My Adventures in the World of Computers

Some background

I am an engineering graduate in the field of textiles. As per curriculum, I've got a semester worth of knowledge in programming language. We learnt C-language. That got me into programming. Fast forward to 2022, when I graduated. While preparing myself for the field of data analysis, I learnt SQL and R-programming language. Soon, learning about the professional intricacies related to the field of a data analyst's profession, I didn't want to pursue it anymore. Instead I prepared myself for an entrance examination for a public sector banks and landed one job this year. While doing all these, I started learning the Python-programming language and completed CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python this year. Then I thought of learning some HTML and web designing, and here I am in NeoCities.

Programming Projects

Mentioned below are a few projects that I have been working on for personal enjoyment. I am not in the field of IT or Computer Science in any way. This is what I have been doing just for the fun of it. Currently, I am on a break from programming altogether, except, of course, maintaining this website.

• Taxi Management System: I think the name is descriptive enough. If not, this is a project that aims to be a 'software' that enables its users to book rides, see their history and the usual taxi ride related services.
• Designing a friend's portfolio: a website for a close friend who is learning data science in Australia
• Boundary Dash: A simple game where the player moves a square (character) within a defined boundary. The player uses arrow keys to move the character, and the game ends if the character collides with the boundary. The player gets to score '+1' for every legal move. I made this while doing the programming exercises of Chapter 4: Objects and Graphics from the book Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science by John Zelle. I used the graphics module which was specifically written for the chapter. I am willing to incorporate a 'collision mechanic' and for that I have to use some sort of a maze, which, as of now, I am unable to figure out.
• A month ago or so, I also tried to make a Python version for the game Oregon Trail. I haven't completed it; got bored and is currently 'on hold'. I will try to complete this the next time I start doing programming stuff. I am not linking the GitHub repo for this because it is currently set on "private" mode.
• To kill some time, in July, I also took upon me the task to write (or, port) some games in Python using old BASIC codes. I actually did a single one - Acey Ducey from among the, probably, hundred games. I will also try and do these as well some time in the future when I get the urge to program.

Code Editor or Text Editor?

Since it is a tradition to take part in the Editor War, I would like to continue it as well by saying that my preferred editor is TED Notepad, when I am using windows. I don't like Notepad++ for no reason apparently. It just didn't hit me. Currently, I am running windows on both my Desktop and my Laptop. When I am using any Linux distro, I am either using FeatherPad or GNOME Text Editor for longer programs. But I prefer to do things with Nano Text Editor when it comes to shorter stuff, because using the Terminal is faster than opening another program just to edit something. I don't like using IDE. I had to use Visual Studio Code while doing the assingments and coursework for CS50P, but I don't like it. Yet, I always keep Geany IDE installed when I am doing my programming activities. The UI is quite intuitive and the aesthetically appealing to me. For this website, I am using the NeoCities Web Editor rather than on some other software. I like how I can edit it on the go.

Linux or Windows?

Linux is fantastic, except two things - gaming and driver support. I started my Linux journey using Ubuntu 18.04 "Bionic Beaver", which was a daily in all of our University computers. I also started using it as a daily for my personal desktop. Then started using Lubuntu and Xubuntu variants for my really old laptop which was kind of dead. I started distro-hopping using the laptop and tried a bunch of lightweight distros. I don't remember all of the names now, but Linux Mint was nice. So was ZorinOS. But the one that made me stop the distro-hopping was MX Linux. It's wonderful, even though it is mid-weight. Then my laptop died due to hardware failure, and I moved from Ubuntu, by now I was using Ubuntu 19.04 "Disco Dingo", to MX Linux on my desktop. Up until 2020, I used Linux, and then I got a good rig and moved to Windows 10 for gaming. I've been using Windows now for the past few years. When Win10 reaches its EOL, I will move to Linux again, since I absolutely hate Windows 11. I got a new laptop last year, which came with Windows 11 by default. I removed it and started using Manjaro. But the arch-style didn't quite suite me. So I moved to MX Linux. Driver-related issues forced me to give up my Linux adventures and I'm back to Windows 10.

I made some "conkies" for my XFCE desktop while I was using MX Linux a few months ago. Some are available here. Go check them out.

Web Designing

In July, I came across You've Got Kat's video on indie web and thought of learning web-designing. This website is part of this learning by playing project. I learnt the basics from w3schools. I learnt about customising divs from the CSS Tutorial (made by Solaria) which is the old design for my site. She also has other guides on her site. Allison Lucas' site also has this reference webpage which comes useful from time to time. Thanks to Allison "A.N." Lucas for most, if not all, of the 88x31 web buttons. I have also used some buttons from this website that Lucas mentioned in his site.

My current site design is more like how early 2000s sites were designed - following a table layout. I love this web layout over the "modern" one.

Browser?

Firefox. Any day, any time. I have been using it for the past decade and more.