Blog

FALL 2014

• Journal #1: (Oct. 4th)

• Basically today at Shodor we had an intro to the apprenticeship program. I got to meet new people and interact accordingly. The ethics lecture seemed to be pretty long but it was remotely fun.

• Journal #2: (Oct. 11th)

• At this second day of Shodor we had Dr. Panoff to speak with the group. We went over many mathematical oddities and quirks. I feel that it was very intriguing and interesting. I was very interactive in the study or session.

  Journal #3: (Oct. 18th)

• Today at Shodor we started with going over the optional HW, Four 4’s, which was mind-boggling an interesting. Then we readily began a discussion with Dr. Panoff going through different math things and models and such. But specifically on the models section, we spawned an multiple experiments. The first was using rope to model different objects. Then the next was working with Microsoft Excel on multiple accounts and it expanded my skills on the particular program. But overall, today seemed more tech oriented to me which is good.

  Journal #4: (Nov. 1st)

• At this session of Shodor we learned about command lines. This is basically a universal remote control for computers. I feel that I learned a good deal about it and I feel that I can use this when I leave. The skills I learn here are going to help me from now on for my whole life. I feel that this was the most fun and best day at Shodor so far.

  Journal #5: (Nov. 8th)

• At Shodor today we continued command lines for a short amount of time. It was more challenging for me but it seemed really informational. Then Phil came in and explained a portion of system programming. We used an app called Vensim and made a disease spread graph and diagram. It was fun and mind-boggling simultaneously and I look forward to the meetings to come.

• Journal #6: (Nov. 15th) {Absent: Written Dec. 12th)

• Previously on that day of the SUCCEED Apprenticeship program I began to work with a new modeling system known as AgentSheets. This is a modeling system made to observe individual agents and such and how they interact in a theoretical world. In this application I made my own world dealing with bunnies and their consumption of grass. After learning the steps from an intern named Eric, the model was successful. I feel that I am more interested in this than VensimPLE and Terminal. I am intrigued by the thought of making my own world and organisms and such.

• Journal #7: (Nov. 22nd)

• Today at Shodor, we began on a modeling project that we will present on Saturday, December 13th. The scenario deals with seals and fish and them co-existing in an ecosystem. There is also a population of tagged fish which emit a sound which attracts more seals to eat them. If this seal eats them, then the tag affect will go unto them but it will repel the fish. But this project seems challenging and I look forward to presenting it in December.

• Journal #8: (Dec. 6th)

• We had a workday at Shodor this time. We continued to work on our modeling project and I feel I got a lot done in that time period. I constructed a VensimPLE model for the Seal - Fish Scenario and I feel that it is sufficient to the project progress.

Journal #9: (Dec. 13th)

• Today we presented our modeling project to the apprentices at the Shodor building. I feel we did good on the presentation and it would be beneficial to our learning and knowledge. But otherwise today was very frantic for everyone trying to finish their project. I am just glad we got to present ours to the Shodor Staff.

  SPRING 2015

  Journal #10: (Feb. 7th)

• At Shodor we began to work with Javascript. It began easy and became more difficult over the course of the workday. Though I was drowning in a sea of confusion I still believed the session was intriguing and enriching. I learned types of code in Javascript and I feel I am retaining the information from this class.

  Journal #11: (Feb 14th): ABSENT

  Journal #12: (Feb 21st)

• Today was a confusing day at Shodor. We started using Javascript and using a Bouncing Particles Model. The context of Javascript still befuddles me but I am proud that I still altered the model to my choosing. I changed the amount, color, and speed of the particles. So overall, I say that today was a subpar day.

  Journal #13: (Mar. 7th)

• The workdays began again since we have gotten a new project. We have to use what we learned from Javascript to modify a model with Fish and Seals. This relates back to my project from the last semester with VensimPLE and AgentSheets. I had fun solving the problems of the model and I would like to continue solving them next week.

  Journal #14: (Mar. 14th): ABSENT {Written Apr. 25th}

• This was just the second workday at Shodor on the Javascript project. This again was on fish and seals and I feel I made a little progress with solving the problems present in the program. My partner, Menefese, and I are working hard to complete this and gain knowledge on this topic. It seems interesting as always to my mind of curiosity.

  Journal #15: (Mar. 21st)

• Today is the last workday for the Javascript project. I feel pressure to get the project done but I do not have my partner or a fluent knowledge of Javascript. However, I will try my best to knock out the most problems I can in this amount of time.

  Journal #16: (Apr. 11th)

• We started learning about parallel computing today. The concept of it seems interesting, due to the fact multiple computers can work on one project. It reminds me of the system that Google uses for its array of programs. We learned of basic terminology and began using a bccd program to start computing, I had minor trouble but it was average.

  Journal #17: (Apr. 18th)

• We used the BCCD program to make a new model. We began to learn the language of C and use it to model GalaxSee in the VirtualBox. We then moved on to figure out the area under a curve using rectangles. When we made an algorithm to model it we would find a way to make this process parallel. I think this day was pretty confusing, I didn't keep up with the instructor and such.

  Journal #18: (Apr. 25th)

• Today we were currently continuing the language of C. We finished up the curve situation (I think) and then we downloaded some files to go more in depth of parallel computing and individual threads and such. This has got to be the most confusing day of them all due to the fact that I barely understood stuff since it was so fast paced. I would say I got half of what the instructors Mobeen and Aaron was saying, I hope I understand more next time.

  SUMMER 2015

  Block 1

  Journal #19: (Jun. 15th)

• This is the first day of the Block 1 in the Summer Module. We made an HLD Document for others to possibly make models off of. After we chose scenarios we made the HLD from a template . I finished so I feel I got much done today.

  Journal #20: (Jun. 16th)

• Today we actually started on our models and I have to say that the scenario known as ‘Art Walk’ is very challenging. I got most of the depictions down for the agents so I just have to edit the behavior. I fear that it will be a challenging task at hand.

  Journal #21: (Jun. 17th)

• I got started on the behavior of the agents today and it got easier over time. I think I will have the full model done by tomorrow. There is a lot of copying and pasting to do for each guest. I also documented today, in which I observed a workshop held by a mentor and took pictures and recorded about it. It was boring at first but it became cooler over time.

  Journal #22: (Jun. 18th)

• I actually believe I finished the Art Walk program. If not, there is little kinks in the program that can be fixed easily. I am very confident in the program and I feel the presentation will be efficient in the goal I want to meet.

  Journal #23: (Jun. 19th)

• Today in the morning I was a receptionist at the front desk. It made me feel like something more than just an apprentice doing assignments. I felt like an actual worker and not a kid in class. I am aware that it’s a ‘cheesy’ thought but it is true. But I worked more on my program, working out kinks and mistakes and such. I plan to present on Monday when we get back.

  Journal #24: (Jun. 22nd)

• It's the second week of Block 1 and we are beginning a new topic to work on. Today I had to make an HLD to discuss my final website and what it will include. I have finished a majority of the website HLD, but I have to add more to the conclusion.

  Journal #25: (Jun. 23rd)

• I finished my final website HLD today. I added a proper amount of requirements and optional qualities to include in my website. I plan to work on that tomorrow.

  Journal #26: (Jun. 24th)

• I started to add new things to my website but I am far from done. I have added a drop-down bar to the menu and navigation part of the site. I plan to add a CSS switcher to the site in which I can switch the theme of the site on click or refresh. It will be a tedious task but I will get it done.

  Journal #27: (Jun. 25th)

• I have added more pages to my website with a CSS switcher with the help of a Javascript file. I would want it to be on a refresh but its on a button click. But I am proud of myself for even programming a website this far in the first place. I will try to perfect or at least add more to my website in the next day.

  Journal #28: (Jun. 26th)

• This is the final day of Block 1 and I am finding myself scrambling to finish all of thee blogs in the first place. Knowing me to be the naturally lazy person, I finish my blogs at the end of the week. but I am planning to add more to my site after the day is over.

  Journal #29: (Jun. 6th): ABSENT

  Journal #30: (July 7th): ABSENT

  Journal #31: (July 8th)

• Since I was 2 days late into Block 2, I has a bumpy start into the new language of php. It seems like a very challenging thing to do. But the after affects of a completetly functional code with php is very astonishing. But there is a bucnh of projects to complete and ahving this start is really activating my lazy factor.

  Journal #32: (July 9th)

• I completed a few projects today a I believe that they look nice. I added them top my website and all but I required much help to complete the code. I want to eventually know how to do this coding myself in php.

  Journal #33: (July 10th)

• I have very few nore projects to finish with this php project list. I have about 2 more to finish but I spent today helping others and modifying my website. Herjot was happy that I planned to put him my blog but I lied, he won't be in it.

  Journal #34: (July 13th)

• It has come to my attention that I have to make a functioning store using the computer language of PHP. It seems very challenging but I have chosen the comedic route to allleviate the pain of the challenge. I choose to sell mixtapes on my online store.

  Journal #34: (July 14th)

• I had to document for the whole day so I did not get to work on my glorious store. I had to observe an Engineering workshop and document what occured. Fellow apprentices taught this workshop but I still stayed bored for the whole day. I longed to work on my store but I eventually got out at the very end of the day. No progress was made today.

  Journal #35: (July 15th)

• I have begun to start on the Administration page of my blooming website. I am making a table to keep track of certain elements of each mixtape. It isn't much but the site is coming along. I thing I have all the pages I need to have for the website. Now all I need is the functionality of the PHP.

  Journal #33: (July 16th)

• I have began to construct the main page of my store abd it has brought up much conversation. Many of my colleagues have showed interest in being a rapper in the mixtape business that I run. I am mainly just working on pictures of the various rappers and working on technicality. it will be a tedious task ahead.

  Journal #34: (July 17th)

• I have began to construct the main page of my store and it has brought up much conversation. Many of my colleagues have showed interest in being a rapper in the mixtape business that I run. I am mainly just working on pictures of the various rappers and working on technicality. It will be a tedious task ahead.

  Journal #34: (July 20th)

• I have now begun to work more on the technicality of the website.The first part I have began on is the Cart of the mixtape site. It is very hard but I think I have begun to decipher the way to make it. The interns also taught JavaScript during the evening but I want to devote all time towards this store.

  Journal #34: (July 21st)

• Interns taught again today and I was bored again. We learned about more objects in JavaScript and Mr. Amalani bored my mind out. I also wanted to make more progress on my store but I did not get to do much. I am not a fan of JavaScript.

  Journal #35: (July 22nd)

• Today I actually got to work on my PHP store in abundance with time. I actually made the cart and began working on the Login interface. This seems more hard than the last challenge but I am more optimistic about it. I am glad the interns did not teach so I could work on my store fully.

  Journal #33: (July 23rd)

• I have almost completed the login system for my store. I made a separate table and it stores the ones who sign up into there and calls them when they come back to sign in. I am very proud of it but there is more work to be done. I also added a pure CSS slideshow to my welcome page. It actually looks pretty good.

  Journal #34: (July 24th)

• Today I just made more album covers for my associates and put them on my site. I believe I made the best one today. Fellow intern, Miguel de los Reyes, has recieved a mixtape and has been known as the "Acid Intern". The filters and the way the colors blend together seems very nice.

  Journal #35: (July 27th)

• Today we were basically taught the whole day. The first half was Engineering with Mr. Shahi and Caroline. I documented the same lesson so it was really boring. Then Mr. Amalani taught more JavaScript and it was again...boring. But it was also interesting.

  Journal #36: (July 28th)

• In the morning we did more engineering things. But I did not participate for a while since I was unexpectedly handed reception duty. I had to hear the laughs and happiness of my colleagues but waste away at the front desk. But

  Journal #37: (July 29th)

• We did an experiment known as daredevil today. We used marbles and let them roll down tubes and land in placed cups. We predicted were the marble would land based on tested drops. We were taught jQuery in the afternoon so I was bored.

  Journal #38: (July 30th)

• Today we worked with circuits and LEDs. We used an applet first then we used actual boards to turn on a small LED. At first is was continuous, but then I programmed it to blink and it worked. The work was fun, and interns didn't teach today so less boredom.

  Journal #39: (July 31st)

• Today we made boats! My ear hurt a lot but I tried my best to help my teammates succeed in constructing a boat. They clashed a lot but still got it done. I also did a final presentation today in which I felt I did well. It's my last day but I feel I had fun here.

  Fire Snow Galaxy Forest Desert Sunset Night

  This website was created by Braxton Smith. Special Thanks to Shodor Staff and especially Malea Shaw.