Musings on the Human Condition

31 Tools Every Web Developer Should Know About [A book review of "Web Development Recipes" by Hogan et al. The Pragmatic Programmers. 2012. 321 pp.] This terrific compilation of recipes (42 recipes in 300 pages) is akin to having 24/7 access to a bunch of super-geeks who have found the time you wish you had to explore every promising new web development technology out there. Moreover, the authors have prepared a nice little recipe (generally under 5 pages) for each idea that is worthy of further attention. For the most part, you can skim through the book in any sequence. And you can either read or try out the recipes. I actually tried a few on my web sites (e.g. recipe #3) and they do work! And there's good thoughtful cross-referencing between recipes, pointing out prerequisites and ideas for further exploration. Even if you're not motivated enough to try out all of the book's recipes, skimming through this book is the best way I can think of to develo...

Introduction I recently bought a utility trailer . (I'll explain momentarily what that is and why you might consider buying one.) Going through the process (research, preparation, purchase, registration, setup and maintenance) has taught me that it's not a simple endeavor and very little good documentation exists in the public domain (e.g. on the Internet). Hence, this post. Research In dictionary terms, of course, "to trail" means "to follow" (or to trace the path of a primary vehicle). Alternately, Wikipedia defines a trailer as an unpowered vehicle pulled by a powered vehicle. So, let's get acquainted with what a utility trailer is and why you might consider buying one. If you're a hardworking, blue collar American you probably already have one -- it's the back half of your pickup truck . Well not quite, but that's the reason Australians refer to a pickup as a utility vehicle. A pickup is characterized by the presence of a flat...

A humorous synopsis of today's major programming languages. Very cleverly done and pretty much hits the nail on the head. Your favorite language is sure to be discussed, albeit not necessarily in complimentary terms!

  © Puneet Singh Lamba May 14, 2011

June 4, 2011.   © Puneet Singh Lamba

A colleague recently made me aware of Time's new list of 50 Best iPhone Apps 2012 . There's a lot of fluff on this list from Time magazine. But here are some of the apps from this list that I actually use and recommend. ShopSavvy (better than RedLaser). To discover, for example, that most groceries at Target are actually very competitively priced. Dragon (I find the classic version, minus the Go!, to be more useful). To dictate lengthy responses to emails while driving. Required very occasionally, but when you need it you really need it, for example as you're pulling into the parking lot to let someone who is in a meeting and can't take a phone call know that you need them to fetch a projector for the very next meeting. Mildly not useful if you have to correct the transcription but works well once you get used to speaking clearly. Side benefit: helps you learn to speak clearly! GasBuddy. Good for that initial "wow" discovery that some gas station...

Use this cool tip to capture your iPhone screen as an image. Useful for documenting a setting you want to save or for demoing how an app works.

Kailash Kher, performing live in Boston, November 13, 2009. Copyright Puneet Singh Lamba. I've been a fan on Kailash Kher ever since he came into limelight with the outstanding Allah Ke Bande (2002). After his appearance as a judge on Zee TV's SaReGaMaPa 2011, I also became a fan of his forthright personality and his shudh/pure Hindi. I had the pleasure of seeing this amazing singer perform live in Boston on November 13, 2009 at the historic Somerville Theatre . It was an especially enjoyable show for me, given Karsh Kale 's surprise guest appearance on drums. Kailash Kher's long-awaited new album, Rangeele , is a more sober offering relative to his previous works. Understandably so, now that he is established, married, and a father. The album contains eleven delicious ballads, which I've reviewed below. This is the kind of CD we all long for, one that you can leave on continuous play and let it loop as it quietly seeps into your consciousness. 1. Range...