Learn more about our updated Terms of Service

gayan.blog@gmail.com We're updating our Terms of Service on May 22, 2024, so we wanted to let you know ahead of time. These changes won't affect the way you use our services, but they should help make it easier for you to understand what to expect from Google — and what we expect from you — as you use our services. You can see the new terms here. We also summarized the changes at the bottom of this email. What do I need to do? If you're under the age required to manage your own Google Account: We sent this email to your parent or guardian so that they can help you understand our updates better. Please discuss this email with your parent or guardian to decide if you need to do anything different with your account. If you're a parent or guardian, and you allow your child to use the services: Please review the updates to our terms with your child and help them decide whether they need to make any changes to their account. Please remember that these terms apply to you and you're responsible for your child's activity on the services. If you're the administrator of a Google Workspace corporate or educational account and you've enabled your users to access Google Additional Services: Our new Terms of Service won't affect the Google Workspace agreement between Google and your organization. These new terms will only apply to those users to whom you've given access to Google Additional Services. You can always manage whether your users have access to Google Additional Services, and which ones, in your Admin console. If you're a Google Workspace reseller whose customers have enabled their users to access Google Additional Services: Our new Terms of Service won't affect your Google Workspace agreement with your customers. These new terms will only apply to your customers' users who've been given access to Google Additional Services. Your customers can always manage whether their users have access to Google Additional Services, and which ones, in their Admin console. If you're any other user of the services: Please read this email to understand our updated terms and your options for further action. If you agree to the new terms, no further action is needed. What's changing? You can review the new Google Terms of Service here. At a glance, here's what this update covers: Generative AI terms. We're moving our existing Generative AI Additional Terms to our main Terms of Service and adding other AI-related clarifications. For example – we won't claim ownership over original content generated by our AI-powered services. More clarity on abusive activity. We're providing more examples and details about abuse and interference with our services that isn't allowed. More details on limitations of liability. For users outside the US, we're adding clarifications to our limitations of liability and indemnity sections to avoid any misunderstandings in light of local laws or customs. More clarity on disputes. We're clarifying that if you violate our terms, our remedies aren't limited to suspension or termination of your access to the services, but may include other remedies under applicable law. If problems or disputes arise between us about these terms, you'll have the opportunity to describe the issues and address them. Updates to reflect how our services work. We're adding language about how our services work, and updating certain Google service brand names that have changed over time. For users based in the European Economic Area (EEA) only: In addition to the changes described above, we're adding more explanatory text to help you understand the legal concept of "guarantees" under EU and local law. For more details, please see this summary of key changes to the EEA versions of our Terms. If you don't agree to the new terms, you should remove your content and stop using the services. You can also end your relationship with us at any time, without penalty, by closing your Google Account. Thank you for using Google services! © 2024 Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043 You have received this email to update you about important changes to Google's Terms of Service.

My Takeaways from 'Why We Sleep' book

I recently got a recommendation to read Matthew Walker's "Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams" by a colleague, and I borrowed it from the local library and read. It is a great book and it is the very very interesting book I’ve read this year. It’s completely changed the way I think about sleep and shifted it much higher on my priority list. So I couldn't stop talking about it with my friends > few of them asked me to share some things I learned, so I'm writing below points for anyone to refer. I strongly recommend you to read it.

 

 

1. Memory Booster: Sleep isn't just for rest – it's like a superhero for memory. It helps lock in new stuff you've learned so you don't forget it the next day.
2. Learn Like a Pro: Guess what? Sleep makes you a learning machine. It helps your brain soak up new skills and knowledge like a sponge.
3. Dreamy Creativity: Ever had those wild dreams? Well, turns out, dreaming during REM sleep isn't just cool; it's great for sorting out your emotions and boosting your creative mojo.
4. Health Alert: Skip sleep, and you're playing with fire. Your chances of gaining unwanted pounds, dealing with diabetes, and having heart troubles shoot up. Yikes!
5. Happy Vibes: A good snooze keeps your mood in check. When you don't sleep enough, your brain's "happy chemicals" can get all wonky.
6. Age-Defying Zzz's: Sleep isn't just for the young – it's your secret weapon for staying sharp as you get older. Plus, it helps your body fix itself while you snuggle under the covers.
7. Food Friend or Foe: Sleep plays tricks with your hunger hormones. If you're not catching enough Zzz's, you might end up overeating without realizing it.
8. Brain Power Boost: Need to ace that test or come up with a genius idea? Quality sleep's got your back. It's like a brain workout that makes you smarter.
9. Sleep-Starved Society: We're all guilty of putting Netflix before bedtime. But beware – our modern lifestyle is making us a bunch of tired zombies.
10. Sleep Like a Pro: Don't worry, the book's got your back with easy-peasy tips. Stick to a sleep schedule, create a comfy sleep cave, and bam – you're on your way to dreamland success.

So in the appendix of the book it has 12 tips for better sleep taken from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/good-nights-sleep (Google NIH + tips to good night sleep)

So there you have it, the scoop on why sleep is the real MVP. If you're ready to supercharge your brain, mood, and health, "Why We Sleep" might just be your bedtime story of choice. Catch those Zzz's, folks! 😴🌟

Principles and Tactics for Working with Language Models (like ChatGPT)

Recently I went through https://learn.deeplearning.ai/, and below is my notes I optimised using chatGPT API :)

Introduction:

Language models like ChatGPT have become increasingly powerful and versatile tools for various applications. To maximize their effectiveness, it's crucial to understand and implement certain principles and tactics. In this blog post, we will explore the key strategies for working with language models to achieve better results. We will also discuss their limitations and offer best practices for prompting, as well as explore exciting use cases and applications.

Principle 1: Clear and Specific Instructions

When interacting with a language model, clarity is paramount. To obtain accurate and relevant results, follow these guidelines:

1. Provide longer prompts: Detailed prompts offer better context and understanding to the model.
2. Use delimiters: Separate different sections of input using triple backticks or quotes to enhance readability.
3. Request structured output: To make parsing easier, ask the model to provide output in JSON format.
4. Handle conditions and edge cases: Instruct the model to check for specific conditions and handle tricky situations.
5. Utilize few-shot prompting: Boost the model's performance by providing examples and demonstrations.

Principle 2: Give the Model Time to Think

Allowing the language model time to reason and solve problems is crucial for better outputs. Encourage relevant reasoning steps by reframing queries and providing step-by-step instructions for complex tasks.

Model Limitations and Mitigation:

Language models have their limitations, such as generating fabricated information (hallucinations). To reduce this, ask the model to refer to source texts or provide quotes for context. Be cautious about potential dangers and weaknesses when building applications with language models. Implement mitigation strategies and exercise caution.

Iterative Prompt Development:

Perfect prompts often require multiple iterations. Experiment, analyze, and refine your prompts to achieve the desired results effectively.

Conclusion:

Working with language models like ChatGPT can be a powerful way to leverage AI capabilities for various applications. By following the principles and best practices outlined in this blog post, developers can achieve better results and avoid potential pitfalls. However, it's crucial to remain responsible and transparent in the use of AI-generated text to ensure ethical and safe applications of these technologies.

mocking with spring

My learnings from remote work for 2 years

As I reflect on two years of remote work, I had many challenges and turned out it gave me many perks too. Here are the key takeaways that have shaped my perspective:

• Building Strong Connections: Remote work demands a deliberate effort in making one-on-one relationships. in absence of casual office interactions, I always tries to have casual chats(Slack/MSteams) with my team members
  
• Strategic Meeting Approach: We had team members from different time zones, so we had to move some of our meetings to times to suit everyone - like we had our daily standup in 2.30 PM in my local time
  
• Clear and Concise Communication: Mastering the art of concise written communication is paramount. “Communicate well, communicate often” - is a saying my CEO repeats a lot which helped me to over communicate. Over-communication becomes a guiding principle in remote work. Providing comprehensive updates, regular check-ins, and seeking clarifications foster collaboration and alignment.
  
• Visual Communication: Some people tend to keep their cameras off for virtual meetings, which I felt odd when we have small number of people in the meeting. So we tried to keep cameras on.
  
• Empowering Tools: The right set of tools is the backbone of successful remote collaboration. Platforms like Notion, GoogleMeet, MS Team and Slack streamline communication and project management, facilitating seamless teamwork.
• Distraction Management: Effective distraction management is essential for remote productivity. Silencing notifications and adhering to scheduled message-checking periods enhance focus and efficiency.
• Flexible working hours: The flexibility of remote work empowers personalized schedules. Leveraging peak productivity hours enhances efficiency and cultivates a healthier work-life balance. I started to go for morning run before start my work which I believes improved my productivity a lot. Also when I had to go for an appointment it was just small step out compared to taking day/half day off.
  
• Customer-Centric Connection: Working as a consultant to a client company, I have to make sure that all my work helps to meet client expectations. Adhering to questions like "Is It Right?" and "Is It Good?" helped me and my team make continuous improvement and innovation which aligns with our client's need.

Reflecting on these two years, the journey has been transformative. These insights have not only enhanced my professional approach but also enriched my personal growth. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of remote work, I'm eager to continue adapting and learning.

In conclusion, if you are starting with remote work, I hope the above insights prove valuable on your journey. There's always more to learn, and I'm excited to continue growing and discovering in this dynamic work environment.