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 !!.

XConf, the premier tech conference hosted by Thoughtworks, was held on November 22, 2024, at Marriott Whitefield, Bengaluru. The event was accessible through registration using a professional email at Thoughtworks XConf.

Event Highlights​

Despite starting slightly behind schedule and facing time management challenges for speaker sessions, the event was vibrant and informative. Sponsored by AWS and CockroachDB, it featured five distinct booths:

1. AWS
2. CockroachDB
3. Thoughtworks Careers
4. Thoughtworks Immersive Experiences in the Metaverse
5. Thoughtworks Publications

The event was structured into three segments:

1. Common Sessions: Keynotes and talks by AWS and other industry leaders.
2. Specialized Tracks: Focused sessions across specific themes.
3. Workshops: Exclusive, registration-based, hands-on workshops.

The keynote speakers were particularly engaging, setting an inspiring tone for the day.

Themes for Specialized Tracks​

1. Machine Learning, Data, and AI
2. Distributed Systems
3. Emerging Technologies: Including SDV, XR, and Embedded Systems

A standout moment was a fascinating talk by the Director of the Indian Astrophysics Department, highlighting the role of technology in space exploration. Interestingly, Thoughtworks has collaborated with the department for their software needs.

Key Takeaways​

Here are 10 notable insights from the conference:

1. Software Development as a Team Sport

   • AI assistants should enhance the entire software development lifecycle rather than support isolated coding efforts.

2. From 10x Developers to 10x Teams

   • The aim of AI is to empower teams, fostering collaborative processes and tools for impactful delivery.

3. AI Across the Software Development Lifecycle

   • Beyond chatbots, AI is revolutionizing software processes, including research, planning, design, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

4. AI Artifacts for Enhanced Productivity

   • Sharing generative AI (GenAI) prompts across teams can significantly boost efficiency, supported by tools like Haiven Team Assistant.

5. Observability 2.0

   • Innovations like canonical log lines are scaling observability practices while reducing network loads.

6. GenAI for Legacy Code Understanding

   • GenAI facilitates reverse engineering legacy code, enabling seamless tech migrations.

7. Rethinking Codebase Documentation with GenAI

   • GenAI excels in generating documentation, capturing module links, and documenting architecture, epics, and stories.

8. AI Tools for Diverse Problem-Solving

   • Utilize GenAI prompts for code understanding, RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) for problem-solving, and Graph + RAG for capability analysis in codebases.

9. Local-First Software Development

   • A paradigm emphasizing on-device computation for enhanced privacy, security, and real-time AI inferencing.

10. Evaluating LLM Performance

    • Techniques like "eval" and "vibe checking" are emerging for benchmarking LLMs, with both self-assessment and human validation improving model efficiency.

Additional Perks​

• Meet and interact with authors of Thoughtworks publications.
• Opportunities for networking, paired with great coffee and exclusive goodies.
• A focused event highlighting use cases in enterprise software.

In conclusion, XConf 2024 provided a dynamic platform for exploring cutting-edge tech trends, fostering meaningful collaborations, and envisioning the future of enterprise software development.

Solar water heaters have become a common sight in households, especially in southern India where the weather is ideal for harnessing solar energy. With over five years of experience dealing with solar heaters, both in my home and those of friends, I've gathered some insights on the advantages, disadvantages, and cost savings associated with these systems.

3 Advantages of Having a Solar Water Heater​

• Instant Hot Water No need to turn on the geyser and wait for it to heat up. For families with many members, this is a game-changer. My family has become accustomed to having instant hot water 24/7.

• Reduced Electricity Bill Using solar energy means you save on electricity costs since you’re not using the electric geyser to heat water.

• Efficient Use of Solar Energy Apart from drying clothes, it's a great way to utilize solar energy efficiently.

3 Downsides of Having a Solar Water Heater​

Despite the benefits, there are notable challenges with continuous ownership:

• Water Shortages During summer, water shortages are common. If your overhead tank runs dry, the solar tank can't cool down, leading to cracked or broken glass tubes. If a glass tube breaks, water gushes out, potentially damaging other tubes due to the solar tank being almost empty.

• Vacation Planning When going on vacation, ensure your overhead tank is full. If it runs dry due to evaporation, leaks, or usage, your solar heater could be damaged. Issues like monkey problems, stones, or aerial firecrackers can also break the glass tubes.

• Plumbing, Tank Quality, and Hard Water The long-term success of a solar water heater depends on these factors. Hard water requires periodic servicing, which can cost around ₹2500. Some solar tanks, made of steel alloys, can corrode and leak. The heat from the solar tank can deform pipes, so consult with plumbers about pipe quality. Hard water exacerbates these issues, damaging water-carrying devices.

This blog post summarizes key takeaways from the Google GenAI Developer Day in Bangalore, focusing on technical aspects relevant to developers.

1. GenAI Impact and Demand​

While "AI" is often misused in marketing, the conference solidified the transformative power of Generative AI (GenAI) across personal, professional, and societal applications. For businesses, GenAI tools enhance developer productivity by:

• Auto-completion: Generating code snippets based on prompts.
• Context-aware Test Generation: Automatically creating test cases.
• Code Explanation and Review: Providing explanations and assisting with code reviews.
• Multilingual Support: Supporting various programming languages and transpiling between them.
• Full Codebase Awareness: Enriching analysis, refactoring, and optimization.
• Efficient Code Generation: Capable of generating substantial code volumes (e.g., 100k lines) from single prompts.

2. Code Enhancement Use Cases​

Live demonstrations showcased GenAI's capabilities. Notably, the creation of a shopping cart app with star ratings on both frontend and backend required only a few prompts.

VS Gemini vs. Code Assist Addon

While both tools generate code, Gemini offers a key advantage: it can learn and generate code for new or less common libraries on-the-fly, surpassing limitations of pre-trained languages.

3. Integration with Popular Code Repositories​

Google Code Assist seamlessly integrates with Github, GitLab, and Bitbucket, generating code for diverse use cases. For enterprise security, models are trained on single-tenant private clouds, garnering trust from financial institutions.

Developer Tools and Resources

• Vertex AI and Natural Language Integration: Enables log and crash analysis using natural language queries within GCP.
• Code Assist Availability: Extends to various IDEs like Android Studio, GCP, and databases.
• AI Practice Platforms: Google Colab for experimentation and Google Codelabs offering industry-leading examples.
• GenAI Database Support: AlloyDB delivers high-performance, fully-managed database capabilities specifically suited for GenAI. Similar capabilities were showcased by MongoDB, Neo4j, and Elasticsearch.
• Vertex AI Multimodal Exploration: Explore GenAI functionalities for various modalities within GCP via "Goto Vertex AI > Multimodal > Ask Prompt".
• Google Cloud Functions Update: Google Cloud Functions are now rebranded as Google Cloud Run.

4. Foundational Concepts for GenAI Development​

Developing GenAI applications requires:

• Training Data: To build robust models.
• Context-Aware Responses: To generate relevant outputs based on natural language prompts.
• Unified Data Handling: Images, videos, and text are treated as equally compatible data sources.

5. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)​

While details weren't extensively covered, the session briefly introduced RAG as a technique for enhancing GenAI models.

6. Hackathon​

The concluding session featured a hackathon based on the Codelabs.

Links​

• Session Recording on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/live/DqRHWq1IGgs
• Codelabs - https://codelabs.developers.google.com/patent-search-alloydb-gemini?hl=en#0
• Related courses - https://www.cloudskillsboost.google/paths/118
• Google cloud India - https://twitter.com/GoogleCloud_IN
• Webinars - https://cloudonair.withgoogle.com/