3-D Maps

Since I didnt manage to make it to class on Tuesday, I as might as well blog about the report I intended on presenting. This article is based on 3-D maps. Interesting right? At Washington University, Austin Abrams developed an application, along with a faculty adviser and a graduate student, that could project a 3 dimensional map using Webcams and Google Earth scenes to forge a correspondence between 3-D and 2-D images. This internet application can be accessed through www.projectlive3d.com, where webcams are accessed and contributed towards the expansion of the 3-D map. This makes looking at maps a lot more fun, and it kind of reminds me of the maps projected in Star Wars. Like in some of the scenes where they are observing the Death Star or the planet of Endor. I cant wait until you could actually touch and feel the projections of 3D maps.

Acces#1

I finally managed to finish my first Access assignment on Thursday. It wasnt as terrible as I expected it to be without Tuggle's assistance. There a few sections where I really had to think back to when we were in class but luckily I managed to figure it out. Maybe for the next time we work on something a little more complex, I'll manage to take notes on exactly what to click and type in. Step by Step. Because otherwise I am just playing with the software for a few hours.

Workshop #2

I am glad that I'm getting some hands on experience in creating these types of files on Access, but I find it really frustrating when I miss a specific direction because then the entire project goes down the drain. It is really tedious for me because I have to be paying attention and at the same time performing all the intructions (which tend to take me a good while). It takes me back to my computer class in grade school when I was learning how to use the most basic programs such as Word, Excel, etc.. I remember always falling behind in directions and having to ask my neighbor "how do we do that?", "how did you get there?", "what did you push?", "what did she say?".. That was always the most frustrating part. And on top of that, when I would get home, I didnt remember how to perform any of the given instructions because I just couldn't remember. I'm going to get going on these assignments right away because I dont want to be caught in that same situation and not be able to complete it due to my lack of memory..

Today's Exam

Finally, the midterm is over with.. YES!! This exam has been anticipated all week and really has been stressing me out. I felt like I did pretty well on it, at least I felt that way because I went throught it really quick. But then again, that could go both ways.. Im just going to be optimistic about it and hope for the best results.
On tuesday I actually got my hands dirty and put something together on the computer. I am glad I got the chance to do this because I had never used Microsoft Access before. Surprisingly, my computer has the software as well! That is good, I might have been in a little bit of a situation if I had not.

Thursday Oct. 7

I wasn't able to make to class on Thursday since I was feeling under the weather.. So I guess I'll talk about one of the articles I had prepared to present that day. I had pulled out this article called "Vigilant Camera Eye" from technews which is based on a new camera system that would enhance security in public areas and buildings. It would record data in real time and when it notices something out of the unusual it locks on and zooms in to scope out the scenario. "The automatic camera system is designed to replicate human-like capabilities in identifying and processing moving images." Overall, it is supposed to replace the job of someone who is supposed to keep watch of large areas. The article uses a soccer stadium as an example where security can't necessarily keep track of everything going on within the crowd of fans, which is why this new innovative camera system was invented. It is easier view the entire image of all the fans, record the data, and when a brawl breaks out it flags it immediately. In other words, if you happen to working as security at large events like these, you might want to consider a different career path because you will be replaced by a machine!

Tues Oct. 5, 2010

"Flat File Databases are easy to set up and don't require expert knowledge." Hmmm.. I think I may have created these type of files in the past, perhaps I just wasn't aware of it. Just from the way the guy on the video was explaining it, it doesn't seem too complex in comparison to many other things in our class of information systems. I guess we're finally going to have a chance to do some "hands on work" in creating something in class on the computer, aside from this blog; which by the way is the first time I ever create a blog for myself. I have never created a website, URL, blog, etc until today. Besides facebook and all those other online networks. So this should be interesting..

Thursday 09/30/10

That video that we saw in class today kind of made me want to be a little bit of a nerd.. If I had known that so many of the programs that I use today were easily attainable and probably downloadable for free, I would have done that and saved a few hundred bucks. It sucks not being up to date with everything that is available over the web because it shuts out opportunities available to me. O'well not being too computer savi has its ups and downs.