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Just back from thrashing a 911 Turbo around Dubai Autodrome for a day. No, I am not boasting here - Porsche is one car compnay that allows you to really drive their cars to the limit and even beyond. The walkie inside the car was buzzing all the time and the instructor for the day wanted us journos to push the car even more.Now pushing a 911 turbo that costs US$120,000 (close to Rs 1.2 crore when it arrives in India) is not an easy task. Then you have to fight with a 473 bhp, force-fed, boxer-six motor that sits behind the rear-axle. You see, the 911 lay-out is flawed to begin with but Porsche has made it the ultimate everyday super car by fine-tuning it over the last 30 odd years. The new 911 Turbo (997 Turbo for real enthusiasts) is blindingly quick - how about 0-100 kph in under four seconds? And 200 kph in under 12 seconds. The straight at Dubai Autodrome gave me a chance to floor the throttle and get the beast out of the Turbo - and the experience that followed will be cherished for a long, long time. And yes, I had my very own ‘tail out’ moment too. You see, Porsche has given the 911 Turbo four-wheel drive and along with the traction control system it is extremely difficult to unsettle the car. But I tried and when the tail decided to step out it was not akin to a cute tail-wag of a mermaid - instead think of an addicted blue-whale starved of coccaine and you get the picture. I was scared silly (that was the idea) but the massive opposite lock that corrected my line has left me with a nice, almost enjoyable, ache on my left arm. Reward for driving insane number of inane, mundane cars for a living. You bet!

NASA’s ideas for increasing US literacy

NASA is seeking proposals for creating and managing innovative activities, events, products, services and other education methods for increasing America’s science and technological literacy. One objective of this request for entrepreneurial offers is to distribute information nationally about the agency’s programs and projects. NASA’s intent is to enter into partnerships that will result in the establishment of one or more non-reimbursable Space Act Agreements with organizations. (more…)

The Siemens-Nokia pact is likely to spark a new global wave of consolidation and a round of price wars. The deal will create the world’s third-largest network equipment concern behind Ericsson and a combined Lucent and Alcatel. The transaction is also likely to put considerable pressure on Motorola which will be reduced to the No. 4 position as network
equipment maker in the world just as its business is turning around as a result of its hot-selling Razr cell phones. (more…)

The best thing that could have happened to Microsoft is the fact that Ray Ozzie is now the chief software architect (CSA). While he’s well-known for Lotus Notes, one also need to remember that he was the founder of ‘Groove’ (www.groove.net) — bought over by Microsoft (therefore, it’s now called Microsoft Office Groove 2007) after which Ray Ozzie joined the company and is now the CSA. (more…)

Last week some of us travelled to Neemrana in Rajasthan for an editorial brainstorming session. As usual I ended up suggesting cars to my friends in Business Standard. (more…)

Yesterday marked my first visit to the gas station  after the recent fuel price hikes. It was traumatic. Gazing at the rapidly ticking indicator, I began to feel a little dizzy. And felt my heart beat rising. Petrol in Mumbai city now costs Rs 54 + per litre.

Once upon a time, the pumps only displayed the number of litres that were flowing through. Thanks to some elementary technology upgrades, they helpfully display the price as well. A street mugging must be a less stressful experience. (more…)

A young university catering to the energy sector finds employers eager to take its graduates.

“Ninety per cent plus,” says a beaming Dr Parag Diwan, as he talks about the ongoing placements of the 165 students graduating from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) this year, the second batch to do so since its inception. (more…)

Met an airline start-up biggie (how can that be?) who says his model is as close to the successful ones in Europe and America as it can get. One aircraft type fleet, maximum seats, just buiscuits and water on board…he has got a point indeed. And he says the last thing he want to do is change the model. And according to him those who have already fiddled around with their model will perish. Pretty strong words, but somehow made sense. Want more? You got to wait for July issue of Open Sky.