Ensel Software's blog

Lego 8069 review

2012-02-28T10:46:00.000Z

Packaging

I bought a Lego after a long time. In fact, this is my first studless set. I was quite excited to start building as soon as I opened the box. However, I was disappointed on the packing. In old days, Lego used to insert a tray with pockets to hold parts in plastic containers. Now there is no such plastic tray inside! Just the sealed plastic bags with parts inside. The wheels and front bucket were just bundled as loose parts. Also, Lego now only includes instruction for main model. The B model instructions must be downloaded. What the heck? Cost cutting at its extreme?

Building it was time consuming consider the model does not have too many parts (609 to be precise). This is due to the fact that parts were not well sorted in bags. It took me 3.5 hours to construct the model. Initial steps were longer as I had to delve thru all parts. It became much quicker from part 2 of instruction booklet.

The model

The finished model was quite big. It spanned the length of a typical computer monitor (17-19 inch). The functions are:

Hand of God steering (the steering in cab is dummy) operating front wheels although turning radius is quite large.
The two black cogs on either side of the model raise/lower the front bucket. The vertical rod tilts the bucket.
There are two out triggers at the rear, which you can raise/lower using handles.
The backhoe assembly in rear can be rotated as a whole using worm gears (its bit loose and has considerable free movement as well).
There are two knobs (cogs) at the top of cab, one raises/lowers the backhoe arm and one extends it in/outward to operate the backhoe.
The bonnet of engine bay can be opened (but there is no engine inside by the way).

Overall, a good playability. Aesthetically it is a pleasing one. I heard that studless models look nicer than studded ones. As this is my first studless model, I think this claim is actually true. My previous studded Lego sets look quite blocky. Did not use the stickers - I hate them.

This is the first time I used linear actuators. These convert rotational movement into linear movement. It is analogous to old pneumatic pistons but instead of air pressure, it works via linear movement.

Overall Impression

I would give this set a score of 9 out of 10. There are many functions and this set bucks the latest trend of providing motors in almost every Technic sets! I prefer pure Technic without any motor. The joy of seeing action via hands pushing cogs is totally different.

This set has lots of special parts (but then I have not played Lego for a long time). This somewhat restricts what you can create of your own. Don't know whether I'd ever create the B model (especially without a printed instruction - shame Lego).

Money vs Happiness

2012-01-31T14:03:00.002Z

Philosophers often claim that money is not always the source of happiness. In a glance, it is true. But then I thought that I would investigate further and see to what extent could be said true.

Let me try to make a list of what you can enjoy without being a millionaire.

* Child(ren)'s hug

They will always love you irrespective of what you earn. At a very young age, they don't understand money and will love you unconditionally.

* Beginner's eyes

When you see (or experience) something for the first time, it was always exciting. Even if you taste the experience many times later, it will still never be the same.

For example, first sex, first driving a car, first visit to a foreign country and so on.

Remember, boredom is a characteristics of human kind. Whatever expensive item you buy, after sometime (days or months - depending on persons) you will definitely get bored with it. So, buying an expensive item will only make you happier for a shorter time. In fact, it is the act of changing something which is more exciting rather than buying expensive thing.

* Quality vs quantity

When you become rich, you often buy a better quality of some thing - like a better car, bigger house, more expensive outfits, more modern phone etc.

Buying your first car gives you complete freedom. But upgrading to a more expensive car won't save you from getting stuck in traffic jams!

* Cash rich vs time poor

Usually when people earn more, they get busier! Just ask yourself - did you have more spare time 10 years back? Unless you are retired now, the most likely answer would be "yes".

There is a caveat to this hypotheses though. With more money, you can outsource (i.e. get someone to do it) some tasks which you don't like (e.g. washing, cleaning, driving etc.)

But still, it has been found that with more earning, people get less spare time.

* Health is Wealth

You can't enjoy wealth if you health is not well. Even billionaire's like Steve Jobs could not enjoy his life because he neglected his health! He did lots of correct decision on introducing new products for Apple but he was wrong when he thought he took right decision for his health as well. His cancer was curable but he decided to go for alternative medicine in the beginning. When he realized his mistake, it was too late.

* Your goal changes

You may find today that if you get 3 times salary in 10 years time you will be very happy. But humans always overestimate their emotional reaction. Whatever happens in future you will be less happy (or sorry) than you think you would be!

* Budget versions are often good

You may often target a premium item but if you go with the budget or economy version of something, you might be surprised to discover they are probably almost as good. Sure, it may not uplift your social status - but if that is your main aim, then you will often feel miserable anyway. When people compare them against their friends, relatives, colleagues, they measure their comparative position. As soon as they compare with someone richer, their happiness index take a dive. That's why it is advisable to compete against situation and not against rivals. When you do so, you become much happier.

If you think you can only be happy if you win a lottery, think again. You can achieve lots of those dreams even without winning a lottery.

Some happiness quotes

* Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.

* If you want happiness for an hour ? take a nap. If you want happiness for a day ? go fishing. If you want happiness for a year ? inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime ? help someone else." Chinese Proverb

* One of the keys to happiness is a bad memory.

* Happiness is found on the way - not at the end of the journey.

* The happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting thoughts.

Underlying profit vs statutory profit

2011-12-28T13:51:00.000Z

When companies announce their financial results, they often declare both underlying profit (or loss if negative) and statutory profit (or loss).

What is the difference between these two?

Underlying profit is more important indicator. It shows how the business is performing. This amount is an indication of what business may do year after year if all other parameters remain same.

Statutory profit is calculated by adding one off gains (or losses) to underlying profit. For example, business can make one off sell of some of its assets. This will not happen every year. Thus if we stress more on statutory profit figures, it may not reveal the true picture of how business may perform over long terms. So, most strategic decisions for future path of the business is taken based on underlying profit figures.

Invisible blog

2011-12-22T14:30:00.001Z

This blog is not meant for reading but to be discovered by search bots.

Samriti Basak is name of my sweet little child.

Why do people say Apple devices are user friendly?

2011-10-16T12:31:00.001+01:00

I can't understand why people claim that Apple devices are so user friendly and they just work!

First of all no Apple device(except MacBooks off course) works just out of the box. If you buy and iPhone or iPad, you need to connect them to odious iTunes to get them started. Well you may argue iOS 5 changes the game but it was just too late for a company who claims to be pioneer in user friendliness!

Then these devices are so restrictive with Digital rights management and proprietary formats for files. iPhone or iPad does not allow you to browse file system unless you jailbreak them! Then if you upgrade your firmware, all your jail broken apps are deleted! Will you still call that user friendliness?

An iPhone costs a bomb and does not offer any functionality which a cheaper Android phone cannot provide.

A MacBook is a pain because you can't have any software you want like in a Windows or even Linux PC.

So it is a myth that Apple products are more user friendly.

Apple's philosophy is simple. Reduce the users' access to their data and to vital functionality, all in the name of usability improvement!

Then triple the price.

Then tell the whole word they have got a revolutionary product.

Tell Me In Simple Terms: From Supermarket Deals to Theory of Everything

2011-10-11T11:46:00.002+01:00

The Book is finally out. Now available in Amazon and Lulu as ebook. Will be available as printed edition soon.

You can buy it from Amzon here.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005U2M9V6

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005U2M9V6

http://www.amazon.de/Tell-Simple-Terms-Supermarket-ebook/dp/B005U2M9V6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318414664&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.fr/Tell-Simple-Terms-Supermarket-ebook/dp/B005U2M9V6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318414707&sr=8-1

Book synopsis: 59 seconds

2011-09-09T15:19:00.002+01:00

When people can afford the necessities in life, an increase in income does not result in a significantly happier life. Part of the reasons is that we all get used to what we have very quickly.

Talking about traumatic experience does not help but writing does! This is because people tend to be more systematic & solution based during writing.

You don't know what you've got till it's gone! It means you can re-create happiness by going out of the environment and entering it so that the joy of getting something first time re-appears.

Experiential purchase provides greater happiness.

If you want real retail therapy, help yourself by helping others.

In interview, likeability is more important than qualification and work experience.

Bystander effect - The more people who are around when a person is apparently in need of assistance, the lower the likelihood that any one person will actually help!

If you want maximum return for your investment (donation, act of favor etc.), ask for return favor quickly else recipient will forget it.

If you have a photo of a baby in your wallet, you are more likely to get it back if lost.

To achieve your aims and ambitions, there are four key techniques that will help you succeed: having the right kind of plan, telling your friends and family, focusing on the benefits, and rewarding yourself each step of the way.

Looking at greenery, plants etc. inspire creativity.

There is a strong link between anxiety and creativity. When people feel worried, they become very focused, concentrate on the task at hand, become risk-averse, rely on well-established habits and routines, and see the world through less-creative eyes. In contrast, when people feel at ease in a situation, they are more likely to explore new and unusual ways of thinking and behaving, see the bigger picture, take risks, and think and act more creatively.

To help reduce your heart rate and blood pressure in less than a minute, go online and watch a video of a cute animal.

Being in a group exaggerates people's opinions, causing them to make a more extreme decision than they would on their own. Depending on the initial inclinations of individuals in the group, the final decision can be extremely risky or extremely conservative.

People are far more likely to agree to a big request if they have already agreed to a small request.

People who are shown the options but then kept busy working on a difficult mental activity make better decisions than others do. When the going gets complex, the mind has only a limited ability to juggle a small number of facts and figures at any one time, and so the result is not so good. Instead of looking at the situation as a whole, the conscious mind tends to focus on the most obvious elements and, in doing so, can miss the bigger picture. In contrast, your unconscious mind is much better at dealing with the complex decisions that pervade many aspects of our lives.

People regret not doing something more than doing something wrong because in the former case, outcome what might have happened are many more compared to the latter.

Satisfier - stop once you found what you wanted.
Maximiser - carry on till you get the best deal.

Happiness is wanting what you have, not having what you want.

Praise children's efforts rather than their achievements.

People who visualize themselves taking the practical steps needed to achieve their goals are far more likely to succeed than those who simply fantasize about their dreams becoming a reality.

TOGAF in nutshell

2011-09-02T10:29:00.001+01:00

You may have heard about TOGAF and tried to look up on internet what it is all about. Then you might have been bogged down by 800+ page document TOGAF provides to explain the process end to end. At this stage, you became frustrated and decided to skip the matter altogether.

If that is the situation, you may find this article useful.

In simplest terms, TOGAF is a series of recommendations and checklists for developing enterprise architecture.

So in its most basic form, think TOGAF as a collection of nested check lists.

Then assume TOGAF breaks down the enterprise architecture into multiple components and then further divides them into various segments.

If you try to visit every leaf nodes in that huge checklist, it may be unnerving – but you actually don’t have to visit every node.

Unfortunately, the TOGAF documentation was not written in a user friendly way. Its language is more suitable for lawyers rather than casual technocrats. The TOGAF documents are just plain boring to read at.

TOGAF is a superset of traditional software development lifecycle (say Waterfall model). So many projects are already following TOGAF without actively going thru TOGAF manual and trying to align the project as per TOGAF!

TOGAF simply redefines some view points.

In TOGAF you will frequently encounter following terms:

ADM – Architectural Development Method – This is the check list for your enterprise architecture steps. This is like your end-to-end project check list.

Artifact – It is a piece of architectural work. It can be a design document, process diagram, data model or anything showing relationship among many things.

Deliverable – the output of project – usually the application code and associated documentation.

Building block – a reusable component (which is often a code, package, function etc.). It can also be a concept (e.g. a data model) which can be used in various projects in an organization.

The following mind map gives you a bird’s eye view of foundation of TOGAF.

In case you wonder why the Requirement Management is at the center, then the answer is you need to validate design at each stage against the business requirement.

Why dumb phones are better?

2011-08-21T09:05:00.001+01:00

Although there is a recent craze of people buying smart phones, dumb phones still outsell the formar in sever multiples. Let us see why dumb phones (that is traditional mobile phones) can be actually better than smart phones.

Price

Dumb phones are 3 to 4 times cheaper than smart phones. It is easy to replace them if you lose your phone. They are also less likely to be stolen.
Smart phones also require data plans which are more expensive than only voice minutes and text plans.

Size

Dumb phones are much smaller, lighter and thinner! You can easily tuck them inside trousers pockets.

Phone capability

Surprisingly dumb phones often have better reception then smart phones!

Battery life

Dumb phone wins hands down. Just no contest. Smart phones require daily or more frequent charging. Many traditional dumb phones require only one or two charges in a week.

Software issues

Smart phones often crash! You need to maintain them as you look after your computer. Yes they are very capable but you need to spend enormous amount of time on them.

Unusability

Often smart phones become dumb phone outside your home country. Data roaming chafe abroad is usually prohibitive. You are most likely to get lost and need GPS function to locate yourself in a new country but you can't do that without sky high data charge (you need to use a local SIM to achieve that).

Eye strain

If you end up spending too much time on surfing Internet on small screens, you may get head ache and eye strain. Some people even play with smart phones while they are at home and having access to large screen of a computer!If course smart phones are sometimes useful, but not everyone needs them. A dumb phone makes life much simpler.

The definitive iPad content creation strategy

2011-08-17T10:14:00.001+01:00

Office 2 HD vs Pages vs Notability vs Simplenote vs handwritten notes

I know you might cringe on this comparison because all these apps are somewhat of disparate genres!
Yes I agree but still I find them sometimes pondering to decide which one I should use for my note. I am sure many of you probably faced the same issue as well.
Let's examine each of them.

Simplenote

This is the simplest of all. This is a plain text note taking app. But it does support formatting via Markdown! You can also make your formatted text public via a shared URL. This makes it ideal for text based notes which you may want to share with others by providing the link to original note. It also syncs on the web - so you can work on the notes from any browser. Interestingly, you can embed images in your text notes when it is written in Markdown format however you can only insert URLs of images and they won't appear inline when you are in editing mode.

Verdict - Use Simplenote when you want to keep/share text based notes with minimal formatting.

Office 2 HD

This claims to be an Office compatible work suite although in reality it is not fully compatible with Microsoft Office. This works best when you want to write something and then you want to use same content in Word desktop (or Excel as well). But the opposite (i.e. from Word to Office 2 HD) is risky as you may lose some important formatting!

A good bit about Office 2 HD is that it supports cloud services and your documents can be edited and saved in situ (i.e. you can directly on the document in the cloud).

Verdict - Use Office 2 HD when you want to create Word/Excel compatible documents/spreadsheets which you later intend to import/copy-paste/open in Word/Excel.

Pages

As of now, Pages is the most capable word processor for iPad. It offers some very advanced formatting features and good control over document layouts. However, it is excellent only if your documents live their entire life within iPad. If you want to export your document from iPad as .doc and then work on it on Word and then export it back to iPad you may be out of luck as formatting loss may occur. So in spite of being powerful, Pages often get used very little.

Verdict - Use Pages when you want to create a document from start to finish within iPad and then just want to export final document. In reality, for that serious work, desktop Word may be more productive choice!

Notability

This is mainly for note taking app. What is meant by that? Well, it implies you need to take notes quickly without worrying too much about presentation. Notes are often personal and scribbles and not meant to be preserved for long to be presented to others. Notability offers some unique features like you can insert images or free hand scribbles and using the inbuilt browser, you can insert web clips (and can crop them as well). The intention of Notability is to collect as much information as possible without leaving the app. It can also capture audio notes (which I never used myself). Notability document can be exported as PDF or RTFD. Unfortunately if your note contains images and you intend to edit the document in target system, then your may be in trouble as RTFD edit is only supported in Mac!

Verdict - Notability is great when you want to capture as much information as possible within a short period. This may include some info captured from web or adding free hand drawings.

Handwritten notes app

Some example apps in this category are - UPAD, NoteTaker HD, Noteshelf, Notesplus etc.
This type of apps is good when you need to capture notes but do not have the time of typing it on iPad screen. If you mostly take non-alphabetic notes (e.g. equations/drawings in maths/science class etc.) then typed note app won't be suitable and your only option is handwritten note app because of the speed on which you can take notes. Typically these notes will have short life span and if you want to formally present it, you need to re-create another document in another application for proper formatting and layout. All of these apps allow to export your notes as PDF or images.

Verdict - Use handwritten note app when you want to capture free hand drawing/equations etc. very quickly without worrying about layout.

Most handwritten apps also have the option of inserting text box to add typed text.

Day to day manager vs visionary leader

2011-08-16T22:20:00.001+01:00

High beam leadership

5-10 year view

Visionary
Willing to experiment
Predictive analysis

Low beam leadership

12 month view

Monthly results
Execution focussed
Lack of vision
No future investment

How to write Request For Proposal?

2011-08-07T15:56:00.001+01:00

Demonstrate. Complete understanding of the business and project and describe what you'll provide in those terms.
How you'll do it. - time frame, staffing, resources.
Present your company's résumé in tight form, tailored to project needs.
Present the advantage of your offer, such as experience in industry, awards, technology infrastructure, special expertise etc.
Backgrounds of principals who will do the work.
Comfort factors - evidence that your company can be trustees to do the job right, on time and within budget - testimonials, track record on similar projects, references.
Essentials such as fee structure, exclusions, project schedules etc

Types of Trends

2011-08-07T14:34:00.001+01:00

Macro trends

Globalisation
Technology adoption
Workforce changes
Generational change

Industry trends

Regulation
Demographic changes
New product
Competitive change

Organisational changes

Leadership change
Produce changes
Changing values
Tightening budget