Just another blog!!

A luxury today becomes a necessity tomorrow. But, are the necessities of today becoming luxuries of tomorrow?

2007-12-10T21:42:00.000-08:00

Lets roll our minds back:

About a decade or so back, having a phone at home was considered a luxury
About 5 years ago, having a car at home was considered a luxury
A couple of years ago, having a mobile phone was considered a luxury
Just an year ago, affording a ipod was considered a luxury

It is so surprising that all these that were considered luxuries of yester years have become almost a necessity of today. But, why? Is it because of the tendency of human beings to always crave for more? Or is it because of the continuous improvements in the qualiy of living? human advancements??

The luxuries of today are becoming necessities of tomorrow, which is good. But consider this, the necessities of yesterday, like proper food, good fresh air and clean environment, good times with family and friends are becoming a bit of luxuries today. There are so many people living in underdeveloped countried who do not have acccess to proper food, sanitary facilities and a roof under their head. There are so many people who live in the developed nations who do not have time to spend with their loved ones and friends.

Giving it a thought, is it worth sating "A luxury today becomes a necessity tomorrow. But, are the necessities of today becoming luxuries of tomorrow?"

How to succeed

2007-09-11T23:48:00.000-07:00

Got this from one of my friends...

Don't talk negatively about people on their back
Try to work with someone who will challenge you. That way, you'll learn more in 1 year than you will in 4 years
Dress for the job you want and not for the one you have. Let your dressing reflect your professionalism
Work out to get in good physical shape. Unless exceptionally skilled, unhealthy are at a comparative disadvantage
Personal integrity is crucial. Tell nothing but truth
Strive for your best at a job in hand. But, in spite of your best, you were not able to pull something off, at least you know you tried your best and your best is just not enough
Spend some time alone once in a while reflecting on things that have happened and what should happen. Thoughts are powerful and always think good about you and others

Incredible Nature

2007-09-11T23:24:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of going to Coffs harbour with my wife over the weekend. Coffs harbour is a beach facing town, very small and right Sydney and Brisbane. The specialty of Coffs is its beautiful beaches.

I stayed in a beach resort dead facing the waters. One fine morning, we got ready for a stroll along the beach. It was just wonderful, sunny day, a lovely beach amongst big rocks with wonderful little creeks with water seeping thru.

The morning and afternoon just passed by and we were back again to the same beach in the evening. And to my surprise, the places where we walked in the morning were literally never there. It was consumed by the violent and gushing waves from the rough sea. The sea has just been transformed from a lovely lagoon to murderous one in just about 6 hours. Just having a look at the 6 or so feet high waves hitting the rocks with vicious force gave me creeps.

Just made me look at the same sea with fear and awe. And it also made me realize again, that the nature can be a beauty and a beast.

Dynamic portlets - A shot in the arm

2007-09-04T20:52:00.000-07:00

For some strange reason, JSR 168 does not mention a standard way to hide / unhide portlets. But, one of the critical features if the users are to use a portal application in real time is this precise benefit: hide / unhide the portlets based on a condition.

Picture this:
You are trying to build a banking web site using portal. Here is a possible scenario:
1. A user calls in to a bank branch and tells his customer number
2. The bank operator types in the customer number (possible a portlet) and hits search
3. Till now, the Search detail page(again, a portlet) has t0 be hidden. But, the moment the bank operator hits the "Search" button, the Details page(portlet) has to be displayed showing the search details.

I'm sure there could be a lot of applications (built on portal) that might have a requirement similar to above,aka hide / display portlets based on condition.

As of now, every portal app goes on a custom solution built for the project and that generally is not reusable, although there are some smart cookies around who build the solution in a way it can be reused across applications (but, not across portal servers. Its honestly very difficult as different portal servers build themes / skins in a different way).

This is where I believe SUN or IBM or some of the heavy weights determining the standard of portals have to take the lead. Consider a scenario where things like sharing data across portlets / pages, showing / hiding portlets are made part of JSR 168? When that day arrives, portal application could be the norm.

My note; JSR 168 does have a standard way of passing data across portlets / pages, but it has to be done using web services and broker which is not practical.

SPRING framework - What a beauty!!

2007-09-04T20:36:00.000-07:00

What a gem is SPRING for those java architects who wish to unleash the power of java for the applications they are architechting.

Consider this,
1. assume the application is made up of 3 layers
2. UI layer, business service layer and the back end layer

Now let is have a premise that the business service layer have to be real smart that if need be, the business service layer can be exposed as RMI services, and then in just a snap of a finger, the same business services can also be exposed as web services so that the application can immediately be SOA oriented when the enterprise decides to go the SOA way.

If the premise stated above is stated very early even before the project is going onto the drawing boards, then as an architect, you can design in such a way that the business service can be exposed as a web service as well as an EJB.

Its easier done than said actually ( I really MEANT easier done than said). As an architect, all you need to do is build a set of interfaces that will be exposed to the client and have different implementations for these interfaces.

One set of implementation will be for RMI based call and the other set of implementation is for web service based call.

But, the biggest question is what will happen to the UI layer if an when a decision is made to switch from RMI based services to web service based services. Here is where SPRING raised its beautiful head. Here is what you do:

1. have the UI layer work only on the interfaces.
2. Inject EJB implementations if the UI has to make a call to EJB
3. Inject web service implementations if the UI has to make a call to web services
4. THATS IT (I really mean it. Thats it)

Everything is behind the scenes, a bit of SPRING magic. What happens behind the scene actually is that SPRING actually handles all the remove exceptions, soap faults etc etc. So, is SPRING not a beauty?

As an architect, if given a choice to choose SPRING, I'd jump and grab it with both hands.

What will India be?

2007-09-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

One things that strike me most is the way governments in the other countries(primarily developed) work.

The government and the members who make up the government operate as if its just like another private company. What I mean by that is the government tries to impress the citizens of the country as much as a private company does in order to satisfy their customers.

When I say impress, the government (and people who make it up) really tries to do things out of way for the citizens to ensure the safety, well being and comfortableness.

How I wish my country will be had the Indian government been as efficient as their counterparts!!

Highly adaptable human mind....

2007-05-13T02:04:00.000-07:00

When in India, the week ends used to be:
1. roam around with my wife
2. definetly a dinner out
3. hang around in some shopping mall
4. once in a while, meet friends
5. sms almost everyone around

When away from home, the week ends are:
1. sleep, sleep and sleep
2. eat, eat and eat :)

Although the activities are totally different, I dont get that bored at all. I realize that life will be like this for me until my wife joins me here.

Its amazing how the human mind gets adapted to different ways of life when the necessity arises.

New Year's eve in Sydney 2007 - Followup of Anticipation

2007-01-02T14:35:00.000-08:00

I happened to be in Sydney on New year's eve 2007. And there was a lot of hype and hysteria about the new year and the fireworks show on nw year's eve. You could see my previous article titled "Anticipation" on the build up to the new year. So, as 2006 bid goodbye and 2007 was on its way, the anticipation was about to be realised.

Before the fireworks
We were assembled at a place called Milson's point to see the fireworks. Milson's point is dead opposite to the Opera house and there were some crazy boats going. But the one that caught the site is attached as a pic.

Kids fireworks from 9:00 PM to 9:15 PM
At 9:00 PM, the first fireworks began and it went for 15 mins. Its called the kid's fireworks and especially for kid's. As it started, the people there started the count down. 10, 9, 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 and boom. The fireworks began and started of very well, but as it laned through, it got a little bored. But, towards the end, the fireworks caught on and it was a pretty good sight. But, it was not up to my expectation and people were buzzing..wait for the main fireworks at 12:00

New Year's eve fireworks from 12:00 PM to 12:15 PM
As 12:00 PM neared, all the people around became crazy and started yelling and partying around. The whole area was like a massive party ground with loads and loads of people laying on the ground and relaxing and having beer after beer.

Then, the moment came and people were counting down again. And 12:00 PM came and began the fireworks. The fireworks started first at the harbour bridge, on top of the harbour bridge (see the snaps). Then, the fireworks went to the sydney city and then from various other places like Darling Harbour etc. It was a good experience and was enjoyable.

Did the fireworks meet the anticipation?? Kind of. Fell short of it though. The hype was very high and my expectation was sky high. But, all said and done, the way the whole event was organised was commendable and made me see Sydney in much higher respect!!

My life's best moment - New Year wishes 2007

2007-01-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

This was the message from my wife on the new year's eve. And this is one of the best feeling I could ever experience throughout my life. My life was made that day!!

When I look back at 2006….I think this is the best year of my life…..As in the beginning of the year itself I united with you…& became your other half…
& you became my better half…It has been so wonderful to live with you….& you have given me abundance of happiness…in my life..

I am really fortunate that you are mine.

Now…as 2007 unfolds,,,,,,,I am really eager and enthusiastic to know what mystery is in store for us…

But I am very confident that amongst all odds and evens …we would stand by sooooo strong together ……that we could face any event,,,or eventuality….with greater strength…

My wish is that as each year passes by …the love and bonding with each other….would grow deeper and deeper…& feel more enthusiasm in living with each other each day…

At all times,,,,if GOD asks me what you want….I would ask for your company….& nothing seems more precious in the world than that….

Wish you a very Happy new year….& may all your dreams and hopes come true!!

Anticipation

2006-12-28T23:47:00.000-08:00

I have the pleasure of being in Sydney, Australia for the new year. I heard everyone say that the new year eve's fireworks near the harbour bridge is one heck of a show.

And as usual, human nature always has a sense of excitement when everyone says "watch out for the event mate..its great".

I'm looking forward with anticipation for the fireworks and hope it lives to its expectations. But, there is a bit of irony to it as well because I would have loved to have my wife and parents be there to see the fireworks.

Anyway, all said and done, hope the anticipation turns into a reality and the fireworks is wonderful sight to watch.

Technology - Lets bow our heads

2006-12-28T23:38:00.000-08:00

One of the things that has been revolutionizing the way we live over a period of time is the way distances have been crushed by technology.

Let's see what we have at our disposal today
1. Telephone
2. Internet
3. Email
4. Free web sites to upload photos (snapfish)
5. Talk over internet just by click of button (google talk) and for FREE
6. See people on the other side of the globe (Webcam and yahoo messenger)

Today, virtually there is no such thing called distance. Could we have ever imagined somethings like these a mere 15 years back?

And what do these mean to a normal human being? He can chat, talk, see his loved ones when he wants. And what these mean to parents back home? They get to see there children ever so often that they feel so comformtable that all are staying together.

Crushing distances, thats what technology has done. Bravo!!

Or should I say bravo to the mankind who invented these modern day wonders??

An ode to my wife

2006-12-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

Was wondering what things I like about my wife. Well, I cannot summarize all, but here are a few,

1. the way u take responsibilities
2. ur smile
3. ur wonderful voice
4. ur patience level
5. calmness
6. forgetfullness :)
7. ur behaviour towards my parents
8. not complaining abt anybody / not speaking badly abt anyone / not speaking at anyone's back
9. and above all, ur ability to get along with one .....me :)

What it means to live away from your Country!!

2006-12-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

One of the most common things that happens in India of late (well, may be 10 years) is more and more people opt to go out of the country and make a living in other so called developed countries. Well, I agree there might be many reasons to it, to name a few: money, life style, prestige etc etc.

But, has anyone gone back and thought about what we actually miss when we go away from our country, when we go away from our family and friends?? We miss one certain thing called as love of our parents, wife, brothers and sisters...we miss the togetherness that we feel when we are with our friends...we miss the belongingness that we feel when we live with our countrymates.

But, I still agree with people who go away and make a living in other countries if that is what they want in life, but what I donot agree is when these same people start complaining about the way residents are in India and how the country has become and how the infrastructure of the country is still lagging behind. Come on, an Indian remains an Indian irrespective of where he/she lives and he/she should never forget the roots, but instead must derive the happiness of such a rich heritage and adopt themselves to the new environment of the country where they are living.

Parents - What they mean to us?

2006-11-02T02:21:00.000-08:00

To many of us parents are people who are there to help us: to cook for us, to take care of our belongings, to put the things back to its normal place if we misplace them etc etc.

But, have we ever thought what we give back to them? Have we evert stopped by to tell them that the food you cooked was great, thanks for going to the bank to draw money for me?

Ofcourse not. Why? Because they are there to help us. This is the trend of many software professionals (and may be in other industries too). But hello...take a moment and think. Your manager howls at you in office, your team lead / project lead talks about the very high pressures and how you are not coping with it etc etc and we hear them without a word spoken against them (and thats called professionalism if you were wondering why) and when ever an oppourtunity arises, we try to tell good things about the bosses even though we may not mean them.

But, when it comes to parents, whose only source of happiness in life is to see there children happy, we scowl at them and never take a moment to talk a polite word at them.

Hey guys, is it not time for us to change our attitude towards our parents? Think about it.

IBM Websphere Portal Certification - Test 399

2006-11-02T02:09:00.000-08:00

I'd given a shot at Test 399 a few months back and cleared it quite comfortably (and quite surprisingly too). I thought I should give a write up about the certification so that any aspirants could find it useful.

First of all, the test is pretty simple if you have prepared relatively well. Its more on the portal concept, design and architecture than portal coding, although it also has questions on portlet APIs. I studied for the test for not more than 7 days, but mind it that I had close to 30 months of experience on working on a portal server before this.

But, anyone who is serious about completing this certification can do so provided you spend some time preparing for it. I found the IBM redbook very useful on this. I just used the IBM redbook on Websphere Portal Server development and just by reading that book, got pretty good marks.

Also, try to get hands on and develop a few portlets using RAD. You would not repent it as it comes in very handy in answering any code related questions.

Last, but not the least, IBM Basic API is part of the course, there is invariable no question on it (or maybe for 3 to 5 marks). SO, you can concentrate on JST 168 API and save a lot of time there.

Good luck to anyone trying and bravo to those who have already completed it.

Indian Cricket Team - Do we need it anymore?

2006-11-02T01:20:00.000-08:00

I'm sure all of the cricket fans following Indias cricket would feel hurt by the way the Indian cricket team has performed in the recently concluded champions trophy. It is not the loss that matters, but the way we lose. For starters, we donot show any instinct while batting, bowling and fielding.

The batting is hopeless with Sehwag at the top. He bats one on 10 innigs and it is strange to see the so called expert commentators call him a match winner. Excuse me, a match winner is some one who wins matches and not some one who bats once in 10 matches and that too for a 50. (not to mention the way he gets out is almost a repeat and his shortcomings on the short pitched stuff. Is he worth a player in the team?)

And then there is the case of Sachin. What is this guy's problem? Why is he so reluctant to come down the order even after playing 300 ODIs?

Dravid to me is a good player and is saved from my cirticism because of his sheer commitment, but its time he gets better in slogging because its been a long time since he has struggled to hit the ball out of the park.

I'm not going to talk about the others because they are not going to win the matches for us anyway.

Coming to bowling, its most atrocious to see bowlers not bowling a simple and straight line and lenght?

Pathan can be nominated as the world's worst opening bowler. I donot want to talk about him as there is no point in talking about a person who is so head strong nowadays (he was so humble when he came in to the team) and who gets spoilt by the money he has earnt.

Munaf is good, but should be like Mcgrath in the sense he should bowl the same ball over and again, but he tends to experiment sometimes.

Sreesanth should stop is so called aggresiveness (or should I say arrongantness) and start bowling well. He has the pace, but does not bowl the same ball at the same lenght.

Regarding Ajit, the less talked the better. I mean, he has lost his batting and even after playing so many ODI, bowls buffet balls every over. Now, what would you say about the bench strength of our team if a bowler like Agarkar is persisted?

Its time Rahul gives the team a stick and BCCI to stop allowing the cricketers to appear on endorsements and earn there money sheerly by cricket. After all, they represent the country and should fight there heart out for the game of cricket that the Indian love somuch.

If BCCI is so intent on money, then let us stop calling it as Indian cricket team and give it another name.