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| Sunnyvale city |
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| Sunnyvale view from above |
We left for Sans Francisco from Heathrow in the morning flying mainly over the Atlantic without any trace of land in view. On the map I saw that our plane flew over Scottish cities like Aberdeen and New Castle-on-the-Tyne. After many hours I saw on the map that our plane was flying over the Hudson Bay entering the Canadian cities like Montreal and Toronto.As we neared San Francisco,we saw a wide expanse of the Pacific gently rippling in the bay area. As we travelled through California,I felt as if I had entered a new world with tall buildings, wide roads, tall pillars and office complexes. No rustic touch of wild nature with dense trees and bushes; no small British homes with a tiny garden with flowering plants. All around I saw barren grey colored hills with autumnal brown tufts of dry grass here and there.I saw tall pines and conifers and neatly trimmed gardens lending a touch of urbanity and sophistication.A long retinue of cars moved to and fro in the hot climate of October,quite different from the cold weather of bleak London skies. Americans seem to relish everything big in size and proportion. Even in the houses I have seen, the ceiling is as high as eighteen feet and the streetlight poles are also very high.Even in departmental and grocery stores, the provisions are packed in large covers and cans as if to proclaim their abundance of availability and lavish show of their opulence. Unlike in England where I saw mostly white people except in some places densely populated by Asians and Africans, here in California I found many people of China and India along with Mexicans and Africans-in brief a mixed population of various countries and races. Of course my exposure to this new country is very much limited. I have not seen the American countryside and the diverse climates of so many other places which vary not only in location but in their time schedule as well.
During my stay I could not see many places owing to my inability to move freely due to some physical ailment for which I found final cure only after returning to India. My stay in Sunnyvale gave me ample scope to visit nearby tourist sites and temples in spite of my condition of restricted mobility. Sunnyvale is a city located in Santa Clara County and is the principal city in the Silicon valley. Many companies like Yahoo, Net App,Maxim Integrated Products, Broad Com etc are established here. Of course the famous Google, the tempting star and destination of so many I.T.aspirants is also not so far. Just near this city goes the scenic California Highway 101 leading up to Los Angeles.The temperature here is very much like that of India without any extremes and other natural calamities like tornadoes and freezing snow.There are many museums like Sunnyvale Heritage Museum,Computer History Museum, Lace Museum and Hendy Ironwork. In the Sunnyvale Heritage Museum there is a replica of the original Murphy Family. Martin Murphy came from Maine in 1850 and settled here and built the first frame house here. Later the house was donated to the city of Sunnyvale in 1950. Martin Murphy Jr. founded Sunnyvale and brought railroad through his property. He also helped in founding Santa Clara College. In 1961 this house was destroyed in fire.The Sunnyvale Historical Society re-created the historical house and turned it as a museum. Here one can also see antique items, paintings, artifacts, historical documents and furniture.
The Lace Museum was founded in 1981.An outstanding collection of lace and lace tools are displayed. Another worth seeing museum is Hendy Iron Works Museum where a variety of mechanical tools and heavy machinery are exhibited. Joshua Hendy migrated from Cornwall,England to California in 1849 He established California's first redwood lumber mill(now called Hendy Woods State Park).He founded Joshua Hendy Iron Works in San Francisco in 1856 to supply equipment to mining industry and shipping companies.Many of his innovations like hydraulic giant monitor,hydraulic gravel elevator and hydraulic crusher had been in use till 1970's. At present Hendy's industries are managed by Northrop Grumman Marine Systems.
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| Intel Museum Inside |
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| Intel Museum view from outside |
The Intel Museum in Santa Clara shows a graphic history and development of Intel as a major industry.Intel's headquarters is in Santa Clara.This museum was first started in 1992 and later expanded in 1999. Spread over an area of 10,000 sq.ft.this museum shows the evolution of computer,production of silicon chips and various digital products with interactive techniques.A showroom is also there where one can buy various products. Another museum showing development of computers is the"Computer History Museum" in Mountainview established in 1996.With twenty galleries and four mini-theaters, this museum displays several thousands of computer related items, documents and photos showing the evolution of computers right from Difference Computers Engine No.2 built in 1991 based on the hypothetical model of Charles Babbage to latest models of computers with most accurate and precise technology.One can also watch Google Earth, maps and Street View pictures.
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| Google Office Premises |
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| Bike Culture in Google |
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| Cafeteria in Google |
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| Office Room In Google |
I also had the opportunity of visiting the much acclaimed Internet Giant company Google at Mountainview. The Office called"GooglePlex"is a vast conglomeration of buildings spread over two million square feet.This office was shifted to Mountainview in 2006. More than twenty thousand employees work here.Google Inc. provided all facilities that one can imagine in an eco-friendly environment catering to all the aspects of its workforce-- I mean for an integral development and motivation of the personnel not only in terms of working conditions but also in terms of their physical,artistic and technical aspects. That is why so many young people dream of joining this mammoth organisation. There is a big park here called Charleston Park spread over an area of five acres. The whole complex blends the technical official outlook with equally important aspect of creative and tension-free amusing aspect of life. There is a spacious parking space for nearly 2000 cars underground. Wherever you go, gyms, swimming pools, cafes, sport courts, food courts, laundry rooms, fitness centers, and reading rooms along with bicycles and scooters speak of the the company's immense concern and care for its employees.Transport facilities are provided through shuttle services from neighboring areas like San Francisco, East Bay and South Bay for employees. I learnt that there are more than eighteen cafes with diverse menu with dishes prepared with organic and hygienic diet. When I entered the cafe I found a large line of people with dishes at various stalls selecting the food of their choice. We had Mexican bread along with salad, chocolate and doughnuts. Providing food free of cost to thousands of employees and other guests and customers shows their meticulous planning and vision. But one should make use of these services in a proper manner without being tempted by gastronomic luxuries and should not waste the preparations. It is the human tendency to overlook or take for granted anything given gratis.The Google also has set a good example by providing bicycles and scooters for their employees to move from one place to place without use of cars that will create pollution. This will benefit the employees in one way as they will find sometime for physical exercise . The solar panels over the rooftops of some offices also shows their innovative approach to utilization of power without causing pollution by other means.I had the pleasure of sitting in the massage chair where you feel quite comfortable as the machine massages your body with gentle pressure and soft jerks.
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| Lloyd Bridges, the famous American Actor |
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| Mr. Jacques Yves Cousteau. famous Oeanographer and environmentalist |
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| Dr.Sylvia A.Earle, the Ocean Pioneer |
The work culture in the Google Complex is quite interesting and reveals a very humane and logical approach. Employees are given utmost freedom with congenial surroundings that will motivate them to work at their own pace. A very informal and flexible attitude is seen with mutual concern and good rapport between the management and the employees. I saw staff sitting with lap tops on chairs in the lawn or in the cafeteria or in any open place. They are not tied to their chairs or confined to a rigid cubicle.Free perks and incentives with bonus will further make them work with zeal and personal involvement. Some people were seen playing or listening to music while browsing on their laptops. Of course their performance will be assessed and they will get benefits based on their work and creative efforts. Most of the recruits are highly qualified people from eminent universities with excellent qualifications in their respective fields. Many conferences and symposiums are organised to further extend their frontiers of knowledge and make them acquainted with latest developments and innovations. In the premises we saw a group of statues sculpted in white stone on the green lawn.
I was inquisitive to know about their significance. I tried hard to get some information through internet. Then I found how difficult it is to communicate with a machine in spite of its vast knowledge potential.I went on changing my query in different ways to get the required information but in vain. Later I was able to know from my son that all these statues did have nothing to do with I.T. field . They were great celebrities in their own fields. Sir Jaques Yves Cousteau did commendable service as an oceanographer and as an environmentalist in saving and preserving ocean life. Dr.Sylvia A.Earle was an eminent ocean pioneer. Lloyd Bridges was a famous American actor who acted in many movies and was well-known for his role as Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt T.V. series broadcast during 1958-1961.These statues added a noble view and attitude to the organisation which shows due appreciation and honor to great people who dedicated their lives for the progress and well-being of mankind. Later in the Google Store we saw many gift items like T-shirts, labels, pens and digital products. I bought a pair of T-shirts, a few stickers and a set of Google pens to give as gifts. My trip to GooglePlex gave me some idea of a big organisation with good maintenance and orderly arrangement providing all facilities beyond expectation to their staff in green surroundings.
The noble ambition of Larry Page and Sergey Brin( Founders of Google in 1998) revolutionized the world of computer technology and information.The world will never forget their invaluable contribution to progress of knowledge.My hearty kudos to them!
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Dated: 18th June,2013 Somaseshu Gutala
