Survey of computers

The following report is a survey of three popular AMD Athlon Dual Core Processor Desktops to help potential customers make the right decision. Three popular desktops were compared. All of them cost less than $500.

Points of comparison

Features:

The Acer AM8000 dual core processor and DDR3 were attractive features. The case design with USB and audio ports were also useful. However, it is hampered by poor performance at times and a low wattage power supply that limits video card upgrades.

Dell's Inspiron 546 offered a wide range of customization options including eight different case colors. Users may be disappointed by the limited graphics card options because of the lower wattage power supply. The base system also uses a lower grade AMD processor than similarly priced AMD desktops.

Compaq's Presario CQ5110f was the most inexpensive system. Performance was decent for most general applications and not things like gaming or desktop video. Still, for its price it was very attractive.

	Acer AM8000	Dell Inspiron 546	Compaq Presario CQ5110f
Cost	Medium	High	Low
Wattage	Low wattage	Low wattage	Medium Wattage
Best Feature	DDR3	Superior performance	Decent performance at low cost

After judging these features, the Dell Inspiron 546 was decided as the best buy in the under - $500 category. It was less prone to performance lags when compared to others. Its quality features was found to be worth the price.

Comments on poetry

My favourite was the one by ee cummings. It shifted between words like "flunking, boohooing" and serious descriptions of the Greek mythology. Pablo Neruda's poem is repetitive and unique. "If" is inspiring and serious but long and does not grab attention. Both the poems by Robert Frost poems were great. The Fire and Ice delivered its message succintly. The poem by Robert Burns was difficult to follow at first as it was by a Scottish poet. Shakespeare's poet was nice and had a great rhythm and strict metre like all of his other sonnets.

- Sowmya S Sundaram

Check list to ensure the obsession of Harry Potter

Yes/No

1. Have you read all the seven books of Harry Potter atleast seven( the powerful magical number after all ) times?

2. Have you bought all the heavily-overpriced seven Harry Potter books even though you know that the ebooks are available on the internet?

3. Have you constructed a timeline of events in which the series is set? ( of course, you can overlook the complications of the time turner )

4. Have you complained to every Hari and Ram (please note the pun - Harry and Ron ) that the thought of a Harry Potter movie terrifies you as it will most certainly mutilate the book?

5. Have you watched each of the movies and bought all the DVDs anyway and put up a movie still as your profile picture on FB?

6. Have you ensured that you go to bed thinking of Harry Potter and/or J.K. Rowling to tempt a beautiful dream set in Hogwarts or involving a fantasy about you meeting the characters in person?

7. Have you plastered your walls with posters of Harry Potter even though you hate the blatant merchandising and sneakily shifted them to the inside of your cupboard when your parents get annoyed and ask you to take them off?

8. Have you convinced any Muggle (non - magic folk, or in this case , a Harry Potter illiterate) to read the books and converted that person into a fan as obsessed as you are?

- Sowmya S Sundaram

Travel Itinerary - Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest heritage sites of the world. The tour is initiated from Chennai. The tourists will be taken to see the magnificent shore temples of Mahabalipuram. They are ancient and display the finesse of Pallava sculpture. Then, the participants will travel to Puducherry which is a palace of serenity. Next, a temple tour is scheduled where they can realise the wonder of Brihadeeshwara temple in Tanjavur built by the Cholas in medieval times. The next temple visit is planned is the great Meenakshi temple in Madurai. After such frenzied sight-seeing, a day of rest and relaxation is planned at the blissful Ootacamund hill station. Finally, the tourists will be taken to Kanyakumari to witness the gorgeous sunset and then return to Chennai.

Travel Itinerary ( 22 / 12 /09 to 26/12/09)

Day 1: Departure from Chennai airport and arrival at hotel at Mahabalipuram by bus at 8 am. Sight - seeing planned until 1:30 pm where return to hotel is followed by lunch. Preparation to leave hotel is planned at 7 pm where departure to Puducherry takes place. Overnight stay at Puducherry hotel.

Day 2: Visit to Aurobindo Ashram followed by departure to Tanjavur at 7am to reach Madurai at 9 am by train. Visit to Brihadeeshwara temple planned. Overnight stay at Tanjavur.

Day 3: Departure from Tanjavur at 7am to reach Madurai at 9 am by train. Visit to Meenakshi temple planned. Departure from Madurai at 4 pm and travel to Ooty hillstation by bus.

Day 4: Sight - seeing and shopping scheduled for the day. Departure planned at 3pm and arrival at Kanyakumari expected at 5 pm by air plane.

Day 5: Return to Chennai planned at 2pm.

Extended definition - Engineering

Engineering is the application of scientific principles to solve problems and develop feasible and viable solutions for the benefit of the human race at large. A person who practises engineering is known as engineer.

An engineer applies the principles of physics and mathematics to solve problems or make improvements. They need to have a thorough knowledge of the basic scientific and logical thinking and also need to update themselves about the latest developments in their chosen field of study.

Engineering is defined as an application of mathematics and physics. Creating mathematical models help engineers to analyse the problems and provide a suitable solution. Usually, many solutions are available and the one which satisfies all the constraints is chosen. Prototypes, simulations, scale-models, destructive and non-destructive testing are common tools to test the product. Testing ensures the functionality of the solution. Safety is also taken into account. With the advent of computers, problem solving has become easier and faster.

The major branches of engineering are aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. With the exponential growth of technology, computer engineering, software engineering, nanotechnology, electronics and mechatronics have also emerged.

In conclusion, scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that has never been.

Seeking Permission for practical training

XYZ College of Engineering

Chennai

30 November 2009

The HR Head

MICPL

Chennai

Dear Sir/Madam,

Sub: Application for practical training program

I am a BE CSE final year student who would like to apply for practical training in your reputed organisation. My areas of interests include networks, web designing and C programming. As a dedicated and skilled professional, I am sure to be a valuable addition to your team.

I believe I fulfill the eligibility to receive this training. I am technically qualified in software programming. I have won the best paper award in national level symposium "ZYX" for my application oriented thesis "Balanced Score Card". I also like designing websites as a hobby. As a software company, I am confident that I will be useful and beneficial once I complete the industrial, hands-on training. Also, I am confident that my leadership qualities are upto the scratch. This is strengthened by the fact that I was unanimously selected as Class President this year.

I thank you for spending your invaluable time on my letter. I have enclosed my resume. I look forward to talking to you.

Yours faithfully,

KLM.

Bar graph

This bar graph depicts the amount spent by a typical American in 2006 on entertainment.

Interpretation: $60 is spent on the Internet. Slightly less money is spent on recorded music at $50. $120 is spent on Home videos. Then, $100 is spent on books. Newspapers and magazines are nearly equally spent on, each at $50.

Explanation: The maximum money is spent on Home Video at $120. This embodies the declining trend to visit theatres and enjoy movies at home. Astonishingly, books occupy the second position with $100 spent in a year. This is a heartening trend. A typical American then dips into the pocket for Internet ($60 per year), closely followed by Recorded music ($50 per year). Clearly, technology is the upcoming money-spinner. Lastly, newspapers and magazines cost $50 each respectively. It is a statistic that sadly reminds us the good times before recession that ushered the closure of many American newspaper companies. All in all, entertainment is a major portion of everybody's budget.