So my first week of classes as an Honours student is well underway and I can't help but feel that it was just a little anti-climactic. Classes, as far as I can tell, won't be too much better than they were doing a Bachelor degree. On the plus side, COMP4100 Managing Software Quality looks like it'll be interesting. The AI unit (COMP4710) looks like it will be interesting: my previous studies in AI had a more symbol processing oriented approach, whereas COMP4710 is going to be taking an agent-systems oriented approach.
The other courses I'll be doing include "Milestone Papers in Computing" (COMP4200) and "Advanced Algorithms" (COMP4700). I haven't had a lecture for either of these units as COMP4700 doesn't start until next week and I have a feeling that I missed the first lecture of COMP4200.
On top of that lot, I had to buy some clip-on sunglasses today because I went to the Union courtyard to grab some lunch and it was painful to have my eyes open due to the glare and general brightness. On the good side, I got two new books today (the texts for AI and Algorithms) which was good, even though they cost nearly $200, even with the Co-op members discount.
I've also started reading up on my Honours topic. I've written a little bit about it on my reading 'blog.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Friday, February 11, 2005
Orientation and O-Week
The SRs and the B&G Members Association and Co seem to be gearing up for O-Week. As I write they are busy painting signs about the weeks events, decorating their floors and buildings, and what have you.
It's going to be strange. At UTas, O-Week was, for me at least, the first week. Nothing more, nothing less. Burgmann college (where I stayed over summer) is supposed to have a party (probably several) that usually gets noise complaints. To the police. From the other side of the lake.
I'll either love it, or hate it.
On the "here and now" side, I went and saw Weifa Liang (the Honours Convenor) today after getting enrolled, getting my logon and password (the reason for the lack of posts this last week) and all the rest of it. So now I have a desk at the DCS (in honours room, a.k.a. "The Zoo") and I had an email from Rajeev Gore (my supervisor) about getting some office space at the RSISE as well.
I'm not sure which I'll prefer: both Raj and Pietro (the PhD student whose software I'll be working with and modifying) are at the RSISE, but the environment there is professional. The "Zoo", I imagine, will be a little more relaxed. I'm not sure which will be the more productive environment, but I suspect having more contact with my supervisor will be of significant import, in that it'll encourage me to actually do work before my deadlines.
It's going to be strange. At UTas, O-Week was, for me at least, the first week. Nothing more, nothing less. Burgmann college (where I stayed over summer) is supposed to have a party (probably several) that usually gets noise complaints. To the police. From the other side of the lake.
I'll either love it, or hate it.
On the "here and now" side, I went and saw Weifa Liang (the Honours Convenor) today after getting enrolled, getting my logon and password (the reason for the lack of posts this last week) and all the rest of it. So now I have a desk at the DCS (in honours room, a.k.a. "The Zoo") and I had an email from Rajeev Gore (my supervisor) about getting some office space at the RSISE as well.
I'm not sure which I'll prefer: both Raj and Pietro (the PhD student whose software I'll be working with and modifying) are at the RSISE, but the environment there is professional. The "Zoo", I imagine, will be a little more relaxed. I'm not sure which will be the more productive environment, but I suspect having more contact with my supervisor will be of significant import, in that it'll encourage me to actually do work before my deadlines.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Viper Comics
Viper Comics: Dead@17: The Complete First Series
Aria Volume One
Remote Volume One
I've just been to the comic shop spending the money I should be saving for kitchenware and next weeks food (I'll have to cook my own meals after I move into B&G tomorrow). I got Dead@17: The Complete First Series, Aria Volume One and Remote Volume One.
I got Aria as the cover art reminded me a little of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (English Scanlation) as did the cover text. I've not read it yet, but a quick flick through has made me want to go back (though the shop'll be closed now) and buy the other two volumes although, now that I think about it, they only had the third on the shelf. If this book turns out to be anywhere near as good as YKK, I'll have to try an get some more of his work.
I haven't read Remote yet, but I chose it due primarily to the cover text and the colour section at the front (though a quick flick through the book cemented the decision). I usually like detective and police related anime and manga (series such as Spiral, Saint Tail and the various Patlabor films, books and series come to mind) so I don't think this is much of a gamble.
I have just finished reading Dead@17 and it has once again reminded me that the Japanese do not have a monopoly on great comics. I'm definitely going to be getting the rest of Dead@17 and sooner rather than later.
It looks like Impact are going to be getting hold of a large chunk of my disposable income in the immediate future.
Aria Volume One
Remote Volume One
I've just been to the comic shop spending the money I should be saving for kitchenware and next weeks food (I'll have to cook my own meals after I move into B&G tomorrow). I got Dead@17: The Complete First Series, Aria Volume One and Remote Volume One.
I got Aria as the cover art reminded me a little of Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou (English Scanlation) as did the cover text. I've not read it yet, but a quick flick through has made me want to go back (though the shop'll be closed now) and buy the other two volumes although, now that I think about it, they only had the third on the shelf. If this book turns out to be anywhere near as good as YKK, I'll have to try an get some more of his work.
I haven't read Remote yet, but I chose it due primarily to the cover text and the colour section at the front (though a quick flick through the book cemented the decision). I usually like detective and police related anime and manga (series such as Spiral, Saint Tail and the various Patlabor films, books and series come to mind) so I don't think this is much of a gamble.
I have just finished reading Dead@17 and it has once again reminded me that the Japanese do not have a monopoly on great comics. I'm definitely going to be getting the rest of Dead@17 and sooner rather than later.
It looks like Impact are going to be getting hold of a large chunk of my disposable income in the immediate future.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Public Speaking
I used to hate public speaking, now I just dislike it. I've had to give presentations on a number of occasions and, normally, my mind goes blank, I forget to so much as look at my notes and I manage to muddle through whatever I was supposed to say without screwing up too badly, but without the level of technical detail I should be able to impart.
This morning (11:00AM Canberra time) I gave my presentation about my summer research project and, as a result I can't help but feel I'm gradually getting over my hatred of public speaking. This is probably a good thing as I expect to have to give a number of presentations this year during Honours.
This morning (11:00AM Canberra time) I gave my presentation about my summer research project and, as a result I can't help but feel I'm gradually getting over my hatred of public speaking. This is probably a good thing as I expect to have to give a number of presentations this year during Honours.
Money: Who Needs It?
TROACSS: The Seikai Trilogy
TROACSS: More on the Seikai Trilogy
I saw a comic shop whilst in town today, and decided to pop in for a look. I left having spent nearly $60 on the Seikei Trilogy. I've written a little about it in the two posts above from my reading blog.
TROACSS: More on the Seikai Trilogy
I saw a comic shop whilst in town today, and decided to pop in for a look. I left having spent nearly $60 on the Seikei Trilogy. I've written a little about it in the two posts above from my reading blog.
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
The Co-op Bookshop
The Co-op Bookshop
One of the things that surprised me upon arriving in Canberra (about eleven weeks ago now) is the Co-op. Here, it's open 9AM 'til 5PM, seven days a week. In Launceston, it doesn't open 'til 5PM every weekday, or at all on weekends. I think that they had a staffing problem this past year, but it is still telling. That the bookshop is open seven days, and carries more than just the set and recommended texts for the various courses, is threw me out.
I have a feeling I'll get used to it though: books, every day of the week.
One of the things that surprised me upon arriving in Canberra (about eleven weeks ago now) is the Co-op. Here, it's open 9AM 'til 5PM, seven days a week. In Launceston, it doesn't open 'til 5PM every weekday, or at all on weekends. I think that they had a staffing problem this past year, but it is still telling. That the bookshop is open seven days, and carries more than just the set and recommended texts for the various courses, is threw me out.
I have a feeling I'll get used to it though: books, every day of the week.
An Interesting Experience
It struck me today, that this year is going to be an interesting experience. This won't be the first time I've lived in a student residence, but it will be the first time I've lived in a residence populated with adults instead of college kids (in Tasmania, where I was last resident in student accomodation, "college" is the last two years of high school, not University). I'm still of two minds about it.
Rooms as B and G are supposed to be quite small, but it is self catered (which is always a plus in my book), on campus and cheap enough for me to afford. All in all, the only thing that might suck is the other residents and the facilities such as the shared toilets, showers and kitchens. On the plus side, if I didn't live in a Hall of College on campus, I would probably finish the year having met only the other Honours students and the lecturers at the Department of Computer Science.
All in all, I think this year is going to be an interesting experience. Only time will tell.
Rooms as B and G are supposed to be quite small, but it is self catered (which is always a plus in my book), on campus and cheap enough for me to afford. All in all, the only thing that might suck is the other residents and the facilities such as the shared toilets, showers and kitchens. On the plus side, if I didn't live in a Hall of College on campus, I would probably finish the year having met only the other Honours students and the lecturers at the Department of Computer Science.
All in all, I think this year is going to be an interesting experience. Only time will tell.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)