I get asked all the time to explain hard drive RAID (redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks).

So I figured I would make it the topic of discussion for my vlog this week. The description ended up taking longer then expected though, so I broke it up into three parts: Hardware vs. Software RAID, Standard RAID, and Nested RAID.

Watch them all in this convenient youtube playlist!

I just had to share this comic.  It’s not a new one, but I find it particularly amusing.  If you don’t already, you should start reading the xkcd comics (xkcd.com).  WARNING: They are are for tech geeks.  If you don’t get this one, then I refer you here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudo.

I’m starting a Vlog!  It will be called TechBits.  The idea will be to informally answer tech/computer questions, talk about the technology industry, etc.  Below is the introduction video to the series.  Be sure to subscribe to my youtube channel! :)

The Description that goes with the video:

TechBits will be my new Vlog. Please comment to let me know what I should change/improve, etc.

Stuff Mentioned in my Video:
ZACH LYNN (CO-CREATOR Of ULTIMATECOMPUTERS.NET)
http://www.youtube.com/zlynn1990
http://www.zachlynn.com

ULTIMATECOMPUTERS (A COMMUNITY FOR COMPUTER-BUILDERS AND TECH ENTHUSIASTS)
http://www.ultimatecomputers.net
http://www.cafepress.com/UComputers (this is where you can buy the shirt I was wearing)

DEEPNOTE (A BOT MADE BY MYSELF AND FRIENDS THAT CAN PLAY GUITAR HERO)
http://www.mechanizedrock.com
Also check out the DeepNote videos in my youtube Profile

MY BLOG (JUST RANDOM STUFF THAT I LIKE TO TALK ABOUT, MOSTLY WHAT I’M UP TO)
http://www.jeremyblum.com

MY TWITTER FEED (FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER; THE FEED IS ALSO DISPLAYED ON THE SIDE OF MY BLOG)
http://www.twitter.com/sciguy14

MY YOUTUBE PROFILE (DUH…AND DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE!)
http://www.youtube.com/sciguy14

It’s been quite a while since I finished up with my Prosthetics Research and the Intel Science Talent Search, so I decided it was time for me to get all of my final materials online.  Below I’ve included my final research paper, two posters, a powerpoint, and a short slideshow of the prototype progression that I played at my booth at Intel STS.  Just for fun, I’ve put up some select pictures from Intel as well.  Please feel free to comment and ask any questions you like.

I am issuing my work under a cc license which allows you to view and share it freely under the conditions outlined by Creative Commons:

Using Force Sensors to Effectively Control a Below-Elbow Intelligent Prosthetic Device by Jeremy E. Blum is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Download the 20 page Final Research Paper (PDF)
Download the 20×30 Summary Poster (PDF)
Download the 48×48 Presentation Poster (PDF)
Download the 30 slide PowerPoint (PDF)

Watch the “Prototype Progression” video that played at my Intel Booth:
[See post to watch Flash video]

View some of the pictures from Intel STS:

view slideshow

Well, it’s not like we’ve released a line of clothing, but we do have a t-shirt and a mug that should allow you to display your geekdom proudly.  I’ve already ordered the shirt, and you can check out some awesome modeling shots of me below ;)

You can go order them securely via CafePress.com.  But act quickly!  There are limited quantities.*

Some action Shots:

view slideshow

*There aren’t really limited quantities

So, I just got through my first set of exams here at Cornell…  To give you an idea of the tests, the average score on my first calc test was a 36%.  Granted, they aren’t usually that bad; it seems they over estimated how long they made it…  Anyways, I did okay on that one (as in, near the average score).  I haven’t gotten my chemistry test back yet, but based on the responses I’ve heard from my friends in who are in the class with me, the average won’t be much better.  I hear these tests were a fluke; last year’s first calc test had an average score in the 80’s I believe…But still, it’s a little unnerving.

On the “not school work” front, I’ve decided on a concentration for the Solar Decathlon Team.  I’m going to a design a complete home automation system.  It should be really cool when complete.  Myself and a few others are planning to end up with a user-friendly interface for doing everything from controlling the music and lights, to monitoring the house’s power consumption.  Conveniently, I worked with an electrical engineer this summer, and did some work similar to what will be required to get this home automation thing running.

Hmmm….what else…I had a really good peanut butter milkshake (I promise it’s good) last night at midnight, fell asleep around 2AM, and was awoken at around 6:30 by my roomate coming back from an all night session in the library.  He had to basically design a new language for his english class.  So yeah, that sums up the college experience I think: study, work all night, eat at random hours, procastinate, socialize when not doing the doing the above, repeat.

I figured I’d provide an update on my activities for the 3 people who may actually be interested :)

So I’ve been at Cornell Engineering for about a month now, and everything is going pretty well.  I’m taking calculus, chemistry, intro to mechanical engineering, and a writing seminar course.  I’ve joined the Cornell Solar Decathlon Team, which should be a really great experience.  I’ve been very interested in alternative energy sources for a few years now, and I felt like this would be a fun way to get my feet wet.  You can check out the team webpage here.  The purpose of the team is to build a fully operational, envirnmentally friendly, solar powered house.  Members include engineers, architects, business majors, and pretty much everybody else.  I’ve joined the Control Engineering subteam which will focus on home automation and power management techniques.

I’m in an undergrad research program here, and will certainly be starting research by second semester.  I haven’t decided for certain what the topic will be yet, but it is likely that it will involve research in intelligent robotic systems.

Hmm…so I suppose that’s it so far :)

We have successfully submitted the information for our DeepNote Guitar Hero Bot to the Parallax Propeller (the microcontroller we used) Design Contest.  The contest judges entrants on the following criterion:

• 30% Propeller Design Appropriateness Determined on applicant’s ability to use the Propeller’s unique architecture to achieve a working design. An entry which receives the highest mark in this category will utilize the Propeller to achieve a design not possible with a traditional microcontroller.

• 30% Originality Creativity of the project.

• 25% Professionalism This is based on the use of clear English in the Project Report, a quality design (if needed), clarity of explanations, quality of pictures and source code formatting/commenting.

15% Practicality Based on the project’s usefulness.

Check out all the competition information HERE

It has begun!  I’ve been at college for about a week now, so I figured I’d just give a brief tour of my room.  I’ve put together a photosynth 3D Tour, or you can just check out the pics.  Both are below.

PhotoSynth:

Photos:

view slideshow

I’ve used a whole lot of operating systems, but for many years, Windows has been my primary mode of computing.  I now use Vista on 3 machines and Ubuntu Linux on a 4th (with it also dual-booting on one of my Vista machines).  I’ve had a lot of experience with Macs as well, and about a dozen different Linux Distros.  Having seen all of these different computing methods, I’d like to offer my insight (even though very few people are probably reading this) into the development of Windows 7.

1. Backwards compatibility needs to go. By trying to make all aspects of the operating system backwards compatible with other versions, Windows releases have been getting more and more bloated.  The old apps usually don’t even work right anyways.  Add a virtualization engine that old apps can run in.  That way, it only has to be used when old apps are needed.
2. Vista had way to many SKUs.  Ultimate, Home Premium, Business…etc.  It was simply ridiculous.  Take a page from the linux playbook: Make a single base operating system, and allow the needed packages to be installed on top of it.  None of this extra stuff should be installed by default.  Duing the Windows install, it should start very stripped down.  You can can either choose a suggested configuration basaed on what you will use the computer for, or advanced users can pick and choose. For example, any business user would not need to install photo gallery, but they may want remote access.  A home use can pick differently to suit their needs.  If you decide you want to add or remove a feature later on, just pop in your Windows 7 Disc and choose what you want to add or remove.
3. Stop giving eye candy priority over features/improvements.  In Vista, great features like WinFS were stripped out, while aero remained in tact.  That is insane.  There is nothing wrong with making the OS look nice, but you should need a super computer to run the GUI, and the quality of the OS operations should always come first.
4. The registry needs to go. Now.  I am aware that this means changing a lot, but the Registry is outdated and stubborn.  It is the cause for too many problems, and makes moving programs impossible.  Try using config files like linux does.
5. Release driver information.  early.  like yesterday.  Drivers were a major issue with Vista, and while it wasn’t MIcrosoft’s fault that the developers didn’t write their drivers early, they do need to give the msome encouragement by providing info early on.

I’ll probably think of some more things later on and append to this post…

Please post some comments on what you think needs to be different in Windows7.