Creating flash cards using Latex

Installation (in Ubuntu):

1. Install Kile

2. apt-get latex texlive and texlive-latex-extra packages

3. Modify the /usr/share/texmf-texlive/tex/latex/flashcards/flashcards.cls to new flashcards.cls

4. Print them in pdf format for reading

My future Pet project:

1. Create a java viewer (since I use both linux and windows) for latex or use some open source java library that renders latex (I didnot find a good C# library that does it either).

2. Use the flashcard package.

3. Use supermemo algorithm or Leitner system to enhance learning experience.

References:

Guide to using flashcard document class: Alexander Budge's document

Installation:

1. http://underdown.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/creating-printable-pdf-flash-cards-using-latex/

2. http://feferraz.net/en/P/Flashcards_in_LaTeX

Collections of good flash cards: http://www.physics.utah.edu/~jasonu/flash-cards/

How to access the machine in CISE labs @ UF

Here is CISE's official webpage for accessing CISE public machines: http://www.cise.ufl.edu/help/access/index.shtml

Here is quick summary:

To access linux or solaris cise machines, you can 

SSH using "Putty" on thunder.cise.ufl.edu (or sand, rain, bay, shine, storm, ...)

or SCP using "WinSCP"

To access Windows machine, you can remote desktop (or rdesktop) to new-mercury.cise.ufl.edu

If you have an office in CISE labs, you can access you machine using following steps:

Note: You will need a CISE account and password to the local machine. :)

You can replace 10.227.170.147 using your IP address.

 

To be done once: install vnc server and openssh in you session and vnc client on you home machine

Start vnc server on the machine (in CISE Lab)

1. Locally using command: vnc4server :n (where n is some number say eg. :2)

or on remote machine - these are steps 

1. open putty

2. ssh to rain

3. ssh to 10.227.170.147 from rain

4. vnc4server :n (where n is some number say eg. :2)

1. open putty

2. Go to Connections > SSH > Tunnels

Source port: 5901

Destination: 10.227.170.147:5901

3. Connect to rain.cise.ufl.edu n leave the session as it is

4. Open VNC client and connect to 127.0.0.1:1

5. Enter password in the small dialog box

6. gnome-session (if you get a terminal, you can skip this step by configuring the vnc server settings)

Books I intend to read

I will keep updating this excel sheet. Here is the initial version:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pRiihxKnNDBmNK4-OrOY0ZA

They are categorized according to topics(field the book belongs to), authors and priorities (Priority doesnot imply the "goodness" of the book. I use that column for scheduling purposes).

I use citeulike for keeping track of research papers I read. Here is the link:

http://www.citeulike.org/user/niketan

Memorizing pi to 70 decimal places

First 8 digits can be memorized using 2 different ways:

First, Counting number of letters of words:

How I wish I could recollect pi easily today

3.      1   4    1    5          9           2    6         5

 

Second, Major System (see below):

3. Turtle       bench       lao

3. 1 4 1 5       9 2  6       5 

 

Mnemonic for the remaining decimal places is using major system only:

 

(Disclaimer: This is not to hurt any person and do not in anyways express my opinion. It is only meant to be humorous, so that I could remember the mnemonic easily)

Homo love pic of Obama’s enemy for change = army mafia man

   3       5 8  9 7       9    3        2 3     84   6 2 6        4 3     3 8       3 2

 

Iqbal Singh favorite pocket shop maybe in Obama gully

 7 9 5  0 2      8 8 4 1   9 7 1    6 9    3    9         9   3     7 5

 

Note: there is no zero until now

 

Diesel fans, beggar, borrower help enemy seek hafta jar

1   0 5  8 2    9 7  4    9  4       4     59    2  3    0  7      81  6 4

 

Done !!!  So therefore pi is

3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164…

 

Major System (Refine this list):

0	s, z, soft c	"z" is the first letter of zero. The others have a similar sound
1	d, t	d, t have one downstroke and sound similar(some variants include th)
2	N	n has two downstrokes
3	M	three downstrokes , also "m" looks like a "3" on its side
4	R	last letter of four, also 4 and R are almost mirror images of each other
5	L	L is the Roman Numeral for 50
6	j, sh, soft ch, dg, zh, soft g	a script j has a lower loop / g is almost a 6 flipped over
7	k, hard c, hard g, q, qu	capital K contains two sevens
8	f, v	script f resembles a figure-8. V sounds similar. (some variants include th)
9	b, p	p is a mirror-image 9. b sounds similar and resembles a 9 rolled around
Unassigned	Vowel sounds, w,h,y	These can be used anywhere without changing a word's number value

 

Note: When there are two same adjacent letters, consider only 1. Eg: mapped mean 391, not 3991. Also sound is important, not the letters, eg: Michael stands for 375. Also, g (hard) is 7, not 8. Also, nympho is 238 not 239.

You can also download pdf version of above blog entry: MemorizingValueOfPi.pdf

Mumbai terror attack

I have been itching from past few days to write a blog entry, but was busy with assignments and project. Here is quick update from my side:

I will finish my application process tomorrow for PhD program at Rice University. Florida has won SEC championship game, and hopefully will win National championship also. My best wishes are with coach Urban Meyer and his team. I followed Florida games throughout this season and am really impressed by Tim Tebow’s dedication. For those who don’t know, Tim Tebow is University of Florida quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner with a GPA of 3.7!!! And yes, he visited Philippines for missionary work in his spring break rather than going to Daytona or Miami beach.

I intend to address issues that came to my mind after November 2008 Mumbai attack. Interesting thing is I have to write date along the topic name, suggests “There have been more”. There have been 5 bombing incidents within a period of 8 months (Dec 6 2008, Jan 27 2003, July 28 2003, August 25 2003). Then there is July 11 2006 Mumbai train bombing. In fact, I was outside the Malad station, returning from Java class when these bombing incidents occurred. I had to walk from Malad to my place, since trains and bus services were stopped to prevent further attacks. Here is listing of all the terrorist attacks that took place in India: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_terrorist_incidents_in_India

My heart fills with pain when I read and hear about this. As human being, I have extreme desire to end these kinds of attacks and bring peace in the world, and as a science student, I see it as a problem that it yet to be solved. I will try to address these emotions separately and hopefully, at end of this blog entry, I am able to put down thoughts that have been revolving in my mind (this is literal translation of an Hindi expression J ).

First, let me offer my prayers and condolences for those who have lost their lives. There was a candle light event at University of Florida campus. I was overwhelmed to see people from various countries (including Pakistan) share the same sentiments.

Now let’s address the issues rationally and methodically:

1. Is India prepared to handle terrorist attacks?

I believe Indian defense forces (which include Police) are capable to counter any kind of attack. But I must say we are not ready to predict such attacks. India does not have a centralized counter-terrorist plan (which should include local law enforcement agencies to RAW, navy and army). Efforts should be made to formulate such plan. It will require considerable investment in developing this infrastructure.

2. “Blame game” (as Mr Musharraf puts it) post-attack

I believe that both countries India and Pakistan cannot afford a war. Even if they could, they shouldn’t go for it. There is significant portion of people on both sides which hate other country and believe in war propaganda. These people were either victims of partition or war or probably are “brainwashed”. I use this term to generalize any kind of thought processes which is built up based on environment and which relies totally on emotions rather than logical and rational thinking. Both Pakistan and India have to make sure that such people are not the elected representative of people or into law enforcement.

I am sure that Pakistani government did not authorize this attack, but it is also confirmed that this attack was masterminded in Pakistan and Pakistani nationals were involved in this attack (See: http://broadband.indiatimes.com/toishowvideo/3800626.cms). Also, I disagree with the fact that it is just India’s internal problem. If there is a citizen of your country, who promotes terrorist activities, it is responsibility of the government to act against such person (even if he is from your intelligence services). I think Pakistan government should investigate into this and ban any terror camps.

Again, I want to summarize by saying, I do not believe in war, but I think Pakistan should make considerable efforts to eliminate terrorist camps in their region. Also, I think peace talks with Pakistan should be continued and efforts should be made by Indian government to coordinate with Pakistan government to take action against people involved in this attack.

3. Islam and terrorism

I respect Islam and think it has something wonderful to offer to world, eg: “Zakat” (alms-giving). But, I feel sad for people who misinterpret Quran and believe in killing other people in name of Jihad (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxk5AAA5FbI). I am sure God will not absolve them of such sins. I have many Muslim friends who are very nice people. It is unfortunate that they are categorized because of these terrorist. I would like to point out the fact that Indian Muslims condemned this terrorist attack and even refused to bury the terrorists in Mumbai. Hanif Nalkhande, a spokesman for the Muslim Jama Masjid Trust, said: "People who committed this heinous crime cannot be called Muslim. Islam does not permit this sort of barbaric crime." (See http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5267860.ece)

I believe any religion (including Hinduism) should not tolerate harming other people in its name. I am against anyone who is involved in Mumbai and Gujarat riots.

4. Responsibility of media

I think media should not abuse the freedom of speech and should be discreet in case of such emergency. I hate to point out that terrorist were watching the television which displayed all the movements of India defense forces, which may have delayed the operation and cause further casualties. (See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7760754.stm).

5. Assessment of manpower and equipments of Indian police is necessary (See http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7760460.stm). I understand it is not a step function, but steps should be taken to ensure gradual progress of Indian forces.

These are my personal opinion, and do not intend to harm anyone or any sect. I also do not intend to finger point at any country. If you feel I have hurt your feelings or am being unfair or incorrect, please write back to me and I will modify or probably delete this blog.

I would like to conclude with two sayings:

“Eye for an eye would make the whole world blind” – Mahatma Gandhi.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing” – Edmund Burke.