Some simple dev setups on Mac developer machine

 Install HomeBrew on Mac:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

==> Next steps:

- Run these two commands in your terminal to add Homebrew to your PATH:

    (echo; echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"') >> /Users/mfaiz/.zprofile

    eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

- Run brew help to get started

- Further documentation:

Install NodeJs:

brew install node@20

If you need to have node@20 first in your PATH, run:

  echo 'export PATH="/opt/homebrew/opt/node@20/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc

For compilers to find node@20 you may need to set:

  export LDFLAGS="-L/opt/homebrew/opt/node@20/lib"

  export CPPFLAGS="-I/opt/homebrew/opt/node@20/include"

# verifies the right Node.js version is in the environment

node -v 

# verifies the right npm version is in the environment

npm -v 

In case node command etc not working then link it using following command:

% brew link node@20

Create React App:

npx create-react-app little-billi

cd my-app

npm start

If you've previously installed create-react-app globally via npm install -g create-react-app, we recommend you uninstall the package using npm uninstall -g create-react-app or yarn global remove create-react-app to ensure that npx always uses the latest version.

When npm starts the server, Then open http://localhost:3000/ to see your app.

When you’re ready to deploy to production, create a minified bundle with npm run build.

Meanwhile in browser you could see:

What is BHIM App? Android Payments App in India for Unified Payment Interface (UPI)

The Bharat Interface for Money (Bhim) app was launched on 30 December by PM, India.The app is developed by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) and uses Unified Payment Interface (UPI) for the transactions. The app is very simple to use, has a clean interface and incorporates multiple security features. Industry stakeholders have called the app a gamechanger when it comes to the ease of making cashless payments in India. However, the application faced extremely high server loads on launch day.

As explained on the Google Android Playstore, BHIM is an initiative to enable fast, secure, reliable cashless payments through your mobile phone. BHIM is interoperable with other Unified Payment Interface (UPI) applications, and bank accounts. BHIM is developed by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). BHIM is made in India and dedicated to the service of the nation.



How does it work - BHIM usage guide:


Register your bank account with BHIM, and set a UPI PIN for the bank account. Your mobile number is your payment address (PA), and you can simply start transacting. Yes! It is that simple.


Send / Receive Money: Send money to or receive money from friends, family and customers through a mobile number or payment address. Money can also be sent to non UPI supported banks using IFSC and MMID. You can also collect money by sending a request and reverse payments if required.


Check Balance: You can check your bank balance and transactions details on the go.


Custom Payment Address: You can create a custom payment address in addition to your phone number.


QR Code: You can scan a QR code for faster entry of payment addresses. Merchants can easily print their QR Code for display.


Transaction Limits: Maximum of Rs. 10,000 per transaction and Rs. 20,000 within 24 hours.


Which Banks support BHIM App?
What all Banks support are inter-operable with UPI?

Supported Banks are listed as follows. This information is sourced from the App description itself:
- Allahabad Bank
- Andhra Bank
- Axis Bank
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Catholic Syrian Bank
- Central Bank of India
- DCB Bank
- Dena Bank
- Federal Bank
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Bank
- IDBI Bank
- IDFC Bank
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- IndusInd Bank
- Karnataka Bank
- Karur Vysya Bank
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Oriental Bank of Commerce
- Punjab National Bank
- RBL Bank
- South Indian Bank
- Standard Chartered Bank
- State Bank of India
- Syndicate Bank
- Union Bank of India
- United Bank of India
- Vijaya Bank


Features lacking in BHIM App and other Security Concerns with BHIM App:

Presently, Languages supported are Hindi and English. More languages have to come soon to support regional languages of India. Also, there are many initial pain-points in the App that are listed as following:

We should revisit the transaction Limits: (Presently it is Maximum of Rs. 10,000 per transaction and Rs. 20,000 within 24 hours.)

Some have reported that the App is only useful if you have a debit card The app has good intentions and i appreciate it. To register an account under upi, the app forces one to enter partial details of the debit card details. I consider this as a requirement gap.

Some say that it is waste of time and stucks or hangs at many places

Security concerns are there. Undoubtedly, it needs PCI clearance and has to scale good on OWASP threat scales. Presently, there is no clear documentation describing these fine details. IT savvy folks are presently not joining the BHIM revolution.


As a conclusion, I would say that it is a good start. More focus should be given on security. And, also since the App is majorly controlled by government officials, proper business continuity plans and threat mitigation units shall be setup. For a proper success, we should be good on security scales as we are not so strong on the corruption index ;)

All in all, Congratulations for the Banks and NPCI to come up with this App. For easier and seamless Payments systems and a boost in digital market, initiatives like these shall be the corner stones. Lets wish the App and initiative the best of luck. May we prosper. May we excel.

Cheers :)

For more information: visit https://upi.npci.org.in/static/faq/en_US/

Install and Launch Postman API Testing App in Chrome

The Postman is a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel by David Brin. Oh! come on! I am talking about Postman - The tool for Web API Testing. Postman is a Google Chrome app for interacting with HTTP APIs. It presents you with a friendly GUI for constructing requests and reading responses.

This post is related to the installation steps and way to launch the app in your browser.



1. How to Install Postman API Testing Tool. Where to get it:

Steps:
Search Google "Postman Tool". You will get the link. Or dircetly go to Chrome store at https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/postman/fhbjgbiflinjbdggehcddcbncdddomop?hl=en

On the RHS there is Install button. You can click that. And, it will add 'Postman' App in your browser. Once done, the button will become Green saying 'Launch App'

See below:

2. Verify if the Postman App is installed on Chrome

Steps:
Launch the extension Manager in chrome
Shortcut URL: chrome://extensions/
You can check that Postman is there.

See below:

3. How to launch Postman App in Chrome

Steps:
Launch the App launcher. You can separately install another app which acts as launcher to App
But here is a short way too. Which i personally prefer:
Go to Chrome App:
URL: chrome://apps/

See below:

Click Postman to launch it.
The App will open up.

See below:

Now enjoy ;)

Image/Photo Editor for Samsung Bada OS

Bada, meaning "ocean" or "sea" in Korean, an operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers. Owned and developed by Samsung Electronics. Samsung is possibly considering releasing the source code under an open-source license. This may increase its usage.

Till now all Bada-powered devices are branded under the Wave name. Readers please do make a note of another fact also that Samsung's Android-powered devices are branded under the name Galaxy. ( Worth to mention, I use Samsung Galaxy Note and I just love it!! I have used Nokia E Series and Blackberry, but this Galaxy note is just superb. )

It has been found that Image editors are a big problem with Bada OS phones. Seems like it is not actually bundled with the package. There is actually a project called "IMAGEEDITOR" in Samsung Bada developers forum. See Samsung Image Editor Project. But it is not yet complete.

So, here comes the list of some softwares you can use at this time:

A. Franklin's Instant Photo Effects 2.0
Size:82.2 MB | License:Trial version
This software is  the fastest and easiest way to apply some nice effects to your photos.

B. Amazing Photo Editor 7.9.2
Size:2.7 MB | License:Trial version
A powerful and easy-to-use image editor used for image processing. Offers 33 different effects.

C. Photo Editor Software 3.32
Size:983.46Kb | License:Freeware

D. ColorTorch 
Great editing with ColorTorch. It is not a full photo-editing app: it only provides a partial colorizing effect. But even so it does its job so well. UI is very easy. Size is just 0.8 MB

E. Splendid Editor http://www.splendideffects.com/
The most common and efficient image editor for Bada OS 2.0. Has over 30 photo filters and edits image upto 3.2 mega pixels.
Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VxSZUnzauE
Watch http://www.youtube.com/user/SplendidEffects

F. You can also download free image editor from:
http://badahub.com/2012/02/splendid-effects-free-from-today.html


Please notice that I have seen the usage of these softwares. But I am not the maker of these softwares nor the quality analyst. Please download from genuine internet websites and use with your risk. Cheers!! And do write your feedback of these softwares. And hope Samsung comes with its own editor soon.

Mohd Anwar Jamal Faiz

Facebook Friends Phone Directory Print

Now this is a realy really awesome tool by Facebook itself. You can access it here:
http://www.facebook.com/friends/edit/?sk=phonebook

To make it specific, if you are logged into your Facebook Account, you can visit the above page to take you to the Telephone directory of your friends. To test you can Click to Get Facebook Friends Telephone Directory

You can print this too ;)

Facebook Friend Collage thumbnail pictures

I have found a hidden [actually not so advertised and well known] Facebook feature. It is the ability to view your friends as a grid of profile pictures.

Here's how to make it happen:

1: Log in to your Facebook account.
2: Click the Friends tab.
3: Select the drop-down box. Choose list separator indicated by (-) or grid option there.

Visual Help: Checkout the screenshot. Click on image to enlarge it.



Result:
You shall get a good collage of your entire friends list. The thumbnails photos are arranged in a grid fashion.

Facebook Application Icebreaker by Mohd Anwar Faiz. Do we actually need an Icebreaker Tool? [motivate suggest friends to talk and spread love]

To give a background, Icebreaker is a Facebook Application. IceBreaker is the cute way to spread love and friendship by motivating communication between your friends!!

You ca use the *IceBreaker App* to request your Friend 1 and Friend2 to 'Break the Ice' and Talk with each other. Both of your friends will be informed about your kind gesture on their Facebook Wall. Literally, the phrase 'Break the Ice' means to break down social or emotional stiffness and start talking.

You can visit Icebreaker App on Facebook.Icebreaker App on Facebook. This link may require you to be logged into your Facebbok account. This Application is envisioned, designed, and authored by Mohd Anwar Jamal Faiz. No need to mention, its Me. Cheers ;)

Icebreaker Application is hosted on meonshow servers, as this is a product from the owners of Meonshow. To visit directly the Icebreaker page on Meonshow servers Click hereThis will ask to login through your facebook credentials, if you are not logged in yet.

Now coming back to the question Do we actually need an Icebreaker Tool... I guess this is as trivial question as to ask do we really need to be good. Or keeping it simple, do we really need to advise our friends to talk. I guess, it is an absolute yes. We need to tell our friends that they have not been talking to each other for long. The causes may vary from job, work pressures, family issues, or it can even be as small as forgetting. Whatever be the cause, your request of talking among themselves will be a boost, a reminder to them. This will mature your relations with your friends and also they would start sharing thoughts with each other. Afterall, this is what is life. And this is what Facebook stands for.

You can view this discussion at the official Icebreaker Application discussions page too. Click Here for Icebreaker facebook Discussions Page