The End of Harry Potter

I've completed reading the final book on the series of Harry Potter books. I'm not going to give the spoiler here, it kills the reading. There are many opinions about "Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows", my opinion is that it has Exceeded Expectation.

Happy Reading to all Harry Potter Fans....

I've added Jacob's Blog in my blog page. I was quite amazed that Jacob is also a bibliophile. Good to hear that he reads my blog periodically. Some of the books which I have read within a week's time:

* Anthem
* Amulet of Samarkand
* Paulo Coelho Books (Alchemist, Pilgrimage, The Valkyries, Manual of Light Warrior)
* HP & the Half-blooded Prince
* HP & the Deathly Hallows

Today's Quote
==============
Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it.
Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held.
Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books.
Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin.
Believe nothing just because someone else believes it.
Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true.

- Buddha (Got it from somebody's Orkut profile)

Good Quotes

UNIX is simple. But It just needs a genius to understand its simplicity.
--Dennis Ritchie

It's hard enough to find an error in your code when you're looking for it; it's even harder when you've assumed your code is error-free.
-Steve McConnell Code Complete (Very True)

Good code is its own best documentation. As you're about to add a comment, ask yourself, 'How can I improve the code so that this comment isn't
needed?'
Improve the code and then document it to make it even clearer.
--Steve McConnell Code Complete

Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment..
--Fred Brooks

Measuring programming progress by lines of code is like measuring aircraft building progress by weight. (very much True)
--Bill Gates

Programmers are in a race with the Universe to create bigger and better idiot-proof programs. The Universe is trying to create bigger and better idiots. So far the Universe is winning.
--Anon (ha..ha..ha)

Harry Potter and IMSc

I love this Marvin character in HHGG.

I started reading Harry Potter when I did my mca project in IMSc (Institute of Mathematical Science). I'm proud that my name is mentioned in Home of Dr.Venkatesh Raman, my mentor, guide and guru.

It was abt 5+ years back, it is one of the series of books which I can never forget in my life. I can't leave it without completely reading it within a week's time. I still remember time, when I've taken leave from office to read it.

Saying abt IMSc, my god this is heaven where they pay you for learning. I got a stipend of Rs.3000 per month for doing my project over there. I could've given them at least 10k to get such a high-class education. If I really miss anything in my life, it is the life I spent in IMSc. I can never forget it.

I've bought the HP and the deadly hallows from Big Bazaar, and currently reading it, nearly 300 pages are completed. It is a paper-turner, I don't know the exact word, It will make you to sit on the edge of the Seat.

Today's Quote
==============
A person is only as big as the dream they dare to live.

-- Unknown

Harry Potter and IMSc

I started reading Harry Potter nearly 6 years back, when I was doing my MCA project in IMSc (Institute of Mathematical Science, Taramani). I love to read HP, I have already completed 6 parts. On 21-Jul, after a great negotiation my finance minister Mrs. S.Juliet Reemus approved my HP Budget.


I've completed reading 100+ pages.

Laws and Programmers

Today, I read an article Laws of Software. It is quite interesting.

The Law which I like most is:

"If anything can go wrong, it will."

Programming is not a science anymore, it is more of art. Read "Art of Computer Programming" by Donald E. Knuth (Need a lifetime to finish reading it). It is classical master piece and must read for all life-time programmers.

I also read another article abt being a Programmer by Peter Norvig.

Geeks And Haskell

The word geek has recently come to be used to refer to a person who is fascinated by knowledge and imagination, usually electronic or virtual in nature.

Some use full links:
* Being Geek
* Programmer
* Hackers

Books:
* Hackers and Painters
* ESR (Cathedral and Bazaar)

Here is Good Tutorial for Haskell

Today's Quote:
To get your ideas across use small words, big ideas, and short sentences.
-- John Henry Patterson

Top Programmers and Python

In a survey of Top Programmers Linus Trovalds is rated #1. The List is

1. Linus Torvalds
2. Alan Turing (Great Hacker)
3. Dennis Ritchie (No info needed)
4. Rasmus Lerdorf
5. Donald Knuth ( The Guru Programmer)
6. Richard Stallman (GNU)

Out of all, I met Richard Stallman in person. Yes, I met him in MIT (not that MIT, MIT chennai), when I was doing my MCA Final Year Project. I got 2 GNU stickers from him, I've pasted it in my "Unix Internals" book by Uresh Valhallia. I've preserved it as my treasure for the past 5 years.

He is one my inspiration, my other inspirations are:

=> Donald Knuth
=> Grady Booch
=> Bjarne Strustrup
=> K & R
=> Alan Turing
=> Marvin Makinsley
=> John Backus

Just got a short and sweet tutorial for Python. You can learn Python in 10 Mins.

Today's Quote: (I feel lucky, got Ayn Rand quote today)

"Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values."
-- Ayn Rand

Books of this Month

Finally, The Game ends here. I want focus, I need to read all the Books I own.

So, the Books of the Month:

* Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy
* TCP/IP Illustrated Vol-I
* 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
* Code Complete

Santo and Myself are going to read and discuss TCP/IP Vol-I. Later, We are thinking of moving to TCP/IP Illustrated Vol-II, the implementation, anybody can join...If interested post a comment here.

7 Blunders of the World

We know the 7 Wonders of the World, but what is this new "7 Blunders of the World".

Well, It is as follows:

1. Wealth Without Work
2. Pleasure Without Conscience
3. Knowledge Without Character
4. Commerce Without Morality
5. Science Without Humanity
6. Worship Without Sacrifice
7. Politics Without Principles
8. Rights Without Responsibilities (Added by Arun Gandhi)

The list is given by the "Father of Our Nation". Click here for the Article by Arun Gandhi.

Procrastination

"Procrastination is the seed of self-destruction."
-- Matthew Burton

What is Procrastination ? (Wikipedia)

Procrastination is the deferment or avoidance of an action or task to a later time. Psychologist and author Neil Fiore defines procrastination as:

"a mechanism for coping with the anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision."[1]

For the person procrastinating this may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of productivity, the creation of crisis, and the chagrin of others for not fulfilling one's responsibilities or commitments. While it is normal for individuals to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying psychological or physiological disorder.

How to overcome Procrastination ?

Overcoming Procrastination

Coding

"Always code as if the person who is going to maintain your code is maniac serial killer who knows where you live."

- Programming Tip of the Day.

Today's Link: Tao of Programming

Today's Quote:
Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in
the past.

-- Tyron Edwards