25 January 2026

The list of all the format options of the gq command in vim?

In Vim, the
'formatoptions' setting controls how automatic text formatting is performed. It accepts a string of single-character flags, each enabling a specific behavior. You can view the current value in your Vim session with the command :set fo? or get a detailed explanation of all flags using the Vim help documentation via :help fo-table. 
The common and widely recognized formatoptions flags are:
  • t: Auto-wrap text at the width specified by the 'textwidth' option.
  • c: Auto-wrap comments at 'textwidth', automatically inserting the current comment leader character(s) (defined by 'comments' or 'commentstring').
  • q: Allow formatting with the gq operator.
  • r: Automatically insert the current comment leader after pressing <Enter> in Insert mode.
  • o: Automatically insert the current comment leader after pressing o or O in Normal mode.
  • n: Recognize numbered lists when formatting, using the pattern defined in 'formatlistpat'. This helps avoid joining list items into a single paragraph.
  • b: Auto-wrap text (backwards) when a line grows longer than 'textwidth'. The line is broken at the last white space before 'textwidth'.
  • v: Vi-compatible auto-wrapping (wraps at 'textwidth' in Insert mode).
  • j: Delete comment characters when joining lines using the J command.
  • l: Leave long lines as they are when entering Insert mode; only format if a line explicitly exceeds 'textwidth' due to typing.
  • m: Join with a space between the joined lines if there isn't one already.
  • p: Do not auto-wrap paste. When pasting text in Insert mode, do not apply auto-wrapping based on 'textwidth'.
  • u: Undo separate; make an undo command revert one line at a time instead of the entire paragraph formatting operation.
  • 2: Keep the indent of the second line when a paragraph is formatted (useful for some programming styles).
  • 1: Do not break a line after a single character (e.g., prevent single-letter words from being alone on the next line). 
  • a: Automatic formatting of paragraphs (changes are immediately reformatted). 
The default value is typically tcq. To add an option, you can use :set formatoptions+=<char>, and to remove one, use :set formatoptions-=<char>. 

Vim global command - how to apply 2 or more patterns?

:g/====\|----/-1p

Prints the line above all the lines with '====', and the line above all the lines with '----'

20 January 2026

How to convert a PDF file into a Markdown file or HTML file?

To convert a PDF into a Markdown file using the Python-based tool called Marker on Ubuntu, you need to set up the environment, install the
marker-pdf package, and then use the command-line interface. 
Prerequisites
Before installing Marker, ensure your Ubuntu system meets the following prerequisites:
  • Python: Version 3.10 or higher is required.
  • PyTorch: Marker needs PyTorch to run, as it relies on deep learning models.
  • System Libraries: You may need additional system libraries for advanced features like OCR with ocrmypdf or tesseract. 
Step-by-Step Guide
  1. Open your terminal on Ubuntu.
  2. Install system dependencies (optional, but recommended for full functionality, including OCR):
    bash
    # Install required apt packages
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install -y build-essential libssl-dev libffi-dev python3-dev
    # Install tesseract and ghostscript related dependencies
    sudo apt-get install -y libleptonica-dev libtesseract-dev pkg-config
    sudo apt-get install -y ocrmypdf ghostscript
    
  3. Create a virtual environment to avoid conflicts with other Python projects (recommended):
    bash
    python3 -m venv marker_env
    source marker_env/bin/activate
    
  4. Install PyTorch by following the instructions on the official PyTorch website for your specific system configuration (CPU or GPU). A typical CPU-only installation command might look like:
    bash
    pip install torch torchvision torchaudio
    
  5. Install Marker using pip. You can install the basic PDF package or the full version for other document types:
    bash
    # For PDF conversion only
    pip install marker-pdf
    
    # For full functionality (PDFs, images, etc.)
    # pip install 'marker-pdf[full]'
    
  6. Convert a PDF file to Markdown using the command line tool marker_single.

    $ marker_single /path/to/file.pdf  

    --output_format [markdown|json|html|chunks]: Specify the format for the output results.
    --output_dir PATH: Directory where output files will be saved. Defaults to the value specified in settings.OUTPUT_DIR.

    https://github.com/datalab-to/marker

How to recognise a song?

SongRec

How to sync files among different devices?

https://syncthing.net/

16 January 2026

transform a single HTML list into a double column layout using modern CSS methods

You can transform a single HTML list into a double column layout using modern CSS methods like
column-count (part of the CSS multi-column layout module), CSS Grid, or Flexbox. 
Method 1: Using column-count (Recommended for simple lists)
This is the simplest method and requires the least amount of CSS. The browser automatically breaks the list items into the specified number of columns as needed. 
HTML:
html
<ul class="two-columns">
  <li>Item 1</li>
  <li>Item 2</li>
  <li>Item 3</li>
  <li>Item 4</li>
  <li>Item 5</li>
  <li>Item 6</li>
  <li>Item 7</li>
  <li>Item 8</li>
</ul>
CSS:
css
.two-columns {
  column-count: 2; /* Specifies the number of columns */
  /* Optional: Adds a gap between columns */
  column-gap: 20px;
  /* Optional: keeps list items from breaking across columns (browser support varies) */
  break-inside: avoid; 
}
Method 2: Using CSS Grid
CSS Grid offers more control over the layout, especially for responsive design and managing equal column heights. 
HTML:
html
<div class="grid-container">
  <div>
    <ul>
      <li>Item 1</li>
      <li>Item 2</li>
      <li>Item 3</li>
      <!-- ... more items for the first column ... -->
    </ul>
  </div>
  <div>
    <ul>
      <li>Item 4</li>
      <li>Item 5</li>
      <li>Item 6</li>
      <!-- ... more items for the second column ... -->
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>
Note: This method is best if you can separate your list items into two distinct containers in your HTML structure. 
CSS:
css
.grid-container {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; /* Creates two equal-width columns */
  gap: 20px; /* Adds spacing between columns */
}
Method 3: Using Flexbox
Flexbox is also a great option, particularly when managing how items wrap and display on different screen sizes. 
HTML:
(Same as Method 1, applying the class to the <ul> element) 
CSS:
css
.two-columns {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column; /* Stacks items vertically first */
  flex-wrap: wrap; /* Allows items to wrap into a new column */
  height: 200px; /* A fixed height is required for flex-wrap to work in this way */
}

.two-columns li {
  width: 50%; /* Each item takes up 50% width to create two columns */
}
Note: The fixed height can be an issue if the content is dynamic. The column-count method is often better suited for dynamic list lengths. 
For more examples and information, the MDN Web Docs and CSS-Tricks Flexbox Guide are excellent resources. 

09 January 2026

Automatically reminds me when recipient did not reply in a week

Google Workspace itself doesn’t have a built-in feature to automatically remind you (the sender) to follow up if the recipient doesn’t reply—but you can achieve this using a combination of Gmail features and Google Calendar or third-party tools. Here’s how you can set it up:


✅ Option 1: Use Gmail + Google Calendar (Manual but Reliable)


1. Send your email as usual.

2. Right after sending, create a Google Calendar event:

   - Title: “Follow up with [Customer Name] – Payment Reminder”

   - Set the date/time for 7 days from now.

   - Add a description with a link to the sent email (copy the URL from Gmail—see tip below).

3. Enable notifications for the event (e.g., email or pop-up 15 minutes before).


💡 Tip: To get a direct link to your sent email in Gmail:

- Open the email in your “Sent” folder.

- Click the three-dot menu → “Copy link to message” (you may need to enable this in Gmail Labs first, or use a workaround like noting the subject/date).


✅ ** Option 2: Use Gmail’s “Nudge” Feature (Limited Control)**


Gmail has a built-in “Nudge” feature that can remind you about important emails you’re waiting on—but it only works if the conversation is in your inbox (not Sent mail), and it’s not fully customizable.


To try:

- After sending the email, BCC yourself or ask the customer to reply (so their reply keeps the thread in your inbox).

- Gmailmight auto-nudge you if there’s no reply in a few days—but this isn’t guaranteed or precise.


✅ Option 3: Use a Free Third-Party Tool (Recommended for Reliability)


Tools like Boomerang for Gmail (boomeranggmail.com) let you:

- Schedule a follow-up reminder only if the recipient doesn’t reply.

- Set it right from your compose window.


Steps with Boomerang:

1. Install the Boomerang extension for Chrome.

2. After composing your payment reminder email, click “Boomerang” → “Remind me if no reply”.

3. Choose 1 week → Done!


Boomerang offers ~10 free reminders/month—enough for occasional use.


Summary

- For simple & free: Use Google Calendar with a manual reminder.

- For automated & smart: Try Boomerang for Gmail.


Would you like step-by-step instructions for any of these options?


Step-by-step instructions for boomerang, please 


Absolutely! Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to using Boomerang for Gmail to remind you to follow up only if your customer doesn’t reply within a week.


🛠️ Step 1: Install Boomerang for Gmail


1. Open Google Chrome (Boomerang works best as a Chrome extension).

2. Go to the Boomerang for Gmail website or the Chrome Web Store page.

3. Click “Add to Chrome” → “Add extension”.

4. Once installed, you’ll see a small Boomerang icon (↩️) in your Gmail compose window.


✅ You’ll need to sign up for a free Boomerang account the first time you use it. The free plan includes 10 “remind me if no reply” messages per month—perfect for occasional reminders like this.


✉️ Step 2: Compose Your Payment Reminder Email


1. In Gmail, click “Compose”.

2. Write your email as usual:

   - To: your.customer@example.com  

   - Subject: Friendly Reminder: Outstanding Invoice #123  

   - Body: Include payment details, due date, and a polite request.


⏰ Step 3: Set Up the “Remind Me If No Reply” Feature


1. With your email ready (but before clicking Send), look for the Boomerang button at the bottom of the compose window. It looks like a curved arrow: ↩️  

  (If you don’t see it, refresh Gmail or check that the extension is enabled.)

2. Click the Boomerang button.

3. From the dropdown, select:  

   “Remind me if no reply…”

4. Choose the time frame:  

   → Select “In 1 week” (or pick a custom date/time if needed).

5. Click “Boomerang” (or “Set”).


✅ That’s it! Boomerang will:

- Send your email immediately.

- Monitor your inbox for a reply from that customer.

- If no reply arrives within 7 days, Boomerang will resurface the email in your inbox with a notification so you can follow up.


🔔 What Happens Next?


- If the customer replies before 7 days: Nothing happens—you won’t get a reminder.

- If they don’t reply: On day 8, the original email (with your sent message and any replies) will reappear in your inbox with a note like“Boomerang: Following up on this message.”


You can then send a stronger reminder, call them, or take next steps.


💡 Pro Tips


- You can edit or cancel pending Boomerang reminders by clicking the Boomerang icon in the top right of Gmail → “Pending” tab.

- Use “Snooze” (another Boomerang feature) to temporarily remove non-urgent emails from your inbox and bring them back later.


Let me know if you’d like help drafting a polite payment reminder email template too!