Word on calculus
Well, I took the last test. I think the quality of my answers were in the 90-100% neighborhood. I need a 92% or higher on this test to bump my overall grade up and over 90%.
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Author: Rob
In bed before 2am?
Monday evening (technically, Tuesday morning) I was up till 2am working on calculus homework.
Rinse and repeat for yesterday.
I hate to say it’ll be rinse and repeat for tonight as well.
Last calculus test is Thursday. Two homework sections assigned on Tuesday are due on Thursday PLUS I really really have to do the test #4 review sheets (although they’re not collected).
After today, I don’t expect to have any late nighters until January…
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Results of Quiz 5
Got a 19 out of 20. I lost a point due to magically making a number disappear. The problem itself gave me problems. I had reworked the problem 3 times and the last time I worked it I must have been in a hurry and missed a number. But I did get mercy points for following the right steps on solving the problem.
All that’s left now is 300 points. One hundred are up for grabs on Thursday and the final on next Tuesday makes up the last 200 points. For those of you wondering, I’m back to 89.55%. I hope the prof is willing to do some rounding!
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Computer Outage and Quiz
Thursday started off interesting. Pathfinder, the name of the computer
I have video monitoring the cat stand, died. Time of death appears to
have been around about 11:02pm Wednesday evening, Pathfinder time (which
had fallen behind by as much as 10-30 minutes). I discovered it powered
off on Thursday morning because the whirling of PC fans hadn’t sounded
the same that morning.
What to do? It was almost 8am on Thursday morning and I decided I was
going to replace the power supply before I head off to work. How did I
know it was the power supply? Well, 2 weeks before hand there was the
stench of burnt electronics coming from the general area where
Pathfinder sits at. I had first suspected it was Endeavour, my Pentium
100Mhz Linux box, but oddly enough it was running fine. After about 5
minutes, I rounded up a flakey (due to motherboard/cache) AMD K6-2
300Mhz machine. I pulled its power supply out and 10 minutes later had
it installed in Pathfinder. Flipped the switch and Pathfinder resumed
where it left off at.
An interesting note about Pathfinder: It is an Intel 233Mhz machine
which isn’t anything special. But its running in the same chassis as my
first computer – an AMD 386DX 40Mhz machine (back then, 486SX 25Mhz
machines were “da bomb”). And from this first chassis I had upgraded to
a 486DX 40Mhz machine and then later to the Intel 233Mhz. The 3.5″
floppy drive is the original floppy drive that came with the 386 machine
and I think it still works (haven’t really had a need to use floppies
lately). This 233Mhz machine has a video tuner card installed and makes
one of the web cams possible.
In other news, I had my last calculus 1 quiz last night. I’m pretty
sure I passed it. I would LOVE to have gotten a perfect score on it.
But I had gotten stuck on a step in one of the problems. I think I
worked around it successfully, but I’m not sure.
The Teg is Back!
I picked it up today. Its running and feeling great. Maybe I’ll make a clock out of the old fly wheel…
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New web stuff added
I’ve added the SumArea TI-89 app to the TI section. Screen shot and notes included!
Its taken over a year for me to figure the layout for this page: Computer Science Class Requirements There’s a link off the school page. I have the classes I still need to take highlighted in green. Those not highlighted I’ve already taken.
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Teg-less for the weekend
Ugh. I miss my car! Word is the shop had some stuff come up and they haven’t been able to work on mine. So they plan to get to it on Monday. I’m still stuck with this Taurus. The thing drinks gas! I’m driving it casually and its getting about 19mpg. Probably typical for most automatics, it has a lot of lag from the point in time when your brain says, “time to speed up” and your foot mashes the gas to when the car actually responds with a downshift and moderate acceleration. I do have to admit the ride is very quiet. The seating position is a lot more comfortable than the Focus. I feel I can micro-manage the windshield wipers with all the various variable speeds they have.
I really wished I got stuck with an Acura TSX or even an RSX.
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Teg-less on turkey day
Acura is holding onto my Teg until Friday. They apparently got backed up today and had just started the clutch install.
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Calculus Test #3 Done and more TI tricks
Survey says: “86%”
I hosed up the first page of the test. I scored some mercy points, but managed to botch up the 3 problems. After that, I had a few minor slip ups. It was a tough test and I’ll take the 86%. Currently I’m holding onto an 88% overall class grade. With one quiz and test left to go, I hope to get the overall grade bumped up a bit.
We’re getting into integrals in class now. I discovered that fnInt() on the TI-83 is just Int() on the TI-89. I also whipped up a program to calculate the area under a curve. Its based on a program from our calculus book. But the calculus book’s version only calculates the area based on the right end points. And it just spit out the answer. I needed it to do a lot more. My version calculates the right, left, and middle points and shows its work! I demo-ed it for some students and they were amazed. It took the prof a good 10 minutes to work the problem (and he only did 1 of the 3 variations while the program does all 3 variations) and the program had all the answers within 30 seconds by just pressing a couple buttons. Cheating? Its automating a repetive process. And I really needed a way to verify my “done by hand” work. I’ll have to get it posted.
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Ack! 8000 rpms and no where to go
So Saturday Olessia, John, and I went down to Columbus to see my sister’s new house. It was her house warming party and it was a good time. I drove everyone down since Olessia’s Civic was getting worked on on Monday. No problems going down. But coming back, we decided we’d pick up a snack at Friendly’s at 71N and Bagley Road. Traffic light number 1 wasn’t a problem. And the car pulled away fine from traffic light number 2, but after leaving first gear it wouldn’t go into any gear after that. I managed to coast the car into Friendly’s. Olessia and John pushed it into a parking space. Then I called AAA for a tow.
After some troubleshooting with Bob on the phone, we had a hunch to what the problem was. I tried one more time to start the car with it in gear and it fired up fine. I was able to shift fine. So I called off the tow and we went in to eat. We made it home without any problems.
Sunday, it almost seemed fine. Until I returned home and put the car in 2nd gear and parked. I came back and it got stuck in gear again. So a visit to Acura on Monday was in order.
Monday I dropped it off. I was surprised they were willing to get me in. They had problems with it as well. Turns out it needs a new clutch. Ugh. They got the order in before 1pm and the parts showed up this afternoon. The Teg is now being worked on and returned back to a factory clutch (moving from DSP back to GS or STS in autocross terms).
Good news is Olessia’s Civic is back normal. It had its master cylinder replaced. Then she took it in for its e-Check. She told me the car started steaming after the test. She popped the hood and was able to put water in the radiator. She then took it to a local shop and they found the spring on the radiator cap broke. She replaced it and this morning had the water flushed and coolant put back in. Whew!
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What would you do with 8000 rpms?
Light turns green, engage first gear and apply throttle to complete the right turn.
Scope out the traffic. Two lumbering trucks trying to make their way onto 271S in the left lane and I’m in the right lane also wishing to get on 271S.
Gently and slowly squeeze the throttle and evaluate the situation: Fall in line behind the trucks or zip in front of them?
The engine whine reminds me we’re still in first gear. 5000 rpms. Shift to second.
All clear?
Yup. As the Beastie Boys once said, “Kick it!”
The wind and road noise gets drowned out in no time as the engine revs increase.
The engine pitch changes as the intake opens wider to gulp more air. Left lane change now in progress.
Lane change complete. A quick look back and the trucks barely fill the rear window. The car is still pulling and the engine pitch is reaching its peak. 7500 rpms and climbing. Time to shift! Shift to third.
Evaluate the situation: Time to merge onto 271S. The right lane becomes an exit only lane. Target lane is the middle lane.
Right lane clear?
Negative. Early ’90’s vintage rusted out mini van approaching for intercept.
Engine whine status implies plenty of third gear left and there’s plenty of empty pavement ahead. Complete the lane change.
Just like the trucks, the mini van no longer dominates the rear window view. Shift to fourth.
Middle lane clear. Complete lane change and shift to fifth.
Time to relax and reminisce about the sight, sounds, and g-forces of another fun close encounter with the 8000 rpm red line. This is therapy.
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Test #3 Over!
Whew! That test was a real Head Scratcher™. One hundred points spread across 13 problems. One of my favorites:
Cyndi rides her bike going 40 feet per second. She applies the brakes. Her bike slows at 4 feet per second. How far will her bike travel before it comes to a complete stop?
With a question like this, you have to be thankful all the units are the same (the speed could have been miles per hour requiring conversion to feet per second – easy to miss if you’re not careful).
Another fun one was Andy is in a row boat and is 3 miles from shore. He sees smoke pouring out of his house which is 6 miles down the road from the point he is to shore. What is the shortest amount of time for Andy to reach his house if he rows 4mph and can run 6mph?
For those keeping score, there are only 1 quiz, 1 test, and 1 final exam left. This equates to 20 points + 100 points + 200 points or 320 points up for grabs out of 750 total points.
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The light at the end of the tunnel
Its definitely a dim light at this moment. I’ve figured out how many credits and classes I need to graduate. Before I get to that, I’ve registered for another fun filled semester of suffering: Analytical Geometry-Calculus II (or as I like to think, “The Differentiating Continues!”).
I really need to update my school page. But here’s where I’m at. Right now, I’m in Calculus 1 taking 4 credits. I’m assuming I’m going to make it through this class. I need 47 more credits to graduate. You need a minimum of 128 credits to graduate. I’ll end up with a total of 142 because of my transfer credits.
The 47 credits break down into:
- 4 credits of general studies (I have to finish up Western Traditions & Civilization 2 – 1 class)
- 29 core computer science credits (7 3 credit classes and 2 4 credit classes)
- 14 300/400 level classes, of which 12 credits must be in computer science (5 3 credit classes)
This works out to be 10 classes I have no choice to take and about 5 classes I get to pick. For the five, here’s some I’m thinking of taking:
- Artificial Intelligence and Heuristic Programming
- Database Management
- Data Communication and Computer Networks
- Introduction to Software Engineering and Formal Methods
- T:Mobile Computing
- T:Image Processing
The AI class would definitely be intersting, although probably very challenging. Database management and data communications I have a little bit of experience in so those classes are going to be fun. The software engineering class may be challenging, but should help me out on coding projects. T:Mobile is not the same as T-Mobile, the wireless carrier. It isn’t always offered (much like T:Image). Coding for mobile computing is definitely an interest of mine. And the Image Processing class just sounds cool and is taught by a cool prof.
So there it is. About 15 classes making up 47 credits. The classic question: “When will you graduate?” Its hard to say when my rate for taking classes is about 1-3 per semester. Worst case is 8 years and best case would probably be 2 years.
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Civic Uh Oh
The other night I discovered the reason Olessia’s Civic was for sale. I drove Olessia to dinner in it and the clutch felt like it was catching the mat. The floor mat does slide around so while driving (eh, don’t try this at home) I pulled it out. Yup, the clutch still felt like it was catching the mat. I had 2 flash backs almost at the same time:
1. Honda put out a service bulletin for Honda service departments to pin the floor mat to the floor. When I had my ’98 Civic, I took it in when it was in for service and they popped a pin which secured the mat from moving around. It never really was a problem, but it was free. This is really what Olessia’s ’95 Civic needs!
2. This clutch feels just like what the clutch on my Teg felt like last year! Its a master or slave cylinder problem. [insert potty language here]
Before heading into the restaurant, I ran my hand along the floor and where the clutch meets. Eh, this doesn’t feel right. I pull my hand out and a couple fingers are covered in black gunk, like grease and oil. Slave cylinder is leaking! Whew! Its the cheaper of the two cylinders.
We’re taking the Civic to the shop next week. In the meantime, I just need to keep the Civic topped off with brake fluid. I’m using the bottle of brake fluid the Acura service department hooked me up with to hold the Teg over before its servicing.
Otherwise, the Civic seems to be doing great. I think it’ll need a nickname…
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Web cam archive now up
Go to the web cam page and look for the archive link at the top. Click and look for the day you want to view.
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3rd Quiz Results
Eh, got a 17 out of 20 on the quiz (or 85% on the quiz). Right now it appears my overall grade is sitting at a super high B.
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Web cams online again
Cam 1 is pointing at Powder’s and Murzik’s food dishes. The software is running for Cam 2 and cam 2 is plugged in, but I haven’t found a good spot with enough light and good wireless reception to properly set it up.
3rd quiz done!
The 3rd quiz of 5 is done. I think I passed, but won’t know until Thursday.
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Olessia’s truck declared terminal
After getting over the news of the goldfish, Olessia told me her truck needed a lot of work. So much work that she was told to go to Isuzu to get the engine fixed before any other work is completed. Her truck has been making an ugly engine ticking sound. On top of this, the truck has about 3 other major issues with it. Figuring that the engine repair would be costly for a V6 engine, we figured a new car was needed.
One thought was to let Olessia use the Teg while I found either a new car or a beater. We went out shopping on Saturday and ran into a ’95 Honda Civic LX 4 door. It had 138k miles on it and I managed to get the dealer down from $4k to $3300 and we went for it.
Its not the ideal time for either of us to do this, but there weren’t any cheaper alternatives.
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Bit (my goldfish) Killed
Friday (10/29/04) my goldfish was killed. I’m pretty sure Powder did it. Murzik is young enough, has the skills, and the energy, but never really expressed a killer instinct like Powder has.
I got Bit along with Byte almost 8 years ago. Bit was the smaller of the two goldfish, hence the name. But he had gotten pretty big. Probably about 4 to almost 5 inches long (including tail). What was novel was he hung out in a 15″ computer monitor and survived 2 Akron apartments, an apartment in Warrensville, and then finally my most recent move to a house.
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