Corpocrat Blog » Miscellaneous http://corpocrat.com Daily Blog from Internet Entrepreneur/Webmaster Mon, 21 May 2012 21:03:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Talking about Schengen 90 days out of 180 day rule!! http://corpocrat.com/2012/01/10/about-schengen-90-days-out-of-180-day-rule/ http://corpocrat.com/2012/01/10/about-schengen-90-days-out-of-180-day-rule/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:05:14 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3501 Many travelers often get confused and many dont even know about this 90/180 rule. Infact passport holders of US, Canada, Taiwan  and many other countries, enjoy visa free travel to EU countries (schengen zone) and as per schengen rules, but most importantly, one should keep in mind that you are ...]]> Many travelers often get confused and many dont even know about this 90/180 rule. Infact passport holders of US, Canada, Taiwan  and many other countries, enjoy visa free travel to EU countries (schengen zone) and as per schengen rules, but most importantly, one should keep in mind that you are allowed to stay 90 days out of 180 days. Technically it is interpreted as “90 days IN and 90 days out” over the 180 days.

You get to stay 90 days in schengen states without visa, if you are one of the following:

1. EU/EEA nationals
2. Non-EU nationals of 42 countries which include US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan etc.
3. Holder of residence permit issued by a schengen member country.

Keep in mind that if you are staying more than 90 days, you must register with authorities and apply for residence permit of longer stays more than 90 days.

There is no limitation for the number of times you may enter the Schengen area if the total number of days you stayed in the Schengen-area in the six month period does not exceed 90 days.

Points to Remember about 90/180 rule:

1. The 180 day clock starts ticking, from the date of first entry into schengen.

2. No limitations on number of times, to enter schengen and all the accumulated days will be added up.

3. Stays exceeding 90 days spent, is considered “overstay” and if that happens, you might likely be questioned at passport control. Be careful that never exceed your stay and plan well ahead to leave schengen before the 90 day elapses.

4. Stays in countries UK, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria do not count as these countries are not not part of schengen zone.

For example if Mr. David has planned for vacation in Italy and Spain. He enters Italy(member state) on Jan 10, then as per the 90/180 rule, then 180 day clock starts from Jan 10 and ends on Jul 10. Mr. David, spends 60 days in Italy and 30 days in Spain and departs on approx April 10 back home. This means he already has consumed his allowed 90 day limit and he will not be able to visit any schengen country not before July 10.

If you are non EU national, always have the following additional documents during entry/exit in passport control:

  • Return flight tickets for further journeys  (return tickets);
  • Evidence of sufficient funds and money
  • Hotel reservation or proof of accommodation,
  • Invitation letter in case of business visits, conferences.
  • The passport validity should be at least three months at the intended time of departure from the Schengen Area.
]]> http://corpocrat.com/2012/01/10/about-schengen-90-days-out-of-180-day-rule/feed/ 0 Passport seva – My experience with Indian passport reissue http://corpocrat.com/2012/01/02/passport-seva-my-experience-with-indian-passport-reissue/ http://corpocrat.com/2012/01/02/passport-seva-my-experience-with-indian-passport-reissue/#comments Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:17:32 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/2012/01/02/passport-seva-my-experience-with-indian-passport-reissue/ I recently went to passport seva Kendra fixing up my appointment under normal category. I could have booked under tatkal but I heard that officials are very strict under tatkaal and over 80% of tatkal applications are denied and put in normal mode. I felt that there is no point ...]]> I recently went to passport seva Kendra fixing up my appointment under normal category. I could have booked under tatkal but I heard that officials are very strict under tatkaal and over 80% of tatkal applications are denied and put in normal mode. I felt that there is no point to apply for tatkaal without getting verification certificate from police.

My case is passport reissue of my expiring passport which was expiring within a year. No change in address everything same as per old passport. I got police clearance certificate PCC six months ago and despite this I was told today post police verification would be done after granting passport. I remember last time at the local police station they took me fingerprints and other documentation. I am disappointed that I have to go through the same verification again. I thought they would issue me passport with no police verification but the passport granting officer granted me the passport subjected to post police verification.

After my experience in passport Kendra I must say that TCS guys are doing a remarkable job there and they are so friendly. The passport officers at B and C counters are bit rude I should say.

Oh! You won’t be needing a photo nowdays. You will be fingerprinted and captured photo there itself.

One of the most common questions asked about renewing passport is – will my passport number change when i reissue or renew passport? The answer is yes, you will get a new passport number. They will stamp cancelled in your old passport and return you back at the counter. If you have doubts or have any valid visas in your old passport, carry both old and new passports whenever you travel.

Police verification by the authorities have been nowdays mandatory, and nobody can escape that. Even tatkal, reissue and fresh passports, go through the same verification. You will be verified at your present address. if you are staying/working other than your permanent address, the verification will happen at both the places. Please note that the Granting Officer (GO) will take the decision whether you have to undergo verification or not.

1. Pre Police verification (first verification happens, then if clear, passport will be sent)
2. Post police verification (passport will be issued first, then verification happen)
3. No verification

When you go for passport Kendra for reissue/renew/fresh, be sure to carry as many identification documents you can in original and you will be asked for atleast 2 address proof and 1 for proof of date of birth. + one proof for ECNR. For reissue of passport within 1 year of expiry the passportindia.gov.in says that just original passport is required but I was was asked for 2 address proofs and 1 proof for birth.

Documents for address proof

  1. Ration card
  2. Driving license
  3. Voter ID
  4. Telephone bill landline or postpaid (1 bill for last year and 1 latest bill)
  5. 1 year bank statement with bankers certificate photo attested by bank manager. If you are taking bank passbook issued by nationalised banks be sure to get sign and seal of bank manager in your passbook. Mere passbook printouts not accepted
  6. Registered land deeds
  7. Income tax assessment order with 3 year return acknowledgment showing address and IT dept stamp.

For full list of documents, please http://passportindia.gov.in

Proof for date of birth:

PAN card
SSLC/+2 certificate

ECNR change:
Just take your 10th marksheet in original or PAN card.

Caution: when I stepped in the seva Kendra I noticed a board saying this:

“Since most countries take biometric information, especially gulf countries Any suppression of information in personal particulars could lead to prosecution or problems with foreign immigration. “

So do not suppress any information such as change of name, work place, age etc. If you are working in bangalore but your permanent address is Delhi, be sure to submit all relevant information on where you have stayed for the past years. Police verification will be done in places you have stayed previously.

Passport seva complaints:

  • Getting an appointment is a predicament as most of the time servers are busy or no slots available from passportindia.gov.in
  • I have noticed lots of technical problems in seva Kendra such as token not working, server problems causing resorting to manual mode.
  • Photos captured in seva kendras are poor in quality and not clear often. Never liked my photo in the passport.

I personally feel that our govt should set up more kendras as the number of people seeking passports skyrocketed to 200%. Not to mention people requesting additional services such as addition of spouse name, address change, minors, PCC (Police clearance certificate) has been at very high numbers.

Update: I applied for passport reissue in PSK, under normal, paid Rs.1000 and i was surprised that they dispatched, the passport the same day and i received on next day by speed post. Never heard of passport sent on same day and i guess i was very lucky!!!! I had to be physically present to sign to receive the passport from the postman. It seems rules have become strict, and they give passport only to the passport holder not even to my parents.

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2012/01/02/passport-seva-my-experience-with-indian-passport-reissue/feed/ 2 How to digitally sign and encrypt email free? http://corpocrat.com/2011/11/04/how-to-digitally-sign-and-encrypt-email-free/ http://corpocrat.com/2011/11/04/how-to-digitally-sign-and-encrypt-email-free/#comments Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:21:02 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3466 If you want to send email to somebody securely and want privacy, you need not screw your head over something which is very difficult creating public and private keys, or install gnupg software.

The easiest way is get a digital email certificate from comodo for your email address and install it. ...]]> If you want to send email to somebody securely and want privacy, you need not screw your head over something which is very difficult creating public and private keys, or install gnupg software.

The easiest way is get a digital email certificate from comodo for your email address and install it. Visit the comodo website. You can also buy digital certificate from verisign as well which costs you about $20 yearly. You just have to install the certificate once to encrypt and digitally sign.

Here are the basics…

First to communicate with somebody using digital certificates, there are 2 things called public and private keys.

1. To send an encrypted email to somebody, you need the public key of the receiver and your email is encrypted using your private key. The receiver will be able to use their private key and your public key to decrypt the message. When you digitally sign your email, you automatically send them your public key.

2. Similarly, when somebody sends you an encrypted message, you decrypt it using their public key and your private key.

Notice that both sender and receiver share their public keys.  Also note that your private key is generated with your password (you will be asked one).  Your private will not be shared known only to you. Similarly the other persons private key is not shared known only to them.

On windows PCs the comodo digital email certificate is automatically installed. You can click sign and encrypt when you compose your email.

You can only sign and encrypt emails, when you have somebodys public certificate. If you dont have ask them to send you a digitally signed email. This way digitally signed emails received by you, automatically contain the public key of the sender, which will allow you to sign and encrypt.

On mac systems, your comodo certificate is installed in your browser. Go to browser preferences and backup it.

it will ask you the password to unlock your  private key. Enter the password and then go keychain utility, double click on it, again enter the password, you gave previously to complete the installation. Restart the apple mail if all is well, you will see the padlock and digital sign symbol when composing your message.

You can also send a message digitally signed but not encrypted, but the hash is not secure but better than sending an unsecured email.

Dont EVER forget the password which you used to create private key. If not you have to start everything from the start. However, you can recover using the revocation password.

If your email provider provide SSL encryption, to your mail server, be sure to enable the SSL authentication in your POP/SMTP server. This way you receive emails without getting eavesdropped. All free email service providers provide web based email using secure http connection. Take advantage of that to protect your privacy and from eavesdropping.

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2011/11/04/how-to-digitally-sign-and-encrypt-email-free/feed/ 0 WordPress – How to change admin menu labels? http://corpocrat.com/2011/10/28/wordpress-how-do-change-admin-menu-labels/ http://corpocrat.com/2011/10/28/wordpress-how-do-change-admin-menu-labels/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:23:19 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3440 It is very easy to change admin menu labels for your clients, with a custom admin panel. For example, you might want to change “Posts” to “Articles’

All Posts —> All Articles Add New —> Add New Article Posts –> Articles

I have seen the best wordpress plugin to accomplish this task is Admin ...]]> It is very easy to change admin menu labels for your clients, with a custom admin panel. For example, you might want to change “Posts” to “Articles’

All Posts —> All Articles
Add New —> Add New Article
Posts –> Articles


I have seen the best wordpress plugin to accomplish this task is Admin Menu Editor. You will need to play around with this plugin to change the labels in wordpress admin panel interface.

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2011/10/28/wordpress-how-do-change-admin-menu-labels/feed/ 1 WordPress – How to email user when post is published? http://corpocrat.com/2011/10/28/wordpress-how-to-email-user-when-post-is-published/ http://corpocrat.com/2011/10/28/wordpress-how-to-email-user-when-post-is-published/#comments Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:19:51 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3428 I have always wanted to send approval emails to my users when their post is published by editors or admins. I hated the using plugins for such small tasks, as i am already using so many plugins in my website.

Here is the code, which you need to paste in on ...]]> I have always wanted to send approval emails to my users when their post is published by editors or admins. I hated the using plugins for such small tasks, as i am already using so many plugins in my website.

Here is the code, which you need to paste in on your current theme function.php. This code attempts to send mail to the user, who submitted the post.

The key here, is this code retrieves, the user_email when given the post id in wordpress.  Format the message to whatever you want.

// Email after post is published
function email_user($post_ID)  {
global $wpdb;

$auth = get_post($post_ID);
$authid = $auth->post_author;
$to = get_the_author_meta('user_email',$authid);

$headers = 'From: Example <notifications@example.com>' . "\r\n" ;
$message= "
Hi,

We have approved your submission..

Edit: http://www.example.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=$post_ID&action=edit
Preview: http://www.example.com/?p=$post_ID&preview=true \r\n

Thank you
____________________
Example.com
";

wp_mail($to, "Post Submission #$post_ID - Approved", $message, $headers);
return $post_ID;
}

add_action('publish_post', 'email_user');

Sometimes you may find that emails sent by wp_mail function may not reach, in that case, to fix this issue make sure you have created the email account for the FROM address you specify.

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2011/10/28/wordpress-how-to-email-user-when-post-is-published/feed/ 1 Interview with Balakrishnan who blogs at corpocrat.com http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/16/interview-with-balakrishnan-who-blogs-at-corpocrat-com/ http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/16/interview-with-balakrishnan-who-blogs-at-corpocrat-com/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:52:47 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3373

As a owner of Corpocrat.com, I was recently interviewed by SelfBlogger.com and i was really proud to share my struggles and experiences and i came a long long way to acheive my goals.  I answered on various topics including blogging, making money and career goals.  You can read my interview ...]]>

As a owner of Corpocrat.com, I was recently interviewed by SelfBlogger.com and i was really proud to share my struggles and experiences and i came a long long way to acheive my goals.  I answered on various topics including blogging, making money and career goals.  You can read my interview here:  http://www.selfblogger.com/2011/07/in-this-post-i-had-come-with-interview.html

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/16/interview-with-balakrishnan-who-blogs-at-corpocrat-com/feed/ 0 10+ Best Tutorials for Learning Hungarian http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/11/10-best-tutorials-for-learning-hungarian/ http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/11/10-best-tutorials-for-learning-hungarian/#comments Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:22:38 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3182

Hungarian, or commonly known as “Magyar” is a unique language spoken throughout Hungary and there are only few resources available online to learn hungarian. The unique aspects of hungarian language are it has no genders and there is no specific word order. The grammar is bit difficult to follow, but ...]]>

Hungarian, or commonly known as “Magyar” is a unique language spoken throughout Hungary and there are only few resources available online to learn hungarian. The unique aspects of hungarian language are it has no genders and there is no specific word order. The grammar is bit difficult to follow, but pronounciations are easy to follow.

I have learned hungarian as a beginner and I  have compiled some of the best sites and some video tutorials freely available on the Web, which may of great help to you in  basic understanding and few phrases in Hungarian.

1. Introduction to Hungarian Language

http://impulzus.sch.bme.hu/info/magyar.shtml

A great website to learn all the basic hungarian vocabulary used in everyday situations.

2. A Hungarian Language Course

http://www.personal.psu.edu/adr10/hungarian.html

A great website for in depth understanding of Hungarian language. The tutorials written by the author of this site is the best i have seen and it is so simple, easy to understand, plus it takes little bit deep into hungarian word order and grammar.

3. Hungarian Basic Phrases

http://www.single-serving.com/Hungarian/TB/basics.php

A nice website for learning handy words and essential phrases. You can download a guidebook pdf free and its so useful with all the essential phrases in hungarian. It will come in handy when you travel.

4. Hungarian Audio & Video Lessons

http://www.hungarianpod101.com

A great website for video and audio lessons in hungarian. Some free video lessons are available but advanced videos and lessons are available under subscription only.

5. Hungarian Grammar Reference

http://www.hungarianreference.com/

A great website for learning hungarian grammar and references.

5. Hungarian Video Tutorials

Be sure to use various tutorials Youtube to improve your listening and pronounciation skills. There  are many tutorials, which you can find here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKBN433vBoQ&feature=related

6. Books for Hungarian

The best book for learning hungarian is “Teach yourself hungarian” which is very easy to follow and nice listening lessons. You should never miss “Pimsleurs hungarian” which is the best audio lessons i have seen.

Teach Yourself Hungarian -  click here

Pimsleurs Basic Hungarian – click here

Hungarian in Words and Pictures – click here

7. Language Learning Softwares

You must definitely use language learning softwares in your PC or iPhone  like byki (free) to improve your vocabulary and grasp basic phrases.

Byki

http://www.byki.com

Byki is a good language learning software to learn basic hungarian vocabulary. It can be downloaded free of charge.

Free Hungarian Wordpower (iPhone/iPad)

http://itunes.apple.com/in/app/learn-hungarian-vocabulary/id297247001?mt=8  (Link opens in iTunes)

Genko wordpower is a nice free application for your iphone which is nice for learning vocabulary. It has also flashcards to play around.

I am sure the hungarian language resources listed here would surely help you to learn hungarian intuitively in many ways. Please leave a feedback if you know any good hungarian language learning resource.

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/11/10-best-tutorials-for-learning-hungarian/feed/ 0 How to setup print PDF in your website! http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/09/easily-implement-pdf-print-on-your-website/ http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/09/easily-implement-pdf-print-on-your-website/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:01:17 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3135 Guess what! Its dead easy to implement Print PDF in your website using Joliprint.com

Just get the javascript code, place it on your website and when you click, you can download pdf generated. The pdf generated will not have ads and it will have nice titles and clean text. Even google ...]]> Guess what! Its dead easy to implement Print PDF in your website using Joliprint.com

Just get the javascript code, place it on your website and when you click, you can download pdf generated. The pdf generated will not have ads and it will have nice titles and clean text. Even google adsense code and other unwanted html tags gets stripped automatically to generate the pdf file. Dont forget that using  this will not put additional load on your server in generating pdf files.

You can get the code here: http://joliprint.com/get-the-button/

I have been searching for such service for a long long time and got hold of this website.

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/09/easily-implement-pdf-print-on-your-website/feed/ 0 Cant play WMV files in your Mac Quicktime? http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/09/cant-play-wmv-files-in-quicktime/ http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/09/cant-play-wmv-files-in-quicktime/#comments Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:56:27 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3120 By default wmv files wont play in your mac in quicktime player. To play videos in WMV format you will need to download and install Flip4Mac (windows media components for Quicktime) in your mac. It is free to download.

Flip4Mac – Download here

The WMV files are the most popular compressed video ...]]> By default wmv files wont play in your mac in quicktime player. To play videos in WMV format you will need to download and install Flip4Mac (windows media components for Quicktime) in your mac. It is free to download.

Flip4Mac – Download here

The WMV files are the most popular compressed video format in windows systems.

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/09/cant-play-wmv-files-in-quicktime/feed/ 0 Installing drivers for Windows 7 on Mac http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/05/installing-drivers-for-windows-7-on-mac/ http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/05/installing-drivers-for-windows-7-on-mac/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:08:17 +0000 pbu http://corpocrat.com/?p=3097 I cant believe installing windows 7 on macbook is so easy. The multi touchpad taps works very well in windows 7 just the same as in mac OSX as long as you have drivers installed in your windows.

The most important thing is you have to insert your mac osx original ...]]> I cant believe installing windows 7 on macbook is so easy. The multi touchpad taps works very well in windows 7 just the same as in mac OSX as long as you have drivers installed in your windows.

The most important thing is you have to insert your mac osx original DVD once your windows 7 boots up and the bootcamp 3.1   automatically start with setup.  The bootcamp is a complete bundle of all drivers needed for windows 7 for your mac.

You can also download bootcamp from apple website, but thats only updates to your bootcamp drivers from your mac os dvd.

Once your windows 7 is installed, whenever your mac restarts, it will boot directly with windows 7. Dont panic!. You can get to MAC OSX by pressing and hold ALT/option key, for the boot menu. You will see 2 choices of windows 7 and mac os.  Once you are into mac os X, set the startup operating system to Mac OS or Windows 7.

]]> http://corpocrat.com/2011/09/05/installing-drivers-for-windows-7-on-mac/feed/ 0