Last post

Well it's quite evident that I'm not good at this, even if it is for marks, but alas, I shall post one last time in vain.

We were asked this week to write about our thoughts on security on the internet. I am of the opinion that what goes on the internet, stays on the internet. For a lot more people to see than you originally had in mind. This, I believe, is reality. One that most people decide to ignore, as -- and I say this often myself -- "I have nothing to hide". This may be true, but it's a bizarre thought nonetheless; one that makes me think I should reevaluate my policy on what I put of myself on the internet. After all, I only want those who actually know me to get to know me, if that makes any sense.

It makes me wonder what strangers can learn about me from these posts only...

But anyway, I digress. We were also asked to discuss our thought on property. I haven't given much thought to this issue before. The first thoughts that come to mind are that people aren't anyone's property under any circumstance. Obviously. It makes sense to me that my "property" is anything I put my own effort into acquiring for myself (through legal channels, naturally), like my desk chair, which I bought with money I earned; or my computer, same deal. These things belong to me. But what about animals? you may ask. Well... hard to say. They're living, but can easily qualify as property too. Tough call. One far too philosophical for my taste. Short answer, I'm OK with calling a long-domesticated breed of dog "my property". I am a firm believer of intellectual property too. I feel I must mention CPG Grey's video about copyright; it's a very good couple minutes spent. Watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk862BbjWx4

So, from a creative viewpoint, copyright seems to be killing fruitful production of new works from fan-bases. So says Grey. Watch the video; you'll know what I mean.

It is clear that technology these days in making this whole protection of intellectual property thing difficult. So at the end of the day, it's probably better to think twice -- and even a few more times after that -- before you put your brainchildren on the internet.

P.s. sorry for using the word "brainchildren".

The last few weeks

Keeping track of this blog has proven difficult. The last number of weeks in any semester can be a living hell, as many students know.

Nonetheless, I still have been learning many this since the last post. I found the first project particularly interesting to do. Even though it is not advanced by any means, it still made me feel like a real part of the world of computer science. Were I not in my final year at U of t, I would have considered pursuing computer science further. At any rate, I did encounter a few problems trying to complete the assignment, but using the problem solving methods taught to us by Dany, as well as a little bit of trial and error, I was able to come up with a working solution. I am still unsure if it was just something I was missing, but I still managed to make it work by coming up with my own solution. Completing the assignment definitely left me with a sense of accomplishment.

Since, I have found the exercises on recursion of particular interest. It is still odd to me that a definition can run by calling itself. The results are pretty fascinating as well. I spent a good amount of time on DrRacket brainstorming my own crazy recursion ideas. Be careful not to ask to much from your computer though! Mine almost died when I asked it to perform a recursion function 50 times. I am excited to learn new tools in DrRacket like this.

We also had our second test last week. I feel it went well, but I was taken aback by the first question. It did not address anything we covered in lecture specifically, but asked us to use what we had learn as well as some critical thinking and intuition to give a meaningful response. I feel I answered well, but that remains to be seen...

I am pleased with the things I have learned and the direction this course has taken. I await to see what we will learn in the remaining 3 lectures.

First SLOG Post

In this blog (or rather, SLOG, as we so affectionately put it in CSC104), I will be keeping a brief record of my experience during the semester in CSC104.

I must say that up until this point, I have been having more fun than I expected to. This course has introduced me to a way of thinking with which I am not that familiar. Tinkering away at different projects on DrRacket give me a sensation of total creativity that I cannot wait to test. I am excited for win I am able to apply what I have learned with Picturing Programs to other practical uses: the functioning clock with hands for example.

I am also looking for ways I can ultimately apply my new knowledge to my majors in French and German. Too bad the world of computing is dominated by English...