Think it over.. #24
Where boasting ends, there dignity begins.
- Young
Think it over.. #23
Deliberate with caution, but act with decision; and yield with graciousness or approve with firmness.
- Cotton
Read between the lines!
“Buy 3, Take 5 FREE!”
“90% Discount – Limited Period!”
Its not surprising how our eyes light up when we look at an advertisement for a too-good-to-be-true (TGTBT) offer. Our hearts jump and a sudden surge of excitement rushes through our minds — “I should get that!” Our brain’s logical thinking takes a backdrop and out come our wallets and the transaction takes place. And we live our lives happily-ever-after.
Oh wait! Did I miss something? But of course, 90% of all those extravagant offers keep you happy only for a short while. The excitement all dies when you realize that you are over-paying, or you got duped for a cheap product or the after-sale service is hell!
A business man never ever sells something for anything lesser than what he bought it for, unless he’s gone mad. That’s a universal fact! All the offers that are advertised are a part of his long-term investment which is going to get his product recognition and establish it in the market.
That said, there is no denying the existence of legitimate TGTBT offers. But a 0-catch, no-strings-attached, TGTBT offer is very rare and illusory. If you happen to come across such an offer, control your excitement and do some logical thinking. Read the complete terms and conditions (Look for ‘* Conditions Apply.‘) before buying. Verify the company that is making the offer and ask for advise from previous buyers. The easiest way is to Google reviews for that product/service.
Few years ago, Reliance Communications, when it first entered the mobile market, offered a “Dhamaka” offer giving away mobile phones + connections for only Rs. 500/- I still remember the long queues that spiraled around the Reliance outlets as people rushed in to buy a mobile. Later next day, a newspaper article described the entire terms in detail. The initial 500/- was only a down-pay for the mobile and the final bill amount spread over two years was Rs. 7200/- That day, the length of the queue was drastically reduced!
Very recently, Reliance Broadband, launched an offer for their new 3.1Mbps plug-n-play wireless broadband service. They are giving away the USB modem and two months of unlimited usage for Rs. 3500/-
Link: http://offers.connectindia.in/reliance/broadband.jsp
Tarrif: http://offers.connectindia.in/reliance/tariff.jsp
Terms: http://offers.connectindia.in/reliance/terms.jsp
The “unlimited” usage is actually limited to 10Gb per month, after which each Mb costs Rs. 2/-! Now that’s costly! On the contrary, BSNL offers true unlimited wireless broadband (although at speeds of upto 2Mbps) at Rs. 750/- per month. That’s less than 25% of the Reliance’s offer!
If you are looking for a new wireless broadband connection, learn more about all your options and make an educated choice! 
And after a long time…
Ever wondered how fast time flies? Its almost as if an hour isn’t 60 minutes anymore; and a day isn’t 24 hours! I think I’m experiencing a phenomenon that I call – “Time Crunch”. Time Crunch is a feeling where I just don’t have enough hours in a day. My days seem to have become smaller but in the broader view, its still ONE day that has gone by.
It feels like looking outside the window of a moving train; the trees that are closer, rocket past even before I can get a glance. However, the trees far off seem to chug along, before disappearing gradually. In parallel, minutes and hours whiz by before I know its gone. However, when I recline and look back at all the time that I have lived through, it seems so expansive. Sometimes, the feeling also associates with itself the guilt that so much time has gone by without any credible accomplishments. But I just have to suffice myself thinking all the time that has gone by was in preparation for something that has to be achieved in the time to come.
Since the new year, a lot of things have happened. Not many of much significant importance, but worth mentioning I guess. I upgraded my computer and its a faster, sleeker and a better machine now. But I miss my old PC! (Why do I get attached to ‘things’ so much?) My results were a pleasant surprise – I got 75.33%. I’m using my dad’s Nokia N72 now and I’m happy that I have a camera (in the phone). Hopefully my posts will contain more photos from now on. Oh, dad bought a new phone – Nokia 7210 Supernova. He also bought a new scooter – Honda Activa (dark-cement-gray color)
Today, I wrote a post on Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) for DNTemple, met my friends, ate ice-cream and tried squatting a mosquito in vain! 
Happy New Year!
Welcome 2009!
Every new year brings a renewed hope, strength and zeal along with it. Its a time for celebration – celebration of life and prosperity. A time to thank God for a wonderful year that was, and pray for the same ahead. The last year was blotted with unfortunate events – on a personal as well as a global front - that will remain in etched in our memories for a long time. However, the times ahead give us the chance to learn from our mistakes and become better citizens of the world. May peace and light shine bright, and happiness dwell in each and every heart. May 2009 bring prosperity to all! Happy new year to all!
