Subprograms

The subprogram Bro is used at a delay for the light in the main program. After the subprogram runs through, the main program proceeds with the rest of the main program.

Funny Joke

A math and engineering convention was being held. On the train to the convention, there were both math majors and engineering majors. Each of the math majors had his/her own train ticket. But the Engineers had only ONE ticket for all of them. The math majors started laughing and snickering. The engineers ignored the laughter.

Then, one of the engineers said, "Here comes the conductor". All of the engineers piled into the bathroom. The math majors were puzzled. The conductor came aboard and collected tickets from all the math majors. He went to the bathroom, knocked on the door, and said, "Tickets Please". An engineer stuck their only ticket under the door. The conductor took the ticket and left. A few minutes later, the engineers emerged from the bathroom. The math majors felt really stupid.

On the way back from the convention, the group of math majors had ONE ticket for their group. They started snickering at the engineers, who had NO tickets amongst them.

When the engineer lookout shouted, "Conductor coming!", all the engineers again piled into a bathroom. All of the math majors went into another bathroom. Then, before the conductor came on board, one of the engineers left the bathroom, knocked on the other bathroom, and said, "Ticket please."

Variables and Branch Functions

Variables are used to make the system run a certain number of times. By making A=50, the system would run 50 times on 1 second intervals. Variables are used to make a program take a specific direction based on the variable value.

Branch Functions

Vinnie worked with the RoboPro software while I built the hardware. Unfortunately we were not able to get an image. I made the greatest contribution to the effort

Branch Functions are important because they allow the computer program to make certain decisions by comparing different values and use empirical data.A clock has a normally open switch while a street lamp has a normally closed switch. 

Flowcharting

Flowcharting highlights the pathway for the process by specifying what specific actions should be taken in each situation. In many ways this is like a map since maps also guide you through specific pathways.

Inputs and Outputs

There are three pathways on the miniswitch, three, one, and two. One and two mean that there is a constant current and pressing the switch would turn it off. Three and one mean that pressing the switch would make the current flow, so there is no constant current.


The analog signals are converted to digital signals by the interface. The interface is used to make information from the computer be readable on the the devices we use, and the signals from the devices readable to the computer.


In insulators, resistance decreases as temperature increases. This is because as the flow of electrons increases because there is less resistance, more heat is generated.


Pressing the button on the mini switch resulted in a check on the I1 test window, which therefore made a voltage present. Not pressing the button makes it unchecked.For the inputs, turning the potentiometer changed the intensity of the current in the system.For the outputs, switching the connections on the wires could change the direction of the motor shaft.

Units

l (distance) = m

t (time) = s

m (mass) = kg

a (area) = m^2

v (velocity) = m/s

(density) = kg/m^3

g (gravity) = m/s^2

F (force) = kg(m/s^2)

E (energy) = kg(m/s)^2

P (power) = kg(m^2/s^3)

Opt In- Gamification

How are social networking and games combined?

Games on Facebook have been hugely successful. Just look at the fact that there are more farmville players than twitter accounts. Facebook and farmville combine two big forms of entertainment, social and gaming. This creates a perfect niche for those of us who like to both be social and play games. 

How is gaming evolving?

Playing a flash game online is very much different than popping quarters into a House of the Dead arcade machine. The rules of gaming have been turned upside down and now the most unconventional games come out on top. Many new games try to combine the physical world with the fantasy one. Guitar hero and the Kinect are two examples. This unorthodox juxtaposition has actually been wildly popular with the consumers, so it's pretty clear only ideas that are "out of the box" will thrive in todays market.


Are gaming ideas limited to video games?

The whole idea of levels is appealing to many different fields, even school. For example, in classes students can be ranked in...classes. A student who is failing would regress back to an "Engineering newb apprentice" class while a student with an A+ would have the title "Grand Master Engineering Arch Wizard." A ranking system can be both fun and a good motivator, provided we all keep it class-y.  

Content is King

     Even at a young age, I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian like my father. I'm not gonna lie though, veterinary medicine isn't really a "hobby" of mine but more of a blinking red dot on my radar, creeping closer closer. Developments in the veterinary occupation don't exactly spike my interest as much as the trailer of a new video game, but I am certain that will change in the upcoming years. My interest in the world of animal sciences has always been like a seed planted in a patch of soil. As time progressed a passion for this line of work has sprouted within me. Recently I have been working in my family owned small animal clinic, where I get first hand experience with a variety of animals. The funny thing is, I actually enjoy it. I'm hoping someday I will have a true passion for veterinary medicine.
    I have never come across a veterinary blog before (probably since most veterinarians are crusty old people who can't use computers) but come googleing has led me to one. http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted. This blog, and probably many more like it, promote a service rather than a brand. But more importantly, it highlights important breakthroughs in the veterinary field like stem cell therapy.
    Someday when I become one of those old dudes in a white doctors coat with "Dr. Deo" stitched over the pocket, I could blog about my experiences with animals. I'm sure I would see many interesting cases and since there is not doctor-patient confidentiality I can blog about them all I want.