This was written a by a dear friend of mine (Aditya Sadhotra) and I wanted to share this … it reflects what I feel life of software people is…
Of Human Spirit and Celebrating Life
2000hrs – Friday evening.
I am a worried man.
No, it’s not my boss calling me over and telling me to work on a presentation over the weekend.
No, I don’t have any review calls on Monday.
No, it’s not my in-laws coming over for dinner.
I am worried because of a commitment I made to a man pushing fifty, who even at such a fragile age, managed to weave a web of crafty words around me and then gently nudged me over to fall right into his trap. The gentleman in question happens to be our Mr. Editor and under the influence of his words I, in a moment that can be described best as one of brazen youth, committed to contributing for Softalk.
His passionate plea to become a correspondent and wake up to the life around us had a lasting impact on me. It lasted for precisely thirty seconds, time enough for me to commit! Thirty seconds of my life for which I now plead temporary insanity.
The challenge here is that how does one so wired to the “If-Then-Else” based Left brain, shift gears and move into the fast lane imagination highway and carve out narratives from lives very ordinary.
Our fraternity, while very comfortable discussing the Nokias’ and iPods’ are at a complete loss of words when it comes to discussing our lives.
Are we turning into machines as well?
Are machines influencing us into living unsung and uncelebrated lives?
I decided that the answers to these questions might lie with people who know us best - our families and friends.
1000hrs - Saturday
I called up home. The first thing I realised was that I did not remember the number. My wife had to remind me. After the initial polite greetings, I had nothing to say or ask. I was not aware of the happenings back home. I quietly handed over the phone to my wife and walked out. She joined me after a good 20 minutes and started telling me about her conversation with my family. Somewhere in the past I had logged out, I was no longer an active participant. I was living my life vicariously, a second hand narrative from my wife.
I wrote an email to a bunch of friends from school and college. The mail was sent to seven people, five bounced back. I did not have phone numbers for any one of them. Not even one. It was like my cookie was bust – Session expired!
My cell phone had numbers of only colleagues, clients and cab companies.
My worries when I started writing this article had now turned into anxiety.
I sat down on the carpet with all the family albums I had. It took me three hours to go through them. A three-hour journey that showed me glimpses of my life, when I was living it. I could tell you a hundred stories from my school and college days but for the last few years, I have none to tell.
May be there is truth in the old geezers assertions. May be those thirty seconds were the only sane moments in the last five years.
1700hrs – Sunday
I have not watched any television today. For a Sunday, that’s the first in 20,000 weeks, or so it seems. I have rarely felt so low and down and this time it has nothing to do with my academic results but I will not give in so easily. I have formulated a plan to hack right back into the mainframe called life.
I am cooking tandoori chicken; I took the recipe from my dad. I had almost forgotten what an exceptional cook he is. After a few initial awkward moments we actually got into our longest conversation in a long time. I guess communicating with parents is like swimming; you may not do it for years but when you take the plunge, you splash a lot of water but you stay afloat.
I am hoping that at least one of the two un-bounced mails will elicit a response. It won’t take long after that to uncover the entire network. I know that things will take their own time, but it’s time investment well worth it.
There may actually be philosophy behind the standard operating procedure of learning a new programming language – it always begins with a “Hello World” program.
Thank you Mr. Editor, I am logged in again.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Antony & Brutus
BRUTUS
Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his.
If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: --Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.
Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?
As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition.
Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply
ANTONY
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest -
For Brutus is an honorable man;
So are they all, all honourable men - Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honorable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.
Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his.
If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: --Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.
Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men?
As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition.
Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply
ANTONY
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest -
For Brutus is an honorable man;
So are they all, all honourable men - Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honorable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him? O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason. Bear with me; My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Degrees of Separation - that does work
Continuing from the last blog...
Let's say I know 10 people and each of those ten people know 10 unique people and if n is the degrees of separation then
1 + 10 + 10^2 + 10^3 ... + 10^n = (10^(n+1) - 1) / (10 - 1) = 6 Billion People
Which approximates to 10^(n+1) = 54 Billion People
Now 10^10 = 10 Billion People & 10 ^11 = 100 Billion People...
Therefore n+1 is between 10 & 11 which means n is between 9 & 10...
According to definition n is the degrees of separation which should be between 9 & 10... Since with 9 there might be chances that we do not cover all the people therefore degrees of separation has to be 10
Let's say I know 10 people and each of those ten people know 10 unique people and if n is the degrees of separation then
1 + 10 + 10^2 + 10^3 ... + 10^n = (10^(n+1) - 1) / (10 - 1) = 6 Billion People
Which approximates to 10^(n+1) = 54 Billion People
Now 10^10 = 10 Billion People & 10 ^11 = 100 Billion People...
Therefore n+1 is between 10 & 11 which means n is between 9 & 10...
According to definition n is the degrees of separation which should be between 9 & 10... Since with 9 there might be chances that we do not cover all the people therefore degrees of separation has to be 10
Six degrees of separation - It doesn't work!!!
Well I was just thinking about it yesterday night and I tried to work it out from simple school level mathematics...
For 6 Billion people to know each other through 6 degress means a geometric series
1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 + x^5 + x^6 = (x^7 - 1) / (x - 1) = 6 Billion People (Total Population)
Here x is the number of unique people each one in the chain knows.
Well using trial and error I find it is between 42 & 43. So let's assume it is 43 People.
You should be on 1st name basis with these 43 people and each of these 43 guyes should be on a first name basis with other 43 people (people not in your list).
Now practically all the people I know have lot of common friends so they won't count. Lets take a simple example
The situation below is when there are no commong friends
----> D
---> B ---> E
A
---> C ---> F
----> G
In this A knows 6 people (B, C, D, E, F, G)) contrast this when there are common friends
---> B ---> D
A
---> C ---> E
In this A knows only 4 people (B, C, D & E).
So we see that common friends reduce the number of people you actually know.
Now count the number of people you know on 1st name basis chances are they are less than 43... Even if you do know then the chances of those guys knowing 43 other people well that's gonna be more difficult.
Therefore 6 degrees of separation doesn't work :)
To put it practically tell me the degrees of separation it will take for you to link with a person in lets say Somalia...
For 6 Billion people to know each other through 6 degress means a geometric series
1 + x + x^2 + x^3 + x^4 + x^5 + x^6 = (x^7 - 1) / (x - 1) = 6 Billion People (Total Population)
Here x is the number of unique people each one in the chain knows.
Well using trial and error I find it is between 42 & 43. So let's assume it is 43 People.
You should be on 1st name basis with these 43 people and each of these 43 guyes should be on a first name basis with other 43 people (people not in your list).
Now practically all the people I know have lot of common friends so they won't count. Lets take a simple example
The situation below is when there are no commong friends
----> D
---> B ---> E
A
---> C ---> F
----> G
In this A knows 6 people (B, C, D, E, F, G)) contrast this when there are common friends
---> B ---> D
A
---> C ---> E
In this A knows only 4 people (B, C, D & E).
So we see that common friends reduce the number of people you actually know.
Now count the number of people you know on 1st name basis chances are they are less than 43... Even if you do know then the chances of those guys knowing 43 other people well that's gonna be more difficult.
Therefore 6 degrees of separation doesn't work :)
To put it practically tell me the degrees of separation it will take for you to link with a person in lets say Somalia...
Enrolled in Google Adsense Program...
Now I think I should retire and take that European holiday too :)... The only thing I need to do now is to make sure I write something useful and ensure traffic on the site :)
HOW to BECOME a GOOD THEORETICAL PHYSICIST
Gerard Hooft, Theoretical Physics as a Challenge: "HOW to BECOME a GOOD THEORETICAL PHYSICIST"
Best Resignation Letter
Recieved this as one of endless forwards:
World's Best Resignation Letter?
Dear Mr. Baker,
As an employee of an institution of higher education, I have few very basic expectations. Chief among these is that my direct superiors have an intellect that ranges above the common ground squirrel. After your consistent and annoying harassment of my co-workers and me during our commission of duties, I can only surmise that you are one of the few true genetic wastes of our time.
Asking me, a network administrator, to explain every nuance of everything I do each time you happen to stroll into my office is not only a waste of time, but also a waste of precious oxygen. I was hired because I know how to network computer systems, and you were apparently hired to provide amusement to your employees, who watch you vainly attempt to understand the concept of "cut and paste" as it is explained to you for the hundredth time.
You will never understand computers. Something as incredibly simple as binary still gives you too many options. You will also never understand why people hate you, but I am going to try and explain it to you, even though I am sure this will be just as effective as telling you what an IP is. Your shiny new iMac has more personality than you ever will.
You wander around the building all day, shiftlessly seeking fault in others. You have a sharp dressed, useless look about you that may have worked for your interview, but now that you actually have responsibility, you pawn it off on overworked staff, hoping their talent will cover for your glaring ineptitude. In a world of managerial evolution, you are the blue-green algae that everyone else eats and laughs at. Managers like you are a sad proof of the Dilbert principle.
Seeing as this situation is unlikely to change without you getting a full frontal lobotomy reversal, I am forced to tender my resignation; however, I have a few parting thoughts:
When someone calls you in reference to employment, it is illegal for you to give me a bad recommendation as I have consisted performed my duties and even more. The most you can say to hurt me is, "I prefer not to comment." To keep you honest, I will have friends randomly call you over the next couple of years, because I know you would be unable to do it on your own.
I have all the passwords to every account on the system and I know every password you have used for the last five years. If you decide to get cute, I will publish your "Favorites," which I conveniently saved when you made me "back up" your useless files. I do believe that terms like "Lolita" are not viewed favorably by the university administrations.
When you borrowed the digital camera to "take pictures of your mother's b-day," you neglected to mention that you were going to take nude pictures of yourself in the mirror. Then, like the techno-moron you are, you forgot to erase them. Suffice it to say, I have never seen such odd acts with a ketchup bottle. I assure you that those photos are being kept in safe places pending your authoring of a glowing letter of recommendation. (And, for once, would you please try to use spellcheck? I hate correcting your mistakes.)
I expect the letter of recommendation on my desk by 8:00 am tomorrow. One word of this to anybody and all of your twisted little repugnant obsessions will become public knowledge. Never screw with your systems administrator, Mr. Baker! They know what you do with all that free time!
Sincerely
David Blocker
Network Administrator
World's Best Resignation Letter?
Dear Mr. Baker,
As an employee of an institution of higher education, I have few very basic expectations. Chief among these is that my direct superiors have an intellect that ranges above the common ground squirrel. After your consistent and annoying harassment of my co-workers and me during our commission of duties, I can only surmise that you are one of the few true genetic wastes of our time.
Asking me, a network administrator, to explain every nuance of everything I do each time you happen to stroll into my office is not only a waste of time, but also a waste of precious oxygen. I was hired because I know how to network computer systems, and you were apparently hired to provide amusement to your employees, who watch you vainly attempt to understand the concept of "cut and paste" as it is explained to you for the hundredth time.
You will never understand computers. Something as incredibly simple as binary still gives you too many options. You will also never understand why people hate you, but I am going to try and explain it to you, even though I am sure this will be just as effective as telling you what an IP is. Your shiny new iMac has more personality than you ever will.
You wander around the building all day, shiftlessly seeking fault in others. You have a sharp dressed, useless look about you that may have worked for your interview, but now that you actually have responsibility, you pawn it off on overworked staff, hoping their talent will cover for your glaring ineptitude. In a world of managerial evolution, you are the blue-green algae that everyone else eats and laughs at. Managers like you are a sad proof of the Dilbert principle.
Seeing as this situation is unlikely to change without you getting a full frontal lobotomy reversal, I am forced to tender my resignation; however, I have a few parting thoughts:
When someone calls you in reference to employment, it is illegal for you to give me a bad recommendation as I have consisted performed my duties and even more. The most you can say to hurt me is, "I prefer not to comment." To keep you honest, I will have friends randomly call you over the next couple of years, because I know you would be unable to do it on your own.
I have all the passwords to every account on the system and I know every password you have used for the last five years. If you decide to get cute, I will publish your "Favorites," which I conveniently saved when you made me "back up" your useless files. I do believe that terms like "Lolita" are not viewed favorably by the university administrations.
When you borrowed the digital camera to "take pictures of your mother's b-day," you neglected to mention that you were going to take nude pictures of yourself in the mirror. Then, like the techno-moron you are, you forgot to erase them. Suffice it to say, I have never seen such odd acts with a ketchup bottle. I assure you that those photos are being kept in safe places pending your authoring of a glowing letter of recommendation. (And, for once, would you please try to use spellcheck? I hate correcting your mistakes.)
I expect the letter of recommendation on my desk by 8:00 am tomorrow. One word of this to anybody and all of your twisted little repugnant obsessions will become public knowledge. Never screw with your systems administrator, Mr. Baker! They know what you do with all that free time!
Sincerely
David Blocker
Network Administrator
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Trying to add a counter on Google Pages
I have been totally unsuccessful in all my attempts... This is gonna be tougher than I realized... I have gone through the procedure and it looks like I will need to understand HTML before I can get it done...
Malaysian Grand Prix
I didn't totally enjoy this race. It was hardly exciting. Compared to last race (in Bahrain) this looked dull.
I guess with Raikonen out in 1st lap itself I lost half the interest. Anyway, I hope next one (Australia) is more fun.
I guess with Raikonen out in 1st lap itself I lost half the interest. Anyway, I hope next one (Australia) is more fun.
Created Google Page
I finally got an invite from Google Page Creator to creat web-pages. Like all things Google the page creator is very simple to use. Infact everytime I used to start creating a web page I used to get bogged down with too many things and not a simple way to proceed. But with Google its simple.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Learning to upload Photos
Uploaded picture for the first time... This is me on Bombay Pune expressway...
Holi
Celebrated holi after 3 or 4 years... it was total fun... went out to Manas Resorts (Pune). They had rain dance and all. Total fun.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Search for broadband connection
I was trying to search the net for various broadband connections in Pune. Unfortunately, I was unable to get much information but I did find out about this site http://broadbandforum.in which pointed out that all the services are crappy.
I think I will go for BSNL connection as that is the best of the worst.
I think I will go for BSNL connection as that is the best of the worst.
Bahrain Grand Prix
An exciting race.
I was impressed by Rosberg who in his debut grand prix set the fastest lap time and also scored points. Truly wonderful.
If only McLaren can deliver a car which won't break down then Raikonen will be hard to beat. Coming from last on the starting grid to podium finish. What a drive!!!
Finally, Schumacher and Alonso both fought hard. I just have a feeling if the battle would have been between Raikonen & Alonso it would have been better. Schumacher is not that attacking any more.
I was impressed by Rosberg who in his debut grand prix set the fastest lap time and also scored points. Truly wonderful.
If only McLaren can deliver a car which won't break down then Raikonen will be hard to beat. Coming from last on the starting grid to podium finish. What a drive!!!
Finally, Schumacher and Alonso both fought hard. I just have a feeling if the battle would have been between Raikonen & Alonso it would have been better. Schumacher is not that attacking any more.
Friday, March 10, 2006
G-Drive
Goof up by Google and they let their plans be known to the entire world. I just hope they can release it soon to everyone. Though Google talks about focusing on the world their contents are US centric. Google Video is still not available in India. Lately, their products have lacked the buzz (except may be page creator). They haven't had a product in months which I would want to try out.
F1 2006 starts this Sunday...
Unfortunately I will be in Mahabaleshwar and might miss that out. My favorites for the season are Raikonen, Schumacher, Alonso & Montoya in that order.
I just hope that Ferrari can get their act together this year.
I just hope that Ferrari can get their act together this year.
Insult the President...
Stumbled on to the site which got me thinking will I be able to pull this of in India without getting into trouble. By trouble I mean things beyond hatemails...
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