Hacking and Tweaking Firefox -- For Your Own Good

Here are two articles from ComputerWorld:

- Hacking Firefox: The secrets of about:config

I liked the two tricks explained over there, which tells you how to size the tab button width, so that more tabs can squeeze into your tab bar (would be useful when number of tabs go into 30's, but then, won't be useful if they are 109-:)), and how to just select a word, and not the whitespace after that

- 15 must-have Firefox tricks

The useful trick was how to build your own search engine, and how to use keywords for searches from websites that don't have search engines for Firefox. I have used that feature, and it certainly helps (e.g, I use a tool called Pin, and whenever I have to search for some API function call in its manual page while I am online, I just have to type 'pin serarch-term' in the address bar, and there you go). The other trick that I use frequently (described in the above article) is to use keywords for opening bookmarked web pages, e.g. I have to just type 'patt' in the address bar, when I actually intend to go to my advisor's home page, http://users.ece.utexas.edu/~patt/ . Useful, haan...

Happy browsing with firefox ...

p.s.: Don't forget to read the comments on these articles, because you could get a useful tip like pressing 'alt+enter' for viewing search results in a new tab, and save yourself from doing complicated things in about:config ...

More on (new) Yahoo! Mail...

As I am a big fan of convenience, I would like to share some tricks and tips that I commonly use on Yahoo! Mail. I am sure it will make your life way easier, and enhance your mail experience. In summary, they have a very desktop email kind of a look now...

- Shortcuts: The first thing first: Here is the list of all the shortcuts. I still could not find the shortcut for attaching files, but hopefully it will come soon... (or if you know that, please let me know)

- Sorting: (Its pretty obvious, but still) You can sort your mails in any folder by from, subject, date, size, attachment size, flagged status etc. This is pretty powerful, e.g., if you are trying to find a certain thing (but not sure as to use search), or read/see all the emails, from a particular person, then just click on any of the emails by that person, and then click on the "from" tab at the top. Emails will be sorted, and you will be at the right place too.

- Search: This is also a very desirable feature, if you know how to use it smartly. Look here for all the things that you wanted to know about search in Yahoo! Mail. E.g., now you can specify modifiers within your search terms, and it will search accordingly (e.g. subject:keyword, would search for keyword only in subject of emails). Also, there is a new tab on extreme right that comes with search results, with the help of which you can narrow down your results. Here is the general article about search...

In case you are wondering what would be an ultimate email client, google Mutt ...

p.s.: You can add events etc to your yahoo calendar automatically from within the emails. (plus don't forget to notice that your current calendar items are always shown at the bottom of page)...

Choice Overload (or The Paradox of Choice)

(Excerpt taken from this article ...)

“When Choice is Demotivating: Can One Desire too Much of a Good Thing?” Iyengar, S. S., & Lepper, M. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79, 995-1006. (2000).

This paper explored the phenomena of “choice overload.” Here is what they did.

They created two displays of gourmet jams. One display had 24 jars. The other had 6. Each display invited people to try the jams and offered them a discount coupon to buy the jam. They alternated these displays in a grocery store and tracked how many people passed the displays, how many people stopped and sampled the jams, and how many subsequently used the offered coupon to buy the jam.

The results were surprising.

• 24 jar display: 60% of the people passing the display sampled the jam, 3% purchased jam.
• 6 jar display: 40% of the people passing the display sampled the jam, 30% purchased jam.

The larger display was better at getting people’s attention. But the number of choices overwhelmed them and they just walked away with out deciding to purchase a jam. In other words, if the goal is to attract consumers, less is more. Too much choice is demotivating. Admittedly, selecting a gourmet jam is insignificant. Maybe for more important issues, “choice overload” is not relevant? The authors of this paper, however, went on to consider more important choices such as 401K plans, and once again, a clear choice overload effect was found. Choice overload is real. When people are faced with too many choices, the natural tendency is to “not make a choice” and just walk away (probably in frustration).

--- My thoughts: I agree to the results of this experiment...
It's more interesting than it looks like here. Here is one of the Google TechTalks on the same topic (with lots of interesting real-world stories) from a well-reputed scientist in the field. (caution: it's a 1 hour video, but it's worth listening to)

kleptocrat in a Hermes scarf

An article in Daily Telegraph by Jemima Khan (ex-wife of Pakistani cricketer turned politician, Imran Khan). A very good and in-depth analysis of pakistan's current political scene, especially the Musharraf-Benazir deal and her being imposed on Pakistan by US and west...

Columbia University's president treatment of Iranian leader

You don't start the debate with insulting and direct remarks on the guest's ability for intellectual discussions. You put questions, tough and hard questions, and seek their answers. That's what freedom of speech is all about.

Columbia University claims to advance the tradition of robust debate on global issues. I agree to the decision of inviting Iranian president for "World Leaders Forum". But, after putting tough questions in front of the Iran president, did it make sense for a University president to say this:

"Let’s, then, be clear at the beginning, Mr. President you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator ... Let me close with this comment. Frankly, and in all candor, Mr. President, I doubt that you will have the intellectual courage to answer these questions. But your avoiding them will in itself be meaningful to us. I do expect you to exhibit the fanatical mindset that characterizes so much of what you say and do."

If you are so sure of his "intellectual courage", why would you invite such a person to such prestigious political and intellectual discussion. Either your decision of inviting the president was wrong, or your reception is highly provoked, personal and "un-academic". I just thought (considering that I am also in academia) that this is not what you expect within a university environment...

p.s: Having said all that, it does not mean that I (or many saying the same things) share the same views as Iran president...

A NYTimes article on the issue...
Full transcripts of Columbia president and Iran leader are here...

Your calendar/organizer sucks...

Yeah, mine too. But, at last, a Pakistani company, Scrybe, has come up with a better (which means natural, intuitive and friendly) solution. Here is the demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u3ekzwnYxw
Just visit Scrybe's website to see the rave reviews they are getting. I think this could be the next big thing in "web-ed" world. Good work, guys, keep innovating...

NYTimes latest editorial on Musharraf's Pakistan

Please go Musharraf ...

US should stop interferring with Pakistan politics

The current US efforts to build up some kind of political coalition in Pakistan, led by General Pervez Musharraf, would only exacerbate the situation. Any government which is not made through political process has always caused problems. History is evident that both islamism and extremism have flourished in the military eras in Pakistan.
The article from a Dawn newspaper correspondent (titled: An attempt to create unnatural polarization) clearly analyzes the political situation in Pakistan, and explains what US policy makers are missing. In summary, it shows that creating a "polarized political situation" in Pakistan is dangerous for both Pakistan and US. The US assumes that the only divide-line in Pakistan is "moderate" and "extremist", whereas any Pakistani knows that this is not the case. There are many other factors which make the thinking of majority of Pakistanis. I would highly recommend this reading.
p.s: who told Pervez Musharraf (for that matter, US also) that he is the only savior of Pakistan?

Another VIM discovery

Generally, I find VIM features on a need to know basis (although the need sometimes advances to such levels that I forget to do original work, but its fun, believe me). So, I have to explain to you the whole scenario, otherwise you won't be able to enjoy the search (and their use afterwards) for VIM features that I do. Anyways, usually I find myself browsing codes (at very few times, you are actually writing the code). Now, I have found the use of a variable Y (using VIM's cscope support), and I am going through the context in which it has been used (through the use of VIM's [{ command). After I have reached the top of context tree (e.g., variable Y use within an if, which is within a for and which is within function X: aha, now I have the whole picture of how variable Y has been used), I have to go back to where I originally started (or may be to the for loop within which Y was used). How do I trace back the jumps that I took when I used [{ commands?

Here is the solution: use Ctrl-o and Ctrl-i. Easy, haan: not before you find it. C-o takes you into one direction of jumps, whereas C-i takes you into reverse direction. Use them, and you'll start appreciating VIM as much as I do...:)

(Another use): you are at a certain part of a code. You have to search for a particular pattern, so you start the search by /, and pressing n. How do you go back to where you were before the search..? great, haan.. Without imagination, VIM is nothing. Imagine, and then search for that particular feature (and then use it, and then think again, oohh not, a vicious cycle)..

(psssssssss: dude, what is this talk all about, I am happy with something, may be notepad..:))

Amélie

Wow!! what a wonderful movie it was... The following review from one of the movie critics truly says everything about it:

"This is what the Movies are supposed to be all about, magical, transporting confections of dreams and hopes and kindness and true love."

Although I am not sure what is the definition of a romantic comedy, but it contained both these elements. Plus the soundtrack and music is a premium bonus: very touching. I think it won like some best soundtrack award in 2001. I generally don't write about movies and music etc. But, this movie is special and somewhat really different. The storyline, direction, acting and music: all are great.

--- "Without you, today’s emotions ... would be the scurf of yesterday’s"
--- "I like to look for things no one else catches. I hate the way nobody ever looks at the road in old movies."
--- "I had two heart attacks, an abortion, did crack... while I was pregnant. Other than that, I'm fine."

Must-have Windows utilities for 20 essential tasks

Alright, its Windows. I get that, but still lots of people use it on everyday basis (including me). But, if you don't have some "must-have" utilities, then your time on Windows is really going to hurt you. So, save that burn for some other time, and see this computer world article. It contains links to few quite useful but still open-source windows utilities, e.g. IrfanView (image viewing software), TrueCrypt (file encryption), FileZilla (FTP browser), CutePDF (PDF writer) etc.

Lal Masjid -- finally it ends

yet, at very sad note. Clearly, no body wanted a deadly end to a 6-month long problem. I feel very sad about all those innocent people (including civilian and military) killed or injured. But, my feeling from the start was very bad about that. Also, Muslims easily become victim of "shahadat" (martyrdom) with no strategic planning in mind. So, I guess its not too unexpected and unshocking for this to end this way.
At the last days of siege, I was hoping that the problem would be solved if somehow a legal agreement can be reached between the two parties. My thinking for an agreement was (which I guess was quite logical and convincing, considering the situation): surrender all arms which is inside mosque, safe passage to Maulana Aziz and his family to wherever they want to go, but have to be in some kind of house arrest, they should not be allowed to give any Jumah khutba or any public speech (for atleast an year or so), government will prosecute all those who were involved in kidnapping and public property damage, mosque and madressah will go back to Auqaf dept or some other cleric from Waqaf Madaris (the top organization of Madressahs in Pakistan) will take charge etc. I guess this could have been agreed upon by both parties pretty much. You ask me: hey what are you thinking, dude: whats the benefit. The point is that it could have saved many lives, including Maulana's. If you are thinking that some agreement could have reached in which Maulana gets free next day having dinner at food street Islamabad, you are living in Alice's wonderland. They had to be apprehended.
But, I guess Maulana Aziz wanted everything for him and his militant associates (even after they have done every against-state act that they could have done). Perhaps he was thinking that he still has all that support in intelligence agencies that he used to enjoy few years back. I wonder this incident would ever have happened if military did not deliberately support taliban and mullah culture in country. Ok, whatsoever you think was the reason (lots of people have very good reasons for Pakistan supporting taliban and mullahs before 9/11), no argument can be accepted in favor of doing a fundamentally wrong thing (allowing chief clerics to grab land illegally etc, while they provide us with young but brain-washed pupils ready for "jihad" against kufaar). Now what government needs to do is to act swiftly on Madressah reforms, make sure that modern subjects are taught in Madressahs (that will bring them into mainstream), and making sure that no body will ever again harass or kidnap people or damage public property. Like everybody else, I think that the best time to stop Lal Masjid affiliate was when they occupied a children library in January. But, god knows what were the motives of government at that time, that it did not move at all.
The last and final question of how to teach Muslims (including Pakistanis) that they don't need to enforce (their own understanding of) Islam or shariat (or some other ideology) is still at large, and unless it is addressed in an intellectual way, I don't see a long term solution to these kinds of activities (and other which happen everyday but are not at that large scale, e.g. you go to mosque and somebody comes to you and ask that you should do this and not that etc) in Pakistan and around Muslim world.

iPhone Dissected

Here is the link. It shows several of its components, including the Samsung SoC with ARM core, NAND flash, phone's "motherboard", screen etc. I have heard that Intel's NOR flash is also in there, but could not find that in this article. Another article on the web quotes iSuppli (a market research firm) which estimates manufacturing cost of iPhone around $250. That means, Apple is getting around 50% pure margin on $500 iPhone. Good for Apple. The truth is: I am also impressed with this phone, and after a really long time, I am dying hard to get my hands on it (well, not so hard.., just waiting for the price to drop below $300 ..-:) )

My best reading of the day

Paris Hilton's red-carpet exit. "Hilton managed to transform the event to almost the equivalent of a red-carpet arrival" . hahah. If you managed to see the video in which Paris is coming out of the jail, I swear you would believe this statement. -:) It was really a red-carpet walk, with lots of flashes and cheering fans (except a bit heavy police presence). kudos to Paris...

DAWN's CEO open letter -- freedom of press in Pakistan

Hameed Haroon, the CEO of DAWN, Pakistan's largest english newspaper wrote an open letter which addresses the problems being faced by DAWN in particular, and print media in general. Most of electronic media already has been blocked by government authorities (read one of my earlier blog entry). I am not very much up-to-date with what Mr Haroon is complaining about, but I definitely agree with the argument that Pervez Musharraf government is increasingly becoming unhappy of the quoting of incidents across country in the press, including tribal areas, judiciary etc.

Stand-off in Lal Masjid Islamabad

Most of the Pakistanis around the world probably know by now the current stand-off situation between law agencies and Lal Masjid managament in Islamabad. For the unknown, please read this.
I have heard many people saying that government is busy solving other problems, including judiciary and Waziristan issues. Also, that power people in Islamabad are not realizing the gravity of the situation. Some are saying that probably government is not taking action because they are afraid of bloodshed. I think all of this is crap. Government knows everything and any fool can see that what Lal Masjid people are doing is completely against law. It does not take much force to restraint a few hundred (max) madressah students, who want to take law into their own hands, and do whatever they want. Even we have seen law enforcing agencies going overly reactive to peaceful protesters and media during last month protests against president's reference on CJ.
Why government is not taking action on any of the bullshit things Lal Masjid people are doing? Because Pervez Musharraf wants to send a message to the world that if I go out of power, this is what will happen. This is very sad.

The top 10 funniest tech videos on YouTube

These are really funny, especially visit to an Indian call center, and medieval tech support. Here is the computerworld article:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9013800&source=NLT_WK&nlid=2

Gals must read this...

I got it from somewhere on the web. It goes like this:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Wishes of Woman!! Part 1

A woman was out golfing one day when she hit the ball into the woods. She went into the woods to look for it and found a frog in a trap. The frog said to her, "If you release me from this trap, I will grant you 3 wishes."

The woman freed the frog, and the frog said, "Thank you, but I failed to mention that there was a condition to your wishes. Whatever you wish for, your husband will get Ten times of that The woman said, "That's ok"

For her first wish, she wanted to be the most beautiful woman in the world.

The frog warned her, "You do realize that this wish will also make your husband the most handsome man in the world, an Adonis whom women will flock to".

The woman replied, "That's okay, because I will be the most beautiful Woman and he will have eyes only for me." So, KAZAM-she's the most beautiful Woman in the world!
3 Wishes of Woman!! Part 2

For her second wish, she wanted to be the richest woman in the world.
The frog said, That will make your husband the richest man in the world and he will be ten times richer than you.

The woman said, "That's okay, because what's mine is his and what's his is mine."
So, KAZAM-she's the richest woman in the world!

The frog then inquired about her third wish, and she answered, "I'd like a mild heart attack!!"

Moral of the story: Women are clever. Don't mess with them.

Attention female readers: This is the end of the joke for you, Stop here and continue feeling good.....

Male readers: Please Wait for the Third Part(part 3)!!!

3 Wishes of Woman!! Part 3

The man had a heart attack ten times milder than his wife!!!

Moral of the story: Women are really dumb but think they're really
smart.

Let them continue to think that way and just enjoy the show.

PS: If you are a woman and are still reading this, it only goes to
show that women never listen!!! that is why you read it even after our
advise to stop!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
My comments: haahhaha... No offenses to anyone. I just could not stop laughing after reading this... I guess everyone is happy after this story...:)

CraigsList Pakistan

Finally, the best thing has reached pakistan too. But, I am not sure how much will it change the way people interact and do business over there. Here in US, most of the CraigsList business runs on the basis of trust, and good economy is the thing that drives it. People have the buying power, and believe each other while trading (because its a people to people trade). In Pakistan, I think it will work, and it will improve the life standard. E.g., I think CraigsList would be best for advertisement. I remember how I used to visit different people and academies when I wanted to to earn money from tuition business. At least now, people can just trade over the craigslist. I think its great. There are whole lot other uses...
http://pakistan.craigslist.org/

The Best US company to work for...

Yes, its Google Inc. yes, yes... Of course, who does not know google, but, I was really happy to know that google is top of the list best companies to work for in US. So, if you are even very remotely related to CS or programming, I would say, go google. Obviously, I am not saying because I was impressed by their software or may be some charity work etc (although, that still is innovative), but, man, you have to see their campus at Mountain View, CA. Great place to work... The best part was to know that Google gets 1,300 résumés a day... :)

computers and programming jokes

Find a lot of funny and profound quotes about computers here:
http://www.eskimo.com/~hottub/software/programming_quotes.html
Some examples:
- Every program has (at least) two purposes: the one for which it was written, and another for which it wasn't.
Alan J. Perlis
- Copy and paste is a design error
David Parnas
- Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place. Therefore, if you write the code as cleverly as possible, you are, by definition, not smart enough to debug it.
Brian W. Kernighan
- There are only two industries that refer to their customers as "users".
Edward Tufte
- Perl is another example of filling a tiny, short-term need, and then being a real problem in the longer term.
Alan Kay

Embedded Software Developers survey

I have done embedded software development for quite sometime, before I came to graduate school. Thus, I am interested in trends and concerns in this area. In a recent Embedded Muse newsletter, Jack Ganssle did a survey mainly for embedded software developers across the world. In this survey, people were asked about their salaries, ages, carrier happiness, and other comments.
The results are interesting and sometimes surprising. Non-embedded developers do better than firmware people; in the USA the average age going up; and those who work a lot of overtime are generally happier than those who don’t. The general comments asked are also interesting: almost everyone has concerns and worries about off-shoring and similar trends. The survey can be found here.