Idle/Random/whatever Thoughts of a Demented/Idle/Whatever Mind

  1. How Many Decimals of Pi Do We Really Need? - This article explains that even for NASA's highest accuracy calculations, such as interplanetary navigation, only a small number of pi's decimals are needed. For example, JPL uses pi to the 15th decimal place (3.141592653589793). The article illustrates this by calculating the circumference of Voyager 1's distance from Earth, the circumference of Earth, and even the circumference of the known universe, demonstrating that only a limited number of decimal places are necessary for accurate calculations, even at vast scales. My Take : We often get super excited about accuracy and going to crazy lengths to achieve it. But, honestly, for any everyday functional use of pi, having 3 digits after the decimal gives you really good accuracy, which is usually within the range of error from other stuff anyway. In fact, that article mentions 37 decimals would be enough to calculate the circumference of the observable universe with the ac...

After a brief hiatus I am back at publishing this. Had been heads down at getting Sudama Clinic operational. Not that I did not learn during this time, but was struggling to find time to pen down all that. Got a little breathing time now, so here is it is.    1. Dillo Browser : Dillo is a remarkably lightweight and fast web browser, prioritizing speed and efficiency above all else. Designed for minimal resource usage, it excels on older or less powerful systems. By focusing on core web functionality and avoiding complex features like JavaScript and advanced CSS, Dillo achieves a streamlined experience. This minimalism also contributes to enhanced security by reducing potential vulnerabilities. Available across various platforms, including Linux and BSD, Dillo caters to users seeking a basic, no-frills browsing experience. Its simplicity makes it ideal for specific use cases where speed and resource conservation are paramount, offering a practical solution for those who requi...

2024 was a transformative year, marked by both challenges and cherished moments. My journey began with my work on Gemini at Google, an experience that allowed me to collaborate with brilliant minds and contribute to innovative features. However, after several years, I felt a growing desire to make a more direct impact—a feeling I'd been contemplating as I wrote this blog post . This prompted the difficult decision to leave Google and embark on a new venture. I co-founded a startup called Sudama Health, driven by the mission of providing affordable and accessible healthcare to people in rural and underserved areas of India. I firmly believe that telemedicine can bridge the healthcare access gap and revolutionize the Indian healthcare landscape, where a vast population faces a shortage of healthcare professionals. To achieve this, however, telemedicine needs to evolve beyond simple video calls and incorporate a range of connected medical devices to enable true transformation. Buildi...