Today in the Probability models class we learned about Poison Process and its use for counting instances in a particular period / time. It says that if a process follows a poison distribution then for any two time periods of the same length, the number of instances or occurrences of the event are same. This kind of triggered a small question in my mind, do the Parts of Speech used in sentences also follow this distribution? If we count number of verbs that occur in say a fixed word window, then *if* they follow Poison distribution then will they be the same? Can this be modelled over Poison distribution?

Now, I am yet to learn the properties of a Poison process and that may help clear this thought. But this is something nice to think about on the weekend. (As if I have nothing to think about ;-)…)

Well I talked with my statistics professor and he said we will discuss it on Monday. So I am looking forward to that.

Categories: Uncategorized
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Language Requires Consensus…

- Larry Wall.

and he yet created Perl :-)… Per’s motto is TMTOWTDI - There’s more than one way to do it. Is that not interesting? If I were to be polite to not call it contradicting!

Thoughts?

References (for those keen):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_is_more_than_one_way_to_do_it

Categories: BarCamp, BarCampPune
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For those of you who blame me for not staying in touch for past few weeks, sorry! I have been doing the below mentioned activities and have been out of touch with the humanity.
1. Working on my research on “Name Discrimination” for the Web People Search (WePS)  WePS task corpus.

2. Designing and developing a small POC for clustered processing of above data.

3. For the task 2 designing a small 3 machine cluster of Ubuntu virtual machines on my desktop using VMWare.

Now, that is something that has taken most of my spring break and will probably take some more time to come to reality. Below is my progress on each of the item.

1. WePS task: - I have nearly completed the program to covert the data from the corpus file structure (XML and HTMLs) to the  plain text and then finally in to SenseEval-2 format xml files to be clustered by SenseClusters software.

2.  Now what I have been thinking about is that each of these files are read sequentially by my converter program and then converted in to a SensEval-2 xml. All the file conversions are independent and hence can be converted independently in parallel. Also for the task of clustering, as it exists now we have 79 instances of names to be discriminated. Each name is represented by a xml file. Hence, all these tasks for one name are atomic and independent of each other and in such situation I wish to make this execution parallel too. I am not exploiting functionality level parallelism but for now I do wish to exploit the data parallelism that it exists now.

3 . For doing the parallel processing I am trying to setup my own cluster of Virtual Machines, this will give me a hands on creating Cluster, be a cheap test bed for my parallel programs, and something to play around with for a few days. I have created 3 identical virtual machines with SenseCluster Installation. The Machines are Named Alang, Madan, Kulang. Named after 3 forts in Maharashta, India. I am in a process of creating the cluster of these virtual machines. Each of them having RAM of 512 MB and HDD of 8 Gigs along with a dual core AMD Athalon CPU. The RAM limitation is due to the limit of my physical memory available, I have only 3 Gigs with me :(… I will update all on this front soon (Once I set up the cluster, which might not be before weekend and also I have an exam comming up so this is kind of on back burner…) till then thats it from my side…

Wish me Luck! Keep your messages flowing in… and I will try to be in touch in future… ;-)…

Categories: Clustering, NLP, Natural Language Processing, Super Computing
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Cant those crazy ba**** see, if you get the North, South, East, West out of there it says INDIANS!!! What the heck is going on? Cant the jokers in political circles see that it is creating the problem that we might have to live with for ages to come, or are they busy reaping the benefits by _Criticising in Media_???

Guys, break the ice, and get down to table, beating people up will not solve the issue. If there exists any problems then sit across the table and talk. Sticks and Guns are no good. If you retaliate now, they will retaliate later and then again you will get your vengeance back.. it is a cycle  which will be broken only with someone’s sacrifice,  lets make one now, someone has to make it. Please don’t divide India based on North, South, East, West, it is a land of unity lets keep it that way.

It is important that we leave the swords and take things objectively… I hope people back home in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra  understand this, it is important. If you have problems and people are not listening then we have got other means of getting it done.

With a population of 1.2 Billion we have a danger of an violence outbreak every other day thats not good. We need stability to turn India in to a golden eagle again, and these things can’t get one thing and that is stability. Hope that some joker’s Sena understands this. or are they really bothered? May be just that they want is popularity of their new party…

Categories: India, Life
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With a deeper thought I feel these three words are so entangled in to each other. Change in Priorities for some reason increases expectation from them, and increased expectation increase the chance of disappointments. This is so simple yet so complicated. We as humans change our priorities for others at some point in time and expect something in return (not as an return favour necessarily), and often are disappointed not to see that same change in priorities reciprocated or even other expectation which are not met with. Of which the other person is not even aware of. How appropriate is it to have these expectations? or for that matter lets address the root cause, how appropriate is it to shift your priorities? Well another angle to it, does the person in front know you made the change for them? If yes and then did not reciprocate, you learned you lesson and move on. but if they dont know then, how fare is it to them, for you to be angry with them?

Well thats a rather complicated set of questions. With no answer! As human you will make changes to your priorities (for various reasons I would like to keep out of this discussion), and then have an expectation of reciprocation from the other person, failing which (knowingly or unknowingly) you will hold grudges against them. Now if taken from the other person’s perspective it is unfair on them, but if seen from your perspective it is not all that wrong. So is the perspective a problem? Well another question with no clear answer. There can not be one suits all solution to all these things we have talked about, for they are so much dependent on the perspective from which you look at it.

Every one will have different perspective about you and others. It is that perspective that they use to look at you and set priorities for you in their life, so you have no control over it, and why scratch your brain on something that is out of your control…

Moral of the story is: Life is hard, Mintrox!!! ;-)…

Categories: Life
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Well nothing much to say about the title, is it not that most of us have our priorities set when it comes to people around us? Well we do, most of us have it set, some might suit us and not the rest! We despite of knowing this about the people around us end up  having expectation from them towards us, I am today just wondering how worthy is it?

Is it good to really have expectations from others? Some might say no, and in normal conditions I would have argued the same, but today I don’t know. I feel that may be my expectations are not that invalid, for once I wanted to have some attention, some priority, well life says “no that is not to be the case for now”, well then so be the case.

May be for some other time but I guess I need to learn this lesson soon. I know the philosophy  that expectations lead to disappointment and all that but today I refuse to accept it. Why is it so? I dont know. I am not sure if I am in any mind frame to understand that.

For once I feel sad to have turned and twisted priorities in my life to follow something I felt was real but it now looks like it is a mirage. Well do I have the right to feel this way? Was it a requested change or was it my own volunteering that I did it? Well I did it, with out anyone asking for it, so it is my fault!! I guess… Anyway learn a lesson and keep moving…

Guys on the reader’s list chill nothing much had a rough day!

Categories: Life
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My last post about Irene made some of my friends believe that I have gotten in to the matrimonail advertisement business for myself, I must say it was not entirely that. Those were a set of thoughts fighting in me so gave a way out which to many looked like an advt. for matrimonial site… I would not protest against it, but would surely say, that was not the intention :-)…

Today on my 27th Birthday, I am the last wicket (waiting to fall? ;-)…) from the gang of us 4 close friends batting unbeaten and with good steam. But I must admit that the solidity is not all the same as it was few years back. I guess the conspirators for getting me out are gaining the momentum. It will be interesting though to see when exactly I fall as the last batsman in the inning of Bachelor hood and join the band wagon of committed or married men, who in my college group are in majority now… :-)…

It is really surprising that when I left India less than 5 months ago, of the four, one wicket had just fallen, and now I have two more down with in a span of 30 days! Well it is said in cricket if you loose one wicket then the other one might follow soon, and this was an example… So, now it is my turn to keep the flag flying high.

Categories: Uncategorized
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This is the discussion that “me” is having with “myself”, about what? Obviously the right now missing component of the name Irene. Well two have had heated exchanges earlier over this and this is one more of those…

MySelf is denoted by MS and Me is denoted by ME.

MS: So what are you thinking? and now dont tell me Irene… I am sick of those discussions.

ME: Oh, really? I thought you were the most interesting discussion partner I “never wanted“!! and YES I am thinking of Irene!!

MS: Yeah, probably thats why we have had 6 years long of discussion on this topic… anyway, I don’t mind recounting your follies as it helps me kill my time… phew!! 8-)…

ME: My follies? excuse me, are you someone different? Oh yeah may be… To me Irene means a lot…

MS: Oh! does she? thats why probably she is not around yet!! ;-)…

ME: Well She might well be reading this…

MS: Oh! I am sure she has better jobs to do in life…

ME: and I am sure she is doing one of them by reading this… :-)…

MS: Well if so, then answer me a few questions, which will help me make sure she does not read it again!

ME: If my Irene ever reads it, she would not be distracted by your stupid, but at times intriguing (I must admit) questions… anyway go on, I will see if you have somethiing interesting this time.

MS: What do you look for in the person?

ME: Oh! Not again… ok I will try and answer it for you again, A _*Girl*_, simple in her nature, intellectual (no empty nut cases please!!), should have some conviction for her life, should be able to understand that whatever good I am is coz of my parents and respect them as I would respect hers and whatever bad I am, I am myself to be blamed for it. And should be a cute, adorable person…

MS: Hold it!! Hoild it! HOLD IT!!! Did I forget to mention NO ESSAYS PLEASE? If so here it is!!

ME: Well I knew your next questions, out of experience!! so just put the answer there…

MS: Oh I see, good observation I must say! Lets get on with the questions, I must help Irene get away. So what about her education? You yourself seem to have idiotic plans for next 5 years, why do you want to spoil her life?

ME: Well, if she thinks that way she is not my Irene. But well before she turns her face I just want to say it is not as bad as you put it, I plan to take my PhD after my MS in US and then plan to head back to India! May be work for a year to recuperate some finances and head back to India!

MS: Did I not say Idiotic? Now I must add stupid! People die to come all the way to US the land of opportunities and you are thinking of getting in to the corrupt mother land India. A big fool I woud say!!

ME: Did you say mother land? You answered my question. I plan to go back to my motherland! It might well be corrupt right now, but I stand here to change it… but anyway why should I explain to someone who will keep cribbing about India… Next question…

MS: Yeah whatever… What should Irene do while you just to satiate your ego complete (I hope you will!) your so called PhD from some place?

ME: Man you are nuts… Given her qualities above, I am not bothered about that, coz I am sure she will have an option. The simplest to me is Just plain take up a degree course and complete any dream she might have had to study abroad. I have no issues with it and one more thing I wanted to add at which point you interrupted me, she is a free individual and I would respect her to have her own space in her life and her privacy…

MS: Ahh! there the male farce comes! Independence before marriage and “ghari ki ladaki / Biwi / Maid??” afterwards…

ME: Your tiny brain can not assimilate this… forget it… She will have her space all through her life is what I meant, but why am I explaining you, Irene will know what am I saying. Next question…

MS: What if she happens to be a management oriented girl?

ME: So? Are they not human? I do not hate managers for the people they are, I just at times become critical of my own managers coz I think they act coward! But I do understand they are just doing there job… I am a techie at heart but I know what management is… I do adore Chanakya, I know what “Manage” + “Men” + “Tactfully” = ManageMenT means! Anyway, she should just be a complementing person… thats what I mean…

MS: Oh! Yes baring you for your shortest or tiniest or Minutest temper ever seen on this planet!!!

ME: Well it is not all that bad, yeah I am short tempered but I know how to and where to control myself… I do follow certain principles even under worst situations! Just that I am a man of my own principles and I do understand that she might have different principles, I just hope we do not differ too much with our principles.

MS: Thats being hypocrite! A human is ought to have some different principles.

ME: Well I did not say exactly matching to mine I said “similar” or a worst “not very different” principles. Just that we should be able to accept each other as we are…

MS: What if she wants to just stay at home and pass her time?

ME: Then why marry me? thats probably what I am not meant for…

MS: Yeah you are one nut case who never lets life realize the word “settle” where as people crave for it. Your MS is one example of that.

ME: I chase my dreams. I love doing it, I would love to see a person with similar zeal for whatever it be in her own life as a life partner. And if chasing dreams is what they call un-settling life then yes I do it quite often. I live for thrills in life, I can not live a dull life with that “Settled” feeling. I would rather die than have that feeling. I believe if one gets the saturated feeling he begins to fall down. It is only until one can have that crave to better the past that one lives happily……

MS: Aye! Hello! HEllo!!! Philosopher, class later, I am getting bored… move on… What do you think you will get one like this?

ME: Well may be Irene knows it… What say Irene?

Well ME decides to just part for now… he is ready for answers and Irene, is just waiting for signal from her I guess… Lets see…

Categories: Life, Me Myself and Irene
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India’s tour of the Oz Zoo… oh! was I racist? ahh! not I guess, I did not use the M word… I am saved!! And well now after the those horrendous decisions (on and off th field) at the ground we have some people who see India’s protest as an Indian attempt to control the game. I have something for all those fools… and Yes I am being arrogant.

“It is not that the Indian board is 50 times richer than any rival, you silly little schoolgirl - the crux is that the Indian fans, and Indian corporates, bring in anywhere between 60-70 per cent of global cricket revenues. And without it, you don’t have a game to dispute control of. Period.”
- Prem Panicker. for Rediff

I just love it. Yes, we control economy of the Cricket world (as of now!) and welcome to the world that is yet fair and stable… so think what if India just pulls out ICC and then says we will play our own Cricket, what happens? With 70 percent of the money being well in there hands how do you expect the sport to sustain for people who feel they are the owners of the game?

To all those who feel the game is being run fair to all, my question is which fairness grants permissions to people to call them “Kafirs”, “Black Monkeys”? Well guys we are just giving you taste of your own medicine. Welcome to the world you polluted! Now you can not cry foul coz you created it, now pay for it. Long live Indian might!

Categories: Uncategorized
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Well as the gentleman at the ring said, Ice Skating and Skiing are a part of life for a Minnesotan, I decided to take a peek at it. Ok let me admit it was not this flimy! Today we all from International club went ice skating and believe me it was fun. There we met this gentleman Neel (I believe was his name), and a kind lady Kay, who taught me my first lessons of ice Skating. Today I was trying to balance myself on my legs. It was difficult, and I was in a awe to believe that, I can not balance myself on my OWN LEGS!!! and then there was a realization, I had those skates under them.

Today I felt like probably how a baby would feel when he / she is trying to stand on their own feet. It was an experience of my life and just told me that I could do it, just needs practice. And then I saw kids not more than 3 years of age doing that far better than me. I mean I am a bloody 6 feet tall guy with two strong enough legs trying to stand on those skates and those little kids they were just fabulous. one of them was even doing figure skating and doing some cool maneuvers. it just told me the same lesson again IT NEEDS PRACTICE!

I did fell a few times and one was while posing for a camera, which I kind of hate coz that just got me an fall on my account, not that anyone was counting but just for my own pride. ;-)…

Well I must say it is a good experience and I am sure I will try it again…

Categories: Ice Skating, Life, UMD
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