I must say I have grown extremely biased against Microsoft products, but it is hard to dismiss their continuing relevance in our everyday use of our systems. I still cannot drop Live Messenger to keep in contact with friends, nor can I stop using Microsoft Office for documents despite all the rave reviews about Open Office. Similarly, I still cannot get rid of Windows as a result of my work.

This does not mean I’m a total pushover when it comes to what I need. I was not pleased with Vista, just as I was disgusted by Windows ME. What is strange, though, is that most of the time, it is hard to identify the things I disliked about either of them. But most people still manage to express either positive or negative impressions despite being unable to elaborate on their position. This is my attempt.

Installation

Installation, I must say, is a big major improvement. The entire process was very streamlined, and apart from the lengthy copying operation at the beginning the rest of the process breezed by. Of course, I have never personally installed an instance of Vista on any of my systems, so many of the things I notice may not seem as impressive to some who are already familiar with it.

Initial Setup

The first step of any Windows installation I perform is always installing Firefox. The version of Win 7 I have is the 64 bit edition, and I’m glad to note that it copes with 32bit applications just fine. Within 10 minutes I had Firefox up and running, with XMarks (formally FoxMarks) importing my precious bookmarks, something I have not accomplished with Chrome just yet.

All of my year old hardware was detected upon installation, so there was not much needed from my end.

The first problem arose with the sound system. My motherboard (Gigabyte DS3) comes with an inbuilt Realtek Azalia high-definition sound card, for which Win 7 did not fully recognise. Which brings us to the very first challenge for Win 7 thus far: will it be able to handle drivers meant for Vista/XP?

The answer? Thankfully “yes”.

I downloaded and installed the Realtek driver/toolkit (for Vista), rebooted the computer, and fiddled with the input jack settings until sound came out of my speakers and all was good!

Memory Usage

With a Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 with 2gigs of DDR2-667 RAM, the operating system copes fine. Admittedly, I am not pushing the system terribly hard; at time of writing, I have 2 Live Messenger conversations, Firefox buffering a 30 minute episode of anime while watching a Dylan Moran dvd in Windows Media Player, and memory usage peaking at 1.2gigs.

I will be try to run some of the more intensive applications such as Flash eventually.

Task Bar

I had mixed feelings about the new Taskbar. I liked the minimalistic look of the icons, making for a less cluttered Taskbar. However, I felt the icons were too big. I use “were”, because I quickly found out how to make them smaller. So problem solved!

Unfortunately, window management is still a pain, and has not improved much. Although, I’m considered part of a minority (with a beautiful 24inch screen), it is still too difficult to organise windows easily. Granted, this has always been a problem for me, but at least Gnome had multiple “desktops” which let me organise my windows easier.

Overall

1 Day in, and I’m relatively pleased with Windows 7. Perhaps this is just the honeymoon period, where the lack of desktop and registry clutter makes for a smooth experience, but I don’t see any reason not to continue trying it out for now.

The Problem

The problem I faced was simple. I downloaded a few Collada files from Google 3D Warehouse, expecting it to work in my project out of the box. It did work, but it gave me a completely untextured model, like so.

After a little looking around, I spotted a post which suggested looking inside the DAE file, to check if its materials are pointing to the right locations!

The DAE File

I thought this might solve my problems, but unfortunately it was not the end of the story. When looking inside the file, I eventually came across these lines of markup.

While this gave me a little more insight, it did not help me much, since the Collada file did not come with any texture files at all. I did, however, spot an interesting attribute called “name”, which specifies the name of the material it is looking for.

The Actionscript

Back I went to my code, and had a look through the MaterialsList API. I decided to have a crack at the “addMaterials” method, which allowed me to specify a name for each material I add.

The Result

Lo and Behold! It worked! My Collada model was now “textured” with basic colours (though it isn’t too hard to make it use BitmapFileMaterial or even MovieMaterial).

The wonderful model shown here is the Spaceship/Fighter by SciFiDude.

Did this article help you? Be sure to post a comment below!

That is when I realised I had already installed the Wordpress.com Stats plugin. Unfortunately, the plugin is purely for the administration area (consisting of a widget and a full section), so I decided to hack the code to leverage on a plugin I already had.

The Hack

The code I wanted is found inside “stats.php”, where you find the code that displays the admin widgets and page statistics. From there it was just a short search for the function in question (in this case, we need “stats_get_csv()”).  Once I figured out what the parameters meant, I was able to integrate it into my page.

The Code

<ul>
 <?php
  $active_posts = stats_get_csv( 'postviews', 'days=7&limit=5');
  foreach($active_posts as $post){
   ?>
   <li>
    <?php printf('%s (%s Views)',
                 '<a href="' . get_permalink( $post['post_id'] ) .
                 '">' . get_the_title( $post['post_id'] ) .
                 '</a>', number_format_i18n( $post['views'] ) ); ?>
   </li>
 <?php } ?>
</ul>

In the code above, “stats_get_csv” simply gets a list of Posts, and we can simply use them to display the information that we want.

Hopefully this might be helpful for anyone out there who is using Wordpress.Com Stats, and don’t wish to use another redundant plugin.

When the Beta expires on August 1, 2009, you’ll need to reinstall a released version of Windows to keep using your computer.

While this is purely speculation, I would definitely support such an early release date, but only if it was guaranteed to be stable, secure, and able to encourage adoption amongst customers. If it achieves that, at least I will still have a job for a while yet, and thankfully be able to skip past Vista.

In some sense, I feel quite disillusioned: surely what I have learnt (and in most cases, taught) in University would see some application in the real world. However, it seems that what I have learnt in uni is “How to do it Right“. In many real-world projects, including this one, the focus is on “Getting it Done“.

The project I am current assigned to is an excellent example.

The System

The System is a relatively featureful Time Tracking System. Employees log in, log the number of hours they worked on a specific project, and log out. Yet for something this simple, the System itself is broken is more than 1 way:

There is a list of “projects” on the left, which Employees can click to add a particular project to the current week’s timesheet. However, “projects” can also be sorted into “categories” and “clients”. Since the list control treats every single item as an item, Employees were able to add “categories” and “clients” as projects as well. While not exactly a critical issue, it is obvious that this is not the intended behaviour of the System.

Another problem was the “comments” mechanism that was built into the system. Aside from entering in the number of hours worked (into a textfield, no less), a small input area is overlayed next to it, allowing the Employee to enter in a small comment about that particular entry. However, the Javascript involved is strictly IE6 only. Meaning, it broke on all the other browsers that employees wanted to use.

Lets Be Realistic

This is not the first time I have experienced this “mentality” in my company. When estimating deadlines for a project, it is done with the intention of keeping cost low (cost being calculated as a rate by the hour). Thus, the mindset of the programmer is always to “get it done as soon as possible”. Is this what you’d call “Agile Programming”? Or is this just irresponsible coding?

Or perhaps it is simply impossible to “do it right” in the real world.

This is not a rant about ASP.NET, which I have also been learning at the same time. That will come in time.

Namespaces vs Packages

At the moment I am leaning towards Packages. Packages in Java are heavily enforced, by making sure the .java is placed in the right spot within the file structure of your project. Namespaces, however, allow the “assembly” to be placed pretty much anywhere in the project. Although it is possible to follow a strict convention like Packages, it is really up to the developer.

Strangely enough, C# does not use C/C++’s namespace system (where a namespace can be used anywhere in the code) by enforcing all namespace declarations to the top (a la Java Packages), having them apply to all classes in that particular assembly. In the end, however, minimal adjustments were needed for me to get used to the C# Namespace system.

Get/Set vs Accessors/Mutators

I have mixed feelings about C# Properties. On the one hand it provides straightforward access to properties of an object, while encapsulating object members properly. On the other hand, I feel it obfuscates the code to a small extent. Let us compare two snippets of code.

C#

Object.SomeBooleanValue = true;

Java

Object.setSomeBooleanValue(true);

In C#, the “Action” is not clear to me. Yes, we know it is assigning some boolean value to “true”. But if we look at the Java version, the method clearly states the intention. Furthermore, while C# Properties provides ways to implement read-only attributes, this is often unclear without the use of documentation. With Java, it is easy to see what operations are allowed with a particular class. This makes code easier to understand for me.

Another thing I have mixed feelings about is Interface Properties. While the intentions are sound, it breaks my concept of an Interface being a definition of functionality (as opposed to Superclasses, which should be a common set of properties). I suspect this is a “many tools for a single problem” syndrome that is often found in C++.

I may get used to Properties eventually, but it is not impossible to implement member access using methods instead of Properties.

C# Protected vs Java Protected

Here I have to say C# is the winner. Java’s Protected modifier was often used to provide member access to subclasses. However, it broke encapsulation by allowing access to other classes in the same package. C# follows C++’s version of Protected, by only allowing member access within the class, and derived classes only.

Subclass Declarations

Unfortunately, this aspect of the C# language is also inherited from C++ (pun intended). Java’s declarations are much clearer, and you can clearly see what are classes and what are interfaces, despite the more lengthly declaration. For example

C#
class A:B,C,D

Java
class A extends B implements C,D

Here we can see a problem. In C# there is no way to identify which is the superclass (or even if it does derive from one), and which are the interfaces, since there is no clear semantic. The “suggested” solution to this is to enforce a naming convention for Interfaces.

Again, a small problem, and I suspect C++ fans will enjoy their version alot more.

Conclusion

At this point in time, if I had to choose between the two, I would definitely go with Java. That’s not saying Java is better (the JVM is quite horrible, actually), but rather I prefer the language. As I like to say, “There is no way to go wrong in Java. If there is something wrong, its almost definitely your fault”. C# suffers the same “problems*” as C++; for a single problem it has many varied solutions. For example, I have never been a supporter of operator overloading. If someone overloads the + operator, how can you be sure that it adds two things together? You end up having to fight the language, by having to look through documentation all the time to figure out what it does.

Perhaps I will get used to it, perhaps not.

*I say “problems”, but they’re just my personal opinion.

Start Early

For anyone looking to perform any length of work experience, it is especially important to start your search early. Sure, it is easy to identify big companies like Google, Microsoft et al., however more often than not you will find entry into these companies extremely difficult. Furthermore, big companies may not be the most beneficial to you, in terms of work experience (I will explain more later). Therefore, it is important that you do not put all your eggs in a single basket. When I begun my search, I had completely no idea what companies were available locally. If you do not know what companies there are, how would you be able to send your resumes?

The other aspect of the search is Networking. Networking is a skill that you should practice early on, and the art of communication is key here. A potential employer or colleague may be amongst those you talk to, and (like a game of poker) it is often very easy to read a person’s character and personality from the way he/she expresses ideas. Exchanging namecards is also a good way to network (get some simple ones with your email on it). Remember: from your point of view, you are the one seeking employment. But from their point of view they might be looking for potential employees.

The aims of the search are therefore to:

• find out what companies are out there, and what roles you would like to fill.
• increase the size of your network, and therefore increase your visibility.

Do not expect this to happen overnight, or even over a month. You should go out with this mindset as soon as possible. You never know when your roommate’s wild party could result in a lucrative partnership in the future.

Preparation

Another important aspect of your search is being prepared. There are many things you should prepare for your job search, and again, this must be done early and consistently.

The most obvious thing you need to prepare is your resume. If you haven’t got one, start writing one. Once you have written one, let others review it. I have shown my resume to lecturers, friends, and even interviewers, and tweaked my resume each time. You will soon learn what you should put on the front page, how to attract the reader’s attention to a particular point, and what not to put in a resume.

Note that you shouldn’t write a generic resume which you will distribute to companies. The best resume is always a resume that is tailored to what a specific company is looking for. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use a template of some sort to assist in the layout of your resumes. You should follow the same guidelines for your Cover Letters.

Now for the less obvious points, which I had to learn the hard way.

Determine the kind of position you want, and be consistent and assertive about it. On a previous occasion, an opportunity fell through simply because neither party understood what the other party wanted. I was not sure what roles the company was offering, and the company wasn’t sure what position was suitable for me. Being assertive about the role that you want shows that you are knowledgable, confident, and have at least shown interest in the role by researching about it.

And lastly, do some research regarding industry standards for salaries. Some companies do ask this question in interviews, and take that into account (remember that the goal of a company is profit). Obviously, you do not want to sound too demanding by asking too much. However, asking too low is simply asking for trouble, since it may imply a sense of desperation. At the end of the day, Know What You’re Worth.

Don’t Be Afraid

Most people are terrified of being put under pressure, be it in a formal or a social environment. Interviews are unfortunately high-stress scenarios, since you are never sure what questions will be thrown at you. However, at this stage you should really ask yourself: “What do you have to lose?”. As a student, this is the best time to get out into the market and experiment. Every interview you do only adds more replies to your belt, and you’ll start to find similar questions. Common questions such as:

• describe yourself in a few minutes
• what is your greatest strength, and your biggest weakness?
• what is it that you have that would benefit the company?

From the employer’s perspective, the point of an interview is to determine your skill level, your compatibility with potential colleagues, and ability to communicate (see this often?). So every interview is a great experience to improve on your interview skills. And in the end, what do you have to lose?

Big vs Small

The first companies that I applied for were all considerably large companies, such as Google and Microsoft. However, now that I have experienced a little of working in a small company, I think there are a few things to consider when choosing a company.

Big companies are usually well established. However, your potential for career advancement is severely limited within the company. The company is not likely to grow, and you are most likely already at the bottom. Of course, it is possible to seek employment from a different company. But then we see a new problem; a smaller company would possibly feel suspicious. Why would you, an employee at a big company, want to scale downwards?

Furthermore, in a big company, you are often a small cog inside a well-oiled machine. Consider the length of your stay as part of your internship. Chances are, you will not get to experience the scope of the entire company, and be assigned a single dedicated task instead. A small company does not have that much resources, and every employee would be required to function at many different tasks, be it analysing, developing or testing.

Lastly, a big company often has strict protocol designed to keep the company efficiency at a maximum. However, most of the time, these protocol cannot be ported to a small company. For example, bug reporting protocol involving 5-6 managers wouldn’t make sense in a company of 12 people.

Whatever your decision, make sure you have thought it through carefully.

Conclusion

These are just some of the things I’ve learnt over the past few months. I do not know how well these apply to you, so take my views as just my personal opinion. However, I hope those who read this article benefit from it, or form their own opinion. Feel free to discuss this article in the comments below!

Here’s another article I came across today, about the Electronic Arts process for creating new IP (something which they have been pushing for a few years) which I think ties in very nicely with that discussion.

The game is simple enough. There are multiple “meters” positioned around the game area, which gains power as particles flow over it. However the particle colour must match the meter’s colour. There are also circles on the game area which changes the colour of the particles. The player must then position various manipulates to direct particles in the right direction. There isn’t much else I can say about the gameplay, other than you should play it to find out!

The link currently only shows a short 4 act demo, amounting to over 20 levels. but I think the game is quite promising, and I look forward to the full version.

He is the “National Advisor for Emerging Technologies” in Scotland, and during his session he discusses the current (and growing) use of games as a tool for educating children. (To see some of the great innovative stuff happening over there, click here) Although I was already familiar with educational titles, having played them myself as a child, what Derek presents to us is the use of existing mainstream titles like Nintendogs, and even Guitar Hero as a tool for motivating and encouraging students to participate and excel in activities.

As an example, Derek shows us how students poor in mathematics use Brain Training (by Dr Kawashiwa) as a tool to “practise doing their sums”, as well as clips of the students stating that the game actually helped them improve. Further on, we also see clips of students taking care of a Nintendog in groups, while keeping a detailed diary of their activities.

What we see here is the effective use of games to motivate students. And here are the reasons why I think it works.

Immediate Reward

If we were to consider a math test, a student would have to sit the test, and then wait for the results of the test to be given to him. When a student plays Brain Training, what we see instead is immediate feedback of the student’s performance, be it audio feedback (a happy sound signalling a successful answer), or visual feedback (big green tick). In a completely unrelated news article I read awhile ago, it quotes:

“It’s kids,” says John Mason, one of Saber Tech’s founders. “They run fast enough they get the (generator) lights to flash. It gives them a visual reward.”

This action/reward factor motivates a student to continue performing, and also to improve as well, be it in mathematical ability, or in physical ability.

Personal Connection

Going back to the earlier example of Nintendogs, students are assigned the task of maintaining the well-being of their pet. Students are therefore personally connected to it (come on, who doesn’t love the cute doggies?) and as a result are more willing to participate in associated tasks, such as maintaining the daily diary, which improves their writing and ability to express ideas and thoughts.

Furthermore, as a group task, it is harder for a single student to slack off.

Relevant Tasks

Sometimes, tasks are assigned to students, most of them having nothing to relate to. For example, some students question the need for Calculus if there were no real-life relevance.

Later in the session, Derek demonstrates how teacher may set tasks relevant to a game played by students. For example, students were instructed to build a arts&craft guitar, after they had been playing Guitar Hero. Since the task was relevant to the game, students were able to relate to the task, and are therefore more motivated. As a result, we see how the use of games allowed the teacher to set a task that is more effective in motivating students to participate in.

Conclusion

I found this talk to be one of the most interesting sessions of the symposium, and it is nice to see some positive feedback about the effect of games on children, instead of the news we hear about gaming addictions and killings.