Arun Has A Blog

I recently installed Skype on my work PC. When I tried to exit, I found that I had to jump through hoops to close Skype. It isn’t the most favorable experience. Here is how it went:

In most Windows applications, pressing the large red X button on the top right closes that window. If that window is the last window left of that application, the whole application exits and you don’t see it in the start taskbar or in the notification area. You can assume that Skype on windows should behave the same way. Right?

Wrong! Pressing the X just collapses the window into the taskbar. That is the exact same behavior that is observed when you press the minimize button. I don’t get it. Whey even have the X up there if it does the exact same thing as the minimize button?

At this point, I am tempted to just ctrl+alt+del and kill the process, but instead I give Skype a chance and right click the icon on the taskbar to see if it gives me any options. And there it is! The elusive option to actually quit Skype.

I click the option and guess what! Skype pops up a dialog box asking me if I actually want to exit. Really? You think I right clicked the icon on the taskbar, and then clicked “quit skype” all on accident?

This sort of stuff really bugs me. Why is Skype ignoring already established patterns? Why is Skype making it so annoying to use their product?

Last month, we at Brohaus finally had our house warming. To prepare, we blew up balloons and put LEDs inside.

We made food.

We set up tables and a grill outside.

After we all ate, we released the balloons and the real party started.

Sometime later in the night, an impromptu dance party started inside.

At the end, everyone said they had a great time. I think we can declare declare Brohauswarming Mission Accomplished.

Fortunately, Andy was in town for a conference that weekend and was able to stop by.

See all the pictures here or below in the slideshow.

Around 4 years ago during freshman year in college, I started systematically changing my fashion choices.

First, I started wearing a lot more black. This is a practical choice. I figured out that I could wear roughly the same outfit everyday to class, concerts, semi formal events, parties, etc. without having to change. Putting on a slightly dressy sweater let me blend in at more formal events.

Second, when trying different brands of clothing, I try to find which ones fit me the best. Once I find something that I like, I stop buying all other brands and models and buy only the one I like. Owning a lot of the same articles of clothing has two huge advantages. First, I don’t have to go clothes shopping that often, and when I do, I know exactly what I want. I don’t have to worry if shirts look good on me or if a pair of pants fits. Second, I don’t have to worry about what to wear when I wake up. I just put on an roughly the same outfit I wore the day before. This saves me a bit of time every day.

Here is my basic outfit that has remained relatively unchanged for the last two years.

Black Levi's 514.

First up are the Levi’s 514 Jeans. I found them to be a straight and slim but not so tight that they are uncomfortable. They look good enough that I can wear them to classier events.

American Apparel 2001 Shirt

I love these shirts. They have a great ratio of comfort to cost. I also have a bunch of Woot shirts that are printed on these.

Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81 shoes.

I bought my first pair of Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81s in spring freshman year. I loved the classic design and colors. The thin sole and breathable fabric construction make these extremely comfortable. I can run in them, drive in them, and then wear them to a club or dinner party.

Casio Riseman GW9200-1.

This watch is rugged and durable. Its best features are atomic clock syncing and solar charging. Since it requires almost zero maintenance and is completely submersible, I can wear it everywhere.

Back in August, I read on a design blog about the then upcoming Dieter Rams exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. If you don’t know about Dieter Rams, check him out in the documentary, Objectified. Katherine, Jeffrey and I decided to check it out. We drove over the the BART station and took the BART to San Francisco. We then made the short walk over to the museum.

The museum is quite small compared to other modern art museums in the US, but is nevertheless a great museum.

The special exhibit showcases the beautiful objects industrial design genius Dieter Rams designed. Many of the things he designed more than thirty years ago are still produced. They also influence modern designers, most notably Jony Ive of Apple.

I was amazed to finally be able to see one of his most iconic products he designed at Braun, the SK55 SK4 record player nicknamed “Snow White’s Coffin”.

A beautiful white Alexander Calder mobile in the lobby.

Some guys studying or working at a nearby park.

One of the many exotic cars I spotted on the trip.