End of Another Era…

This post is not in the context of manga but technology. More specifically, it is about the end of support for the Windows phones/mobiles.

Now, most of the insane people didn’t bother with WinPhones but even most of the sane ones started moving on to other phones like Android since MS announced the plans, or rather, no plans to continue with WinPhones a couple of years ago. Since the WinPhone support was supposed to end in December this year (now it ends mid-Jan next year?), we decided to move on too in the last quarter of this year. We got a couple of Nokia’s Android Phones (1 & 7.2). Well, we wanted some familiarity with our past WinPhones. But that’s where it all ends. In the last couple of months, we have been begrudgingly using these phones because we do not feel like looking at the dead screens of AndPhones. WinPhones had live screens! Even when there was nothing to look at, it was fun to look at the dynamic screen full of Live Tiles… one could just flick the screen up and down fluently, an interaction well-worth-it and then move on. It felt like something was accomplished. AndPhones’ screens are just dumb to look at and even when I’m reading an important email or news item, it feels like a waste of time. More so with the uninspiring home screen, which feels underwhelming to look at with all those static uniformly shaped icons. There’s nothing that says: hey pick up the phone, some pleasant screen time here…

My Superpartner has lot more quibbles with the keyboard. She feels that the WinPhone keyboard was way ahead with predicting emojis and not just the text! (She’s the one on WhatsApp and WeChat so needs all those typing features.) Swiftkey is supposed to be a good substitute in AndPhones but nope, doesn’t feel right. There’s random lag while swiping and longer words are just not as accurate as WinPhone’s keyboard was. Did I say predictions are also not as good?

My frustration with Android reached another level when I tried to make a minimal working version (MWV) of AcBook for my Superpartner’s AndPhone. Because she doesn’t have enough time to run the full-fledged version of AcBook on SP4 on a regular basis, she wanted something light-weight on mobile for daily usage. Now, I thought it would be nice to consider a cross-platform solution which runs on both Windows 10 (forget WinPhones already, man!) and Android. I downloaded Visual Studio 2019 and started browsing through some Xamarin tutorials. After a few months of copying and pasting codes from such tutorials and StackOverflow, I did succeed in making a MWV of AcBook (as mentioned here) but oh boy, is Android primitive! It doesn’t even have an automatic splash screen creator… Seriously, after all these years, a splash screen has to be coded explicitly by a programmer as an “activity”, which is supposed to be a single usable screen of the app where a user does something! What the hell? Even MathWorks provided that functionality when they realized their users were actually making standalone programs and their MCR (MATLAB Compiler Runtime) took a helluva long time to start such programs (even in 2019!). They revamped their compilers to generate splash screens without the programmers having to worry about it (and stop people from ripping their clients off). And guess what? UWP apps on Win10 have automatic splash screens generated too!

The frustration continues with the realization that Android also doesn’t have a system-wide save file dialog. Or if it does, they don’t want me to know about it… so what the hell again! There is no universal dark theme even for the 1st party apps including Settings… Are these guys serious? How the hell is this OS the most widely used mobile OS in the world? All because of the deluge of “dum-bass” people wanting “apps” to do a single “activity” on a “smartphone”!

Anyway, so long WinPhones… esp. our Nokia 735 and 950XL. We’ll miss you!

Even after resetting these phones to the point that the screen is as bland as it could be, it looks refreshing. Way more inviting than our current AndPhones’ screens!

Nokia AndPhones

It's a Lovely Day...

Winters are here, short and good, and it feels like an atmosphere of holidays. I wish the Sun would set a bit late for us to enjoy the daylight a little bit more and be outside a little bit more. ‘So much universe and so little time’. But there are always great songs to cheer us up. Here's another one inspired by watching Mrs. Maisel.

The weather is frightening
The thunder and lightning
Seem to be having their way
But as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day

The turn in the weather
Will keep us together
So I can honestly say
That as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day

And everything's okay
This… Isn't this a lovely day?
To be caught in the rain?
You were going on your way
Now you've got to remain
Yes, just as you were going
Leaving me all at sea
The clouds broke, they broke
And oh, what a break for me
Now I can see the sun up high
Though we're caught in the storm
I can see where you and I
Could be cozy and warm
Let the rain pitter patter
But it really doesn't matter
If the skies are gray
Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day

Isn't this a lovely day?
To be caught in the rain?
You were going on your way
Now you've got to remain
Yes, just as you were going
Leaving me all at sea
The clouds broke, they broke
And oh, what a break for me
I can see the sun up high
Though we're caught in the storm
I can see where you and I
Could be cozy and warm
Let the rain pitter patter
But it really doesn't matter
If the skies are gray
Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day

I can see the sun up high
Though we're caught in the storm
…caught in the storm
I can see where you and I
Could be cozy and warm
…cozy and warm
Let the rain pitter patter
But it really doesn't matter
If the skies are gray
Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day

Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day

– Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
[Song featured in the movie – Top Hat]

Another Round of Fillers Begin!

Unlike last year, we have a lot of posts to publish this year to reach the magic number.

But we hope it is possible and the quest to do that has already started with the previous post. It may not have felt like a filler so this post will take care of that feeling.

A lot of things have happened this year, mostly unpleasant (both academic and social/personal), which deserve their own posts, but my Superpartner convinced me to postpone making those “public” right after they’d happened so for now I’ll leave those events be.

A few pleasant things did manage to happen this year:

1. Getting a paper published with half a dozen authors whose initials form AB²J²M (the second J being me).

2. Making a barebones AcBook app for Android (+Win10 UWP) which only my Superpartner and my nephew use. More on this in a later filler.

3. Visiting IMSc, Chennai (twice) including Sujay’s treat at the “Little Italy”; HRI, Allahabad (once); IISER TVM (once).

4. Putting up a paper on arXiv “rubbishing” another paper, whose authors did not bother to correct their misleading claims about our earlier papers (including other related papers). More on this in a later filler.

5. Giving half a dozen lectures on “Supersymmetry” at S.N. Bose Centre, the new institute I joined as a postdoc after SINP.

So that’s it for now and look forward (or don’t) to other fillers appearing almost daily till the end of this year.😀

A Tale by Bob Mortimer

The Seasons

I recently finished watching the 3^rd season of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel & The Crown. The season 3 of Mrs. Maisel was much more musical this time. I totally liked it, not sure about my Superpartner though and on beautiful days like today, I listen to all the songs from all the episodes in a loop. It is these rare occasions when I understand the lyrics without having to listen to the songs over and over again. Most of the songs chosen in the Series have simple lyrics and are slow in the rhythm, sort of my taste. I have many personal favorites but here is one for you to listen and sing along.

Maybe I'm right, and maybe I'm wrong
And maybe I'm weak, and maybe I'm strong
But nevertheless, I'm in love, with you

Maybe I'll win, and maybe I'll lose
And maybe I'm in for crying the blues
But nevertheless, I'm in love, with you

Somehow, I know at a glance
The terrible chances I'm taking
Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking

Maybe I'll live a life of regret,
And maybe I'll give much more than I'll get
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you

Somehow, I know at a glance
The terrible chances I'm taking
Fine at the start, then left with a heart that is breaking

Maybe I'll live a life of regret,
And maybe I'll give much more than I'll get
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you
But nevertheless, I'm in love with you

– The Mills Brothers
[Song featured in the MGM movie – Three Little Words]

Great Shayari Once More

Not sure if we will reach the magic number of posts this year but let me publish one to start, anyway.

This year has been an interesting point in my life, both personally and professionally. I have been recently diagnosed with middle-age, less-than-average-functioning body organs and couldn’t-care-less-attitude. In short, haven’t got many years left to live, which is a good thing given the state of this world.

With that internal note out of the way, let me translate a couple of ghazals by the great poet Shakeel Azmi. Giving credit where credit is due, read the tab above marked “Shayari” first and then let’s crack on with the first Ghazal.

कहानी जिसकी थी उसके ही जैसा हो गया था मैं
तमाशा करते करते खुद तमाशा हो गया था मैं

Kahaani jiski thi uske hi jaisa ho gaya tha main
Tamaasha karte karte khud tamaasha ho gaya tha main

I became just like them, whom-so-ever's story it was
Playing so many dramas, a drama was what I'd become

न मेरा नाम था न दाम बाजार-ए-मोहब्बत में
बस उसने भाव पूछा और महंगा हो गया था मैं

Na mera naam tha na daam bazaar-e-mohabbat mein
Bas usne bhaav puchha aur mahanga ho gaya tha main

Neither had I fame nor wealth in the market-of-love
She just asked price, and valuable was what I'd become

बितादी उम्र मैंने उसकी एक आवाज सुनने में
उसे जब बोलना आया तो बहरा हो गया था मैं

Bitaadi umra maine uski ek awaaz sunne mein
Use jab bolna aaya to bahra ho gaya tha main

Spent my whole life expecting to hear her speak once
When she was able to speak, deaf was what I'd become

बुझा तो खुद में एक चिंगारी भी बाकी नहीं रखी
उसे तारा बनाने में अंधेरा हो गया था मैं

Bujha to khud mein ek chingaari bhi baaki nahin rakhi
Use taara banaane mein andhera ho gaya tha main

No sparks were left in me when I got extinguished
To make her a star, darkness was what I'd become

खुद को ढूंढ कर एक रोज गोली मार दी मैंने
जिसे चाहा उसी की जान का खतरा हो गया था मैं

Khud ko dhoondh kar ek roz goli maar di maine
Jise chaaha usi ki jaan ka khatra ho gaya tha main

Having searched, I found and shot myself one day
For my loved one's life, danger was what I'd become

That went in quite a different direction by the end so let us start a second Ghazal:

शाम होने को है घर जाते हैं
अब बुलंदी से उतर जाते हैं

Shaam hone ko hai ghar jaate hain
Ab bulandi se utar jaate hain

It's about dusk, let's go home
Now, let us get off the summit

ज़िंदगी सामने मत आया कर
हम तुझे देख कर डर जाते हैं

Zindagi saamne mat aaya kar
Ham tujhe dekh kar dar jaate hain

Life, do not confront me
I get scared at your sight

ख़ाब क्या देखें थके हारे लोग
ऐसे सोते हैं की मर जाते हैं

Khaab kya dekhen thake haare log
Aise sote hain ki mar jaate hain

How can the tired dream?
They sleep and they die

Well, not quite a full-fledged Ghazal, but here is a bonus Sher and a great one at that:

उसे भूला भी दिया याद भी रखा उसको
नशा उतार दिया ख़ुमार रहने दिया

Use bhula bhi diya yaad bhi rakha usko
Nasha utaar diya khumaar rahne diya

I forgot her and kept her in memories too
Hangover cured but intoxication retained

– शकील आज़मी (Shakeel Azmi)

That’s all for this post. Till the next one,

Discover more of Azmi’s Shayari

Sketchbook 208

This is the last chapter of Sketchbook. It was released on 25th June and the great saga of Art Club has ended with that. This chapter is special as it does not follow the usual 4-panel style. Most probably, it tells the story of the last day of the students at the school, their graduation, their future, and so on. They also seem to be preparing a feast in the club room. The last page has Sora sitting beside a sketch of all her friends, colleagues and teachers.

An era has ended with the end of Sketchbook. My life won’t be the same anymore. No more looking forward to 25th of each month to ‘read’ less than a dozen pages of supposed hilarity, trivialities and enlightenment about bugs, insects, plants and life in general. This was a true slice of life manga. The manga which I could relate to because of my life experiences whether in school or otherwise. All characters felt like they were part of me and in turn, it felt like I was a part of the manga.

I could have been Sora trying to find some courage to speak to a stranger. I could have been Natsumi trying to be carefree. I could have been Hazuki trying to save some money. I could have been Kokage trying to be dark and witty. I could have been Nagisa trying to be knowledgeable about everything and Juju trying to remain calm in the presence of caterpillars. I could never be the SuzuKaze combo but could have been Fuu and Ryou trying to be resourceful just for the hell of it. I could have been Asaka trying to never fail in my endeavours and Daichi trying to convince others that I AM NOT ANGRY! I could have been Kate trying to see the funny or dumb side of things. I could have been Asakura-Sensei trying to be an adult among kids, Kasugano-Sensei trying to be a child among adults and the President (Ujou) trying to be just the right person among all. I could have been Takane and Kei trying to avoid extra-curricular activities. I could have been Minamo trying to learn photography. I could have been Ao trying to help my sister in the kitchen. I could have been Tsukiyo trying to vanish in the background of this world.

The last volume 14 of Sketchbook should be released in a few months. Will share it as and when I get my hands on it. For now, I leave you with the

Official Website

Bibliography Style

This is a self-promotion, very much like this post about AcBook was. I have ‘created’ a new bibliography style for papers typeset in $\LaTeX$ called “hephys”, which can be used by theoretical High Energy Physicists who use BibTeX (data mostly obtained from inSpireHEP) to include the references in their papers. For more details, head over to my ‘Physics Blog’. For less details, check the tab above titled ‘LaTeX’. For those who just want to get hold of the style file, here’s ‘hephys’.

As a side note, if you want to input Greek characters and other mathematical symbols (like →⊕⊗∈∑∏←) in the $\LaTeX$ files directly, you can download the Unicode Keyboard Layout I created for Windows. [For macOS, head over to Warren Siegel’s ‘Unicode’ webpage.] This .zip folder also includes a .pdf ‘manual’ that you should go through at least once. As a disclaimer, this is still $\LaTeX$ code. If you want cutting / bleeding edge code, get hold of Lua$\LaTeX$ code available from Warren Siegel’s ‘TeX’ webpage.

That’s it for this year from us, till next year

Keep Storytelling!

It’s Greek to Me!

Recently I looked at the Greek alphabets more keenly. I need to know them myself clearly before teaching them to Sakura.😉 I was reminded that there exists such a keyboard prepared by Him. It works with Shift & Ctrl+Alt combinations to get the small & capital letters in Greek. The mapping is below:

a	α
b	β
c	χ
d	δ
e	ε
f	φ
g	γ
h	η
i	ι
j	ψ
k	κ
l	λ
m	μ
n
o	o
p	π
q	θ
r	ρ
s	σ
t	τ
u
v	ν
w	ω
x	ξ
y	υ
z	ζ

The keyboard layout of the same is:

Now that I was looking at things keenly, I realized the Greek alphabets could be made to match the English ones more closely and I made one on my own which looks like:

a	α
b	β
c	χ
d	δ
e	ε,η
f	φ
g	γ
h
i	ι
j
k	κ
l	λ
m	μ
n	ν
o	o,ω
p	π
q
r	ρ
s	σ,ψ
t	θ,τ
u	υ
v
w
x	ξ
y
z	ζ

I know the above is not a one-to-one mapping but it ‘sounds’ all right to me.😊

See you tomorrow!

Let the Fillers Begin!

That’s how it’s going to be again this year.

Three posts during the last three days of the year.

And, as is usual, the content of the filler posts is not much to write about.

We will just agree that something important was said and something important was understood.

There is a lot of backlog in my life right now: Writing emails, Watching Christmas/New Year TV show specials, Doing research, Enjoying life with family, Writing paper(s), Teaching my daughter group theory, etc.

Obviously, some are easier than others but I have yet to optimize their order of execution. In the mean time, writing 3 blog posts is another backlog that we have to deal with urgently. So here we have accomplished 1/3 of that job. As we wait for the remaining 2/3,

Wonder Why?