BCB4: Summary of my expr!!!!

Okay, so as I promised in my previous post, I am updating my expr about Barcamp Bangalore Collectives Edition.

On saturday morning, I started bit late, so I reached the venue, IIM-Bangalore around 10:30am. I entered into Auditorium to learn that the intro section is over

Met Jayanth, Himanshu, Ashwin and other folks from Bloggers community.

Right after that in Bloggers collective I gave a small talk on “How to create a Audio/Video Podcast”. Rest for another 2 hrs I was in Bloggers Collective till lunch.

Now, the real fun begins!!!!

After lunch, I was feeling damn sleepy. So thought Auditorium would be a ideal place to sleep for a hr or so. When I went there, I find “Shourya Sarcar & Jayanth” for Unband Collective.

Shourya took a session about Basics of guitar for begineers which I found very useful. Next few hrs went so fast that I didnt realize that Day-1 of BCB4 was almost over!!!!

Then, was real unconference style. Shourya, Jayanth, Peter started jamming on some rock songs. Loved it.

Day-2 Sunday, usually its a thumb rule for unconferences that only “serious” crowd shows up. so it usually starts a bit late.

I reached by 10:30am. Then after intro session, I headed towards “BangAJAX” collective which I was leading. We were some 30-35 guys in a classroom. though we had only 3 talks but I can say we discussed on various topics some of which included intro to web 2.0/ajax, web IDE aptana, Chunk coding, Comet, Push-technology, SEO on ajax apps, security etc etc. In all it was short and sweet, more of open discussion rather than PPT stuff.

We had only three 3 talks.

1. Introduction to Web 2.0 & Ajax — I took it

2. SEO for AJAX powered sites — Allagapan(a Y!), claims to be newbie, but was not

3. Yahoo UI Library & Yahoo Maps — Shivku, a Y!, works on Yahoo Maps India.

Thanks a ton to everyone who participated in this collective.

Okay, after this session, I went straight for lunch

Oooops I forgot to tell you that Shourya dada has shown interest in teaching us guitar on first day, so I carried my guitar too.

Dada started teaching us, soon we joined Jay’s session how to make music without instruments. This guy is one crazy fellow for Rock music

After this session, the real learning part of BCB started. Shourya dada taught some basics of chords, 1-3-5 rule, and other simple YET must needed ones. I must tell you, he has lot of patience. Imgaine listening to 3 of us me, pradeep {mapunity} & yuvraj playing some really noisy stuff and he with full zest was encouraging us!!!!

Well, we did the practice till evening, before the wrapping up of BCB4. Next BCB is in November.

I did write about my learning during BCB, but I thought why not make a simple tutorial of what Shourya dada taught. So expect it soon. I am writing a complete tutorial for begineers who want to learn playing Guitar.

Here some pics I collected while we were learning.

Below Pic: Me giving intro about BangAJAX collective

 

Below Pic: Allagappan giving intro abt his talk during BangAJAX

Below pIc: Green Kurta techie is Shivku, He was also speaker@BangAJAX Collective towards right is Pradeep {a great enthu person}, Next Jay {rockstar}, Blue Shirt, Shourya Sarcar {our mentor}, myself in orange tee, next to me is yuvraj.

Below Pic: While the “Music CLinic was in progress”

Below Pic: I guess I heard music coming out

I 

Photos are extracted from Hari, Jace, Jay’s albums.

BCB4 is over….back to work!!!!

BCB4 is history now, but learnt a lot of stuff, NO technology but Music!!!! Yes but I have some work to finish today and will write in detail about my expr with BCB4.

BarCamp Bangalore: Collectives Edition 28th-29th July!!!!

BarCamp days are back!!!!

BarCamp Bangalore 4 , is based on Collectives this time. Collective as in a small core group of people who gather to share/learn/network with people of same interest!!!

BCB4 is on 28th & 29th July @IIM, Bangalore. 

This would be my 2nd BCB unconference in Bangalore.

I am leading the “BangAJAX Collective“. But I would be hopping around other collectives as well

Some of which include Start-ups, UI Collective, Bloggers and ofcourse Hacknight

So if you happen to be present in BCB4, drop a comment we shall catch for a coffee.

Btw, that reminds of meeting Himanshu, Yousuf, Vibhash, Ashwin, Anil others for the first time during BCB3, who now are buddies.

See you there!!!!

Cheerz
Sridhar

Tring, Trring, Trrring. XXX Bank Calling!!!!

Tring, Trring, Trrrring

X: Hello Sir, we are calling from XXX Bank. We are offering you “Free Lifetime Gold Premium” credit card, No taxes, no extra covers, no hidden charges.

{All in one breath without a pause}

Myself: Listen….

X: We are also offering some discount and and free redem points for users.

{I start loosing temper} 

Myself: Enough….. listen to me…..Ggggr

X: Where should I send my executive?

Myself: Jail.

X: Why Sir?

{Voice panics}

Myself: I dont want any credit card. U got that?

X: Okay sir. Could you please refer me to some of your friends?

{To disturb them as well. Nice way to kill enemies, I thought}

Myself: Bye.

Huh!!! I get pissed off. You are seriously working and something shit like this happens spoils everything. And these people call like 10 times  a day. OMG, who wants a Credit Card anyway?

Have u been bugged by stuff like this? How many times? Share your experience in comments.

Cheerz
Sridhar

Want domain names? BustaName.com

This is one of the best domain name surfer I have come across. It is heavily on JScript which comes handy as well.

Check out and grab your Domains now.

Cheerz
Sridhar

First Lady President with Crime Records. Applause!!!

India’s first Lady president, OOops Sonia’s Joke to Nation, Ooops a social-pest, Again I forgot Criminal too. Meet Mrs.Prathibha Patil.

I guess we should raise funds to buy Sonia & Co to buy a televisions, so that they atleast hear, see and understand that the candidate they are supporting has a background!!!!

Newspapers, Media, television everything is flooding of Mrs.Patil’s balcklist activities.

Why are they doing such things? Keep some respect for the Man, whom she is replacing.

Bloddy Politics they just want all uneducated people to fill the seats.

Openings in Indian Politics:

Qualifications, all are mandatory:

1. NO education

2. Crime record

3. Media full of black activities

4. Support from fellow illiterates “Sonia”, “Manmohan”

Shit, we Indians should hang our heads in shame for having such a lady as President.

You can read the complete “History-Geography-Biography” of this lady here

http://www.knowpratibhapatil.com/9/ptotal-new.pdf

I hear that people have self-respect, dignity and morale values in life, Mrs.Patil are you aware of any of these words? If yes, please resign.

Yours loving
Indian Citizen

webNGO & webFIR: 2 new coins to Blogosphere!!!!

I toss 2 new coins to the blogosphere in a vision to make web being a means to reach masses in spreading awareness and solving common mans problem.

webNGO — A social & Political Awareness blog

webFIR – A Problem solving portal for a common man.

I thank all the bangalore bloggers community for supporting this idea!!!

Please feel free to drop your comments/feedback/suggestions/volunteer.

Cheerz
Sridhar

HappY Birthday!!!!

Yup. Today is my Bday!!!!

Depending on when ur reading this. If its 21st July, u can wish me. Else you can add “Belated”

Cheerz

Sridhar

Shameful Flight, a must read!!!!

 

Tomorrow morning when you can find lot of crowd outside malls to buy a book, yes you guessed it right. Harry Poter series.

I will also start my search for a book, its not HP series. Its a book from “Stanley Wolpert” named “Shameful Flight”.

This book is about the last years of british empire in India. How India got divided, who were responsible, what game plan british played. Its a sad chapter to read, but I would say a must.

The book is titled properly for their “Shameful” acts. Its an Oxford University Press release.

The book also features life of Nehru, Mountbatten, Winston Churchhill, Lady mountbatten etc. It throws some light on how because of our leaders we suffered.

India will turn 60 next month, and what are we upto? The answers to these questions are not simple as they appear. Its sad to see the numbers which say what we have  achieved in last 60 years.

One more thing I swore last night, I will surely enter into Politics at any cost, waiting for the right time.

Cheerz
Sridhar

Busy Days, No Learning!!!!

Days have been quite busy from past 2 weeks, which keeps me away from blogging. When I say days are busy. I mean it.

But the saddest part is that, though Im busy, there has been little new stuff I have added to my right-n-left brain!!!!

I believe everyone should learn some or the other thing daily, which is not only useful but also adds satisfaction.

Off for now, Im seriously working on something. So hope to post you soon about the updates and my learnings.

Cheerz
Shri 

Awarapan Sensational songs!!!!

Mahesh Bhat & Co have some magic, I know u must thinking I am kidding. Nope I am serious. Not coz they show adult-related stories but I love their taste for songs!!!!

Right from the days of Sadak till now, they have a track record of selling movies just on the basis of sound tracks.

The latest sensation is Awarapan, the Bhatt-Company continues to digg pakistani talent. 

Anne and Mustafa Zahid rocks!!! All the songs of the movie are damn good. And surprise, surprise, even DJ Suketu has done a nice piece of work in re-mixing the songs.

My fav tracks from movie:

1. To Phir Aaao
2. Mahiya — Remix
3. Toh Phir Aaao — Remix Dj Suketu

Which is your fav??? Drop in comments.

Cheerz
Sridhar

Web 2.0 + Ajax = CRAP!!!

With nice weather around, lot of start-ups are growing like mushrooms, I generally keep track of web start-ups.

Myth#1

Build something using php, mysql and ajax, call it web 2.0 and it is a potential future google. Crap!!!

Ajax is nice, very nice. It is a screwdriver to speed up applications. Lot of people who hardly know about serious programming think ajax is about “effects”.

While a mail exchange of thoughts, Sidu raised this point.

Yes, I totally agree. Ajax has a better taste. Out of total 70 million blogs, if I guess around 30 million blogs will be on technology. Not everyone of those 30 million is a serious ajax programmer. But still write about ajax. This leads to free publicity and creating lot of hype about the looks than actual features

Myth#2

Use any ajax library, add fade effect and it gives you edge over competitor!!!! Again, crap.

Yes, adding fade effect is awesome, but even more important thing is knowing where to apply fade effect. That one can only know when you are seriously involved in coding.

Myth#3

I know ajax, I read gigaom, ajaxian etc etc. Biggest crap!!!!

Lot of people are “ajax experts”, “Gurus” but when it comes to talking about Ajax with showing live working code. Naa, I am busy!!!!

I personally feel un-conferences like Barcamps etc should encourage lot of working code, demos, workshops than mere PPT sessions. Yes, PPT’s are neeeded but as a support let people do hands-on, see how things works. Than theory!!!!

If you have ever felt the same, or came across situations I have mentioned,  Drop in your views in the comments.

Cheerz
Sridhar

Web Design Tip #3: Epicentric Design!!!

I admit its been sometime I have been out of blogging. Almost a week. I was out coz of some hectic deadlines, personal work and above all I didnt try anything new last week. But I am back!!!

Epicentric Design is a must to read and follow for all the web designers. It is not a new technology or something, but a simple way to make great applications.

Let me just start by giving a simple example.

Consider this blog you are reading. What do u feel is the most important feature?

Yes, you are right. The article.  And then follows the sidebar features, footers and headers.

What does that mean?

It means for this particular page, the epicenter is “the article”. Just that article. Forget rest all.

Now, when you get to really start designing or building an application, consider only the epicenter. Most of the web apps I come across fail to do so, which leads in lot of messy stuff on page and creates confusion.

Rediff.com, I dont have any personal problem with them, but yes when u see the home page, what do u feel? U feel its for Logging in? or Shaadi.com Ads? or wht?

Now, simillarly consider the login page, Its functionality is to implement login system, no need for junk there. Best examples Yahoo Mail, Gmail. Their foucs is only on “Login” rest all are not focussed.

So what should be the best possible approach to build the app?

1. Sketch the raw UI, this is imp as we get an idea of what it shud look like.

2. Figure out the Epicenter for the page. Stick to it.

3.  Design a simple html page before coding. It is a MUST, afterwards it may be of no use but it adds to a clear picture of what it should like and contain.

4. Code it. If u fail to do the above 3 steps, chances are you will loose an eye from epicenter.

A personal note from my side, DONT start coding first. It is a serious time waste. If u cant have a design or layout or epicenter dont proceed to coding.

Which methods do u follow to build your app? Do share with us.

Cheerz
Sridhar

PS: extract from 37signals

If you are reading article, you might also be interested in the PHP and Scriptaculous Book I have authored.

The book gives you insights about effects, drag-n-drop, slideshows, applications, auto-completion, in-place editing and more. Complete code snippets and explanations.

CHECK out and BUY the PHP and Script.aculo.us book {My Book} at Packt official site
http://www.packtpub.com/php-and-script-aculo-us-web-2-0-application-interface/book

First Bangalore Blogger’s Meet!!!!

Bangalore Blogger’s Meet :

This is a nice step towards making a great blogger community in Bangalore. No wonder we have some of the most wonderful blogs coming from Bangalore. But isnt it a great idea to really meet the bloggers in person and share the knowledge???

It sure is. What you should do now is to quickly register Here 

Some bloggers focus on Lifestyle, Fashion, Technology, Journal, what such events help is to get all these folks under one roof.  Guess its true, digital world is shrinking!!!

After this Meet, the group plans to have a collective during BarCamp which is scheduled this month end.  [Ref]

Bangalore Bloggers Meet is on 21st July. OMG, I remember something related to that day. Yes, Its my B’day!!!!

Hope to see you during Bangalore Blogger Meet. I am dropping out of this.

Details for the event: 

Bangalore Blogger Meet

Date : 21st July

Venue:   BrewHaHa,  Near Jyoti Nivas College,  Koramangala, Bangalore

Cheerz
Sridhar

PS: Yes, I guess Dhivya is right. But confusion was created coz Sanjukta’s blog says its on 7th July and the PBWiki site says 21st. What the Heck is this now? Huh?

Web Full Of Colors…..whts ur color?

For web designing, one needs to be full of colors specially when it comes to UI layer and trust me I kid you not, it is the most toughest part of web app.

Well, wouldnt it be simple if we learn from Nature? Yes, you are right, most of the below combinations are either from the skins of butterflies or birds or metals  or rocks!!!!

What we learn from it? Before using “color” tag in web page, think of nature, design and colors will come naturally!!!!!

Have a look at some of the color combinations which can used to play and design a Web app.

###Drop in comments which one you find most appealing

PS: my personal fav is “DNA Mismatch with lil Black in it”

PPS: more color combinations follow!!!

Blue Bird Reflection

Butterfly Brown

 DNA Mismatch

Flirt

Gabriels_Oboe

Icicles

lets_change_this_day

Metall_Auf_Metall

Old Spider

SnowTails

Trying to Keep Going

River Washed Himway

Top Brass

Which one you like the most????