Google Maps mashup idea

We all knew that Google Maps is an ideal tool for finding places, directions, terrain, traffic and street view. I regularly use Google Maps to find directions to drive and see street view to get accustomed with the route.

With the fundamental infrastructure in place, I am thinking, could we line up the street view photos and take users on a virtual drive along on the driving directions. Such a mashup should give a virtual tour of the route. It will easy drive on the route direction and locate landmarks along the route.

Such a mashup will entail lot of bandwidth to get all the photos along the route and the load on the server serving the photos will be high.

USB Write Protector

There was a false alarm of virus infection in my SanDisk Cruzer micro USB drive. This triggered me to think how good it will be to have write protection (hardware) in the USB drive.

There were lot of software solutions to this. But the utility needs to be installed in all the computers from which you will access the USB drive. This makes the utility cumbersome to use and also reduces the USP of USB drives.

Iomega Select Portable HDD

As part of 10 yrs of Iomega in India promotion, we were offered Iomega products at
33% discount from the MRP. There were additional discounts on certain products as well.

Most of the sale were related to portable HDDs. I picked up Iomega Select Portable HDD - 250GB drive. The Select range of portable HDD has fiber cover which offers better look, grip and static proof compared to aluminum casings in other ranges.

The HDD came with a USB cable and quick user guide. Iomega offered us Retrospect software as backup solution with 3yrs of extended warranty.

The portable HDD is pre-formatted for Windows and runs like a charm. The USB2.0 is real fast in copying the contents. The Select model has ventilation gaps for heat dissipation.

Jira Firefox Extension

My office uses Jira as bug tracking tool. Quick search option in Jira is really useful to peak into the bug details when you know the bug ID. In my perspective, the deterrent to this feature is, one has start the browser, navigate to the jira site and then do a quick search.

To simplify, I developed a small firefox extension through which you can enter the bug ID and it directly takes you to the bug page.

In the course of this, I got a few good links to firefox plugin development.

Firefox Extension Devlopment
XUL Controls - MDC



If you are interested in the extension, pls leave a comment.
Note: This extension is not generic enough to support all Jira deployments.

Onion Pakoda

Something crispy, spicy and hot to munch on a chilly-drizzling monsoon evening always tickles the taste-buds. Tried onion pakoda on a such occasion this week.


Mix
(Onion, Coriander leaves, Bonda mix, salt to taste)


Fry

Ready to serve

Connecting multiple monitors to laptop

It is widely acclaimed that having multiple monitors increases the productivity. One gets wider viewing area and having different applications opened in the monitors helps you to concentrate and work better. I had been toying with this idea for a while and seem to reap some benefits.

Hardware setup
Dell D630 laptop
Dell Docking station (model: PR01x)
Two 19' Dell monitors

Software setup
Win XP
Multimon

Connection
Use the usual VGI video cable to connect first monitor.
Use the DVI cable to connect the second monitor.
The docking station should have support for DVI port.

Configuration
Now, you need to configure your OS to use two monitors.

With Win XP, Go to Display Properties and attach the second monitor.
Identify and check both the monitors
One can swap the monitor position on the Display properties window to suit your monitor placement
Install MultiMon (freeware) to get the Taskbar on the second monitor

Other Resources

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307873
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/northrup_multimon.mspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-monitor

NH7

NH7 (bangalore to salem) is completely four lane now. I have been able to consistently do bangalore - salem(200kms) in 3hrs 15mins.

Driving the Krishnagiri - Thoppur section is a bliss now. This road section is build and maintained by L&T. Rs 48/- is the toll charges for cars. They have user amenities like restrooms, emergency communication systems, patrols and ambulances available at the disposal.

Pink Pearch Fish Fry

This happens when the culinary mood kicks in during the weekend.

Adopted recipe from here.



Apply masala on pink pearch.
(Grind soaked rice, soaked red dry chili, green chili, coriander leaves, mint leaves, clove, garlic, pepper, tomato and salt to taste)


Leave it to dry for a while


Fry it with little oil


Fry on both sides


Garnish to serve

Belandur Railway Station

A very quiet deserted railway station.

• Single railway line
• Only 2 or 3 passenger trains stops here