Wow, this half term is going pretty slow... mind you, it's not slow enough... the MAT is right around the corner, and after scoring less than 50% on a 2008 paper, I need all the practise I can get.
My computer keeps freezing up still (it's a new build). After fiddling around with the temperatures, I reckon it has something to do with my graphics card, which I salvaged from my old power-surged computer. Looks like a few transistors on the gpu got fried in the process.. I'll only know by christmas, when hopefully I'll be upgrading to a gtx 460 :D
This will probably be my last blog until I come back from camping on Sunday. Off to Wales for 4 days. should be good!
I guess what this week has taught me is that I don't think i'll be regretting anything that I do in terms of studies. I'm working at my hardest, and if it's not enough, then so be it. I think the main way of getting into a good university is with good luck. It's like a lottery, really. I don't really mind what Uni I get into out of my five choices. So long as it's one of them...
Maybe my interest in going into the computer games industry hasn't dwindled yet. I've become enthused again by the physics and graphics engines within games. you should check out something called 'RealMatter' to understand what I'm saying. It's just so fun to watch and play about with. kinda like nerd-porn, I guess.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Sunday, 24 October 2010
AQA just haven't got a clue...
This Computing project is getting way too lengthy and vague. The AQA exam board need to get their act together on this subject, because there's so many things wrong with the course structure.
Firstly, the content is set out like an ICT or business course, most of it being completely unrelated to computing or computer science :@. Secondly, the specification doesn't give much detail on what wants to be seen in the project. Thirdly, the CHIEF EXAMINER sent back 'exemplar' projects which were given a decent enough grade, but were DEFINITELY not exemplar. One of them was based on a game, for goodness' sake! no use of databases (which is practically worshipped in the AQA course). If it was a computer science course, then it'd be exemplar, but this is computing (unfortunately), and the specification for the project is set out much like an ICT project. I'm not interested in databases, I just want to problem solve, and PROGRAM!
stupid AQA. no wonder the universities don't mind if we haven't done computing or computer science at A-Level.
AQA Computing sucks. don't you dare try to live through more than a year of it. unless you're prepared to scrape your head through it.
Firstly, the content is set out like an ICT or business course, most of it being completely unrelated to computing or computer science :@. Secondly, the specification doesn't give much detail on what wants to be seen in the project. Thirdly, the CHIEF EXAMINER sent back 'exemplar' projects which were given a decent enough grade, but were DEFINITELY not exemplar. One of them was based on a game, for goodness' sake! no use of databases (which is practically worshipped in the AQA course). If it was a computer science course, then it'd be exemplar, but this is computing (unfortunately), and the specification for the project is set out much like an ICT project. I'm not interested in databases, I just want to problem solve, and PROGRAM!
stupid AQA. no wonder the universities don't mind if we haven't done computing or computer science at A-Level.
AQA Computing sucks. don't you dare try to live through more than a year of it. unless you're prepared to scrape your head through it.
Friday, 22 October 2010
Looking forward to the future
Went through an MAT paper with my maths teacher today (Oxford maths admissions test), proved quite a challenge, for both of us. The confidence is building though, which can only be a good thing. I guess its all about thinking of problems in more than one way. Part of the principles of problem solving, I guess. I felt smarter afterwards, ahah. :P
Went for dinner with my cousins earlier, was really cool, one of them I hadn't seen in over 5 years. Good to know that most people don't change for the worst.
And so, the start of half term begins. No procrastinations included. Okay maybe a little bit :) Downloading Fallout: New Vegas as I'm typing this!
You know what, bankers and economists might work in the financial sector, but it's the computer scientists who are among the world's most influential and richest people in the world. Take Bill Gates, or Mark Zuckerberg. Sure, they were Harvard dropouts, but what they created made the world develop into what it is today. Heck, it's only recently that a film has been made about the creation of Facebook. Do I want to be like one of them? I wouldn't mind, but I don't think I'm that much of a social recluse to do so. Still, it'd be nice, I guess.
Went for dinner with my cousins earlier, was really cool, one of them I hadn't seen in over 5 years. Good to know that most people don't change for the worst.
And so, the start of half term begins. No procrastinations included. Okay maybe a little bit :) Downloading Fallout: New Vegas as I'm typing this!
You know what, bankers and economists might work in the financial sector, but it's the computer scientists who are among the world's most influential and richest people in the world. Take Bill Gates, or Mark Zuckerberg. Sure, they were Harvard dropouts, but what they created made the world develop into what it is today. Heck, it's only recently that a film has been made about the creation of Facebook. Do I want to be like one of them? I wouldn't mind, but I don't think I'm that much of a social recluse to do so. Still, it'd be nice, I guess.
Thursday, 21 October 2010
A good day
Today was just generally, a good day! you know one of those days where you just feel absolutely contempt with everything...
Conversations with my Further Maths teacher and friend today about Uni felt very fulfilling. I feel as if I'm actually going to be successful in my life... It's hard to describe how I'm feeling right now, actually.
Why can't all conversations be like that?
Oh, on the way home I witnessed some random guy shouting at a lady pushing a pram as she was about to cross the road at quite a busy junction, without going to a designated crossing. I thought, good on you mate, you might have just saved a life or two there. I just hope he didn't get the wrong impression when I glanced at him as he turned towards me. He looked a bit beastly.
Common sense is one of the most basic and vital things which we humans possess, in my opinion. I guess some people just ignore it.
Conversations with my Further Maths teacher and friend today about Uni felt very fulfilling. I feel as if I'm actually going to be successful in my life... It's hard to describe how I'm feeling right now, actually.
Why can't all conversations be like that?
Oh, on the way home I witnessed some random guy shouting at a lady pushing a pram as she was about to cross the road at quite a busy junction, without going to a designated crossing. I thought, good on you mate, you might have just saved a life or two there. I just hope he didn't get the wrong impression when I glanced at him as he turned towards me. He looked a bit beastly.
Common sense is one of the most basic and vital things which we humans possess, in my opinion. I guess some people just ignore it.
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Next generation of entertainment?
I was browsing through youtube when I came across this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoEBJfI8kDw&feature=related
It's nowhere near refined enough to be deemed worthy for industry standards, but for the average user wanting (for some reason) to perform a 3d scan on any object, the concept is brilliant.
Kinda doesn't relate too much, but it made me wonder if one day there'll be movies where we can choose to virtually move around in the environment. I think that may just be the next step from 3D technology. Providing that computers (especially graphics performance) become much more powerful in the future, I guess that in theory, we could have interactive animated films where we get to control what and how we see all the scenes. Don't know how well that'd go down with directors though. I guess it could always be an 'option' as oppose to the main function of the film.
Imagine watching some scenes from Avatar in a different perspective, possibly just sitting there staring into the Pandoran landscape. Combined with 3D technology, I think this experience could be a hell of a lot better than conventional cinema, if the developers design the interface correctly. With most if not all teenagers and younger adults these days being able to use a computer's interface, it wouldn't seem silly to introduce some sort of joypad or controlling device which the user moves to control their perspective of the film, in time for this sort of technology's release.
Something to think about. Hope nobody's already thought of this, lol.
It's nowhere near refined enough to be deemed worthy for industry standards, but for the average user wanting (for some reason) to perform a 3d scan on any object, the concept is brilliant.
Kinda doesn't relate too much, but it made me wonder if one day there'll be movies where we can choose to virtually move around in the environment. I think that may just be the next step from 3D technology. Providing that computers (especially graphics performance) become much more powerful in the future, I guess that in theory, we could have interactive animated films where we get to control what and how we see all the scenes. Don't know how well that'd go down with directors though. I guess it could always be an 'option' as oppose to the main function of the film.
Imagine watching some scenes from Avatar in a different perspective, possibly just sitting there staring into the Pandoran landscape. Combined with 3D technology, I think this experience could be a hell of a lot better than conventional cinema, if the developers design the interface correctly. With most if not all teenagers and younger adults these days being able to use a computer's interface, it wouldn't seem silly to introduce some sort of joypad or controlling device which the user moves to control their perspective of the film, in time for this sort of technology's release.
Something to think about. Hope nobody's already thought of this, lol.
Trying Something New
Hi people!
So, I've finally entered the world of blogging. Thought I might as well share my thoughts with the world. Helps to keep me sane, I hope :P
Firstly, bit of background info on myself:
I live in an area of East London called Newham, a place which I consider to be crime-ridden, impoverished, struggling, but more importantly, my home. You'll probably know it as "The place where the 2012 Olympics are going to be held". I'm still in education at the moment, currently in my last year at sixth form, studying Maths, Computing and Further-Maths-In-A-Year. You could argue that I'm not exactly a computer scientist, because I only study 'computing' as oppose to 'computer science'. Hopefully this time next year I'll be able to fulfil that title by studying for a degree in Computer Science at Uni. Fingers crossed for Oxford!
I've been interested in the world of computers for most if not all of my memorable life, and my guess is that it stems from my general interest in all things logical, mathematical, and explainable (if that's a word). Modern times see computers being used for practically everything we humans come into contact with, from things such as a book, to the cereal we eat for breakfast. Somewhere in an item's manufacture, a computer has been busy calculating how much cereal has been poured into a bag, or sending data to a printer that stamps letters onto a page. Heck, just take a look at what you are using right now. The versatility of computers also captures my interest, as we can now develop systems capable of simulating real-life events that would otherwise mean risking someone's life, or creating worlds where we can interact and feel a part of. The complexity and creativity that is imposed on modern and future computing makes it difficult for me to currently choose one single aspect of it to focus on. Computers have no limitations, so it would seem silly to limit myself too.
hmm... how should I sign off a blog?
:D
So, I've finally entered the world of blogging. Thought I might as well share my thoughts with the world. Helps to keep me sane, I hope :P
Firstly, bit of background info on myself:
I live in an area of East London called Newham, a place which I consider to be crime-ridden, impoverished, struggling, but more importantly, my home. You'll probably know it as "The place where the 2012 Olympics are going to be held". I'm still in education at the moment, currently in my last year at sixth form, studying Maths, Computing and Further-Maths-In-A-Year. You could argue that I'm not exactly a computer scientist, because I only study 'computing' as oppose to 'computer science'. Hopefully this time next year I'll be able to fulfil that title by studying for a degree in Computer Science at Uni. Fingers crossed for Oxford!
I've been interested in the world of computers for most if not all of my memorable life, and my guess is that it stems from my general interest in all things logical, mathematical, and explainable (if that's a word). Modern times see computers being used for practically everything we humans come into contact with, from things such as a book, to the cereal we eat for breakfast. Somewhere in an item's manufacture, a computer has been busy calculating how much cereal has been poured into a bag, or sending data to a printer that stamps letters onto a page. Heck, just take a look at what you are using right now. The versatility of computers also captures my interest, as we can now develop systems capable of simulating real-life events that would otherwise mean risking someone's life, or creating worlds where we can interact and feel a part of. The complexity and creativity that is imposed on modern and future computing makes it difficult for me to currently choose one single aspect of it to focus on. Computers have no limitations, so it would seem silly to limit myself too.
hmm... how should I sign off a blog?
:D
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