- [CakePHP] How to re-size images at run-time
This is a helper + controller combo for CakePHP which I often use. It helps to re-size images at run-time and also aid display them. Oh yes! once the image is resized it also caches them. First let’s look at helper method. PLAIN TEXT PHP: class MyHelper extends AppHelper { function getImageUrl($path, $size, [...]
- SQL data source in Sphinx
These days I am getting more and more into Sphinx and falling in love with it . In this post we will see how to make use of SQL data source to create indexes. Sphinx has inbuilt support for MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. The drivers for these databases can connect to the database using its [...]
- Namespaces in PHP 5.3 – Part 2
Welcome back! In Part 1 of this post we discussed how to create namespaces and use them for classes, functions and constants. If you have not read Part 1 I strongly recommend you read it before we move on to some of the advanced parts related to namespaces. Lets start from where we had left. [...]
- Adding security to your CakePHP application – Part 2
In the Part 1 of this post, we’ve discussed how to secure your CakePHP application by following some thumb rules and using Sanitize class. Now, in the second part, we’ll discuss how to add some more security to your application by using the nice Security component of CakePHP. Before coming down to the nitty-gritty of [...]
- [iPhone] Parsing RSS with NSXMLParser
One of the test apps I created while learning iPhone development was a FeedReader app using UITabbarController. Using TabbarController in combination with NavigationController, TableViewController and WebViewController was challenging enough for someone who just began with iPhone development. But more on that later … One of the problems I faced in this app was parsing the [...]
- [Zend Framework] Slug filter
While studying for my Zend Framework certification, I tried to build a small application to test my knowledge. One of the tasks in that project was to try and build a slug filter which converts a particular string to slug, for example, ‘My Test String’ to ‘my-test-string’. It also checks for slug duplication if you [...]
- Namespaces in PHP 5.3 – Part 1
One of the most significant and welcome features added in PHP 5.3 was that of namespaces. While this has been around in other programming languages, namespaces have finally found their place starting with PHP 5.3. If you are not new to namespaces and have worked on them in other languages don’t go away, you might [...]
- [HowTo] Google Calendar API : PHP – Manage events (Part 3)
Earlier we saw how to install Zend’s GData library and retrieve list of calendars and events. Now its time to manage events i.e. create, update and delete events. First we need the Calendar service instance, so lets instantiate the Zend_GData_Calendar class. PLAIN TEXT PHP: $path = ‘/home/abbas/ZendGdata/library’; $oldPath = set_include_path(get_include_path() . PATH_SEPARATOR . $path); require_once [...]
- Adding security to your CakePHP application – Part 1
Ben Parker once advised his young nephew Peter, whose super-hero alter ego is Spider-man, that “With great power comes great responsibility.” CakePHP framework provides us a rich tool-set to build high performance web applications. The applications built using CakePHP are secure at much extent as long as it comes with some nice features such as [...]
With so many pictures from our Tanzania trip I wanted to something different than my usual wildlife photography style. I have tried to compile a series of five pictures which I call “Animal Portraits”. Each of these animals are from a group referred to as the African Big Five. Continue reading and grab the other 4 too!!
Tags: photography, tanzania, travel, wildlife
On the morning of our departure from Kirawira, western Serengeti it was cloudy and we had almost given up all hopes of seeing anything but then as it can happen with any jungle safari our luck changed. Just 20 meter form the road was sitting a part of a lion pride three lioness with two cubs. Initially the cubs were just content to suckle but then one of the lioness took upon herself that it was time to teach a few things about hunting to the young ones. So she cajoled them into play and what looked like a lot of fun for the cubs she proceeded to teach them some moves about how to hunt! I won’t bother with much verbal details and will let the pictures do the talking. Continue reading 9 photos after the link
Tags: kirawira, lion, photography, serengeti, tanzania, wildlife
- It is heavy and does not lend itself well to being held in a single hand due to the smooth metal back – I remedied this by ordering a silicon rubber sleeve.
- Safari for iPad does not offer search within a page. This can also be remedied by following the instructions here
- Screen should have been widescreen a 16:10 ratio is pretty much it these days. The widescreen option in the setting sucks!
- The look of apps like the address book, calendar and iBook is cheesy and not customizable
- Takes longer than expected to charge but on the flip side has a long battery life
- The built in Photo frame application is so basic that it will not even allow to set time between photos. Tapping will pause the slideshow but that is it!
- No printer support even in iPhone OS4 Will have to wait for iPhone OS4 for printer support (my accountant needs printed receipts of all purchases)
- Missing apps – Clock, Calculator, Weather, Stocks, I know that substitutes are available for free or very cheap but still….
OK! that is a list of just 8 and that said I absolutely love using my iPad. I use it most for reading, browsing Flickr and at times for viewing video using Air Video. Apple in past has heard its consumers so hopefully most of my gripes will not be there in next versions of the apps. The one which I am really doubtful about is getting a widescreen iPad but hey! one can always wish…..
I have listed my gripes – what are yours gripes about the iPad?
As we drove towards the Central Serengeti plains a head bobbed up from behind a rising – I immediately exclaimed – Vulture!! But as the bird continued to come towards us it became apparent that the bird was taller than any vulture I know of, as the legs came into view they were more like that of a Stork or a Crane. This was my first encounter with the Secretary-bird. Continue reading has 2 more pictures…
Tags: birdlife, birds, photography, serengeti, tanzania, travel
Lake Manyara was our first game drive destination on our 9 day travails through Tanzania. After landing at Nairobi we traveled for nearly 7 hours before we could reach here. Even though we were very tired the abundance of birdlife and wildlife made up for everything. Continue reading there are 20 more pictures!!
Tags: manyara, photography, tanzania, travel
- Carry a good bean bag, Even with a small lens your wrists can get tired pretty soon and tripods are not very useful inside a vehicle.
- Do not overlook taking wide angle shots – carry a good wide lens – a 10-20mm Sigma is a nice starter lens.
- A 400mm lens is mostly reach enough, you will not miss much if you do not have a longer lens – but do carry your big guns if you can.
- Do not ignore the birds there are plenty of them in Manyara, Serengeti as well as Ngorongoro.
- Use the biggest vehicle you can find and afford and do not fill it – have one photographer per row of seats.
- Pick up cans of Insect repellent sprays, they will be there in your rooms, wear full sleeves shirts. Avoid wearing blue and black – the Tsetse flies can be very irritating though the Serengeti ones are not disease carrying.
- Learn the Swaheli words for the common animals – the guides and drivers keep up a constant chatter on the radio and won’t share unless you specifically ask.
- Do day long game drives – unlike in India they are allowed in Tanzania and most resorts will give you packed breakfast as well as lunches.
- Rhinos in Ngorongoro are always very far off – get hold of a friendly Ranger who has the authority to go on “Ranger only” tracks and somehow convince him to take you in his vehicle.
- Carry enough storage cards for your camera and also spare batteries – you will certainly shoot more than you anticipated. Do not delete pictures in the field.
And this last one is a general tip for travelers using Kenya Airways – board early. Kenya airways has a monopoly in the sector and treat passengers like shit. You may want to read what we went through while flying back
Tags: photography, tanzania, travel
So you have been waiting for the first image from my trip to East Africa. I could have put in many other dramatic things like the Lion, Rhino, Cheetah or the Hippo but I felt that those mammals are rather cliched. So I decided to put a common but unique bird Read more about the Hammerkop
Tags: manyara, photography, tanzania, travel
“Aren’t you two bored of each other?” The question took me by surprise! No it has never occurred to me that I will get bored of Swati, but then perhaps I am too naive when it comes to marital relationships. For me this is one relationship where things are in black and white without any intervening gray shades. The question however did make me ponder as to why it should be raised at all and I cringed. Today I don’t want to wade thru the dissatisfactions of others trying to find why I am not… Heh! even writing that sounds pretty stupid. The day marks 16 years of being married to Swati.
I quoted Kaifi Azmi on our 10th anniversary
Dil me sanam ki soorat
Aakhon me aashiqui de
Mere khuda mujhe tu
Ek aur zindagi de
And that still holds true!
Ironically 7 years ago I did write Till boredom do us apart… and I have titled this as anniversary of blah simply because the 16th anniversary has no traditional gifts associated with it – so don’t try to read too much into it
Among more mundane things – no special plans for the day we may go out for dinner but the excitement is about getting everything ready for our Friday departure to Tanzania for 9 days!!
Tags: anniversary















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