Random Blog tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt/1 2006-11-15T23:37:21Z Movable Type 3.31 Major decisions... tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.88 2006-11-15T23:26:48Z 2006-11-15T23:37:21Z I came into Mudd just knowing my major will be in engineering. But, after my experiences in CS5, I've began to reconsider my options, partly because I haven't taken an engineering course yet, and don't know what it is like,... knowing my major will be in engineering. But, after my experiences in CS5, I've began to reconsider my options, partly because I haven't taken an engineering course yet, and don't know what it is like, but also because CS sometimes can be so damn fun! I don't know, for example, we learned about all kinds of data compression algorithms that are actually used in data compression today. I never really knew how these things worked, but in class, we not only learned how the algorithms worked, but we also got to apply the algorithms and write programs ourselves. Sure, there are times when much of the work done in CS homework is somewhat boring, but sometimes, just sometimes, a homework problem could interest me, and I would just think about how to solve it nonstop. For example, we got to write a Huffman encoder and decoder in python. It was a problem that had many obstacles, and was the biggest program we've written yet. There were parts that I couldn't figure out how to implement for a while, and the whole problem really made me begin to put what I've learned to good use. Also, the fact that it was something that is used in real life by people brought up my interest level (the algorithm is used in both MP3 and JPEG files). Now, I'm thinking, perhaps CS would be a viable major for me, not only for the interesting challenges, but also just for the chance in getting a job at Google/Apple. Hence, I've finally decided to learn ObjC, and hopefully will begin to write some interesting stuff.]]> Yay, a solution! tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.87 2006-11-14T20:15:32Z 2006-11-14T20:21:40Z Well, I think I'm going to begin learning development on the Mac OS X platform using ObjC (Objective C) and Cocoa. I've finally found something I can go by to learn the ObjC language. I've looked at some code a... Well, I think I'm going to begin learning development on the Mac OS X platform using ObjC (Objective C) and Cocoa. I've finally found something I can go by to learn the ObjC language. I've looked at some code a whiles back, but it was confusing for me. These days I have a ton of time to play with, yet I waste it away watching Bleach and TV shows. Hopefully ObjC and Cocoa will come to the rescue. I tried looking for books on ObjC in the school library, but I couldn't find any. There were only 3 on Cocoa. So, I think I might just print out Apple's ObjC pdf document and go through that. Experience as a developer? tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.86 2006-11-13T10:24:01Z 2006-11-13T10:28:51Z This may sound stupid, but here it goes. How does one gain experience as a developer? I've wanted to begin working on something, to put some of the skills I've learned to good use, but I have no idea how... This may sound stupid, but here it goes. How does one gain experience as a developer? I've wanted to begin working on something, to put some of the skills I've learned to good use, but I have no idea how to do so. I don't know, I want to do something challenging, but many times, the annoying stuff, like doing the HTML for web stuff, or maybe the bad CSS happenings with IE just throw me off, and make me stop in the middle of the tracks. How does everyone else cope with such things? I really want to do something challenging, but it's just those little annoying things that really turn me off. Tyres followup tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.85 2006-11-02T00:37:24Z 2006-11-02T00:49:00Z Well, it turns out that Costco only inflated them to 30psi or so, and later when I went back, they only got it up to 34psi warm temperature, thus contributing to the much softer ride. Well, I think I'm going... Well, it turns out that Costco only inflated them to 30psi or so, and later when I went back, they only got it up to 34psi warm temperature, thus contributing to the much softer ride. Well, I think I'm going to pump it up a bit, and maybe get it up to at least 36psi cold or something. Anyways, so yeah, Mudd is beginning to eat me inside out. I kinda wish there was more "free" time around, so I can actually do some stuff, like learn more programming. Or perhaps I just have to stop watching TV shows and anime? Ohh, what a hard choice. New Tyres tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.84 2006-10-25T00:28:33Z 2006-10-25T00:58:06Z Yay for new Tires! After AMVIV (A MINI Vacation in Vegas) III and letting my track instructor show me what my MINI could do, I've been driving around kind of nervous. After my instructor drove my car, the front tires... Yay for new Tires! After AMVIV (A MINI Vacation in Vegas) III and letting my track instructor show me what my MINI could do, I've been driving around kind of nervous. After my instructor drove my car, the front tires were nearly down to the TWI (tread wear indicators), and I knew that I needed new tires no matter how I rotated them. So, I finally bit the bullet and got shiny new BF Goodrich g-Force™ T/A® KDW from Costco and ditched the runflats. Great thing about Costco: lifetime free rotation and balance, and nitrogen for tires. As for the tires, they give the car a much improved, softer ride, and every bump isn't as pronounced as before. Also, the grip is pretty good from what I felt. I guess the car feels a little less erratic and jumpy, mainly because of the softer ride. The noise level of the tires isn't bad, I guess. Well, we'll see how this set performs as they gain miles. YAY NEW TIRES!!! Monopoly Rally for MINI Motoring Hearts tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.83 2006-09-27T00:52:36Z 2006-09-27T01:32:24Z The current day ad campaign for MINI, now called Motoring Hearts, has moved from focus on motoring, to focus on connecting motoring to other "greater goods." Motoring Hearts is encouraging MINI owners and non-MINI owners to volunteer to do good... Click Here]]> No Intel Mac, instead... tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.82 2006-09-19T08:11:40Z 2006-09-19T08:14:29Z Well, my dad offered to give me his seldomly used PowerBook G4 instead for me to use, since my iBooK's hard drive is beginning to act up, and may die who knows when. So, the 15" PowerBook sure is nice,... Well, my dad offered to give me his seldomly used PowerBook G4 instead for me to use, since my iBooK's hard drive is beginning to act up, and may die who knows when. So, the 15" PowerBook sure is nice, with the big screen, nice resolution, aluminum goodness, and the potential of 2GB of RAM. The only thing missing here is the back lit keyboard. But, hey, I'm not one to complain. iMac v. Mac Pro tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.81 2006-09-11T10:16:28Z 2006-09-11T10:19:57Z Well, I think I've decided, due to money problems as a college student, an iMac would be sufficient for my needs. Yes, a Mac Pro is tempting, but if I ever need those 16 GB of RAM, I'll just upgrade... Well, I think I've decided, due to money problems as a college student, an iMac would be sufficient for my needs. Yes, a Mac Pro is tempting, but if I ever need those 16 GB of RAM, I'll just upgrade then. Also, looking at the iMac specs, it isn't bad at all. And with the included monitor, iSight, etc. it is a steal compared to the Mac Pro as a consumer machine. Even if I went for the new 24" model, which is unlikely, it is still a VERY good deal. But I'd mostly settle for the 20", because of the $500 difference in the Edu. store. Oh well, I guess the 4x3GHz and 16GB of RAM would stay a dream for me then. Workload at Mudd: Fact or Myth tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.80 2006-08-31T17:19:19Z 2006-08-31T17:29:54Z Well, here's the lowdown on how hard it's been up to now (third day of classes). The linear algebra lectures are simply amazing. When I go to class and the lecture starts, I am most likely lost, but by the... Well, here's the lowdown on how hard it's been up to now (third day of classes). The linear algebra lectures are simply amazing. When I go to class and the lecture starts, I am most likely lost, but by the time class is over, I suddenly get one of those "aha" moments, and it all makes sense. It seems to be nearly the same for reading the physics text, Intro to Special Relativity (which is actually written by faculty of Mudd). Hum1 is not too bad, as the play we are reading is quite fun. So, today's schedule looks like I need to go to physics class, buy chem lab materials, do the chem proficiency exam, do LinAl homework, read the math book, finish reading the play for Hum1, and to have fun! So yeah, just for the second day of classes, it is a decent amount of work. Well, if it gets any better, there'll most likely be a "Workload at Mudd: Fact or Myth Part II" coming up. MUDDBALL LXIX!!! tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.79 2006-08-26T02:44:23Z 2006-08-26T02:50:28Z Well, it's my second day at Mudd, and I've already have loads of fun. The orientation directors have done a wonderful job at designing a fully packed program, and everything has been great. Today afternoon we had the first game... Well, it's my second day at Mudd, and I've already have loads of fun. The orientation directors have done a wonderful job at designing a fully packed program, and everything has been great. Today afternoon we had the first game of Muddball, and it was awesome. They have these huge balls, almost as tall as a normal person, and the game is kind of played as capture the flag. It was lots of fun to play and to watch. Also, hearing just some of the legends, stories, etc. from all the students has only made the place even better, and tonight there is a whole Mudd Lores and S'mores program. I just can't wait for that. Well, I'll post more later. Life here has kind of tired me out, and school/class hasn't even started yet! Touch and Go tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.78 2006-08-24T06:40:04Z 2006-08-24T06:55:14Z Well, just got back from Asia, and it is time to leave home again, now, off to college. Oh, and that new Mac Pro sure does look sexy. Sure am looking forward to getting one. Also, cool new game I... Mac Pro sure does look sexy. Sure am looking forward to getting one. Also, cool new game I discovered: Kingdom of Loathing. A very fun game, and also free. Read some of the reviews, and check it out. My user name is LokiSnake]]> Back from Crack in the Ac tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.77 2006-07-24T04:31:51Z 2006-07-24T04:37:55Z Wow, that was fun. HMC hosts a weekly PC gaming session at school, and signing up on the list, I found out about it, and decided to go. We played Natural Selection, a mod for Half-Life, and even with the... Wow, that was fun. HMC hosts a weekly PC gaming session at school, and signing up on the list, I found out about it, and decided to go. We played Natural Selection, a mod for Half-Life, and even with the complicated format, I managed to understand the game by 1am (we started at 8pm), and managed to not be too good or helpful to the team :P Well, it ended at 2am, and I had loads of fun. I think I'll be joining weekly after I school starts, as I'll be in China. But, who knows, maybe i'll play from a webcafe or something. Timeless tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.76 2006-07-18T06:18:47Z 2006-07-18T06:22:28Z I just got a job last week in an electronics assembly company. I'll be working there for 3 weeks, full time (40hrs). It's something to do during my free time. AND I get paid :) But, there is one complaint,... I just got a job last week in an electronics assembly company. I'll be working there for 3 weeks, full time (40hrs). It's something to do during my free time. AND I get paid :) But, there is one complaint, I loose my free time. I currently have two projects in mind for perl, and can't see them happen! Well, maybe I'll have more time tomorrow when I get home. Less Brain Usage == Bad Memory? tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.75 2006-07-11T04:38:15Z 2006-07-11T04:49:30Z These last couple of weeks I've been having problems with remembering where I did put things. It's been horrid. At Nashville, I'd constantly forget where I put my room key. And just a couple of days ago I misplaced my... These last couple of weeks I've been having problems with remembering where I did put things. It's been horrid. At Nashville, I'd constantly forget where I put my room key. And just a couple of days ago I misplaced my watch, and life can't progress normally if I don't have my watch. I don't know the time, and I start going berserk. And no, I can't look at my phone. That's just unnatural for me. I lived for 3 days without a watch, and it was horrible. I think I've found the solution to my problem. Do something. I've just got a job for the remainder of my free time (3 weeks). I've also began to put my Perl to use (I'm now trying to program something). Just by using my brain a bit, I already feel a bit more orientated. I think I can't be too bored. I need to FEEL useful, and that helps. Well, I'll post a link to a preview of what I'm programming when it is in a presentable form. And as for my new job, it's at least in a field I guess I wouldn't mind dabbling in. It's better than working at a restaurant or an electronics store. People expect me to work at somewhere like BestBuy and such. Not my thing, all that marketing. Well, my first day went well, and let's hope it'll continue on that way. FBLA NLC 2006 tag:achtunghalt.com,2006:/mt//1.74 2006-07-07T05:54:09Z 2006-07-07T05:59:28Z Well, I'm back from Nashville, TN, the host city for the event. We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. It was a great hotel, but our room was a bit old. The conference had some good speakers, including Coach Carter,... Well, I'm back from Nashville, TN, the host city for the event. We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. It was a great hotel, but our room was a bit old. The conference had some good speakers, including Coach Carter, who gave a speech at the opening session. It was great. I competed in Econ, but didn't win anything. Well, it was a great experience, and it let me visit a place I don't think I would've ever visited myself. Oh, the conference also gave me some ideas to work on, which will put some of that Perl to use. Don't know how long it'll take though. Maybe I ought to construct a timeline to follow.