email: fsuarez2005@yahoo.com
phone: (810)966-3924
location: Port Huron, MI
As you go through this blog, you might see some ideas not yet in production. I don't like to just stick with what is out there. Unless otherwise stated, my ideas are licensed under the GNU GPL. This will allow you to use my ideas, even make money from them.
Wednesday, January 01, 3000
Friday, January 01, 2500
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb gave me a head start. I had already been keeping a notebook, but I was reassured that I was on the on the right path. Gelb uses examples and activities to help others expand their horizons.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Generalist Thinker
I haven't found a career yet. It's not that I don't like anything. Friends and relative want to know what I would like to do as a career. Why do I have to just pick one? I have so many interests. Do you consider yourself a jack-of-all-trades or a Renaissance Man? Generalist are still needed. You don't have to limit yourself.
You can study what you like AND study a subject that is profitable. I would like to be an educator, but I need much more money to explore my interests.
What is a generalist? Basically, generalist have more width than depth when dealing with subjects.
1. Depth
The number of years in college you have often depth of your specialty. At the top is the Doctorate, but colleges don't limit you on how many you can obtain. You can gain more depth by using other sources. By digging deeper and deeper into your career you become more valuable to people. You have rare knowledge of resources.
One of the drawbacks is tunnel vision. You can't see what may pass you by. Even if you are sure of the success of your field, looking around at your neighbors will give you insight about coming trends.
2. Width
By spreading out your interests you can gain wisdom from other fields. Generalists can create new fields with integration. Integration does require generalists to dig into other subjects. You can't just skim off the top.
3. Generalist and Specialists, together
Generalists need specialists and specialists need generalists. A generalist thinker can't do everything, but he can hire specialists for the job.
Learn what you want to learn even if the subject isn't profitable.
You can study what you like AND study a subject that is profitable. I would like to be an educator, but I need much more money to explore my interests.
What is a generalist? Basically, generalist have more width than depth when dealing with subjects.
1. Depth
The number of years in college you have often depth of your specialty. At the top is the Doctorate, but colleges don't limit you on how many you can obtain. You can gain more depth by using other sources. By digging deeper and deeper into your career you become more valuable to people. You have rare knowledge of resources.
One of the drawbacks is tunnel vision. You can't see what may pass you by. Even if you are sure of the success of your field, looking around at your neighbors will give you insight about coming trends.
2. Width
By spreading out your interests you can gain wisdom from other fields. Generalists can create new fields with integration. Integration does require generalists to dig into other subjects. You can't just skim off the top.
3. Generalist and Specialists, together
Generalists need specialists and specialists need generalists. A generalist thinker can't do everything, but he can hire specialists for the job.
Learn what you want to learn even if the subject isn't profitable.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Off-The-Shelf Device Control
I had this great idea for cheap robotics. Much of open source code is shared. Why can't we just reuse devices that others make? I notice that my idea for simple control of devices align with three of Eric S. Raymond's rules.
Rule of Modularity
Most of the hacking that I see occurs inside the device. Though it is sometimes necessary to enhance a devices, inside hacking does little to help. Let the device do what it was created for. Adding to the device also complicates it.
Rule of Composition
I am not sure, but I think companies just don't like playing nice with each other. Why? Sure, they can get a bit more business by locking-in people to their products, but what about the people heading the Returns desk? They take your money. Basically, my idea would add event pipes to devices. Not necessarily for data. Others already have systems for data transfer. How about control transfer? One device would control another.
Rule of Simplicity
To trigger a switch you just have to close the circuit. You can even do it with a wire.
Examples
Arduino Microcontroller:(I/O lines)-->(time set buttons):Alarm Clock:(Alarm)-->(Record Button):VCR Remote
The Arduino would set the time of the alarm. When the alarm is set off, the record button is activated.
The Arduino board is about $40 and if the system was contained in a nice box, almost anyone could automate any device. Programming the Arduino is so simple. Basically, turn this port on and that port off and so on.
One problem I have is to turn off a switch that is permanently on, such as a light switch. Using a XOR gate would allow the local switch to be negated by turning the remote switch on. It may be even possible to get it down to one wire control.
Wireless is a big thing now, but at this point it is not so simple and this idea is not meant for data transfer, just control transfer. I will work on a drawing of a modified switch that can be installed to any device.
Rule of Modularity
Most of the hacking that I see occurs inside the device. Though it is sometimes necessary to enhance a devices, inside hacking does little to help. Let the device do what it was created for. Adding to the device also complicates it.
Rule of Composition
I am not sure, but I think companies just don't like playing nice with each other. Why? Sure, they can get a bit more business by locking-in people to their products, but what about the people heading the Returns desk? They take your money. Basically, my idea would add event pipes to devices. Not necessarily for data. Others already have systems for data transfer. How about control transfer? One device would control another.
Rule of Simplicity
To trigger a switch you just have to close the circuit. You can even do it with a wire.
Examples
Arduino Microcontroller:(I/O lines)-->(time set buttons):Alarm Clock:(Alarm)-->(Record Button):VCR Remote
The Arduino would set the time of the alarm. When the alarm is set off, the record button is activated.
The Arduino board is about $40 and if the system was contained in a nice box, almost anyone could automate any device. Programming the Arduino is so simple. Basically, turn this port on and that port off and so on.
One problem I have is to turn off a switch that is permanently on, such as a light switch. Using a XOR gate would allow the local switch to be negated by turning the remote switch on. It may be even possible to get it down to one wire control.
Wireless is a big thing now, but at this point it is not so simple and this idea is not meant for data transfer, just control transfer. I will work on a drawing of a modified switch that can be installed to any device.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Science on the 'Net
Most of what I see of science on the Internet are research papers or scientific journals. Science seems to not have kept up with technology. When I do look at a research paper on the Internet, it is either only text or as a PDF. Very few have hyperlinks. I haven't found any with a comment system. Obviously, the credentials of the reviewers will be in question.
Philica is testing a more instant submission system. With the amount of comment spam that I have seen, I am not sure how long the system will last. Bad comments could be reviewed (thumbs up or down), like Digg's comments. (I just tried to sign up.) Philica requires reviewers to be employed at certain institutions. This bars amateurs (and professional amateurs). Though this is an effective way to confirm identity, it relies on credentialism.
Philica is testing a more instant submission system. With the amount of comment spam that I have seen, I am not sure how long the system will last. Bad comments could be reviewed (thumbs up or down), like Digg's comments. (I just tried to sign up.) Philica requires reviewers to be employed at certain institutions. This bars amateurs (and professional amateurs). Though this is an effective way to confirm identity, it relies on credentialism.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Looking for a better host
I am going to look for a better host for FLS Services. I originally used Geocities because it was easy to access, but I am looking for a way to host PHP and Python scripts.
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