check out the KEYBOARD SHORT CUT KEYS........

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Outlook 2000 Shortcut Keys Go to the Inbox CTRL+SHIFT+I Go to the Outbox CTRL+SHIFT+O Check for New Mail F5 or CTRL+M Start a New E-mail message CTRL+SHIFT+M Open the address book CTRL+SHIFT+B Start a New appointment CTRL+SHIFT+A Start a New contact CTRL+SHIFT+C Start a New meeting request CTRL+SHIFT+Q Start a New a task CTRL+SHIFT+K Make the Find a Contact box active F11 Open the Advanced Find dialog box CTRL+SHIFT+F Mark an e-mail message as read CTRL+Q Delete an e-mail message, contact, calendar item, or task CTRL+D

Explorer Shortcut Keys
F4 - Displays the Combo Box F5 - Refresh the display Ctrl+Z - Undo last action Backspace - Go up one directory

Quickly Search for Files
To quickly open up the Find all Files window Press Ctrl+ESC ESC Press F3

To copy a file with a Mouse/Keyboard combo

Drag the file while holding down the CTRL key - A + will appear on the icon To move a file with a Mouse/Keyboard combo Drag file while holding down SHIFT key - Nothing appears on the icon If moving a icon with the mouse and an arrow appears, it will create a shortcut. You can press shift or ctrl at anytime during the drag and it will change this little part of the icon

TOP TEN TIPS FOR AN INTERVIEWER

1. Great interviews arise from careful groundwork. You can ace your next interview if you:
Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. This is the state from which great basketball players or Olympic skaters operate. You'll need to quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting. You'll focus on the present moment and will be less apt to experience lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.
2.Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet real. Engage in true conversation with your interviewer, resting on the preparation you did prior to coming to the meeting. Conduct several trial runs with another person simulating the interview before it actually occurs. It's the same as anticipating the questions you'll be asked on a final exam.
Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements. If you sense there are misconceptions, clear them up before leaving. If the interviewer doesn't get around to asking you important questions, pose them yourself (diplomatically) and answer them. Don't leave the meeting without getting your own questions answered so that you have a clear idea of what you would be getting yourself into. If possible, try to get further interviews, especially with other key players.
3.Know the question behind the question. Ultimately, every question boils down to, "Why should we hire you?" Be sure you answer that completely. If there is a question about your meeting deadlines, consider whether the interviewer is probing delicately about your personal life, careful not to ask you whether your family responsibilities will interfere with your work. Find away to address fears if you sense they are present.
4.Follow up with an effective "thank you" letter. Don't write this letter lightly. It is another opportunity to market yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting and expand upon them in your letter. Writing a letter after a meeting is a very minimum. Standing out among the other candidates will occur if you thoughtfully consider this follow up letter as an additional interview in which you get to do all the talking. Propose useful ideas that demonstrate your added value to the team.
5.Consider the interviewer's agenda. Much is on the shoulders of the interviewer. He or she has the responsibility of hiring the right candidate. Your ability to do the job will need to be justified. "Are there additional pluses here?" "Will this person fit the culture of this organization?" These as well as other questions will be heavily on the interviewer's mind. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities above and beyond just doing the job.
6.Expect to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." This is a pet question of prepared and even unprepared interviewers. Everything you include should answer the question, "Why should we hire you?" Carefully prepare your answer to include examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of the job before you. Obviously, you'll want to know as much about the job description as you can before you respond to the question.
7.Watch those nonverbal clues. Experts estimate that words express only 30% to 35% of what people actually communicate; facial expressions and body movements and actions convey the rest. Make and keep eye contact. Walk and sit with a confident air. Lean toward an interviewer to show interest and enthusiasm. Speak with a well-modulated voice that supports appropriate excitement for the opportunity before you.
8.Be smart about money questions. Don't fall into the trap of telling the interviewer your financial expectations. You may be asking for too little or too much money and in each case ruin your chances of being offered the job. Instead, ask what salary range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a money discussion until you have a better understanding of the scope of responsibilities of the job.
9.Don't hang out your dirty laundry. Be careful not to bare your soul and tell tales that are inappropriate or beyond the scope of the interview. State your previous experience in the most positive terms. Even if you disagreed with a former employer, express your enthusiasm for earlier situations as much as you can. Whenever you speak negatively about another person or situation in which you were directly involved, you run the risk (early in the relationship) of appearing like a troubled person who may have difficulty working with others.

BASIC THINGS U NEED TO DO

In addition to doing research and practicing your answers to common interview questions, you should be aware of general interview etiquette. Remember the following points when preparing for an interview:
Review your resume, and make sure that you can explain everything on it. Arrive at the interview ten minutes early to give yourself an opportunity to collect your thoughts and relax. Be aware that many employers will have their receptionists record the time you came in. If you rush in at the last minute, an employer may have serious concerns about your ability to arrive on time for a normal day at work.
Get a good night's sleep before your interview. You will think more effectively in the interview if you are rested. Also, yawning will not impress anyone. Eat something before the interview. If you are worried about your stomach growling, you will not be able to concentrate on the questions.
Dress appropriately for the position that you are applying to. Try to dress like the people who work there would dress if they were representing their organization at some function. If you are unsure about what to wear, always err on the side of being too dressed up.
Make sure that you are clean, neat, and well-groomed. Interviewers do notice your appearance, and first impressions are critical in an interview situation.
Take a copy of your resume, transcript, references and perhaps a portfolio or work samples with you. Also take a pen and paper, as you may wan to record some important information.

PLACEMENT TIPS

Way of Answering
Regardless of what type of question you are asked, you will find it easier to respond effectively if you keep in mind some basic question answering strategies:
You can never predict every question that you will encounter, so approach the interview with an inventory of important points. Make a list of the points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know. For example, if you were to apply for a job as a Sales Representative, you might want to list the products you have sold before, types of customers (by industry, age, etc.), languages spoken, personal experience in that industry and related knowledge (perhaps from your academic program).
Consider each question an opportunity to provide some of this information. Don't assume anything. You will be evaluated on your answers, not your resume. Therefore, ensure you incorporate the relevant information from your resume in your answers.
Pause a couple of seconds before you respond to each question, even if you know exactly what you want to say. Take this time to quickly plan your answer, this helps to avoid misunderstandings and produces much more concise answers.
If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification. This is expected and is preferable to providing an unsuitable answer. If you need time to collect your thoughts - take it. When people are nervous they tend either to "draw a blank" or to babble. It is better to think for a few moments and make sure that your answer is doing you justice and that there is a point to what you are saying.
Always expand. Never answer a question with a "yes" or "no."
The interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself. Don't be afraid to 'blow your own horn.' As long as you can back up what you are saying with examples which demonstrate that what you are saying is true, you are not bragging. Third party observations can also be mentioned. For example, "My last employer told me that I was promoted because of how I handled conflicts with clients."
Be very positive. Don't complain about anything - from your former employer to the weather - and don't apologize for experience that you don't have. Just sell what you do have and let the employer decide if you have what he/she is looking for. Also, avoid negative words. For example, you would not say "I have a little experience...," you would say "I have experience......"

Intel's Core 2 Duo and Extreme processors

INTEL'S DESKTOP PROCESSORS HAVE NOT been in a good place for the past two and a half years. Pentium 4 and Pentium D CPUs have run at relatively high clock speeds but delivered relatively low performance compared to their competition from AMD. They've also drawn a tremendous amount of power, which they've generously expended as heat. In other words, they've been hotter than Jessica Simpson and slower than, well, Jessica Simpson. Despite heroic efforts by Intel's engineering and manufacturing types, these chips based on the Netburst microarchitecture haven't been able to overcome their inherent limitations well enough to keep up with the Athlon 64. As a result, Intel decided to scrap Netburst and bet the farm on a new high-performance, low-power design from the Israel-based design team responsible for the Pentium M.
The product of that team's efforts is a new CPU microarchitecture known as Core, of which the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme are among the first implementations intended for desktop PCs. We've been knee-deep in hype about the Core architecture for months now, with a stream of juicy technical details, semi-official benchmark previews, and clandestine reviews of pre-release products feeding the anticipation. Clearly, when a player as big as Intel stumbles as badly as it has, PC enthusiasts and most others in the industry are keen to see it get back up and start delivering exciting products once again.

Fortunately, the wait for Core 2 processors is almost over. Intel has decided to take the wraps off final reviews of its new CPUs today, in anticipation of the chips' release to the public in a couple of weeks. Fish have gotta swim, politicians have gotta dissemble, and TR has gotta test hardware, so of course we've had the Core 2 processors on the test bench here in Damage Labs for a thorough workout against AMD's finest—including the new Energy Efficient versions of the Athlon 64 X2. After many hours of testing, we're pleased to report that the Core 2 chips live up to the hype. Intel has recovered its stride, returned to its winning ways, gotten its groove back, and put the izzle back in its shizzle. Read on for our full review.

Conroe up close
We first previewed the chip code-named Conroe back in March, and now we finally have our hands on one within the confines of our own labs. In spite of all the hype, the Core 2 Duo processor itself is a rather unassuming bloke that looks no different than Pentium CPUs that preceeded it. Like them, it resides in an LGA775-style socket and runs on a 1066MHz front-side bus.





The Core 2 Duo E6700 processor Also like its most immediate predecessors, the Core 2 Duo is manufactured on Intel's 65nm fab process. Unlike them, however, the Core 2 Duo is not comprised of two chips crammed together on one package; it's a native dual-core design with a total of roughly 291 million transistors arranged in an area that's 143 mm2. By contrast, each of the Pentium Extreme Edition 965's two chips have an estimated 188 million transistors in an 81-mm2 die. If you add the two chips together, the Pentium Extreme Edition 965 has more total transistors and a larger total die area than the Core 2 Duo.

Intel plans to offer five flavors of Core 2 processors initially, with prices and features like so:

Model
Clock speed Bus speed L2 cache TDP Price
Core 2 Extreme X6800 2.93GHz 1066MHz 4MB 75 W $999
Core 2 Duo E6700 2.67GHz 1066MHz 4MB 65 W $530
Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz 1066MHz 4MB 65 W $316
Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13GHz 1066MHz 2MB 65 W $224
Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz 1066MHz 2MB 65 W $183

The prices on the mid-range models are quite reasonable once you consider performance, as we'll do shortly. What you'll really want to notice about the Core 2 chips, though, is the column labeled TDP. This parameter—thermal design power—specifies the amount of cooling the chip requires, and the numbers are down dramatically from the Pentium Extreme Edition 965's rating of 130W. Clock speeds are down, as well, since the Core microarchitecture focuses on achieving high performance per clock rather than stratospheric clock frequencies. The fastest Core 2 processor is the X6800 Extreme, which is separated from the regular Core 2 Duos only by its 2.93GHz clock speed and a 10W higher TDP—oh, and by almost half a grand.

Intel says complete PC systems based on the Core 2 Extreme X6800 and individually boxed products will both begin selling on July 27th, while Core 2 Duo processors with 4MB of L2 cache should show up on August 7th. Intel will be transitioning its CPU production gradually away from Pentiums to Core 2 Duos, and that transition might not happen as quickly as the market would like. I wouldn't be surprised to see strong demand and short supply of these processors for the next couple of months, until Intel is able to ramp up production volumes. The less expensive versions of the Core 2 Duo with 2MB of L2 cache are initial casualties of this controlled ramp. They aren't expected to be available until the fourth quarter of this year.

On a brighter note, the supporting infrastructure for Core 2 chips is already fairly well established. The processors should be compatible with a number of chipsets, including the enthusiast-class 975X and the upcoming 965-series mainstream chipsets from Intel. NVIDIA's nForce4 SLI X16 Intel Edition should work, too, as well as the yet-to-be-released nForce 500 series for Intel. In fact, the Core 2 can act as a drop-in replacement for a Pentium D or Pentium Extreme Edition, provided that the motherboard is capable of supplying the lower voltages that Core 2 processors require. Only the most recent motherboards seem to have Core 2 support, so you'll want to check carefully with the motherboard maker before assuming a board is compatible. Our Core 2 Duo and Extreme review samples, for example, came from Intel with an updated version of the D975XBX motherboard, since older revisions couldn't supply the proper voltage.

Speaking of which, the upgrade path for those who buy motherboards for Core 2 processors in the next few months isn't entirely clear. The server/workstation version of the Core microarchitecture, the Woodcrest Xeon, already rides on a faster 1333MHz front-side bus. The Core 2 Duo may move to this faster bus frequency at some point, but Intel hasn't revealed a schedule for this move. Intel has revealed plans to deliver "Kentsfield," a quad-core processor with two Conroe chips in a single package, in early 2007, but we don't yet know whether current motherboards will be able to support it. Investing in a Core 2-capable motherboard right now might be a recipe for longevity, but it might also be a dead end as far as CPU upgrades are concerned.

What's with the name?
Before we go on, we should probably take a moment to talk about the Core 2 Duo product name. It's dreadful, of course, but for deeper reasons than you might think. You see, microprocessors tend to be known by several names throughout their lives, and usually those names aren't really related. For example, the chip code-named Willamette, based on a microarchitecture called Netburst, became the first product known as Pentium 4. The multiple names may be a little difficult to keep straight, but they're distinctive and follow a coherent logic.

This chip, however, is different. The microarchitecture is called Core, the chip is code-named Conroe, and the product is called Core 2 Duo. By that logic, the chip code-named Willamette would have been based on the Willette microarchitecture, and the first product might have been the Willette 4 Quadro, which everyone knows is actually a disposable razor.

The Core 2 Duo's name does make sense from a certain perspective, though, because Intel has been shipping the original Core Duo as a dual-core mobile processor since the beginning of the year. There's also a single-core version of that processor known as the Core Solo, which explains the whole Duo suffix. And the mobile version of the Core 2 Duo, based on the chip code-named Merom, will be the follow-up to the Core Duo.

See? Ahh.

So why name the microarchitecture Core? You've got me. The Core microarchitecture is a descendant of the one found in the current Core Duo, but it's been pretty extensively reworked and certainly deserves a new name. The fact that its name matches up with the previous-gen product's name is confounding. We'll simply have to, as one Intel employee admonished at the Spring '06 IDF, "Deal with it."

HERE IS A GOOD DESCRIPTION ABOUT VISA BACKGROUND

Background

A 1976 ad promoting the change of name to VISA. Note the early VISA card shown in the ad, as well as the image of the BankAmericard that it replaced.

In 1958, Bank of America launched its pioneering BankAmericard credit card program in Fresno, California. The product idea was that of a bank branch manager, who stopped by a local store and observed clerks in a back room preparing customers' monthly bills. It struck him as inefficient to spend so much time (and money) to prepare and collect bills that were often for paltry amounts, and he wondered if the process could be efficiently centralized, with his bank's computer preparing the bills in off-hours. The original goal of the company was to offer the system across California; however in 1965 the bank began subscribing licensing agreements with a group of banks outside of California. Over the following 11 years, various banks licensed the card system from Bank of America, forming a network of banks backing the BankAmericard system across the United States. ^[1]

During this same time period, licences for the BankAmericard system also started to be implemented in other countries. For example:

• In Canada, an alliance of banks (including Toronto-Dominion Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Royal Bank of Canada, Banque Canadienne Nationale and Bank of Nova Scotia) issued credit cards under the Chargex name from 1968 to 1977.
• In France, it was known as Carte Bleue (Blue Card). The logo still appears on many French-issued VISA cards today.
• In the UK, the only BankAmericard issuer for some years was Barclaycard.

In 1970, Bank of America gave up control of the BankAmericard program. The various BankAmericard issuer banks took control of the program, creating National BankAmericard Inc. (NBI), an independent non-stock corporation which would be in charge of managing, promoting and developing the BankAmericard system within the United States, although Bank of America continued to issue and support the international licenses themselves. By 1972, licenses had been granted in 15 countries. In 1974, IBANCO, a multinational member corporation, was founded in order to manage the international BankAmericard program.

Sample Barclaycard (left), as issued in the UK in the 1960s/70s. Co-branded cards were also issued by affiliates, such as the Co-operative Bank and Yorkshire Bank. The Chargex logo (right) used in Canada, along with the names of the 5 Canadian federal banks that issued Chargex cards.

In 1976, the directors of IBANCO determined that bringing the various international networks together into a single network with a single name internationally would be in the best interests of the corporation; however in many countries, there was still reluctance to issue a card associated with Bank of America, even though the association was entirely nominal in nature. For this reason, in 1977 BankAmericard, Chargex, Barclaycard, Carte Bleue, and all other licensees united under the new name, "Visa", which retained the distinctive blue, white and gold flag. NBI became Visa U.S.A., and IBANCO became Visa International.

The term Visa was conceived by the company's founder, Dee Hock. He believed that the word was instantly recognizable in many languages in many countries, and that it also denoted universal acceptance. Nowadays, the term VISA has become a recursive backronym for Visa International Service Association.

In October 2007, Bank of America announced it was resurrecting the BankAmericard brand name as the "BankAmericard Rewards Visa."^[2]

Operations

A Visa credit card issued by Capital One in the UK

Visa offers through its issuing members the following types of cards:

• Debit cards (pay from a checking / savings account)
• Credit cards (pay monthly payments with interest)
• Prepaid cards (pay from a cash account that has no checkwriting privileges)

Visa operates the PLUS ATM network and the Interlink EFTPOS network, which facilitate the "debit" protocol used with debit cards and prepaid cards.

Corporate structure

Prior to October 3, 2007, Visa comprised four non-stock, separately incorporated companies that employed 6000 people worldwide: Visa International Service Association ("VISA"), the worldwide parent entity, Visa U.S.A. Inc., Visa Canada Association, and Visa Europe Ltd. The latter three separately incorporated regions had the status of group members of Visa International Service Association. The unincorporated regions (Visa Latin America [LAC], Visa Asia Pacific and Visa Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa [CEMEA]) were divisions within VISA.

IPO & restructuring

On October 11, 2006, Visa announced that some of its businesses would be merged and become a publicly traded company, Visa Inc.^[3][4][5] Under the IPO restructuring, Visa Canada, Visa International, and Visa U.S.A. will be merged into the new public company. Visa's West Europe operation will remain in the hands of its member banks who will have a minority stake in Visa, Inc.^[6] In total more than 35 investment banks have joined the deal in several capacities, most notably as underwriters. The law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell has served as counsel to the underwriters, while the law firm White & Case LLP has served as counsel to Visa in the entire global restructuring process.

On October 3, 2007, Visa completed its corporate restructuring with the formation of Visa, Inc. The new company was the first step towards Visa's IPO.^[7] The second step came on November 9, 2007 when the new Visa, Inc. submitted its $10 billion IPO filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).^[8] On February 25, 2008 Visa announced it would go ahead with an IPO of half its shares.^[9] Visa trades under the ticker symbol "V" on the New York Stock Exchange.^[10] The IPO took place on March 18, 2008. Visa sold 406 million shares at US$44 per share, raising $17.9 billion USD in the largest initial public offering in U.S. history.^[11]

Decentralized association

The decentralized nature of Visa allows it to respond to member needs and adapt the Visa International rules and products to suit the individual needs of their regional members. Regional banks therefore have a strong stake in the governance of their region.

The Visa International Board has the dual responsibilities of:

1. Superintendence of the worldwide interests of the Association
2. Strategic direction and supervision of the three unincorporated divisions and the central staff of Visa Worldwide services.

Visa issues no cards and makes no loans. Members (about 21,000 worldwide) fund day to day management and make the investments needed to maintain and develop the Visa payment system.

Credit vs. debit

Even though the service is offered by thousands of banks, the end result is standardized for consumers by the Visa International Association. Two protocols are used, depending upon the type of card marketed, often called "credit" and "debit."

The names of the two protocols use the arbitrary "debit" and "credit" from accounting meaning left and right, and they originally had the meanings (and still do to many people) that with credit the cardholder pays later for the purchase, and with debit the cardholder pays immediately. The truth today is that they are merely two different protocols, with which there is still considerable confusion, and even lawsuits over the definitions of products for purposes of antitrust law. Banks can use independent methods to actually recover the money paid for purchases, regardless of which protocol is used. For example, the debit protocol can be used to incur a debt to the bank, and the credit protocol can be used to take money from a checking account.

The debit protocol involves using the card at a point of sale terminal (POS) or automated teller machine where the PLUS or Interlink logo is shown, with a Visa card that has the PLUS or Interlink logo on the back of the card. A PIN (personal identification number, known by its acronym) is used to identify the cardholder. The money is deducted from the attached checking account or prepaid account (which is similar with no paper check-writing capability).

The credit protocol involves using the card at a POS or a banking center where the Visa logo is shown. The cardholder's signature is generally used for identification, often together with the cardholder's civic registration number or ID card/passport. Holders of any Visa card may use the credit protocol even if the card is marketed as a debit card or prepaid card (basically since it has the Visa logo on the front of the card). One source of confusion is the merchant may ask "debit or credit?" even though the words are not defined that way in most dictionaries and even though the card may say "debit card" right on it, and still be available for "credit" transactions. In this way it is a misnomer that the credit cards are only for loans or that the debit protocol is only for checking accounts. Banks actually choose various backend methods of handling the accounts, making "debit" a generic synonym for "Plus/Interlink" (and the equivalent competitive networks), and "credit" a generic synonym for "Visa" (and MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, which have similar systems).

Association rules

Some outstanding rules of the association include rules about how a cardholder must be identified for security, how transactions may be denied by the bank and how banks may cooperate for fraud prevention, and how to keep that identification and fraud protection standard and non-discriminatory. One notable rule is that no merchant accepting Visa, whether a mom-and-pop store or a government body like a university, may establish any minimum purchase, maximum purchase, or surcharge for any Visa (credit) transaction. They may establish surcharges for debit transactions (although lower fees on debit card transactions means that merchants typically encourage use of debit cards by surcharging more for credit cards, where allowed). However enforcement is by individual banks, who may not know the rules well; so a bank may initially uphold a surcharge or minimum, unless the consumer knows the association rules well. Other rules govern what creates an enforceable proof of authorization by the cardholder (starting from a signature or PIN), and continuing to lower levels of proof such as a shipment accepted or a statement by the consumer. Some countries have banned the no-surcharge rule, most notably the UK^[12] and Australia ^[13] and retailers in those countries may apply surcharges to any credit-card transaction, Visa or otherwise.

New services, security

Recent complications include the addition of exceptions for non-signed purchases by telephone or on the Internet, and an additional security system called "Verified by Visa" for purchases on the Internet.

In September 2007, Visa introduced Visa payWave, a contact-less technology feature that allows cardholders to wave their card in front of contact less payment terminals without the need to physically swipe or insert the card into a point-of-sale device.^[14]

In Europe, Visa has introduced the V PAY solution for chip-only, PIN-only cards.^[15]

Trade mark and design

Logo design

The old Visa and Plus logos.

The blue and gold in Visa's logo were originally chosen to represent the blue sky and golden-colored hills of California, where the legacy Bank of America was founded.

The Visa Flag Symbol is used by merchants to denote the acceptance of Visa credit cards.

Visa card logo

As of Mid 2006 Visa removed its trademark "flag" logo from all its cards, websites and retailer's windows. This was the first time that Visa has changed its logo.^[16]

For all credit cards, the new logo will be a simple white background with the name VISA in blue with an orange flick on the 'V' (As Above).

For the new Visa Debit and Visa Electron logo, see the relevant pages.

Dove hologram

In 1984, most VISA cards around the world began to feature a hologram of a dove on its face, generally under the last four digits of the VISA number. This was implemented as a security feature - true holograms would appear 3-dimensional and the image would change as the card was turned. At the same time, the VISA logo, which had previously covered the whole card face, was reduced in size to a strip on the card's right incorporating the hologram. This allowed issuing banks to customize the appearance of the card. Similar changes were implemented with MasterCard cards.

On most Visa cards, holding the face of the card under an ultraviolet light will reveal the dove picture, as an additional security test. (On newer Visa cards, the UV dove is replaced by a small V over the Visa logo.)

Beginning in 2005, the VISA standard was changed to allow for the hologram to be placed on the back of the card, or to be replaced with a holographic magnetic stripe ("HoloMag").^[17] The HoloMag card was shown to occasionally cause interference with card readers, so Visa eventually withdrew designs of HoloMag cards and reverted back to traditional magnetic strips^[18].

[edit] Sponsorships

[edit] Olympics

Since the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games, as a worldwide Olympic partner, Visa is the only form of electronic payment accepted at all venues and Olympic-related transactions. Its current contract with the IOC as the exclusive payment card will continue through 2012. For the 2008 China Olympics Visa is running a Visa Beijing 2008 Olympic Sweepstakes offering a chance to win a trip to Beijing to watch the Olympics live.

Others

VISA is currently the shirt sponsor for the Argentina national rugby union team, nicknamed the Pumas. Also, VISA sponsors the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana, the most important football club tournaments in South America.

Until 2005, VISA was the exclusive sponsor of the Triple Crown thoroughbred tournament.

In 2006/7, VISA is the sponsor of the Centennial Park Moonlight Cinema, located in Sydney, Australia

Visa is sponsoring the 2007 Rugby World Cup

It replaces Mastercard as a FIFA sponsor and will be the official card of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa

Legal proceedings

Visa settled a lawsuit to Wal-Mart for billions of dollars. According to a website associated with the suit,^[19] Visa and MasterCard settled their claims for a total of $3.05 billion, and Visa's share of this settlement is reported to have been the larger. As of the spring of 2005, it is expected to have raised its interchange rate from 1.634% to 1.99%, which can be expected to affect the discount rates paid by retail locations to the banks with which they deal.

COMPLETE DETAILS OF GATE

What is GATE?

Eligibility for GATE?

What is the Date and Time of GATE Exam?

What is the Application / Registration process?

Dates and Deadlines for GATE Exam.

Where can I get GATE question papers for the previous years?

Where can I discuss the previous year GATE question papers?

Is GATE objective type this time?

What is GATE paper structure this time?

What has the individual weightage of different topics in different years of GATE?

Where can I get model test papers for GATE?

Are there any online tests available for GATE 2005?

How are people evaluated in GATE?

What do I need to know about GATE score cards?

When will GATE results be announced?

Can I get a CD for preparation of GATE 2005?

What are the different sites for IITs and IISc?

What is the fees for GATE Examination?

Does anybody have GATE statistical analysis for GATE 2003?

Does anybody have GATE statistical analysis for GATE 2004?

Are there any online resources for preparation in my stream?

Are tutorials and coaching enough?

Fees details of various institutes?

What is the minimum percentile for individual IITs, IISc and other institutes? IISc TIFR IIT Kanpur IIT Kharagpur IIT Chennai IIT Mumbai IT BHU IIT Guwahati NIT Trichy NIT Warangal NIT Suratkal IIT Delhi Jadavpur BITS Pillani BIT Meshra MLNR Allahabad IIIT H Osmania Anna University Delhi College of Engineering IIT Roorkey NIT Jamshedpur NIFFT Ranchi

Why is GATE Forum not providing Solutions to previous year papers?

PG programmes in IISc and IITs

What is GATE syllabus for my subject for GATE 2006? · ECE Syllabus · CS Syllabus · ME Syllabus · EE Syllabus · IT Syllabus

What is GATE?

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is an All-India Examination conducted by the seven Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, on behalf of the National Coordinating Board - GATE, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India.

Eligibility for GATE?

The following categories of candidates are eligible to appear in GATE 2008:

a) Bachelor's degree holders in Engineering/Technology/Architecture/Pharmacy and those who are in the final or pre-final year of such programmes.
b) Master's degree holders in any branch of Science/Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Applications or equivalent and those who are in the final or pre-final year of such programmes.
c) Candidates in the second or higher year of the Four-year Integrated Master's degree programme (Post-B.Sc.) in Engineering/Technology or in the third or higher year of Five-year Integrated Master's degree programme and Dual Degree programme in Engineering/ Technology.
d) Candidates with qualifications obtained through examination conducted by professional societies recognised by UPSC/AICTE as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech. Those who have completed Section A or equivalent of such professional courses are also eligible.

What is the Date and Time of GATE Exam?

GATE is usually held on the second Sunday of February every year. Candidates will be required to appear in a single paper of three hours duration. The examination will be held on second Sunday of February from 0930 to 1230 hrs.

What is the Application / Registration process?

There are two different processes by which a candidate can apply/register for GATE 2006, namely, "offline" and "online". The registration-cum-application fee for offline applications in 2005 was Rs.1000/- for General candidates and Rs.500/- for SC/ST candidates. The fee for online application was Rs. 850/- for General candidates and Rs. 350/- for SC/ST candidates. The registration fee is not refundable and the application form is not transferable.

Dates and Deadlines for GATE Exam.

We do not have the deadlines for GATE 2006. However the deadlines for GATE 2005 have been given below for a tentative idea about the deadlines.

Sale of Information Brochures & Application Forms / Online submission started from September 24, 2004 (Friday)

Application Process Deadlines:
Last Date for
a) Receipt of request at GATE Office for Information Brochure and Application Form by post October 23, 2004 (Saturday)
b) Sale at Bank Counters October 28, 2004 (Thursday)
c) Online submission of application form and payment at Banks October 30, 2004 (Saturday)
d) Sale at GATE Office Counters November 2, 2004 (Tuesday)
e) Receipt of bank pay-in-slip and completed application forms at GATE Offices by registered/speed post (P&T) only November 2, 2004 (Tuesday)

Last date for dispatch of admit cards by the respective Institutes was January 21, 2005 (Friday)

Date of the Examination February 13, 2005 (Sunday)

Anouncement of results March 15, 2005 (Tuesday) 0900 Hrs

Where can I get GATE question papers for the previous years?

GATE question papers for the following streams are available with us:

· ECE
· CS
· ME
· EE
· IT

Please visit our downloads section to download the question papers. The question papers are free to download.

Where can I discuss the previous year GATE question papers?

The question papers can be discussed at our forums. The “discuss” link is provided beside the “download link” on the “Previous years question papers” page.

Is GATE objective type this time?

GATE 2006 pattern will be of objective type with a total of 150 questions to be answered in a total time of 3 hours.

What is GATE paper structure this time?

a. The question paper will be fully objective type for a total of 150 marks divided into three groups:
i. Group I: Question Numbers 1 to 20 (20 questions) will carry one mark each.
ii. Group II: Question numbers 21 to 75 (55 questions) will carry two marks each.
iii. Group III: Question Numbers 76 to 85 (10 questions) will carry two marks each.

b. Each question will have four choices for the answer. Only one choice is correct.
c. Wrong answers carry 25% negative marks in Q1 to Q80 and Q81a, 82a, 83a, 84a, 85a.
Marks for correct answers to Q77, 79, 81, 83, 85 will be given only if the answer to the corresponding previous question is correct. However, Q81b, 82b, 83b, 84b, 85b will not carry any negative marks.
d. Papers bearing the code AG, CE, CH, CS, EC, EE, IN, IT, ME, MN, MT, PI, TF will contain questions on Engineering Mathematics to the extent of 20 to 25 marks.

What has the individual weightage of different topics in different years of GATE?

Individual Weightage analysis of different topics in different years of GATE may be made available to our subscribed candidates. However, it is not a part of our package.

Where can I get model test papers for GATE?

Apart from the model test papers in the package offered, we are not committed to providing you any Model Test papers. We may provide some question papers for download.

Are there any online tests available for GATE 2005?

Online Tests are being tested and is not a part of the package this year. However, we may be providing online tests free of cost to all. You will have to visit our site www.gateforum.com for updates.

How are people evaluated in GATE? What do I need to know about GATE score cards?

GATE Score Card
a. Score card will be sent only to the qualified candidates. No information will be sent to candidates who are not qualified.
b. The GATE score card is a valuable document. Care should be taken to preserve it. Additional Score Cards, (upto a maximum of two) will be issued on payment basis only once.
c. The Score Card cannot be treated as a proof of category.
d. The score card of the Qualified Candidates will include GATE Score, Percentile Score and Rank.

i. GATE Score
The GATE SCORE of a candidate is a statistical performance index in the range 0 to 1000. It reflects the ability of a candidate, irrespective of the paper or year in which he/she has qualified. Candidates with same GATE SCORE from different disciplines and/or years can be considered to be of equal ability.
GATE Score = K1 + K2 ((m-a)/s)
where,

m = marks obtained by the candidate.
a = average of marks of all candidates who appeared in the paper mentioned on this scorecard, in the current year.
s = standard deviation of marks of all candidates who appeared in the paper mentioned on this scorecard, in the current year.
K1 and K2 are determined respectively from the mean and standard deviation of marks of all candidates across all papers and years since GATE 2002.

A typical qualitative interpretation of the GATE SCORE, for example, can be as follows:
Ability Level GATE Score Range
Outstanding 800 to 1000
Excellent 675 to 800
Very good 550 to 675
Good 425 to 550
Above average 300 to 425
Average 100 to 300
Below average Below 100

ii. Percentile Score
The percentile score is not the same as percentage of marks. The percentile score of a candidate shows what percentage of candidates, who appeared in the same paper in GATE 2005, scored less marks than him/her. It is calculated as follows: Let N be the total number of candidates appearing in that paper and n be the number of candidates who have the same all India rank c in the same paper (there can be bunching at a given all India rank). Then all the candidates, whose all India rank is r, will have the same percentile score P, where

[P = {(no. of candidates securing marks less than the candidate concerned) / N} x 100]

e. The evaluation of the ORS is carried out by a computerized process using scanning machines, with utmost care. Requests for revaluation of the answer script and re-totaling of marks will not be entertained.
f. The GATE result and particulars of the qualified candidates will be made available to interested organizations (educational institutions, R and D laboratories, industries etc.) in India and abroad based on written request by the organization and on payment. Details can be obtained from GATE Chairmen of IITs / IISc.

When will GATE results be announced?

The GATE 2006 dates have not been announced yet. GATE 2005 results were announced on 15.3.2005 at 0900 hrs. at GATE offices of IITs / IISc.
It is also available on their website.

Can I get a CD for preparation of GATE 2006?

The CDs are not a part of the package this year.

What are the different sites for IITs and IISc?

IISc Bangalore http://www.gate.iisc.ernet.in/
IIT Bombay http://www.iitb.ac.in/gate
IIT Delhi http://www.iitd.ernet.in/
IIT Guwahati http://www.iitg.ernet.in/
IIT Kanpur http://www.iitk.ac.in/
IIT Kharagpur http://www.iitkgp.ernet.in/~gate
IIT Madras http://gate.iitm.ac.in/
IIT Roorkee http://www.iitr.ac.in/gate

What is the fees for GATE Examination?

For GATE 2005 the fees is given below. This will be updated when the fees of GATE 2006 is released by GATE office.
· Online Registration Fee:
. Rs. 850/- for General category candidates.
. Rs. 350/- for SC/ST category candidates.
Candidates are encouraged to apply through the online process and avail the benefit of lower registration fees and faster processing.
· Offline Registration Fee:
. Rs. 1000/- for General category candidates.
. Rs. 500/- for SC/ST category candidates

Does anybody have GATE statistical analysis for GATE 2003?
The link is
http://www.gate.iisc.ernet.in/Statgate2003.htm

Does anybody have GATE statistical analysis for GATE 2004?
The link is
http://gate.iitd.ac.in/Stat_Reports/Reports.asp

Are there any online resources for preparation in my stream?

Please refer to our online Library for online resources. We update our online resources as and when we come across them over the internet.

Are tutorials and coaching enough?

Honestly, No. Tutorials and coaching may give you the training, but will lack direction unless supported by an All India Test Series. We are keeping track of our competition. Though most of the coaching centers provide a Test Series, they are not upto the mark in terms of quality, content and feedback. GATE Forum is the only institute with a wide database of students from over 30 cities across the country. A Test Series provides you with feedback on the areas of improvement and improvisation on strategy to tackle the exam in a more efficient guy.

Fee details of various institutes
The fees details of various institutes can be found on their websites.

What is the minimum percentile for individual IITs, IISc and other institutes?

We are still updating our database and we do not have the complete information right now. You can help by filling in our questionnaire, in case you cleared the exam, or you can send our form to some of your friends/seniors who have cleared it and help us

Why is GATE Forum not providing Solutions to previous year papers?

The solutions are already available in the market, and GATE Forum does not want to come up with yet another solutions. Instead we provide you with a forum where you can discuss GATE papers with other students who are preparing for GATE. This will help you get different approaches to the solution of controversial questions.

PG programmes in IISc and IITs
Please refer their website where it is given in detail.

NOW PREPARE FROM THIS SYLLABUS.................

GATE 2009 Syllabus

Aerospace Engineering - AE	Information Technology - IT
Agricultural Engineering - AG	Mathematics - MA
Architecture and Planning - AR	Mechanical Engineering - ME
Civil Engineering - CE	Mining Engineering - MN
Chemical Engineering - CH	Metallurgical Engineering - MT
Computer Science and Engineering - CS	Physics - PH
Chemistry - CY	Production and Industrial Engineering - PI
Electronics & Communication Engg. - EC	Pharmaceutical Sciences - PY
Electrical Engineering - EE	Textile Engineering and Fibre Science - TF
Geology and Geo-Physics - GG	Engineering Sciences - XE
Instrumentation Engineering - IN	Life Sciences - XL

ARE U ASPIRED TO STUDY GATE PLEASE FOLLOW THE BELOW STEPS...............

BY SATYA DO IT NOW............

How to Apply

There are two different ways by which candidates can apply for GATE 2007, namely Online Registration and Offline Registration. Detailed information about each of these processes is given below.

1.Online Registration

2.Offline Registration

All The Details Of Online Registration

Application fee: Rs. 900 for general category and Rs. 400 for SC/ST category.

The application fee is not refundable.

1. How to Pay?

In order to fill in the online application, payment has to made apriori. The payments can be made using SBI ATM or Demand Drafts. The detailed procedure of making payments using SBI ATM is explained below:

Steps to be followed for ATM transaction

Step01: Enter your ATM card

Step02: Press option

Step03: Enter

Step04: Press

Step05: Enter 1 and then press

Step06: Press

Step07: Press

Step08: Enter 1 for GEN [2 for SC/ST] and then press

Step09: Press

Step10: Press [if your account is SB] or [if it is Current]

Step11: Collect the original slip

is to mean that you have to press x on the screen of ATM monitor.

Instructions: Do not forget to send the Original Transaction Slip, SC/ST or Disability Certificate (if applicable) alongwith the application form (duly filled and signed) that is generated while filling-in the Online Application to the Organizing Chairman, GATE-2007, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur-208016. Remember that in the Application Form you have to paste the recent Passport size Photograph (unsigned) with light background.

Payments can also be made through the Demand drafts (Rs. 900 for general category and Rs. 400 for SC/ST category). The Drafts should be made in favour of Chairman GATE, IIT Kanpur on any nationalized bank payable at Kanpur. In the event of paying via Demand drafts, please send the original Demand Draft (instead of the ATM Transaction Slip) together with the application form directly to Chairman GATE, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur-208016. Other enclosures are same as mentioned earlier.

Services for Test Takers come on this the time.........

GRE Fee Reduction Program
www.ets.org/gre/grefeereduction
ETS offers a limited number of GRE fee reduction vouchers — on a firstcome,
first-served basis — to U.S. citizens or resident aliens who meet
eligibility requirements. Individuals meeting the eligibility requirements will be
required to pay 50 percent of the full test fee.
Fee reduction vouchers may be used for one General Test and/or one
Subject Test. Eligibility for participation in the fee reduction program is limited
to one time only. Thereafter, the full test fee will be charged.

GRE Test Preparation Materials

All test takers are mailed free test preparation materials when they register
to take a GRE Test. These materials, and a variety of other comprehensive
tools and services, are available on the GRE website.
GRE Search Service
www.ets.org/gre/stusearch
The GRE Search Service matches prospective graduate students with
participating graduate schools and fellowship sponsors. Students who
match the recruitment profile of a participating institution/organization
may be sent information about graduate programs, admission
requirements, financial aid opportunities, fellowships and other
graduate education opportunities.
Students are given the option to register for the Search Service when they
register for a GRE test............