Enlighten Yourself !!!

Travelogue - Langkawi

2010-10-18T08:16:00.001-07:00

2010 August 6, 2000 hrs:

Amidst the bustling streets of Little India me and my friend kapil converted 500 SGD to 1160 RM (Malaysian Ringgits) and headed our way to the beach bay looking for bus tickets to Kuala Lampur (KL, Malaysia). Our dreams of Langkawi almost crashed when we found that there are no more tickets available.

Later, we decided to reach Johor Bahru (JB) and find a bus to KL. In the pursuit of happiness, we found a bus and eventually we ended up stepping ourselves in JB and further to Larpin. well, wait a sec… Have I said we need to board bus from JB… well I was wrong. We gotta board a bus from Larpin to KL. This is our first trip to Malaysia and loads more to learn.

The next step in our life is what I call “Awesome… Amazing…” We took a bus to KL from Larpin @ 0000 hrs and within 5 mins a police car stopped the bus :) They escorted our bus royally back to the same Larpin bus stand where we started. Well, the next 30 mins passed with no improvement and there was a sudden change of driver. The passengers are unaware of what’s going on. We started our journey afresh @ 0030 hrs.

We dozed off thinking that it will take only 4 hrs from Larpin to KL. But, we were very wrong. The bus driver covered only half the distance @ 0330 hrs. We are f*****!!!!

Remember, we have a flight to catch in KL LCCT @ 0730 hrs and the bus can go till KL central. The usual distance by any means from KL Central to KL LCCT will take about 1.5 hrs. Then, a guardian angel disguised as a passenger in the bus saved us by instilling the thought of taking a cab from serampan which en routes KL Central.

We got down from the fastest bus and took a cab to KL LCCT @ 0530 hrs. The cab driver was very friendly and took us in a jungle route where he claimed that wild bores are often seen. We didn’t get a chance to encounter that either :P

He reached a top speed of 120 kms which is enough to get ourselves parked in KL LCCT 2 hrs before the journey. We made it at last and the trip is alive!!! We got the boarding pass and started our way towards Marrybrown, which is one of my favourites back in India to much some breakfast.

First camera click @ MarryBrown

2010 August 7, 0800 hrs:

Before the Touch down, I peeped outside the window to find tiny islands scattered along the bay. I felt like watching Jurassic park scene in reality. Awesome!!!

The most interesting part of the journey was that we hired a proton sedan type car for 150 RM (3 days) As you guys know I am a car fanatic, I actually wanted to try the car firsthand when its delivered. But, kapil grabbed the key and took it first. I was a little upset but yea no problem :) A friend in need is a friend in deed.

We had a map and traced our route to Zackry Guest house where we booked a room online for just 11 SGD. We had difficulty in finding it But, its worth the wait.

Its lame if I don’t mention about the guest house. Its warm, homely and great. They have a communal area where you can watch TV, cook, drink blah blah. The best thing about Zackry’s is their “Honesty system Billing” where you gotta fill the items you used before you check-out. You will be billed accordingly for what you have filled :) I just love it. It gives you a home-like feeling especially when you make your own coffee or breakfast and clean things up for others to use. The price of a two bed room is just 210 RM for 3 days. They do provide wi-fi for free with a decent download speed of 100 KBps… what more i can ask for in a holiday. I am in the Zackry’s communal area when I am typing this. I could see many Europeans having their breakfast @ 1200 hrs and planning for a BBQ on Sunday. We are having plans of going to Snorkelling, Jet skiing, mangrove forest ride, canoy ride, breathtaking 133 feet sea bungee… phew!!! the list is never-ending.

---------------------------------------------

Part-2

2010 August 7, 1300 hrs:

Fortunately, the time was not moving fast. We had a sense of one whole day passed-by but the clock just ticked 1300. Pretty good!!! We refuelled ourselves in “The Mumbai Palace” apparently run by Pakistanis. It is this time I understood why kasab was closely related to mumbai attacks :P May be, may be not!!!???? whatever, we had great food there especially their north indian delights. Yummmm…

Also I tried my hands in DSLR manual mode for the first time.

A wrong turn from the palace took straight to Beach Garden Resort and to the beach behind.

We saw tourists involved in paragliding and jet skiing. Kapil negotiated with the person in-charge and finally decided to strap the buckle @ 320 RM for two persons (paragliding and water skiing)

Below are some of the pictures taken in the beach:

Paragliding:

Negotiation – Fair deal

Kapil with the gears on…

There he goes!!!

A perfect Take off….

But, a bad landing. There are so many parts in the body and he chose this one to land. Ouchh… this would have hurt him.

This is my turn to feel the adrenalin pump and excitement.

Ready…

I later realized that I had my slippers on :P

Actually believe me I was singing “My dream is to fly over the rainbow so high…” song.

This is called a “Perfect landing”. Nothing special, Unlike my friend, I chose my legs to land :p

JET SKIING:

We then decided to jet ski with a whooping 1500 CC engine. This was more exciting and thrilling when you go against the waves and the jet jumps in air and water gets splashed all over you when you touch down. Waaaaooo…

This is our monster.

We are then back to our homely guest house. I had my hair cut done kudos to the hair dresser who spent nearly an hour to turn me back to a human being :)

Its 1900 hrs and kapil is still sleeping and also started snoring :(

--------------------------

This trip to Langkawi was a special and a memorable one!!! With this I’m ending this travelogue…

Toshiba Recruitment Talk @ NTU

2009-10-13T00:56:00.001-07:00

It all started with a mail invitation for the Recruitment Talk by Toshiba Inc , Japan.

As usual, It started from a registration desk and some guides/freebies about Toshiba corporation and Life @ Japan was given and we made our way towards LT19 (LT – Lecture Theatre).

My expectation was high and peppy when I saw too many heads inside the hall and eventually faded with some hilarious, irritating replays of Toshiba’s profile in the main screen that too in Japanese :(

I happened to browse the freebies given in the bag to find a sheet which displayed the salary to be 2,30,000 Yen per month. for the undergrads and a infinitesimally small increase to it for Masters and PhD graduates. It was also mentioned in the sheet about the 60,000 Yen room rent per month and 20% – 30% of the salary will be deducted as Tax by the Japan Government.

I then started with a simple calculation.

Salary in hand per month = 2,30,000

Room rent per month = 60,000

Tax (assume 30%) = 35,000

Monthly Expense = 50,000

Remaining amount Left = 80,000 Yen = 40,000 INR = 1100 SGD

Is it really worth going to Japan to work for Toshiba Inc with three years bond? Think and act wisely.

A Dumb Idea!!!???

2009-10-08T03:06:00.000-07:00

I sometimes wonder how a nerd’s brain think. How about a computer without a mouse? Do you really think I am going to talk about the touch screen technology? No ways… I am here to propose a new idea… well may be not… But this is new to me at least…

Think of a computer which can be controlled by your hand gesture through your existing webcam? Am i talking about the Gesture Recognition here? Yes, Kind of… But I haven’t seen any existing software available in the world to make your mouse pointer follow your finger tip when you show it to the webcam.

It is absolutely feasible if you are a computer vision engineer. As I did my final UG project in the area of image processing and computer vision. I better ask my brother who is a researcher @ IIT madras about it…

Just wanted to share this with you all. Also, let me know if you find any software which closely resembles the way it works like the above mentioned idea.

Worst Nightmare – Test Ground @ NTU!!!

2009-09-14T08:09:00.001-07:00

We struggled hard as me and other friends went through the slides before exam as usual. I finally found that everything was a mere waste of time. we though it’s just a quiz which will constitute 10% of our final CGPA grade, antagonistically the question paper itself ran for 6 pages but the time given to answer the question was a mere 1.25 hrs. OMG!!! It literally ripped my a** off!!!

The paper had no ‘what is what’ question. I’m pretty sure that a paper of such standard cannot be completed even with the help of internet and books. Mind you, to add spice in the savour this test was declared ‘closed-book’ . Well, I can’t take more than this.

I finally scribbled something to match the proximal answer and finished the test. It is no where compared to the Anna University question paper, for that I am damn sure.

I am wondering, if people here can set question papers in such standards for the supposedly easy subject like software analysis, design and development, Is the worst nightmare yet to come for the other toughest subjects ahead???!!!

The boy with the striped pyjamas

2009-09-13T01:41:00.001-07:00

My friend Prasath and I share common interests in many areas in life and one such is film / cinema. We apparently had a chat yesterday in GTalk and he told me about this new film “The boy with the striped pyjamas” which he saw and weeped for two hours. At first, I thought that this movie is like a yet another teen movie as it sounds like that. But, I was wrong.

I started watching this movie and eventually got myself glued to that. OMG… Finally I had the satisfaction of watching another very good movie and yes, it was very poignant movie and kindled my emotions towards the end. I recommend this movie for all movie buffs who shares the same interest of watching movies like ‘A Beautiful Mind’, ‘Life is beautiful’ or ‘Shawshank redemption’ etc. If you like these film then you will add this film also in your most favourite movie. You can’t stop weeping after this… such a wonderful movie.

The movie is about a young boy of 8 who was asked to come out of Berlin where he had a good life with his friends around in school. The reason is that his father is a German higher official and he was promoted to another post in a different city in Germany.

The film’s cinematography is awesome and every character has its importance. This boy loves to explore a lot and he finally finds a camp where Jews were imprisioned. He slowly gets acquainted with a Jew young boy of his age and becomes a very good friend. Betrayal, Guilty consciousness and subtle emotions were really taken care off. Watch and feel the movie…. Finally, you will have the satisfaction of watching a good movie.

I’m bored!!!

2009-09-12T03:54:00.001-07:00

It’s Saturday and the climate is gloomy. Scratching my ass to make time move faster. It’s not unusual as so many of us would have encountered this kind of boredom :(

I started off with singing Pain White T’s 1234 – I love you song. You can listen to this version below.

Download DJ VJ - Plain White T's 1234

Lyrics can be found in the webpage given above.

Please comment here.

Robotics for Surgery!!!

2009-09-11T05:57:00.001-07:00

Robotics has come a long way. The recent technologies help doctors to make surgery remotely.

A pill which the patients swallows can actually swim inside your stomach and reach the destination through proper guided robotic pills. Amazed!!! Even, these pills can be actually made to combine together to form a large robot which can be controlled.

Wait for more, why bothering about your doctor’s absence? Worry not!!! anymore.

Is levitation possible?

2009-09-11T05:27:00.001-07:00

‘Break the rule’ is what i like most. Levitation brakes the rule of gravity-pull. Do you know Japan’s Bullet train uses Levitation to cruise fast???!!!

Levitation is possible by creating a field of space with super conducting magnets. The prototype was developed in NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Actually, you can’t figure out from this angle. But, believe me the rat is actually floating. These magnets can produce 17 Teslas which is equivalent to 1000 times your powerful fridge magnet available in everyone’s house.

Interesting fact is that, they have tried floating frogs and strawberries. This experiment can help us in understanding the change in our body conditions in space where there is no gravity.

When a Java Servlet / JSP is used?

2009-09-09T12:35:00.001-07:00

If you are a hard core programmer then please skip this blog. As this is to enlighten the new programmers.

One common doubt which is when I should use Java Servlet and JSP? For all you know, Servlet is used when you have more Java codes to be used and less HTML tags. On the other hand, JSP is used when you have more number of HTML tags and less JAVA code.

The next question should is Why??? Is there a reason behind this?

Yes, the following are the advantages of each other:

Servlet: Advantages

1. A java IDE like Eclipse, NetBeans can be used to create these servlets with ease and can be complied using javac whithout any problem as all you know, Servlet is just another class which extends HttpServlet class.

So, use Servlets where Java code is required more and less HTML.

JSP: Advantages

1. The easiest thing for a programmer is writing HTML codes – no indentation – no hard and fast rules – Just write anything and you can see a HTML page :)

2. Also, the point to be noted is that a new servlet will be created whenever you modify the JSP.

So, use JSP where there is a requirement of more HTML and less Java code.

Ajax!!! What’s That?

2009-09-08T11:02:00.000-07:00

“Another Technology!!!???? Oops, I am sorry I can’t take anymore.” – Mr.X said today.

I asked him a question “Here, I will give you two situations and you have to tell me which one your will choose. OK?” He said, “Go on!!!”

The situation is this “You visit your Facebook page for adding a friend (Mr.Y) by clicking “Add as Friend” button. Next, the confirmation message “You Have successfully added Mr.Y as your friend” will appear.

Now, the two options for printing the above confirmation message in your browser are:

Option:1. Your entire webpage refreshes to show the above confirmation message.

Option:2. Just displaying the confirmation message just below the button without refreshing the entire webpage.

Now tell me which option you are comfortable with?

Mr.X said “Obviously, It’s Option:2 as I don’t want my entire page to refresh which will eat up my time and it is also not user friendly”

I told him “Then Mr.X, AJAX is the technology which is used in the background to achieve Option:2”

Mr.X said “OMG!!! Really??? I didn’t know that before”

DJing – Unveiled

2009-08-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

“DeeJay” the word has become very popular over time. DJing involves Spinning the disc, mixing the songs with beat-matching. A good DeeJay should make people around groove to the music being played.

Turntables, CDJ’s, Mixers are some of the equipments which a DeeJay will use to mix and add effects to the existing songs. Cue, Pitch, Tempo, Flange, Reverb are some of the common DJ Jargons. Cue is the process by which the DeeJay places the marker in the CD. This marker helps in starting the song from the desired time. Usually, this Cueing is done in the starting of every first octet in the song. The next common word is “Beat-Matching”. DJ has to beat match both the songs -between the song which is playing currently and the next song which the DJ cued.

Music genres which a DJ plays include RnB, House, Trance, Club mixes, Retro, Lounge, Reggae etc. A DJ should be creative enough to play the music which the people likes and there is only one rule for a DeeJay – ‘Don’t disappoint the crowd’

- The weak customer chooses the understandable rack.

– DJ VJ

Studying Master’s degree in Singapore

2009-08-31T02:31:00.001-07:00

I basically worked in a renowned software company for two years before i worked my way out to Singapore for my master’s degree in NTU, Singapore. I hope this blog would help you clear your minds.

Job Scenario:

As recession is getting things slow down a bit, Singapore on the other hand fought its way out and now producing ample opportunities to the fresh graduates from NUS, NTU and other institutes. More than 90% of last year passed out students landed in a decent job though it is not high-paying job.

Admission requirements:

Most of the coursework programmes requires just TOEFL (if, you haven’t done your UG in English as medium of instruction) GRE is not mandatory for many courses (please also check your course requirements, if any)

Please look into the website for more details.

www.nus.edu.sg

www.ntu.edu.sg

Guidelines:

1. Apply online and submit the online application

2. Send a hardcopy of your transcripts along with the online application form which you have submitted.

3. After the offer is given, then give your acceptance for the course.

4. Apply for the In-Principle Approval letter (IPA) via online(fee: 30$) IPA letter serves as a single entry visa valid for 30 days from the date of entry to Singapore. You are required to change this IPA letter to Student’s pass in this 30-day period. Your institution will help you in getting the student’s pass for you. so don’t worry.

Having any doubts? Please comment below with your query. I will reply asap.

Sixth Sense !!! in Technology

2009-07-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

Science has grown vastly over two decades. You think of something to happen and science has grown enough to achieve it.

What’s Sixth sense? It is a interface technology developed by an Indian researcher in the famous TED Inc., United States. Interface is how the user interacts with any system. Gesture-Interface technology is prototype tested in TED labs and ready to out for just 300-350 USD.

Initially, the sixth sense is worn like a chain around the neck till the chest. It has got three main components 1. Camera (To recognise your gesture) 2. A mini-projector (which interacts with you)

The advantages and usage is enormous and you can reach close to the minority report-style :)

Don’t forget to watch this wonderful video.

Believe Luck in Singapore

2009-06-24T15:20:00.000-07:00

Do wanna check your luck? visit Singapore once and find it for yourself. Why Singapore and what’s so special in it?

For people who think, I won’t feel myself lucky unless I win a prize in lottery. Singapore is the destination for You.

There are various types of lotteries available here…

TOTO

Singapore Sweeps

Scratch It

Please visit this site for more information. www.singaporepools.com.sg

If you a football or Racing sport fan then it adds sugar to the cream. Singapore govt. also provides opportunities for betting of matches by guessing the winning streak.

Come to Singapore and try your luck!!!

How to make Cheap ISD phone calls?

2009-06-09T12:56:00.000-07:00

Phone calls from mobile phone? Well, If you are really rich and can afford it, then you can always choose it. There is always a better things to do things.

If you ask a person with little IT knowledge, well he will say “VOIP”.

What’s VOIP?

VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. Confused??? Don’t worry it’s just a way of sending your voice over internet. Do the person has to sit in his computer for it? No need – As many VOIP applications support the following transactions:

1. Make calls from PC to PC

2. Make calls from PC to Mobile phone / Landlines

Who can use it?

Anyone with a Personal computer can use it.

Pre-requisites?

1. Create an account with the service provider (online transaction)

2. Add credits / money to your account (online transaction)

3. Download the dialer which the service provider gives (download online)

4. PC and a headset with mic :)

Who provides this service?

There are many service providers for making calls from your PC worldwide.

www.skype.com

www.nymgo.com

I prefer www.nymgo.com I liked it because of the service in terms of clarity of voice, it provides and also for the attractive rates to call foreign countries from PC.

DJ VJ - Gospel Remix song – Kangal Irandal (Subramaniapuram)

2009-05-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hi there, I have come across a beautiful Digital Audio Workstation called “Fruity Loops” recently. I have already written a blog on FL studio. Just check that!!!

By the way, I have done a Gospel Remix of the song Kangal irandal from the movie Subramaniapuram.

Check it out below.

> DJ VJ – Kangal Irandal - Gospel Remix Song

Blogging made easy in windows vista!!!

2009-05-18T00:16:00.000-07:00

Are you a hard core blogger? You don’t need any HTML coding to host your blog site. There are plenty of good blog space sites like www.blogspot.com etc., where you can create a blog site for your own.

If you are a using Windows Vista, then it will add spice to your blog by making it really simple to maintain. You don’t want to go login as admin to post a new blog, add pictures/photo album, creating hyperlinks, creating table, adding maps, adding video or tagging etc., Windows Live Writer software lets you maintain your blog site with ease like for absolute beginners.

Windows live writer comes for free. You can download this software here.

In one word, this software is a one-stop shop for hard-core Bloggers.

All about music Genres

2009-05-15T23:40:00.000-07:00

Now there are infinite number of genres of music to listen. The number keeps on increasing day by day. A mixing of two genres can produce another genre of music.

This blog helps you in understanding some important genres and their difference.

Most basic thing about music to know is that any music, no matter what genre they belong will have three components the High – corresponds to high frequency sound (ex. Treble), the Middle – corresponds to middle frequency sound (ex. Trumpet) and the Low – corresponds to lower frequency sound (ex. Bass). There are other components like Reverb which can be felt but can’t be heard.

1. House Music

House started its way from Warehouse in olden days. Yes, since most of the warehouses can be seen in undergrounds, the bass for these type of songs will be more.

BPM ranges from 110 - 130

The below video is a pure House mix of White Horse.

2. Trance Music

Trance music makes you feel high. The mid frequency will fairly be more. All trance music are face paced. The world’s best Trance DJ is DJ Tiesto. Watch him in action below. Enjoy!!!

BPM ranges from 140 and above.

3. Hip Hop Music

This requires no introduction. Hip hop tune is dance-based and hence the BPM ranges from 80 – 110. This music makes everyone dance to the tune.

How to read IEEE papers?

2009-05-12T10:05:00.000-07:00

IEEE papers are always a cumbersome task to understand. There is always an easy way to understand the concepts. Always, these kind of technical papers will come with Mathematics, Formulae and assumptions to make you confuse. This blogs is written to help those people who finds it difficult to understand research/technical papers.

In my personal experience, First read the ‘Abstract’ of the paper which is in the first page this gives you fairly a glimpse of ‘what the paper is all about?’. It gives you a summarized version of the paper.

Second, read the ‘Introduction’ of the paper which tells you ‘how the author is going to tell you the concepts’. Introduction also focuses on each section and its importance.

Third, read the ‘Conclusion’ of the paper. By now, You should have a fair knowledge of what the author is conceptually injecting in this paper.

Later, Go into the ‘Sections’ in the paper. Which will deal with the in-depth concepts and also, the comparisons etc., with mathematics, formulae etc., Don’t get carried away by so many graphs, formulae and maths inside. Just Skim through the topic once to understand first. A thorough understanding of the paper can be absorbed only after 3 complete reads.

Create your own music in minutes…

2009-05-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

This blog gives you a kick- start on how to create your own music using already existing digital audio workstation called ‘FL Studio’ aka ‘Fruity loops’. You can download this software here.

Download the Demo version and the only limitation to that of the original version is that you can’t save your work area. But, you can create Mp3, Wav files from the work area before exiting.

The following YouTube videos by STE1438 can give you a brief overview on how to start the application and how you can create your own music using FL studio for absolute beginners. I have been greatly benefited by Ste1438.