tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-101115 2009-07-16T07:00:00+00:00 Astronomy, astrophysics, computation and culture TypePad 2009-07-16T00:00:00-07:00http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-07-15<ul> <li><a href="http://research.microsoft.com/apps/tools/tuva/index.html#data=4%7C0%7C%7C%7C%7C">Original Feynman Lecture Videos</a><br/> Awesome. Good job, Microsoft.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/8TkVg3wQmos" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-07-152009-07-15T00:00:00-07:00http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-07-14<ul> <li><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5304798/use-a-chain-sinnet-to-tidy-cables">Use a Chain Sinnet to Tidy Cables - Cord Management - Lifehacker</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/qDdmFtnvHzg" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-07-142009-07-04T00:00:00-07:00http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-07-03<ul> <li><a href="http://www.blogto.com/toronto/lists/the_top_20_summer_festivals_in_toronto/">The Top 20 Summer Festivals in Toronto</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/lAazYNIwFgs" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-07-032009-07-01T00:00:00-07:00http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-06-30<ul> <li><a href="http://people.mozilla.com/~prouget/demos/">Firefox 3.5 Demos</a><br/> Some nice tricks!</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/f_BnHkQL8w4" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-06-302009-06-25T00:00:00-07:00http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-06-24<ul> <li><a href="http://www.break.com/usercontent/2009/6/firework-nutshot-fail-771662.html">FIREWORK NUTSHOT FAIL&nbsp;Video</a><br/> Epic, epic fail. Deserves an honourable mention at the Darwin awards.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/Rv7JYnG1jEM" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-06-242009-06-17T00:00:00-07:00http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-06-16<ul> <li><a href="http://atlasobscura.com/">Atlas Obscura | Wondrous, curious, and bizarre locations around the world</a></li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/vUqPK2hnFho" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-06-162009-05-05T00:00:00-07:00http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-05-04<ul> <li><a href="http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/keep-your-ssh-session-running-when-you-disconnect/">Keep Your SSH Session Running when You Disconnect :: the How-To Geek</a><br/> Good trick!</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/WqJrg0GgeAc" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/alfredw#2009-05-04 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-63304159 2009-02-24T18:26:16-05:00 2009-02-24T18:51:45-05:00

So the SciPy package for Python is full of lots of goodness. Be very careful using the eigh() routine to get eigenvalues, though. There's a "gotcha" buried in it. The syntax is: (eigenvalues, eigenvectors) = eigh(matrix) This returns an array...

Alf <p>So the SciPy package for Python is full of lots of goodness.  Be very careful using the eigh() routine to get eigenvalues, though.  There's a "gotcha" buried in it.</p><p>The syntax is:</p><p>(eigenvalues, eigenvectors) = eigh(matrix)</p><p>This returns an array of eigenvalues and a 2D array of eigenvectors (each eigenvector consists of many components).</p><p>And there's the gotcha.  Let's say you want the nth eigenvalue and eigenvector.  I would write:</p><p>eigenvalues[n]<br>eigenvectors[n]</p><p>And I would be horribly wrong.  The eigenvectors and eigenvalues do share an index, but the index on the eigenvector is SECOND column:</p><p>eigenvectors[:,n]</p><p>Seriously WTF.</p><p><strong>Update:</strong> It turns out that this is due to eigh() being part of LAPACK, which is a non-Python library (Fortran?) that has a different internal storage model for 2D arrays.  So possibly less WTF, but still dangerous as all hell.</p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=LePbwP3f738:CeZ-Cwf4etY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=LePbwP3f738:CeZ-Cwf4etY:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=LePbwP3f738:CeZ-Cwf4etY:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=LePbwP3f738:CeZ-Cwf4etY:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=LePbwP3f738:CeZ-Cwf4etY:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/LePbwP3f738" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.freealf.com/2009/02/scipys-eigh-how-to-lose-an-afternoon.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54258954 2008-08-15T18:38:08-04:00 2008-08-15T18:38:08-04:00

This article contains details for Rogers. Details for other providers can be found on Jeff Starr's excellent article. Open up Jeff's article, linked above. Follow all of the instructions for installing the modem script. Follow all of the instructions for...

Alf <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This article contains details for Rogers.  Details for other providers can be found on <a href="http://perishablepress.com/press/2007/06/12/blackberry-curve-as-bluetooth-modem-for-mac/">Jeff Starr's excellent article</a>.</p><ol> <li>Open up Jeff's article, linked above.</li> <li>Follow all of the instructions for installing the modem script.</li> <li>Follow all of the instructions for pairing the Blackberry to the Mac.</li> <li>Follow the instructions for configuring the connection, BUT use these values for Rogers:<br>Telephone Number = internet.com<br>Username = wapuser1<br>Password = wap</li> <li>Click the modem icon in the menubar, and choose "Connect Bluetooth"</li> <li>You're on the net!</li> </ol> <p>Thanks to <a href="http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?referrerid=295219&amp;t=1408365">HowardForums</a> for the Rogers settings.</p></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=Bw-grX-finY:XLuMHIRI494:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=Bw-grX-finY:XLuMHIRI494:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=Bw-grX-finY:XLuMHIRI494:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=Bw-grX-finY:XLuMHIRI494:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=Bw-grX-finY:XLuMHIRI494:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/Bw-grX-finY" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.freealf.com/2008/08/howto-tether-a-blackberry-8300-curve-to-a-macbook-pro-on-rogers.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-52610874 2008-07-13T02:14:56-04:00 2008-07-13T02:14:56-04:00

I'll be heading Stateside soon to pursue my doctorate. Expect to see a big change of focus in this blog. I plan to use it to document some of my learning and to keep in touch with home.

Alf <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>I'll be heading Stateside soon to pursue my doctorate. Expect to see a big change of focus in this blog. I plan to use it to document some of my learning and to keep in touch with home.<br> </p></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=i-21hiYYSm8:SZwtxXcLv3I:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=i-21hiYYSm8:SZwtxXcLv3I:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=i-21hiYYSm8:SZwtxXcLv3I:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=i-21hiYYSm8:SZwtxXcLv3I:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=i-21hiYYSm8:SZwtxXcLv3I:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/i-21hiYYSm8" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.freealf.com/2008/07/change-of-focus.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-51752234 2008-06-23T17:45:38-04:00 2008-06-23T17:45:38-04:00

Courtesy FAILBLOG.

Alf <p><a href="http://freealf.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83455b0b969e200e55386af4a8834-pi" style="display: block;"><img alt="Jesusfail" border="0" class="at-xid-6a00d83455b0b969e200e55386af4a8834 " src="http://freealf.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83455b0b969e200e55386af4a8834-800pi" title="Jesusfail"></img></a><br>Courtesy <a href="http://failblog.org/2008/04/13/intelligent-design/" target="_blank">FAILBLOG</a>.</p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=saCoZ1ma27Q:005RG52BjDk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=saCoZ1ma27Q:005RG52BjDk:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=saCoZ1ma27Q:005RG52BjDk:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=saCoZ1ma27Q:005RG52BjDk:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=saCoZ1ma27Q:005RG52BjDk:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/saCoZ1ma27Q" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.freealf.com/2008/06/epic-fail.html tag:typepad.com,2003:post-43890446 2008-01-08T23:01:25-05:00 2008-01-08T23:01:25-05:00

So I knocked a full bottle of red wine over in my kitchen today, and it smashed and flooded my carpet with red wine. Smooth, eh? Fortunately, I was saved by the Internet: a solution of Dawn dishwashing soap and...

Alf <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>So I knocked a full bottle of red wine over in my kitchen today, and it smashed and flooded my carpet with red wine. Smooth, eh?</p> <p>Fortunately, I was saved by the Internet: a solution of Dawn dishwashing soap and hydrogen peroxide took the stain out beautifully without wrecking the carpet's coloring. Chemistry is cool.</p> <p>Link: http://www.stratsplace.com/patty_wine_stain.html</p></div><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=m-IE3USpsk0:Tt_PUJjbW90:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=m-IE3USpsk0:Tt_PUJjbW90:F7zBnMyn0Lo"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=m-IE3USpsk0:Tt_PUJjbW90:F7zBnMyn0Lo" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?a=m-IE3USpsk0:Tt_PUJjbW90:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/typepad/freealf?i=m-IE3USpsk0:Tt_PUJjbW90:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/typepad/freealf/~4/m-IE3USpsk0" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.freealf.com/2008/01/macgyver-tip-ge.html