in abundance!

Without wasting too much time, lets directly move on to things that you think you knew about me. And I will prove that you actually did know more than you initially thought! Here we go -  

10 Random facts about me:

1. I am lazy when I am at home
2. I love watching sports
3. I (still) play FIFA 2012 (and soon to start FIFA 2013). That's the way I relax
4. I was (and still am) a huge fan of Andre Agassi
5. I follow Arsenal Football Club. Gunner for life!
6. I have stopped watching cricket matches. I just keep track of the scores.
7. I still don't understand Duckworth-Lewis calculation!
8. I read books mainly during travelling
9. I have watched all of Christopher Nolan's movies
10. I strongly feel IPL-like concept will be replicated the world over and we will move away from country based cricket to club based.. Watch out this Nostradamus' prediction..

Answer to the 11 questions asked by "The Guy in the Mirror"

1. Do you maintain a diary?

Response: No. The first random fact is the reason why!

2. Is falling in love and getting hurt really better than not trying at all?

Response: I think so. Actually, I am not experienced to answer this question. In my case, I fell in love with a girl who is now my wife.

3. Is there a person, or people that you don't want to find out about your blog?

Response: Actually no. I want anyone and everyone to read my blog - Utopian state!

4. The longest time you have spent in front of a mirror?

Response: After Holi, some 8-9 years ago. There was something wrong with the silver color paint. The skin below my eye burnt and it took 3-4 months to recover. During that time, I was in front of the mirror more than once every day!

5. The last time you said to someone "I Like You" or "I Love You" (Mention the person too if possible).

Response: Everyday. To my wife and daughter. (I think this question is aimed at a person who's yet to get married)

6. The last time you received a hug.

Response: Everyday again! And by now, I am sure you know who I am referring to.

7. Do you believe in next birth? Why, why not?

Response: No, I don't believe in multiple births. But I am a strong believer of life after death, the concept of souls, heaven. I also believe a lot of our queries can be answered through religious scriptures and concepts like NDE (Near Death Experiences).

8. Something that makes you extremely genuinely happy (non-materialistic).

Response: Once I had been to a charitable institution. They bring the homeless together and look after them day-after-day. One can donate one-time meal to about 170 of them. I was there and what I saw left me speechless! They don't have any family member, no career / money / future and yet they are so happy together. They didn't seem to have any problems with life. Unlike most of us - despite the fact that we have everything we need to survive. That moment made me genuinely happy for them and I learnt a very important lesson.

9. The best part of being single, and the best part of being in a relationship.

Response: I belong to the second category. The best part of being in a relationship - you are never alone.

10. The most extreme thing you did in anger.

Response: I am somewhat short-tempered. But am also the kind of person who gets angry quickly and recovers even more quickly. There's not much time in between. So, I don't think I have had the opportunity to do something extreme when I am angry.

11. Habit or habits of yours that others find peculiar?

Response: During college days, I used to rotate my wrist a lot. Some of my close friends know about it. In fact, they even made me realize about this habit. I think I still rotate my wrist!

Since this is the second time I am receiving this honor, I will nominate the same set of blogger friends I nominated last time! And here is that post. 

- Binu Thomas
Follow @Binugthomas

Moments of Appreciation..

Let me start by asking you a question? What is the most important thing one craves for? Money. What is the only thing one cannot live without? Money. What should you normally expect once you have completed what's required of you - at work or any other location? More Money.

And that's exactly what I got. From my blogger friend - Ramya. It's awards time, ladies and gentlemen. And I have been bestowed with the "Liebster Blog Award" (honestly, a long time ago, but I messed up in carrying it forward). I told you money is not everything. Thanks a ton Ramya for the honor. And the fact that I learnt a new word too. For those few people who doesn't know what "Liebster" is, I will help you out. Liebster is a German word and it means Favorite.

Now with appreciation comes greater responsibility (Spiderman - if you are reading this, since you are so fond of world wide web - I didn't copy your quote. My quote is totally original. And by the way, you don't even have a copyright). The responsibility here is to do one of the following:

1. Write few lines or a post on one interesting hobby you have or you have ever heard OR
2. You can choose to write a post on a person you have met or incident that has happened during any of your travel.

I will go with the first challenge. One interesting hobby I had. It was during childhood. Now I have never heard of this thing before from anyone, so I am assuming this is somewhat different. It's a combination of pen collection, cricket and mathematics. Now I know that pen collection and cricket made for interesting reading but mathematics spoiled the fun, right?

 

How it worked: This hobby started when I was 7 year old and died down (for obvious reasons) when I turned 12. I never used to throw away the pens I had / were present in my home. I used to collect them. Those were of different brands (local ones, not at all costly and some imported ones with no refills and hence useless). So they had their own unique brand names. Now, here's the weird part. I used to assign them to teams (say team A, B, C..) and used to play cricket using them. But cricket was not the main aspect of my hobby - Mathematics was! I kept track of runs scored, wickets taken, run rates, required run rates, strike rates etc.. Everything that needed to be calculated in Cricket. I also did the same when Dad and I used to watch Cricket matches on TV and was quite good at it. Eventually, I drifted towards honing my mathematics skills by watching live matches and pen collection remained just that - pen collection. Embarrassed as I am, now that I think of it, I feel this hobby helped me a lot during school and college.

 

Now to the last part of my post. Life is not about taking and keeping. It's about sharing too. So I would like to appreciate some blogging friends of mine who have supported me, read my stuff, appreciated and criticized me, only for me to improve (this is NOT the Oscar winning speech! I genuinely mean it). Thank you guys! I hereby bestow the Liebster award to my following friends (in alphabetical order).

Arti
Ashwini
Jenny
Prashanth
Rahul Sir
Raj
Ramya
Red Handed
Dr. Roshan
Saru Singhal

Tania
Vishal kataria

 

I leave it to you if you want to go with any of the above challenges. Or you can try the challenge mentioned in this post.  Or you can even opt not to go with any. I am perfectly fine with the decision you take.

- Binu Thomas
Follow @Binugthomas

Book Review: "Tantra" by Adi

When I first heard about this book, I was completely taken in by the thought of reading a fantasy (can also be interpreted as horror) thriller. And after reading this book, I can safely say that I have no regrets! Now-a-days, a lot of emphasis is given to the book covers that reveal a lot about the book. Here, the scene of the book cover depicts a night time scene, a lady with blood stained weapons in both hands waiting for the opportune moment to attack, someone overseeing the event and a closer representation of moon (Chandra - in Hindi). It reveals a lot - yet conceals a lot too. The anxiety increases and you will have the urge to know more. My case was no different! 

Target Audience:

1. Thriller fanatics

2. Readers who love supernatural books / movies

Plot: Anu is a recognized Vampire slayer in New York. Due to some personal loss (described in the book) she shifts base from New York to Delhi. She starts adapting to life in Delhi, which includes the behavior / lifestyle pattern of vampires in Delhi, her aunt's constant husband hunting for Anu, her late night adventures etc. She soon realizes that Delhi is a lot different than New York in terms of the vamps you find back home. There's a hierarchy to adhere to, laws that apply to vampires and law abiding guardians too. And then at the root of it all, there's a Tantric, who uses black magic (Tantra - in Hindi) to have supreme power over all. Vampires are like slaves to him. Anu, along with  a local guardian (Amit), tries to decipher the events and decides to fight the evil that will empower Delhi forever. Do they succeed? And how? - forms the crux of the novel. Oh, and by the way, there are prospective Indian grooms lurking around too..

Writing: First and foremost, I respect an author who does his research. Adi is one of them. India has a lot of hidden secrets / mysteries that begs to be explored. And when an author presents some of them through his / her novel, you have to admire them. Explanations are provided in this book for different tantra's, chants, astras, rituals. It makes you feel if Tantra is actually a black magic or has some scientific explanation to it. For people who believe in it, this book provides more to digest and for people who don't believe in it, it's a fantasy book for you. Either ways, you benefit. Author has kept the language simple to cater to a larger reading audience.

Relevance in today's times: I must admit I am not a big fan of vampire books / movies. But this book ensured it had my attention for hours till I read it completely. The thought of a female protagonist was exciting (very much in sync with with thoughtful entertainment has become in critically acclaimed and successful Indian movies). Post the success of Twilight series, I am compelled to believe there will be many book and movies on this genre. The author has hit the nail on the head by releasing this book early (early mover advantage).

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and feels like it has a movie adaptation value to it. I, for one,  won't be surprised if a movie is made with this novel. Just a word of caution though - if you are not into supernatural fantasy stuff, you may chose to give this book a pass. For the rest, this is a must-read!

My Rating: 3.5 / 5

PS: This review is part of the Biggest Book Reviews Program for Indian Bloggers at BlogAdda. A special thanks to the BlogAdda team for selecting me for the review process.

- Binu Thomas
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Formula-1 doesn't need another Barrichello..

When you think of Formula 1 in the 1990's and early 2000's, one name is all that comes to your mind - Michael Schumacher! And you are not the only one to think that way. Michael Schumacher has dominated the sport like no other driver ever have, and arguably ever will. He was the best driver and had the best team to deliver results race after race. Some lesser mortals won races in between, but it was MSC who was winning the championship. Among his team was one person strongly responsible for MSC to graduate from a great driver to a legend. Very few will remember him after 2-3 decades from now. His name is - Rubens Barrichello.

Rubens Barrichello was Schumacher's team mate in Ferrari. And played a pivotal role in Schumacher winning races and championships. When Schumi needed points to be ahead in the drivers standings, Barrichello paved the way for him. He himself allowed Schumacher to overtake him at times. At times, he also blocked other drivers from getting close to MSC. Now, that's a perfect example of a team player. Ferrari were blessed to have Barrichello in their side and so was MSC. MSC went on to become a legend (controversial legacy, I must add) and Barrichello will remain in the history books as the number 2 driver who, statistically, couldn't defeat the legend.

Fast forward to the 2013 Malaysian GP -

An awkward moment.. Image Courtesy: www.breakingnews.ie

Out of the top 4 drivers in the race, two went away happy and two sad. Mark Webber was dominating the race for Red Bull which was a welcome surprise considering how dominating Vettel has been in the previous seasons. After the last pit-stop, Webber followed team orders and was cruising to a well deserved win. Vettel, meanwhile, had other plans. He went against the team plans. Now only did he come close to Webber, he tried overtaking him and successfully did so, despite knowing that Webber was doing the right thing - atleast as far as the Red Bull team are concerned. Vettel won the race and Webber had to settle for 2nd best. That's a Barrichello moment for Webber.

The race for 3rd place in the podium was heating up too. Hamilton was 3rd and Rosberg, his Mercedes team-mate, was right behind him. That's when the "team-orders" forced Rosberg not to challenge Hamilton for 3rd. Rosberg argued multiple times on team radio but was discouraged. Hamilton himself acknowledged Rosberg's pace and admitted Rosberg was better than him in the race. But the history books of F1 already has Hamilton as 3rd and Rosberg as 4th. That's a Barrichello moment for Rosberg.

Who's at fault?

The point system in Formula-1 is a cliched one. It forces the team to have their self interest at the cost of one of their driver's drivers progress. And this in turn, leads the fans to believe drivers are tweaking the result for the benefit of their teams. Ferrari have used it extensively with Barrichello and now Massa. Fans can understand if the tweaking of the result happens in the last few races of the season. But it's completely illogical and unethical to have team orders from the 2nd race itself. If this continues, it will prove detrimental for the future of Formula 1 as a sport.

I personally respect Barrichello for what he has achieved in Formula 1 and as I mentioned before, he remains the perfect example of a driver for putting the team before himself. None of the drivers in today's times will reach that status. Now, it's every driver and every constructor for themselves! Having said this, the fans would want drivers to remain selfish. We want racing to be at it's very best and want the best driver to win. We don't want the winner to apologize to the 2nd best driver and the 3rd to apologize to 4th.

- Binu Thomas
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