Math Test Standards

Been really busy with work lately. It is hard to imagine that 1GB of main memory is insufficient for an application. However working on a program that generates subset lattices for analysis cripples my machine rather quickly. Basically I have been working on a program that detects artifacts in XML databases (a big XML file). It currently analyzes outliers (data that differs compared to its peers) and duplicates (data that seems the same, e.g. big and bog).

Boring stuff aside, I read an interesting article on BBC about the difference in standards between the Chinese system's pre-entry math tests and the British system's first year math tests for students in Chemistry. Rather hilarious.

Tutorial Questions

These are due on 11 April 07 1600HRS. Answer all questions.

Lecture 1 - The Unknown or the Comfort Zone

1. What is bad about the comfort zone?
2. Is being in the unknown necessary for subduing the unknown or is this possible in the comfort zone?
3. Is delaying the unknown for the comfort zone ultimately an excuse to remain in the comfort zone?
4. Do you thrive in the comfort zone or the unknown? Explain.
5. How may the comfort zone become a place of regret?

Old Mc'Donald Had A Farm

Eeeai Eeeai O! Headed down to a hobbyist "farm" upon the suggestion of an enthusiastic friend on Good Friday. The farm belonged to a group of farms that are open to the general public for viewing pleasure and education. While some might find this strange in certain parts of the world, I guess city life eats away at the most basic of sights. Indeed this particular farm was filled with many families with children stomping over the farmland. It was here that I learned about the sophistication of modern plants. First of all, evidence of self-sufficiency:

Milk


Butter

Who needs cows or goats with them? Next we have:

Bread

Proof of our achievements in agro-engineering. To provide us with tea breaks everyday we have:

Cocoa


Coffee

Finally if someone pisses you off, serve them:

On a more serious note here are some more pictures.

Mini-pineapples


Large Broad Beans


Miniature Star Fruit


Serene looking retirement cottage

Mindless Wanderings

Not so many interesting things have been happening both in my head an in reality these few days, except for the nice and welcoming Good Friday weekends. Some of the things I have been up to thus far include a trip to Balaclava (or however it is spelt) for the friend of my good friend to "fatefully" meet his love interest. Well fate is not always kind, but over at the parking space we did see something interesting. A really small car (human placed for comparison)! Apparently the label on the back read: Capucino

After which we headed to Muddy Murphy's for my original intention of the night:

Rest of the days have basically been filled with some of these:

TiSP

Google offers DIY Internet in the toilet!!! Wow! Read about it here and how to install it here.