Above is my screen shot of VirtualBox running the latest version of Ubuntu Linux OS within my MAC OS.
I downloaded an .iso image of the Ubuntu operating system, and installed it using VirtualBox.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
VirtualBox Homework for Nov 3rd
Above is my screen shot of VirtualBox running the latest version of Ubuntu Linux OS within my MAC OS.
I downloaded an .iso image of the Ubuntu operating system, and installed it using VirtualBox.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Ram Performance and Dual Core vs Quad Core CPU's
Adding RAM, and Dual Channel Memory
Adding Ram to your computer can benefit your system greatly. There are various factors that may determine how much of a benefit it yields. Going from 2gb of ram to 4gb of ram should increase performance within your computer. If you have an older OS like Windows XP, it may not recognize any more than 2gb in your system, and the extra memory will not be utilized like it should. Windows Vista and Windows 7 will make full use of all 4gb, and will lessen the amount of times the cpu needs to access the HDD. It will just use all of the information stored in the 4gb of ram, increasing speed and performance.
Several years ago, a type of "dual channel" memory came on to the scene. These sticks of memory must be installed in identical pairs. You can not install a 1gb stick, and a 2gb stick on the same system, It will not work efficiently. Adding dual channel memory allows the memory to transfer data across two channels or pipes for the data to flow through. This greatly reduces information bottlenecks when exchanging information to and from the CPU and HDD. If Dual channel memory is installed correctly, it will add new life to any old, aging system.
Dual Core vs Quad Core Processors
Most modern computing systems these days come with basically two types of CPU's. There are dual core CPU's, and Quad core CPU's. Having two or four cores in a system is like having like double or 4-times as many CPU's on your motherboard. It is basically the brain of your computer duplicated or quadrupled and put on a single chip. This will allow your system(depending on your OS, and if the software is well written), to work literally twice, or sometimes four times as fast. During day to day operations, a dual core may be enough. In some benchmarking tests, a dual core core processor can be faster than a quad core processor. Software that is very CPU intensive can written to take advantage of all four cores(programs like Photoshop, Autocad, etc.). Utilizing all four cores when doing video editing, or CAD work will definitely speed up performance a noticeable amount.
It is best to know what type of work, or how CPU intensive your programs are before deciding on which type of processor to buy. Obviously the quad core processor has four CPU's inside, and therefore is more expensive. You should always buy what your budget will allow
Adding Ram to your computer can benefit your system greatly. There are various factors that may determine how much of a benefit it yields. Going from 2gb of ram to 4gb of ram should increase performance within your computer. If you have an older OS like Windows XP, it may not recognize any more than 2gb in your system, and the extra memory will not be utilized like it should. Windows Vista and Windows 7 will make full use of all 4gb, and will lessen the amount of times the cpu needs to access the HDD. It will just use all of the information stored in the 4gb of ram, increasing speed and performance.
Several years ago, a type of "dual channel" memory came on to the scene. These sticks of memory must be installed in identical pairs. You can not install a 1gb stick, and a 2gb stick on the same system, It will not work efficiently. Adding dual channel memory allows the memory to transfer data across two channels or pipes for the data to flow through. This greatly reduces information bottlenecks when exchanging information to and from the CPU and HDD. If Dual channel memory is installed correctly, it will add new life to any old, aging system.
Dual Core vs Quad Core Processors
Most modern computing systems these days come with basically two types of CPU's. There are dual core CPU's, and Quad core CPU's. Having two or four cores in a system is like having like double or 4-times as many CPU's on your motherboard. It is basically the brain of your computer duplicated or quadrupled and put on a single chip. This will allow your system(depending on your OS, and if the software is well written), to work literally twice, or sometimes four times as fast. During day to day operations, a dual core may be enough. In some benchmarking tests, a dual core core processor can be faster than a quad core processor. Software that is very CPU intensive can written to take advantage of all four cores(programs like Photoshop, Autocad, etc.). Utilizing all four cores when doing video editing, or CAD work will definitely speed up performance a noticeable amount.
It is best to know what type of work, or how CPU intensive your programs are before deciding on which type of processor to buy. Obviously the quad core processor has four CPU's inside, and therefore is more expensive. You should always buy what your budget will allow
Monday, September 15, 2014
My review of the Little Bits Electronic System
Little Bits -- An open source, snap together, Electronic Hardware System
Little Bits is an open source, snap together electronics kit created in 2011 by MIT grad Ayah Bedir.
This hardware system teaches both children and adults how to build electronic circuits by simply snapping together different magnetic modules. Each module has it's own purpose and function. You would start, for example, with the power bit. This has the battery component and powers the rest of the circuit. After that, you can add whatever your imagination will allow. There are over 60 different modules that you can snap together and make hundreds of different circuit combinations. Ranging from lighting LEDs, spinning motors, building simple robots, or even to making electronic music, you are only limited by your imagination. It is a very fun and simple way to learn elecctronics.
I have used Little Bits and I found it very simple to use and program. You can connect the modules together and have them react, light up, start a motor or bell, whatever you tell it to do. My 10yr old son got his first circuit up and running in NO time! In less than 2minutes, he was lighting up LEDs and spinning motors. The magnetic ends can only snap on one way, so there is no way to connect something incorrectly. It has a very intuitive feel, and is also very fun to play with!
The price for getting started is very fair, and you can buy individual bits, or purchase starter packs of different levels and prices. They range from $99, up to $199 for the deluxe kit. They also have a synthesized music kit as well as an Arduino starter pack. My favorite is the Space kit. This comes with 12modules and will teach you to make things like a Mars rover, or even an international space station out of Little Bits.
There are Many Electronics kits out there from Radio Shack, and other suppliers, But there aren't any that come close to the originality and simplicity of Little Bits. It is in a class by itself and is very unique in that it has almost NO similar competing products. I would highly recommend the starter to anyone interested in learning electronics, From Ages 6-60, this kit is for YOU.
On a scale from one to 10, I give this kit a 9.0! :-)
This hardware system teaches both children and adults how to build electronic circuits by simply snapping together different magnetic modules. Each module has it's own purpose and function. You would start, for example, with the power bit. This has the battery component and powers the rest of the circuit. After that, you can add whatever your imagination will allow. There are over 60 different modules that you can snap together and make hundreds of different circuit combinations. Ranging from lighting LEDs, spinning motors, building simple robots, or even to making electronic music, you are only limited by your imagination. It is a very fun and simple way to learn elecctronics.
I have used Little Bits and I found it very simple to use and program. You can connect the modules together and have them react, light up, start a motor or bell, whatever you tell it to do. My 10yr old son got his first circuit up and running in NO time! In less than 2minutes, he was lighting up LEDs and spinning motors. The magnetic ends can only snap on one way, so there is no way to connect something incorrectly. It has a very intuitive feel, and is also very fun to play with!
The price for getting started is very fair, and you can buy individual bits, or purchase starter packs of different levels and prices. They range from $99, up to $199 for the deluxe kit. They also have a synthesized music kit as well as an Arduino starter pack. My favorite is the Space kit. This comes with 12modules and will teach you to make things like a Mars rover, or even an international space station out of Little Bits.
There are Many Electronics kits out there from Radio Shack, and other suppliers, But there aren't any that come close to the originality and simplicity of Little Bits. It is in a class by itself and is very unique in that it has almost NO similar competing products. I would highly recommend the starter to anyone interested in learning electronics, From Ages 6-60, this kit is for YOU.
On a scale from one to 10, I give this kit a 9.0! :-)
An example of how Little Bits works
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