Dree My Weird

A Conversation on Systems Architecture

2008-09-23T20:26:00.025+05:30

When I went home during the weekend, I met my friend, Jamal, who had just returned from college. He told me he was having difficulty coping up in certain topics in his computer science class. When I asked him about the problem he was facing this is what he said.

Jamal: I am unable to understand what Computer Architecture is all about. Could u explain?

Me: Computer architecture is the way in which a system is designed and how the components are connected with each other. It refers to the structure and oraganization of a computer's hardware or system software

Jamal: I am not very clear on this. Could you start from the basics?

Me: Hmmm… well then let me explain a few computer terms. Hardware includes the physical components, such as keyboard, mouse and printer whereas software includes the programs that run on the hardware. Computer is hardware, while an operating system such as Microsoft XP is the software that makes the hardware functional.

An operating system is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. It provides a software platform on top of which other programs, called application programs, can run. Application includes database programs, word processors, and spreadsheets. It refers to the software package you use to create your documents, such as AppleWorks, PageMaker, FreeHand, Quicken, Photoshop, Internet Explorer, Mail and othersPlatform: The underlying hardware or software for a system is referred to as a platform. Once the platform has been defined, software developers can produce appropriate software and managers can purchase appropriate hardware and applications. What we need to understand now is how the platforms are connected to each other and how the applications residing on them exchange data according to the requirements of the user. Here we need to look at the separation of data from applications.

Jamal: What does this mean?

Me: For example, let us look at image editor. Here image editor is the application whereas the images edited using this application is the data. The same application is used to create or edit various images. The same applies to other applications. What is important to remember is that it is always preferable to keep data separate from its application. To go deeper into this let us first define a client and a server. Client is the requester of services and Server is the provider of services. There can be different tier architectures based on the user requirements.

Jamal: What kind of tiers?

Me: Let’s begin with the simplest. Single tier architecture- This is where a single computer contains a database and a front-end to access the database. Generally, this type of system is found in small businesses. A single-tier system requires only one stand-alone computer. This makes it cost-effective. However, a drawback is that only one user can use it at a time.

Jamal: So is there an alternative available?

Me: Yes here the two tier architecture comes into picture. A two-tier system consists of a client and a server. Here the database is stored on the server, and the interface used to access the database is installed on the client. It places database management on the server and splits the processing management between client and server, creating two layers. Since processing is shared between the client and server, more users can interact with such a system. But a limitation of this system is when the number of users exceeds 100, the performance begins to deteriorate.

Jamal: Is there a way to overcome this limitation?

Me: Yes, the three-tier architecture overcomes this limitations. The third tier is between the client and the server. This middle tier provides process management where business logic and rules are executed and can accommodate hundreds of users by providing functions such as queuing, application execution, and database staging. The three tier architecture is used when an effective distributed client/server design is needed that provides increased performance, flexibility, maintainability, reusability, and scalability, while hiding the complexity of distributed processing from the user.

Another tier architecture is the multi-tier architecture. Here the web browser replaces the client software on the user machine, which is not in a position to communicate with the application server directly. It needs an intermediate server to communicate effectively. Hence, a web server is used. This eliminates the need for installation of any software. Though here there is no difference between the internet and a private wide-area network, it would be more cost effective to have it available on the internet.

Jamal: Well then, are there no security issues involved?

Me: This can be taken care of by using a firewall. A firewall is a dedicated appliance, or software that runs on another computer, which inspects network traffic passing through it, and denies or permits passage based on a set of rules. Its basic task is to regulate some of the flow of traffic between computer networks of different trust levels. Basically, it is a barrier to keep destructive forces away from your property. In fact, that's why it is called a firewall. Its job is similar to a physical firewall that keeps a fire from spreading from one area to the next.

Jamal: This is a very interesting concept.

Me: Yes. I hope now you have a better understanding of Systems Architecture than you did previously.

Jamal: Yes, I certainly do. This conversation has been very helpful. Thank you ver much.

SAFE CALCUTTA?

2008-04-23T17:22:00.009+05:30

Calcutta is supposed to be one of the safest cities. Hmm….Let me reconsider that. Well yea I guess you would rarely come across any girl who hasn’t ever experienced any kind of abuse in her lifetime. Whether she lives in a city or a small town, weird men can’t keep their hands and ahem…other things to them selves.

Just the other day I was traveling in an auto rickshaw with two guys sitting next to me. The guy sitting adjacent to me had some guts. I don’t think I need to spell it out for you, but well he had his hands in the wrong places. I couldn’t resist...I had to give him that one tight slap he so deserved. Some men are major despos. He was just one of them. But what disturbed me was that the other guy who was also seated in the same auto continued to talk on his mobile phone like nothing was happening. I sat there cursing the despo guy but neither did the other guy nor did the auto driver care. I mean I am not some “abla naari” who requires your help. But the least you can do is be aware of the surrounding. The driver didn’t bother to stop the auto in spite of me asking him to do so. I am a city girl and prepared to handle any kind of situation but I will never forget that day because of the way the other men turned there heads away like I didn’t even exist.

I so wanted to verbally abuse them, but I really haven’t caught on to the public usage of the “F” word. Neither was I in the state of mind to take him to any cop. Anyway after seeing those men laze around and watch the show, I had no faith left that anyone would genuinely want to help. I am glad I slapped him and well yea I did punch him as well. I did what I had to do and don’t regret it. Not with reference to this incident, but I have been labeled as a feminist by some people maybe because of my liberal mind set. I don’t know if I am one. I am just a simple girl who believes in equality and is not going to take such abuse lying down.

KKR vs. DC (20th April, 2008)

2008-04-23T17:12:00.005+05:30

This time around all the cricket fans must be hooked on to the IPL 20-20 series. Personally I am not a cricket crazy fan but I do enjoy the game. Last Sunday I managed to get tickets for the KKR vs. DC match to be held at the ever famous Eden Gardens Stadium. I was pleasantly surprised to see that not just the so called youngistan but the whole of Calcutta was there. Oh Boy! What a game. It wasn’t just cricket. It was cricket plus glamour in the true sense. The peppy dance numbers, the hot-bod cheer girls and quite a significant part of Bollywood. Oh, of course how can I forget the cricketers? Well I am not complaining. All the glamour added is welcome as long as the spirit and essence of the game remains.

Anyways, things weren’t very pleasant after a while. Some elements in the crowd couldn’t stop staring at the cheer girls. I mean all right, that’s fine; guys are guys. So stare and do whatever. But they didn’t just stare. They sat there passing the lewdest comments I had ever heard. It continued for as long as I can remember. They were a bunch of despos who lacked any kind of civic sense coz they didn’t care that there were people around who weren’t very appreciative of the foul language being used.

And then how can we all forget the city’s display of mismanagement skills. Shortage of water half way through the game and then the flood lights go off for about 30 minutes right in the middle of a nerve wrecking game. Being a SRK fan, I was certainly disappointed coz he couldn’t shake a leg as promised because the concerned authorities didn’t set up the stage.To add to the series of unfortunate events, was the lack of respect being shown by a certain segment of the crowd who yelled out the “M” word every time they saw Andrew Symonds. The more rational part of the crowd was dumb struck to see these people call out “Monkey” over and over again in unison. And we say we are not racists. I am not sure as to how Monkey qualifies as a racist term, but if the International Cricket Board Authorities say so, then it is our duty to respect it. I wonder what satisfaction they got by doing that except for showing how uncouth the Indian crowd is.

On second thoughts, it wasn’t all that bad. KKR won after all. So like they say, “Alls well that ends well”.

WHAT GIRLS WANT???

2008-03-02T19:59:00.000+05:30

Well that’s 1 question m sure all the guys want an answer 2. Hey c’mon that’s no brain teaser. All girls want is 4 guys to understand them. Is that too much to ask 4? I mean well…yea girls are a lil complicated n they usually don mean wat they say. They never speak their mind; instead expect guys to read wats on their mind. Confused…. Hmmm…..Alright here r the “Girl Commandments” 4 all the despo guys out there ( N for the record all guys r despos).

When u ask her for her number, she badly wants u to have it. But she’s gonna refuse…That’s coz she doesn’t want to sound too available.
She has this inborn talent of being sarcastic. U can either choose to ignore it or to live wit it.
She loves to bargain. She might nt even intend at buying it, but she’s gonna bargain anyway. Chill guys…m sure u have bigger problems in life.
If ur out on a date wit her, its alright to look at other females…C’mon we all knw guys r guys. Just don let her knw ur staring at the wrong places.
When she says everything’s alright, wat she really means is that there’s a terrible problem. She just wants u to keep asking.
N guys hw can u’ll expect her to answer in a “Yes” or “No”. I mean there’s so much more to b explained. Plzz don hav such Great Expectations.
Girls hav gr8 memory. So in a fight if she reminds u abt something that happened 2 yrs bak, it still counts for a fight. N an added piece of info is that gifts after a fight always work…Its technically called bribing…But don worry; she’ll settle for that
If ur 1 of those cheesy pik-up-lines kinda guy, then for heavens sake stay away. “Do u believe in luv at first sight or shud I walk by again”. Yucckkkk….
Even if u hate the parrot green dress she’s wearing…say u love it.
She loves to b pampered. So like it is said traditionally, do it wit chocolates or flowers or chweet messages. The lil things have the maximum effect.
If ur expecting her to b dressed like some Victoria’s Secret girl then that’s way too much of expectation.
She needs 100% attention. So if ur busy or whatever, u better receive that call. On the contrary if her ph is on voice mail, u gotta understand she’s busy. Huh…Give the girl a break.
She hates messy rooms. M sure u can giv ur room a lil cleaning treat. Let it look like a place where humans can reside instead of the usual jungle look.
Her handbag is always full of so many things that wen the mobile goes tring tring….it takes her a minimum of 100 seconds to gt it out. Its nt her mistake. It’s the handbag manufacturers who have so many zips here n there. So don freak out.
If u smoke or drink don boast abt it trying to impress her. Gt a reality chek.
N finally even if she is telling u abt her Dads brothers’ wife’s uncles sons nephew…listen to her like that’s the most interesting story u’ve ever heard.

I knw most of it is nt fair at all. But who said life’s fair. U r the one who wanted to knw wat girls want. So there u have it.

YEA M FAT….SO WATS UR PROBLEM???

2008-03-02T19:43:00.000+05:30

Though I’ve published a page long article, wen I started typing I wasn’t too sure if I shud b writing this. M still nt sure. That’s coz this is an article that’s closest to my heart. I hav mentioned a few things abt my frnds. I want those frnds to knw that I’ve written this nt to make a point or to put u’ll down or to gain sympathy, but simply coz that’s hw I feel. Hope u’ll understand. I donno who all will b reading this, but ppl who do will gt to c another side of me…the side thats nt happy-go-lucky all the time.

Yepp, I am fat….maybe obese. It’s physically tiring to live in this body. It’s nt like m handicapped or dependent or something. But to b honest it is difficult. I gt tired real soon. I like to laze around instead of going out n enjoying. Yet my spirits r high n though I may have a bad day once in a while, I make it a point to enjoy the following day like there’s no tomorrow. But it’s nt the physical stress that worries me. I workout 2 hrs in the gym regularly n spend another 1 hr swimming. So I do intend to lose weight (though I must mention that it’s turning out to b an extremely slow process). So like I was saying its nt the physical stress that worries me, but the mental n emotional strain. Wooof….that’s killing…I’ve been overweight since the time I can remember. Wen I was a kid ppl wud find me chubby n sweet. But as I grew older I realized that I wasn’t all that sweet anymore.

If ur nt fat, u have no clue wat its like to hear comments everyday. As a kid I wud b teased in skool. I was the “Baby Elephant” of my class. Huh….rt…if u think its no big deal, ask me. Its nt very nice to b called a “fatass”, “moti”, “godzilla”, “mammoth” n well a zillion other things. Never understood y ppl did that. I never got to terms wit hw teasing me n putting me down gave them some sort of sadistic pleasure. I never wanted to b a beautiful princess. I just wanted to b normal. But I was never allowed to feel that way. I was always supposed to feel like a gigantic monster. I never fit in. No matter wat I did, I was always the baby elephant.

As a young girl, I loved to go to the park n play. I loved the swing. But I wud never dare to sit on it wen ppl were around coz they wud say that the swing wud break n at some point of time I believed them. I wud feel bad, really really bad. I wud come home n cry n cry n cry. I wud always think it was just one such day…n that the next day wud b way better...Oh Boy!!! Who was I kidding? Coming home n crying had become a ritual. My parents were always there 4 me. My mom’s words of encouragement wud make things alright but nt for long. Dads transferable job didn’t help much either. Changing skools every 2 yrs was horrifying. The last thing I needed was a new set of meanies. Wen I walk down the road n c ppl laughing, I gt the feeling that it’s me they r laughing at. They r just strangers whose opinion shudn’t matter. But I can’t help it, m sensitive. I guess fat ppl r the most sensitive ppl.

Its nt like I don have frnds. I certainly do n I have frnds better than anyone cud ever ask for. I have been blessed in that respect. But sometimes they too make fun of me. I knw they don’t do that wit the intention to hurt me. I really knw that. But they do hurt me. Wen they pass a remark, I usually laugh it off. But only I knw that even though m hurting, I choose to laugh just to spare myself the embarrassment.

Like I said as a kid I was on a crying spree. But nt anymore. Nt bcoz it doesn’t hurt anymore but bcoz m just used to it by nw. Wat the hell. Its nt such a big deal. I mean wat if ppl still call me names? Wat if they say that I m “dharti ka bojh”? Wat if I m the gal who supposedly eats food meant for 5 ppl? Wat if I m the gal who shudnt b walking on the roads coz it might cause an earthquake. Wow….thats nt a big deal at all. No one wud ever knw wat its like to live in a fat persons body until u r one. Wen ppl make u feel like every inch of ur body is food u’ve gobbled n bloated ur self, its suffocating. I workout, I eat right. Ppl who knw me well, knw wat I eat. Yea I do love chocolates n ice creams n junk food n aerated drinks. Wat the hell…everyone does. I said I like them; I don hog on them which is wat everyone assumes without reason.

Mostly I like to b by myself. I certainly hate attending marriages n family gatherings. But to be true, I m proud of the journey I have made. Ppl can say wat they want to say. I knw I m normal n I knw I m just like any other 20 yr old, who just wants to live life to the fullest. I m nt worthless n m nt here to b put down by ur comments. I have learnt that in the end, it all comes down to me. I knw m born for greater things n I m an angel at heart. I cud do any thing but I cud never hurt another soul coz I knw wat its like to b hurt over n over again. I may be a lil down rt nw but my spirit isn’t broken. I m ME n I love myself 4 wat I m. And in the end that’s all that matters….….Isn’t it???

BEING A VEGETARIAN !!!

2007-08-01T19:23:00.000+05:30

Well the debate about being a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian has been goin on for ages now. Vegetarians can’t stand the idea of killing another life and consuming it. Non-vegetarian’s on the other hand believe that veggies may not be killing animals but they kill plants….Well well….that debate could go on forever. But personally for me it’s been kinda different. Being a Muslim I’ve been a non- vegetarian since the very beginning. But for the last 4 years I’ve changed to being a veggie. I thought it would be difficult. But not at all. I love it. I have been doing great but it seems except for me everyone else has a problem.

Everywhere I go people find it extremely difficult to believe that I m a vegetarian. My dad’s of the opinion that I should have been born in a Brahmin family. Well…that’s not it. Attending family get-togethers is the most difficult task these days with relatives thinking I m some alien. Mostly people assume I m doing this to lose weight which is highly intolerable. I mean I am not anti-non vegetarian. I just choose to b a veggie coz that’s wat I believe in. Why on earth is everyone so adamant at getting me back to being a non- vegetarian?

And yea we vegetarians supposedly eat “ghaas phus”. I mean what’s that all about. Vegetarian cuisine is awesome. The delicacies n varieties are unlimited. But we still happen to be the ghass phus people….Huh…

Like that’s not enough, my mom’s worries just seem to multiply everyday. Like all mom’s she’s into the daughter-marriage-mania. Well being a vegetarian n a muslim it’s actually not that easy to find a dulha. Lolz…I’ve lost all hope of trying to convince her that it’s not such a big deal after all. I guess I will just have to let her log on to shaadi.com and look for some veggie Muslim suitors. I m sure there would be a few somewhere on this Earth.

Basically my point is that I m a vegetarian….n its a choice I have made…. so ppl chillax … its my life …..lemme live it my way….will u plzzz?

INSOMNIAC^^^THE WAIT IS OVER

2007-07-05T21:22:00.000+05:30

Name : Enrique Iglesias
Birth name : Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler
Born : May 8, 1975 (1975-05-08) (age 32)
Birth Place : Madrid, Spain

Enrique is a Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award winning Spanish-born, Miami-based singer and is of European and Asian ancestry. He has had 5 Billboard Chart #1s singles in English and holds the record for most ever Spanish language #1s on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks with Seventeen. He is also the best selling Latin act in the United Kingdom as well the Best Selling International Artist in India. Iglesias' album sales currently total over 40 million, making him one of the best-selling Spanish music artists in the world.

Enrique released his new album Insomniac on June 12, 2007. The first single is "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong) ". Airplay for the song is picking up as it has been recently added to Z100's playlist. It reached #2 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart before making its 'Hot Shot' debut on the official singles chart at #33, and the song also made a 48-position leap jump from #49 to #1 on the Hot Latin Tracks. Some of the record's highlights include "Push", a hip-hop-flavored collaboration with rapper Lil’ Wayne, as well as "Ring My Bell", a moody track that Enrique wrote in Los Angeles together with two of his favorite songwriting partners, Swedish composer Kristian Lundin as well as Savan Kotecha. The album also contains a cover of Ringside's "Tired of Being Sorry". Enrique Iglesias fully launched his Insomniac promo tour in Los Angeles with a signing at the Virgin Megastore. On June 18th, 2007, Enrique confirmed on MIX 96's Mark Bergman show (CJFM), that "Somebody's Me" will be the next single released from the album. In other interviews, Iglesias has claimed that "Push" will be the next single from Insomniac.

TEENAGE

2007-07-05T20:47:00.000+05:30

(Written on 15-2-03 at the age of 16)

Being a teenager is tough when things seem so rough.
So many restrictions to abide by, yet you want to fly high.
Problems begin to germinate and happiness seems to terminate.
Your parent’s interference bugs you and your behaviour seems so new.
All the time you get so irritated, perhaps you love to do what your parents hated.

But everything is not so bad, you know that when you are glad.
Sometimes you get adventurous and nothing then seems to be dangerous.
Your parents just want to protect you but this is understood by very few.
Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong, but in times of despair you have to be strong.
To your friends there is nothing you can’t say for they feel the same way.

Being a teenager should be treasured because the value of this time cannot be measured.
Enjoy every second; create your own trend.
You’ll never know why your parents scolded you a ton until your child becomes one.
Then the story begins all over again as it is an endless chain.You should know you’ll never be free as the life of a teenager remains a mystery.

ALLAH’S THOUGHT AT ALL TIMES

2007-06-01T19:49:00.000+05:30

When starting to do something::::::::::::::::::::: Say BIS-MILLAH
When intending to do something::::::::::::::::: Say INSHA-ALLAH
When something is being praised:::::::::::::::: Say SUBHAAN-ALLAH
When in pain and distress:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say YA- ALLAH
When expressing appreciation::::::::::::::::::::: Say MASHA- ALLAH
When thanking someone:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say JAZAK- ALLAH
When awakening from sleep:::::::::::::::::::::::: Say LA-ILAHA-ILLALLAH
When taking oath:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say WALLAH-BILLAH
When sneezing::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say ALHAMDO-LILLAH
When someone else sneezes:::::::::::::::::::::::: Say YAR-HAMOK-ALLAH
When repenting of a sin:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say ASTAGH-FERULAH
When giving to charity::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say FI-SABI-LILLAH
When having love for someone::::::::::::::::::: Say LIHUB-BULLAH
When getting married:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say AMAN-TO-BILLAH
When parting from someone:::::::::::::::::::::::: Say FI-AMAAN-ALLAH
When a problem appears:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say TAWAK-KALTO-AL-ALLAH
When unpleasantness occurs::::::::::::::::::::::: Say NA-UZO-BILLAH
When pleasantness appears::::::::::::::::::::::::: Say FATA-BARAK-ALLAH
When participating in prayer:::::::::::::::::::::::: Say AMEEN
When death message is received::::::::::::::: Say INNA-LILLAHI-WA-INNA-ILAIHI-RAJI-UN

REMEMBERING YOU…

2007-05-21T18:15:00.000+05:30

(Written on 8-9-02 at the age of 16)

Remembering you at times tears fall down my eyes.
I wish you could come back, hold my hand and make me glad.
You were a friend, you were a guide, whatever you said was always right.

Walking down the memory lane makes me suffer and gives me pain.
Those times of laughter, those times of joy were always a moment to rejoice.
Now there is nothing to cherish, nothing to like, because nothing to me seems to be nice.

You came into my life like the waves in a sea and returned never to come back to me.
I wish you could come back, but you will never, for you have gone forever and ever.
But there is a feeling deep within me that someday you will come back to me.

HARD TO BELIEVE

2007-05-21T17:18:00.000+05:30

(Written on 5-12-02 at the age of 16)

Its hard to believe that I made mistakes in spite of knowing I was wrong,
Its hard to believe that I pity myself for the wrongs I've done to my mom.
Its hard to believe that I’d been so stubborn and she had always cared,
Its hard to believe that the gap can never be bridged for I have failed and she has fared.
Its hard to believe that she never gave up and I took her for granted,
Its hard to believe that I always mistook her though she was the one I wanted.
Its hard to believe that she was sad but always pretended to be fine,
Its hard to believe that I’d been so selfish, I never knew where to draw a line.
Its hard to believe that she loved me so much and her place can never be taken by another,
Its hard to believe that after all that I did the one standing by me is my mother.