Laptop or Desktop Computer - what should I purchase?

Since 14 years, many people asked me this question. In my view, answer of the question varies according to individual's requirement. I experienced that, while buying a computer most of the people get confused due to misguided suggestions from seller or non-technical person. Here, I tried to consider different scenarios to answer the question. Consider the following scenarios,

§  If you are a general user who surf web and use computer for personal use (like letter typing, home budgeting) then you should buy desktop computer only. Desktop computer is robust and cheap for maintenance.

§  If you are a businessman or marketing person who is frequently traveller then surely netbook, laptop or notebook (preferably Netbook) should be the best choice. Netbook is a light weight laptop which has basic computing facilities. Notebook is light weight, thin, advanced but expensive laptop.

§  If you are a small scale businessman (like medical, shop owner) who need to enter the data and take a print outs then buy a low-middle range desktop computer.

§  If you are a student, you need computer for education purpose and you stay at one place only then I suggest you to buy a low-middle range desktop computer. A desktop computer is easily upgradable and low maintenance as compare to laptop. If you are reallocating student then laptop may be the choice.

§  If you are an mechanical or civil engineering, geospatial technology or multimedia  student/user who use software like AutoCAD, ProE, ArcGIS, Erdas, 3DMax then you can purchase big screen high range laptop or workstations with ATI or nVIDIA graphics card  as per the budget.

§  If you are a game lover then buy a big screen desktop computer with ATI or nVIDIA graphics card. Laptop’s keyboard maintenance is not affordable because if any key fails, you need to replace whole keypad. Also, game playing experience is enjoyable at big screen only.

One more question arises while buying desktop computer, should I purchase branded (Like HP, Dell) or assembled computer? Today, desktop computer prices are very low, so if you have good budget then you can buy branded computer. I suggest HP or Dell as brands to purchase for laptop as well as desktop computer. If you know an authentic seller for assembled computer then you can purchase assembled computer. I give emphasis on authentic seller because duplicate parts are available in the market with the same brand name.

Note: Technology is changing extremely fast, so what you buy today, it will be outdated after 5 years.

Multiple ring buffer problem in ArcGIS: ERROR 000227

I was trying to use multiple buffer tool to my data for some analysis. I was using 1521 points shapefile and I wanted to buffer each point with 100m, 200m and 500m. I gave the parameters as shown in figure.

Then the tool gives the error message as

GP ERRORS:

ERROR 999999: Error executing function.

Invalid Topology [Incomplete void poly.]

Failed to execute (Dissolve).

PYTHON ERRORS:

Traceback Info:

  File "<string>", line 193, in multiringbuffer

Error Info:

    <class 'arcgisscripting.ExecuteError'>: ERROR 999999: Error executing function.

Invalid Topology [Incomplete void poly.]

Failed to execute (Dissolve).

ERROR 000227: Cannot Multiple Ring Buffer

Completed script MultipleRingBuffer...

Failed to execute (MultipleRingBuffer).

End Time: Fri Oct 10 22:15:17 2014 (Elapsed Time: 5 minutes 26 seconds)

Documentation help regarding the tool is useless. It gives the description as “The tool failed trying to access the values from the parameter” and solution as “Evaluate whether the parameter values used are accurate and the correct data type”.

I changed the “Dissolve option (optional)” to “NONE” from “ALL”. The tool gave the output file for the same data. I think the problem is with dissolving overlapping boundary for a large dataset. So I used few point features of same shapefile with “Dissolve option (optional)” as “ALL”, this time tool worked well and created correct output.

Steps to resolve the problem:

Go to standard menu bar -> Tools -> Customize -> Command tab -> type “Buffer Wizard” in “show command containing” -> in categories “Tools” will appear & in command “Buffer Wizard” will appear -> drag that “Buffer Wizard” tool to any toolbar.

  

Use the tool with appropriate options. The tool will gives you more options than usual “Buffer” tool.

TFM value of Dove

While writing an article on toilet soap (Which soap do you use? Toilet soap or bathing bar?), I found that, many people are interested to know TFM value of Dove. This is the reason, I am writing this article.

Firstly, I want to clear that, Dove is not toilet soap, it is a bathing bar. To know distinction please outlook my post regarding toilet soap and bathing bar. In case of toilet soap, it is mandatory to mention TFM value on wrapper but it is not obligatory for bathing bar. So, manufacturer of Dove soap, Unilever ltd., does not provide the TFM content on the wrapper. As I mentioned earlier that Dove is bathing bar, it means that TFM value is not greater than 60%. Company says that it is beauty bathing bar and it is contains cleansing ingredients and 1/4^th moisturising cream. Until Unilever declares the actual TFM content, it is not possible tell the TFM of Dove, but, surely, it does not contain 80% TFM contents (as many people says).

How to make your strong and easily recallable password?

Nowadays, people are becoming more and more social, not in living life but in digital life. When you register for some social networking web site or some emailing service or some web service, you need to decide your password to login and use that service. So password plays crucial role in digital life. One survey regarding password says that “password”, “12345” and “qwerty” are the most common passwords of new users. There is a fear of stealing your digital identity by hacking or cracking your password this is why you need a strong password. I am sharing some tips to make strong password and in the latter part of this article, I am sharing how to remember long and strong password easily.

• The thumb rule for strong password is making it as long as you can, minimum 8 characters are recommended.
• Go for combinations of letters (uPPer and LOweR case), numbers and special symbols.
• Have a fun with characters and symbols e.g. bOMb@y2g0A (in simple bombay2goa…….I used @ instead of ‘a’ in Bombay and zero (0) instead of O in goa)
• Avoid easily guessable words like your first name, last name, cell number, birth place, company name from your password.
• Avoid dictionary words in the password because these are easily crackable.
• Use local language word in the password. E.g. “Mera Bharat Mahan” can be “meRabhARatmaHAn”
• Use initial letters of each word from some proverb or sentence.  e.g.  “Olive oil contains high amounts of monounsaturated fat” the password may be “oochaomf”
• Do not use same password for all usernames.
• Revive your password in 2-3 months.

Some examples of strong passwords,

physics experiment – phY$icsXperiment

unsolved mystery – Un$0lved_mYstry

traumatic time – traUmat!c#t!me

Wealth and power – We@LthNpOwR

Life is about being aware of things around – liAbaoTa

My Daughter, Akshaya, Born On 2^nd May 2014 – mdAbo2M14

We have many usernames and many passwords, so how can we remember all passwords? Now, I am going to share the tricks to remember the password. First you have to make one strong password on the basis of above guidelines. Then append shortcut word of the web site at end or in middle of that strong password.

e.g. The password “hUw!fstd” which is derived from “Here yoU Will Find SomeThing Different”

The password of Gmail may be - hUw!fstd _gml

The password of Facebook may be - hUw!fstd _FbK

The password of Yahoo may be - hUw!fstd _Y00

The password of Flipkart may be - hUw!fstd _fLkP

MS Word bugs and solutions

After Microsoft’s XP, I am a big fan of MS Office 2007. I frequently use MS word and while working with MS Word, I found two bugs that I am sharing today. One bug is regarding sub-numbering system and other regarding changing case of the line.

Sub-numbering system:

Suppose I want to give sub-numbering (like 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) to the text. As per my best knowledge, MS Office does not directly provide such facility to number. The default numbering system is shown in the first figure.

 

Default Numbering System

I need to change the numbering format to give such numbering. If you notice the first figure then you can see 1 (highlighted) in the ‘Number format’ section. If you put 2 after 1 i.e. (1.2) then the numbering will be like 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, but you need a different series. For this, you need to change ‘Number format’ as shown in second figure. You need to put 2. before the highlighted 1, then your numbering series is like 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

There is another manual method to give such numbering. Just type 1.1 then type the text you want then press “Enter” 1.2 will be automatically appeared. But this will not work with 2.1, 2.2….

If you need a series like 3.a, 3.b, 3.c then you needs to select a, b, c from ‘Number style’ as shown in the third figure. Then add 3. before the a in the ‘Number format’ as shown in the fourth figure.

Changing case of the line:

With the change case tool, you can change the case of text to other types.  When I was changing the case of line to ‘Sentence case”, then there is no effect on the line. I have to convert it to ‘UPPERCASE’ or ‘lowercase’ then to ‘Sentence case”.

Note: If you find better solution, please share with me.

How to earn maximum interest from PPF account in combination with e-RD?

I am writing this article to help understand the concept of PPF account and the earning maximum interest from it. If you are aware about PPF then directly jump to 3^rd paragraph.

What is PPF?

PPF (Public Provident Fund) is the government scheme to invest for those who want to save additional money for their retirement. This is one of the best instruments for retirement investment. PPF is an optional account but it is considered as the safest investment option. PPF account is opened at post office or selected branches of selected banks. You can opt any bank because PPF account follows standard format and interest is not bank dependent, every year it is declared by Indian government (For 2013-14, interest rate was 8.7%). I recommend State Bank of India (SBI) to open PPF account. If you have SBI saving account and your branch does not have PPF account facility, don’t worry, open PPF account at any SBI branch which have PPF facility, it will automatically mapped to your saving account. SBI internet banking will make your work very easy. The minimum amount deposited to PPF account is Rs. 500 and maximum amount is Rs. 1,00,000. The amount deposited in PPF account is income tax deductible under 80C of IT Act. The locking period for PPF account is 15 years after that you can withdraw it or it can be further extended by block of 5 years. PPF has a facility to withdraw some amount from your account after 5 years with some restrictions but I suggest do not withdraw the amount unless you have disastrous condition. You can only open one PPF account but you can have one more PPF account on the name of your minor child but only as a guardian. You cannot open PPF account as a joint account.

How PPF interest is calculated?

PPF interest is calculated on monthly basis on lowest balance between end of 5^th day of month and last day of month but it is added to PPF account at the end of year. The important thing to note that the interest is calculated monthly but not compounded monthly, it is added to at the end of year. This is bit complex but it is very important to understand the method.

Maximum interest hack:

If you want to earn maximum interest on your PPF account then invest money once in the year but before 5^th April. In this way, you can earn interest throughout the year because the money you have invested will be the lowest balance for every month hence you can get maximum interest. If you don’t have onetime money and you want to add the money every month then invest it before 5^th day of every month. (But I have a super hack for you.)

The following 3 sample tables will explain how the thing works.

Scenario 1:

Rs 60,000 invested once before 5th Apr
No.	Month	Money Invested	Invested On	Lowest Balance (from 5th to end of month)	Interest Rate	Monthly Interest
1	Apr	60000	Before 5th	60000	8.7 %	435
2	May	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
3	June	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
4	July	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
5	Aug	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
6	Sept	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
7	Oct	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
8	Nov	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
9	Dec	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
10	Jan	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
11	Feb	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
12	Mar	0	-	60000	8.7 %	435
Total interest earned for year						5220
PPF Balance at the end of year						65220

Scenario 2:

Rs 5,000 invested before 5th of every month
No.	Month	Money Invested	Invested On	Lowest Balance (from 5th to end of month)	Interest Rate	Monthly Interest
1	Apr	5000	Before 5th	5000	8.7 %	36.25
2	May	5000	Before 5th	10000	8.7 %	72.50
3	June	5000	Before 5th	15000	8.7 %	108.75
4	July	5000	Before 5th	20000	8.7 %	145.00
5	Aug	5000	Before 5th	25000	8.7 %	181.25
6	Sept	5000	Before 5th	30000	8.7 %	217.50
7	Oct	5000	Before 5th	35000	8.7 %	253.75
8	Nov	5000	Before 5th	40000	8.7 %	290.00
9	Dec	5000	Before 5th	45000	8.7 %	326.25
10	Jan	5000	Before 5th	50000	8.7 %	362.50
11	Feb	5000	Before 5th	55000	8.7 %	398.75
12	Mar	5000	Before 5th	60000	8.7 %	435.00
Total interest earned for year						2827.50
PPF Balance at the end of year						62827.50

Scenario 3:

Rs 5,000 invested after 5th of every month
No.	Month	Money Invested	Invested On	Lowest Balance (from 5th to end of month)	Interest Rate	Monthly Interest
1	Apr	5000	After 5th	0	8.7 %	00.00
2	May	5000	After 5th	5000	8.7 %	36.25
3	June	5000	After 5th	10000	8.7 %	72.50
4	July	5000	After 5th	15000	8.7 %	108.75
5	Aug	5000	After 5th	20000	8.7 %	145.00
6	Sept	5000	After 5th	25000	8.7 %	181.25
7	Oct	5000	After 5th	30000	8.7 %	217.50
8	Nov	5000	After 5th	35000	8.7 %	253.75
9	Dec	5000	After 5th	40000	8.7 %	290.00
10	Jan	5000	After 5th	45000	8.7 %	326.25
11	Feb	5000	After 5th	50000	8.7 %	362.50
12	Mar	5000	After 5th	55000	8.7 %	398.75
Total interest earned for year						2392.50
PPF Balance at the end of year						62392.50

Analysis:

§  When you invest Rs. 60,000 once a year but before 5^th Apr then you get the interest Rs. 5,220 and the final amount will be Rs. 65,220.

§  When you invest Rs. 5,000 (5000 X 12 = 60000) every month before 5^th day of every month then you get interest Rs. 2,827.50 and the final amount will be Rs. 62,827.50.

§  When you invest Rs. 5,000 (5000 X 12 = 60000) every month after 5^th day of every month then you get interest Rs. 2,392.50 and the final amount will be Rs. 62,392.50.

§  One time deposition will earn Rs. 2392.50 (i.e. 54.17%) more than the money invested on every month before 5^th.

Super Hack:

The above hack is good but onetime investment is main problem for middle class investor. For such people, I have a super hack. In the starting of this article, I discussed about SBI saving and PPF account. If you don’t use SBI internet banking it will be cumbersome for you. I suggest opening an e-RD account on 2^nd or 3^rd Apr in your SBI saving account for a year. Set standing instructions to that e-RD account so that the amount will be automatically transferred from your saving account. On next 2^nd or 3^rd Apr, e-RD account will be matured. The maturity amount includes every month’s deposited money and interest (please refer the explanation example given below). You can keep interest and transfer the remaining amount to PPF account through standing instructions before 5^th Apr. Note that, SBI allows 1 year standing instructions only, means every year you have to set standing instructions for your PPF account.

Explanation example:

If you want to deposit onetime Rs. 60,000 before 5 Apr then open e-RD account of Rs. 5,000 on 2^nd Apr. The e-RD account will be matured on next 2^nd Apr. The maturity amount will be Rs. 62,984.08 (60,000 +2,984.08) (SBI e-RD current interest rate is 9%). Now transfer Rs. 60,000 to PPF account by keeping interest of e-RD account. This will give you double benefit of additional interest.

Source: For tables, reference is taken from www.jagoinvestor.com