Activating Matlab on Mac OSX Snow Leopard

This post is meat for people who are having problem activating MATLAB on OSX Snow Leopard. You should be aware of the fact that MATLAB runs on Mac through Java and not as a native Cocoa application. After the recent kernel upgrade to 64-bit, MATLAB is facing problem writing the license file to the installation folder specially if you are activating in the offline mode with a license file. It gives an error message asking to view the log the file in /var/..../-temp-/ews.log.

To fix this problem is very easy. Actually the Java comes configured to run applications in the 64-bit mode which is causing the problem. Follow two simple steps to resolve it.

Step 1 : Open the java preferences from Spotlight as shown in picture below.

Step 2 : Drag 32-bit option above 64-bit.

Try activating now. It should work.

MEMS MOMS IMU tested on Varuna and Indigo

The IMU developed by Rajiv, Praneeth and me in summer 2007 has begun to take some useful and aesthetically appealing form. The latest version which has been developed for the MOMS (MEMS based Oscillation Measurement System) under the supervision of RDSO, Lko was tested yesterday in the AC Chair Car of the Varuna Express. The train was supposed to depart at 4 p.m. and we reached the station at 3.55 p.m. and got into an empty luggage bogie. The train started to move and Shubham found out that we had to get into the chair car. We ran on the platform and got aboard in DDLJ style while Trivediji was left behind. He joined us at the next station where he was found hanging outside the closed gate of the moving train. Not forgetting the Rs.700 penalty we had to pay for sitting in AC with General ticket, the journey was very interesting and full of fun.

The device which was mounted in the JTAG mk2 case with colorful LEDs from inside looked quite geeky. It had a 2 axis ADIS accelerometer sampling at 1000 samples/sec and a 5Hz GPS module for geotagging the jerk points. The computer end software which was written by Asna and me was running smoothly on our Chhotuku (the hp mini netbook). We took loads of data on the window of the compartment, underneath the seat and also on the car while going and returning. The GPS was initially giving half the actual speed, and was calibrated on the go to give very very accurate result updating at 5Hz. We monitored jerks on the track and also Shubham's foot bangs on the floor. Later while returning we even monitored the car on turns for centripetal acceleration.

Sairam had enormous discussions with Mr. Gregory on the case design of the device and has come up with very sleek CAD models for the same.

We got down at Charbagh station where Ramchanderji had arrived on the taxi to pick us up. Thanks to everyone involved.

my Vision my India

Techkriti in the last four years has always meant to me more zeal, more fun, more technologies, more ideas and more inspirations. I had never imagined that this Techkriti might be so dull - sitting in my lab and working on assignments. But the concluding day, Feb 14th, was inspirational enough to make up for the rest of it.

Shubham and myself went on a campaign to collect junta's ideas of an improved India. We asked the participants to pen down their ideas on a chart paper which we would upload on a website. The wonderful logo was designed by Neha which added to our moral boost. The source of inspiration for the drive : MumbaiUnmute --> Shubham -->IITK.

We started with two young ladies in the staff canteen and then went to the SAC. And to our surprise, the response was overwhelming. You just need to carry a DSLR and tell junta that your pic will be on the web and they would do all sorts of somersault for you.

A satellite meeting with the director was also scheduled in the day. We got him as well in the groove.

The rest of the pictures can be seen at :

http://picasaweb.google.com/kshdeo11/Feb2010MyVisionMyIndia?authkey=Gv1sRgCLXnlIKvmafdPg#

A very motivating and enthusiastic drive indeed !!

Track me live !!

With the instamapper app for iphones, now anyone can track me live. Just click on the link:

http://www.instamapper.com/ext?key=8945192752751750370

With my login, it even shows me the paths I travelled.

'TATA buses' : tata volvo

Recently I had the pleasure of riding in the TATA city bus in Kanpur.

To my surprise these are a very superior quality buses if not exact but a close replica of the Volvo buses. I really used to relish those comfortable drives on Volvo buses in Sweden with beautiful people around.

Equally pleasant ride was the one on TATA AC bus called Marcopolo in Bangalore. With these buses spreading in every city, Indian traffic will soon see the days of calmness and safety. Without compromising the quality, the fares are nominal to compete with the existing auto-rikshaws.

One of the great features I liked in the Volvo buses was the STOP buttons located behind seats and various rods in the bus. If anyone wants to get down he simply presses one of them and the driver would stop the bus at the next bus stop. Interestingly, TATA has designed exactly similar buttons in their bus giving it a fancy look. The door opening mechanism and place for cradles/wheelchair is also similarly built.

Seats appear quite comfortable; if only they can withstand the huge population pressure and remain well maintained.

An indigenous solution to indigenous problem. Good Luck TATA !! Good luck India.