Hindustan Institute of Technology & Management

It’s been almost a year now. I was busy with a lot of things all this while but Hindustan Institute of Technology & Management(HITM) has been the most important one. This year, we (my family) started a new project - Hindustan Institute of Technology & Management (HITM), an engineering college in the District Ambala, Haryana (India). Though it was always under the plans but then it materialized only this year.

Presently, the college is offering B.Tech. course in 4 streams namely - Information Technology, Computer Science, Electronics and Mechanical with 60 seats per course with a total of 240 seats. Further, we are planning to start a management course as well by next year.

We started the project around January’08 with the construction of the college and completed Phase I of the construction after 7 months by August’08. Soon after the college construction was completed, we started the first batch of the college. The first day of the college was quite an event with lot of students, parents, university officials and the press people. All the people who were present that day appreciated the college for its strong and stable infrastructure. The college is fully air-conditioned with 100% power backup, Wifi enabled campus with unlimited Internet, an extensive library with more than 6000 books and subscription to journals and magazines and Transportation facilities from/to neighbouring cities.

For more information, have a look at the college website here: http://www.hitmedu.com

On the whole, it will take us another 3 years to complete the construction of the college. It’s a long time but I guess that’s the pace of such projects.

Configuration of Gmail on Gnus/Emacs (Ubuntu Gutsy)

I tried configuring Gnus/Emacs to send/receive mails through Gmail using IMAP/SMTP protocol on my Ubuntu-Gutsy Linux Box.

Emacs Version: 22.1.1
Gnus Version: 5.11

I performed the following steps:

• I had to install sendmail and starttls programs using apt-get first and start sendmail service.
• 
  Enable IMAP support for your Gmail account online as described here :
  http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=77695
  
  
  
• Create a file named .gnus.el in your home directory and copy the configuration as given below:
  
  
;; Configuration of ~/.gnus.el

;; Customize the next three lines with your ISP information.
(load "starttls")
(load-library "smtpmail")

(setq user-mail-address "username@gmail.com")
(setq user-full-name "User Name")

;; Configure incoming mail (IMAP)
(setq gnus-select-method '(nnimap "gmail"
(nnimap-address "imap.gmail.com")
(nnimap-server-port 993)
(nnimap-authinfo-file "~/.imap-authinfo")
(nnimap-stream ssl)))

;; Configure outbound mail (SMTP)
(setq smtpmail-starttls-credentials '(("smtp.gmail.com" 587 nil nil))
smtpmail-smtp-server "smtp.gmail.com"
smtpmail-default-smtp-server "smtp.gmail.com"
send-mail-function 'smtpmail-send-it
message-send-mail-function 'smtpmail-send-it
smtpmail-smtp-service 587
smtpmail-auth-credentials '(("smtp.gmail.com" 587 "username@gmail.com" nil))
smtpmail-debug-info t
smtpmail-debug-verb t
)
(setq smtpmail-local-domain nil)
(setq gnus-permanently-visible-groups "gmail")
(executable-find starttls-program)



• Create another file named .imap-authinfo in your home directory with the following line:
  
  machine imap.gmail.com login username@gmail.com password my_password port 993
  


• Now, start Emacs, and type M-x gnus to launch Gnus. Gnus should automatically check for email on Gmail.com. After a while, when gnus process completes it displays a list of subscribed mailboxes. By default, you are subscribed to nndoc+gnus-help:gnus-help mailbox only.


• To add your Gmail INBOX and other Gmail Labels you need to add them as mailboxes. Type 'U' in the Gnus Group Buffer and type the name of the Gmail Label or type INBOX to subscribe that Label to Gnus. You can also use auto-completion feature here to list all labels.
  


• Now, you should see the subscribed Mailboxes in the Groups buffer. You can press 'Enter' on any mailbox to read mails under that label.


• To send an email, type 'm'. You should get a buffer to send email. Remember here that it will prompt you to enter your password to send emails every time. If you wish to skip this step, change the value of smtpmail-auth-credentials variable in .gnus.el file you just created :
  
  smtpmail-auth-credentials '(("smtp.gmail.com" 587 "username@gmail.com" "password"))


• You can change the permissions on the file .gnus.el and .imap-authinfo to restrict the access to your username only.

chmod 700 ~/.gnus.el ~/.imap-authinfo

All the above steps must configure Emacs to send and receive email using Gmail successfully. Hope this helps!

Ubuntu Gutsy - Microphone Issues on Dell Inspiron 1520

Please go through the previous post, in case sound is not working correctly for you on Feisty/Gutsy. First you need to setup the sound card correctly.

I was facing problems with Internal Microphone on Ubuntu Feisty, so when Gutsy was released, I upgraded to it. Status did not change even after upgrading to Gutsy. Anyway, I tried reinstalling ALSA, but it did not help either. For Gutsy, there are not much different solutions available. So, I tried various settings in the Sound Mixer again. Finally, I got the Internal Microphone working. I used Audacity/Skype to test the microphone. Those facing the same issue with similar hardware (Sigmatel STAC9205), may try the same settings. It might help. Attached is the screenshot of the gnome-mixer settings that worked for me.

Ubuntu Feisty Installation - Dell Inspiron 1520

It’s been quite sometime that I installed Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn on Dell Inspiron 1520. My experience with this Ubuntu installation has been good and I have got Compiz Fusion working this time (something I could not do before).

Installation was slightly problematic with Feisty, since the Live CD did not boot at all. It failed after I pressed “Enter to Install” and I had to search for available solutions for this problem. I solved the problem by following the steps provided here. The workaround provided helped me out and I could boot using Live CD and installed Ubuntu Feisty subsequently. No problems after the boot process. Installation was simple and straightforward and completed in 18-20 minutes.

Now, since many essential features were missing, so first thing I had to do was to install those missing packages. So, I needed to update the packages list or apt-get should I say. But I did not choose apt-get, instead I selected Smart Package Manager this time. I have had a very good experience with smartpm previously, so decided to try it out this time on Ubuntu as well. I haven’t faced any problems till now, in fact I’m impressed with Smart Package Manager. I find it better since as per my experience, it resolves package dependencies better and I never faced any version conflicts which I faced otherwise with apt-get at times.

Here’s how you can configure smart package manager to add apt-get channels available in default sources.list file:

Issue all these smart commands as root.

smart channel --edit

Now add the following repositories:


[aptsync-a30ca3197e720a6180d50388c93162f8]
type = apt-deb
name = feisty - free non-free
baseurl = http://packages.medibuntu.org/
distribution = feisty
components = free non-free


[deb-sys]
type = deb-sys
name = DEB System


[feisty-backports]
type = apt-deb
name = feisty - backports
baseurl = http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/
distribution = feisty-backports
components = main restricted universe multiverse


[feisty-main]
type = apt-deb
name = feisty - main
baseurl = http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/
distribution = feisty
components = main restricted universe multiverse


[feisty-security]
type = apt-deb
name = feisty - security
baseurl = http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu
distribution = feisty-security
components = main restricted universe multiverse


[feisty-updates]
type = apt-deb
name = feisty-updates
baseurl = http://in.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/
distribution = feisty-updates
components = main restricted universe multiverse


[medibuntu]
type = apt-deb
name = medibuntu-updates
baseurl = http://medibuntu.sos-sts.com/repo/
distribution = feisty
components = free non-free


After adding all the sources, I updated smartpm using the following command:

smart update

First, I installed envy to fetch the Nvidia Graphics Driver. Envy worked extremely smoothly and setup everything automatically without requiring any manual edit of xorg.conf file. So, I got the wide screen 1440×900 resolution setup correctly. Later, I used the Amaranth repository to setup Compiz Fusion on the system. But I had to remove the other 3D desktop packages like Desktop effects, beryl before that. Then I followed this link to install the Compiz Fusion package and it worked without further issues. Here are some screen shots: Screenshot 1, Screenshot 2, Screenshot 3

Smart worked well for the installation of other essential packages as well; you can refer this page for the list of essential packages like DVD support, Multimedia audio codecs, mplayer, banshee, flash plugin, java plugin, vlc, rar archives: http://ubuntuguide.org

One problem that I noticed on Ubuntu Feisty is that I get less battery life for my laptop using the same settings (screen brightness, hdd activity) that I have on Windows Vista Premium. Another issues is the alsamixer, bluetooth and the microphone. Even when I plugged in the headphone, sound used to come through speakers, so I had to upgrade ALSA manually as instructed at this link.

Sound problem was resolved, but the bluetooth and microphone are still not working. Moreover, there is a problem with the power management functions. If the system goes into sleep mode, it does not resume, you get blank screen. I could not find any solution for this problem.

Otherwise, it’s a nice distribution over all.

Dell Inspiron 1520

Yes! I bought a laptop for myself, the Dell Inspiron 1520 (Black). Must say, it’s quite a beauty with the matte finish.

Though delivery time was a bit long (13 days), I got it finally with all the accessories as mentioned in the order, so no surprises. I bought the following configuration :

Intel(R) Core(TM)2Duo Processor T5250 1.5Ghz 2MB Cache, 667Mhz FSB
1 GB (2×512MB) DDR2 SDRAM
15.4 Widescreen WXGA+ Display
160 GB SATA HDD (5400 RPM)
Nvidia(R) Geforce(TM) 8400M GS - 128MB GDDR2
Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced HD Audio Software
Dell Wireless 355 Bluetooth Module
Intel Pro Wireless 3945 Dual Band 802.11a/g Wirless Mini Card
Camera
Dell (TM) Remote Control
Internal 8X DVD+/-RW combination drive with dual layer write capabilities
6-cell 53 WHr Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Windows Vista (with Aero) runs fine, although I don’t see much difference between Vista and XP. There are some unrequired features that you may want to turn off. See this link for some help.

All the hardware components, like Bluetooth, Camera, Touchpad, DVD Writer were configured properly. So, there were no glitches with the default installation. Speakers in the front performs well and battery performance is quite good as well.

But there are some other nuisances, I must say when you decide to change the partitioning, either reducing the size of C drive or installing another operating system.

• I must say that partitioning scheme is crazy. I had 140-145 GB as one partition, C: for Windows Vista. Then there was one recovery partition taking around 10GB of space. And there is also a 2-3GB space allocated for Dell Media Direct.

  Now, since I wanted to install Linux along with it, but I couldn’t due to this partitioning scheme. All these partitions were primary. So, I needed to delete a partition (basically C:) and repartition the whole system. Anyway, I had to do that. Installed Dell Media Direct also, but lost the recovery partition.

• Hard Disk is another disappointment. It makes a irritating crackling sound already (typical Seagate HDD!). Though otherwise, it works fine. I kept the laptop running for 10-12 hrs, doesnt get too heated. Works fine absolutely except the irritating HDD noise. I think I need to get it replaced to a non-Seagate drive.

The next step is to install Linux (Ubuntu most probably).

DB2 decimal to varchar conversion issue : leading zeroes

Recently, I came across this problem, someone faced while casting a decimal datatype to varchar data type in DB2.

Here’s the link to the whole thread :

db2– Decimal to Varchar without leading zeros

So, the idea is to replace the 0’s with spaces and convert them back to 0 with second replace. I’ve already explained the reason for this double-do for both replace and rtrim/ltrim functions instead of a single trim, strip functions.

Targetized

After a period of 18 months approximately, I made first job switch of my career. I separated from my previous company - a IT Company (probably the biggest) to another big company, although in a different industry (Retail).

Last working day was quite eventful. At office, I spent the whole day managing the separation process & said good-bye to everyone. At home, all 3 of us (my 2 room-mates and myself) wished each other Good Luck. One of my room-mates got a job, other one was going abroad. Next day, I left Pune for my home at Delhi and stayed there for a week before taking up my new job at Bangalore. I did nothing at home except relaxing and partying, that was the objective anyways.

Next week I went to Bangalore and joined my new company.

My job change was actually a Career Shift. I've changed my role from pure technical to that of a mixed one. My current role requires both technical skills as well as functional knowledge. It was a personal choice for me, so I took this decision. I wanted to gain business insight in my work so as to feel excited about it and my new role offered exactly same thing; so I didn't mind _relocation_ pain also.

When I joined the new organization, I also observed the difference in working culture of a relatively smaller and non-IT organization with my previous company. Smaller organizations are less process oriented when compared to the big shots of Technology arena where you need to follow process for everything, right from requesting stationary to separation (except going to the loo - as mentioned by another professional from similar organization). Too much process-orientation is a pain especially when you don't achieve much benefit or efficiency from it. Processes are beneficial only when they are practically followed.

Since it's not an IT organization, the objective here is not to achieve ultimate & ace technical solutions. But to use technology to make accurate business decisions smartly. It makes sense for them since their primary goal is to conduct business efficiently rather than implementing latest technology solutions.

I got started with my project work on the 3rd day. Since, it is a new field and role (requiring functional knowledge) for me, I'm having a tough time to learn the business concepts and processes. It's actually analyzing the business & helping in decision support. Even the technology is a bit different as I have to work here on a Data Warehouse whereas I worked as a PL/SQL Developer previously.