Long Live Google Images!

February 17, 2018 Happenings Technology

There was something wrong with Google Images which I thought needed fixing. I was searching for some images and realized the results were not directly linking to the file like earlier and it opened the corresponding website in a new tab. My reaction was “…huh!?” The results were all broken, at times I couldn’t find that image on the page which left me frustrated. I realized today that Google has complied with the European Commission’s accusation of anti-competitive practices and removed some of its features.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] In 2017, Getty Images complained to the European Commission, accusing Google of anti-competitive practices. Google said it had removed some features from image search, including the “view image” button. Getty Images said it was a “significant milestone” but critics said the move was “a step backwards”. [/perfectpullquote]

They killed the core of the product and unless they revamp or rejig the platform I think Images is headed to the graveyard to join its mates. As part of that deal, Google has begun warning users about copyright infringement which, I thought, was understood that users bear responsibility for liabilities arising from copyright infringement & commercial use of photos. Meanwhile, they also stripped it of its fabulous ‘Search by Image’ function and here we were talking about machine learning for image processing (TensorFlow). Google was a valuable repository of images for reference and so much more to me, and now they have taken that away too. A prime example of how user-centric technology continues to be pushed back to medieval ages.

Learning A Language With Duolingo

February 16, 2018 General

Duolingo - DuoThese are baby steps but I have been on a language learning spree many thanks to Duolingo. It has an iOS app that is perfectly suited for learning new languages – the human form of communication “language” and not the programmer’s jargon. Quite recently, I was being plagued by a depleting list of challenges, somewhat related to design thinking or product design. So the books became convenient alongside the odd articles for nirvana, though my desire to pick up French was still lying dormant somewhere. So why not!

This is my first time taking language lessons on an app but Duolingo’s informal approach to serious learning offered me encouraging support to train at the time of my choosing and on-the-go. With my headphones in place, I initiated the first lesson after creating my account, I was presented with multiple yet familiar visuals representations screen after screen and I had to choose the corresponding answer for the not so obvious french words. Tap, tap, done. Applying some smart judgement, I was able to advance in my endeavour to grasp the vocabulary, one phrase at a time. The words were audible which I could repeat to gain more familiarity. As I was progressing, the app consistently kept me engaged through the gamification process by showing my mastery level in French after subsequent tests and kept my confidence soaring high. So I stand at a low 13% today but one has to confess, being a beginner some of le français words are just so hard to pronounce! And if there’s one language that fully employs the contours of your delicate tongue, you guessed it. Duo, just reminded me that I am doing fantastic with my training, and continuing with my everyday streak would fetch me some rewards, so I’m off to learn some more French. Salut!

Appreciating That Life Is A Miracle!

February 15, 2018 General

Calvin and Hobbes on Life

No doubt, while Calvin and Hobbes hold an artistic value for me the little boy is also enormously gifted in dishing out lessons on life. Like in this colourful strip, where he’s innocently mulling about life’s philosophy oblivious to the bitter reality that he won’t be any closer to deciphering it even as he grows up. Or would he?

Source: Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson

India Is No.1 In ODI Rankings

February 14, 2018 Happenings

Close on the heels of a remarkable world cup campaign by the U-19s, India has now toppled South Africa to take the no.1 spot in the latest ICC ODI Championship rankings which happened after they beat the Proteas by 73 runs in the 5th ODI at Port Elizabeth on Feb-13. India is also the top-ranked team in test cricket today.

The Indians have outclassed the opposition in 9 consecutive ODI bilateral series and are on a roll in the shorter format of the game at this point. Under Kohli’s captaincy, this team has won their first ever bilateral ODI series against South Africa which they’re leading 4-1 with one more match to be played. In their current form, I would have to admit they’re my favourite team to win the 2019 World Cup to be held in England & Wales provided they’d have sorted out their middle-order batting woes by then. Ironically, their next ODI series is in July versus England and it’d be interesting to watch the spinners perform in English conditions.

Here’s a list of India’s successive ODI bilateral series Wins from June 2016 to present Feb 2018:

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  • Vs Zimbabwe – 3-0 in Zimbabwe
  • Vs New Zealand – 3-2 in India
  • Vs England – 2-1 in India
  • Vs West Indies – 3-1 in West Indies
  • Vs Sri Lanka – 5-0 in Sri Lanka
  • Vs Australia – 4-1 in India
  • Vs New Zealand – 2-1 in India
  • Vs Sri Lanka – 2-1 in India
  • Vs South Africa – 5-1 in South Africa (1 match to go)

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West Indies had the most consecutive bilateral series wins of 14 between May 1980 – March 1988 so I am hoping we continue to win more matches!

Matt Damon And ‘The Wait For Water’

February 10, 2018 General

It’s very rare to be completely absorbed by an obtrusive YouTube advert in the middle of an entertaining video even with the option of ‘skipping’ the commercial right there, though the minute I saw Matt Damon I was keen to watch. In the past, I have lived in a neighbourhood that suffered from an acute shortage of water and it was a frustrating experience, and this ad with its emotional appeal brought me to tears. I relived that experience of surviving with a scarce supply of resources which taught me an important lesson about survivability and adaptability, although it’s nothing compared to what Matt describes the children in developing world who miss their education because they have to walk a fair distance to access water. This is simply an amazing commercial for a good cause!