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CSIT1110 was a pretty all encompassing, basic, computer science crash course. We started with learning binary which turned out to be a little easier than I would have expected.  We used something called an assembly language simulator which turned out to be a little harder than I expected. This simulator is basically showing how a computer processes information with the basic hardware. The concept was simple but I could not figure out how to successfully navigate the program.

The project I took the most from and plan on pursuing more in my own time, was the HTML project. We wrote a website from scratch. Learning out to do this caught my attention and now am teaching myself HTML and other web designing code. I would have to say the project I had the most fun doing was the Scratch project. Scratch was a 2d object-oriented program in which you could make a program. I had used Sony ACID and the help of some friends to record some sounds.

The section about computer security and hacking was also a very informative section. Learning about different methods people use in hacking and also how frighteningly simple it can be. People can use tools like keyloggers or just common sense or manipulation to get private information. This came at a good time too, because the Sarah Palin email hacking trial was going on so it gave a real-world example that could be applied to the lesson.

I really enjoyed learning about the TED conference. A conference where people come together to share new ideas and inventions.  That is something that I will now keep track of and watch any videos of the conferences that may surface.

There was quiet a bit more information taught that I had learned from this class but these were some of the highlights of MY CSIT1110 experience. A student would be so lucky to have classmates and an instructor like the ones I have had this past semester. It was a pleasure working with everyone and being in a class that never could get boring.

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I have an xbox 360 which is my primary gaming platform. Pretty much the only game I participate in at the moment is Call of Duty Black Ops. I was a fan of Street Fighter but am only a minimal gamer. I used to play the old starcraft and up to Warcraft 3 but never did get into World of Warcraft. Playing COD can be rewarding for stress relief and as a game, everytime you kill someone online, you get points and level up which I feel make the game a very fun thing to play. One of my favorite games ever, and it sounds lame, is a PSP game called Monster Hunter. They are just about to release a new one in Japan. This game is very rewarding because if you have friends with PSP, the game has an excellent co-op. The only downfall is that the whole game is in real-time which can end up consuming quite a bit of time. I can’t figure 0ut how to get an avatar picture on here but my xbox live account is Rogclaudevandam

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This week we learned about Artificial Intelligence which makes me wonder alot about the medical future. If we could have programs or robots or even nano robots that could be more advanced and effective than a doctor in finding medical issues. With that being said I also can’t help but wonder what the future in gaming will hold. Or what future technologies will show from gaming in the real world. We finished up the Robotics work this week which the task this time was a little harder than the previous week. It was difficult to get the robot to back up and turn around.

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Learning about hacking made me think about how insecure my computer could possibly be.

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I had alot of fun with html. This section actually made me want to change my major to web design. I would like to take more classes to learn php. A friend of mine named Bruce Morris wrote a book on html back in the Windows 95 days called HTML in Action. After working on this project I decided to read a little bit of it and it turns out not too much has changed. More code and capabilities have been added.

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After doing this project I realized how difficult it can be working with other people. Everyone thinks they know what they are doing and no one listens to one another.

Working with the Mindstorm robots reminded me of using Scratch in a way. The programming of the robot was very similar. We found a site that explained a good way to get the robot to follow the line at a decent speed.

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I enjoyed the scratch project, however, when I uploaded my project it compressed some files and changed a thing or two on my project. I used Sony ACID to record some sounds but most I found either in scratch or online. I had some friends donate their vocal chords for the good of this project. Redneck Baby Machine is just a crack on society and over population. The Pall Mall, you could say, is natures balance for alot of these people.

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Scratch is a fun way to learn programming. After starting it I almost wish that I had more time with Scratch to do more with it. I was wanting to take my time and make something clever but I am going to do what I can. I was wanting to just make an animation, although I would like to do something a little more interactive. Scratch seems to be pretty easy to use, just place the commands in the script after selecting characters, backgrounds, and costumes.

The thing that stuck out to me the most about Randy Pausch’s speech is how comfortable he seemed to almost kid around about his terminal condition. How at peace with the knowledge of his death he was. He seemed to really care about education. A man who truly had a passion for his work and what he did.

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The simulator was a little hard for me to get to work. I understood the premise but I could never get to do some of the things the quiz asked me to do. So for the 3 quiz questions that pertained directly to using the ALS I just guessed and happened to get 2 out of 3 correct. It did help show how a computer works in relation to the hard drive, ram, and processor.

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The computer I would build would be built for music recording and production.

1. The motherboard- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121372 I don’t know too much about this I just needed one that would take an i7 processor.
2. processor – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115066 I like the i7 processors and 32 bit should be sufficient. That and I have always had good luck with intel.
3. Case – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119230 (Case includes USB/Firewire/Stock audio card) This case had alot of things in it including power and firewire which is absolutely necessary for recording.
4. hard drive – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136313 I just picked this one for the space it comes with.
5. RAM – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104118 I just want as much RAM as possible, especially to keep the latency from the interface low so recording tracks will be pleasant.
6. Video Card – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477 This just looked like a video card that would stay up to date for quite a while.
7. Audio Card – (on case but refer to 14)
8. CD/DVD – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151199 I like this mostly for the blu-ray
9. Card Reader – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223103 I like being able to put my cards straight into the computer.
10. Monitor – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001423 This monitor has HDMI and a TV tuner. Why not?
11. Mouse – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826104356 I have this mouse currently and am very partial to it.
12. Keyboard – http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126034 I don’t have a special reason for choosing a keyboard I just need one.
13. Speakers – http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/M-Audio-Studiophile-AV-40-Powered-Reference-Speaker-System-pair?sku=600092 I liked these because my midi controller is from M-Audio and will be powered via interface.
14. Interface/Mixer – http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-StudioLive-24.4.2-Digital-Mixer?sku=485770 This mixer couples as an interface with firewire to reduce latency for a perfect recording. I currently have a usb presonus interface with no mixer and this one will blow it out of the water.
15. Microphone – http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Shure-SM57-Mic-with-Cable-Stand?sku=485304 I would probably purchase a few of these. I have one currently and if you ask anyone with a studio, this dynamic microphone is a studio staple. Great sound.
16. MIDI Controller – http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/M-Audio-Oxygen-61-USB-MIDI-Controller?sku=423009 I have the Oxygen 49 and this is just a step up with 12 extra keys and faders for additional mixing.
17. OS – Windows 7 32 bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116752 The 32 bit to match the processor.
18. Studio Software – Cakewalk http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Cakewalk-SONAR-8.5-Studio?sku=707027 An incredibly innovative studio program with fantastic editing capabilities compatible with noted interface/mixer.

19. Producer software – http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product    /Propellerhead-Reason-5?sku=H14117 I use reason right now and this is the latest version. With Reason and Cakewalk being different brands and companies there is a perk called ReWire where I can control reason through cakewalk so I can add instrument and vocals as needed.

I would start with the motherboard and install the processor. Then I would put the motherboard in the case. I would then put the all the RAM in. After that, I would put the hard drive in and the cd/dvd drive. Shortly thereafter I would put in the video card and the card reader. After attaching the monitor, I would then turn it on and if I were lucky it would run smooth enough for me to install the OS and the other recording/producing software. Firewire the interface and run the necessary software. Plug the mics in, kick on the amps, and write some tunes!

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