IN HINDSIGHT   by an Indo-German newspaper columnist

My question is: Which is the heavier of the following two dog breeds? (1) mastiff (Old English Mastiff) or (2) Saint Bernard (Alpine Mastiff)? Please help.
–Sujoy Acharyya

If one of them sits on you, will it make a difference? You cannot say either is heavier as their weights overlap. Mastiffs are generally thought to be between five and 10 kilograms heavier on average, but dogs of both breeds may weigh up to 100 kg or more. Also, for example, in America both dogs might possibly weigh a few kilos more than in Europe, perhaps because of all those hot dogs or whatever they eat. The heaviest reliably weighed dog of all time was a mastiff named Zorba de la Susa, at 343 pounds or 156 kg. Can you imagine having a dog like Señor Susa in the house, especially when he starts doing susu and worse? Yet there was a time when they were useful war dogs, fighting fearlessly alongside the ancient Britons against invading Romans. Unfortunately the Romans won, and took back some dogs to make them fight with bulls, bears and lions. So, more of those poor mastiffs became stiffs.

I am very interested in learning how to bring out the shapes of different things by paper folding. Could you please let me know about any web site that teaches the making of such things?
–Swagata Sengupta, Delhi

There are a number of free sites where you don’t have to produce your purse and unfold your paper money to learn about paper folding. The most obvious would be paperfolding.com, which incidentally does give useful information as well as links to other sites that you could choose from.

I need an ending to this story (it’s sci-fi): Three people were spying on an alien (on Earth). The alien saw two of them and took them to his mother ship as hostages. The third friend is left alone. What should he do? (1) Save them, (2) let them be taken away, (3) kill the aliens somehow (here, you need to tell how), (4) himself be killed by fighting (here, you need to tell how), or (5) outwit the aliens (here, you need to tell how)? Please give details in your answer.
–Choti

This story recalls the problems of alien immigrants in various nations of the earth. Your choice of ending depends on who the good guys are in your story. Are you a human supremacist or alien liberationist? You must also consider the philosophy and politics of your readership, and whether you want to sell your story (for money or merit). To kill or outwit the aliens, you can exploit their Achilles heel (which in their case could well be located at their tendon, or head, or elsewhere): there will be some earthly element which they cannot tolerate, such as the atmosphere that can’t be breathed directly, or local food that gives them Delhi belly, etc. If it’s the air, then puncture their spacesuits or spaceship walls; or get a politician to give a welcome speech and gas them to death. (If it’s D. belly, seal their spacesuits.) To kill the earthling, it would be the opposite: expose him to the ship’s artificial atmosphere (or expose the aliens to him, allowing their anatomy to give him a heart attack or fatal laughing fit).

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

Which is the most poisonous lizard found on Earth?
–Nilay Pandey, Kolkata

The most poisonous lizards are the so-called monstersaurs, including the Gila monster and Mexican beaded lizard (with an additional lethal toxin described in the latter), almost two and three feet long respectively, belonging to a group of ancient lizards from dinosaur days. Their poison is strong enough to kill a very young child. If one of them bit you, you would not die, but it would possibly be the most painful experience of your life. They’d hang on to you after biting, and some of their infectious teeth would break off, becoming embedded in your swollen skin, making it worse. The angrier they are, the more they salivate and the more poison they deliver. However they can be gentle and loving too: in fact they’re more reluctant to let go of creatures they love than ones they hate: their mating sessions may last for up to two-and-a-half hours. So if you ever feel a monstersaur is acting friendly, treating you as its best mate, then run away even faster! (They are slow runners and wouldn’t be able to catch you.)

Please tell me about some web sites paying a user to upload a video or photo on it.
–Anil Kumar, Jammu

There are a number of sites offering payment based on downloads of your uploads, or recruitment of members, etc., but there have been some complaints about them and I’m not recommending most. If you do want a recommendation, I’d suggest what are known as microstock photo agencies, which source many photos, vectors and videos from semi-professionals or stupid amateurs like you and me. They have millions of customers making purchases from searchable databases, fetching contributors a royalty from about a quarter-dollar to tens of dollars, or in rare cases thousands, for each picture used. For videos, it might start at about five dollars for the shrimpiest, and so on. A few of their contributors earn around $10,000 a month. Try iStockphoto.com, Shutterstock.com, Fotolia.com (photo liya? To upload karo!), or Dreamstime.com. These agencies have succeeded in affecting the traditional photo industry’s profits, and being taken seriously enough for Getty Images to buy iStockphoto in 2006 for $50 million.

I am 18 years old, and I am going to appear for the higher secondary exam. My problem is that I can’t concentrate on studies for a long time. As a result my studies are being affected often. All through the day, I feel lethargic. Please help me.
–Anindya Bhattacharya, Serampore

If you feel lethargic all day, you may not be getting enough sleep at night. But if more sleep doesn’t work you might need to become physically fit, which would in turn give you mental alertness and stamina. I suggest some suitable exercise (after consulting a doctor if necessary), frequent laughter, as well as a better diet. A daily multivitamin tablet (not on an empty stomach) might also help. In case you’re spending too much time and energy on social networking and the Internet, video games, etc. (or even those sites where one must be exactly your age to enter), then set a time limit or at least a regular bedtime (alone).

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

When the club officials and spectators are wearing extra thick winter garments, how are the English footballers playing in this sub-zero European winter wearing only a thin jersey and shorts? Also, how come not a single flake of snow could be found on the ground?
–Amitabha Sarkar

Football and other ball games in freezing weather are possible not because the brave players first froze their balls on the playing fields of Eton. Actually many English Premier League matches were postponed because of cold weather, snow and frozen pitches this winter. Some were put off when the field was fine but approach roads were icy. However, most Premiership stadiums have undersoil heating systems, with hot-water pipes to prevent snow and ice from building up. In future these systems may be replaced by electric heating, as recently selected by the Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam.

Is there any web site or helpline or source from which the subscriber of a telephone number in Kolkata (not mobile), other than BSNL, can be found out, please?
–Dipjyoti Majumdar, Kolkata

Private fixed-line providers like Airtel, Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices don’t allow access to their records except in special cases such as a request from a security agency. The best helpline, if you’re being harassed by an unidentified caller, is the police line. But if it’s a cute girl whom YOU want to locate (or harass), then you’ll have to risk complaining against her and try to make up after catching her. Of course, there are illegal ways to find out, but unfortunately this column does not offer such help (unless you make me a generous offer). Yet, you can find the caller’s location and service provider, at sites like hacktrix.com/trace-mobile-phone-location-and-service-provider-details. The BSNL reverse phone directory, in case you didn’t know already, is at calcutta.bsnl.co.in/telno.shtml.

Does the Nokia N900 support a CD/DVD-ROM (by using extra devices)? Can I sit for the Aakash All India Test Series for IIT-JEE with it? Does the already mentioned Internet tablet support any printer? If yes, please mention a good but cheap one. Can you please tell me its price (in INR) in Malda?
–K.T. Hankslet, Malda

You’re only supposed to ask ONE question–but I’m feeling generous today (cf. Dipjyoti’s answer). Well, you can convert your CDs or DVDs by downloading a ripper. You can sit or stand for the Aakash tests online with the N900, although they have a time limit and might take longer with this mini-computer. It doesn’t support printers, so you’d have to improvise by using a Bluetooth application to send data to a printer, etc. I’d recommend an HP printer costing about Rs. 2,500 in Malda (more than in Kolkata because of the transport cost).

I have downloaded some images from the Internet onto the hard disk of my computer. How can I copy those images into my mobile phone?
–Ronak Shrivastava, Kolkata

Why must you make life so complicated? Well, it depends on the phone. For a Nokia, load Nokia PC Suite software onto your computer. Next, connect the phone and computer through a USB cable, or use a Bluetooth dongle. Double-click the Nokia PC Suite icon on the computer. Get the Nokia Phone Browser. Select desired images. Right-click image and send file fast and furiously to phone.

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

What is String Theory? Is it going to help me in any way?
–Dilip Kumar Giri, Howrah

A good grasp of string theory is essential for those who don’t want their pyjamas to fall off. String Theory is also the generic name for a number of theories of the universe, explaining its elementary particles. Think of it this way: just as the strings of a guitar can produce different sounds depending on their tension and vibration, so elementary particles might appear as ‘notes’ on elementary strings–bad pun follows–composing them. The theory attempts to unite the fundamental forces of nature, and in its ‘supersymmetric’ versions–pairing all particles of matter with force-carrying particles–is a TOE (Theory Of Everything). You can show this TOE the finger and forget about it, or study it (though it’s mainly mathematical and minimally musical) and be a researcher or teacher; or use it to impress your ignorant friends by tying them up in knots.

Why do the officers and clerks at government offices, whether central or state, not want to work or move files unless they are offered bribes? This is rampant in the West Bengal state sales tax department. How to get them caught? What is the process of notifying the CBI or other relevant competent authority?
–Ram Vikash Sharma, Kolkata

It’s called the law of inertia. If you witness corruption and want to ‘get them caught’ and suspended, then probably the only way is to approach a private TV channel and conduct a sting operation. But I’m afraid that even if you manage to do so, they will likely soon bribe their way back or otherwise return to office. The system is entirely corrupt, and some of the people who get caught seem to think they have added fame to their fortune. Filing complaints and even FIRs accusing them of corruption generally does little good. However, many instances of little good may add up to more than a fat lot of good, and you should do what you can if you have the courage (and patience). You could use the Right to Information Act, especially if it’s a case of someone refusing to push your file without a bribe. Write a complaint, also asking what action is to be taken, and address it to the Assistant Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Corporate Division; 14, Beliaghata Road; Kolkata 15. Write it on 10-rupee stamp paper or affix a court fee stamp, giving your own address, phone number, etc. for further communication. You would get the information within 30 days. Complainants might see their problem solved before a reply is required, simply because that’s often preferable to providing embarrassing information (even if Bengal ranks at the bottom of the table in public satisfaction with the RTI Act). RTI has become quite useful for getting minor work done; but it still does a toad’s load of good when hunting the high flyers. Just last week, for example, RTI activist Shashidhar Mishra was shot dead in Begusarai district of Bihar. Eventually the system will change. Honest citizens and government servants are trying out things like mobile networks to help each other when in trouble; and e-governance, technology and automation are making corruption more difficult; though at the moment we’re still being governed by greasy goondas.

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

I am a sparrow lover. I wish to know what organization I can contact. Please tender the details.
–Sayak Ghosh, Kamarhatty

Who doesn’t love a tender sparrow? Contact a speciality restaurant. The House Sparrows found in your neighbourhood are the most cosmopolitan of wild birds. Throughout history they have followed humans, and spread around the world. As a sign of our appreciation, we are now killing them. Their population is declining rapidly due to factors like pollution and lack of nesting space. In some places they are considered an endangered species. There’s an organization called the Environs Safe Organization studying their decline in your locality as also Kalyani and Baranagar, trying to develop a rescue plan. ESO carries out various sparrow-watching and artificial nesting activities (though they obviously can’t lay the eggs themselves). Their contacts are at 9874153431 or eso.organization@gmail.com.

This is Ayan Ghatak here, presently reading in class 11. I love astrophysics and want to make a career in it. Please give me some career guidelines and some related books to study. Please provide me with accurate details as far as possible.
–Ayan Ghatak, Madhyamgram

Tony Stark… I mean Ayan, man, did you think I’d give you inaccurate details? For the moment, and even at the undergraduate (B.Sc./B.E./B.Tech.) level, what you need to do is concentrate on physics and mathematics. Generally it’s only at the postgraduate level (when starting your M.Sc./M.Tech./integrated Ph.D.) that you’d begin astronomy courses. Your career options would include being a research scientist, a university professor, a technologist; or entering industry as in astronomical instruments, or programming and data-related jobs. For books and journals, search the web or try online libraries such as of the Indian Institute of Science; although you need not ‘study’ them at this stage.

I need your urgent help. I am a middle-aged technical consultant from South India. I migrated from Maharashtra in search of a job in the sixties and finally settled well in Coimbatore. I have a vast circle of friends in and around India. Many also get in touch with me from Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaisalmer and even from USA, UK. However, I am finding it difficult to answer their continuous flow of e-mails. I wish to take a lonely long long holiday and then resume when I feel fresh. Hence, I wish to remove my notification from Gmail, so that they would not get hurt. Please advise me how to do it.
–Anonymous, Coimbatore

Sometimes the best solution is to get rid of your friends. But to remove Gmail Notifier, if Windows is your operating system, go to ‘Control Panel’, then ‘Add or Remove Programs’, ‘Google Gmail Notifier’ and finally ‘Change/Remove’. If you’re using Mac, drag the ‘Google Notifier’ icon from the ‘Applications’ folder to ‘Trash’. However, your friends might think you were just ignoring their mails, and feel more hurt; or in the worst case arrive in a violent mob and hurt YOU seriously. Rather, consider setting an automatic vacation response to incoming mail. Sign in to your account, go to ‘Settings’, and under ‘General’ select ‘Vacation responder on’, enter a message, then click ‘Save Changes’. I recommend something honest such as ‘This is an automated response. I’m exhausted from answering emails and am taking a holiday, whereafter I shall reply posthaste’ or even ‘With friends like you, who needs torturers?’

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

What is the Gator Tracker in cricket and how does it work?
–Sourav Das, Kandi

Heart rate monitors are probably the silliest of the ‘tracker’ tricks being used to sell cricket (and its sponsors). A player wears a battery-powered transmitter chest strap containing electrodes. As heartbeats are detected it transmits radio signals. The only fun for observers is in praying that certain players’ (or especially umpires’) heart rate drops to zero and we never see them again. The second-silliest is tracking of distances covered. Video data of players on the field is processed by software to calculate the amount of ground traversed. How many people would cheer just because some fast bowler moves around more than a spinner? Next thing you know there’ll be a system to calculate the number of times a player burps (or worse) during the Gatorade drinks break!

I’m a boy and I’m in standard 10 and in the last few months I am not able to concentrate on my studies and have been performing very badly in my exams. Please help. My parents are very irritated with me. They are not talking to me also. I am really feeling very disappointed. Advice on what to do?
–Supratim Ghosh, Jamshedpur

If it’s only in the last few months that this has been happening, then clearly something else happened first to precipitate the situation, which you haven’t told me about. You need to think about that. However, if you’re asking for general advice then apart from the obvious like minimizing distractions and focusing on goals, I would suggest rewarding yourself for set tasks. For example, if you like biscuits (or beer) you might allow yourself to have a few biscuits (or get drunk) after a predetermined number of pages of revision. Or play video games for a few minutes, or whatever you enjoy doing (it’s also more enjoyable if you’ve stayed away for a while). If you discuss it with your parents, they might agree to get you some treats or toys that you really want as reward for your work. If they remain silent, then tell them you are sincerely trying to find ways to study and make them happy. If that doesn’t work (or bring a silent tear to their eye) say you’re going out for a drink with your friends, and I guarantee they will vote with their lips.

Sometimes I do not want anyone to copy my files from my DVD. How can I write a copy-protected DVD so that no one can copy my files by using Nero? If Nero cannot do this which software can do this?
–Anuran Barman

You cannot protect your DVDs in this way by using Nero or any other software. Even Nero the Roman emperor could not have helped you. In fact, he would probably have fiddled while your DVDs were burned. If you don’t want your friends to copy files, lock up your DVDs (or friends) when not in use.

Can you tell me the name of any software that can convert web pages into PDF files?
–Rahul De, Suri

I have no idea how much, if any, money you want to convert into thin air for this, but take a look at pages like adobe.com/products/acrobat, novapdf.com, freedownloadscenter.com, freewarehome.com and freepdfconvert.com; and see if you see anything you like.

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

I am seventy-three, living alone in a senior citizens’ home for the last four months. My wife expired about a couple of years ago and our only child, a daughter, is married and lives with her husband and daughter abroad. I have kept my nearby flat locked. I am an introvert incapable of becoming a gregarious person though I want to. Always feel lonely, anxious and upset. Daughter frequently rings me and I have consulted a psychiatrist but got no relief. Please help.
–T. K. Karanjai, New Delhi

I hope no local thieves read this column and realize your flat is empty. As for the problem of introversion, one solution would be to do some ‘social’ drinking to get you in a gregarious mood. But I wouldn’t really recommend that. It needs to be established whether your problems are mainly psychological or physiological: after that one would know what kind of counselling might help if your current psychiatrist can’t. If you’re living in a senior citizens’ home and still haven’t made a close friend or met like-minded people, then maybe you need to meet more. Ring the toll-free Delhi helpline of HelpAge India (18001801253), and talk to them or visit their office. They will assist in defining the problem and suggest counselling if necessary. They could also put you in touch with your area-based senior citizens’ association, or clubs or organizations where you could attend meetings or talk over the phone or have people visit you, according to preference. They might also arrange for you to visit the residents of other seniors’ homes. Apart from this I wonder if you have mentioned the problem to the home where you are staying. They would be expected to try to solve it: but if they have reprimanded you or chased you away with a club (not the social kind) then it’s all the more reason to seek external help.

Most respectfully, I beg to state that I am a pass-out scholar of M.Phil. in computer science, of regulation-M.Phil. 2007 under Vinayaka Missions University of distance education, Salem, Tamil Nadu, Pin–636308. The exam month and year was July 2008. And I have passed in October 2008. The course duration is one year. I shall be highly obliged if you kindly tell me whether the said university’s M.Phil. in computer science would be valid as well as eligible in government jobs in the state of West Bengal.
–Md. Hasanujjaman, Raiganj

It’s nice of you to be so respectful (though if you knew me better you might not). The Distance Learning Council, Indira Gandhi National Open University, informs me that the distance learning courses of Vinayaka Missions University are approved not only by them but also by the University Grants Commission till 2012 (and there is no reason to believe they–or you–will do anything sufficiently silly to result in revocation of recognition thereafter); and that their degrees are therefore valid. Both the DEC and VMU assure me you can apply for government jobs not only in Bengal but any state. Good luck: and if you manage to land a good job then it’s not just the degree that’s ‘eligible’ but you too when you start thinking about settling down.

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

My parents are quarrelling with each other over a slight matter. They have no intention to compromise. So, my life becomes miserable because of their daily quarrelling. Please give me a suggestion.
–Sandip Maji, Asansol

It’s important to remember their quarrelling is not your fault, and that they’re the ones behaving like silly children–not you (I hope). And like children, they probably don’t mean most of the nasty things they might say. Try to go to your room or get away, if possible, till they’re done squabbling. Also, have you explained to them, and do they understand, that their quarrelling has been making you feel bad? If they did, I am sure they would at least attempt to make changes in their behaviour (such as retreating to THEIR room for a leisurely quarrel when they felt like one). If it’s not easy for you to articulate your thoughts and feelings to them, try writing a letter explaining everything, and give it to them (if they can shut their mouths and open their eyes for a moment) to read.

What is the name of the son of Gotten in the cartoon Dragon Ball Z? Please post a picture of him.
–Arijit Mudi, Kolkata

This ill-gotten son of Goku is actually called Goten. Goten has no son of his own, although a parasitic villain named Baby does at one stage invade his body and deposit an egg therein to control him. I think you may be mixing up Goten with his father, the main character of the series, to whom he bears a strong resemblance; or his brother Gohan, whose daughter is Pan. Or if you mean Goten City where you think Batman hangs out, then you’ve done an even worse job with the spelling.

Dear Indo-German newspaper columnist; ever since I attended a mediocre liberal arts school in the northeastern United States, I have been haunted by stories told to me by a young Indian fellow who claimed that he was a good prince in hiding from an evil ruler of some sort from an obscure part of India. I wake up in the night with cold sweats, still worried about his safety. Sometimes, though, I wonder if I am simply mixing up my memories with the Harry Potter series. Can you help me?
–Curious in Connecticut

Dear Clueless in Connecticut; rest assured that such stories are told with the sole goal of gaining asylum in the beds of gullible girls (who need not wake up with cold sweats or even tepid trepidation). For those who have been reading too much Harry Potter, the intent might alternatively be described as ‘Rowling in the hay’ while the sun shines or where it don’t. Look out for lightning-bolt scars that come off with water, or juvenile wizards that suddenly appear nude on the stage! However, if the cold sweats continue, they may be symptomatic of something more serious. Next time make sure that you’re not having a heart attack, going into anaphylactic shock, or suffering from some undiagnosed illness; nor that menopause is approaching. If it’s the latter, then you might consider replacement therapy for all those hormones you had in college. Or turn back the clock and do a bit of exercise.

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

My best friend’s girlfriend ditched him recently. He is very upset and depressed and is taking sleeping pills at night without telling his parents. Though I’m forbidding him to do so, he is not listening to my words. What can I do? Please help me.
–Oindrila Ghosh, Kolkata

Sleeping pills have side effects. However, at least they’re not life-threatening unless taken in large doses, or in combination with substances like alcohol which increase their absorption. If he’s taking them to sleep for the night, and not for eternity, then it’s not quite so bad. Consider reporting his pill intake to someone who could stop him. Instead of pretending everything is fine, say you realize he’s feeling miserable, but remind him that just about everyone goes through this and recovers–and that his other friends and family are always there when he needs them. Allow him to ‘cry himself out’, but also encourage him to exercise or find some activities to keep his mind and body busy. You might want to tell stories about his ex-girlfriend which he doesn’t know or remember: such as that she often does stupid things or picks her nose, etc. Tell him he deserves someone better than her. But whether that better person should be yourself is something I can’t comment on.

My daughter is five-and-a-half years old and is a student of class 1 in an English medium school. She is very interested in drawing. She has already done well in the Sit and Draw competition in her age group. Could you suggest some books or web sites or magazines that can help her in upgrading her skill in colour composition and drawing ability? Could you also please tell me some books or magazines or web sites that can help her to improve her problem solving ability and command over language?
–Debasish Chakraborty

You can learn drawing and colouring techniques at sites like drawspace.com. For more, try the book How to Teach Art to Children by Tanya Skelton. For language and problem-solving skills, a helpful guide to educational sites is refdesk.com/kids.html. Apart from this, it’s good to encourage children to read ANYTHING. Get her the books that interest HER, not the boring ones you feel she should be forced to read. For example, if you think comics are stupid but she likes them, then your fogeyish opinions must be ignored. And if you can introduce her to interesting ‘educational’ shows of the Sesame Street variety, so much the better.

I understand that your column can tell me everything I wanted to know, but why do I have to wish that I had never asked?
–Janhabi Mukherjee, Kolkata

Because I’m quite likely to make fun of you. For example: couldn’t you think of a better question? Don’t you have a sufficient sense of humour to see that the title is a spoof on all the ‘Everything You Wanted To Know…’ articles and essays that keep appearing everywhere? Surely you’ve heard of the famous sex manual by Dr. David Reuben, published in 1969 (somehow an appropriate date), called Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask)? Or the comedy of the same name by Woody Allen (whose first name is equally appropriate)? Now, don’t you wish you hadn’t asked? Well, okay, actually your question does make sense, and I hope it’s been answered now.

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com

Which is the largest meteorite found on earth?
–Samudra Das, Kolkata

The largest known surviving meteorite weighs about 60,000 kg, and is located in northern Namibia where it fell about 80,000 years ago. It’s called the Hoba meteorite, after the farm where it lies, and consists mainly of iron; but created no impact crater, which people have been unable to satisfactorily explain to this day. It’s a cuboid, shaped roughly like the mysterious monoliths that appear in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, although it lies flat on its back–and yet has been named a Namibian National Monument. I’m not sure what this tells us about the state of that nation’s economy or culture.

Nowadays the banks are requesting their customers to fill in their details in the format Know Your Customer (KYC) and one of the banks asks for a Senior Citizen’s Card, as proof of their identity amongst other requirements. Could you tell me from where these cards are issued and who is the authority for issuing these cards?
–John B. Gomes, Kolkata

The state government would be the authority. However, the West Bengal government has no policy at all on senior citizens’ cards (though I’m reasonably certain it does have policies in other matters), such as of authorizing NGOs to issue the cards which some other states’ governments do have. The bank would have to accept another government-issued document. For example, HDFC Bank would accept a PAN card, voter card or driver’s licence (but not a KFC coupon) as proof of age. More importantly, I’m sure a liquor shop would accept these too.

I am having trouble solving some IIT-JEE physics numerical problems. I am not getting coaching anywhere. On which web site shall I find those solutions? Please suggest some tips to crack the IIT-JEE successfully.
–Koushik Mudi, Malda

If the solutions or methods aren’t already on the net, try asking your questions on sites like targetiit.com or goiit.com. For your study, choose recommended texts that include plenty of solved problems. Study all areas in each subject but give extra time to the more important ones such as (in physics) heat, thermodynamics, electrostatics and modern physics. When writing the exam, look for questions that you can easily answer, and do those first. (Often, easy questions appear toward the end of the paper.) In conclusion, if you really want to ‘crack’ the Joint Entrance Exam then you have to be a bit ‘cracked’ and sacrifice a lot of fun for the next few months or years, depending on when you plan to take it. But of course, once all the hard work is over it will have been worth it (I hope). I wish you good luck and happy suffering!

I am a student of the twelfth standard. Can you please tell me the colleges/universities in India that provide integrated M.Sc./M.Tech. courses in computer science(except the IITs)?
–Souvik Biswas, Kalyani

In the twelfth standard and already worrying about a postgraduate degree? You’re even worse than Koushik (quem vide)! Well, you can get useful lists, including contact details, at indiastudychannel.com/courses or career.webindia123.com/career/institutes/index.asp. And you can find an even more useful list of excuses for not studying at www.bored.com/excuselist.

Questions may be sent to burythequestion@gmail.com