Ever wondered how life would go if u never existed?!. I do that all the time as I get older orwhenever I feel i'm an obnoxious person in the eyes of others.
I think life won't miss a thing if I was never born, on the contrary probably it'll b a better place. Humour me with this and let's imagine life without me:
First my family won't suffer as much with such a stone headed person.
Second at work, a much capable person'll get my place which means fewer bugs I guess!!
Third my friends'll get to spend their time with a cooler person.
I always look thru my window & wonder how'd it b like to b a dove?!. There'r lots of people breeding doves on the roofs of nearby buildings, very peacful sight when they fly away thru the sky. I wish I were a dove, flying high, high above this sad earth. There r no troubles in the skythe sky is so clear even the clouds are white in colour.
A SaharLess life is most welcomed and a DovedSahar is a far fetched thought.
P.S.:
I'm writng this with a slight fever going on, so bear my hallucinations.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Monday, May 29, 2006
My Experience with Pentaho
Recently I've been assigned a task of designing reports using the open source Pentaho, based on a document provided by the TAD- yes u Mahmoud- I managed to use the component JFree successfully. It's a piece of cake connecting to ur backend, either thru JNDI or JDBC connection strings. Pentaho supports JFree, Jasper and BIRT reports, u can easily embed in the action sequence file of Pentaho.
However I got disappointed from the primitive options in Pentaho report designer which outputs a JFree generated XML report, as a result I decided to check BIRT (Business Intelligece Reporting tool). BIRT is an open source, Eclipse-based reporting system. The designer is amazing, for me it was like Alice in wonder land :)
so here's my Pros and Cons in JFree Vs BIRT:
BIRT gives u a WYSIWYG view, which gives an ease of use
You can add event handlers for the report for example before rendering report u can add some
java and java script code for an entire row in a table.
A powerful feature to debug report, but I didn't check it actually but I know it's there :)
Easy to maintain dynamic parameters based on data source values
Easy to include style sheets, charts, images, labels...etc
You can add calculated fields thru the expression builder
The option for conditional format is great.
BIRT performs ajax pagination, what more can u ask for?!
JFree exports to many formats while BIRT export to CSV format, actually currently i'm facing an arabic export problem :s
However I got disappointed from the primitive options in Pentaho report designer which outputs a JFree generated XML report, as a result I decided to check BIRT (Business Intelligece Reporting tool). BIRT is an open source, Eclipse-based reporting system. The designer is amazing, for me it was like Alice in wonder land :)
so here's my Pros and Cons in JFree Vs BIRT:
BIRT gives u a WYSIWYG view, which gives an ease of use
You can add event handlers for the report for example before rendering report u can add some
java and java script code for an entire row in a table.
A powerful feature to debug report, but I didn't check it actually but I know it's there :)
Easy to maintain dynamic parameters based on data source values
Easy to include style sheets, charts, images, labels...etc
You can add calculated fields thru the expression builder
The option for conditional format is great.
BIRT performs ajax pagination, what more can u ask for?!
JFree exports to many formats while BIRT export to CSV format, actually currently i'm facing an arabic export problem :s
Friday, May 26, 2006
The Pearl
John Steinbeck master piece "The Pearl", I've got to talk about it. I've read it when I was like 15, it really shaped my mind.I rememberd it now for a good reason.
It starts with Kino, a poor fisherman having a small poor family. One day, his little son got stung by a scorpionand the wealthy town doctor refused to treat the child cos Kino can't pay him.
Kino goes diving, and finds a great pearl, the Pearl of the World, and knows he is suddenly a wealthy man. The word travels quickly about the pearl and many in the town begin to plot ways to steal it.
Kino is an ignorant man, he's not aware of the deception and the cunning ways of people.He thought the pearl'll solve everything, he tried to sell it, but the pearl buyers convinced himthat the pearl is worth so little cos it's so large!!!
Again Kino is so ignorant, his wife proclaimed that the pearl is evil and it's cursed it turned all the villagepeople, all their neighbors against them. She suggested Kino should go and throw it back to the gulf.She takes the pearl and tries to throw it into the sea, but Kino stops her and beats her.
Kino now thought of going to another city, on his journey Kino is attacked by thieves, he kills his attackers but his baby child got killed.Kino's journey with the pearl ends in tragedy.
Realizing that the pearl is cursed and has destroyed his family, Kino and his wife returned to their village and throw the cursed pearl into the sea.
A quote i liked:"This pearl has become my soul. . If I give it up, I shall lose my soul."
The pearl made Kino turn against his neihgbors, his wife and turned him into a killer.
Sometimes u hung urself up on something thinking that it's enough to face the whole world with,u get to lose people who loves u, people of great worth and for what?!..for a worthless thing.
It starts with Kino, a poor fisherman having a small poor family. One day, his little son got stung by a scorpionand the wealthy town doctor refused to treat the child cos Kino can't pay him.
Kino goes diving, and finds a great pearl, the Pearl of the World, and knows he is suddenly a wealthy man. The word travels quickly about the pearl and many in the town begin to plot ways to steal it.
Kino is an ignorant man, he's not aware of the deception and the cunning ways of people.He thought the pearl'll solve everything, he tried to sell it, but the pearl buyers convinced himthat the pearl is worth so little cos it's so large!!!
Again Kino is so ignorant, his wife proclaimed that the pearl is evil and it's cursed it turned all the villagepeople, all their neighbors against them. She suggested Kino should go and throw it back to the gulf.She takes the pearl and tries to throw it into the sea, but Kino stops her and beats her.
Kino now thought of going to another city, on his journey Kino is attacked by thieves, he kills his attackers but his baby child got killed.Kino's journey with the pearl ends in tragedy.
Realizing that the pearl is cursed and has destroyed his family, Kino and his wife returned to their village and throw the cursed pearl into the sea.
A quote i liked:"This pearl has become my soul. . If I give it up, I shall lose my soul."
The pearl made Kino turn against his neihgbors, his wife and turned him into a killer.
Sometimes u hung urself up on something thinking that it's enough to face the whole world with,u get to lose people who loves u, people of great worth and for what?!..for a worthless thing.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Envading My Privacy
People, people..come on. Stop envading my privacy as if it's ur right!!
Stop putting me under ur magnifying glass, wondering how I'll lead my fight.
You say u do it for my own protection
Come on, I lived in this world with all its pretences
I've seen it all in my own perception
Don't hide the fact that you r just curious
Dying to know, when'll I lose patience?
when'll I surrender my flag and turn to u for explanations
You'll run to hold the flag for me, showing how u care for me
whilst your just thrilled to see my wounds get the best of me.
Cos this means u'll get to c much of the confused me
Giving u the right to envade my privacy
My confusion never last long, it ends with solutions
For my wondering thoughts that leads me to one conclusion:
People, people..come on. Stop envading my privacy as if it's ur right!!
Stop putting me under ur magnifying glass, wondering how I'll lead my fight.
They call me insensitive when I go back on my way
I get so frustrated I get so stern
me?!!insensitive?!!..It's a contradiction of term!!!
People, people..come on. Stop envading my privacy as if it's ur right!!
Stop putting me under ur magnifying glass, wondering how I'll lead my fight.
Stop putting me under ur magnifying glass, wondering how I'll lead my fight.
You say u do it for my own protection
Come on, I lived in this world with all its pretences
I've seen it all in my own perception
Don't hide the fact that you r just curious
Dying to know, when'll I lose patience?
when'll I surrender my flag and turn to u for explanations
You'll run to hold the flag for me, showing how u care for me
whilst your just thrilled to see my wounds get the best of me.
Cos this means u'll get to c much of the confused me
Giving u the right to envade my privacy
My confusion never last long, it ends with solutions
For my wondering thoughts that leads me to one conclusion:
People, people..come on. Stop envading my privacy as if it's ur right!!
Stop putting me under ur magnifying glass, wondering how I'll lead my fight.
They call me insensitive when I go back on my way
I get so frustrated I get so stern
me?!!insensitive?!!..It's a contradiction of term!!!
People, people..come on. Stop envading my privacy as if it's ur right!!
Stop putting me under ur magnifying glass, wondering how I'll lead my fight.
Monday, May 22, 2006
A Nation in search for a Hero
Looking back at the history of Egypt, you will find a discouraging fact. Our nation had been under the british colonization for over 25 years, can you imagine how people lived a quarter of a decade under such a regime without a serious protest that can lead to authority turn over.
People tend to be either very patient or busy in search for a hero and let him take over their fight for freedom.
In the contemporary time, we waited 25 years also on the current regime, so may b 25 is our upper bound for tolerating injustice. Still people awaits a certain hero in their fight against corruption.
I do believe that people need a leader; it's essential, but y can't everyone be his own hero?
we wouldn't reach such level of corruption in the first place..Still there's no serious protest over the horizon..
As for me..I am my own heroine.
People tend to be either very patient or busy in search for a hero and let him take over their fight for freedom.
In the contemporary time, we waited 25 years also on the current regime, so may b 25 is our upper bound for tolerating injustice. Still people awaits a certain hero in their fight against corruption.
I do believe that people need a leader; it's essential, but y can't everyone be his own hero?
we wouldn't reach such level of corruption in the first place..Still there's no serious protest over the horizon..
As for me..I am my own heroine.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Hidden or Apparent?!
I was just coming out of my building where I inhabit, I wasn't looking where I was going so I bumped into a passer-by, he was an old man with a tender humble appearance.I was just going to say sorry when he gave me this peculiar look and said "Don't worry my child, u'll be happy real soon". I froze there, trying to figure out if I heard him right, and trying to find something to say. I was just voicing out something my mind still didn't make out, when i found out he already passed me and went on his way.
I shook my head and then tried to cross the street and reached my car. I started the car, my mind was pondering with thoughts about that bumping incident. Anyway I need to focus now that I'm driving, focus is something I sometimes do when I drive, so now I'm trying twice as hard to focus..
Everything was going fine till I heard this strange noises coming from the car's engine.I had to pull over and thought of taking a peak at the engine or whatever's there under the car's cover. As I was opening the cover, a cab driver pulled over. I thanked God and thought he'll offer some help, he gave me a searching look upon my face and said:"are you ok?", "yes, I'm fine it's just my car, the engine is giving a strange noise", I answered. He then continued giving me that wondering look and repeated "no, Are you ok?".."He's really creeping me here", I though to myself, "I Am fine, it's my car, something is wrong with it",I replied with an anger tone.
He said "then why are you bleeding?!"He panicked me now, "what on earth is he talking about?!".
I hurried to my car and thought of moving away from this place, as I entered the car and settled in the driver's seat, with the corner of my eyes I saw it..the reflection of my face in the mirror, there were deep cuts and... yes they were bleeding...I woke up.
There's a very good explanation for this, I think I might keep it to myself, unless you can find out the moral in this..can u see what i saw?!
I shook my head and then tried to cross the street and reached my car. I started the car, my mind was pondering with thoughts about that bumping incident. Anyway I need to focus now that I'm driving, focus is something I sometimes do when I drive, so now I'm trying twice as hard to focus..
Everything was going fine till I heard this strange noises coming from the car's engine.I had to pull over and thought of taking a peak at the engine or whatever's there under the car's cover. As I was opening the cover, a cab driver pulled over. I thanked God and thought he'll offer some help, he gave me a searching look upon my face and said:"are you ok?", "yes, I'm fine it's just my car, the engine is giving a strange noise", I answered. He then continued giving me that wondering look and repeated "no, Are you ok?".."He's really creeping me here", I though to myself, "I Am fine, it's my car, something is wrong with it",I replied with an anger tone.
He said "then why are you bleeding?!"He panicked me now, "what on earth is he talking about?!".
I hurried to my car and thought of moving away from this place, as I entered the car and settled in the driver's seat, with the corner of my eyes I saw it..the reflection of my face in the mirror, there were deep cuts and... yes they were bleeding...I woke up.
There's a very good explanation for this, I think I might keep it to myself, unless you can find out the moral in this..can u see what i saw?!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
My own Island
I visit my island deep at night
When the sky is twinkling with light
Shining from the stars out of sight
Conquering shadows upon my window
Where I lie with thoughts in mind
My island awaits me every night
I calmly visit without a fright
There's nothing to disturb me
There's nothing to hide
There's no one there to anguish my peace of mind
I don't want to fall asleep and leave such a beautiful sight
I have to sleep, for another day to start
To fill my mind with daunting thoughts
Be brave till the night falls on
For there'll be your island waiting all along.
When the sky is twinkling with light
Shining from the stars out of sight
Conquering shadows upon my window
Where I lie with thoughts in mind
My island awaits me every night
I calmly visit without a fright
There's nothing to disturb me
There's nothing to hide
There's no one there to anguish my peace of mind
I don't want to fall asleep and leave such a beautiful sight
I have to sleep, for another day to start
To fill my mind with daunting thoughts
Be brave till the night falls on
For there'll be your island waiting all along.
Project Management
Every project must have these three goals:
-Create something unique
-Within a satisfactory budget
-Following a schedule
Project Management is divided into three phases:a)Initiaion b)Execution c)Closure
It's all about initiation and getting the full clear picture at first, One of the major reasons for a project failure is having unclear requirements. The client can have his own high hopes whilethe manager is having a simpler down to earth perspective and when do they conflict?.. at delivery time ofcourse!!
a)Initiation starts with:
-Feasibility study Is it doable?
Can these requirements be tested?
Got enough resources?
Are the resources capable?
-Definition
Clear requirements
Clear assigned responsibilities
Clear SOW (statement of work) between clients and manager
-Estimation
estimation is done thru the whole project, it's done during project initiation and during the project's life time to maintain any significant changes in requirements.
-Planning
define the What-How-Who-When? questions
-What? its answer lies within the SOW
-How? you need to break down your tasks and form a WBS (work breakdown structure)
-Who? Define the resources and assign targets
-When? the time schedule for each task
-Risk Management
Risks are out there find them before they found you
Dealing with concerns before they become a crisis
Tips:-Identify & communicate risks openly
-Reward people who prevent crisis.
-Integrate risk management with project management and cost benefit analysis
-Create something unique
-Within a satisfactory budget
-Following a schedule
Project Management is divided into three phases:a)Initiaion b)Execution c)Closure
It's all about initiation and getting the full clear picture at first, One of the major reasons for a project failure is having unclear requirements. The client can have his own high hopes whilethe manager is having a simpler down to earth perspective and when do they conflict?.. at delivery time ofcourse!!
a)Initiation starts with:
-Feasibility study Is it doable?
Can these requirements be tested?
Got enough resources?
Are the resources capable?
-Definition
Clear requirements
Clear assigned responsibilities
Clear SOW (statement of work) between clients and manager
-Estimation
estimation is done thru the whole project, it's done during project initiation and during the project's life time to maintain any significant changes in requirements.
-Planning
define the What-How-Who-When? questions
-What? its answer lies within the SOW
-How? you need to break down your tasks and form a WBS (work breakdown structure)
-Who? Define the resources and assign targets
-When? the time schedule for each task
-Risk Management
Risks are out there find them before they found you
Dealing with concerns before they become a crisis
Tips:-Identify & communicate risks openly
-Reward people who prevent crisis.
-Integrate risk management with project management and cost benefit analysis
Friday, May 05, 2006
Definitions and Terminology
2006-05-04 thursday 7:40 pm
On our way home in the train from Cairo, I started writing some lines about human nature, then thought I might share this with others. Each of us has to write his own definition and then we agree or disagree. I'm actually trying to come up with a general definition from all this.
If you like to share in this entry, don't read the answers to the questions, think of your answerfirst. I'm intentionally keeping who answered which question anonymous. I made a quiz, where you can guess whose definition is this?http://www.bebo.com/inviteq/750600854a487621281b
Q1. Define a person.
Answers I got from the people:
A-a person is a complicated multi-system of emotions, reason and physical power which interacts and responds inevitably and cumulativily to the outside world
B-a person is a combination of physical systems controlled and affected by emotions, beliefs and desires. the unphysical nature of humans is the part which identifies them and makes them unique.
C-a person is huge automated process that tries to run and tries to finish at undifined end time through interactions with other processes. tries to secure itself from damaging and searching for the switch "perfect completion"
D-a person is a set of principles interpreted in the form of behaviour that can change (adapt) according to the situation
E-a net of experiences, thoughts and emotions
Q2. Define Happiness.
Answers I got from the people:
A-happiness is mind and emotional state of satisfaction, delight. when we are happy we do not think of our needs, we forget all about them. cause we know we have all what matters at this moment
B-is when u feel satisfied with ur ownself and goals and when u are able to radiate and transfer the same feeling to others
C-for me, it is the feeling of blessedness
On our way home in the train from Cairo, I started writing some lines about human nature, then thought I might share this with others. Each of us has to write his own definition and then we agree or disagree. I'm actually trying to come up with a general definition from all this.
If you like to share in this entry, don't read the answers to the questions, think of your answerfirst. I'm intentionally keeping who answered which question anonymous. I made a quiz, where you can guess whose definition is this?http://www.bebo.com/inviteq/750600854a487621281b
Q1. Define a person.
Answers I got from the people:
A-a person is a complicated multi-system of emotions, reason and physical power which interacts and responds inevitably and cumulativily to the outside world
B-a person is a combination of physical systems controlled and affected by emotions, beliefs and desires. the unphysical nature of humans is the part which identifies them and makes them unique.
C-a person is huge automated process that tries to run and tries to finish at undifined end time through interactions with other processes. tries to secure itself from damaging and searching for the switch "perfect completion"
D-a person is a set of principles interpreted in the form of behaviour that can change (adapt) according to the situation
E-a net of experiences, thoughts and emotions
Q2. Define Happiness.
Answers I got from the people:
A-happiness is mind and emotional state of satisfaction, delight. when we are happy we do not think of our needs, we forget all about them. cause we know we have all what matters at this moment
B-is when u feel satisfied with ur ownself and goals and when u are able to radiate and transfer the same feeling to others
C-for me, it is the feeling of blessedness
1:00AM 3 Orange Juices + 1 Coke, Please
WARNING: Reading the following lines lies under a confidentiality agreement, further reading will bind youto that agreement. Meaning you are not allowed to gossip, DEAL?!
12:20
A very nice view of us (Me, Sarah, Wael and Ahmed) in front of the hotel We were dying out of hunger. We stood in front of the hotel wondering which way to go, so we kinda chose a path and decided from that path we'd like to reach "Pizza Hut"- we were so innocent at that time :)
Another interesting view of a group of guys, we foolishly asked for directions. They were like 10 none of them agreed on a common direction to follow. Ahmed got intimidated by one of the guys to follow the right direction
So we followed that direction-again we were very innocent- we reached the Nile or (el ba7r) -as the cairian people call it- and turned right as suggested, we walked and walked till luckily we reached a pharmacy. We bought some stuff and inquired where's "Pizza Hut"?. We definitly got the answer we weren't expecting or more precisely didn't want to hear.. The pharmacist said: "Pizza Hut is in the opposite direction, it's very far..are u thinking of walking that distance?"
We had no choice but to double back all the distance we just walked, remember we were so hungry, we walked and walked till we started doubting we'll ever see that imaginary "Pizza Hut". Then thru some trees we saw the shimmering lights of "Pizza Hut", it was a relief seeing that sign :)
Now the four of us started having a change of heart, "Let's eat at MacDonalds instead, pizza will take time" Don't worry people, Mac is right around the corner- we r not that foolish besides we were now so exhausted from walking such a distance
1:00
I started placing an order.."3 Big tasty + 1 Big Mac and 3 Orange Juices + 1 Coke, Please" -btw don't order orange juice from Mac the best is at Cilantro- we decided to take it take away it was getting late and I forgot to mention that Ahmed got a homework to do, which he reminded us all thru that distance :).
The order took quite some time, then I made my biggest mistake of holding the drinks, you know this grey pack where the four drinks are held together, yes that's the one. We went back all that distance, this time we were hungry+tired+carring stuff and the stuff made noises..
My group were holding the sandwiches..that was ok. We all ordered orange except for Wael, he had to drink coke at 1AM. The ice in the coke made that bizarre rhythm as I walked with the pack, I started giving Wael a hard time cos he ordered a coke..that was very funny. He started giving me a hard time by telling me to be careful not to melt the ice!!.
At around 2:00
We managed to return to the hotel, safe and sound. Sarah & I sitting on the floor in our room, eating the Mac meal with some songs in the background on TV.
I had the best time on that trip, got to know my co-workers more, hope I can repeat it again soon.
12:20
A very nice view of us (Me, Sarah, Wael and Ahmed) in front of the hotel We were dying out of hunger. We stood in front of the hotel wondering which way to go, so we kinda chose a path and decided from that path we'd like to reach "Pizza Hut"- we were so innocent at that time :)
Another interesting view of a group of guys, we foolishly asked for directions. They were like 10 none of them agreed on a common direction to follow. Ahmed got intimidated by one of the guys to follow the right direction
So we followed that direction-again we were very innocent- we reached the Nile or (el ba7r) -as the cairian people call it- and turned right as suggested, we walked and walked till luckily we reached a pharmacy. We bought some stuff and inquired where's "Pizza Hut"?. We definitly got the answer we weren't expecting or more precisely didn't want to hear.. The pharmacist said: "Pizza Hut is in the opposite direction, it's very far..are u thinking of walking that distance?"
We had no choice but to double back all the distance we just walked, remember we were so hungry, we walked and walked till we started doubting we'll ever see that imaginary "Pizza Hut". Then thru some trees we saw the shimmering lights of "Pizza Hut", it was a relief seeing that sign :)
Now the four of us started having a change of heart, "Let's eat at MacDonalds instead, pizza will take time" Don't worry people, Mac is right around the corner- we r not that foolish besides we were now so exhausted from walking such a distance
1:00
I started placing an order.."3 Big tasty + 1 Big Mac and 3 Orange Juices + 1 Coke, Please" -btw don't order orange juice from Mac the best is at Cilantro- we decided to take it take away it was getting late and I forgot to mention that Ahmed got a homework to do, which he reminded us all thru that distance :).
The order took quite some time, then I made my biggest mistake of holding the drinks, you know this grey pack where the four drinks are held together, yes that's the one. We went back all that distance, this time we were hungry+tired+carring stuff and the stuff made noises..
My group were holding the sandwiches..that was ok. We all ordered orange except for Wael, he had to drink coke at 1AM. The ice in the coke made that bizarre rhythm as I walked with the pack, I started giving Wael a hard time cos he ordered a coke..that was very funny. He started giving me a hard time by telling me to be careful not to melt the ice!!.
At around 2:00
We managed to return to the hotel, safe and sound. Sarah & I sitting on the floor in our room, eating the Mac meal with some songs in the background on TV.
I had the best time on that trip, got to know my co-workers more, hope I can repeat it again soon.
Sleepless in Cairo
I slept a total of four hours in the two days I spent in Cairo where I had sessions about project management.
My sleeping disorder is a bit confusing to me, I do sleep peacfully outside my home, been to many hotels before.I was afraid I might collapse from the very few hours I slept, I lived on coffee though I don't like coffee or the like drinks. I started even writing a log describing everything I was doing and what Sarah was doing.
Sadly, I kept Sarah up till 3 AM discussing many subjects. Don't worry Sarah " what happened at the hotel stays at the hotel ;)", hope you enjoyed our talks as much as I did.
May be I was having many thoughts in mind. Try to have a very clear mind before you sleep. Not that easy to achieve I'm afraid.
"A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow", Charlotte Bronte.
My sleeping disorder is a bit confusing to me, I do sleep peacfully outside my home, been to many hotels before.I was afraid I might collapse from the very few hours I slept, I lived on coffee though I don't like coffee or the like drinks. I started even writing a log describing everything I was doing and what Sarah was doing.
Sadly, I kept Sarah up till 3 AM discussing many subjects. Don't worry Sarah " what happened at the hotel stays at the hotel ;)", hope you enjoyed our talks as much as I did.
May be I was having many thoughts in mind. Try to have a very clear mind before you sleep. Not that easy to achieve I'm afraid.
"A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow", Charlotte Bronte.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)