Thank god I don't blog to earn money, I'd be piss poor by now. Jokes apart, I really should stick to my threats and blog more.

Today for some reason or other, I feel like gushing on and on about various technical things that I do, tools that I use. Instead of overloading myself by writing about everything in one go, I'll start a step by step description of various tools that I use. Usually, as an electronics design engineer, involved in both analog as well as digital designs (no DSP for me, though) I require good schematic editing and PCB designing tools.

Since I ain't rich and have to pay for all the tools I use from my own pocket, my inclination is towards using good and free to use tools that provide open file formats (preferred not mandatory), frequent updates and those which are functionally stable for at least six months or more.

The tools that I have found invaluable till now are:

• KiCAD : Schematic and PCB (Linux and Windows)
• PCB : PCB design (Linux and Windows)
• AVRGCC : C tool chain for AVR micro-controllers (Linux and Windows)
• SDCC : C compiler for MCS-51 series micro-controllers (Linux and Windows)
• SimAVR : AVR Simulator (Linux)
• AVR Studio : AVR tools from Atmel (Windows)
• MSPGCC : C tool chain for MSP430 family of controllers (Linux and Windows)
• QCAD : A reasonably priced, well featured 2D CAD software (Linux and Windows)
• Programmer's Notepad : Good IDE for small projects (Windows)
• CodeBlocks : A full featured IDE for (everything?, Linux and Windows)
• ASM51 : MCS-51 family assembler (DOS)
• GAVRASM : AVR Assembler (Linux and Windows)
• ASEM : MCS-51 Assembler (Linux)
• OpenOffice Draw : I use it for drawing flowcharts
• AVRDude and AVR-Burn-O-Mat : AVR ISP programming
• Flashmagic : ISP software for NXP controllers (Windows only)
• FLIP : ISP Software for Atmel controllers (Linux and Windows)

Well, the list above looks rather mis-arranged. I'll get down to it in a couple of days and arrange it based on functionality or Operating Systems. As of right now my intention is to provide a small article on each of these tools.

But since I am a terribly lazy person, don't hold your breath for me to publish these articles. I will definitely write them within upcoming two month's time. Till then feel free to email me with any problems that you might have run into, with these tools. If you have reached this blog, you probably know my email id. Its archis.bhave@gmail.com

Cyao people.

Soon.

Hey!!! I am blogging.

This is my first blog entry. And being that it's gonna be pretty boring one at that. I have been struggling, thinking, re-thinking and re-re-thinking (contemplating, one might say) about creating my own blog.
After four years of serious contemplation here I am blogging. The problem with me was that I had no idea what I should blog about. Apparently, contrary to my own belief, things that happen in daily life are worth blogging about. At least that is what some of my friends have convinced me of.

Let's see, what would I like to to tell the world today? Nothing comes to mind, except maybe recent movie that I saw called "3 idiots". This is what I thought about it (an amateur movie appreciator's handiwork)

Chetan Bhagat's book and the movie:
Barely 10% of it is based on Chetan Bhagat's "Five Point Someone". So he should probably stop screaming (hey, he already stopped)
Plot:
The twist about Rancho is good, though there are times when the movie is entirely predictable. (Like Lobo's suicide)
Editing:
Good. Couldn't find explicit problems with continuity or other mix-ups. Did think once or twice that Mr. Lobo (The suicide guy) re-appears in one or two scenes, but maybe I just had too much grass. :D
Acting:
Sharman Joshi Rocks, Ameer Khan never did not rock, R. Madhawan is what he is, cool and dandy in the movie. Kareens Kapoor looks good but the role doesn't use any of her acting skills (yeah she has them, check out Chameli and then Jab We Met one after the other, a lot of dynamic range).
Message:
Delivered very well, without boring anyone. The movie can be watched and enjoyed without getting the message at all!!! And for those who understand the message, the movie means so much more.
Best liked characters:
Omi, in his role as Silencer. Boman Irani, in his role as Virus.
WTF, I didn't like the others (wait, don't kill me yet, don't call the hired guns).
Ameer, Sharman,Madhawan are central characters. They WILL be remembered anyway. Omi however carries out the pompous, egoistic bearing to its fullest during the scene when the three guys enter Rancho's home and find that Rancho's father (the real Rancho's father) has died.
Virus is Boman Irani, how can I not like him. Come on, now.

Oh my god, I wrote so much without even realizing that I am at office and should be working. So will write again. Maybe about my most recently finished novel.

And my friends (who convinced me to write) beware, for I will now be asking you over and over and over and over if you read what I wrote and what do you think of it.

Cyao somewhen.