I'm getting extremely busy with a backlog that is now difficult to eliminate. Incidentally, I received a very good piece of writing from a friend, Sarah Sallahuddin, that is almost on the topic I wanted to write about. I shall try to be back with something less abstract next week. Excuse me for now.
Life is a revolution. There are times when the revolution affects the lives of many and there are times when the revolution is just within one being. Revolution that makes you realise the true power of thought, of words, of justice of numerous elements of life which we live through and which are nonetheless very integral.
We live a revolution to discover our beings. To discover the reason for existence, to find out the drive behind passions, aims and ambitions. Will it be a discovery or a realization, a thin line differentiating the two. Discovery is beautiful, it takes the self through challenges and challenges are exciting, this leads to finding new things and no matter how hard they seem new always impresses the mind in a way that is different. Realization on the contrary can be dull, not to say it can't be exciting but dull for it is mostly the aspects avoided or not sought after and when they surface they remain no more out of sight and are hard to be ignored.
The revolution that exists or is to be born is independent of either, it is just a desire to move on and put aside all that does not appreciates the beauty of life, whether we chose to discover or realise what the essence lies in is seeing through our heart and mind, seeing through the eyes of life as is, seeing through with honesty, and with justice not only for ourselves but be able to give justice to others who are linked to us. That is what will make the discovery more enjoyable and the realization less bitter. If we can make ourselves happy and give happiness unto others, if we live our dreams as they are shaped by reality and not run after the contours traced by our imagination then we shall see that life is beautiful, the revolution helps us see the truth we longed for -- Life is beautiful!
Pushups Count: 1981 (till Sun, 28th Nov)
Average: 132 (lagging by 59)
Monday, November 29, 2004
Sunday, November 21, 2004
About Graphology
Wikipedia defines Graphology as "the study of handwriting and its connection to behavior, personal information and other human traits."
In my first year at FAST, I was in the twin cities once again - this time to participate in FBISE Award Distribution Ceremony. I happened to meet one Mr. Mansoor through my cousin. The guy could do my personality analysis by seeing my handwriting.
He dictated me six or seven sentences; they were very expressive statements like "I am the strongest person in the world." He then took the piece of paper and drew many lines and circle around the letters. He then told some personality traits that I think were very accurate. In fact, much of what he told is different from what my relatives think of me. So, it wasn't possible for my cousin to tell him these things. But he didn't say anything about patriotism. On the other hand, he said that I had very realistic goals. I asked him to explain "realistic" and he said, "Like you will never like to become Bill Gates because it's not realistic". I said that I would like to be even if it contradicts common sense and that his analysis was wrong. He gave me a few more sentences to write and after analyzing them he said, "No, I still think that you have very realistic goals."
Many years after that, now I think that he was right. I tend to adjust my goals a lot. I start with a very vague picture and then unconsciously analyze my performance in say 10% of the time and then adjust everything. This has become my habit - even in something as simple as walking to the university in the morning. Linking back with Mr. Mansoor's analysis, not only I think that it's almost impossible to be Bill Gates (I knew he is one in billions of people back then as well), I don't want to be. I see no point in striving for something like that.
So how does Graphology work? I asked the same question from him. He said that it's pretty straightforward and very convincing. I give you some examples:
"But my personality changes," one may argue. So what? Your handwriting changes as well. "What if I write differently when I am being analyzed?" It's same as trying to tell a lie. Some people are very good at it but most of us always get caught. It reflects in your handwriting as well.
But the most interesting thing is to think in the other direction: If changes in personality are reflected in handwriting, then change in handwriting might affect personality! While it might be difficult for some to digest, people are now using "handwriting" to cure diseases. Instead of medicine, a patient is given a few sentences to write in a particular way!
Push-ups count: 1075 (till 20th Nov '04)
Average: 134 a day
جاگے ھے سوے نھہں، ایسی ھے میری بےچینی
دن بھی وھی، راتیں وھی، سانسوں میں سانسیں ھیں نھیں
(Atif Aslam, Jal)
In my first year at FAST, I was in the twin cities once again - this time to participate in FBISE Award Distribution Ceremony. I happened to meet one Mr. Mansoor through my cousin. The guy could do my personality analysis by seeing my handwriting.
He dictated me six or seven sentences; they were very expressive statements like "I am the strongest person in the world." He then took the piece of paper and drew many lines and circle around the letters. He then told some personality traits that I think were very accurate. In fact, much of what he told is different from what my relatives think of me. So, it wasn't possible for my cousin to tell him these things. But he didn't say anything about patriotism. On the other hand, he said that I had very realistic goals. I asked him to explain "realistic" and he said, "Like you will never like to become Bill Gates because it's not realistic". I said that I would like to be even if it contradicts common sense and that his analysis was wrong. He gave me a few more sentences to write and after analyzing them he said, "No, I still think that you have very realistic goals."
Many years after that, now I think that he was right. I tend to adjust my goals a lot. I start with a very vague picture and then unconsciously analyze my performance in say 10% of the time and then adjust everything. This has become my habit - even in something as simple as walking to the university in the morning. Linking back with Mr. Mansoor's analysis, not only I think that it's almost impossible to be Bill Gates (I knew he is one in billions of people back then as well), I don't want to be. I see no point in striving for something like that.
So how does Graphology work? I asked the same question from him. He said that it's pretty straightforward and very convincing. I give you some examples:
- People usually write "I" as in first-person different than in words like "it."
- An "o" or a "b" represent how much "closed" you are. Some people are careless while writing and they don't close the circle in "o" or "b" properly. Others make sure that it's not possible to enter.
- The horizontal bar on "t" represents your goals. Some people put it way too up and some very low. Some people don't even care; their bar isn't placed on "t" properly.
- etc.
"But my personality changes," one may argue. So what? Your handwriting changes as well. "What if I write differently when I am being analyzed?" It's same as trying to tell a lie. Some people are very good at it but most of us always get caught. It reflects in your handwriting as well.
But the most interesting thing is to think in the other direction: If changes in personality are reflected in handwriting, then change in handwriting might affect personality! While it might be difficult for some to digest, people are now using "handwriting" to cure diseases. Instead of medicine, a patient is given a few sentences to write in a particular way!
Push-ups count: 1075 (till 20th Nov '04)
Average: 134 a day
جاگے ھے سوے نھہں، ایسی ھے میری بےچینی
دن بھی وھی، راتیں وھی، سانسوں میں سانسیں ھیں نھیں
(Atif Aslam, Jal)
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Eid Mubarak
So, everyone's done with Eid? It's getting rather cold here. I went out in 1 degrees celsius for Eid prayers. A Pakistani Association had booked a hall for Eid prayers. Since the time was known to everyone and the city is relatively small, about 30 people boarded the same bus, which to some extent terrified the few Swedes in the bus. As you can expect from Pakistanis, the prayers didn't start till half an hour after the given time.
There were about 100 Pakistanis for prayers and I was later told that there would be 50 more in some other place as there are two factions within this Pakistani Association due to political inclinations and perhaps they don't offer prayers with each other! Well done, Pakistan!
I was invited for a tea party by Irfanullah in the evening in Bergsjön. Irfanullah is an interesting person; he came here in DCS program a year ago. The guy has lots of knowledge and has a very positive attitude towards life and Islam. And there I might one Mr. Tariq. This guy is an encyclopedia of politics. By the way, I was told that there is a new student enrolled in a German university who has made his fellow-students and teachers his devotees. On his first day in the school, he pointed out some mistakes in a research paper of his supervisor. I don't have the details but will surely like to put up here. The whole Europe is like a single country.
Usually, there is a gathering in Bergsjön, at Irfanullah or Umer bhai's place, every Saturday or Sunday. It's like a cultural center for students from Pakistan. Umer bhai came here for MSc. in Mechanics and is now doing his PhD from Chalmers; he is the oldest amongst us.
While we were preparing tea for ourselves, Irfanullah came to know that I had got three 5.0's in my first term; he rose and embraced me, saying "You are the first Pakistani who has done this!" I said, "Well, somebody had to do it." He agreed. It isn't nice when people don't appreciate your humbleness ;)
The rest of the evening, like all other weekends in Bergsjön, was spent in discussing Pakistan and what we can do for it. I know many of the students do this discussion just because they miss their homes and it's an interesting topic on which you can speak for hours. At the same time, I think Umer bhai and Irfanullah are motivated enough to do something! Only time will tell! Ah...the Space-Time cage!
Pushups Count: 410 (uptil Monday, 15th Nov).
Palat kay jo dekha, ankhain hoween num
Aya nazar jab, adhora sa jeewan.
("Bheegi Yadain" by Junoon)
There were about 100 Pakistanis for prayers and I was later told that there would be 50 more in some other place as there are two factions within this Pakistani Association due to political inclinations and perhaps they don't offer prayers with each other! Well done, Pakistan!
I was invited for a tea party by Irfanullah in the evening in Bergsjön. Irfanullah is an interesting person; he came here in DCS program a year ago. The guy has lots of knowledge and has a very positive attitude towards life and Islam. And there I might one Mr. Tariq. This guy is an encyclopedia of politics. By the way, I was told that there is a new student enrolled in a German university who has made his fellow-students and teachers his devotees. On his first day in the school, he pointed out some mistakes in a research paper of his supervisor. I don't have the details but will surely like to put up here. The whole Europe is like a single country.
Usually, there is a gathering in Bergsjön, at Irfanullah or Umer bhai's place, every Saturday or Sunday. It's like a cultural center for students from Pakistan. Umer bhai came here for MSc. in Mechanics and is now doing his PhD from Chalmers; he is the oldest amongst us.
While we were preparing tea for ourselves, Irfanullah came to know that I had got three 5.0's in my first term; he rose and embraced me, saying "You are the first Pakistani who has done this!" I said, "Well, somebody had to do it." He agreed. It isn't nice when people don't appreciate your humbleness ;)
The rest of the evening, like all other weekends in Bergsjön, was spent in discussing Pakistan and what we can do for it. I know many of the students do this discussion just because they miss their homes and it's an interesting topic on which you can speak for hours. At the same time, I think Umer bhai and Irfanullah are motivated enough to do something! Only time will tell! Ah...the Space-Time cage!
Pushups Count: 410 (uptil Monday, 15th Nov).
Palat kay jo dekha, ankhain hoween num
Aya nazar jab, adhora sa jeewan.
("Bheegi Yadain" by Junoon)
Saturday, November 13, 2004
50,000 Pushups!
And now I am spawning another thread within my blog! Actually, I have decided to do 50,000 push-up in the next 12 months. The idea isn't original; Almost a year back I read this. He's 42 and has set up a target to do One Million Pushups!
Why? I don't have any answer. But for me, at least it will give me something to put up here and thus, an opportunity to post some other "every-day" life stuff. I usually don't like people posting things like "I went out; the weather was good; blah; blah." Yet, there is this guy who has taken useless discussion to the extreme! I'm really impressed by his creativity. If you pay attention, he doesn't say anything useful and he's very careful about it. Had he added something as simple as "then I thought" it would no more be the dullest blog!
So, what else do I have to say? Well, I have got 3 5.0's in my 3 courses of first term, which is the highest amongst all the International Students in my program at Chalmers. The grades here are like fail, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0. Obviously, 5.0 is the highest one can get. But since there is no ranking at this level of education, I can't say that I have "topped." Certainly there would be guys sharper than me.
The blog is now complete: Life, computer science and push-ups. And yes, Eid Mubarak to all of you!
If I'm on my way now
I'm better for it all cause I'm moving on
And whether they might say
After all you can see
Yeah you can see
I'm gone
But I'm on my way
Yes I'm on my way
(from Shrek II)
Why? I don't have any answer. But for me, at least it will give me something to put up here and thus, an opportunity to post some other "every-day" life stuff. I usually don't like people posting things like "I went out; the weather was good; blah; blah." Yet, there is this guy who has taken useless discussion to the extreme! I'm really impressed by his creativity. If you pay attention, he doesn't say anything useful and he's very careful about it. Had he added something as simple as "then I thought" it would no more be the dullest blog!
So, what else do I have to say? Well, I have got 3 5.0's in my 3 courses of first term, which is the highest amongst all the International Students in my program at Chalmers. The grades here are like fail, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0. Obviously, 5.0 is the highest one can get. But since there is no ranking at this level of education, I can't say that I have "topped." Certainly there would be guys sharper than me.
The blog is now complete: Life, computer science and push-ups. And yes, Eid Mubarak to all of you!
If I'm on my way now
I'm better for it all cause I'm moving on
And whether they might say
After all you can see
Yeah you can see
I'm gone
But I'm on my way
Yes I'm on my way
(from Shrek II)
Monday, November 08, 2004
Exploiting Systems: Part I
Are you a hacker?
No.
Come on. I won't tell anyone
No, I don't know anything about hacking.
OK. But can you tell me how to get someone's MSN password?
If it was that easy, MS would have closed down their service.
Oh, no, it's not that difficult. My friend has done it!
Then go and ask him!
I had this kind of discussion many times in the last few years. I confess that I have broken into a Netscape mail address, a Rocketmail address (later acquired by Yahoo!) and a few accounts on Kalpoint (the mail system is now closed). Now, I feel sorry for all of these except the last one. I also hacked into some Nettlink accounts. But all of this has more to do with the systems + users stupidity rather than my ingenuity.
I'll narrate some basics for everyone's benefit. And no I am not going to bore you with "hacker" vs. "cracker" debate. How much useless stuff people can talk...
Hackers have a deep knowledge of a system and they can use this knowledge in ways that the developer(s) perhaps couldn't even imagine! It's this exploitation of weak areas combined with determinism that makes a hack successful. For example, I'd start by telling about SQL Code injection: A typical login system reads in a user id and password and then checks up the related data in a database using something like this:
"select * from users where user_id = '" + uid + "' and password = '" + pwd + "'"
If 0 records are found, invalid user id or password was entered. Otherwise the user is in!
Now if you have hacker's vision with the knowledge that a SQL statement can contain comments, you can immediately create statements of the form
"select * from users where user_id = 'ali' -- blah blah blah"
This means that you can comment out the password checking part when the query is executed on the server! Just use "ali' --" as the user id and anything for the password. Try playing with Kal Community. It's vulnerable to this attack; however, there are no interesting accounts. You might try this userid (amongst several others): shahbazsiyal.
To be continued...
Best years of our lives
When we first met
I could hardly believe
The things that would happen
That we could achieve
So let's be together
For all of our time
We'll go out so thankful
That you are still mine
("Best Years of Our Lives" from Shrek I)
No.
Come on. I won't tell anyone
No, I don't know anything about hacking.
OK. But can you tell me how to get someone's MSN password?
If it was that easy, MS would have closed down their service.
Oh, no, it's not that difficult. My friend has done it!
Then go and ask him!
I had this kind of discussion many times in the last few years. I confess that I have broken into a Netscape mail address, a Rocketmail address (later acquired by Yahoo!) and a few accounts on Kalpoint (the mail system is now closed). Now, I feel sorry for all of these except the last one. I also hacked into some Nettlink accounts. But all of this has more to do with the systems + users stupidity rather than my ingenuity.
I'll narrate some basics for everyone's benefit. And no I am not going to bore you with "hacker" vs. "cracker" debate. How much useless stuff people can talk...
Hackers have a deep knowledge of a system and they can use this knowledge in ways that the developer(s) perhaps couldn't even imagine! It's this exploitation of weak areas combined with determinism that makes a hack successful. For example, I'd start by telling about SQL Code injection: A typical login system reads in a user id and password and then checks up the related data in a database using something like this:
"select * from users where user_id = '" + uid + "' and password = '" + pwd + "'"
If 0 records are found, invalid user id or password was entered. Otherwise the user is in!
Now if you have hacker's vision with the knowledge that a SQL statement can contain comments, you can immediately create statements of the form
"select * from users where user_id = 'ali' -- blah blah blah"
This means that you can comment out the password checking part when the query is executed on the server! Just use "ali' --" as the user id and anything for the password. Try playing with Kal Community. It's vulnerable to this attack; however, there are no interesting accounts. You might try this userid (amongst several others): shahbazsiyal.
To be continued...
Best years of our lives
When we first met
I could hardly believe
The things that would happen
That we could achieve
So let's be together
For all of our time
We'll go out so thankful
That you are still mine
("Best Years of Our Lives" from Shrek I)
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