20 October 2008
I reached the building early, as usual. So I waited for the rest at the pantry as I read up on C programming. Headed to our 'working space' and met up the rest. Speaking about our 'working space', here's how it looks like:
After alittle while, Kevin came in and we discused about what we had researched on Friday and in our spare time during the weekends. During the disscusion these are the things we shared with each other:- What are Compilers?("a must-know for Computer Science/IT student", as quoted from Kevin)
- What is Open source?
We were then told of what we were supposed to do today - to continue on what we have been doing last week. So after the discusion, we continued with our tasks. We burned a DVD with the Linux ISO file on the MacBook Pro. However, due to our lack of understanding with the MacBook Pro, we actually mounted the ISO file onto the DVD instead of buring the ISO image onto the DVD. Wasted like 3 DVDs. After receiving guidance from Kevin and Ming Hong, we managed to burn the Linux ISO file successfully before going out for lunch.
We then installed Linux onto the PCs after lunch while watching the movie, "Pirates of Silicon Valley".
http://www.gearcritech.com/images/review101205_posv_t.jpgI managed to learn more about who is Steve Jobs and Bill Gates from this movie. I've also managed to find out how Personal Computers came about and lots of other interesting stuff - such as the relationship between Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.
- Install the Linux OS onto the PC
- Install MSN messenger onto iMac
- Install MSN messenger(aMSN) onto Linux
21 October 2008
The day started with me opening my 'working space'. I then proceed to turn on the Linux PC which I used the day before to write my first C++, "Hello World", Application and run it on the PC using Terminal. Kevin then soon arrived and we went through the steps we took to install Linux onto the PCs and the problems we faced. The important step that Kevin focus on was the partition step and explained it to us why it was important. We were also given a brief history and the differences between Linux KDE Desktop environment and Linux Gnome environment. We were then assigned to research on the Linux Directory Structure, the Terminal Commands and to install OpenCV onto our PCs.
After Kevin left to do his stuff, we then research and studied on Linux Directory Structure. Here's the overview of Linux Directory Structure:
http://www.debianadmin.com/linux-directory-structure-overview.htmlWe then went on to search and download the OpenCV installer on the Linux PCs and installed it using Terminal. Here are the steps we did to install OpenCV onto Linux:
- Go to the folder which contains the tar.gz file by using the 'cd (directoryName)' command
- Extract the tar.gz file using the 'tar -zxvf (filename)' command
- Go into the extracted folder
- Configure the file by using './Configure' in Terminal
- Compile the file by using 'Make' command
- Enter SuperUser(SU) mode by entering 'su' command and entering the password
- Install the file by using 'Make Install' command
By installing OpenCV this way, I've actually managed to learn what is actually going on in the back-end whenever I install a program/application. By then end of the day, I'm kind of hooked onto using the Terminal to extract and install file rather than just using the extractor with the GUI provided in Linux.
22 October 2008
I woke up alittle late today, but I still managed to reach the 'working space' on time. The morning was practically spent on going through the steps to install OpenCV and what does each process do. We also discussed about Linux Directory Structure, the commands in Terminal and was also given a brief introduction on what a Virtual Machine(VM) is and how it works.
After Kevin left to do his work, we then installed VMWare Fusion on our Apple computers. VMWare Fusion is a desktop software which provides similar functionality for users of the MacIntel platform, along with full compatibility with virtual machines created by other VMware products(extracted from wikipedia).
Once VMWare Fusion had been installed, we then installed Linux and some applications such as aMSN(a Linux version of MSN messenger) and OpenCV on the Virtual Machine. I had also managed to modify the sudoer list via the terminal. These are the steps I took to modify the sudoer list:
- Go to the sudoer list directory using 'cd /etc' command in the Terminal
- Log into a superuser(SU) account
- Open sudoer list via a text editor using 'nano sudoers' command
- Add my user into the sudoer list by editing the file
- Save changes made and exit the text editor
23 October 2008
I reached the 'working space' a little late due to a traffic jam. Ryan was already there before I was. Not long after, the rest arrived and Ming Hong, our colleague who is also working on Lightdraw, taught us about the Text Editor function in terminal. We were then assigned to get our webcams to work with the Linux in VM.
After lunch, I decided to reformat Linux in VM as I felt that I had installed to many unnessersary files and driver. Ryan and I then tried to configure iSight to work on Linux till then end of the day. However, we managed to get the Logitech webcams to work in Linux. These are the steps we took to install the Logitech webcams:
- Installed livna repository for Fedora 9
- Installed Gspca package using 'Add/Remove Software' application
- Installed unicap, an application which uses the webcam, using 'Add/Remove Software' application
24 October 2008
As soon as I reached, I tried to get the iSight to work in Linux as it was supposed to be done by yesterday. However, something was wrong as I could not use the 'Add/Remove Software' application in Linux. I was prompted with 'database disk image is malformed' error. I tried searching online on ways to solve it but it was unfruitful. So I reformatted the Linux on the VM for the 2nd time in 2 days.(I am very familiar with installation process of Linux by now)
While I reformatted the VM, Kevin gave us a detailed explanation on how Lightdraw works with the OSC and X11. After the explanation, I managed to get iSight to work on Linux.(Yay!)
We then tried to run Lightdraw using the iSight but Lightdraw doesn't run as well when using the Logitech webcam because we can't set the Auto-Exposure properties of iSight. Ming Hong said that he would try to solve this problem and Kevin seemed happy with our progress.
During lunch time, we bought some stuff at MarketPlace as there is a mini-celebration for Deepavali later in the day. While heading down to MarketPlace, we caught a glimspe of some robots. Here's an interesting robot that caught our attention:
After lunch, we were assigned to brainstorm with simple applications to run with Lightdraw. We were told to choose between GTK+ and Qt to develop our application in. So we brainstorm till 3 plus in the afternoon as the office had a little 'Deepavali party' in the pantry where we were treated to snacks like pineapple tarts and some 'kuehs'. We ate some snacks before heading back to our 'working space' to continue brainstorming for our applications till we knocked off. I guess we have some work to do at home for this long weekend.
Reflection for the week:
These 5 days in IHPC had surely taught me a lot. From setting up Virtual Machines and knowing how the IDEs work behind the scenes, which are not taught in school. Thankfully, we were taught how to learn independently through subjects like CSAD(full PBL module), which is a very useful life skill that would help me through my attachment.
On side note, I think I'm beginning to be slightly 'anti-Microsoft' after using too much of Apple computers and the Linux. =P
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