The Unfinished. 意犹未尽

Check out my previous blog post, this is part two...

CS3216 is not over for me. It will extend even after my exams, so there is be a possibility that I might visit this blog again and post sth here :)

Things I didn't learn from CS3216:
(read btn the lines... =P)

Ideas are cheap, Execution matters

Actually i know learnt this quite some time ago, esp the "Execution matters". The "Ideas are cheap" sort of reinforce it. I usually prefer just do it, then to think until very far (for example: add in a lot of features to an app) and say all these can be done, then start only at the very last min.

Dunno who was the one who said this in the peer appraisal: "A more realistic person. Good and bad I suppose. On the good side, we set realistic targets that are actually able to be met without too much pain. On the bad side, it sort of made her unable to dream big." Who was the one ah? Admit it? :)

It is actually quite true of me. I think I sort of became too practical that I sort of ruled out that big dreams are possible. It is really good and bad. Will try context switch btn being practical and dreaming big.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish

I am a curious person. I love learning and I have many interests. Hope that all these dots will somehow be connected in the future/now.

Outsourcing

I don't really outsource to friends, cos I was not very good at friendships in the past. Will try more often that in the future, haha. I usually outsource to my parents. Like helping me to buy things, check how to get to a location, be my alarm clock etc. I realise sometimes things are done better if u do it urself or maybe not if it requires professional knowledge n u don't hv. Sometimes it really can't be helped, tt u need someone to take over it. It would be important that the person can be trusted. A balance need to be strike btn the two.

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I strongly recommend this, it sums up the last lecture quite well. The fact that the video Orry took is no longer distributable, we only have this, the slides and the photos in the Facebook to reminisce how interesting the last lecture have been.

A lot of knowledge/memories CS3216 has brought to me have been somehow translated to something subconscious, quite difficult for me to regurgitate them again. But I believe I am now a stronger person.

Wonderful Session ++

Actually the most interesting part ytd is not the lecture, but the session as a group with Prof Ben after the lecture. I am honored to be part of this interactive session with him.

What is so special about this teacher is being a computer science lecturer is a head fake. He teaches us philosophy. Recently, a CS classmate was conversing with me regarding CS3216. He was someone who got rejected from the 1^st batch of CS3216 application and never applied again. This is how I introduced him regarding Prof Ben: “He is known as the ‘evil’ prof who gives us a lot of work. He doesn’t teach programming stuff, he outsources. Rather he preaches us on philosophical stuff.” Then he mentioned about one friend of his who was an ex-student of CS3216 and asked me why his friend likes “the evil prof” (i.e. why like him even though he is evil). I replied he is friendly to his students.

Actually it’s not just friendly (is an impromptu answer)… To elaborate on this, he is rather “kay poh”; he tends to want to understand better about his students and bring out issues of the more concern for discussion. He keeps up with the times and he knows a lot, such that he can easily reach out to more ppl. And he keeps in touch with them.

The issue on why I think my father is not my role model; is not just the negative motivation part. I think he is rather trapped in his own thinking, resist new idea/perceptive and change. So I aimed not to be like him and see how well I can do by going in this other path. I have never watched Star Wars, but I believe the idea that Star Wars is trying to convey has probably been brought across to me in one way of another in other forms (being curious why it is so much recommended by prof, I will consider watching it :)). If proving oneself is said to be a “negative force” and doing family’s proud is said to be “positive force”. According to what I heard from prof regarding this “negative force” is that it will lead to the desired outcome in the fastest way and “positive force” is for the long run. Then what I am doing now is to start with the “negative force” and introduce “positive force” on the way. Since both forces (in this context) doesn’t conflict (we are not living in the Star Wars story), I think the two forces can definitely coexist and cooperate.

One thing u probably didn’t know. At the beginning to the middle of the semester, I was somehow “addicted” to blogging. What I meant was that the idea for blogging comes when I am waiting for bus, on the bus and even studying for other modules. (PS: This blog post also came out when I was on my way home; I typed the major portion last night, and did a bit of editing today) As my phone plan was up soon at then, I thought of getting a phone that can facilitate blogging while I don’t help even access to my laptop. I sorted of later “suppressed” that addiction as I am getting busier, the topics are getting more technical (later paragraphs will explain this), don’t know what phone or phone plans to get, the thought that phone’s keyboard too small for typing freely etc. Btw I still don’t even have the time to get a new phone yet :’( even though my plan was up on March 15.

If you look at my blog u will realize I don’t talk a lot about technical stuff. Though I am a Computer Science student, I don’t feel much writing about what I learnt after a technical related lecture. This is cos being a Computer Science in theory student (meaning I lack real world experience), I don’t think my discussion about these issues would be as interesting as those who have real experience.  I could have regurgitated what I have learnt all over again in a blog post. But it would probably sound too boring as all other classmates have heard these before. I think a blog post should be more focus on experience and thinking, and probably about life.

I have got a somehow “short-term” memory. Doesn’t mean I have bad memory. Let me put it in this way: I can do analysis and regurgitate stuff better if I don’t keep it for long. For those knowledge that have been kept for long, they somehow turned into some kind of subconscious thing, not that I don’t remember, is that I would need some trigger to recall and more preparation to make them into something conveyable. That is why I don’t speak as well as some people, who can present sth as though they just experienced it ytd, but actually it is sth that has happened long ago. I need some time to prepare, if not I just blanked out. That’s why I need to finish this blog post soon, before I forgot about what I want to say. Inspiration is very important.

The reason why I was never marked a good speaker cos to me what I present is usually binary. Either I know so I can say in the simplest form or I don’t know so I can’t answer. Some people can say sth until as if they know, but actually they don’t, and furnish what they know little to as though they are experts. I can’t do that. Probably this is good in a way to keep thing simple, but I can easily myself into trouble if I have to speak more. One other thing about me is that I am bad at answering impromptu questions. These are things I need to improve on…

Actually I do have an interest which is more philosophical. In the past, once in a while I had some thoughts about life, I posted it down. Don’t believe? Check out this blog: http://weeliyen.spaces.live.com/, the category on “Food for Thought”. I don’t really maintain blogs, few reasons are: I have no time.  I want to keep some privacy about my life from the public. I don’t hv much confidence of maintaining readership (with my boring life). I don’t want to halt my life at unhappy or happy memories, I want to move on.

Another thing is I was also bad in building relationship when I was young. I was the quietest girl in the class throughout my upper primary to JC school life. Being the quietest girl, what can I do? Observe! Observe how ppl interact and learn from them, and slowly adapt. I actually learnt humor!  In observing ppl I do like to do some “analysis” on them, esp their characteristics and how to get along with them. University gave me the opportunity to learn these better, cos I am throw out from my comfort zone, there is no fix class that I have to attend. Now I am actually a different person from who I am in my JC or Secondary School days. I am still learning.

There was/will be never another semester like this. I would never be able to churn out so many blog posts in a semester. Though I could be easily contented (u see how I easily settled with a job), I don’t want just a plain life, I want more stimulations and happiness. I will go out and search for them in the future.

Hmm… it turns out this post is not really what I learnt specifically from CS3216, rather some reflection on myself. But I guess Prof Ben don’t mind right? :)

Towards to end of the semester

So long nvr blog alr, did feel a little bad about tt... not tt i don't want to blog anymore, just that i feel that i got more things on the top of my priority list. Just wrote two blog posts at once! Finished the major portion for my FYP report, hurray! Hope tt i didn't have to make much changes to those parts. 

Hmmm... i am still very busy. Busy, busy, busy...

Semester coming to an end, means exams are coming... but i am actually happy about this! Cos after this I can graduate! Time to move on to the next exciting stage of my life...

Time allocated for modules per week

This was probably what i have been allocating for my modules on average per week...
(sum of time taken throughout a week; not subtracting time required to survive - eat/sleep etc)

0.5 day - Module A
0.5 day - Module B
1.0 day - Final Year Project
0.5 day - Teaching Assistant Task
0.5 day - Preparation for Future Career
4.0 day+ - CS3216

Time to get worry for my other modules (and spend more time on them?!) :(

Random related articles/videos

Kids steal to feed gaming habits (link)
Wed, Feb 03, 2010 by Sia Ling Xin
"MORE children are stealing credit cards and cash from their parents to secretly purchase virtual items for computer games."
"In the past year, he has seen a shift towards stealing for gaming – from hardly any cases, to two out of 10."
The term virtual is like a wolf in sheep's clothing, people unknowingly fall into it, causing much social problems. Not just kids, adults do can become a victim of addiction such as online gambling.

We're not ready for Google Wave (link)
30th September by Adam Griffiths
"Because it is too different to what is available now, many people will go onto Wave and dislike the interface, or dislike the features or dislike the way things are done, and then revert back to Facebook or whatever social network they prefer."
"Google Wave is being billed as it’s what email would be if it had been invented today. But my argument is that it could be too advanced for today. People could use it and find out it’s just too much for them now."
Quite true. Cos with the small "survey" (by asking them if they know of this) I did with my fellow SoC schoolmates, they either have an account by don't use it or don't know about it. Even Computing people don't "support" the latest technology, not to say non-Computing ppl would "dare" to try it out.
Having used Google Wave for my project discussion for Facebook Assignment and Facebook Seminar... I found that it is quite a useful alternative discussion if any of the teammates are not online. MSN or Google talk what so ever requires teammates all to be online to initiate a group chat, but Wave don't need. Wave is not like email, rather rigid, it is more flexible, better than Instant messaging. Then when the teammates are online, they can look thru the wave and see what's happening. But the problem with it is it hangs quite a lot.
Another thing is real time messaging. Pros and cons. It speeds up the conversation but may be a bit awkward to let ppl see all your thoughts. Draft (the small box) shld be implemented quickly for users to have alternative.

Cloud Computing Plain and Simple

Cute presentation that simplifies "Cloud Computing". The metaphor of a car at the back is quite innovative.

Why is CS3216 so addictive?

Can I do other stuff, and not touch CS3216 for at least 24 hrs? :(

Experiment shows that SLEEP does matter!

One more post for today, to address a very important issue... that is SLEEP!

At the beginning of the semester, one of our homework is to sleep more, cos we have to expect to be sleep derived when this module starts. Actually I don't believe that it is possible we can sleep more in the vacation so that I can sleep less during the semester. Sleeping is just like eating and drinking to me. It is important to eat tmr's share then I don't eat tmr, right?

And it seems like Prof Ben is promoting Sleeping is a waste of time to us. I read the comments here ("programmers don't sleep") as well as heard him saying "If you don't sleep, you get a lot of things done." I actually wanted to do a post like this long ago, but someone did it before me.

Actually I got an interesting experiment that I want to share, and dedicated to this project teammate in my group who sleeps from 6am to 10am everyday(?!) because he wants to do a lot and clears his daily to-do list. And this project teammate can just survive on one meal a day! =O

Below is summarized from a book "Psychology in Context"...

Sleep Deprivation: What Happens When You Skimp on Sleep?

• Attention and Performance Drop (tt is when accidents can happen!)
• Emotions Flare (gets impatient and aggravated easily)
  [u may be interested in this video (part1 and part2) about a person who did a 8 days no sleep experiment and his character and his life changed after the experiment]
• The Body Suffers (immune system drops and if someone nearby has the H1N1 flu, u r the 1st to get it!)
• Learning Decreases (sleep actually consolidates memories...)

[I found this other link online that tells us the effects on sleep deprivation, which includes how it can affect our intelligence as well :( http://www.learninginfo.org/sleep-deprivation.htm]

There is this experiment conducted in 2001 on whether is it advisable to "stay up one night to cram in as much extra work as you can" or "sleep a couple of hours less each night over the next several nights".

Twelve participants btn the ages of 21 and 35 took part in 4 sleep conditions. The control condition is no sleep loss, and the participants spent 8 hours in bed (11pm-7am) for 4 nights.

• slow sleep loss condition: 6 hrs (1am-7am) for 4 nights
• intermediate sleep loss condition: 4 hours (3am-7am) for 2 nights
• rapid sleep loss condition: 0 hours (all-nighter) for 1 night

A picture speaks a thousand words, so here is the result:

The key results were the measures taken after a total of 8 hours of sleep deprivation. The results were clear-cut: Rapid sleep loss (all-nighter) disrupted alertness memory and reaction time much more than did the same amount of sleep loss spread out over time. Moreover, as shown in Figure 5.4, the faster the rate of sleep loss, the greater the impairment. Losing a couple of hours of sleep per night (slow sleep loss) led to the least overall impairment.

Why I got so much material? Cos I am interested in Psychology (my interest is very diverse), then in once of the vacation, I got nothing better to do, so I went to "research" some of these stuff =P

Getting to know each other

Rmb in the previous blog I said "But we are given only so little time to know each other… And it is difficult to get ppl’s name matched with face and the performance they did that night!"?

Actually the opportunities we get to know each other is really quite a lot for this module compared to other modules (humans just get greedier =P). Thinking back (then I realize)... in my first lecture of CS3215 we just all go ard and know each other and form groups straightaway. No performances, no blogs, no Facebook accounts to "stalk" each other. We have to practice some "face reading" abilities to choose our teammates.

We should learn to work with all kinds of people, and not be too choosy. We can't be given too much time too, time is precious. Sometimes it is just strange affinity btn ppl that bring us to work together. 

Orientation Night

I intended to make a post regard the lecture two days ago, but could find properly time to do so. After the lecture we have to worry about finding project teammates already, and is not for 1 team is for 2 teams! The title “Orientation Night” was meant to refer to the lecture and the Show-and-Tell session on that night. To me it is like an orientation to CS3216.

Lecture: Introduction to CS3216 and Facebook

No wonder prof says his life span would be “shorten by 2 years” when he teaches this module. I can ‘t imagine how he managed to do so much work for this module so efficiently. Besides being the coordinator, he has to prepare for lectures, read every single word on our blogs, maintain his own blog, grade us and send emails etc. On top of that still have to leave time for his wife and kids. Most Profs prefer to make the curriculum simple so they have less stress, so he is different from others. I believe he do this out of good will to make us a stronger person. His passion and enthusiasm for his job really makes him a superman! I wonder he knows 分身术 (be in 2 places at one time)! Not trying to flatter him or anything, just speaking from my heart. I am a teacher myself also cos I teach private tuition and and is also the teaching assistant for an module (I am still teaching this sem). I will sometimes go the extra mile for my students and wonder if I am over doing my job. So that’s why these thoughts occurred to me.

I took down some notes that I think is important on the lecture that I would like to recap here.

In order to be really good in sth, you need 10,000 hrs!

If you divide it by 4 hrs per day, 365 days a year, you get approx 6.85 years. It is quite difficult to really sustain 4 hrs each day for 7 years learning a skill, so it ends up one need more than 7 years to proficient in a skill?


I translate this to "really good in something (A) => spend 10,000 hrs on it (B)"

A	B	A => B	In English
T	T	T	It is possible that you spend 10,000 hrs in sth and you become gd in it.
T	F	F	It is not possible that you don’t spend 10,000 hrs in sth and expect to be really gd in it.
F	T	T	It is possible that you spend 10,000 hrs in sth and you don’t become gd in it.
F	F	T	It is possible that you don’t spend 10,000 hrs in sth and you don’t become gd in it.

Just playing the sentence ard to get a fuller view of what to expect =P. I think the main essence of this is to work hard and work smart!

 1) Sales matters 2) People matters 3) Execution matters

I always believe in execution. Like the saying goes “Saying is easy, doing is difficult”.

In order to be success:  

1) Passion 2) Work 3) Good 4) Focus 5) Push 6)Serve 7) Ideas 8) Persist.

I remembered sth abt FOCUS that I would like to share, i.e. Follow One Course Until Successful!

Show-and-Tell

This is supposed to be a session for us to showcase our talents but it is really hard to tell who the right person for our team is. Because not every talent can be shown and not all talents can be related to the project we are doing.

Some people are single talented, he knows this and he only knows this, but he is very good in it.

Con: He may not “survive” if he is asked to take on an unfamiliar role. He is interested in nothing else but this field, he may have difficult in communicating with other group members.

Pro: If he is to take on a role that can push his talent to the max, he can be an asset to the group.

Some others are multi-talented, he seems to know everything.

Con: He may be only able to do the basics and not be able to learn or do the advanced.

Pro: He can monitor all group members’ progress, and is a good coordinator. It could be just take he hasn’t got the chance to get involved in advanced stuff previously, so picking up the advanced may not be an issue to him since he already knows the basics.

I believe everyone can serve a purpose to the group. It sometimes really depends on luck to find a “perfect” group where everyone complements each other.

But we are given only so little time to know each other… And it is difficult to get ppl’s name matched with face and the performance they did that night!

Cone of Learning -- CS3216

Just to share about this Cone of Learning which I just learnt about... and relate it to CS3216. 

I believe in this module, we will be doing a lot of active learning. And by the end of the semester, there will probably be many unforgettable experience.

What I hope to learn in CS3216

When I started out as an undergrad in the School of Computing, I have absolutely no idea what programming is about. So learning programming is sth very new to me. Level 1000 and level 2000 modules were crash courses one after another; it was like seeing everything through a fog. Luckily I met good people who helped me in understand what I was learning all along. But still my basics are not very firm.

Everything is still like a dream, so unreal. "I am a computing student and I know programming?" It was until I am able to finish a lab at a speed faster than I have thought I could have taken and I am able to contribute my ideas and help my project teammates, i know everything is getting real. When it comes to level 3000 and level 4000 modules I start to see more familiar stuff here and there, and I know this is where I belong.

Last time when I heard of ppl who knows a lot of programming languages, I really admire them. But coming to this stage, I realised I actually know a lot of programming languages... but just that I don’t know not know them well. The most confident languages I know of now are Java and C#. And some of the programming languages I know of are pretty impractical to the real world, though they are good for learning theory. In job advertisement, who will state Haskell and Prolog as part of the programming language requirement? And I heard a saying that most things that we learnt in school will become obsolete when we graduate.

Half a year from now, I will not be an NUS undergraduate anymore. So I want to learn as much I could now.  I want to learn practical skills which can put what I have learnt all these while into good use. I want to learn about the latest evolving technology, hope I can apply these to my working life later. I want to learn how to “capture eyeballs” (a phrase used quite commonly when I read abt CS3216), which I think involves some psychology aspect. I like the satisfaction feeling after finishing a project, so I hope to get more of this feeling by coming out with innovative applications. I know I will have to go through another crash course once again, but this time with more preparation and confidence.

Furthermore my CS3215 project wasn't up to my expectation, many regrets. So I don’t mind going through another hectic semester once again and make up for whatever regrets I have. I wish to learn more about team work in this module, learn how to work with people from different faculties and major. I wish to know how things can be thought in different ways from ppl immersed in different teachings, which I think will help me to enhance my creativity. Last but not least, learn how to have fun and make new friends!