base64 representation of current time

#!/bin/bash
time=$(date +%s%N)
s=$(for b in `bc<<<"obase=256;$time"`; do
j=000`bc<<<"obase=8;$b"`
j="\\${j: -3}"
echo -n $j
done)
eval "echo \$'$s'"|base64

A place

If we can partition our life into stages, will there be one that we can stand? Or, it's going to be an eternal struggle to reach the next? I need strength...

The Chase is On

There is no point in live where one should feel content with one's growth, in power and ability generally, in mind and control particularly. While contriving, expressing ideas and moving are just the beginnings, the rate will likely determine everything.

first snow

It's that time of the year again...

remove duplicate paths from $PATH in BASH

Here is one that I came up with:
PATH=`awk -F: '{for(i=1;i<=NF;i++){if(!($i in a)){a[$i];printf s$i;s=":"}}}'<<<$PATH`

torque, rsync, and selinux

Somehow, rsync dies quietly when run inside a qsub script if selinux is enabled (on a Fedora 7 system). I can by-pass this by changing the security context inside the script. However, this should be the job of torque. Anyway, make selinux permissive is the simplest way of dealing with it.

Beneficial

Addiction is about giving up the freedom of will to instinctive impulses. What to gain are usually biological comforts. But, what to lose is the very reason for being in this world.

Source of Information

The insight of Bennett on Maxwell's daemon shows that the information can not be easily erased. By the time symmetry of physical laws, the information can not be easily created, either.
There is this ad hoc observer in quantum mechanics that can collapse the state of a system and create information. And there is also this black hole of Hawking that seems to erase information. How are they connected?

Define Science

Science is a consistent and compressed description of our experiences. It's easier to have consistency since unrelated things are always consistent with each other. But, it's much harder to have compression since compressibility hinges on relationship.

Long Time Coming

It has been a while since the weather can be described as pleasant. The mind felt like drunken in the wind with just a small stroll outside. Just like all livings, simple cues are all that take to turn our mind and body around.

Equivalent Trade

It's more importance to recognize equivalence in things around us than to focus on favoritism. First of all, this helps us find different solutions to one given problem thus increase the chance of resolution. Secondly, this helps us choose quickly when the scale is tilted. Besides, we don't need to invent/learn new tricks when the old ones will do.

Intended Prediction

It's amazing to see people not being aware of how they are treating others. Is this generally true for all things they are interacting with? Or, is it a special thing for their interaction with other people? From the assumption of this article, the ability to predict the intention of others should be something natural. However, people don't always use this ability when they are interacting with others.

Reflection

When one is drawn to something in front, at times, one can be oblivious of one's true destination. In such a circumstance, in one's mind, an alarm should sound and alert one to refocus oneself. This mechanism requires efforts to put in place.

Effectual

For things that we need to wait for, there are those that we can only await; there are those that we can act on; and, there are those that we have to act on. Until they happen, we need to recognize the priority and place our attention and efforts accordingly.

Sail Not

Optimization involves value for the results we want and control for the things that we can do. Quite often, the difficulty is more in recognizing the value then in exerting the control. To make things worse, while the value function is often continuous on the control, there are frequent singularities that require one's leap of mind to see a path to any betterment.

New Life

An excitement that started with the anticipation and, as said by a mentor, won't ever dissipate. The world is something that you have enjoyed so much that you just have to lead someone into it, too. And, the process itself shall multiply the joyfulness that will leave you not a single bit of regret.

Connected Neurons

Does the wiring of the brain result in an interesting network topology of neurons? How do external inputs impact the topology of such a network?

Freezing

The temperature is getting as low as -18°C today. It was really unbearable outside. Come to think of it: The climate changes of the earth is intrinsically inevitable. The question is in the competition between the rate of change and the rates of adaptation of its dwellers. Will we make it?

Love a Definition

It's the feeling of inner pleasure for something. This same definition seems to apply for all usages of the verb that I can recall.

Crystal Form

The air is cool but the ground is warm. With plenty of moisture, the snow have been falling profusely without stop. While, the accumulations are limited to patchy places on edges and branches.

Tool for the Job

There is an old Chinese saying: "Doing a good job requires a good tool". Here is a very good tool for my trade.

A Trip

Life is more like a trip and the point is to make the best out. For this, we need wisdom and an open mind, which could have been consequences of each other.

New Monitor

The old monitor suddenly went dark without warning. We went out and got a Samsung 205BW which features an 1680x1050 resolution. However, the on board VIA KM400 video card of my machine does not find any of the modelines gathered by DDC and refused to run at the optimal resolution. Luckily this post by Hendrik on the userforum at openchrome.org saved the day. The modeline mentioned on the page simply worked for me as posted. Many thanks to Hendrik!

Firing Pattern

Is it how things are remembered? Is it through the patterns a network of connected neurons fire?

Snowy Day

It's a good day to stay home and watch the drifting flakes dancing in the wind. Nature is the most beautiful when we are not in its way.