bfcarson's blog

Just wanted to add another quick note about the robot lab.  I have to say again, I wished that when I was a kid we had these kinds of robot toys to learn and play with.  I thought it was really cool working with my group Thursday, and getting the robot to actually do the course.  Now that the assignment is technically complete, the time in Tuesday’s lab is really going to be “play” time.  We got it to work, but now we are going to try and make it do some other things.  I really can say that this is the first timeI had a class where I got to have “fun” playing in class!  This exercise actually got me to thinking why I did not understand intro to JAVA, I could not get it into my head you have to have a plan and tell each step exactly what to do.  With the robot you got the chance to see what you were programming.  It just made it easier to visualize.  Guess I’m outta here for now.  Later.

Artificial intelligence.  This topic went into many more areas than I really ever took the time to think about.  I always thought the idea was really cool, having a robot, or computer that could make decisions on its own.  Now I think that I will step back and just rethink that notion.  Some would already say that computers already do think for themselves, and to a degree, they do.  Now it looks like it is back to the old statement of just what defines intelligent life, or even life itself.  I don’t know if we as humans are ready to accept artificial intelligent machines, as something other than just a machine.  This reminded me of a movie that came out back in 2001, “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” by Steven Spielberg.  I did not really care for the movie, but loved the concept.  I do think that this movie shows that people really are not ready to evolve to consider machines to be anything but a machine.  I used to be one of those people who thought that is technology would be much farther along than it already is, but never thought of the complexity in the programming.  The exampleDr. Brown gave in class showing us the marker in one direction,  then changing the orientation of the object and we still knew what it was.  We only knew what it was due to the many years of learning what things are and what they do.  We as humans can anticipate a response, where as with a computer every rule has to be spelled out.  I was just amazed at how the robot could recognize the objects.  For me, this topic is something that I plan to do a little more research with.  I am curious about the possibility of creating an artificial neural network just like the way our brain works.  It still makes me step back and wonder will this happen?

I just have one thing to say about the Lego robots, and that is kids these days have it made.  These “toys” were, and are too cool.  If I was not unemployed I would buy one to play with at home.  The hands on experience is the best way to learn.  I used to watch the maintenance guys at my old job work on the the robots on the production lines and they programmed them basically the same way we did in the lab.  This is something that I think that I could really get into, building a better “bot”.  This is one time when I wished that we had more time to “play” in the lab.  I have a friend that lives in Florida that has a robot, like the Rumba, that mows his grass.  We got to watch it work this past summer and it really was pretty cool.  I told him that he needed to “rent” it out to his neighbors for some extra cash.  There’s the phone, gotta get off here.  Billy out.

Once again, I did not see the correct due date for this blog entry and I’m late.  Alice…..I thought it was pretty cool, but for me my issue is that there is too much freedom in this project.  For some that would be great, but I am one of those types of people that need structure.  That is, I need to know exactally what needs to be done.  I have spent many, many hours on  this project, and have changed it so many times that just about drove me completely crazy.  I am still not happy and still do not have a clear plan as to where I really wanted to go.  I would say that I am not like some of my friends who can improvise a sketch on a moments notice.  You should see some of the stuff on YouTube we have done, but I’m just not the creative one out of the bunch.  I did however pass the software along to my niece, who truly loved playing with it, and you may get to  meet her in the fall.  I guess I need to get off here, and will be back soon.  Cheers.

Here I am again, and hope everyone is doing well.  This is the second blog entry for HTML programming.   This one is a little late, due to I did not catch the due date, but here it goes anyways. After playing around a little bit more with the page, I went online and found several other tags that can be used other than the basics we saw in class.  I tried to redo my version to add tables, but it got to the point that I was running out of time to figure out just how to make it work the way I wanted.  With that, I will continue “playing” with it long after this assignment.  The thing that I most agree with Dr. Brown about building the page from “scratch” is that it true if you don’t know how to do it yourself, how can you tell a computer or anyone esle how to build it?  I guess I had better get off here.  Later.

I did find this section to be very interesting.  The whole idea of all these people gathering together to lean from each other to end up creating some of the largest computer companies was pretty cool.   As I read the comics, Kevin Mitnick came back into memory.  I did remember when this actually happened.  I really do think he did get a “bad” wrap for what he had done.  I can remember when my best friend got his first modem, a blazing 3300 baud rate.  It seemed like it was just a competition as to who could get the latest technology.  I trumped his with the 9600 baud.  We actually tried to “prowl” around at the NASA, as well as others doing the same thing, to see if they really did know anything about extra terrestrials.  We never really found out much, but we were able to access some of their files.  I would like to know a little more  about my pc security, I run really good software and a tough firewall but howdo I really know that it is working?  At times I put out a lot of information about myself out there, online banking, shopping, unemployment status.   I just hope that  the software really works.  I do plan on doing a little bit more research on this subject, just for my own curisioty.  Guess I’m outta here for now.

It has been a very long time since that I designed a web page and never really from “scratch”.  The biggest problem that I seemed to have with putting everything together was forgeting to put in the “end” tag.  It took a few tries to realize that I am the one telling the page just what to display and not something working in the background filling in the blanks.  I have looked around for different “tags” to implement sound to my site and don’t really  know if it is a good thing, due to copy right infringements and such.  So much for the “good old days”.  It’s not like I am trying to make a profit, just want to share what I like with all who may visit the site.

The second hardest part of the overall design is that you really do have to plan out just what you want to dispaly.  I have changed everything so many times it is not even funny.  I started over, actually putting everything down on paper first to make a good layout, to make it flow better.  This time I think that I will try to use the table tags to split up my text and links to other sites.   I just know that here it is again Sunday afternoon and I’m starting over as usual. Maybe this version will look better.

This one is kind of short, but as you can see I am running short on time once again to complete another project.   Later for now.

I thought I would add to my post, and this exericse was actually more “fun” than I had orginally thought.  With the servers being down due to the electronics upgrades I got to  play around a little bit more with the assignment than normal.  I really did not use all the tricks to make it stand out, but in my opinion, less actually is more.  I found no need to put up “bold” headings and such.  I felt it was not actually needed for what I had to say.  I just wanted to put out there just a little something about me, “campy” or not it is who I am after all.   I’m outta here again, since no one looks at this any ways.  Chill

billy

Billy

Hello all, I’m finally getting over this “bug” I have had all weeked long.  I tried last week to update this post but as most already know this site  was down.

Pseudo-Computer, this was a new experience for me.  I like to have never figured out how to make it work.  It was not until Dr. Brown said “computers are really stupid  machines”.  This meaning that you really do have to tell them exactally what to do and when.  I tried putting in my programs as if it already knew what I was anticipating it to do.  Boy was I wrong.  Especially when I tried to make it count up to 100, and I hope that I did that one correct, but using both registers to keep a count for the loop to terminate when it got to zero.

Knowing this, Ihope it will give me a little more insight into higher level programming, as I am taking Java also this semester.   I am having some difficulties, but when compared to all the steps for assembly language, it should come a little bit easier now I hope.  I will say that after I got to “play around with it, and reading some of the other posts, it was pretty cool to finally make it do what I had wanted it to do. 

I guess I had better get off here and prepare for the exam on Thursday.

To build you own PC is not really that hard.  First you need to get a list of the items you are going to need to assemble the final product.  For less than $1700, you can build a very nice machine that is going to last a lot longer than the “off the shelf” purchase at Best Buy.

First you going to have to decide on a case:  I would choose the ‘Cooler master Cosmos 1000, at this link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138.  This case has cooling fans include, not the greatest, but included.  It also has numerous expansions slots, and lots of ports on the front to keep from having to plug everything up in the back.

Next, it time to look for a mother board.  I would choose the ASUS Xtreme phase with SLI, Crossfire, and Turbo V.  It is Intel X58 compatible and is core I7 , with memory expansion up to 24GB.  Here is a link to get further specs, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131365.

After you have decided on the mother board, it is CPU time.  I am an “Intel” guy, only due to the fact that I have had, a know several people who use the “AMD” and for me the Intel processor is still faster.  I would choose the I7 quad core 3.06 GHz.  It has 4 x 256Kb L2 cache, and8MB L3.  It has hyperthreading capability and 64-bit processing, if needed.  Power consumption is a bit shady.  Here is a link to this processor, it also comes with a cooler.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211.

Now on the list is the optical drive.  I have to say that, as for me I’m particular and want a Blu Ray drive.  This one by LG will compare to many of the standard drives on  the market, but it is a bit pricey at $179.00.  I love my Blu Ray player, gen 1 here.  My dad is so cool when it comes to new gadget at Christmas.  Again, here is a link to this player, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136164.

Ram is already starting to stir in the back of most peoples’ minds so here is what I would buy to add to mine.  It is made by GSkill, and it is the Ripjaws series. 240 pin, DDR3 SDRAM, 4GB 2×2, dual channel kit, and has a heat spreader included.  You have to have this, due to it runs so hot.  Here is the link, at $99 bucks, this is a good buy.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231281.   I know this does not seem like a lot of memory these days, buy it is getting cheaper every month, so all you have to do is upgrade later, when you need it.  Cost savings.

Getting a hard drive is next.  I currently have over 1 TB of hard disk space at home.  Music, video, and school take a lot of space these days.  I can remember back when I got my first PC with 350MB, and friends said I would never fill it up, yeah right.  I would choose the Samsung Spinpoint 1TB 3s SATA 3.0 Gb/s @ 7200rpm.  I already know that I currently have more, but this is internal.  Most of mine is external storage.  It’s only $74.99, what a bargain.  Here is the link, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185.

Now this is the biggie, power supply.  I’ve had to replace mine twice.  Graphics, ouch.  I would go with the Antec EA750Wt.  It is already 2.3 SLI certified and Crossfire ready.  It is also at a bargain at $94.99, just barely fits into the case I would buy.  Here is the link, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026.

Finally, the almighty graphics card.  This is where I’m lacking.  I not a big “gamer” like I used to be.  Had to grow up a little.  This is the card I would get to go with this system.  It is a EVGA GeForece GTX, with896MB DDR3 PCI express.  It has a core clock of 633MHz, and 240 processor cores.  It is Direct X 10 and open GL 3.0.  It is SlI ready, and has a fan included as well.  It also has 2 DVI ports, and HDTV out.  Here is the link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026.

I know this seems a bit geared towards “Newegg.com” but I have bought a lot of products from them, and have never been unsatisfied.  Therefore, I’m gonna plug the site for this assignment.

Now that the parts list has been established, it is time to put everything together.  It will not take that long to do.  All you have to do is put out your case, in a location that is easily accessible.  Be sure that you are grounded at all times while working with the components, you don’t want to have any static electricity around the components.   This would be bad.  Install the mother board, it only fits one way into the case, and screw it down.  Let this be the precursor to the rest of the components, mostly, they all fit just one way.  Now get the CPU, do not touch the gold pins, and install it into the mother board.  Be sure to lock down the clamp that keeps in place.  Now is the time to install the memory, “ram”, keep the notches lined up.  Now install the back board, this is where the mouse, keyboard, usb ports are located in the  back.  Next install the hard drive, sometimes it is easier to remove the front cover and put it back on after installation, don’t forget to make sure the fan is in the lower right corner.  Now it is time for the optical drive, similar to the hard drive install.  Make sure everything is bolted down tight.  Now plug in the power button, reset, and hard  drive light connections.  Be sure that you keep the wires correct for polarity on the hard drive light, it could cause damage.  The colored wire is the one that is positive.   Next plug up all usb, fire-wire, and audio connectors.  Now it is time to finish plugging up the power supply, only use the connections for what you have to install.  It comes with extra cables.  Plug in the video card, making sure you use the PCI express connection.  Last, but not least, plug in the fans.  They are very important in keeping everything cool.  Install the OS and drivers to make sure everything is working correctly.  If so, now it is time to shut it down, take everything apart to do a better job a wire placement.  Such a waste of time if something is not working right,  hum.  This process seems like a lot of work, but it really is not.  Have fun and build your own machine.  If I had a job I would love to build this PC.  Happy computing.

Billy

Hello all.

I was really surprised how easy working with Binary numbers is, coming from someone who has never worked with them before.   As I was doing the problems in the book, I seemed to make it harder than it actually is.

I really found it interesting how the ASCII  chart works, I always wondered how just by using the keyboard to type and just how the computer knew what letter to display.    I also found it interesting as to just how information is stored on a computer.  I knew it was all “1’s” and “0’s”, but really didn’t know just what that meant.  Over all what I have been learning is very interesting, and is helping me with my other class, Java programming.

It may  sound “cheesy” but I do enjoy this class.