Games women and men play

Next time a woman says she can't leave her computer it may be because it's her turn to deal. Women have edged out men when it comes to playing online games -- 50.4% vs 49.6%, according to a study by PC Data Online. While Nielsen NetRatings says men like sites that feature action games, women favour tamer dotcom fare at the following free internet game sites:

• Bingo.com: Players vie for prizes.
  
• JigZone.com: Features hundreds of jigsaw puzzles.
  
• Boxerjam.com: Compete on inetractive game shows.

» Continue reading

Read more on Computers, Gaming, Internet

How are old black and white films converted into colour?

The film is transferred to digital tape. Then, the first time each shade of grey appears, it is coloured manually on a graphics computer and given an identification code. Every time the grey reappears the computer colours it automatically. The process was first used in 1985 on the James Cagney classic Yankee Doodle Dandy. Though the technique was successful for video, the results were not good enough for big-screen projection. Today's advanced film scanners and recorders mean this is now possible, but colorization has largely died out following film industry complaints that the process distorts the original intentions of filmmakers. » Continue reading

Read more on Computers, Entertainment, Technology, Tid Bits

The formula for Happiness

Surely life would be easier if an equation for happiness existed. UK psychologists say they've found it: P + (5 x E) + (3 x H). Clear? Substitute P for "personal characteristics" (eg, outlook, adaptability), E for "existence" (health, money, friends) and H for "higher order" (self-esteem, ambitions, sense of humour).

Researchers interviewed some 1000 people to arrive at the formula. Each participant received a rating out of 100 by answering a questionnaire -- the higher the score, the happier the individual. » Continue reading

Read more on Lifestyle, Personality Development

Spirited blighters

Here's an instance of human bestiality: A gang of revellers in Varanasi made a stray goat drink liquor. Over time, the goat became regular at the party, were it is also served meat. The goat, by now almost addicted to booze, attacks its 'glass' mates if it is denied its large share. » Continue reading

Read more on Tid Bits

Clothing a dream

Fame comes in different forms. For some, even in the form of a 'salwar kameez'! P.S. Vijayan, a tailor in Thrissur (Kerala), India, stitched a 47 ft long 'salwar kameez'. The apparel took 77 metres of cloth to complete and cost Vijayan Rs 35,000. The 'salwar' alone was 30 ft long. Vijayan hopes that his feat will get him into the Guinness Book of World Records. » Continue reading

Read more on Art, Tid Bits

How to be a Champion Conversationalist

Whether it's a barbecue, a business lunch or a formal dinner, mixing with other guests is a done deal. Etiquette expert Patsy Rowe offers these handy hints:

Have a great ice-breaker. "Where are you from?" is the all-round best. To discover that someone grew up in a small town, or has just returned from a Greek holiday, will pave the way for a whole host of secondary questions.

No-nos. In-house talk, photos of your kids, your worm-breeding hobby and your latest diet are conversational killers. Avoid gossip, details of your medical problems and personal money matters.

Curly questions. If someone asks you an embarrassing question about your age, your income or your marriage(s), smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

Don't be a bore. If your fellow guest's interest is waning while you waffle, stop talking about yourself and ask them a question immediately. » Continue reading

Read more on Leadership, Personality Development

Max the Micro!

To use your microwave oven even more effectively:

• Cook in round vessels. Rectangular one are less effective because they come closer to the power source (on the oven's side) as the dish rotates, and may heat food unevenly, even burn some portions.
  
• Microwaves are more evenly distributed on a flat plate, and therefore cooking time is reduced.
  
• Use several smaller containers, instead of one large one, to speed up the cooking process. This way, you can also simultaneously hand out a number of small servings to family or guests.

» Continue reading

Read more on Food, Gadgets, Home, Tips and Tricks