Hackaday Link: https://hackaday.com/2023/12/18/when-is-an-engineer-not-an-engineer-when-hes-a-canadian-engineer/

LONG RANT AHEAD
some of which may be outdated
I havent checked for current accuracy or correctness

we similarly have something called a PEC – Pakistan Engineering Council – they accreditate universities and also specific programs and batches – if your bachelors / engineering program isn’t accredited, you can’t register with them. [1]

Upon registering you become an RE – Registered Engineer [2]

Then in about 3 to 5 years you must accumulate points called CPD or CPE – Continuing Professional Development or Continuing Professional Education (by attending or conducting seminars / courses) these work like how academic papers work (at least in some places, imho) – you refer me, I refer you – you train me, I train you. [3]

Once you have accrued enough points, you become eligible to take what is called an EPE – Engineering Practice Examination, I heard its difficult – though I never actually bothered to check [4]

If you pass EPE, you become a PE – PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER – then you get to sign off on papers that require a PE’s signature and companies hire you so that you can sign on their papers (they don’t need you to work on anything, just sign) and so they can bid on projects and tenders that require a PE on the payroll. [5]

During all this process, you get the privilege to pay various fee and charges at every turn and get loads of forms to fill and provide multiple photocopies of every identity / academic document you could possibly have. [6]

There are also elections for PEC – which I am not sure why they happen.

Also, they accreditate a particular batch of a particular program of a university in its last year – so if you are studying and they decide that your particular batch of students is no good (most likely because your university/institute failed to have the right dimension of library or the latest in bureaucratic nuances or they failed to hire enough MS/PhDs or maybe just forgot to fill in a form) – YOU ARE OUT OF LUCK – you can’t ever become an RE or a PE [7]

I got my degree about 10 years ago – haven’t worked in purely engineering fields, but have done loads of work which could be classified as such – I don’t write engineer with my name – but it is mentioned on my site and linked in.

Most of my rant is from year’s old knowledge, I wish and hope it is better now, but i think it is still the same or worse…

[1] https://www.pec.org.pk/

[2] https://www.pec.org.pk/engineers-registration/guidelines/guidelines-for-re/

[3] https://www.pec.org.pk/cpd/introduction-to-cpd/

[4] https://www.pec.org.pk/cpd/engineering-practice-examination/epe-2023

[5] https://www.pec.org.pk/engineers-registration/guidelines/guidelines-for-pe/

[6] https://www.pec.org.pk/pec-fee-structures/

[7] https://www.pec.org.pk/accredition/programs-under-level-1/

TLDR = Dash Cams if promoted in our country would result in a drastic change in the habits of people on a macro level.

DASH CAM = A camera installed inside a car in the front portion (usually behind the rear-view mirror) which makes video of what happens in front of the car.

Not so expensive when compared compared to the price of a car or by the list of features they come with or by the possible benefit they can provide.

Some features of a basic 15-25 USD Dash Cam from AliExpress

• upto 1080p HD video recording
• SD Card upto 32GB
• Loop recording, if card is full, oldest video gets over-written
• Motion detector (only record video when something moves)
• G-Sensor (basic Accelerometer which starts recording if someone moves the car, something hits the car)
• Night Vision (IR LEDs)
• 2.7 inch Display
• Audio Recording (inside and around car)
• Analog Video out / HDMI out / USB Connectivity
• Built-in battery and charging (works even when car is not running)

Link to a simple AliExpress Search: http://goo.gl/kB4lWi

WHATS THE PROBLEM/CURRENT SITUATION

So,keeping in view the rampant corruption of police on the roads, the constant disobeying of the Law by every other person, accidents, terror incidents (Mobile/Car/Bike Snatching, Target Killing, Bombs and such) natural calamities and more – if 1 in every 5 or 10 cars would install a DASH CAM – there would be so many more eyes on the roads all the time and everywhere – talking about the whole of the country, not just Pakistan.

HOW

Insurance companies could make it mandatory or give discount to car owners having a CAM.
Companies having fleets of cars will have video RECORD of where their vehicles have been – might help them in some cases
—- you can most possibly think of more ways this might happen)
– a Startup brings in a lot of DASH CAMs and starts selling or just works on creating awareness and maybe makes a mobile app or a portal or a software which allows easy video selection/cutting/editing/uploading.

WHAT CAN HAPPEN ?

People buy and install DASH Cams in their cars, and keep going with their lives, but everyone experiences something which shakes them and at that moment, maybe video proof of the event might help someone or just knowing that the roads are being recorded – there might be less corruption, people might follow Traffic Laws more, Terror incidents may decrease.

Not everyone will buy one, not everyone will bother to download video of some event from the CAM and upload it online (we still have youtube blocked), not everyone will see it as a good idea, but sharing such videos on Social Media will allow people to point fingers, ask questions, demand justice and this just might start to change the overall picture.

Now, I dont know much about the Pakistani market, hell I dont even own a car, but I have not seen one person using a DASH Cam so far, and anyone and everyone I have asked recently (except for the group post) – majority does not know what it is. This is also possibly not the first post about DASH Cams needed in Pakistan, but think about it…

Some DASH CAM related Links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashcam
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Roadcam/top/?sort=top&t=all
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sousveillance
• http://www.pakwheels.com/blog/pakistanis-start-installing-dashcams-cars/

P.S. I dont know why i wrote this, there is so many other things to do, work and stuff, but this has been bothering me for a few months now… needed to let it out.

To understand what is Arduino, lets see how AVR works. To use AVR, usually the following is done in order.

• Install ATMEL Studio on your PC if you dont have it.
• Make a new project, select the AVR you like.
• Write the CODE in the source file, standard C/C++ code works. If you want to use something special like LCDs or UART or something, proper Libraries make work easier otherwise that too can be one by using C code and referring to the datasheet.
• Build/Compile/Make whatever, get the HEX file (look in the DEBUG folder).
• Upload/Burn/Flash that Hex File to the AVR using a Programmer (a separate Hardware device – USBasp is the BEST).
• Once the AVR is programmed with the HEX file, it needs to be on a circuit with power supply, reset circuitry, oscillator and any other component etc required by your project. Usually it is a Development Board, or an AVR on a breadboard or maybe a project PCB which has everything on it including a programming port (ICSP/ISP Connector).
• It should WORK!

Hoping that you did everything above correctly from writing proper code to having the right controller IC to a working programmer and a working/tested circuit with your AVR IC in it and you should see your code working.

Usually mistakes happen in making that AVR circuit or the programmer doesn’t work or the connections from the programmer to the AVR are loose/broken, resulting in frustration and waste of time, usually new comers at this point think of leaving the AVR world and moving on.

This is where ARDUINO comes, Arduino is basically a prefabricated PCB aka circuit board with

• an AVR Micro-controller (ATMega8/328/2560 etc) on it +
• Power Supply circuitry +
• Programmer Support (allows programming) +
• Pins provided in easy to use connectors and numbered from 0 to 13 and A0 to A5 (talking about Uno here)
• an easy to use Software ARDUINO IDE
• easy to use code/language – basically it is just C/C++ functions, more about Arduino language here
• One button/click program UPLOAD/test

So an Arduino looks very easy for any beginner to use, but KNOW that it has the same AVR micro-controller and the IDE supports C/C++ completely and you can still use any and all AVR registers directly, but that might break some of the Arduino functions.

So anyone using AVRs, I would suggest STICK with it and learn it properly unless you are stuck in a situation where you dont have the time to learn AVR now, then move to Arduino, do your task and then come back to AVR and learn it. [here I mean the ATMega series in general]

Those using Arduinos, it is OKAY to use it at any and all levels including and beyond B.E. anyone who says this is kid stuff does not know that it is the same AVR as any other – it is upto the programmer to write powerful code for it.

As For myself, I use Arduinos to prototype faster, this includes using Arduino hardware and shields and the Arduino IDE/code – however after basic prototyping I move my projects to custom made AVR boards, sometimes with the same arduino code and sometimes I optimize the code properly and either rewrite it completely in Atmel Studio using the standard C/C++ and my own custom libraries or mix my code with the Arduino code.

Also, finally started to use git from Linux terminal, it is even great than the windows app, though it was easier, but this just feels more better.. typing in everything.

LinuxLog git repo at: https://github.com/zaidpirwani/LinuxLog

For now, maybe the next Linux log entry will come late, unless I do some big changes to my system – atm, am quite happy with my RasBhariPi and my Mint and I hope to keep on it.

NOTE: saw a book, found out it was free, downloaded, maybe I will read through it too.

The Linux Command Line
Second Internet Edition
William E. Shotts, Jr.

Ctrl+Alt+F[1-7]

I used the text-based browser, Lynx to check what the problem was, did some purging of all virtualbox related stuff and reinstalled cinnamon and then voila, I was able to login again.  But I will need to run Windows and Visual Studio and some other software as from tomorrow classes are starting and I need the Microsoft goodness too, even when I don’t want it.

I am logging in all the major steps and as soon as I learn how to GIT from the command line, it will be all up in a repo on, soon.

Got a MATLAB related task to do, skipping it cause of no MATLAB, but will install octave and use it instead for future work, or MATLAB if I ever get around to install Windows as dual boot or virtual.

I had to use Arduino, AVRDUDE but both gave permission errors, so for the time being, used sudo but should fix it for proper use. As I had to copy some Arduino library files, I needed to find out where Arduino was installed and still I am not clear on how Linux stores files, so used commands locate and whereis, both are search related commands, whereis is I think specifically for searching where a command binary actually is and locate is for commands/folders and files everything (I think). Also, at first I just tried locate Arduino and it gave such a long list that the terminal window didn’t show it all, so used | less to paginate the output (not sure what less is actually, man defines it as opposite of more .. :) very helpful).

• whereis some_file_name
• locate avrdude
• add | less at end of whereis command if result is too long, whereis some_file_name | less

Also need to install F.Lux on Linux (I just can’t look at the white screen now after so many years of using F.Lux on windows, can’t install. Installed RedShift (similar) – have to configure.

Update: Arduino is working now, maybe just needed restarting… though GUI glitches still there (selected items in sub-menus have invisible text) – AVRDUDE to test later.

My system specs  are: Dell Inspiron 1564, core i3 with a 250GB HDD and 6GB RAM – yes it is an OLD system

I still intend to install Win7 and dual boot it, but telling myself still that I will keep Mint as the Primary/default OS for boot (normal usage), so partitioned the HDD accordingly with gparted using the LinuxMint Live USB before starting the installation.

the 200GB partition is for Windows and any other data, am hoping I will NOT need to resize anything – still weighting options to run windows virtually or dual boot it.

The only and only and the problem I didn’t think of was that my WiFi driver does not come pre-installed (proprietary stuff) so had to install it without having Internet access on the laptop, used cell phone to search for a solution, download files and copy commands…

Keeping a record of all am doing, will make a GitRepo for keeping the log.

#include <stdlib.h>
 
void function_which_allocates(void) {
    /* allocate an array of 45 floats */
    float * a = malloc(sizeof(float) * 45);
 
    /* additional code making use of 'a' */
 
    /* return to main, having forgotten to free the memory we malloc'd */
}
 
int main(void) {
    function_which_allocates();
 
    /* the pointer 'a' no longer exists, and therefore cannot be freed,
     but the memory is still allocated. a leak has occurred. */
}

via Wikipedia Memory Leak Article

If someone looked down on Karachi, PK via satellite on Eid days, he would see

1. Large gatherings of Muslims
2. Hugging each other like its the last time they’ll meet
3. Pakistani Flags and badges and stuff [14th August is also almost here]
4. Children armed with guns…. YES, GUNS..!!!

Every Eid for the past some years I have been seeing GUNS, lots and lots of guns, Eid day reminds me of the scene in Matrix where Neo asks for Guns and gets em.

I mean why Guns, why not any other toy, why not board games, why not card games, why not sports gear, why not wheel-walay-jootay, why did it had to be guns…. and once the little ones have guns, they start having street wars form into gangs and its not only the little ones I see kids of almost 15 years old wandering around showing off their bad-ass BIGGER guns leading those gangs.

This has got to change. It is already done this year but next year and on next coming Eid (Bakra-Eid) I plan on at least trying in my own family to NOT let the kids buy guns. I will RE-post this before the next Eid too so to remind others and let’s stop this. I can force it upon a few but unless we show these little kids that there are other great things, other toys and play things which open the imagination for the better, which encourage healthy and safe outdoor  activities which encourage sharing rather than killing this trend isn’t going anywhere.

Let’s not even start on the hazards of these Guns and how one wrong aim can put out the light in one’s eye.

I hope that most of you will agree with me and some will share this thought this time and the next time on Eid.

[I should better familiarize myself with the latest toys too, so next time, I can give my kid-bro and little cousins a better choice, hopefully before next Eid, I will post here a list too.]

• Arduino [Free] Download from http://arduino.cc
• Proteus [NOT-Free] (I am assuming you have a licensed version from school or something (google maybe)

From here on, I will be simply providing the steps of the process, no talk about what and how, just the steps, follow them and you will hopefully be able to see simulation of arduino code within your PC.

1. Open Arduino Software
   — Select Arduino Uno from Tools(menu)>>Boards
   — Select Preferences from File Menu
   — Check the compilation box after the Show verbose output during:
2. Write your program in Arduino, anything, or simply open some example program.
3. Once done with the code, CLICK ON VERIFY,
   the RIGHT/check button on top-left – do not click on Upload, cause you don’t have the Arduino connected.

   

4. As the arduino IDE verifies and compiles your code, you will see the output of the compilation process as it happens,
   once done, it will show something like this at the bottom LOG window (black area).
   C:\Users\ZAIDPI~1\AppData\Local\Temp\build3564184540682511069.tmp\Blink.cpp.hex
Binary sketch size: 1,084 bytes (of a 32,256 byte maximum)

   

5. I have only shown the last few lines,
   Copy the PATH of the hex file, complete path from the drive root to .hex
   C:\Users\ZAIDPI~1\AppData\Local\Temp\build3564184540682511069.tmp\Blink.cpp.hexThe arduino Part is DONE, now we move to Proteus.
6. Open Proteus (ISIS) and add an ATMega328P into the Editing Window of Proteus.
   [press P for Part, search for ATMega328P and then add it, first to library then to the editing area, place part]
7. Add Power to the AVCC and AREF by attaching them to 5V/VCC/Power Rail
8. Now double click on ATMega328P to open the properties page, do the followign changes:
   — Set the CLKDIV8 option to (1) Unprogrammed
   — Set the CKSEL Fuses option to (1111) Ext. Crystal 8.0-MHz
   — in Advanced Properties section, write in 16000000 as the value of Clock Frequency Property
   — PASTE the address of HEX file, previously copied from Arduino software in the Program File option.
   Press OK, to close the properties window

   

9. ADD any circuit, components etc in Proteus as you would with the actual ARDUINO

   

10. PRESS PLAY
11. Now, whenever you change code in arduino, just click on VERIFY to re-compile it, the hex file will remain the same and you can simply test the new code by stopping and re-starting the proteus simulation.