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About My Abstinence From Social Media

By DU Beat December 31, 2017

Recently, I realised that I have become addicted to social media. The signs had been all there. I found myself scrolling through Facebook and Instagram inadvertently most of the time. I could not stop the urge to open my social media accounts every half an hour and check the new updates.

I would like to use the term ‘addiction’ for this urge because that is exactly what this is. We, without even realising, slowly become addicted to the social media. We like to know what is happening in someone else’s life with whom we might have not even exchanged more than few words. Subconsciously we even start comparing our lives with theirs and become disheartened by how different or unadventurous our lives are. This, as I clearly do not need to point out is all but a facade. We realize the truth and from time to time even put a check on ourselves. There is a brief moment of clarity where we decide to abstain from social media. Alas! We “rush to fall into snares of delusion all over again.”

So when I had this brief moment of clarity about a month back, I decided to delete all social media applications from my mobile phone. This time my decision was firm to not revert to old ways. However, I did not delete my accounts. I also had to keep my WhatsApp because well, it is an occupational hazard. Since I could open my accounts only on my laptop, the access to them was restricted due to the inconvenience involved. The first week was hard, I must say. But after the fifteenth day, I realised that I had more time on my hands. I finally took to reading some of the books which I had not been able to time for. Without the distraction of the chaotic world of social media, I also found time to put into words some of the ideas that had been floating around in my head.

Yes, I agree that it is not possible to completely avoid social media. In fact I believe that one shouldn’t so because in a way or so they are essential too. But what I have discerned in some past few weeks is that we allow ourselves to get completely hooked to it. One of the reasons might be that we are seeking too much validation from everyone around us. Perhaps, this best explains our constant need to upload snippets from our lives for everyone to see. Some days back, I read about a study from Microsoft Corporation in a TIME article. It said that since 2000 the average attention span has dropped from 12 seconds to 8 seconds. This essentially means that even a goldfish known for being ill-focussed has a longer attention span at nine seconds. So I hope that if you too are suffering from this addiction, you decide to take a step towards curbing it. I assure you from my experience that life will become more productive and meaningful.

Feature Image Credits: Matthew Muccio

Anukriti Mishra
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Apps to Edit Pictures on Your Phone

By Radhika Boruah November 10, 2017

Editing pictures doesn’t have to be a hassle if you have some of these handy apps on your phone for quick, easy, and quality touch-up.

As a millennial who’s always on the run, carrying a laptop or sitting in front of a computer to edit pictures isn’t always feasible. Edit those snaps on the go with these four mobile phone apps, without compromising quality!

1) Lightroom CC
Image Credits: Myiconfinder

Available on iOs and Android for free.
A product of Adobe PhotoShop, Lightroom CC is great for capturing and editing high quality images. It comes with professional capture and lets you click on the DNG raw format for more control. The app edits picture in non-destructive mode which makes it convenient to revert to the original image. Lightroom CC also comes with the premium feature of storage with its Adobe Creative Cloud which lets you store upto 1TB of data.

2) PhotoShop Express
Image Credits: Google Play

Available on iOs and Android for free.
Another Adobe product, PhotoShop Express (PS Express) is a useful app for beginners and comes with a user friendly interface that is flexible and easy to control. It has over 60 professional looks and advanced corrections to make those pictures look flawless. PS Express also lets you import and edit pictures in the raw format and comes with the premium feature of the Adobe Creative Cloud of storage.

3) Lens Distortions
Image Credits: Lens Distortions

Available on iOs for free.
This is a quick and easy-to-use app for editing to achieve that perfect Instagram feed. It lets you add that dramatic effect to plain photographs with an array of filters and effects that have an original touch. Lens Distortions is a great app for photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists.

4) SnapSeed
Image Credits: 9to5Google

Available on iOs and Android for free.
A product of Google, SnapSeed is a complete and professional photo editing app that is easy to use. It comes with tools that help the user take fine and precise control over editing. SnapSeed also lets you open and tweak raw DNG files, save non-destructively, and export as JPG files.

Feature Image Credits: In Love With Android

Anagha Rakta
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Miranda House

Miranda House to Launch Three Apps to Reduce Red Tape

By Swareena Gurung May 25, 2017

Having launched an app to ensure the convenience of blind students, Miranda House has now come up with three different apps to make college work easier for students and teachers alike. The college is ready to go live with the apps from the new academic session of 2017-2018.

The apps are called Event Hub, SmartProf, and InfraCare. Following are the details:

Event Hub:
> Students who head societies, unions, etc can book venues to organise and conduct events through this app.
> Similar interface lets one choose between the Seminar Hall, Auditorium, Heritage Hall, and Student Activity Centre.
> The app notifies one whether a venue is booked, or if an event taking place there is open or closed.
> Event posters have to be uploaded at the time of booking.
> The app also allows requisitioning of PA systems and other equipment.

Infra Care:
> Through this app, anyone can lodge a complaint about infrastructure issues in the college and the hostels.
> As proof, a photo legitimising the complaint has to be uploaded.
> Status of the complaint is shared with the complainant.

Smart Prof:
> Students and teachers can view attendance records, curriculum, and lecture locations.
> Teachers can take attendance on the app and the students can view it.
> Timetable and lecture timings can be set by the teachers.

The apps have been designed so as to cut down on red-tape and involve the students in the functioning of the college. In a statement to the Times of India, Dr. Pratibha Jolly, Principal of the college, maintained, “We are committed to building a technology-enhanced active learning environment, and realising innovatively the full potential of IT in education.”
With inputs from the Times of India

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat

Swareena Gurung
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QWERTY: Handy applications to make period-tracking easier

By DU Beat August 22, 2016

Dealing with monthly menstrual cycles (satanic waterfall, monthly monster, whatever you call it) is hard enough without adding to it the hassle of keeping a track of when the next one’s approaching while also balancing birth control pills and being sexually active. While periods can often be erratic and tricky, most fall into a nearly regular cycle which is always helpful to track because your hormone levels can explain many mysteries of life – from feeling bloated to crying about losing a pen. The ladies at DU Beat share the applications they trust to keep their cycle sorted:

My Days: This app couldn’t be simpler to use and has a very no-nonsense user interface. You add dates when your period starts and when it ends, if and when you take a pill or are sexually active, and it marks the dates when you will possibly be ovulating and the date of your next period. The more regular you are with adding your data to the app, the better it predicts.

Clue: Other than tracking your period, Clue also has a lot of parameters to track your premenstrual syndrome symptoms as well, including emotions, physical pain and cravings. Hence, its calendar not only gives you ovulation and period dates but also dates when you’re likely to be PMSing.

Period Tracker: This application does everything – tracks your period, your ovulation dates and takes into account when you’ve been sexually active. The user interface is cute too!

Lunacycle: Lunacycle details not only your next period date and ovulation date but also rates the possibility of pregnancy (as high, low and average) based on what your cycle looks like. It offers advice (which can sometimes be a little sexist) and descriptions of what your skin is going to feel like, what diet you should take and what beauty routines you should try based on your cycle and hormone levels.

Period Diary: This application is customisable, and not just with respect to changes in your cycle according to the data you add to it, but also in terms of its user interface. It has theme options of floral, butterflies and hearts, which, albeit clichéd, are also cute! Its other features include adding notes about mood, a past period summary, notifications and a late period alert.

Make your life easier and try out a few of these applications to lessen your chances of being caught unaware the next time your period arrives!

Featured Image Credis: http://www.imore.com/sites/

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Tech for Freshers – Part 2

By DU Beat August 10, 2016

Last week, we came out with an article which laid out the most common base technologies, whether hardware or software, that you’ll essentially require to make your DU experience smoother and more exciting. While that list catered to the necessities, this one, ‘Tech for Freshers- Part 2’ caters to all your temptations.

We begin by mentioning the loner in the hardware side:

1. Bluetooth Speaker

This invention purposefully solves the problem of frequent requirement of loud music at a cheap cost. Whether you are on a department trip or a birthday party of one of your friends, a Bluetooth Speaker can ensure that you never go out of the supply of loud music. Oh and did we forget to mention? You can force your choice of music on others too.

Source: i.ytimg.com

And the better part of the software side:

1. For Dating Needs:

Tinder, Badoo, TrulyMadly, Lovoo – Gone are the days when love in college life meant love in the college campus. Like many other things, finding love or dating has changed for the 21st century. If you don’t find connections in your college, the tech cupid will help you find one using these apps.

Sources: Tinder icon: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tinder&hl=en
Badoo icon: https://badoo.com/
TrulyMadly icon: http://trulymadly.com/
Lovoo icon: http://www.appsforpc9.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/lovoo_logo.png

2. For Transportation Needs:

Uber, Ola, Jugnu – Even though the Delhi Metro will serve as the main source of your transportation, there will be times when your actual destination won’t be a walking distance from your ‘nearest’ metro station or when you’re carrying luggage that you can’t drag in the metro, especially while visiting NCR. These apps will help you get around the city at affordable rates.

Sources:Uber icon: https://2q72xc49mze8bkcog2f01nlh-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/New-Logo-Vertical-Dark.jpg
Ola icon: https://naushad.me/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Ola_Cabs_Logo.png
Jugnoo icon: http://www.businessofapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/jugnoo_app-copy.png

3. For Shopping Needs:

Flipkart, Amazon – Local markets are where you’ll do most of your shopping but at times, you’ll need stuff that’s just not available there. These apps will help you get that stuff right at your doorstep.
Paytm – As we get more technologically equipped, exchange of paper money moves towards obsolescence. Paytm wallet is the largest e-wallet in the country and has recently started to root its way into local markets. The day is not far when you’ll paytm the local paan wala for a cigarette or a chewing gum. Paytm also lets you transfer Paytm cash to your bank account for a small fee.

Sources: Flipkart icon: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c9/Flipkart_logo.png
Amazon icon: http://cdn.wccftech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/amazon.png
Paytm icon: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/42/Paytm_logo.png

4. For Event Needs:

Bookmyshow – Cinema will have a very big space in your college life. Sitting in the canteen after bunking classes gets redundant and boring after a while. At one point you will want to move out of the college and go someplace else. This app will help you find the movie or play of your choice that you and your gang can go to.

Sources: Bookmyshow logo: https://in.bookmyshow.com/job-listings/wp-content/themes/bms-listings/images/logo.png

5. For Fashion and Styling Needs:

Wooplr & Roposo – The first impression you impart on your peers is made by the way you carry yourself and your clothes. There is no doubt that fashion and styles have their own social bonuses. These two apps will help you stay on top of all the latest trends and new ways to expand your wardrobe.

Sources:
Wooplr logo:https://res.wooplr.com/image/upload/h_120/assets/website/icon/wooplr.png
Roposo logo: http://www.biifund.com/wp-content/uploads/roposo-transparent-500×250.png

6. For Food and Beverages Needs:

Zomato and Swiggy – Someone has rightly said – “You are what you eat”.
Don’t take it literally. It doesn’t mean that you’ll turn into a potato if you eat one. Food and choice of food can really define your personality. Also, in your journey as an undergraduate, you’ll encounter many moments where you’ll find yourself wanting to eat at places different from your regular ‘addas’. Zomato will help come in handy at that time. Swiggy is for times when you’re hungry and lazy, and want your food delivered to your doorstep which is not served by a fast food chain such as McDonalds or Pizza Hut.

Sources: Zomato icon: http://logos-download.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Zomato_logo.png
Swiggy icon: https://2q72xc49mze8bkcog2f01nlh-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/pune/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/09/swiggy-logo.png

Therefore, with this, we wrap up our list of a general tech guide for all students stepping into the university. Since every student is different, there are some apps which are better suited for some than others. Also, since the needs of a student are ever expanding, new techs are always emerging, both, on the hardware and the software/application fronts. Do let us know if there are some other essential technologies that we’ve missed out on.

You can also check out some other apps in this article which would help you sail through your college life and make it much more memorable.

Image Credits: Featured image- natashascrazylife.blogspot.com
Others- As cited above, respectively.

Kavach chandra
[email protected]

Srivedant Kar
[email protected]

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QWERTY: Must have tech for freshers in DU

By DU Beat July 30, 2016

College life is driven by a lot of factors. Although, technology is not a very major one, it helps you to keep tab on various aspects of your college life. So, here’s the first part of the list of the hardware that we think would really help you in your undergraduate journey:

Smartphone
Source: pixabey.com

With time changing more swiftly than weather, a smartphone is a must for all new fuchchas out there unless you want to get on back foot for losing out on the random WhatsApp chats and latest class time updates and last minute changes declared by your popular class representative (CR). From taking a perfect selfie to calculating your monthly expenses, your smartphone can be the gateway to the world.

2. Earphones

From the drum beats of the theatre society to the noises of students bunking classes, you have to face a whole new level of distractions while trying to concentrate on something in college. In this situation a good earphone can come as a great rescue in time. With a great combination of right volume and right music it has the power to shift you to a different world where you can focus on your work in hand. No doubt some awesome companies like Google, Facebook and apple have earphone vending machines on their office premises.

3. Power Banks

From waking you up in the morning for the 8:30 classes to satisfying your soul with music during break within classes, your phone works harder than you. With WhatsApp and Facebook notifications pinging up in every ten minutes your phone’s battery life is going to get tired like you at the end or even middle of the day. A good power bank can ensure that your lifeline i.e. – phone doesn’t go out of its life and make your life more difficult. Go get one, before you decide between whether to make a last call of the day or to play your favourite song.

Having the right hardware is just not enough. One needs to know how to use it. Else it’s just dead weight that you’re carrying. So here’s the first part of the list of apps and software that would really help you in your undergraduate journey:

For Social Needs

WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat – These are the four pillars of a good social life in not just DU, but in any university across the nation. Most of you, are already on Facebook and WhatsApp. Instagram and Snapchat are the ones on which many of you still aren’t. For an all-round social life, you need to be on the other two as well. You’ll realise their importance once the fest season comes. So register yourself right now and like the DU Beat pages (Yes! That is essential for a very cool social life as well. True Story!).

2. For Documentation and Project Needs

Open Office & Libre Office – These three are free license office suites which will help you to do all your digital assignments, presentation, reports and projects on Laptop or PC. Microsoft Office suite is one the best but it is paid. These are the best free alternatives.

3. For Utility

Truecaller – If you have an active social life in college or you’re involved in various co-curricular activities, you’ll need to filter out the incoming calls. This app comes in handy. It’s a universal caller ID which gives you the name of the person along with some additional information. User can also block numbers, making it an excellent ‘pervert management tool for girls.

ColorNote– The app is one of the best apps for taking quick notes and messages on your phone. You can make check lists and can even pin your TODOs in the notification bar. It’s available for Android and Windows phone. Similar variants are available for Apple iPhones easily.

Pocket– The ultimate apps for bookmarks. There are various links leading to articles about plethora of things on various social networks which will resonate with your personality. This app helps you save such links so that they can be read anywhere, on any platform or device. You can even save them offline and load it later. All you need to do is save them under your pocket account.

We wrap up the first part of our tech list here. Stay tuned for more. Do tell us about your personal experiences with apps and software in similar categories.

Image credits: natashascrazylife.blogspot.com

Kavach Chandra and Srivedant Kar
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DU Admissions

An App to make your DU admission’s experience hassle-free

By Srivedant Kar July 3, 2016

Every year, thousands of students join Delhi University to take their dream flight with their courses at various colleges. Most of them face common challenges such as beating the cut off bars, facing admission hassles of cumbersome paperwork and then, hunting for a perfect accommodation in the campus. Some students and alumni of CIC who once faced the same set of problems have come up with a new app which helps to make the entire admission process a lot easier.

The app called ‘Pocket DU’ is an android based app which helps students from keeping a tab on all the cut offs to finding cheap hostel accommodation in a single platform. The app helps students in a number of ways. Starting from finding previous year’s question papers to detailed information about all colleges, centres and departments and latest updates of important results of the university, this app covers all possible information regarding DU. “The star feature of the app is the way it eases out cut-off viewing. Typically when cut-offs are released, students visit the website of university, download the whole PDF document which has the cut offs for all colleges and courses and scan through the document to find a relevant cut-off. Pocket DU eases out this process by providing e-shopping like filters to the cut-off and display the relevant cut-off through just a touch of finger. I feel it’s a must-have app for this admission season.” says Puneet Kumar who is an alumnus of CIC and one of the app developers.

One of the most unique features of this app is that it provides detailed information about all libraries of Delhi University and even provides students the ability to search the books available in the library through this app. The app also provides you with contact details of Administrative officials of the University as well as colleges.

You can download the app on: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.ac.du.delhiuniversity

Srivedant Kar
[email protected]

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QWERTY: Prepare for your entrance exams with these 4 apps

By Kavach Chandra June 9, 2016

The first year of college usually goes in finding where you fit in, the second in cementing the bonds & friendships and the third goes in woes and worries about the future. Although some students take up the campus placements, majority of people prepare to pursue higher studies or to do professional courses. Whatever option they may choose, all of them go through a barrier, known commonly to every college-going, degree-seeking individual as ‘entrance test’. There are different types of entrance tests for different courses and institutions, all of them testing the candidate’s knowledge of a certain field. However, most of these exams have some common sections, which tests one’s general knowledge, English proficiency, etc. The following apps will come to your rescue, so that you don’t have to put too much effort for preparation of these sections:

1. Inshorts – News in 60 words

The title says it all. With one of the simplest user interface out there, Inshorts offers the users with the news in the most precise and accurate manner. The news articles are stacked and can be viewed one after another by swiping up. The concise nature of content in the app helps the user stay updated with everything going around the world without getting bored, which the reader feels when going through long articles. The reader can also cover news from various sectors without having to spend a lot of time going through each of them.

2. Slide

This is a news app. An average user locks and unlocks his/her phone at least 100-200 times a day. The app banks on this simple activity. The app displays news excerpt on the lock screen. The user has a choice to swipe left and read the whole article or swipe right to continue to the home screen. The title of the article and the news is visible, which in itself, is enough to convey most of the story. This app can also help you stay on top of worldly events. In addition, the app gives 5 paisa every time the user unlocks the screen irrespective of, whether the user opens the article or not.

3. Vocabulary.com

This app’s purpose is evident in its name itself. The app helps the user improve and expand their vocabulary through word games and quizzes, which are quite addictive. Gamification, the concept of imparting knowledge through games, has been effectively used in this app. The app also helps you prepare for different standardised tests like SAT, TOEFL, GRE etc. as users can chose which exam they want to prepare for. The app covers everything related to any word, from its origin to pronunciation to meaning.

4. GK Current Affair SSC-IBPS-IAS

This app is designed with a special focus on Indian entrance exams. It is a complete exam preparation app, which offers everything a candidate might need for the exam, they are preparing for. There is a forum section where user can post question about any doubts regarding any topic they are preparing or answer any doubt question on the forum. The app has complete study material for entrance exams, which include – e-books, question banks etc. The user can also take mock tests to check the level of their preparation.

Kavach Chandra

[email protected]

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