Monthly Archives: January 2009

Losing the farm

Posted on 31 January 2009 by cajo

One of the first serious computer programs I ever wrote was a game for the BBC Micro (Model B, built by Acorn, 32K of RAM, 2MHz 6502 CPU, round about 1984).  The user was in control of a farm.  Every round … Continue reading →

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Feedback

Posted on 30 January 2009 by cajo

Because our department is situated far from the main campus, I seldom have a chance to visit the university’s main library. The separate library for engineering is much closer and contains most of the Computer Science collection, but sometimes one … Continue reading →

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The whale

Posted on 28 January 2009 by cajo

My reading has fallen behind significantly.  My reading list is lost somewhere or – to be more accurate – it is… unlost.  I have many different copies lying around that I must sort out.  There should be a word for … Continue reading →

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Doendag

Posted on 27 January 2009 by cajo

I like instant coffee.  Or at least, I like the brand of instant coffee I drink.  Given the volumes I consume, it is not economically viable for me to brew coffee.  When I make the coffee, I put the dry … Continue reading →

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From the jaws of victory

Posted on 26 January 2009 by cajo

I was really excited over the weekend, because I thought that I had found a beautifully elegant solution to the current stumbling block in my research with Antti and Henri.  Last night I excitedly write up the idea and sent … Continue reading →

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Gearing up for the year

Posted on 23 January 2009 by cajo

Until now the atmosphere around here has been pretty relaxed.  At the university the classes start on Feb 2 and, even though there is some activity, the real rush is not yet upon us.  I have some duties, but I’m … Continue reading →

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Easy to be hard

Posted on 22 January 2009 by cajo

A musician of more ambition than talent composed an elegy at the death of composer Edward MacDowell.  She played the elegy for the pianist Jozef Hofmann, then asked his opinion. “Well, it’s quite nice,” he replied, “but don’t you think … Continue reading →

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That time of year

Posted on 20 January 2009 by cajo

Tomorrow I have to do my taxes.  The deadline is Friday and apparently it is a doddle, except that my IRP5 seems to have disappeared.  It’s somewhere in this office, so I should be able to find it… I listened … Continue reading →

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Time travel

Posted on 19 January 2009 by cajo

I think I have a rough understanding of physics, at least up (or down!) to the quantum level.  The details of string theory is beyond me, but this is probably true of most physicists too.  I understand the concept of … Continue reading →

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Blast from the past…and present

Posted on 19 January 2009 by cajo

Thursday last I received an email and then a phone call from an old friend.  On Friday we catched up over a three-hour coffee.  At school we were best friends.  We shared interests, and spend a lot of our time … Continue reading →

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