Sunday, October 25, 2015
Book read: The Martian by Andy Weir
With the release of the Ridley Scott film, this book was republished and I picked it up to try and get back into reading some science fiction.
My last science fiction was an Iain Banks novel which was a clever book but a difficult read.
The Martian is a breath of fresh air compared to that. The story is of an astronaut left for dead on Mars who has to work out how to survive long enough for rescue. The chapters comprise of limited horizon problem solving to try and extend his survival window, all based on believable science and calculations.
There are also some good chapters of the rescue mission planning back on Earth, where Weir captures the "united front" portrayed to the outside world, versus the "internal politics" of the inner NASA management.
I read it in a few days which usually is a good sign of a good read.
My last science fiction was an Iain Banks novel which was a clever book but a difficult read.
The Martian is a breath of fresh air compared to that. The story is of an astronaut left for dead on Mars who has to work out how to survive long enough for rescue. The chapters comprise of limited horizon problem solving to try and extend his survival window, all based on believable science and calculations.
There are also some good chapters of the rescue mission planning back on Earth, where Weir captures the "united front" portrayed to the outside world, versus the "internal politics" of the inner NASA management.
I read it in a few days which usually is a good sign of a good read.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Cisco CEO articles
Some good articles on the new Cisco CEO - and a sharp analysis of IoT and the obsession with doing things faster for no obvious benefit.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/06/cisco_robbins_keynote/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/11/pitchforks_torches_and_awful_quotes/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/06/cisco_robbins_keynote/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/10/11/pitchforks_torches_and_awful_quotes/
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Elon Musk - Mars awaits, when can you go?
I cannot be the only person who cannot wait until this guy disappears to Mars, this type of comment from him just makes me think of that great day:
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-10/09/elon-musk-apple-tesla-graveyard
He sounds must be very difficult to work for, support abusive employment and spend all day riding on the back of the achievements of others!
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2015-10/09/elon-musk-apple-tesla-graveyard
He sounds must be very difficult to work for, support abusive employment and spend all day riding on the back of the achievements of others!
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Graphing calculator article
Interesting article about graphing calulators used in American maths teaching:
http://mic.com/articles/125829/your-old-texas-instruments-graphing-calculator-still-costs-a-fortune-heres-why
Which also mentions a app like replacement:
https://www.desmos.com/
http://mic.com/articles/125829/your-old-texas-instruments-graphing-calculator-still-costs-a-fortune-heres-why
Which also mentions a app like replacement:
https://www.desmos.com/
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Book read: Captain Cook by Frank Mclynn
Since visiting Australia I've wanted to read more about Captain Cook. I bought this book as a Christmas present which I then got lent to read. At first I was daunted by the size of the book ~400 pages of very small print.
But it is very readable, despite the mixed reviews on Amazon over accuracy. It goes through all of Cook's voyages and seems to have a balanced view of the effects of western contact with the remote island societies (on balance not beneficial - despite Cook's good intentions).
The feats of navigation stand out, in the late 1700s before longitude could be measured accurately. There is some discussion about Cook being "lucky" never to have truly seen harsh 100ft waves but that seems a little unfair. However the author lists other such loses that may have been due to these waves and that they are more common that originally thought - being powerful enough to take out a modern cruise liner.
But it is very readable, despite the mixed reviews on Amazon over accuracy. It goes through all of Cook's voyages and seems to have a balanced view of the effects of western contact with the remote island societies (on balance not beneficial - despite Cook's good intentions).
The feats of navigation stand out, in the late 1700s before longitude could be measured accurately. There is some discussion about Cook being "lucky" never to have truly seen harsh 100ft waves but that seems a little unfair. However the author lists other such loses that may have been due to these waves and that they are more common that originally thought - being powerful enough to take out a modern cruise liner.
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