Introduction

The BbyB Beacon is an electronic publication to keep the members of Bit by Bit informed about the current affairs of the company. It contains announcements of important events like training programmes, Management Review Meetings, etc.

Contact Information
 Any contributions to the newsletter in the form of technical articles, or items of general interest, are welcome. Please send them to padmabaliga@bbyb.sdc.int or padmabaliga@bbyb.com

Editorial                                                                                                                    (top)

It is the season of new beginnings – spring is in the offing, and if you drive out into the countryside, the air is redolent with the smell of mango blossoms (waiting to be transformed into succulent juicy mangoes). The Indian economy is gearing up to face the new budget and Hindus are getting ready to welcome the new year with leafy green torans and the bittersweet taste of “bevu bella”.

South Indians call the start of the new year “Ugadi” (literally, the beginning of a new era) while Maharashtrians refer to it as Gudi Padwa. For the people of Punjab who celebrate it a few days later, the first day of the new year is known as Baisakhi. Vasanta Navaratri, the nine day spring festival also commences on the day of Ugadi.

A new beginning does not necessarily mean a physical change or a rebirth. Sometimes it is as simple as getting a new perspective on things, or taking a renewed look at our world. It could mean letting go of old hang-ups, old prejudices, old desires. We could make a start by treating each new day as just that – a new day with all the attendant excitement, challenges and freshness.

Happy Ugadi to all in the Bbyb family!!

Until next time
Padma

From The Management                                                                                       (top)
Dear All,  

One of the biggest advantages of moving into the new software development centre is that we are all again under one roof. I feel that in the recent past project teams have formed 'islands' of their own and basically are not working in unison with each other. The biggest problem with this is that each team has developed its own set of standards and none of the software looks like they are part of the same BHP/BbyB suite of software. When I work in Microsoft Word or Excel, they both seem the same and have the same 'Microsoft' set of standards. This is what we need to achieve soon and have a BHP/BbyB standard look and feel on all software developed here. As a start toward this goal, we are developing a set of “BbyB” namespace controls so that common tasks are performed using the same controls and each project doesn't go about “reinventing the wheel”.

It is now that time of year when we need to find a place to go for our summer “stress buster holiday”. If you have any suggestions please let me or Padma know about it. Ideally we are looking at places which can comfortably sleep 40-50 people and within 5-6 hours driving from Bangalore.

Regards,
Raghu

Projects News

StaffBank                                                                                                            (top)

StaffBank is quite busy with some change controls and bug fixes. There was a general release of 2.07.02.e.52 version on 19th February. Arun and Usha are working on the classes to convert StaffBank from VB to .Net. Jomon is working on HelpDesk changes while Dilna is working on ESR Import File. Prathibha was busy running scripts on the live database. OmPrakash was busy in migrating data from SQL server to Oracle. Poornima was busy writing testcases and testing change controls and bug fixes. I am currently working on StaffBank on Web. Chaitanya, Raghu and Sreedhar are working on StaffRoster while Vasudev is busy testing it. StaffRoster is having a weekly release. Jayashree is busy writing scripts for automating StaffRoster.

Deepak for StaffBank

MESaLS                                                                                                                  (top)

This time it is my turn and pleasure to take this opportunity to write for the newsletter regarding the developments at Mesals.

The Mesals team was very busy for the whole of February. We have decided to release the major version in the first week of March. Chris Reed, the Senior Partner of Baumhart was here this month to discuss a few more enhancements to the existing version.

In February only Milton Keynes went live on the 8th and there were no dry runs.

Aruj left BbyB this month. A word of thanks to him for all the hard work that he has put in for Mesals Handhelds and we wish him all the best in all his future endeavours.

I am leaving BbyB next month. I would like to thank Raghu Shenoy for giving me an opportunity to work here and I also wish to thank the entire Mesals team.

Looking forward to March and hoping it will be a great time for the Mesals Team.

Vamsy for MESaLS

pFACT                                                                                                                    (top)

Dear All,

This month two Beta Versions (Oracle) were sent to BHP. The entire pFACT team was busy working out for the next patch release. The Oracle patch release will likely be released this week and an SQL patch release will be released by the first week of March.

The testing team has been busy with testing the fixed issues.

Finally on behalf of the pFACT team, I take this opportunity to wish RajKumar all the best for his future, as he will be leaving BbyB in the first week of March.

Sumathy for pFACT

Sepia                                                                                                                   (top)

This has been a busy month for Sepia.  In the last week of February, Version 3.09 was released to various sites after verification by BHP.  We had released the version 3.08i early February which had some bug fixes and minor changes.  Updating of the Sepia Manuals is currently underway.  It involves virtually a re-write of the document as all the hyperlinks, details, images are being recreated.  Hopefully, we should have this ready in a few weeks time.  Looking forward to a busy month as the financial year draws to a close and a new set of features starts to roll in. Check in again next month to see what transpired in March 2007. 

Shashidhar for Sepia

Other News                                                                                                        (top)

Farewell to Sairamesh

This month, we bid farewell to Sai, our Testing Team Leader. He is the quintessential team player and relates well with all the members of his team. Sai will be leaving for USA shortly. The Beacon wishes him all the best and bon voyage.

Visitors from BHP

Chris Lee and Chris Reed of Baum Hart and Partners were at BbyB on February 21st and 22nd to touch base with the StaffBank and MESaLS projects.

Holidays                                                                                                                 (top)

March 19th, a Monday, will be a holiday. Hindus everywhere celebrate Ugadi on that day and observe it as the beginning of a new year.

Training and Education                                                                                        (top)

Our Trainee Programmers were trained in VB in February.

Colleagues Cognizant                                                                                         (top)

Prathibha

Prathibha joined BbyB on September 1st 2004 as a Data Prepper. She is now Domain Leader, Data Prepping and also does coding for StaffBank. Prathibha finds her work very interesting and challenging for she is one of those who likes to learn and implement new things. Although quiet by nature, her commitment to her work shines through in everything she does. Read on for an insight into Prathibha’s mind.

Describe yourself in a few words.
I am very simple and hard working. I take things as a challenge and always I like to learn as much as possible.

You grew up on a farm. Can you share with us your experiences of growing up on a farm?
I used to feel that I am very close to nature.

You are known to be a hard-working person. What is the secret of your hard work?
I believe in hard work. I like to work hard and make sure that things are done at the proper time.

Data prepper or programmer? Which title do you prefer?
Programmer, because a programmer can do dataprepping and programming as well.

How did you feel when you started coding along with your usual Data Prep work?
I was very happy to do so, as I get to learn a lot more now.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I have a sea of ambitions. I would like to see myself in a higher position.

Which place in the world do you like the most? Why?
London, because I have heard a lot of good things about this place from all those who have visited London.

How do you plan to grow in your career?
Step by step, I’d like to move up to a higher position through my hard work.

How do you feel after being promoted as Domain Leader?
I am very happy with this and I feel my responsibility has increased now.

Who is the person whom you admire the most in this world?
My mother.

You have mostly been associated with StaffBank. What do you like about it and about BbyB?
With StaffBank, I like the co-operation and interaction from the team members I am getting. I feel that BbyB is the place to learn.

Pravitha

Pravitha joined BbyB on April 3 2006 as a domain member of pFACT. She has been with pFACT ever since and feels it’s been a great experience working for this project. “I have faced many challenges, and learnt a lot of things which have helped me to develop my technical skills” says Pravitha. She is very soft spoken and reserved but has a sweet smile which endears her to you immediately. Get to know her better through this interview.

Describe yourself in a few words.
I'm a simple and home loving person. I'm quiet by nature and get tense very easily.

Are you quiet by nature or is it that everyone else talks so much that you cant get a word in edgeways?
By nature I'm not very talkative, but none my close friends admit that! I love to have a good time when I’m among friends....

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Hopefully a software professional with sound experience...

How do you plan to grow in your career?
Every day I learn new things...I think the growth of a person happens not in a single day..but over a period of time… it’s a gradual process. I'm also hoping the same thing...

Which place in the world do you like the most? Why?
The answer is obviously, my hometown. Every one has an emotional attachment to the place where they were born and brought up...

You have a beautiful voice. What kind of songs do you like to sing? Who is your favourite singer?
Thanks for the compliment. I like melodies a lot. .... I can't choose a particular singer as a favourite singer. I like songs of Hariharan, K.J.Yesudas, Chithra, Unni Menon, Shreya Ghoshal.....the list goes on.

How is Bangalore different from your home-town? What do you like about Bangalore?
There are lots of differences! First of all, city life was a new experience for me. I come from a small town in Kerala. There life moves at a slow pace and it is not as busy as Bangalore. I like Bangalore because it is here I got a break in my career.....

How do you manage to strike a balance between family life and work?
Like any other married-working woman I'm also doing the job partially well. Praveen (her husband) is very cool and understanding. He likes simple food and helps me in the cooking as well. I think that makes me feel much more relaxed......

Weekend Jaunts                                                                                                  (top)

                                                   Mad about Madikeri

The cool bracing wind whips the hair about your face as you ramble along the streets that dip and rise delightfully. Breathtaking views surprise you as you sniff appreciatively the heady fragrance of coffee blossoms. You are in Madikeri (previously known as Mercara), a picturesque charming town with pretty cottages, situated at an elevation of over 5,000 ft (1,525 m) above sea level.

252 kms from Bangalore and 1525 m above sea level lies Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu. Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means 'dense forest on steep hill'. Dubbed as the Scotland of India, this town has a lot to offer to the tourist. Misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views are what make Madikeri an unforgettable holiday destination.

Take a K.S.R.T.C. or private bus from Bangalore on Friday night and get off at Kushalnagar early next morning. Kushalnagar bridges Kodagu and Mysore districts, and is situated 34 kms. from Madikeri. You can stay at the Hotel Kanika International or the Kaveri Nisargadhama. After a hearty breakfast, visit Bylakuppe, the rehabilitation centre for Tibetan refugees, (where one can see a beautiful Buddhist monastery), Kaveri Nisargadhama, Dubare forest and Harangi Dam. At Kaveri Nisargadhama, (a mere 3 kms from Kushalnagar) the River Kaveri splits forming a beautiful island measuring 65 acres. The Forest Department has provided a hanging bridge by which one can reach the island, where one can go boating, elephant riding and climb a tree top shelter. You can also choose to stay in one of nine wooden cottages found here.

Dubare is mainly an elephant capturing and training camp of the Forest Department. The largest land animal is captured here with the help of tamed elephants and local tribals - the Kurbas - and is held captive for upto 6 months in large teak wood cages.

The tamed elephants attend to various jobs during the day and in the evenings they come down to the river to bathe and to be scrubbed clean by their mahouts. Afterwards the mahout offers free elephant rides within the camp. In the evenings, all the elephants are offered a special treat of ladoos made of ragi and jaggery, each no smaller than a cannon ball! One can also enjoy fishing here with prior permission from the Coorg Wildlife Society - Madikeri. Carry your food since there are no shops nearby.

The next morning, take a bus to Madikere and check in at Hotel Coorg International or Hotel Crystal Court. Set off in an autorickshaw for the beautiful Abbey Falls about 8 kms from the town center. The roar of the falls can be heard from the main road, from where a path goes through lovely coffee and cardamom plantations right up to the falls. Do remember to take your binoculars and camera when you go there. After that make your way to Talacauvery, (about 42 kms away) the birth place of the sacred river Cauvery. It is situated on the slopes of the Brahmagiri hills and can be reached by a motorable road. After reaching the source of Cauvery and drinking in the stunning view, you can venture a climb of about 300 feet to the summit of the Brahmagiri peak where it is said that seven great sages meditated. On your way back, stop over at the Triveni Sangam in Bhagamandala where the sacred rivers, Cauvery, Kannike and Sujyothi meet.

Try to find time to visit the 19th century Madikeri Fort which houses a temple, a chapel, prison and a small museum. The fort offers a beautiful view of Madikeri.

In the evening, go shopping for coffee, honey, cardamom, pepper and oranges (when in season). Foodies can look out for the mouthwatering local specialities, Pandhi, Koli and bembla curry, kadumbuttu, noolputu, voti and excellent coffee.

You can take the night bus back to Bangalore or stay another day and climb the highest peak of Kodagu, Thadiyandamole or visit Nagarahole National Park which is known for its wild-life population. One can find elephants, tigers, leopards, sambars, spotted deers, and bison in plenty. There are facilities for over night stay inside the Nagarhole Park next to water-holes.

Padma

Birthdays                                                                                                             (top)

The Beacon wishes Devaki and Poornima a very happy birthday and lots of fun and frolic on that very special day. Poornima celebrates her birthday on March 9th and Devaki on March 31st