Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Story of a technical accomplishment

Phew....finally that day came and it didn't bring much harm.I am talking about my Minor Project for our sixth semester.



I will not go into technical details of the project here,I may put them up on my tech blog.I am also trying to find a place to upload the already popular project somewhere on the internet.
OK...briefly speaking the project aims at using a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone for controlling media players running on a computer.The software works on all JSR-82 complaint phones(that majority of phones in the market,but didn't work on most of Motorola handsets).Hehe..while typing this...what comes to my mind is the god-knows-what kinda content that we used to make for documentation..twisting and talking about almost the same point.Initially it was tough,then we got used to it.


As I said early,I would like to keep the technical details for the other blog.The documentation's non-tech part would be similar to this blog,if I take out the personal references.For guys who are gonna start minor projects or are worried how documentation is done,I would like to say only this...know your project,learn the codes and as far as possible involve yourself with all parts/modules of the project.This gives you a far insight into the product perspective(another docu terminology of SRS fame).
Well now I think I should briefly explain how things happened so far in our college and how we fared and finally how the results were met.
To begin with,I had great faith in our project,because unlike most of our classmates,this was an idea my friend(Abhay the puli..) had really wanted(because he needed something to control media players while lying down).I had asked him to concentrate on other ideas also for choosing abstract,but most of them were either involved hardware or needed too much research and time.Finally we stuck to this plan,as while searching for ideas on the net,we came upon an umpteen number of similar projects.
Abhay being a java puli and mobile(especially bluetooth) fanatic quickly found out whether the expected bluetooth implementation is possible,while I was unable to understand much of it.I had taken up the media control part,where my imagination alone is enough and also Abhay's guidance.
We were happy when the abstract was accepted.Afterwards,we hit a rock bottom(as did most groups).We collected and downloaded pages,pdfs and references to Bluetooth and its implementation.Abhay was active with it most of the time..though not much coding took place.

It was by the beginning the stupid documentation process that we got serious with our project.SRS creation was something which needed detailed information the project.Me and Abhay started using del.icio.us and collected materials discussed it online or when we met.Quite a solid ideas was laid at that time and all four of us knew what finally it would be like.
Initial coding involved taking codes from existing open source codes and understanding them(only Abhay could do it).Soon Abhay and Sooraj learnt J2ME needed for the GUI and prepared it very early.By the midterm evaluation,we had GUI completed and we had bits and pieces of client Bluetooth.The evaluation went well and all members progressed alongwith the project.
Then started our search for proper server and how to use the JDIC functions for media control.Then came placements,leaving the project as it is.On the day after TCS,when Mindtree placement was going on,Abhay called and said..."Da,project over.Will show tomorrow".I was so stunned.
Anyway after that we had several fixes and add ons from then on,I learned my part of the code and then started training and fixing strategy of approach.The dirty documentation was what I did to learn the project perfectly,even the previously unknown parts.I designed those UML diagrams,algorithms and all kinda dialogues and sporty lines that make our project look like the next urgent need of the generation.

Rest contd in next post...this has become quite big.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Kenshin rocks!!



This is about my favourite anime character "Himura Kenshin" or Himura Battousai,the Hitokiri(manslayer) during the Meiji Restoration.

Get to know the basics here : About Kenshin

Why I am blogging about this now is largely unclear..but I can credit it due to the entry of new series,Naruto. It was suggested by my senior,Widad. I downloaded and saw four episodes and realized that I am gonna stick to it.But nothing beats my Ken-san. He is the ultimate swordsman.Using the Hitenmitsurugi Ryu technique(which is supremely fast),he performs wonderful and dangerous moves.

The main attraction in the story is the detailed explanation of sword techniques of any character in the series. Its really something good, not found in all animes. Even the smallest of characters get their moves explained and a proper counter action is made to defeat them. All characters are superb with their own style of life and fighting.

My heart goes out for Kenshin, when the ghosts of his past haunts him. His way of treating people is so good...and his funny way of saying "Oro" makes the series very funny.I learnt quite a bit of Japanese from it.Some of its episodes are hillarious due to Sagara Sanosuke,Yahiko, Kenshin and Kaoru.
The serious parts are perfectly combined with comedy, moral values, love and some suspense as well.

I just keep remembering some of the most sensible yet superb moves of kenshin,like the Battou-jitsu(lightning speed drawing)and the famous Amakakeru Ryu No Hirameki. Also there is this Hajime Saito(leader of Shinsengumi) who starts as Ken's enemy and later becomes best friend.His Gatotsu moves and no-nonsense attitude absolutely superb.Same with Shinomori Aoshi...the last battle between him and Ken is one helluva battle...

The  character of Kenshin somehow keeps one addicted to it.

Kenshin fans, you might want to read this very interesting article that explains the science behind each of Kenshin's moves. I bet you would pick the thing lying next to you that even remotely resembles a katana, and start swinging away...

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Martial me

Sudden thought came to continue my mansuria arts..but few minutes practice reminded me of the short term for which I had received training....wrong moves causing back aches and sprains..ouch..anyway nice to do some of them..missed them a lot.
Though there is daily simple stretches..kicks and forms were rather neglected and were contaminated and confused by moves from movies(that includes kopeira,shaolin,kick boxing,muay thai..etc).
Gotta learn ...cannot spare time and planning to get proper training..though that idea has been in my mind for some time now...
Also got to restart my cricket,hockey and badminton ventures..i used to a fairly good player ....

Donno why this thought comes now..at the middle of the night...when i have not yet touched cse for the test tomorrow .

Maybe because ,the almost inactive lifestyle of my college mates just ran its course and I want my instincts to return..or i can never be in peace with myself...