Achintya Rao’s Wiki - User contributions [en-gb]

Restaurants in Geneva

2026-09-28T16:00:07Z

Achintya: Add category

Some places to eat in [[Geneva]].

== Burgers ==

* [https://inglewood.ch Inglewood] | Eaux-Vives & Plainpalais
** All the burgers can be made vegetarian
* [https://osteriazaza.ch Osteria Zaza] | Champel
** Few vegetarian options. Food is good but not fantastic. Slightly pricy.

== Brunch ==

* Sawerdō near Cornavin has good options but is a tad pricey. Tasty food, though!

[[Category: Restaurants]]

Restaurants in Leicester

2026-09-28T15:59:40Z

Achintya: Add category

Places to eat in [[Leicester]].

== Indian food ==

* [https://madrasflavours.co.uk/leicester/ Madras Flavours]
** Delicious food, good service, reasonably priced.

[[Category: Restaurants]]

Restaurants in Leicester

2026-09-28T15:58:39Z

Achintya: Create page

Places to eat in [[Leicester]].

== Indian food ==

* [https://madrasflavours.co.uk/leicester/ Madras Flavours]
** Delicious food, good service, reasonably priced.

Umpiring

2026-08-25T12:02:07Z

Achintya:

This page is all about umpiring [[Cricket|cricket]] matches, and includes my notes from training sessions.

I am currently on the ECB ACO Umpiring Pathway at levels W6 and M6 (for women’s and mixed cricket, respectively).

== Umpiring kit ==

I currently own one umpiring T-shirt: the [https://www.ecbacoshop.co.uk/listings/92639-ecb-umpire-polo-shirt.html ECB Umpire Polo Shirt (Ref: EU237021)]; sadly in a men’s cut.
This item does not appear to be listed when searching through the shop’s pages, and I have only been able to locate it via web searches.

Essentials to carry with you to matches:

* On-field
** Clicker
** Bowling markers
** Notebook
** Pens
** Match cards
** Sunglasses
** Hat
** Snacks
** Gauges (bat and ball)
** Paper clip for bowler’s hat
* Off-field
** Spare shoes and socks
** Spare T-shirt

(This list is incomplete.)

[[Category: Cricket]]

HTML

2026-08-20T20:05:34Z

Achintya: Add “HTML Can Do That”

''See also [[CSS]].''

* [https://chrisburnell.com/html-can-do-that/ HTML Can Do That]

== Tools to use for [[Writing]] ==

* [https://github.com/skorokithakis/expounder Expounder]: for providing in-line explanations that are revealed on clicking.
* [https://alfy.blog/2024/10/19/linking-directly-to-web-page-content.html A blog post on using “Text Fragments”]: for linking to any arbitrary part of a web page based on specific text

== Tips and tricks for web design ==

* [https://darekkay.com/blog/avif-images/ Web developer's guide to AVIF images]
* [https://jgthms.com/web-design-in-4-minutes/ Web design in 4 minutes]

== Learning HTML ==

* [https://htmlforpeople.com/ HTML for people]
* [https://no-gravity.github.io/html_editor/ HTML editor with realtime preview], found via [https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43009935 this comment on Hacker News]

[[Category:WWW]]

Writing

2026-08-02T20:05:39Z

Achintya:

Closely linked with [[learning]]?

== Articles ==

* [https://thelampmagazine.com/blog/how-to-write-english-prose How to Write English Prose] – by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bentley_Hart David Bentley Hart] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260802133907/https://thelampmagazine.com/blog/how-to-write-english-prose Wayback archive from 2026-08-02])

=== Style / jargon ===

* [https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/02/most-annoying-corporate-buzzwords/606748/ Corporate Buzzwords Are How Workers Pretend to Be Adults] – [https://web.archive.org/web/20200221104702/https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/02/most-annoying-corporate-buzzwords/606748/ Wayback archive from 2020-02-21]
** Comment from [https://julieta.aranc.io Julieta Arancio]<ref>Private conversation</ref>: <blockquote>We use words and narratives to build the ''artificial'' worlds we live in. It’s a matter of survival. You can perfectly not do it, but then don’t expect to fit. Or build your own, or be so privileged that you don’t care.</blockquote>
* [https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/clear_writing_tips_en.pdf Claire’s Clear Writing Tips], by the European Commission
** Shared by Rosie Arscott from the [https://translation-council-support-group.web.cern.ch/en CERN TMC Group]

== Tools ==

* https://write.sonnet.io

== Videos ==

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtIzMaLkCaM The Craft of Writing Effectively]

== Notes ==
<references />

[[Category:Self]]

ReFrame

2026-07-29T11:04:52Z

Achintya: Create page

[https://reframe.camera/ Reframe] looks like a fun, silly open-source camera.

[[Category: Camera]]

DSLR

2026-07-29T11:03:55Z

Achintya: Add category

== Tethering ==

My DSLR (the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS_60D Canon EOS 60D]) and others can be controlled from a computer for a variety of uses, including time-lapse photography, astrophotography and use as a webcam (see [[Video]]).

Here is a list of some useful software for this:

* [http://gphoto.org/ gPhoto] – already mentioned in [[Video]]
* [https://entangle-photo.org/ Entangle]: Provides a GUI for controlling the camera from a computer
* [https://www.indilib.org/ INDI], dedicated software for astronomy and astrophotography, [https://www.indilib.org/ccds/gphoto.html which can be used with DSLRs] in conjunction with [https://edu.kde.org/kstars/ KStars]
* [https://www.darktable.org/ darktable] can be used to [https://www.darktable.org/usermanual/en/tethering_chapter.html tether one’s DSLR and do things like time-lapse photography].

[[Category: Camera]]

Umpiring

2026-07-25T11:51:44Z

Achintya:

This page is all about umpiring [[Cricket|cricket]] matches, and includes my notes from training sessions.

I am currently on the ECB ACO Umpiring Pathway at levels W6 and M6 (for women’s and mixed cricket, respectively).

== Umpiring kit ==

Essentials to carry with you to matches:

* On-field
** Clicker
** Notebook
** Pens
** Match cards
** Sunglasses
** Hat
** Gauges (bat and ball)
** Paper clip for bowler’s hat
* Off-field
** Spare shoes and socks
** Spare T-shirt

(This list is incomplete.)

[[Category: Cricket]]

Umpiring

2026-07-25T11:48:58Z

Achintya: Create page

This page is all about umpiring [[Cricket|cricket]] matches, and includes my notes from training sessions.

I am currently on the ECB ACO Umpiring Pathway at levels W6 and M6 (for women’s and mixed cricket, respectively).

== Umpiring kit ==

Essentials to carry with you to matches:

* Clicker
* Notebook
* Pens
* Match cards
* Sunglasses
* Hat

(This list is incomplete.)

[[Category: Cricket]]

Repair Café

2026-07-18T16:00:03Z

Achintya: Add details to Fearon Hall event

Repair Cafés are places where you can have your household items (appliances, tools, clothing etc.) repaired by volunteers.

== Loughborough ==

''See: [[Loughborough]]''

These are in and around Loughborough.

* [https://transitionloughborough.wordpress.com/category/special-interest-groups/loughborough-skill-share-network/repair-cafe/ At Fearon Hall, four times a year]
** Organised by [https://transitionloughborough.wordpress.com/ Transition Loughborough]
** I attended the Repair Café as an observer on 18 July 2026. There were volunteers sharpening blunt-things-that-should-be-sharp, fixing electrical devices, mending clothes, [https://www.twowheelcampus.co.uk/ servicing bicycles], providing IT support and more. And there was inexpensive coffee!

Repair Cafe

2026-07-18T15:50:39Z

Achintya: Create redirect

#REDIRECT [[Repair Café]]

Repair Café

2026-07-18T15:47:23Z

Achintya: Create page

User:Achintya

2026-06-30T20:27:16Z

Achintya: Change location

Hi and welcome! My name is [https://achintyarao.in Achintya Rao] ([[wikidata:Q71587422]]) and this is my [[Personal Wikis|personal wiki]]. I’ll use this space to track my thoughts and notes about various topics of interest.

I am a science communicator based in [[Loughborough|Loughborough, UK]].

Folk music

2026-05-25T12:37:08Z

Achintya: Fix formatting error with videos

Since [[2024]], I have been involved in the [[Bristol]] folk scene to a small extent.
First, following some “Singing for Well-being” sessions at [[UWE Bristol]], I was invited to join [https://linktr.ee/heartwoodchorus Heartwood Chorus] as a bass (a first bass, specifically).
Later in the year, several members of the [https://bristolfolksoc.com/broken-biscuits-ceilidh-band/ Broken Biscuits] cèilidh band were at a birthday party I was attending and I jammed on a hand-held percussion instrument while they played folk tunes. At the end of the night, I was invited by the current band leader to join the band as a percussionist.
I bought a beautiful laptop cajón on the same day that I played my first ceilidh in November 2024.

On this page, I’ll try to keep information relevant to both Heartwood and Broken Biscuits.

== Heartwood videos ==

<youtube>q9ysrzbiYTU</youtube>

<youtube>XirrmWQUbY4</youtube>

<youtube>r5bn7uAJzck</youtube>

[[Category:Music]]

Folk music

2026-05-25T12:36:42Z

Achintya: Add some Heartwood videos

Since [[2024]], I have been involved in the [[Bristol]] folk scene to a small extent.
First, following some “Singing for Well-being” sessions at [[UWE Bristol]], I was invited to join [https://linktr.ee/heartwoodchorus Heartwood Chorus] as a bass (a first bass, specifically).
Later in the year, several members of the [https://bristolfolksoc.com/broken-biscuits-ceilidh-band/ Broken Biscuits] cèilidh band were at a birthday party I was attending and I jammed on a hand-held percussion instrument while they played folk tunes. At the end of the night, I was invited by the current band leader to join the band as a percussionist.
I bought a beautiful laptop cajón on the same day that I played my first ceilidh in November 2024.

On this page, I’ll try to keep information relevant to both Heartwood and Broken Biscuits.

== Heartwood videos ==

* <youtube>q9ysrzbiYTU</youtube>
* <youtube>XirrmWQUbY4</youtube>
* <youtube>r5bn7uAJzck</youtube>

[[Category:Music]]

Audio

2026-05-25T12:15:55Z

Achintya:

OK, so I use [[Audacity]] but it is not without its issues (documented on that page).
A [[World Wide Web|Web]]-based alternative I came across is [https://audiomass.co/ AudioMass].
In the same forum thread, someone mentioned [https://opendaw.org/ OpenDAW] ([https://opendaw.studio/ OpenDAW Studio]) and linked a [[Talks|talk]] by the creator:

<youtube>BD7jQcuUOaA</youtube>

Now, although André notes his use of “AI“ in the talk, I think that perhaps his ethos and mission make his limited use somewhat acceptable.
I am not fully convinced, though.

[[Category: Audio]]

Talks

2026-05-25T12:14:02Z

Achintya: Embed YouTube links for applicable talks

=== Technology ===

* [https://youtube.com/watch?v=uk3A41U0iO4 On keyboards] by Matt Aderath (shared by Pedro Ferreira)
<youtube>uk3A41U0iO4</youtube>
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv1UfLPK7_Q Intertwingling the Tiddlywiki with Erlang] by Joe Armstrong and Jeremy Ruston
<youtube>Uv1UfLPK7_Q</youtube>
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giWCdQ7fnQU Monoids, Monads, and Applicative Functors: Repeated Software Patterns] by David Sankel (shared by [https://twitter.com/DrAndreDavid André David])
<youtube>giWCdQ7fnQU</youtube>
* [https://www.deconstructconf.com/2019/ramsey-nasser-a-personal-computer-for-children-of-all-cultures A Personal Computer for Children of All Cultures] by [https://nas.sr/ Ramsey Nasser]

==== [[Emacs]] ====

* [https://youtube.com/watch?v=0g9BcZvQbXU Consistent Technical Documents Using Emacs and Org Mode]
<youtube>0g9BcZvQbXU</youtube>

=== Literature ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5140uJOUDE Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”] by Prof. Kevin Murphy, Ithaca College (filmed in 1992)
<youtube>a5140uJOUDE</youtube>

=== Music ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD7jQcuUOaA Why You Should Do It Anyway — André Michelle] – See [[Audio]]
<youtube>BD7jQcuUOaA</youtube>

Talks

2026-05-25T12:12:18Z

Achintya: Add talk by André Michelle

=== Technology ===

* [https://youtube.com/watch?v=uk3A41U0iO4 On keyboards] by Matt Aderath (shared by Pedro Ferreira)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv1UfLPK7_Q Intertwingling the Tiddlywiki with Erlang] by Joe Armstrong and Jeremy Ruston
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giWCdQ7fnQU Monoids, Monads, and Applicative Functors: Repeated Software Patterns] by David Sankel (shared by [https://twitter.com/DrAndreDavid André David])
* [https://www.deconstructconf.com/2019/ramsey-nasser-a-personal-computer-for-children-of-all-cultures A Personal Computer for Children of All Cultures] by [https://nas.sr/ Ramsey Nasser]

==== [[Emacs]] ====

* [https://youtube.com/watch?v=0g9BcZvQbXU Consistent Technical Documents Using Emacs and Org Mode]

=== Literature ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5140uJOUDE Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”] by Prof. Kevin Murphy, Ithaca College (filmed in 1992)

=== Music ===

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD7jQcuUOaA Why You Should Do It Anyway — André Michelle] – See [[Audio]]

Audio

2026-05-25T12:10:57Z

Achintya: Create page

OK, so I use [[Audacity]] but it is not without its issues (documented on that page).
A [[World Wide Web|Web]]-based alternative I came across is [https://audiomass.co/ AudioMass].
In the same forum thread, someone mentioned [https://opendaw.org/ OpenDAW] and linked a [[Talks|talk]] by the creator:

<youtube>BD7jQcuUOaA</youtube>

Now, although André notes his use of “AI“ in the talk, I think that perhaps his ethos and mission make his limited use somewhat acceptable.
I am not fully convinced, though.

CSS

2026-05-07T12:35:13Z

Achintya:

* [http://webtypography.net/ The Elements of Typographic Style Applied to the Web]
* [https://meyerweb.com/eric/thoughts/2018/06/28/what-is-the-css-ch-unit/ What is the CSS ‘ch’ Unit?]
* [https://yuanchuan.dev/multi-stroke-text-effect-in-css Multi-stroke text effect in CSS]
* [https://css-doodle.com/ < css-doodle />]

[[Category:WWW]]

Fun websites

2026-03-09T08:36:12Z

Achintya: /* Miscellaneous */

Fun places on the [[World Wide Web]]!

== Interactive ==

* [https://tilde.club/ Tilde Club]
* [https://poolside.fm/ Poolside FM]
* [https://www.windows93.net/ Windows 93]
* [https://worldwideweb.cern.ch World Wide Web browser recreated]

== A different kind of fun ==

* [https://pattle.github.io/simpsons-in-css/ The Simpsons in CSS]
* [https://afterthebeep.tel/ After the Beep]

== From [https://theuselessweb.com/ The Useless Web] ==

* [https://mondrianandme.com/ Mondrian and Me]
* [https://checkboxolympics.com/ Checkbox Olympics]
* [https://onesquareminesweeper.com/ One Square Minesweeper]

== Miscellaneous ==

* [https://ytch.xyz/ YouTube TV]
* [https://owickstrom.github.io/the-monospace-web/ The Monospace Web]
* [https://alivetheory.net/ Alive Internet Theory]
* [https://wiby.me/surprise wiby.me/surprise] – redirects to a random Web 1.0 website

[[Category:Fun]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:WWW]]

Public Engagement with Sciences and Technologies

2026-01-12T09:26:35Z

Achintya:

{{Note Thesis}}

{{Infobox Article}}

== Abstract ==
['''Scope:''' This article is primarily meant for science-communication researchers and practitioners, but should be accessible to anyone with an interest in the subject, and is written with minimal assumptions about prior knowledge in the area.]

The academic field of [[science communication]] (used in the broadest sense) has evolved over the years, and is sometimes referred to these days by the term “Public Engagement with Science and Technology” or PEST.
[[Category: Article]]
[[Category: PhD]]
[[Category: Research]]

Fun websites

2025-11-10T12:10:57Z

Achintya: /* Miscellaneous */ Add Alive Internet Theory

Fun places on the [[World Wide Web]]!

== Interactive ==

* [https://tilde.club/ Tilde Club]
* [https://poolside.fm/ Poolside FM]
* [https://www.windows93.net/ Windows 93]
* [https://worldwideweb.cern.ch World Wide Web browser recreated]

== A different kind of fun ==

* [https://pattle.github.io/simpsons-in-css/ The Simpsons in CSS]
* [https://afterthebeep.tel/ After the Beep]

== From [https://theuselessweb.com/ The Useless Web] ==

* [https://mondrianandme.com/ Mondrian and Me]
* [https://checkboxolympics.com/ Checkbox Olympics]
* [https://onesquareminesweeper.com/ One Square Minesweeper]

== Miscellaneous ==

* [https://ytch.xyz/ YouTube TV]
* [https://owickstrom.github.io/the-monospace-web/ The Monospace Web]
* [https://alivetheory.net/ Alive Internet Theory]

[[Category:Fun]]
[[Category:Technology]]
[[Category:WWW]]

Books

2025-10-26T12:22:34Z

Achintya: Create page

== Recommendations ==
* [https://shepherd.com/ Shepherd] – recommends hand-picked books by readers based on your searches/preferences
** See for example, [https://shepherd.com/bboy/2025 2025’s best books]
** I came across it via [https://shepherd.com/best-books/cult-sci-fi-and-fantasy-you-may-not-have-heard-of this list shared on Hacker News]

[[Category:Books]]
[[Category:Reading]]

Keyboards

2025-10-15T19:47:37Z

Achintya: /* Other keyboard software */ Update information on keyd

This page contains more than just information about [[Typing|typing]].
Specifically it deals with [customising] keyboards in general.

== Compose key ==

On my [[ThinkPad]] running [[Kubuntu]], I have my <kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd> key mapped to <kbd>Compose</kbd>.
This allows me to type symbols like ¶ and § by entering the right sequence of keys (<kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>p</kbd>+<kbd>!</kbd> and <kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>s</kbd>+<kbd>o</kbd> respectively).
To get a list of all available combinations, type the following in the terminal (via [https://askubuntu.com/a/34933 Ask Ubuntu]):

cat /usr/share/X11/locale/en_US.UTF-8/Compose

I have also mapped the <kbd>AltGr</kbd> key to choose third-level characters.
For this to work, I also have to enable “Enable extra typographic characters” under “Compatibility options” in the keyboard settings.

== Mechanical keyboards ==

I was gifted a Corsair K95 RGB Platinum keyboard for my birthday in 2021.
While Corsair does not provide software for controlling the keyboard profiles and lights, there is a free/open-source alternative called [https://github.com/ckb-next/ckb-next <code>ckb-next</code>].
Unfortunately, one cannot write the profiles to the keyboard’s hardware from Linux, so I need to do so using a different machine.

== Other keyboard software ==

[https://github.com/kmonad/kmonad <code>KMonad</code>] allows you to customise all kinds of keyboards, including the built-in ones on laptops. You can create layers, remap keys and more.
Since there are no packages for [[Ubuntu]], I grabbed the pre-compiled binary, ran <code>chmox +x</code> on it and moved it to <code>/usr/local/bin</code>.
I need to set up the configuration and start-up files before it can work. Alternatives include [https://github.com/jtroo/kanata <code>kanata</code>] and [https://github.com/rvaiya/keyd <code>keyd</code>]. If installing <code>keyd</code> using <code>sudo apt install keyd</code>, note that the package is called <code>keyd.rvaiya</code> in Debian/Ubuntu repositories.<ref>https://github.com/rvaiya/keyd/issues/1118#issuecomment-3315041065</ref>

=== Disabling laptop keyboard ===

If I want to disable the built-in keyboard on my laptop (if I’m connected to an external keyboard, for example), I can run the following in the terminal and it will stop using the internal one:

xinput disable "AT Translated Set 2 keyboard"

I can then replace <code>disable</code> with <code>enable</code> to reactivate it. Since I don’t yet know how to automate this so that the internal one is disabled automatically when a USB keyboard is connected, I have to remember to reactive it when I disconnect the laptop from the hub and take it with me.

==References==
<references />

Keyboards

2025-10-15T19:44:11Z

Achintya: /* Other keyboard software */ Mention how to use keyd on Debian/Ubuntu

This page contains more than just information about [[Typing|typing]].
Specifically it deals with [customising] keyboards in general.

== Compose key ==

On my [[ThinkPad]] running [[Kubuntu]], I have my <kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd> key mapped to <kbd>Compose</kbd>.
This allows me to type symbols like ¶ and § by entering the right sequence of keys (<kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>p</kbd>+<kbd>!</kbd> and <kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>s</kbd>+<kbd>o</kbd> respectively).
To get a list of all available combinations, type the following in the terminal (via [https://askubuntu.com/a/34933 Ask Ubuntu]):

cat /usr/share/X11/locale/en_US.UTF-8/Compose

I have also mapped the <kbd>AltGr</kbd> key to choose third-level characters.
For this to work, I also have to enable “Enable extra typographic characters” under “Compatibility options” in the keyboard settings.

== Mechanical keyboards ==

I was gifted a Corsair K95 RGB Platinum keyboard for my birthday in 2021.
While Corsair does not provide software for controlling the keyboard profiles and lights, there is a free/open-source alternative called [https://github.com/ckb-next/ckb-next <code>ckb-next</code>].
Unfortunately, one cannot write the profiles to the keyboard’s hardware from Linux, so I need to do so using a different machine.

== Other keyboard software ==

[https://github.com/kmonad/kmonad <code>KMonad</code>] allows you to customise all kinds of keyboards, including the built-in ones on laptops. You can create layers, remap keys and more.
Since there are no packages for [[Ubuntu]], I grabbed the pre-compiled binary, ran <code>chmox +x</code> on it and moved it to <code>/usr/local/bin</code>.
I need to set up the configuration and start-up files before it can work. Alternatives include [https://github.com/jtroo/kanata <code>kanata</code>] and [https://github.com/rvaiya/keyd <code>keyd</code>]. If installing <code>keyd</code> using <code>sudo apt install keyd</code>, don’t forget to create an alias or a symlink, because the package is called <code>keyd.rvaiya</code> in Debian/Ubuntu repositories.<ref>https://github.com/rvaiya/keyd/issues/1118#issuecomment-3315041065</ref>

=== Disabling laptop keyboard ===

If I want to disable the built-in keyboard on my laptop (if I’m connected to an external keyboard, for example), I can run the following in the terminal and it will stop using the internal one:

xinput disable "AT Translated Set 2 keyboard"

I can then replace <code>disable</code> with <code>enable</code> to reactivate it. Since I don’t yet know how to automate this so that the internal one is disabled automatically when a USB keyboard is connected, I have to remember to reactive it when I disconnect the laptop from the hub and take it with me.

==References==
<references />

Keyboards

2025-10-06T09:03:49Z

Achintya: /* Other keyboard software */

This page contains more than just information about [[Typing|typing]].
Specifically it deals with [customising] keyboards in general.

== Compose key ==

On my [[ThinkPad]] running [[Kubuntu]], I have my <kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd> key mapped to <kbd>Compose</kbd>.
This allows me to type symbols like ¶ and § by entering the right sequence of keys (<kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>p</kbd>+<kbd>!</kbd> and <kbd>Right Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>s</kbd>+<kbd>o</kbd> respectively).
To get a list of all available combinations, type the following in the terminal (via [https://askubuntu.com/a/34933 Ask Ubuntu]):

cat /usr/share/X11/locale/en_US.UTF-8/Compose

I have also mapped the <kbd>AltGr</kbd> key to choose third-level characters.
For this to work, I also have to enable “Enable extra typographic characters” under “Compatibility options” in the keyboard settings.

== Mechanical keyboards ==

I was gifted a Corsair K95 RGB Platinum keyboard for my birthday in 2021.
While Corsair does not provide software for controlling the keyboard profiles and lights, there is a free/open-source alternative called [https://github.com/ckb-next/ckb-next <code>ckb-next</code>].
Unfortunately, one cannot write the profiles to the keyboard’s hardware from Linux, so I need to do so using a different machine.

== Other keyboard software ==

[https://github.com/kmonad/kmonad <code>KMonad</code>] allows you to customise all kinds of keyboards, including the built-in ones on laptops. You can create layers, remap keys and more.
Since there are no packages for [[Ubuntu]], I grabbed the pre-compiled binary, ran <code>chmox +x</code> on it and moved it to <code>/usr/local/bin</code>.
I need to set up the configuration and start-up files before it can work. Alternatives include [https://github.com/jtroo/kanata kanata] and [https://github.com/rvaiya/keyd keyd].

=== Disabling laptop keyboard ===

If I want to disable the built-in keyboard on my laptop (if I’m connected to an external keyboard, for example), I can run the following in the terminal and it will stop using the internal one:

xinput disable "AT Translated Set 2 keyboard"

I can then replace <code>disable</code> with <code>enable</code> to reactivate it. Since I don’t yet know how to automate this so that the internal one is disabled automatically when a USB keyboard is connected, I have to remember to reactive it when I disconnect the laptop from the hub and take it with me.

Self-Improvement

2025-10-06T08:05:22Z

Achintya:

* [https://ncase.me/remember/ How To Remember Anything Forever-Ish]
** Spaced repetition
* [https://wiki.xxiivv.com/site/discourse.html A cheatsheet on Discourse]
** See also the three gates of speech:
*** Is it true?
*** Is it necessary?
*** Is it kind?
* [https://structuredprocrastination.com/ Structured Procrastination]

[[Category:Self]]

Audacity

2025-08-25T18:15:35Z

Achintya:

Audacity seems to have had a long-standing bug on [[Linux]] operating systems I have used, and it continues with [[Kubuntu]] 25.04.
The editing area glitches and doesn’t update unless you resize the window, making it tremendously unsuitable for editing.

I looked it up and found [https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/timeline-only-renders-when-resizing-window/57559/11 a solution on the Audacity forum].

So, what I do is:

<nowiki>
$ GTK_IM_MODULE=audacity
$ flatpak run org.audacityteam.Audacity # since I installed Audacity using Flatpak
</nowiki>

This seems to resolve the issue.

See also: <https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/wxwidgets3.0/+bug/1876212>.

[[Category: Audio]]

Audacity

2025-08-22T16:36:28Z

Achintya: Create page

Calm technology

2025-08-05T09:43:10Z

Achintya: Create page

How had I not encountered [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calm_technology this concept] before? Or had I and forgotten about it?

Perhaps it will help with [[Self-Improvement]].

[[Category: Technology]]

Telework

2025-08-04T09:08:40Z

Achintya:

* [https://chelseatroy.com/2018/04/05/how-do-we-make-remote-meetings-not-suck/ How do we make remote meetings not suck?]
** Shared by [https://twitter.com/tiborsimko Tibor Šimko] on CERN’s IT Department’s Teleworking channel on Mattermost
*I really like the idea expressed in this piece on remote working: [https://stephango.com/ramblings If you're remote, ramble].

[[Category:Work]]

Harmonica

2025-06-15T17:46:02Z

Achintya: Create page

I have been playing the harmonica since I was a teenager, but never learnt it formally (just by ear).
I enjoy playing a chromatic harmonica (and have at least two kicking around somewhere), but am far more limited when it comes to playing blues on a diatonic harmonica.
There are quite a few techniques that I would like to learn or improve.

On this page, I have listed some resources I am using for this.

== Books ==

* [https://gindick.com/product/country-blues-harmonica-for-the-musically-hopeless-hopeful/ Country and Blues Harmonica for the Musically Hopeless] by Jon Gindick (2011 edition)
** I purchased the book and accompanying learning tracks on 15 June 2025, and they are in my [[Calibre]] collection.

== Videos ==

Here are some videos that I have referred to:

* {{#ev:youtube|dT7Pkjts7YA}}
* {{#ev:youtube|Fp-GxEaChr0}}
* {{#ev:youtube|ez8FBMsSuOw}}

[[Category:Music]]

MediaWiki:Citethispage-content

2025-06-06T11:14:22Z

Achintya: Replace “Wiki contributors” with own name

__NOTOC__
<div class="mw-specialCiteThisPage-bibliographic">

== Bibliographic details for {{FULLPAGENAME}} ==

* Page name: {{FULLPAGENAME}}
* Author: Achintya Rao
* Publisher: ''{{SITENAME}}''.
* Date of last revision: {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} UTC
* Date retrieved: <citation>{{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTTIME}} UTC</citation>
* Permanent URL: {{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}}
* Page Version ID: {{REVISIONID}}

</div>
<div class="plainlinks mw-specialCiteThisPage-styles">

== Citation styles for {{FULLPAGENAME}} ==

=== [[APA style]] ===
{{FULLPAGENAME}}. ({{CURRENTYEAR}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}). ''{{SITENAME}}''. Retrieved <citation>{{CURRENTTIME}}, {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}}</citation> from {{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}}.

=== [[The MLA style manual|MLA style]] ===
"{{FULLPAGENAME}}." ''{{SITENAME}}''. {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHABBREV}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, {{CURRENTTIME}} UTC. <citation>{{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHABBREV}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, {{CURRENTTIME}}</citation> <{{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}}>.

=== [[MHRA Style Guide|MHRA style]] ===
Achintya Rao, '{{FULLPAGENAME}}', ''{{SITENAME}},'' {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}, {{CURRENTTIME}} UTC, <{{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}}> [accessed <citation>{{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}</citation>]

=== [[The Chicago Manual of Style|Chicago style]] ===
Achintya Rao, "{{FULLPAGENAME}}," ''{{SITENAME}},'' {{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}} (accessed <citation>{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}}</citation>).

=== [[Council of Science Editors|CBE/CSE style]] ===
Achintya Rao. {{FULLPAGENAME}} [Internet]. {{SITENAME}}; {{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTMONTHABBREV}} {{CURRENTDAY}}, {{CURRENTTIME}} UTC [cited <citation>{{CURRENTYEAR}} {{CURRENTMONTHABBREV}} {{CURRENTDAY}}</citation>]. Available from:
{{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}}.

=== [[Bluebook|Bluebook style]] ===
{{FULLPAGENAME}}, {{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}} (last visited <citation>{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}}</citation>).

=== [[BibTeX]] entry ===

@misc{ wiki:xxx,
author = "Achintya Rao",
title = "{{FULLPAGENAME}} --- {{SITENAME}}{,} {{int:sitesubtitle}}",
year = "{{CURRENTYEAR}}",
url = "{{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}}",
note = "[Online; accessed <citation>{{CURRENTDAY}}-{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}}-{{CURRENTYEAR}}</citation>]"
}

When using the [[LaTeX]] package url (<code>\usepackage{url}</code> somewhere in the preamble) which tends to give much more nicely formatted web addresses, the following may be preferred:

@misc{ wiki:xxx,
author = "Achintya Rao",
title = "{{FULLPAGENAME}} --- {{SITENAME}}{,} {{int:sitesubtitle}}",
year = "{{CURRENTYEAR}}",
url = "'''\url{'''{{canonicalurl:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|oldid={{REVISIONID}}}}'''}'''",
note = "[Online; accessed <citation>{{CURRENTDAY}}-{{CURRENTMONTHNAME}}-{{CURRENTYEAR}}</citation>]"
}

</div>

Public Engagement with Sciences and Technologies

2025-06-06T11:04:11Z

Achintya: Add note to top of draft

{{Note Thesis}}

{{Infobox Article}}

== Abstract ==
The academic field of [[science communication]] (used in the broadest sense) has evolved over the years, and is sometimes referred to these days by the term “Public Engagement with Science and Technology” or PEST.
[[Category: Article]]
[[Category: PhD]]
[[Category: Research]]

Template:Note Thesis

2025-06-06T11:03:44Z

Achintya: Create template

{{Note|This work is based on [[User:Achintya|Achintya]]’s [https://a-ch.in/ty-a#research doctoral thesis].}}

Template:Note

2025-06-06T11:01:31Z

Achintya: Fix issues with template, add usage examples

<onlyinclude>{{#if: {{{1|{{{content|{{{text|{{{demo|<noinclude>demo</noinclude>}}}}}}}}}}}} | <templatestyles src="Note/styles.css" /><div role="note" class="note note-{{#switch: {{{2|{{{type|}}}}}}
|gotcha=error
|warning=warn
|notice=info
|=info
|#default={{{2|{{{type|}}}}}}
}} {{#ifeq:{{{inline|}}}|1|note-inline}}">{{{1|{{{content|{{{text}}}}}}}}}</div>}}</onlyinclude>

== Usage ==
<pre>
{{Note|text=Foo}}
{{Note|type=info|text=Foo}}
{{Note|type=reminder|text=Foo}}
{{Note|type=reminder|text=Multiple<br>lines<br>of<br>text}}
{{Note|type=warn|text=Foo}}
{{Note|type=error|text=Foo}}

* Text {{Note|inline=1|text=Foo}}
</pre>
{{Note|text=Foo}}
{{Note|type=info|text=Foo}}
{{Note|type=reminder|text=Foo}}
{{Note|type=reminder|text=Multiple<br>lines<br>of<br>text}}
{{Note|type=warn|text=Foo}}
{{Note|type=error|text=Foo}}

* Text {{Note|inline=1|text=Foo}}

<hr />

Source: https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Note

Template:Note/styles.css

2025-06-06T10:54:46Z

Achintya: Re-create page, fix CSS errors

/* Source: https://www.mediawiki.org/w/index.php?title=Template:Note/styles.css&action=edit */

.note {
background-position: left 7px top 50%;
padding: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 40px;
margin: 0.5em 0;
overflow: hidden;
background-color: #f8f9fa;
color: #333;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
}
.note-inline {
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: middle;
}
.note-info {
background-color: #eaf3ff;
color: #333;
/* [[File:OOjs_UI_icon_information-progressive.svg]] */
background-image: url(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/OOjs_UI_icon_information-progressive.svg);
background-size: 25px;
border-color: #a3caff;
padding-left: 40px;
min-height: 25px;
}
.note-reminder {
background-color: #fff9ea;
color: #333;
/* [[File:OOjs_UI_icon_lightbulb-yellow.svg]] */
background-image: url(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/OOjs_UI_icon_lightbulb-yellow.svg);
background-size: 25px;
border-color: #fc3;
min-height: 25px;
}
.note-warn {
background-color: #fff9ea;
color: #333;
/* [[File:OOjs_UI_icon_alert-warning.svg]] */
background-image: url(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/OOjs_UI_icon_alert-warning.svg);
background-size: 25px;
border-color: #fc3;
min-height: 25px;
}

.note-error {
background-color: #fee7e6;
color: #333;
/* [[File:OOjs_UI_icon_notice-destructive.svg]] */
background-image: url(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/OOjs_UI_icon_notice-destructive.svg);
background-size: 25px;
border-color: #c33;
min-height: 25px;
}

@media screen {
html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .note {
background-color: transparent;
color: inherit;
}
}

@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
/* automatic mode */
html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .note {
background-color: transparent;
color: inherit;
}
}

Template:Note/styles.css

2025-06-06T10:52:40Z

Achintya: Achintya changed the content model of the page Template:Note/styles.css from "wikitext" to "Sanitised CSS": Needed for CSS

Template:Note/styles.css

2025-06-06T10:52:36Z

Achintya: Remove all content to reset content model

Template:Note

2025-06-06T10:24:25Z

Achintya: Create page (with errors)

Template:Note/styles.css

2025-06-06T10:21:31Z

Achintya: Create page

.note {
background-position: left 7px top 50%;
padding: 0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 40px;
margin: 0.5em 0;
overflow: hidden;
background-color: #f8f9fa;
color: #333;
background-repeat: no-repeat;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
}
.note-inline {
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: middle;
}
.note-info {
background-color: #eaf3ff;
color: #333;css
/* [[File:OOjs_UI_icon_information-progressive.svg]] */
background-image: url(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/OOjs_UI_icon_information-progressive.svg);
background-size: 25px;
border-color: #a3caff;
padding-left: 40px;
min-height: 25px;
}
.note-reminder {
background-color: #fff9ea;
color: #333;
/* [[File:OOjs_UI_icon_lightbulb-yellow.svg]] */
background-image: url(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a8/OOjs_UI_icon_lightbulb-yellow.svg);
background-size: 25px;
border-color: #fc3;
min-height: 25px;
}
.note-warn {
background-color: #fff9ea;
color: #333;
/* [[File:OOjs_UI_icon_alert-warning.svg]] */
background-image: url(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/OOjs_UI_icon_alert-warning.svg);
background-size: 25px;
border-color: #fc3;
min-height: 25px;
}

.note-error {
background-color: #fee7e6;
color: #333;
/* [[File:OOjs_UI_icon_notice-destructive.svg]] */
background-image: url(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bf/OOjs_UI_icon_notice-destructive.svg);
background-size: 25px;
border-color: #c33;
min-height: 25px;
}

@media screen {
html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .note {
background-color: transparent;
color: inherit;
}
}

@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme: dark) {
/* automatic mode */
html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .note {
background-color: transparent;
color: inherit;
}
}

Public Engagement with Sciences and Technologies

2025-06-05T14:46:09Z

Achintya: Add infobox

{{Infobox Article}}

== Abstract ==
The academic field of [[science communication]] (used in the broadest sense) has evolved over the years, and is sometimes referred to these days by the term “Public Engagement with Science and Technology” or PEST.
[[Category: Article]]
[[Category: PhD]]
[[Category: Research]]

Template:Infobox Article

2025-06-05T14:45:25Z

Achintya: Add section for author, modify XML

<infobox>
<title source="title">
<default>Article</default>
</title>
<group>
<header>{{PAGENAME}}</header>
<data source="pagename"/>
<data source="author">
<label>Author</label>
<default>[[User:Achintya|Achintya Rao]]</default>
</data>
<data source="type">
<label>Type</label>
<default>Opinion 🤔</default>
</data>
<data source="status">
<label>Status</label>
<default>Draft 🚧</default>
</data>
</group>
</infobox>

Template:Infobox Article

2025-06-05T14:39:47Z

Achintya: Rename data sources

<infobox>
<title source="title">
<default>Article</default>
</title>
<group>
<header>{{PAGENAME}}</header>
<data source="pagename"/>
<data source="type">
<label>Type</label>
<default>Opinion 🤔</default>
</data>
<data source="status">
<label>Status</label>
<default>Draft 🚧</default>
</data>
</group>
</infobox>

Template:Infobox Article

2025-06-05T14:38:58Z

Achintya: Achintya moved page Template:Article to Template:Infobox Article without leaving a redirect: Categorise Infobox

<infobox>
<title source="title">
<default>Article</default>
</title>
<group>
<header>{{PAGENAME}}</header>
<data source="pagename"/>
<data source="data1">
<label>Type</label>
<default>Opinion 🤔</default>
</data>
<data source="data2">
<label>Status</label>
<default>Draft 🚧</default>
</data>
</group>
</infobox>

Template:Infobox Article

2025-06-05T14:36:28Z

Achintya: Add group header

Template:Infobox Article

2025-06-05T14:31:40Z

Achintya: Infobox created with infobox builder.

<infobox><title source="title"><default>Article</default></title><data source="data1"><label>Type</label><default>Opinion 🤔</default></data><data source="data2"><label>Status</label><default>Draft 🚧</default></data></infobox>

Video

2025-06-05T13:51:40Z

Achintya: Add Broadcast Box

(Some pages to create to organise my thoughts and notes around video recording and streaming (including videoconferences).)

== Using OBS output device with DSLR as input device ==

Across two separate blog posts, I learnt how to use the [https://github.com/umlaeute/v4l2loopback v4l2loopback Linux kernel module] to use my [[DSLR]] as a webcam alternative and the output of [[OBS]] / OBS Studio as a fake webcam:

* [https://srcco.de/posts/using-obs-studio-with-v4l2-for-google-hangouts-meet.html Using OBS Studio with V4L2 for Google Meet]
** The blog post shows how to load the module once, but does not explain how to make sure it loads every time.
* [https://www.crackedthecode.co/how-to-use-your-dslr-as-a-webcam-in-linux/ How to Use Your DSLR Camera as a Webcam in Linux]

In order to get the kernel module to load every time I reboot, I created the following files:

* <code>/etc/modprobe.d/v4l2loopback.conf</code> with the following contents: <code>options v4l2loopback devices=2 video_nr=10,11 card_label="OBS Cam,Canon 60D" exclusive_caps=1 max_buffers=2</code>
** The video devices are namely <code>/dev/video10</code> for the “OBS Cam” output and <code>/dev/video11</code> for the “Canon 60D” input.
* <code>/etc/modules-load.d/v4l2loopback.conf</code> with the following contents: <code>v4l2loopback</code>

I also created an alias in my .bash_aliases file to activate the [[DSLR]] as an input device:

alias 60D='gphoto2 --stdout --capture-movie | ffmpeg -i - -vcodec rawvideo -pix_fmt yuv420p -threads 0 -f v4l2 /dev/video11'

This way, I need to type <code>60D</code> in my terminal to accept the camera’s input.

== Software to explore ==

* [https://github.com/Glimesh/broadcast-box Broadcast Box]
** Live instance: [https://b.siobud.com/ b.siobud.com]

[[Category:Video]]