Mailer D(a)emon

This is a 'Gyaan' post. Close on the heels of the last post in which I mentioned how my writing skills have been finetuned, this post is about writing good mails - readable and enjoyable. It is not about your grasp over writing that I try to improve here (I so definitely can't do that), but some basic mailing manners that will go a long way.

[I write this because I am pissed off at the way people send mails, so damn painful to read and understand]

1. Subject:

The bloody subject line is to give a gist of what can be expected in the mail body. It is essentially to get the reader into the proper frame of mind before getting him to read the actual mail. Use the little available space very wisely else the mail might not even be read.

- Subjects like "Hi" and " :-)" are acceptable (if at all) only in an informal mail.
- Subjects like "Regarding the sports budget" is for crazy nuts. You write " Sports Budget information required" instead.

2. Formatting:

This goes all the way down to the basics. For all you people who have cleared class 10 and class 12 English, here is a list that you NEED to keep in mind:

- A noun begins with a CAPITAL letter.
- There is always a 'space' after a full-stop and a comma.This is not acceptable, this is.
- When you refer to yourself, I is I and not i.
- Although no one stops you from using '...' all over the place, DO NOT do that. A full-stop and a comma can almost always rescue the situation.
- Use of block letters (caps) should be avoided unless of course, unavoidable. It is considered rude to use block letters. Use it a tool to aid the mail and not rape the mail.

[Bonus Suggestion: Refrain from using SMS language - u, k, 5n, sed etc in a mail. SMS is a short message, a mail is not always. So too much of it in a mail screws it bigtime ]

Body:
The first line in a mail is very important - it will set the tone for the rest of the mail. So spend some time on it, ponder. Think about the reader before you type the bloody thing.

Use the available space in the mail body. USE. Do not try to cram everything into one line or a paragraph as if it is a black-hole. Use multiple paragraphs is need be.

End the mail in a polite way. Use PS if need be to reiterate a point made in the mail or remind the reader of something. All is well that ends well.

Additional Fundaes:

Use italics, bold, font size effectively - not many people do that - Infact, very few people might know that such a thing exists in Gmail/Yahoo. It can really help drive home the point and catch the reader's attention. Usage of colour is also a factor, but it is not recommended to generate a rainbow in a mail.

Phew! I hope this post does good to the world. And spares all the fellow mail-readers the pain I have endured.

Take a bow!

I just had one of the most beneficial chats on Gtalk I've ever had. Two people - My best buddies, that apart - with immense capabilities and exceptional vision.

It so bloody rubs off on you when you are in the midst of people who dream big and have the fire to conquer the world. While I am really happy for the both of them, it just adds infinite fuel to my own desires too. While one of them was charting a plan to 'decouple your income from your profession' which essentially means that you work for fun and it has got nothing to do with the bread and butter for your family. So your family and friends will be happy and content immaterial of your professional inclinations. That is you don't have to take up a certain profession even though you don't like it but just because it pays you enough to keep your peers happy.

Now, that is what I call sheer brilliance of thought. You have one such chat and you are grounded with thoughts.

Second, one of the most wonderful level-headed human beings I've come across in my life. I lately realise he has been a guiding force for me, unknowingly I've tried to emulate him. He has a vision and a clear path defined. I can't share that here although I so wish I could. But, he is among the best that set foot here.

( The two of them are actually a shade of Richard Branson, the chief of Virgin group. Do read this book called SCREW IT, LET'S DO IT by him - Strongly recommended. Thanks to Shruti for lending me the book to read)

These two apart, there is a certain other budding entrepreneur, another of those whom I am in awe of. I am sure it takes balls to defy the world and do something that is off-the-normal. He does that. And he plans to do it bigger and better than before. Hats off!! Also, one other person I truly respect unconditionally has played a major role in modelling my thoughts and has finetuned my writing abilities among other things. His penchant for perfection has so definitely showed me the way forward.

As an aside, I had a little talk with Dharik when I wanted to know how to go about answering 'Tell us something about yourself' in any interview. I remember him telling me that he modelled himself on certain people he looked upto.

Now, after having felt it first hand, I realise what he meant. I am surely modelling myself after certain people whom I look upto, picking the best qualities from them and trying to reach there myself. I guess that is human nature, atleast my nature for sure. Being in IIT Madras has been a blessing, I could not have asked for more in life. To be among such truly exceptional people drives you, fuels your life. Life is not worth it if there is no inspiration.

Well, I have purposely not named any of the people in this post to spare them the embarrassment. But I am sure, the message is loud and clear: Get inspired quick, time is running out. And for all those in IIT, trust me this is THE time. Such a high concentration of brilliant, talented and exceptional people needs to be exploited.

Knock! Knock!

Some people are born losers, others acquire the necessary skill sets in the course of their life time. They say opportunity does not knock twice on the door.

MY Business Card :-)

This is great!

I always wanted to have a business card. And I have one now. And I am lovin' it.

With the IIT Madras logo on the top left, it is just awesome. I will cherish this for life. :-)