Its my blog's 7th birthday today! Happy birthday!
[Ok I cheated. I missed its birthday by one hour so I changed the posting date lol]
While the number of blog entries this year is set to be the second lowest ever [actually the lowest considering I started blogging in November 2003, and I chalked up 17 posts in 2003], rest assured that I will not be abandoning this any time soon. Over the years I [and this blog, and blogging in general] have seen the emergence of various new web technologies like Facebook and Twitter, but I feel that they are a tad too 'open' for me. I am still not quite comfortable with sharing my thoughts [and photos] on Facebook, and Twitter is worse; I don't like the idea of people 'following' me.
Interestingly blogs actually work the same way, but I guess I'm more comfortable because less people know about this.
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Interesting IVLE announcement of the week:
Hi all,
Something bad: the janitor collected your assignments on your behalf this morning and throw them into the garbage bin. Though I managed to grab them back, the lab assignments get dirty now. The hw3 survived because they were put at a separate clean location.
So only hw3 are available for collection now and I will suspend the collection of your lab assignments unless you have concerns about your grade.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
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Although exams are coming really soon, I was still attracted to this movie broadcast over television just now:
Here!
Touching movie; I like. Its a pity I have never quite experienced that in real life, but seeing it on TV is better than nothing.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
catching up
Alright after neglecting this blog for a very long time, I finally have some time for a little entry.
As mentioned earlier, this semester had been a hectic one, mainly because of the projects. There was a web based system for CS2102 Database, a game for CS2103 Software Engineering and various random stuff like oral presentation and proposal writing for IS2101.
The rest of the modules weren't exactly a breeze either; CS2106 lectures taught the concepts well, but we had to figure out the implementation ourselves when we did the lab sessions. 'man and Google are your best friends.' kept popping up in our lab documents. Am a little lost in MA2213 and ST2334 after neglecting them a little too much, so there is a hell lot to catch up.
Despite all the rush, I found time out to have a look at this year's CS1101S Sumobot contest, 2010 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, attend my secondary school's mooncake festival celebrations, and a trip to the Singapore Flyer.
***********************************************
CS2102 project was to whip up a web system that demonstrated our knowledge of databases. I formed a team with some friends who first knew each other partially through me [not bad I think I do a good job bringing people together haha], and our team was allocated the task of a job database.
Having some confidence in developing web systems after my stint during the summer vacation, I thought it would be a piece of cake, and told my friends upfront I would do the entire system myself, while they just had to take care of the project report. I was very wrong. It turned out I needed more time than I thought I needed.
Also I started this project too late, which was another bad decision. While my zai friends from other teams had at least two zai kias coding the system out, I was the only one in my group who had prior experience, and of course I was nowhere near any of their zai-ness. My mistake was that I should not have started coding at the same time as them.
Well end result wasn't that bad. I had no time to implement AJAX queries like the zai teams, but our system was alright I guess. In my opinion it was too much work for 10%.
I felt kind of disappointed when the entire project ended on a very low note. Project demonstration was a simple 5-to-10 minute meeting with a tutor in a tutorial room, and all he did was ask some questions, what the system could do, jotted down some marks on a piece of paper, and we were done. After we stepped out of the tutorial room, my friends and I bidded goodbye to each other, and that's it.
Zzz.
***********************************************
CS2103 was a much more enjoyable experience. Teams could develop either a game or a task manager, and had a choice of C++, Java or C#. I was in a team of awesome friends, and I had a blast of a time developing this. I think the fact that we were developing a game instead of the task manager [or other systems] made the whole development process more fun. [The lecturer said that before the module was revamped entirely, students had to code a clinic management system. Omg.] Not to mention the freedom to choose the language helped as I am much more comfortable using C++.
The only thing I hated was writing the project manual heh.
Doesn't look too bad huh? Its a pity we didn't have time to code the three corner tiles. One of them was supposed to launch a simple casino hehe.
***********************************************
I really hated IS2101. I am glad its all over and done with.
***********************************************
This year's CS1101S robot contest was much more fun. Last year when I did this module, we used Lego Mindstorms to build robots that drew curves. This year the students used Lego NXTs to build robots that fight each other. Loads of fun I say.
***********************************************
After missing out on attending the Formula One race weekend in Singapore for the past two years, I decided to go this year with a friend.
Went for the Friday walkabout on 24th Sept, because it was the cheapest, and for $38 it was totally worth it. I was initially worried whether I could see anything, because after several experiences with the NDP fireworks and the Marina Bay New Year countdown, I thought there would not be enough standing space for everyone.
Turned out I was wrong. In fact I was able to stand right next to the track [well, almost], and all the noise from the engines and their braking especially was pure exhilaration.
One thing I realised was that there was a hell lot of angmohs there, and I think a large number of them came to Singapore specially for the race. Hardcore fans.
The photos I uploaded were the best my old point-and-shoot could do. That night my camera's ability to handle fast moving images under low light conditions were tested to its limits again haha.
I hope I can go again next year. Woohooooo!
***********************************************
My secondary school held a mooncake festival celebration on Sept 17, and invited the alumni back. Having not gone back for a really long time I attended with a few friends.
Some familiar faces were still around, although not all teachers could remember our names anymore. A little regret was that I could not talk to all the teachers I wanted to see.
***********************************************
Went on the Singapore Flyer with a friend when there was a weekday promotion for students, at $10. Nothing much actually haha.
Do hope I can go back again once all the on going constructions are done. And at night too where all the lovely lights are up.
***********************************************
Now that all my projects are done and submitted, soon I will have to hit the books as examinations near.
As mentioned earlier, this semester had been a hectic one, mainly because of the projects. There was a web based system for CS2102 Database, a game for CS2103 Software Engineering and various random stuff like oral presentation and proposal writing for IS2101.
The rest of the modules weren't exactly a breeze either; CS2106 lectures taught the concepts well, but we had to figure out the implementation ourselves when we did the lab sessions. 'man and Google are your best friends.' kept popping up in our lab documents. Am a little lost in MA2213 and ST2334 after neglecting them a little too much, so there is a hell lot to catch up.
Despite all the rush, I found time out to have a look at this year's CS1101S Sumobot contest, 2010 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix, attend my secondary school's mooncake festival celebrations, and a trip to the Singapore Flyer.
***********************************************
CS2102 project was to whip up a web system that demonstrated our knowledge of databases. I formed a team with some friends who first knew each other partially through me [not bad I think I do a good job bringing people together haha], and our team was allocated the task of a job database.
Having some confidence in developing web systems after my stint during the summer vacation, I thought it would be a piece of cake, and told my friends upfront I would do the entire system myself, while they just had to take care of the project report. I was very wrong. It turned out I needed more time than I thought I needed.
Also I started this project too late, which was another bad decision. While my zai friends from other teams had at least two zai kias coding the system out, I was the only one in my group who had prior experience, and of course I was nowhere near any of their zai-ness. My mistake was that I should not have started coding at the same time as them.
 |
| From CS2102 + CS2103 + CS1101S Sumobot |
 |
| From CS2102 + CS2103 + CS1101S Sumobot |
Well end result wasn't that bad. I had no time to implement AJAX queries like the zai teams, but our system was alright I guess. In my opinion it was too much work for 10%.
I felt kind of disappointed when the entire project ended on a very low note. Project demonstration was a simple 5-to-10 minute meeting with a tutor in a tutorial room, and all he did was ask some questions, what the system could do, jotted down some marks on a piece of paper, and we were done. After we stepped out of the tutorial room, my friends and I bidded goodbye to each other, and that's it.
Zzz.
***********************************************
CS2103 was a much more enjoyable experience. Teams could develop either a game or a task manager, and had a choice of C++, Java or C#. I was in a team of awesome friends, and I had a blast of a time developing this. I think the fact that we were developing a game instead of the task manager [or other systems] made the whole development process more fun. [The lecturer said that before the module was revamped entirely, students had to code a clinic management system. Omg.] Not to mention the freedom to choose the language helped as I am much more comfortable using C++.
The only thing I hated was writing the project manual heh.
 |
| From CS2102 + CS2103 + CS1101S Sumobot |
Doesn't look too bad huh? Its a pity we didn't have time to code the three corner tiles. One of them was supposed to launch a simple casino hehe.
***********************************************
I really hated IS2101. I am glad its all over and done with.
***********************************************
This year's CS1101S robot contest was much more fun. Last year when I did this module, we used Lego Mindstorms to build robots that drew curves. This year the students used Lego NXTs to build robots that fight each other. Loads of fun I say.
 |
| From CS2102 + CS2103 + CS1101S Sumobot |
 |
| From CS2102 + CS2103 + CS1101S Sumobot |
***********************************************
After missing out on attending the Formula One race weekend in Singapore for the past two years, I decided to go this year with a friend.
Went for the Friday walkabout on 24th Sept, because it was the cheapest, and for $38 it was totally worth it. I was initially worried whether I could see anything, because after several experiences with the NDP fireworks and the Marina Bay New Year countdown, I thought there would not be enough standing space for everyone.
Turned out I was wrong. In fact I was able to stand right next to the track [well, almost], and all the noise from the engines and their braking especially was pure exhilaration.
One thing I realised was that there was a hell lot of angmohs there, and I think a large number of them came to Singapore specially for the race. Hardcore fans.
 |
| Singtel Singapore Grand Prix 2010 Friday Practice |
The photos I uploaded were the best my old point-and-shoot could do. That night my camera's ability to handle fast moving images under low light conditions were tested to its limits again haha.
I hope I can go again next year. Woohooooo!
***********************************************
My secondary school held a mooncake festival celebration on Sept 17, and invited the alumni back. Having not gone back for a really long time I attended with a few friends.
 |
| 中秋园游会2010 |
Some familiar faces were still around, although not all teachers could remember our names anymore. A little regret was that I could not talk to all the teachers I wanted to see.
***********************************************
Went on the Singapore Flyer with a friend when there was a weekday promotion for students, at $10. Nothing much actually haha.
 |
| Singapore Flyer |
Do hope I can go back again once all the on going constructions are done. And at night too where all the lovely lights are up.
***********************************************
Now that all my projects are done and submitted, soon I will have to hit the books as examinations near.
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