Lies & Goals

Yeah, I know. I said in my last post I'd post again that night about something I forgot about. I lied. I got lazy and sat around doing nothing. Oh well, onto today's post.

I wanted to share a few summer goals with whoever reads this. Why? Who knows. Maybe so if I don't complete them I can look at the post at the end of the summer in shame (read: apathy). So what are my goals for the summer?

Goal: Re-learn PHP
Why: Two reasons. One, I plan on taking a web programming course at some point in my remaining college career, so I figure I'd have an edge if I already knew the language taught. Two, I'm the webmaster (read: Spiderman) of the Sketch Comedy group I'm in, and I want to convert the entire site to PHP because, frankly, it's a lot cleaner/easier/not shitty.

Goal: Learn Actionscript 3 & Flash
Why: I'm on a programming team for a video game my friend game up with. The game is done in Flash. So in order to program the game, I need to know the language and platform.

Goal: Learn some German
Why: I've been meaning to do this since last summer. I have Rosetta Stone and three levels of German sitting on my hard drive not doing anything. So I figure I learn some. I'm not going attempt to learn German fluently, since I have a lot to do this summer anyway.

Goal: Build a server
Why: To be more specific, a server for the campus television station (read: SITTV) that I'm currently System Administrator for. As soon as the parts come in I'm building it.

Goal: Upgrade my desktop computer
Why: I usually have some money from my internships set aside for something nice. I figure I upgrade my computer. Currently it has: 4 GB DDR2 RAM, AMD Athlon x64 II Dual Core 3.0 GHz processor, GeoForce 9500 GT nvidia card, and some gigabyte mobo (read: motherboard) that matches. I plan on upgrading to: 8GB DDR3 RAM, Phenom II Black edition Six core 3.2 GHz processor, new vid card with better specs, mobo to match. Hopefully it'll improve my computer greatly.

That's it for the summer. I have a few other goals that should be a given, so I'm not going to describe them (e.g. surviving my summer internship).

Possible future topics:
E3 Review
Computer Science Jobs

When will I post about them? In 2 seconds (read: maybe sometime that isn't now).

~Rob

One Year Later

Whoa, it's been a whole year since anyone has posted anything on this blog? Not to mention it's been over a year since I've posted. Sheesh. Oh well, not a big deal.

So topic of this post: Roommate tips.

I've compiled a list of tops for being a good roommate. They're useful, use them.

Now I'm not saying I strictly follow all of these. I don't. I occasionally forget to do some of this. Sometimes 'occasionally' turns into 'always.' Forgive me, it happens. I still think these are great "Rules of thumb" to follow when being a roommate.

1. Do not use something that belongs to your roommate(s) without asking


2. If you all put money in for food, don't randomly go out and buy food without telling them


3. Don't ask your roommate(s) to buy something that they don't or won't use


4. Label or list the things your bringing to the room/apartment


5. Ask your roommate(s) if a friend can stay over being asking the friend


6. Inform your roommate(s) of "Special visits."


7. Follow the golden rule, be nice

"But Rob, could you explain these rules for us?" Sure.

1. Even if you have agreed to share everything, ask first. Your roommate(s) may have forgotten about something they don't want to share. always do this unless they get annoyed and ask you to stop asking for permission.

2. This is a big "No." It may not seem like a big deal, but you do not know your roommate(s) financial situation. Don't assume they can just chip in $40 and go buy a ton of groceries without consulting them. Even if it's decided before hand that you will go shopping once a week and never spend above a certain amount, always alert your roommate(s) of shopping trips. That week might be the one week your roommate(s) is short on cash and can't afford a crap load of food.

3. I'm going to use myself as an example here. My roommates ask me to buy milk occasionally, we go through it fast (Or used to, the semester is over). Normally, I don't mind. However I don't always have the funds to make random runs to the store for milk, so I'll say "Sorry, I can't." Now, don't get me wrong, milk is great. But two semesters ago, when most of my paychecks were going to my school and I almost always ate breakfast at work, I rarely ever used the milk in our room. Occasionally I'd have a glass of milk or bowl of cereal, but that's it. Not a daily thing for me. If you don't use something your roommate wants you to buy, say something.

4. This is important. You don't want one of your roommates leaving with your TV, dishes, food, or cooking ware because they mistook it for one of theirs.

5. This especially applies for friends/girlfriends/boyfriends that plan on staying longer than one night. Ask. Always. Even if you set it up before that it's okay, at least let your roommate(s) know before you actually set the plans in stone.

"Hey Roommate, can my girlfriend stay the night?"
"No, dude, I have to study for a test tomorrow and I don't want the distractions."
"Oh, well she's kinda already on the way sooo sorry..."

This is bad. Don't do this. I personally hate studying anywhere but my room. I like my room. Plus your roommate(s) may not like the person staying over. Be respectful and ask. Also as a general rule of thumb, don't let whoever it is stay longer than 3 days or at least make sure to ask.
"Hey Roomy, can my girlfriend stay the night?"
"Sure dude, whatever."
FOUR DAYS LATER
"Dude, what the **** she's been here for four days!"
"Oh, I just assumed since you were okay with it the first night it'd be fine every night."
"Um, no. I failed a test this morning because you and bimbo wouldn't stop whispering and giggling and I couldn't focus!"
"Oh lol sry bro."

You know those huge trucks Ford makes? Kinda picture my arm, except it's a huge Ford truck. Now picture the imprint that would leave on your face. Also, picture being dead. That's what will happen if you ever do something like this. Ever. As another, more serious general rule, don't invite people to stay over during finals. This is aggravating. Really aggravating. Don't do it. let us move on.

6. You know what I'm talking about. When you have that special 'lady/gentlemen' over and you've already performed your ritualistic dance of feathers, and now it's time to smash fresh? Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Let you roommate(s) know. You know what sucks? Assuming your roommate is gone for a certain amount of time and it turns out, yep they're back early. And you've already put on then took off your tribal clothing. No one wants to see you naked except that person you're with that wants to see you naked.

7. Be nice. Be respectful. Just in general.

That's all for now. I'll probably rant about something later today. I was angry about something last night, then I lost my steam. Once I'm in my room and I can actually look my steam (and find it), I'll post about it.

Later.

~Rob

A Invertiable Tablet, plz.

I'm really wanted a tablet for school next semester.  I have taken notes via typing and, of course, via writing, but I really would like a tablet.  My sister has one, though we got it about 4, 5 years ago; it weighs a ton, and the battery life has gone down the hole.  With new touch screen technologies and such, as well as just new technology in general, there have been a couple of tablets showing up that my Google Reader feed has decided to show to me, via Gizmodo or Engadget.

So far, only there are only two that I would even want:

HP TouchSmart Notebook PC

OR

Acer Aspire Timeline 1825PT netvertible

I'm leaning on the HP computer because I've used a lot... My first laptop of my own was an HP-Pavillion, and it held up pretty well for 4, 5 years.  The battery even now still lasts a good hour or two.  I have given it to my brother to use since I got laptop from Stevens, HP-Compaq 8510w.  It's alright, not as stylish as the Pavillion, but it was made to work well with the programs that came on the image.  Of course, I didn't use much of it, and have installed Windows 7 64-bit on it.  

I also want the HP because it doesn't say "netvertible."  Netbooks are mainly just for web browsing and word processing (for the most part, anyway).  HP labels this TouchSmart as a Notebook PC.  I want to be able to do other things on it as well, though anything heavy I would probably use this laptop for (the Stevens HP-Compaq).  Also, it's stylish.  I'm one for aesthetics.

The Acer seems nice and small, though.  Looks nice, and it is a Netbook.  I haven't read as much on it yet, I will when I actually get enough money to buy either.  Speaking of which, the HP, with the specs I wanted (from building it on their website) is about $1200.  The Acer is around $900.

I want a tablet to take notes on because I like writing notes rather than typing them.  It helps me remember things better.  As of lately paper has been cumbersome to manage... Well, not cumbersome; more of annoying.  Of course, I will have those classes that require I hand notes or homework in on paper, but I carrying around one binder with enough looseleaf for those classes that require it, instead of a notebook or two different binders because of the massive amounts of notes I take, would be a lot easier to carry around.

I'm going to do s'more looking around, but I don't have money yet.  I'll get some when I start working this summer.  Yeay!

...I wonder if either of these are pressure sensitive... I could also use it as a sort of sketchbook, too.

Coding Frustrations

I hate not being able to know where to begin with a coding project, especially one where the requirements are made for me, such as in a homework assignment. Especially coming out of Boken week, I still have no will to work, even after 12 hours of sleep.

The start of the day was spent doing class things, but even then I was barely in academic mode. I then ran some post-Boken errands, and then finished other Boken house-keeping things and goofed around for most of the afternoon until dinner with DJ, which ended up in a bit more Boken things and procrastination.

For the past hour I've been looking at the assignment, and the work I did for the assignment before it (since the one continues from the other/we could use stuff from the last assignment), and I have no idea where to begin. It also doesn't help that I have some Maya renderings to complete as well as a final for the class this assignment is for on the same day... With a presentation. Whoop-de-do.

I feel like the assignment will require me to redo a lot of things I did, which will make me very angry. I'm very big on code reuse, and I really don't want to have to rebuild something. It's hard to find a way to use certain things if your past homework was about a month ago with other things distracting you. Buh.

I wanted to make a short post, sharing my coding frustrations. Nothing too specific, and I'm also using this as a procrastination outlet. I already blogged on my tumblr today; crazy, I'm blogging more than once a day! AHH!

A Major Change?

Sorry Rob! Haven't had any good topics to switch to as of late.

But, now I have one.

I've been thinking about it since I realized I'm not very good at or really enjoy computer science theory and such. After reading some things and looking at the Study Plans at Stevens, I am slowly getting convinced that Information Systems might have been a better choice for me.

Yes, I know it's probably not too late - they share a lot of the same courses, and anything I have extra can count as electives. The switch is easy. I'm just somewhat unsure. I enjoy programming and such, but I enjoy web design and web programming a lot more. I was reading what the IS majors at Stevens do, and I've been considering it.

Before I continue, I must apologize in advance for just using Stevens as my reference point as to what these majors do; it's where I'm attending now, and I do not plan on switching schools; just maybe majors. (Well, I'd be keeping the Art & Technology part and math minor, but anyway!)

Computer Science:

Our Computer Science degree is the degree path followed by most of our undergraduate students. The degree emphasizes the principles of Computer Science, and prepares students for careers in industry and/or graduate school. Course materials focus on how to design, implement, deploy, and manage sophisticated software systems.

-- Stevens CS Dept. Undergraduate Website

Information Systems:

Our Information Systems program is for students interested in the areas of system development and design and user interaction and interface. Starting in the second year, the students begin to interleave with the core computer science courses other courses geared toward managing computerized systems in a business setting including attention to customer-client interaction.

-- Stevens CS Dept. Undergraduate Website

I plan on sending an e-mail to my advisor soon, but I'm not sure if I were to switch if it would put me back a year. That can't happen ('cause my parents want me out in 4 years). It might only because of Art&Tech, but I'm almost done with that, to be honest.

I can always go back to school and get a masters in IS. That might be a good route to take as well. I don't have anything profound to say about what's going on in my mind about this right now, only because Boken is attached to my hip right now. I just wanted to put that out there; vent, somewhat.

Signing off for now,

Caroline

Bow down to me!

Two in a row! I'm on a role. I wonder where my fellow bloggers are.

Anyway, to get on with my topic. Ever wonder what it would be like to be unable to make your own choices? I have. Sometimes I think people don't make their own choices and only make them based on what others say. Sure, I can't say that I haven't made a decision based on what someone else said. Certainly you've been to a restaurant and made a choice on what you would have based on the review your friend just gave you. I know I have. But what if you had no choice at all? You couldn't even make a choice based on another's opinion or review. Well, apparently this can happen.

In Columbia, there is a drug known to the locals as Devil's Breath. Its a drug that essentially robs the taker of free will. There are many horror stories related to this drug as bad as someone killing another under its influence. It's a little terrifying to think about.

Just thought I'd share this with you. Here is the link to the article:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/04/06/vbs.colombian.devils.breath/index.html

If you want to do more research on it than I have (which would be doing more than just reading the article), the article has the actual drug name. I'm pretty sure it's on Wiki.

Update on Website: I've learned the basics of Javascript, so I should be able to put it to practice once I read up on some techniques and look at source for other sites. I'm working on the design of the site too. Nothing amazing, just something simple for now. Just enough so I have something to work with. Anyway, I hope to have the design and most of the coding knowledge down by the end of the month, depending on work, and I can start shortly after finals (Early May).

~Rob

(KeyboardDucks.lastPostDate().getSecondsSince() > secondsInMonth) ? post() : chillax;

So this is just something random because I noticed no one has posted anything here for quite some time. Since I haven't posted anything blog like since my intro post, I'll ramble in your general direction for a little while.

So I've recently compiled a list of computer languages that I want to learn (no pun intended). When I went about this, the first thing I did was list the languages I know and feel comfortable with. Here is that list:

Java

C#

shell/bash scripting

eggplant scripting (aka SenseTalk)

I use three of these four languages everyday, so I get a fair amount of practice in them. I'm the most comfortable using Java and can program something quickly, such as a catch rate calculator for Pokemon, with ease. C# I don't use often enough, but because of the similarities to Java and the syntax I know, I can still easily make a program in it. Shell scripting I'm learning now for work, and eggplant scripting I've also learned for work and have made a bunch of tests with it (which is what it's used for).

Now, after looking at this I noticed I'm missing something: A web-based language. Although I'm not too fond of web-based programming, I find it shows up a lot and could potentially be really useful, especially since I'd like to make myself a website at some point to house and display all of my programming projects (there is a lot of them). So I looked at some languages and picked a few that were either recommended to me or that I've seen others use:

Javascript - Good start, in my opinion. Easy entrance into other web languages.

Actionscript - Flash's language, so it can be used to make regular executable video games or some fancy animation for a web site or just because, I think this will be a good one to learn especially since my friends and I have worked on a video game that was programmed in this, and we only had two coders (a bit of an overload for them). Learning this will let me give them a helping hand.

PHP - Of course. I don't know a lot about this one, but I plan to.

MySQL/SQLite - Not just for web stuff, but for my own projects that require some form of database.

Python - This really has nothing to do with web programming, but I want to learn this so I have an alternative to shell/bash scripting.

I think this is a pretty good list. Once I've learned these languages, I'll have a pretty rounded knowledge in programming. Now all I need to do is find the free time to learn all of this and I'll be good to go.

Something completely off topic: I've decided to start up my LiveJournal again. Why, you ask? Well, I used to have one. Three, actually, from when I was in high school. There was only one that I updated somewhat regular and I just finished reading through all of it the other day. I definitely enjoyed reading the journal entries from my younger teen years. Very nostalgic. It got me thinking that maybe I should do this again, so that in another 5-6 years I have another LiveJournal to look at, have a nostalgic moment, and laugh at myself (which I did, a lot). I'll post the link to it eventually.

Just as a note, this is going to be a journal, not a blog. Anything that seems close to blog related, such as a random rant or some rambling like this post will be copied from the journal and put on here as well, so I'm still going to keep this up. At least with the journal I'll have more posts for this blog also since a lot of my rants and rambles come from everyday life.

Anyway, back to the programming.

So those are the languages I will be learning. To learn some of the web-based stuff, I'll be making a site. Its going to be pretty basic, nothing fancy like Caroline's or WillyWorld (when its finally up). Just something to house programs. Also when I get my desktop computer completely set up and permanently operational, I'll create a subversion repository for those of you who would like to download my projects. All of my stuff will be open source, so its yours to take and edit at your pleasure, it would be polite of you to give me credit for the original code though (if any of you do actually take it). Not necessary, but it would be nice.

So thats it for this. I'll post some updates about the upcoming site and code repository when I get stuff set up. Also I may change from Subversion to GIT, since I here only good things about GIT and Subversion can be stupid. We'll see.

Have a good April Fool's Day!

(Edit) I fix'd the title.

~Rob, ramblin' man (pun intended)