We’re expecting a baby soon, and as I prepare for sleepless nights and diaper disasters, there’s one more thing I want to get ahead of — the internet. Yes, the same magical place that helps make money is also crawling with algorithmic predators waiting to turn our kids into scroll zombies before they even learn to walk.

So here’s my no-fluff, nerd-dad guide to securing your digital den — whether you're tech-savvy or just tech-suspecting.

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Step 1: Understand Your Home Network Like a Responsible Adult​

Most homes today are multi-network setups, even if they don’t realize it.

Count the Networks​

Total Networks at home = 1 broadband + each phone with an active mobile data plan

That means your child's screen time could sneak in through any of these entry points. First step: identify and isolate them.

Basic Network Topology (Before Changes)​

Internet → ISP Router (Wi-Fi & LAN) → All Devices → your child

This gives the ISP's router full control over DNS, firewall rules, and device access. Not ideal for a security-conscious parent.

Smart phones + data packs → your child

Data packs by carrier dont give any parental control tools.

We need to target the network level filtering which is generally good enough to block ads, parked domains and time wasters.

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Step 2: Fix the Manhole — Lock Down Your Broadband​

Why ISP Routers Are a Problem​

• Most ISP routers are locked down — DNS settings greyed out
• Firmware is often outdated and insecure
• Limited or no parental control features
• No custom firewall or VLAN options

What I Did Instead​

1. Disabled Wi-Fi on the ISP router
   Let it act as a basic modem or Layer 2 switch.

2. Introduced My Own Router (Netgear)
   Plugged into the ISP box via Ethernet (LAN to WAN). This separates my internal LAN from the ISP's network.

3. Enabled NAT, DHCP, and DNS on My Router
   Configured to issue private IPs (e.g., 192.168.1.x) and point all DNS queries to OpenDNS servers which look like:

   • 208.67.222.222
   • 208.67.220.220

4. Registered with OpenDNS
   Created a free account, added my dynamic IP, and enabled category-level filtering. You can block:

   • Social networks
   • Video sharing
   • Adult content
   • Gaming, shopping, forums — up to you

5. Tested the Setup
   Verified DNS override by visiting:
   https://welcome.opendns.com

Updated Network Topology​

All devices now talk to the internet via my firewall + DNS filters, not the ISP’s.

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Step 3: Taming the Phones — Especially the Ones With Data Packs​

Broadband is fixed, but what about mobile data on phones? These are the real backdoors.

Simple But Effective Plan​

• Recharge only when needed (no monthly auto-renewal of data-heavy packs)
• Use mobile data only for OTPs, emergency maps, and short bursts

The Engineer's Setup​

I needed something robust and centrally managed.

1. For Broadband Devices – I use OpenDNS via the router.
2. For Mobile Data (4G/5G) Devices – I use NextDNS via Android/iPhone's Private DNS feature.

Why NextDNS?​

• Supports DNS-over-TLS (DoT) and DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), apps I control you.
• Per-device logs, analytics, and block rules
• Works even over mobile data, friends hotspot
• One profile can be shared across multiple devices
• For entire family, basic plan is worth it. I dont think free plan will make it.

How to Set It Up on Android​

• Go to: Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS
• Choose: Private DNS provider hostname
• Enter: your-profile-id.dns.nextdns.io (from nextdns.io dashboard)
• Save and test at: https://test.nextdns.io

Now even on 4G, your DNS traffic is encrypted and filtered.

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The Bigger Motive: Family-Wide Digital Discipline​

This isn’t just about protecting a newborn. It’s about reprogramming how we use the internet — so that the baby doesn’t see everyone glued to screens 24/7.

What We’re Trying to Do​

• Remove addictive triggers from devices
• Encourage meaningful use of tech
• Create consistency across screens
• Lead by example

This is not a one-man battle. It’s a full-stack family-level architecture decision.

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Problems Faced​

Technical​

• Changing DNS is straightforward if you’re used to router admin pages.
• Most modern routers support this out of the box.

Psychological​

• Asking aging parents to give up binge-watching YouTube is like asking them to skip tea.
• You’ll hear:
  • “What’s wrong with watching one or two reels?”
  • “It’s just a recipe video...”
• Prepare for mini mutinies, emotional blackmail, and silent resistance.

Financial​

• Another subscription added, hopefully Netflix & Prime go away

But if you stick to it, it gets easier.

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Advanced Nerd Notes​

• DNS Leak Protection: Use firewall rules to block outbound port 53 and redirect to OpenDNS.
• Split VLANs: For homes with smart TVs and IoT devices, separate them into guest VLANs.
• Device MAC Tracking: Some routers let you assign policies per MAC address (for kids vs adults).
• Dynamic DNS: If your IP changes often, configure DDNS and bind it to OpenDNS/NextDNS updates.
• Logs & Analytics: Use Pi-hole or Netflow on a Raspberry Pi to monitor domain requests for forensic insights.

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Disclaimer​

I’m not selling any tool here. This blog is about the mindset shift required to raise children in the age of digital dopamine.

Use any tool you prefer. The idea is to build a secure, distraction-minimal environment where children grow up watching their parents being intentional — not just entertained.

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Final Words from a Nerdy New Dad​

Failing to plan is planning to fail. We’ve baby-proofed our furniture. Now let’s baby-proof our Wi-Fi.

Because the real "parental control" isn’t in a router setting — it’s the decision to take control in the first place. Also do let me know what are your strategies? Did you deny lending your phone?

Sometimes you just need to break the writer’s slump, and what better way than to air some tech community laundry/gossips. Here are 3 classic struggles that keep popping up, no matter how fast the AI world moves.

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1. Senior vs. Junior Conundrum – The Banyan Tree Effect​

Juniors often feel like they’re growing in the shadow of their seniors – those strong, wide-spread banyan trees that block opportunities and stunt their growth. This isn’t just a theory – data shows that nearly 30% of techies with less than 3 years of experience switch jobs, looking for more sunlight and fresh air.

For juniors, the challenge isn’t just the learning curve but finding their voice in a team where the seniors have already taken the best seats. It’s like trying to grow a startup in a market dominated by FAANG.

While seniors are busy debating the best design pattern for a microservice, juniors are trying to get their first pull request merged without being roasted on the code review thread. It’s a constant game of "How many comments will this PR get before it’s finally approved?", "Will anyone mentor me honestly about all corners of the long career ahead?", etc.

Seniors, on the other hand, see juniors as a potential threat – the fresh minds who come in armed with JavaScript, Python, and React and casually throw around terms like LLMs, prompt engineering, hackathons and vector databases. Meanwhile, the seniors are still perfecting the art of Spring Boot and JPA, occasionally grumbling about how Java 8 was the last “real” upgrade.

It’s not just about skills – it’s about mindset. The seniors have survived production outages at 3 AM, managed political office battles, and honestly mentored a generation of developers who now run startups.

Juniors, on the other hand, are still fresh, living out of PG rooms, debugging their code on 15-inch laptops, and pushing code on a 5G hotspot while dodging their roommate’s PUBG screams. They may lack experience, but they have the raw hustle, curiosity, and caffeine tolerance that seniors often lose along the way.

And if you want a real generational gap, just bring up Agile vs. Waterfall in a meeting. The seniors will reminisce about the days when project plans were thicker than the SRS document, while the juniors wonder if they should include Agile Scrum in their LinkedIn profile.

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2. Employee vs. Management – The Cost-Cutting Showdown​

When it comes to cutting costs, management often takes the path of least resistance – reduce headcount. Performance, age, location, experience – all fair game when trimming the payroll. This is the "high-impact, low-cost" strategy that features in every MBA case study.

From the management perspective, it’s all about "optimizing the org chart" and "maximizing shareholder value" – fancy phrases that essentially mean fewer people, more profit. The logic is simple: cutting the bottom 10% might save the company millions without the PR disaster of reducing executive perks.

But employees see it differently. To them, the real savings lie in cutting the fat at the top. After all, the CEO earning 100x the average developer’s salary, VPs flying business class, and middle managers enjoying plush perks attending meetings.

And then there’s the perks debate. Employees argue that cutting free food, and fancy offices in favor of WFH (Work From Home) could save millions. After all, those ping-pong tables and bean bags aren’t exactly mission-critical. And let’s be real – the only people who truly use the office gym are the same ones who have the time for marathon LinkedIn posts.

This is especially stark in India, where C-level executives at top tech firms earn crores per annum, while a fresh developer might make 7-15 LPA. The disparity is not just in the paychecks but also in the power to decide the fate of others.

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3. The Outsourcing Squeeze – A Tale of Two Realities​

Outsourcing is a simple idea – move work to a cheaper location and save big. India, with its massive pool of highly skilled engineers, is a top destination for this. In 2024 alone, India’s IT exports were estimated at over $250 billion, with GCCs (Global Capability Centers) in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai leading the charge.

But this efficiency comes with a human cost. For every American worker laid off, there’s likely a replacement in Bangalore, Manila, or Chengdu doing the same work at a fraction of the cost. It’s the "rob Peter to pay Paul" strategy of the corporate world.

But it’s not a bed of roses for the outsourcers either. They’re often stuck in corporate jungles – the GCCs of India – doing the same work for 3x-5x less pay than their Western counterparts, with fewer perks, less vacation, and the constant contract renewal threats.

And to add to their woes, the entry-level salaries at these GCCs have barely moved in the past 15 years, despite inflation and the rising cost of living. It’s like getting a static variable in a dynamic world.

Plus, they have to sync up at 11 PM for calls with PST time zone clients who think that IST stands for "I’ll Slack Tomorrow."

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This post is a simple rant for the slump – not to be taken seriously. There are many more battles in tech, like open source vs. closed source, cloud vs. on-prem, and Windows vs. Mac. I’ll tackle those when the next writer’s block hits. 😉

Why this post? As frontend engineers, we often focus narrowly on frameworks and tooling—primarily JavaScript, React, and UI libraries. But many of us hit a career plateau because we lack exposure to core software engineering principles.

This post is part of a growing genre I call “Bridge Posts”—connecting frontend development to foundational software architecture concepts. The goal is to help frontend engineers think like system designers, not just component builders.

Today, we explore the CAP Theorem, a classic principle in distributed systems, and map it to familiar frontend scenarios—such as Git workflows, real-time collaborative UIs, and offline-friendly apps.

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Understanding the CAP Theorem​

In distributed systems, the CAP Theorem states that during a network partition (i.e., some parts of the system can’t communicate), you can only guarantee two of the following three:

• Consistency (C): All nodes see the same data at the same time.
• Availability (A): Every request receives a response—regardless of the freshness of the data.
• Partition Tolerance (P): The system continues to operate even when parts of it can’t communicate.

In practice, partition tolerance is non-negotiable in any distributed system. Therefore, systems must choose between consistency and availability when partitions occur.

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Git Analogy: You Already Use CAP​

Let’s start with Git—a tool every developer knows.

• When you commit locally on a plane, you’re in a partitioned state.
• You can continue working (Availability), even though your code may diverge from your teammate’s (Consistency is compromised).
• Once reconnected, you merge changes to restore consistency.

Git is an AP (Available + Partition-Tolerant) system. It tolerates partitions and lets you work offline but eventually requires reconciliation.

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React Use Case: Real-Time Collaborative Forms​

Now imagine you’re building a collaborative form in React. Multiple users edit the same form in real-time. Updates are synchronized via WebSockets or polling.

How does CAP play out here?

1. CP – Consistent & Partition-Tolerant​

• If a user loses network connectivity, editing is disabled.
• This ensures everyone always sees the latest state.
• However, the application becomes unavailable for offline or disconnected users.

Use cases: Healthcare apps, finance platforms—where data integrity is paramount.

2. AP – Available & Partition-Tolerant​

• Users can continue editing offline.
• Changes are stored locally and synced later.
• This may lead to conflicting edits, requiring merge strategies.

Use cases: Note-taking apps, chat applications—where user flow matters more than perfect sync.

3. CA – Consistent & Available (No Partition Tolerance)​

• Works as expected under perfect network conditions.
• Any partition causes the system to fail or block.
• While theoretically ideal, this model is impractical in real-world distributed systems.

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🌐 Designing for Partition Tolerance​

A network partition occurs when different components of a distributed system—clients, services, or databases—cannot communicate due to a temporary network failure. Each component may still be operational, but they're isolated like islands without bridges.

In frontend development, this is surprisingly common:

• A user loses internet connectivity mid-session.
• A mobile app hits a dead spot with no signal.
• The frontend can reach a CDN or cache but not the main API server.

Designing for Partition Tolerance means your app should continue functioning as gracefully as possible, even during such disconnects.

As a React developer, this involves:​

• Storing user actions locally (memory, localStorage, IndexedDB).
• Queuing mutations and syncing later (e.g., Service Workers, Apollo cache, Redux middleware).
• Providing clear UI cues: “You’re offline, changes will sync later.”
• Implementing conflict resolution logic, if needed.

Real-world examples:

• Figma continues rendering and recording user edits during disconnects.
• Notion lets you type offline and syncs the block tree later.
• Gmail stores draft emails offline and sends them once reconnected.

These applications opt for Partition Tolerance, ensuring the app remains usable—even if consistency is delayed or temporarily broken.

Designing for Partition Tolerance doesn’t mean ignoring consistency—it means accepting that consistency might be eventual, not immediate.

In distributed systems, network failures are not rare edge cases—they're expected events. As frontend engineers, acknowledging and designing for them elevates your thinking from component trees to system-level resilience.

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Mapping CAP to Frontend Patterns​

Frontend Pattern	CAP Tradeoff	Notes
React Query (stale-while-revalidate)	AP	Shows stale cache first, fetches fresh data.
Optimistic UI (e.g., message send)	AP	Assumes success and syncs with the server later.
Disabling forms on lost connection	CP	Prevents stale writes by enforcing consistency.
Service Workers / Offline-First PWA	AP	Operates offline and reconciles post-reconnect.
Live collaboration (e.g., Figma, Google Docs)	AP + conflict resolution	Resolves sync issues with operational transforms.

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What This Means for Frontend Developers​

You don’t have to be building a distributed database to care about CAP. If your application:

• Caches remote data
• Lets users work offline
• Supports multi-user collaboration
• Relies on eventual consistency

…then you’re actively navigating CAP trade-offs.

Ask yourself:

• Can users work with stale data? → Choose Availability.
• Must every write be accurate and conflict-free? → Prioritize Consistency.
• Should the app always respond—even during outages? → Design for Partition Tolerance.

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Closing Thoughts: Frontend as a Distributed System​

“CAP isn’t just a backend concern—it manifests in every interactive, networked UI you build.”

Whether you’re building a rich client with React Query, crafting optimistic updates, or designing for offline-first usage, you’re constantly making trade-offs. Understanding CAP helps you make them consciously.

This post was part of a broader mission to elevate frontend engineers into system thinkers—developers who don’t just build buttons, but design resilient user experiences.

Let’s not be cookie-cutter React developers. Let’s bridge the gap.

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Would you like me to help you turn this into a blog-ready Markdown + SEO-friendly format?

What happens when a frontend architect meets a podium after years? You get a mix of console.log("confidence") and some seriously good speeches.

I'm dhbalaji — Lead Frontend Engineer by day, Toastmaster since 2012, and collector of certificates like CC, CL, and ACB. After taking a break to focus to master sorcerous Javascript. But when I heard there’s a Toastmasters Club right here in Hosur, my curiosity wanted me to do a little mic check.

So I walked in. Here's what happened.

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📍 Where It Happened​

• When: Every Sunday, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
• Where: 2nd Floor, Finance Academy, ASTC HUDCO, Hosur
• Parking: Loads of space — park like a boss
• Setup: Cosy room with a ~30 person capacity
• Hybrid Mode: Online guests can join via Microsoft Teams

🗺️ If you're Googling "Toastmasters club near me in Hosur" — this is it! Hosur Toastmasters club permalink

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👀 First Impressions​

Having attended clubs with bells, whistles, and near-TED levels of polish, Hosur Toastmasters felt refreshingly raw. Think: garage band with talent, waiting to hit Spotify.

✅ What Worked:​

• Diverse Professionals: Engineers, finance folks, HR pros — all under one roof
• Mature Audience: 30s+ crowd added depth and real-life stories
• Warm Vibes: Received a formal invite ahead of time (yay structure!)

⚠️ What Could Be Better:​

• Sunday morning? Great for early birds, rough for Netflix-bingers
• Limited networking: Hybrid format made hallway chats tough
• Retention Blues: Noticed some churn — fresh energy needed

The session I attended was a joint meeting with Proficient Toastmasters Club, with quite a few tuning in online. Felt like an office teams meeting — but with better grammar.

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🌟 Meeting Highlights​

I won’t pretend I was the General Evaluator, but here’s what stuck with me:

• Theme: “Voices of Nature” — poetic, calming, not a weather report
• Word of the Day: “Cacophony” — ironically, the meeting room fan was anything but
• Prepared Speeches: Delivered with confidence — definitely mentor material
• Table Topics: Real-time adrenaline for guests. I spoke. I survived.
• TAG Team: Tracked Time, Ah-counter, and Grammar like ninjas with excel sheets, yes someone ended up sharing screen on teams
• Evaluations & Awards: Encouragement with a touch of pageantry and photos
• Post-Meeting Chats: Surprisingly rich — could have been better

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🤔 What Could Level-Up the Experience​

Here’s my candid guest audit (no PowerPoint, promise):

• Introduce guests early — helps with context and connection
• Bigger in-person crowd = more energy
• Meeting decorum — a little polish goes a long way
• Tighter meeting flow — less lag between segments
• Record & upload speeches — boost visibility and speaker growth

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💬 People Who Inspired Me​

This was the deal-sealer.

Where else do frontend developers, sales pros, finance strategists, and HR veterans talk about communication, confidence, and community — all in the same room?

Special shoutout to TM Muthu Kalimuthu, the Club President. His hospitality and thoughtful questions before the meeting made me feel like I was already part of the team.

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🧠 Takeaways from Hosur Toastmasters Club​

• Hosur isn’t just about factories anymore. We’ve got IIT training centres, shopping malls... and now, Toastmasters.
• The club may not be in full bloom yet, but the seeds are solid. Leadership can make it shine.
• English fluency can be a barrier in this region — this club is a bridge, not just a stage.

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👍 Should You Join Hosur Toastmasters?​

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes — especially if you:

• Want to improve your public speaking and leadership skills
• Are looking for community engagement in Hosur
• Enjoy learning from people outside your industry bubble

Here’s how I imagine the club’s golden mix:

• 33% – Students and early-career folks
• 33% – Regulars actively participating and giving speeches
• 33% – Mentors and seasoned Toastmasters offering wisdom from the backbenches

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😆 Fun Goof of the Day​

Speaker (with full confidence): “And then I heard the birds slurping...” instead of "birds chirrping"

Audience: blink blink Grammarian: Noted

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💬 Final Thoughts​

I didn’t just walk into a meeting. I walked into a reboot.

So if you’re searching for:

• “Hosur Toastmasters Club timings”
• “Toastmasters near ASTC HUDCO”
• “How to improve public speaking in Hosur”

You’ve found your place.

🎤 Come for the speeches. Stay for the people. Rediscover your voice.

Large Language Models (LLMs) are revolutionizing the way we build intelligent applications—especially in frontend development. From ChatGPT to custom AI copilots, LLMs are everywhere. But have you ever wondered how LLMs actually work under the hood?

The theory behind LLMs can be complex—terms like embeddings, transformers, tokenization, and vector space often feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m using a familiar analogy: a visit to a local doctor’s clinic.

This blog post breaks down the internal architecture of LLMs using a real-world story that’s easy to visualize and remember. Whether you're a developer exploring AI integration, an engineer curious about embeddings, or someone building chat interfaces, this analogy-driven explanation will help you understand:

• What tokenization really means
• Why vectors and embeddings are essential
• How transformers "think" using attention
• Why temperature affects LLM creativity
• How memory and context shape outputs

Let’s walk into the clinic. 🚶‍♂️💊

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Characters in the Community Clinic Example​

• User – A person interacting with the LLM (the patient)
• LLM – The large language model (the doctor)
• Internals – Sequence of steps the model uses to generate a response (diagnostic workflow)

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Step 1: Patient Describes the Issue to Doctor​

Scene:
The patient walks into the clinic.

Conversation:

• Doctor: Hi, please sit down.
• Patient: Thank you.
• Doctor: Tell me.
• Patient: I got back from my friend’s wedding 2 days back. Since yesterday, I feel cold and have body pains.
• Doctor: (listening) hmm.

LLM Analogy:
This step is like tokenization — breaking the input sentence into smaller units (tokens) that the machine can understand.

Step 1 - Tokenizer:
Converts input from human language to machine-readable tokens.

• Input: Plain text / story
• Output: Word tokens (e.g., "wedding", "cold", "pains")

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Step 2: Doctor Comprehends the Patient Problem​

The doctor interprets the patient’s words and thinks in terms of temperature, symptoms, etc. They may even order diagnostic tests for more data.

LLM Analogy:
This is like the embedding layer, where word tokens are turned into number arrays (vectors) that hold semantic meaning.

Step 2 - Embedding Layer:
Converts tokens into vector form for semantic understanding.

• Input: Word tokens
• Output: Vectors that represent meaning (like symptoms turned into medical data)

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Step 3: Doctor Runs Diagnosis Internally​

The doctor thinks through the problem using experience and logic—checking symptoms against patterns they’ve seen before.

LLM Analogy:
This is the transformer architecture—especially self-attention layers, which compare words across the sentence to extract meaning and decide what matters most.

Step 3 - Transformer Layers:
Deep learning steps like self-attention and feedforward networks.

• Input: Vectors
• Output: Context-aware vectors based on internal learned patterns

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Step 4: Doctor Considers Constraints (like budget)​

Doctors don’t always prescribe expensive tests—patient affordability, practicality, and history all affect decisions.

LLM Analogy:
This step is like positional encoding—ensuring the model understands the order and structure of the sentence.

Step 4 - Positional Encoding:
Adds position-related meaning to vectors.

• Input: Related vector tokens
• Output: Ordered vector tokens based on sentence position

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Step 5: Doctor Writes a Prescription​

The doctor now documents the diagnosis and treatment. It’s a direct result of structured thinking and patient input.

LLM Analogy:
This is where the model decodes the internal vector into a predicted sequence of tokens.

Step 5 - Decoder:
Generates output tokens based on model’s confidence and logic.

• Input: Positional vectors
• Output: Probable tokens in correct context

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Step 6: Doctor Shares the Prescription with the Patient​

The final interaction. If the patient is nervous, doctor might tweak the recommendation. This is where human nuance enters.

LLM Analogy:
The LLM now converts tokens back into human-readable words. Here, temperature plays a role in how creative or safe the response is.

Step 6 - Output Layer:
Converts final vector into output text based on temperature setting.

• Input: Final vector
• Output: Natural language sentence

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Bonus Step: The Doctor Remembers Your Previous Visit​

LLMs with memory or context windows can remember prior conversations, like a doctor recognizing returning patients. This helps give better, contextual responses in multi-turn dialogues.

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Summary​

Just like a good doctor doesn’t Google your symptoms in front of you, a well-trained LLM doesn’t "think" in real-time. It applies complex math on pre-learned data to predict and autocomplete responses.

• Words → Tokens → Vectors → Patterns → Tokens → Words
• Everything happens in vector space, not in "language" as humans know it.

If you’re building with tools like LangChain, OpenAI, or embedding-powered RAG applications, understanding these LLM fundamentals gives you a huge advantage.

🧠 "A well-trained LLM is just a super-fast autocomplete that has read the entire internet."

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✨ Takeaways for Developers​

• Tokenization = Parsing human input
• Embedding = Understanding meaning
• Transformer = Core logic engine / Deep learning
• Positional Encoding = Sentence structure
• Decoding = Constructing a response
• Temperature = Tuning creativity
• Context = Remembering past interactions

LLMs don’t reason like humans—but they recognize patterns with superhuman speed. Now you can too. If you like this story, share it on social media.

As tech enthusiasts, we often talk about to-do lists to stay productive. But have you ever considered the power of a not-to-do list? It's about consciously identifying habits or activities that no longer serve your goals and removing them. Here's my not-to-do list for 2025, crafted with the intent to stay focused, efficient, and aligned with my evolving priorities.

1. No More Public GitHub Repos​

Open-source contribution has been a cornerstone of the tech world, and I’ve had my share of excitement from it. But with the rise of AI tools, the landscape is changing. Unless you’re a core maintainer of a prominent library, the recognition that once came from showcasing code has diminished.

In 2025, I’ll shift my energy toward building meaningful products and functionalities rather than maintaining a public code showcase. The focus will be on solving problems and creating impact—where the real value lies.

2. No Social Media Overload​

Social media can be a double-edged sword. It’s a goldmine for networking, but it’s also a time sink designed for immersion and doomscrolling. With AI tools providing quick insights (even without sitting through a 40-minute video), my reliance on these platforms will be minimal.

Here’s my plan: Engage with social media just once a week for an hour, in the following order:

1. Facebook for personal updates.
2. LinkedIn for professional networking.
3. GitHub Feed to track industry trends.
4. Twitter/X for niche topics and hot takes.
5. YouTube Subscriptions for targeted learning.

Additionally, I’ll curate a list of websites to stay updated instead of depending on algorithm-driven feeds.

3. No Two Visits Per Week To Office​

Working from the office puts you into a routine which is a supporting stick for those who lack self discipline of waking up early, switching subjects under work naturally. Thats why I am against working from office on select days of the week.

4. No More Reading Goals​

I used to pride myself on being a voracious reader, devouring two books a week. But life evolves, and so do habits. For two consecutive years, I failed to hit my reading goals—and that’s okay.

In 2025, I’ll stop setting rigid reading goals. Instead, I’ll use mobile apps that provide daily book summaries to stay updated with the latest titles. Physical books will still have a place in my collection, but the pressure to meet arbitrary goals will be a thing of the past.

5. No More Video Courses Unless I’ve Tried and Failed​

Video courses are everywhere—just one click away. But they often require hours of commitment, and many simply repackage information available in documentation or books.

Moving forward, I’ll treat video courses as a last resort. I’ll prioritize reading documentation, experimenting, and leveraging AI for quick answers. If I still hit roadblocks, only then will I invest time in a course. The same logic applies to interviews or tutorials—AI can summarize key insights faster than a 60-minute watch.

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The Overall Theme: Build, Ship, and Upskill​

2025 is about action over abstraction. Instead of endlessly documenting best practices or creating small libraries, I’ll focus on:

• Building real applications for my portfolio.
• Leveraging AI for 5x upskilling.
• Prioritizing actual product development over pre/post-work content.

It’s time to let go of distractions and double down on meaningful work. Here’s to a focused and fulfilling year ahead!

What’s on your not-to-do list for 2025? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

YouTube has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. From entertainment to education, it’s a treasure trove of information waiting to be tapped. However, like any tool, its impact depends on how we use it. By channeling our time on YouTube towards productive endeavors, we can unlock immense value. Here are three transformative lessons I’ve learned from YouTube in 2024, which have reshaped my perspective and enriched my life.

1. DIY Laptop and Motorcycle Repairs: Empower Yourself​

Nothing is more frustrating than being technically inclined yet unable to handle minor repairs. For many, minor fixes—whether it’s a laptop issue or a motorcycle—are often overlooked by mechanics or seen as unworthy of their time. Insurance companies don’t cover such small mishaps, and for the owner, they’re just time-wasters. But learning to perform these tasks yourself is a game-changer.

Through YouTube, I’ve gained the confidence to tackle these challenges. DIY repair videos have become my go-to resource before making any major purchases. For instance:

• Most business-grade laptops have detailed repair tutorials available.
• Popular vehicles, like Maruti cars, also have a wealth of content explaining common issues and fixes.

This newfound skill has transformed how I make purchase decisions. DIY repairability is now a core factor in my selection framework. The ability to fix things with my own hands not only saves money but also fosters a sense of independence and ownership.

Pro Tip: Before buying any big or expensive item, check if it is DIY repair-friendly. It can save you a lot of hassle down the line.

2. Financial Frameworks for Life: Learn from Real Stories​

Conversations around finance often revolve around trades, insurance, or IPOs, but rarely delve into overarching financial frameworks or strategies for building wealth. Thanks to YouTube, we can now access diverse perspectives and stories from people at different stages of their financial journey.

Just today, I watched two fascinating videos:

1. A story about a betting addict burdened by debt—a cautionary tale of financial mismanagement.
2. The inspiring journey of a top-level executive who retired early to live sustainably on a farm. Their financial strategy included years of disciplined saving and investments, supplemented by income from startups. Here’s their asset allocation:
   • 40% in real estate, including their farm.
   • 40% in equities and mutual funds.
   • 10% in gold.
   • 10% in liquid funds for emergencies.

These narratives offer invaluable insights and practical frameworks for managing personal finances.

Key Takeaway: Before you quit your job, ensure you have a solid financial runway. Asset allocation is crucial for long-term stability.

3. Tech Events Live: Stay Ahead of the Curve​

For developers and tech enthusiasts, attending global conferences like Next.js Conf or Google I/O often seems like a distant dream. Enter YouTube, the ultimate equalizer. With live streams and recorded sessions, anyone, anywhere, can stay updated on the latest trends and technologies.

This year, I tuned into multiple tech events that would have been impossible to attend in person. These events not only kept me informed but also inspired me to stay ahead in my career. The ability to access these resources at your convenience is a game-changer for lifelong learning.

Actionable Insight: Don’t miss out on tech trends—attend virtual events and conferences through YouTube.

Summary: Guardrails for Growth​

YouTube is undoubtedly a powerful platform for learning and growth. However, navigating it effectively requires discipline. The abundance of content can quickly lead to doom-scrolling and distractions if we’re not careful. By setting guardrails and focusing on purposeful content, we can turn YouTube into a tool for self-improvement.

Final Thoughts​

The key to harnessing YouTube’s potential lies in intentionality. Whether it’s mastering DIY repairs, building financial acumen, or staying updated with industry trends, the platform offers endless opportunities. Use it wisely, and you’ll find yourself growing in ways you never imagined.

Warranty claims in India can feel like navigating the internet with a shaky connection. Sometimes you get a swift 200 OK, and other times you're stuck in an endless loop of 408 Request Timeout or redirected to 303 See Other Agency for Warranty. As a tech blogger and frontend developer, I thought it’d be fun to break down this often frustrating yet essential consumer process using HTTP status codes as a metaphor.

What the Heck is a Warranty?​

Before diving in, let's understand the basics. Warranty is a form of consumer protection where a company promises to replace or repair a product if it malfunctions within a specified period. Think of it as a service-level agreement between you and the brand, like 12 months of uptime guarantee for your shiny new "Bonda" mobile charger.

But It’s Not Always a 200 OK...​

If companies approved every warranty claim without scrutiny, they'd be out of business. So, they create hurdles to ensure only genuine claims get through. For us consumers, this means our warranty experience can range from seamless to outright bizarre.

The HTTP Status Code Guide to Warranty Claims​

200 OK: Positive Case​

The consumer submits a claim with a valid invoice, and the company processes it smoothly.
For example, my experience with a Transcend pen drive's lifetime warranty was flawless. I handed in the old one at their warehouse and walked out with a replacement. No drama, just resolution. I wish every claim was like this!

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Negative Cases: 300, 400, and 500 Errors​

303 See Other Agency for Warranty (Outsourced)​

Instead of resolving your issue directly, the brand redirects you to a third-party service center. This often happens with products bought online. Hello, Amazon warranty maze!

304 Untouched (We’re Looking Into It)​

You’ve submitted your claim, but the company keeps responding with, “Our team will get back to you soon.” Weeks pass, but nothing changes. Classic cached response with no updates.

305 Use Proxy (Only the First Owner Gets Warranty)​

Some motorcycle companies require warranty claims to be made by the original owner. If you’ve bought the motorcycle second-hand, tough luck finding the first owner or kiss the warranty goodbye.

400 Bad Request (Invalid Warranty Claim)​

Misplaced your receipt? No original box? Missing serial number? Your claim is denied.
Pro tip: Keep the computer generated bill of your purchases and warranty details in your locker.

401 Unauthorized (You Bought It Online)​

Some brands deny warranty for products bought on open-market platforms or unauthorized dealers. It's their way of saying, “You didn’t play by our rules.”

402 Payment Required (Hidden Costs)​

While the product part might be under warranty, labor or transportation costs aren’t. Parcel charges for small items like chargers can sometimes exceed the product’s value. Talk about irony!

403 Forbidden (Out of Warranty Period)​

Your claim is automatically rejected because you missed the warranty window. Companies rarely extend grace periods, so you're on your own now.

404 Not Found (Company Disappeared)​

Online brands often vanish faster than seasonal discounts. By the time your product fails, the company’s customer support or even the brand itself is nowhere to be found.

406 Not Acceptable (Customer-Induced Damage)​

Warranty claims for damage caused by misuse are promptly denied. Spilled coffee on your laptop? Dropped your phone? The terms and conditions were crystal clear. This one's on you.

408 Request Timeout (No Response from Company)​

Even with valid documents, some claims are met with silence. Eventually, you lose patience and move on.

415 Unsupported Media Type (Proof Required in Specific Formats)​

Some companies require you to upload videos or images of the defect, often in specific formats. If you can’t reproduce the issue on camera, your claim is stuck.

426 Upgrade Required (Let Me Upsell You)​

Instead of resolving your claim, companies push you to buy a newer model. It's like saying, “Why fix your old phone when you can upgrade to this shiny new one?”

500 Internal Server Error (Technicians Are Hopeless)​

Sometimes, even well-meaning customer support can’t save the day because technicians are either incompetent or lack resources.

504 Gateway Timeout (Service Center Delay)​

Ever had a product sit in a service center for months? Delays pile up, and eventually, you're left chasing your own tail.

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Tips to Avoid Warranty Dramas​

1. Buy Smart​

Think of product purchases as software development. Match your environment and reliability needs before you hit "Proceed to Payment". Check reviews and avoid flashy influencers who rave about products shortly after launch.

2. Copy Success​

If your friend swears by their Maruti or Dell, consider following suit. Proven track records often mean smoother post-purchase experiences.

3. Stay Organized​

Maintain a digital or physical record of invoices and warranty documents. Think of it as a git repository for your purchases.

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Conclusion​

Claiming a warranty in India can be as unpredictable as an HTTP request to a flaky server. From 200 OK to 500 Internal Server Error, your experience depends on the brand, product, and sometimes sheer luck. But with a little preparation and a lot of patience, you can improve your odds.

Remember, warranty claims might not always bring you joy, but at least now you can laugh about them through the lens of HTTP status codes! Hope my article also clarifies if you need to buy extened warranty. That was a good tip if you read till the last line !!.