kjc e-mission

A few of the students of Theology at Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore have come up with a new website kjc e-mission for faith formation and deepening.  Though in its infancy, "the scope of the site is to share the daily gospel reflections and in due time to build it as a resource centre for faith related materials in ordinary language for the common people", states Cl. Manu Michael one of the creative brains behind this initiative.

Nice of them to put to use their study of theology and the Scripture to good use.  I know for sure, there is plenty of time at hand for those who really plan out their study-schedule and are interested in doing some good, especially in the theologate.  Such initiatives are always very constructive.  Moreover, it is a collaborative venture, so one is sure to get different takes and perspectives on the Gospels.  

A New SYM Website

Here's a good painting of Don Bosco with the boys... found it on the new Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) website.  The site caters as an information and resource centre for all youth ministry initiatives and experiences.  Hope it is collaborative and informal, as envisaged years ago.

Am surprised to see that this site is powered by JJ Softwares.  This was a dream project in the pipeline for several years.  That it is being taken up by the Generalate (Rome) is great.  JJS is the same team that generously and very innovatively helped develop the South Asian Salesian Website (donboscoindia.com)... the best democratic and involving site that I've ever come across. The concept and the process itself have been truly noble and very formative for everyone involved.  Thanks to visionaries like Fr K. J. Louis and Fr P.T. Joseph. 

Substitutes for Microsoft Picture Manager in Linux

While I really do not miss anything much of Microsoft, one thing that I really felt lacking in quality was Microsoft Picture Manager. For someone like me who is not adept at Photoshop and neither intends to be, doing some basic touch up on a picture can at times be a herculean task. While with Microsoft, the Picture Manager did best and it was really great. Once I switched over to linux, I really didn't find anything already existing as good and easy as Microsoft Picture Manager... not until today!

I came across two simple and easy methods to fiddle with pictures and photos from linux itself: gthumb and mirage! The former is much better than picture manager of microsoft!