Rohan Kashyap's Shodor Blog

Day 48

August 17th, 2018

Today was my last day of Shodor! I finished my other projects that I had to fix, and spent most of the day preparing for my presentation. I presented my background selector, XML blog, dice statistics, Inkscape projects, and calendar project. I had lots of fun and need to finish a few more things, but I had a lot of fun at Shodor and will miss it!

Day 47

August 16th, 2018

Today I began working on my modeling project website. I finished up the basics of the website, but then I realized that I was using the wrong HTML framework, so I had to do a lot of work to fix that issue. I also finished and perfected my AgentCubes, as I was having a few issues with that. I began looking into Gimp, but it took longer than I though. I will most likely need to complete Gimp at home over the weekend.

Day 46

August 15th, 2018

Today I began using Inkscape. I created all of my logos except for one name logo. I really liked Inkscape, and I enjoyed making my own logos. It gave me a lot of freedom, and I think I was able to make some really nice logos. My favorite logo is probably one of my initial logos that I did in calligraphy. It took a really long time, and was much more difficult than I thought.

Day 45

August 14th, 2018

I continued my AgentCubes model today. I got reasonably far today, but I still have quite a bit to day. I can get the agents to interact, but they are not balanced. The python and alligator do not really participate, and the mouse dies in seconds. I will do the remaining work at home, as I need to do graphic design.

Day 44

August 13th, 2018

Today I began my AgentCubes model. I added all my agents and their shapes, and began to experiment around. I do not know how I am planning to implement my model into Agent Cubes. I tried to use a check and change model, like in the forest fire model, but that did not work well for me. I will see if I can figure out how to do this tomorrow.

Day 43

August 10th, 2018

Shodor was closed today, so I made some changes to my Vensim and cleaned it up at home.

Day 42

August 9th, 2018

Today I removed the rabbits from my Vensim model. They were making the task of balancing the ecosystem to difficult for me, and I decided to scrap them. Instead, I have increased the reproduction of the mice and have made the ecosystem balanced. I also added in alligators, as they are the only animal that can prey on the pythons. We are not going to be coming here tomorrow due to plumbing issues.

Day 41

August 8th, 2018

Today I implemented both mice and rabbits into my Vensim model. I was having significant trouble with this, however. Because they are so low on the food chain, it is difficult to balance them out, especially against the bobcats. The bobcats always take over. That is something I mut remedy tomorrow. I also added a variable that allows you to choose whether or not pythons have been introduced. I am using that to try and create a balanced ecosystem before the pythons come into play.

Day 40

August 7th, 2018

Ernie told me that there were a few problems with my HLD today, so I fixed those up. I had not properly specified what the Burmese python will be affecting and how. After that, I began my Vensim model. I put the Burmese python in, along with its three main prey: the raccoon, opossum, and bobcat. I was able to create a balanced ecosystem by the end of the day with these animals. Tomorrow I will put in some prey that the other animals can interact with such as mice and rabbits.

Day 39

August 6th, 2018

Today was the first day of block four. I created my HLD for my modeling project today. I am going to be modeling the Burmese python in the Florida Everglades. I will be modeling the python and how it interacts and affects other native species. I am planning to put about 5-8 different prey in my Vensim. I submitted my HLD to Ernie at the end of the day.

Day 38

August 3rd, 2018

Today was the last day of block three. I continued working on my new website. I had made a mistake with the sticky footer that caused my sidebar links to format incorrectly, so I spent most of the day trying to fix that problem. It was an issue I had with the JavaScript that overrode the CSS I had for the footer. I spent the rest of the day syncing up my blog to my website.

Day 37

August 2nd, 2018

Today Ernie approved my website HLD, so I started working on my new website. I used a CSS library and some JavaScript to really make my new website nice. I added a side bar along with a navbar, and also updated my home page. I updated my Spring and Fall parts of my portfolio page. I still need to update my blog page, will I will do tomorrow. However, I really like how my website looks.

Day 36

August 1st, 2018

Today I did the HLD for my new website. I used the example from block one to create an HLD, and I am planning on using a CSS library. It did about the entire day to finish, so I need Ernie to approve he HLD before I can start working on it. I also had my interview today. I was interviewed by Kristen. She said that I did well with my interview, and that I just need to smile a bit more.

Day 35

July 31nd, 2018

Today I added my dice sums into my output file. I put the dice sums into the input file and then spent most of my time on the output file. However, I did something I was not supposed to do, so I wasted some time, but I finished the database project. Jennifer also gave us a lecture on interviews. She told us how to prepare for one, how to give one, and what to do after one. We have a mock interview tomorrow, and I hope I do well!

Day 34

July 30nd, 2018

Today I finished my first query on my output file for my database project. I wrote the remaining the PHP for the last query. I then spent the rest of the day writing the remaining queries. It was relatively copy and paste with some changes, so it was easier than I though, but it took longer than usual. I still need to finish my dice sums, which I will do tomorrow.

Day 33

July 27nd, 2018

Today we continued to work on our database projects. I spent the first half of the day finishing the input file. The input file now takes in the user's name, color, and shoe size and brand. I am planning on implementing the dice rolls later. I also began working on the output file. I researched how to output data from a database using PHP. I started it, but I still have to do finish this next week.

Day 32

July 26nd, 2018

Today we continued to work on our database projects. I spent the whole day working trying to make a file that takes in the user's information. I made all the forms for inputting data and made the PHP to input the data into my database. It was slightly confusing a first, but I was able to do a lot of progress today. All I need to do now is finish up the input file and start working on the output file.

Day 31

July 25th, 2018

Today we began our first block three project. We have to create databases to store info and display it using PHP. The databases have to store a person's name, favorite color, shoe size and brand, and dice rolls. I made the tables today and did lots of research on databases and MySQL functions today, so I am ready to get lots of work done tomorrow.

Day 30

July 24rd, 2018

Today we worked on relational databases. These are the databases that Shodor uses. We also learnt about ER diagrams, which plan out the databases. I had a much easier time today than yesterday. I feel like I am adapting to MySQL now. I am glad that this is happening so early, so I can finish my projects that Ernie gives me in the future.

Day 29

July 23st, 2018

Today was the first day of block three. We began our introduction to databases and MySQL today. I did not really understand it though. The syntax was a bit strange, and I did not like how it was written. Because of that, I had substantial trouble working today. I hope I can get better at MySQL, or this will be a rough block for me.

Day 28

July 20th, 2018

Today I finished my XML blog. After the work I did yesterday, I did not have much left. I just had to format my blog properly. After that I finished my dice statisttics project. I added a section for the statistics and a section for the sums rolled and linked everything together. Finally, I still had almost half the day left, so I worked on and completed my Calendar project! I'm happy I could finish everything before block two ended today, and I can't wait for block three!

Day 27

July 19th, 2018

This morning we had an engineering lecture from Ojas. We went over the same things I learnt at the Explorations in Engineering workshop. After the lecture, we had to build a tower using straws and pipe cleaners. I was partnered with Tyler and Seokyoung, but our tower did not have many triangles, so we lost. After that I started the XML blog project and got about halfway done with it. I was having some problems understanding the syntax, But i figured it out relatively quickly.

Day 26

July 18th, 2018

Today I finished my background selector project. I worked out how to use the cookies and used them to successfully save the background color of the page. For the rest of the day, I worked on implementing the number of sides into my Dice Statistics. I almost finished, but I had to leave before I could.

Day 25

July 17th, 2018

Today morning Ernie gave us another lecture. Today's lecture was on the other way of using PHP to show HTML. It is called using dynamic web pages. We were able to make a basic website with it, but I don't like the way it work. I prefer the rendering method more. During the afternoon, I started some of my other Krista's Projects. I began the background selector, which uses cookies to save a background color for a user. I managed to make the colors change, but I need to work on the cookies aspect tomorrow.

Day 24

July 16th, 2018

Today morning Erie gave us a lecture. He taught us how to render web pages using PHP. We used our old coin flip model and rendered it using PHP. We also used HEREDOC for the first time. HEREDOC is a string in PHP, but variables are recognized as well as other characters. During the afternoon we were given part two of Krista's projects, but I had to work on my Dice Statistics. I managed to finish up the basic framework, but I want to make it more user friendly and have a few more options.

Day 23

July 13th, 2018

Today I worked on my dice statistics page. In the morning I worked on rolling just two dice, but by the afternoon I had to remake my code, as it was not able to incorporate more than two dice. I managed to get it working somewhat, but it still needs a lot of review and editing before it becomes usable.

Day 22

July 12th, 2018

Today we worked on part one of Krista's projects. I worked on my Random Hex Code Generator and Dane Joe programs today. The random hex code generator took me longer than the Dane Joe program because I had to format everything correctly. It was still relatively easy to make the code. The hard part was figuring out how to integrate that into CSS. After a long time (and some help from Claire), I managed to get the hex code to also represent the background color. The Dane Joe program took less time and was easier. All I did was spilt apart the strings and saved the parts in different variables.

Day 21

July 11th, 2018

Today we started class by doing some PHP programming. We recreated our coin flip model that we made in Excel in the Fall, but we didi it in PHP. We modeled a coin flip and then output the total number of flips, the flips for heads and tails, and the percentages of each. After lunch, I had my first ODAA, afternoon reception. I had to practice answering calls and paging staff members. Unfortunately, Ernie's live stream wasn't working properly, so Joel had to fix it. By then, I had missed to much of the lecture, which was on resume writing, so I went back to where the other apprentices were to learn everything as well, and the intern Jim took my spot until it was almost four.

Day 20

July 10th, 2018

Today we continued to work on our programming syntax guide. I finished up JavaScript and almost finished PHP. The majority of my time was spent finishing and refining my JavaScript. The PHP was much easier then the JavaScript, as it was mostly the same as the JavaScript with only a few changes. I also have until the end of this week to finish, so I am completely confident that I will finish.

Day 19

July 9th, 2018

Today was the very first day of Shodor during the Summer! This was the first day of Block Two. Ernie wanted us to go over programming this block. We started with a review of programming concepts and a small lecture on JavaScript. We also started working on PHP today after lunch. We started our first project of Block Two today. It is a programming syntax research guide. We have to do research and test out different concepts in three languages: JavaScript, PHP, and one of our choice. I am either going to choose Python or Perl for mine. We have until Wednesday to complete this project, but it seems relatively easy. The only complaint about the project that I have is that it is tedious, but I finished almost 1/3 today, so I believe I should be able to finish the research guide.

Day 18

April 21st, 2018

Today is the last day of Shodor in the Spring. We finished the parallel computing workbooks, then used the program virtual box to actually use parallel computing. It was a really fun experience, as we all got to use other people's computers to run some very taxing programs. Near the end, Albert/Ronith and I had a 'fight', trying to see who could run the most programs on the other persons computer. I think that this was the best thing we did this Spring. I can't wait for Summer!

Day 17

April 14th, 2018

Today I was not able to come to Shodor due to scheduling conflicts. I had to do all my work at home. I did this by watching the videos and doing my work alongside the video. I worked on my parallel computing workbook, and almost completed it. Next week I think we will be done. I'm pretty sure that next week, we will be able to begin filling out our spring stipend. The work this week was pretty difficult, but I'm glad I managed to finish it. I can't wait to see Om, Kira, Seokyoung, and all my other friends at Shodor next week!

Day 16

April 7th, 2018

Today Om and I presented our project. I think that our idea to use tree saturation levels was a great idea. Some of the other people's ideas were also really fun to watch. Seokyoung and Trey used wind, an idea that Om and I first thought of using. Ronith and Albert used firefighters, but made them cut down trees to make a fire line, which would stop the spread of the fire. We did well in my opinion, but we do need to fix a few things, like adding a table into our home page. After all of the presentations, we began learning about parallel computing. I learnt a bit about it during the parallel computing workshop I took in the summer, but it seems as if we will go into much more detail now.

Day 15

March 17th, 2018

Today was our last work day at Shodor for the group project. Om and I finished up our work on the site and AgentCubes, then we started work on the JavaScript. We did not finish it, but are planning to over the week. I really enjoyed using JavaScript. It was a really intriuging activity, and I think that JavaScript could be a really useful learn. The fact that we were able to use JavaScript to recreate an AgentCubes model is simply mind-blowing, and I am intrested in seeing how we will be instructed to use it in the future.

Day 14

March 10th, 2018

Today Om was not at Shodor, so I had to work on the group project alone. Om said he would finish the AgentCubes at home, so after finishing the webiste, I got a bit of a headstart on the JavaScript. I didn't get that far, but I think it will be fun. I mostly spent the day fixing the nearset neighbors problem using a check and change method. I also helped out Kira and Caroline with their project. It nice to be able to spend some time with other people, even though I did miss Om. I'm quite proud of the work I was able to get done today, because I usually fool around and today I really focused and worked.

Day 13

March 3rd, 2018

Today we started our second group project. I decided to work with Om for this project. We have to make a JavaScript and AgentCubesOnline model of a burning forest. Healthy trees can turn into burning ones, which turn into burnt ones. We also have to add an extension to our project. Our extension is making wet trees that have a lower chance of burning.

Day 12

February 17th, 2018

Today we learned about refactoring programs. We downloaded Aaron's program and worked on optimizing it. We alo learned about making agent models using JavaScript. The models were based off of AgentCubesOnline, and we used a library Aaron made to create our models. It was very fun, but it was a bit confusing, so I hope that next class will clear up some of the things i don't undestand.

Day 11

February 10th, 2018

Today in class we learnt how to use pseudocode. I already knew what it was, but I had never really used it before when programming. I learned that it is very useful, as it can help you plan out what your program does.The program we planned out today was a program that summed all the multiples of 3 and 5 below 1000. I also accidentally helped optimize a program we made, which was pretty fun. I guess you could say I was really functioning at OPTIMAL CAPACITY. HAHAHA! Also Claire and I started a pun war.

Day 10

February 3rd, 2018

Today was the first class of the new year and of Spring. We started learning about programming concepts. In class, we will be using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as our languages of choice, as they are what are used to make websites. We are learning the semantics of computer programming, or the computer programming concepts.

Day 9

December 16, 2017

Tyler and I presented our project today! We went third in order. I think we did a good job. I could have probably improved the Vensim, but the website looked very neat and professional. Our AgentCubes were effective too, and I think that, when you look at how much time we spent, we did a reasonably good job. All the people who missed the class on the second are presenting on the thirteenth of January. I was able to help out Kira and Kaylene today, and I think they will do a fine job presenting.

Day 8

December 9, 2017

Today was a pretty work heavy day. Tyler and I started jumping into the project quickly. We divided up the work; I'm doing the Vensim and website, and he will do the AgentCubes. I was having some trouble today with some design features of the website, but Aaron was able to help me out. All the others came back today. I was upset at first, because I wanted to work with Seokyoung (who was absent last week), but I realized that I would not be able to meet Tyler then. Besides, I believe I was more productive with Tyler than I would have been with Seokyoung.

Day 7

December 2, 2017

Today I started my final fall project. I'm working with Tyler for this project. I haven't worked with him before, but he is a very nice and agreeable person. I think we will get along well. For our project, we decided to model a fungus that takes over ants and turns them into zombies. We have to make multiple models in Vensim and AgentCubes and put them on a website. Even though today was the first day, half of the apprentices weren't here today because of the PSAT. I hope they get some extra time.

Day 6

November 18, 2017

Today we used Vensim to create a predator prey model with rabbits and wolves. We also learnt about change and behavior. We had to build an interactive model with rabbits and wolves by chaining them together and having them influence each other. We also built an agent model using AgentCubes. We built a healthy/sick model, and also used a counter to count the amount of sick people. In two weeks we will use it to build a graph.

Day 5

November 11, 2017

Today we learnt about models. We used Excel and Vensim to model rabbit populations. We also learned about system thinking and the usefulness of modeling. At the end of class, we had to work on our own model. It was on a cycle of infection. I like using Vensim. Its really easy to use and understand.

Day 4

November 4, 2017

Today I was sick, so I wasn't actually at Shodor. In fact, this is two days after the fourth. Saturday was pretty tough. I don't know how I got sick, but I missed a lot of work that day, so I had quite a bit of work to do. I had to catch up on four Excel models! It suprisingly did not take very long. I only finished three: the dice spinner model, coin flip model, and dominant recessive model. I did not understand the one with conditional formatting. I'll ask Dr. Panoff about it next week.

Day 3

October 21, 2017

Today Dr. Panoff gave us a lecture on computational thinking. It's amazing to see how your view of something changes when you re-present it in a way that allows you to apply simple arithmetic. I missed Levi's email and forgot to email him back. I don't think he likes me anymore. One stupid mistake can ruin a friendship. I really hope we can reconcile. He is usually a really happy guy, and I feel bad for making him feel disappointed in me.

Dr. Panoff showed us a cool mathematical algorithm with cards. I think I'm going to use it to trick my brother. I saw Keith and Rohin today. They were the first interns I knew, and it was nice to see them again. Aaron didn't come till later today. He was probably doing some important work, but I still missed him. He's a nice person too.

Day 2

October 14, 2017

We had a ethics presentation today given to us by Mr. Ron Broadnax. It was really fun and interesting. Afterwards, Dr. Panoff gave us a speech about how humans learn, explaining how you know things, how to represent problems, and how Microsoft Excel lies to us. I had to make some changes to my homework from last week, but it's all fixed now.

I couldn't meet with Levi today. He wasn't in today, but he will be in next week, so I'll meet him then. I learned that Seokyoung plays the drums, which is pretty cool. I wonder if it his hard to play the drums. Nigel still has a cast on his arm, but he will probably have healed by next week. Get better soon, Nigel!

Day 1

October 7, 2017

Today was our Apprenticeship orientation day. We met with Dr. Panoff, Aaron, and Ernie. We learned how to set up a website on the Shodor server using Cyberduck. We also learned the rules we need to follow to stay in Shodor, read the Apprentice handbook, learned who our mentor was, and took a tour of the building. My mentor is Levi. For homework we have to fill out a document about the handbook, set up this blog page, and introduce ourselves to our mentor.

I met a lot of the same friends that I made during the time that I was a workshop student. I saw Seokyoung, Om, Nigel, Trey, Albert, Ronith, and Kira again. I also made two new friends, Joseph and Aneesh. They are both fun to talk to, and I really hope we become good friends. Aaron and Ernie are also very nice. They helped me get my computer set up today, and were very patient and listened to all the questions that I had. Can't wait for next week!