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Post by lois on Apr 17, 2013 21:03:18 GMT -6
Cliff. I cannot find your storm and tornado thread. Seems like you and I are under the gun all night..tonight. We are under a tornado watch right now. Large storms coming up from the south west. We are on the edge of them right now. but south in Springfield they are getting close . They go all the way to Chicago. that is the way they are moving right now just skimming to the west of Bloomington.. Stay safe.. I guess I won't be getting any sleep tonight.. as the line will be over us soon. Oklahoma has a fifty fifty chance of a tornado . Not sure what the odds are in your area... My problem is all I have is a closet to go into.. Lois
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Post by Deleted on Apr 18, 2013 20:59:23 GMT -6
I hope you all made it through also Lois. :)Thanks for asking. It rained quite a bit and I heard a lot of thunderboomers but mostly slept through it. I haven't had much sleep lately because of all the work required for our recent music session we just had. It's been nice getting caught back up and being able to relax for a bit.
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Post by lois on Apr 18, 2013 22:29:29 GMT -6
I hope you all made it through also Lois. :)Thanks for asking. It rained quite a bit and I heard a lot of thunderboomers but mostly slept through it. I haven't had much sleep lately because of all the work required for our recent music session we just had. It's been nice getting caught back up and being able to relax for a bit. Cliff .. Sorry, what music session? I must of miss some of your post..
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2013 19:08:52 GMT -6
I hope you all made it through also Lois. :)Thanks for asking. It rained quite a bit and I heard a lot of thunderboomers but mostly slept through it. I haven't had much sleep lately because of all the work required for our recent music session we just had. It's been nice getting caught back up and being able to relax for a bit. Cliff .. Sorry, what music session? I must of miss some of your post.. My apologies for such a late reply Lois. I recently rejoined a group that I use to play rhythm guitar for about 6 weeks ago. We play soft rock music but yet try to add a little something extra and a country song here and there. We now have a lead singer/guitarist who sounds amazing . I had to learn about 30 songs (or more ) within a short amount of time preparing for a show we just had. It turned out to be a great night seeing people enjoying it. We're looking forward to another in the near future while creating new songs but it's also nice to take a needed break.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2013 5:49:51 GMT -6
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I may be offline for x amount of time. If it comes to that I will be thinking about each and every one of you but I will be back asap . I had to make an unfortunate decision that I was forced into (sometimes it just happens that way I guess) . I just have to get my ducks in a row. If so,,,take care all ! Cliff
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Post by skywalker on May 21, 2013 16:04:01 GMT -6
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I may be offline for x amount of time. If it comes to that I will be thinking about each and every one of you but I will be back asap . I had to make an unfortunate decision that I was forced into (sometimes it just happens that way I guess) . I just have to get my ducks in a row. If so,,,take care all ! Cliff So in the last week we lost randy, bewildered and jo, and now Cliff is running around chasing ducks. Terrific. (Just joking, dude. )
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Post by lois on May 21, 2013 19:35:48 GMT -6
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I may be offline for x amount of time. If it comes to that I will be thinking about each and every one of you but I will be back asap . I had to make an unfortunate decision that I was forced into (sometimes it just happens that way I guess) . I just have to get my ducks in a row. If so,,,take care all ! Cliff So in the last week we lost randy, bewildered and jo, and now Cliff is running around chasing ducks. Terrific. (Just joking, dude. ) cliff.. keep safe.. I pray it is not your health.. we will miss you.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2013 20:58:10 GMT -6
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I may be offline for x amount of time. If it comes to that I will be thinking about each and every one of you but I will be back asap . I had to make an unfortunate decision that I was forced into (sometimes it just happens that way I guess) . I just have to get my ducks in a row. If so,,,take care all ! Cliff So in the last week we lost randy, bewildered and jo, and now Cliff is running around chasing ducks. Terrific. (Just joking, dude. ) It's sad to see them go but I do hope in time we meet again. Jo, if you are reading this I just want to say that you're already missed especially. You're an awesome person and I'm glad to have met you and been friends over the past couple of years. ~ As Lorelei would say and I know you're not the huggy type person if I'm recalling correctly but,,,hugz anyway~ I will try to stay on as long as I can but it may be as soon as tomorrow that I'm out for a bit. I'll be back though,,,, hopefully sooner than later.
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Post by skywalker on May 21, 2013 21:10:59 GMT -6
So what's the big secret? You going on some top secret spy mission or something? You planning on being abducted tomorrow? The aliens decided to give you a tour of their galaxy?
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2013 21:14:29 GMT -6
So in the last week we lost randy, bewildered and jo, and now Cliff is running around chasing ducks. Terrific. (Just joking, dude. ) cliff.. keep safe.. I pray it is not your health.. we will miss you. My health is just fine Lois but thank you for your concern and prayers. I'm not in trouble with the law or anything like that ( never have been,,,,not even a traffic ticket ever, anywhere) ;D. I have family that I must focus on for the time being and with that I ask for your thoughts and prayers. I'll be in when I can from time to time. This isn't good bye. I plan to stay here as long as you all can continue to put up with me. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Quack ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2013 21:43:50 GMT -6
So what's the big secret? You going on some top secret spy mission or something? You planning on being abducted tomorrow? The aliens decided to give you a tour of their galaxy? Iota - Hotel alpha victor echo, - ((1 x 2)( or) ( tau) or (tango)) ;D Oscar, - Tango romeo yankee- tau omicron,- romeo echo sierra oscar lima victor echo - alpha november, - uniform nu foxtrot omicron rho tau upsilon november alpha tango epsilon ,- Charlie rho iota sierra iota sigma. Iota tau sigma - alpha lima lambda, good ! ;D ;D Oh yeah, this is in code. I actually should have wrote, ;D India tango sierra,- alpha 2(lima), - Golf 2(oscar) delta ! Iota - Hotel oscar phi epsilon Semper Fi ;D Charlie Lima India (2( Foxtrot )) ;D ;D ;D ;D Oscar Victor echo rho ;D ;D ;D
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CitizenK
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I'm Back Guys!!! I've missed you so much!!!
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Post by CitizenK on May 21, 2013 22:31:51 GMT -6
What the heck did I miss??? We lost Randy and Jo too??? And now Cliff...good grief Charlie Brown Cliff I hope your ducks line up quickly for you, as for the rest, what the heck happened?
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2013 23:31:44 GMT -6
Come back soon Cliff... I hope everything's going alright for you...
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Post by plutronus on May 22, 2013 0:11:09 GMT -6
So what's the big secret? You going on some top secret spy mission or something? You planning on being abducted tomorrow? The aliens decided to give you a tour of their galaxy? Iota - Hotel alpha victor echo, - ((1 x 2)( or) ( tau) or (tango)) ;D Oscar, - Tango romeo yankee- tau omicron,- romeo echo sierra oscar lima victor echo - alpha november, - uniform nu foxtrot omicron rho tau upsilon november alpha tango epsilon ,- Charlie rho iota sierra iota sigma.
Iota tau sigma - alpha lima lambda, good ! ;D ;D Oh yeah, this is in code. I actually should have wrote, ;D India tango sierra,- alpha 2(lima), - Golf 2(oscar) delta !
Iota - Hotel oscar phi epsilon
Semper Fi ;D
Charlie Lima India (2( Foxtrot )) ;D ;D ;D ;D Oscar Victor echo rho ;D ;D ;D [/color][/quote]
Decoded....
I - Have, -
To, Try -to, resolve - an, -unfortunate, - crisis.
Its - all, good!
Its, - all, Good!
I- Hope
Semper Fi (US Marine slogan)
Cliff Over
Via con Dios to you and Family.
plutronus
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2013 1:04:53 GMT -6
So what's the big secret? You planning on being abducted tomorrow? The aliens decided to give you a tour of their galaxy? If they were to land on my front lawn right now showing respect and coming in peace with a formal invitation to take a quick trip ,,, I'd be journeying through the cosmos at hyper velocity breaking the laws of relativity spiraling through a helical vortex creating wormholes venturing back in time. Warp speed ahead Scotty. ;D ;D Actually,,, who needs aliens or a spaceship ? The Helical Model - Our Solar System Is A Vortex I highly recommend watching this ! Though not %100 accurate, this video demonstrates our solar systems helical motion as the planets orbit our star and it in turn orbits the galaxy in a unique way that most were never taught in school or ever realize.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2013 3:55:21 GMT -6
Come back soon Cliff... I hope everything's going alright for you... ~ Hugz ~ Lore ,,,,but please smile and turn that frown upside down dear friend ;D,,,,don''t worry,,,be happy. ;D 'It's all good' is my motto. ;D I'll figure out a way ,,, or at least try my best to continue here on a normal basis. Sometimes I feel I'm yacking on here too much. ;D I'm probably driving y'all crazy anyway,,,you probably neeeed a break from me,,,lol ;D Ck wrote ;D I'll try but them lil quackers have been known to have a mind of their own,,, ;D For all I know they may head South. ;D Or North ,,,if so,,, ;D ;D ;D ;D As that dude on "Duck Commander" says ,,,,,, live life with no worries,,,always grin and be "happy,happy". ;D ;D ;D Lol Plutronus,,,, Too easy ay ? ;D If you want , I can make it a little more of a challenge next time. We ought to have a code breakers thread in the general section of the forum just for the hey of it. That might be a cool challenging thing to do just to pick the brain and create a challenge 4 kicks ya know if it's good with the mods , admins, and all y'alls up for a good challenge to throw out there or solve ? :) (First I have to get these lil quackers content with whatever it is them lil yellow cackling chickens are gonna do) ;D I've been up for 2 nights with little to no rest in between,,, this old rooster is headed for the roost.
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CitizenK
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I'm Back Guys!!! I've missed you so much!!!
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Post by CitizenK on May 22, 2013 18:53:32 GMT -6
Ducks, chickens, now a rooster too.....semper fi and code talking ugh! What in the world is next? pigs flying??? :? Well anywho, I like the idea of trying to talk in code, I used to make up codes with my dad and bro all the time, it was a lot of fun and a good brain exercise, so I'm up for it! (btw, "it's all good" is MY slogan, tattooed it on me before it was even cool to say,back when I was a young sprout! lol More thangs in common ya'll, I love it! )
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Post by plutronus on May 22, 2013 21:46:32 GMT -6
. . <deletia> . . Lol plutronus,,,, Too easy ay ? ;D
If you want , I can make it a little more of a challenge next time. We ought to have a code breakers thread in the general section of the forum just for the hey of it. That might be a cool challenging thing to do just to pick the brain and create a challenge 4 kicks ya know if it's good with the mods , admins, and all y'alls up for a good challenge to throw out there or solve ? :) (First I have to get these lil quackers content with whatever it is them lil yellow cackling chickens are gonna do) ;D
I've been up for 2 nights with little to no rest in between,,, this old rooster is headed for the roost. Hi Cliff,
Sounds kewl, although I'm not sure I have the time right now or for an additional challenge, as I am feverishly working to re-invent myself to ensure future employment, us old quackers must compete with the young'ns which, makes the world a much more interesting place. I too have been burning the midnight oils.
I am studying something called "VHDL", which decodes as , "Very Highspeed logic Definition Language" which is a hardware description language that is based on 'Annex H, Safety SubSet" of the US DoD mandated Ada computer programming language. It is a very tough nut to crack so far and I've been studying it 10 ~ 12 hrs per day for these past two months. I might add that I am fluent in 5 computer languages, of which my favorites are Assembler, C, Pascal, and (likely an eyebrow-lifter), ForTran. I've written very large programs for the military using ForTran on supercomputers. ForTran is an awesomely powerful language.
Ad rem, VHDL isn't a programming language however, although it is based upon the form and syntax of one, namely Ada. Agusta Ada as you may know, was the gal who worked for Lord Byron in England during the early 1800s when he was experimenting with his all wood, mechanical computation-engine. She regularly re-configured Byron's computation-engine and is recognized as having been the world's first computer programmer. The US DoD/military academics named the language in her honor.
In any case, Ada is not a popular language among programmers, however, it was mandated as the official programming language of the US Military engineering community. Most programmers avoid using it like the plague, when ever possible. Programmers find Ada to be very difficult to 'bend' to their application. It is for this one reason alone that the DoD chose the programming model. The central point of the language is the prevention of logical errors that pass the lexical and syntactical error catching 'linting' processes imposed by language compiler programs.
Perhaps ya'll remember? The JPL 'Mars Global Observer' space-vehicle entry-descent-landing (EDL) malfunction? The cause of the malfunction? One software programming team wrote their 'C' programs using the decimal system while the other programming team wrote their 'C' programs using the metric system, then the two resulting program modules were integrated into the overall space-vehicle re-entry system. Due to these scaling differences between the two math systems, --decimal and metric integrated seamlessly. A very minuscule numerical difference caused the retro-rockets to prematurely burn, causing the vehicle to catastrophically 'bounce'. ..\splatter/.. <frn> If the two EDL (entry-descent-landing) SW programs had been written in Ada, it would have been impossible for this type of error to have occurred. In virtually any of the other programming languages the rules can be bent.
But VHDL is different. Very different. The output of the VHDL language does not 'run' in a computer. It never does, and can't be made to run inside a computer. VHDL is a tool that is used to create a specific digital electronic gadget of a designer's desire. Its purpose is not software, and it is not a program, but it is a hardware configuration language.
SoftWare programs, such as Assembler, C, C++, Ada, Pascal, BASIC, Lisp, ForTran, ProLog, Java, and SmallTalk etc, are procedural instructions of (different writing/rules & styles) that are squirted, one after another into a central-processing-unit (CPU...the main guts of a computer) to control the actions of the computer and its peripherals, massaging, managing the 'data' it is processing.
In VHDL when the configuration code is applied, everything happens at once.
Software is used to program computers, VHDL on the other hand is used to configure an FPGA ('Field Programmable Gate Array') or in some cases, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit...cheaper to make). An FPGA is typically a large quantity of un-allocated digital logic blocks that can be arranged and interconnected into becoming something...a digital electronic gadget. These FPGA devices may be likened to a well stocked home-baker's kitchen in this regard.
In the room area of the kitchen are located many things that may be used and-or arranged to make a baked item, such as a "cake". In addition to having available tools, --oven, pots, pans, mixing bowls, spoons, ladels, etc, there are also available in containers, boxes and bags of flower, salt, sugar, corn-starch (or arrow-root..my favorite, absolutely flavor neutral), eggs, nuts, basil, cumin, paprika, etc. An FPGA is like a kitchen, it is an unconfigured box of digital logic..things. Using VHDL to configure FPGAs, one may create an MP3 Player, a Traffic Light Standard sequencer, a smart-phone (has several VHDL configured FPGAs/ASICs), a RADAR Digital-Signal-Processor, an LCD kitchen timer, and using the larger, more expensive FPGAs, one may also create a CPU, along with memory, UARTs, peripherals, etc.
In my effort to learn VHDL, I am using several items, namely, am using an TerAsic 'DE1' FPGA development board, see the picture at: (www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?Language=English&CategoryNo=39&No=83) and I'm using the free (students) WebEdition of Altera's Quartus II (ver 9.1) FPGA development system. Quartus is a very complex software program used to design, and develop complex digital electronic systems. Though its not much to look at, here's that link: www.altera.com/products/software/sfw-index.jsp The program is rented for around $250/month. Lots of click'n and clack'n. At first I thought it was a big sloppy peice of dog-poop, but now that I've been using their IDE, I find that there is actually method in its apparent madness, and I'm beginning to appreciate the thought and effort Altera expended in the program's layout and design. The lesson here, is always must approach new things with an open mind.
Along with having read several books on the subject, and currently using four books simultaneously (for reference) I am beginning to make some headway. But frankly, its the most difficult learning curve I have thus far experienced in my life, although, the ET Presence learning-curve was also a doozey. I am beginning, (heh heh), to be able to successfully create (albeit very) simple digital logic circuits...its been frustratingly slow and tedious, but things are beginning to move towards the employable end of that LONG bleak tunnel.
Why am I doing this? As a military HW/SW embedded processor programmer, I typically was making around $80,000 / year, but now that I'm an older person, the jobs are not being offered to me as they once were. Its plain and simple, age-discrimination. It seems nobody wants to employ old engineers, --they get fat, lazy, and out-of-touch with new technologies/and-or trends, not to mention, sick. But I'm not just corralled into programming, no, because while my degree is in Computer-Engineering (not to be confused with Computer-Science), I am also, a hardware design engineer...electronics, mainly being digital electronics.
But there's a saving grace in VHDL/FPGAs. Because it is VERY DIFFICULT to successfully implement and employ for hardware design tasks, employers don't care too much whether the engineer who can do it, is fat, lazy, late for work, blind or missing a few body parts, just so long as they can deliver the goods.
Newbie VHDL/FPGA designers, salaries start at around, $90k/yr, straight out of school. Seasoned HW engineers, like myself, who are fully functional in many different engineering trades, who can produce VHDL, typically make around $120,000 per year. That's my motivation.
I've included, (below) a screen-grab of my laptop's 17in screen from last night's mid-night oils.
The left side of the screen depicts a black editor window (Programmer's NotePad) showing a chunk of VHDL. It is situated on top of four open VHDL reference pdf books, while on the right side, is the Quartus software running the 'ModelSim Simulator', which is showing a 16 bit output of a clock divider. Also shown is the 16 bit binary counter model, and below that is the FPGA fitting diagram of the 16 bit binary counter.
All of this, is hooked up to the TerAsic development board, which is also hooked via coaxial cables running to my HP-8116 50MHz function generator (generating the 24MHz divider clock) and my Tektronix 2246 four channel oscilloscope. Just to blink one LED at 1.41 times per second...heh heh heh. And, it only took me two whole days to do it! Heh heh. Maybe next week I can do something useful like, make a PCIe interface card?
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2013 8:51:45 GMT -6
Cool stuff Plutronus , and from what I briefly saw in the screen grab it looks like you have your work cut out for awhile. You can do it and it will be worth all of the midnight oil burning once you have it down. One of my best friends that I've known for years graduated from MIT as an electronics tech. He told me that it is a never ending ordeal keeping up with computer technology because of constant updates in design. He use to troubleshoot mother boards for corporations around the globe. I use to go down to the office he had here and from wall to wall, top to bottom was an elaborate maze of "things" hooked together which were computing data to locate problems that he solved. Keep on keepin on ! ;D Ck, I think many of us here at TEOR have a lot in common and I'm sure even more than we realize.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2013 9:16:20 GMT -6
I can't help but wish we lived in simpler times..with less technology to depend on. I have this strong feeling..we're moving in the wrong direction I think you're right Cliff..many have much in common here.
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Post by plutronus on May 25, 2013 1:14:28 GMT -6
Cool stuff Plutronus , and from what I briefly saw in the screen grab it looks like you have your work cut out for awhile. You can do it and it will be worth all of the midnight oil burning once you have it down. One of my best friends that I've known for years graduated from MIT as an electronics tech. He told me that it is a never ending ordeal keeping up with computer technology because of constant updates in design. He use to troubleshoot mother boards for corporations around the globe. I use to go down to the office he had here and from wall to wall, top to bottom was an elaborate maze of "things" hooked together which were computing data to locate problems that he solved. Keep on keepin on ! ;D Ck, I think many of us here at TEOR have a lot in common and I'm sure even more than we realize. Thanks Cliff,
And JoKelly, I tend to agree. Life seemed to be better for most folks before the advent of the digital age.
A few years ago, result of stress, after popping a valve, two hospitalizations/surgeries, and no-longer able to cope with the stress of working in my own company, I was unemployed. I began bumming around for odd jobs, doing PC repair for businesses in the Los Angeles area. I began to see an invariant pattern, which seemed quite surprising.
It was during the period where roughly 1/2 of the small companies were computer-networked and the remaining were still clinging to the old ways of doing business, using typewriters, interoffice CC memos, face-to-face meetings, et cetera. In all of the companies wherein I worked on their systems, and-or visited that were computer networked, everyone it seemed were frazzeled...tense, over worked, finger-pointing, in fear of losing their jobs, rude to one another, gouging, scratching, lying group of generally unpleasant to be around people, while in the old-ways companies, everyone was relaxed, friendly and were wholesome in their treatment of one and another.
I often toy with the speculation that the modern computer age may well be the mark-of-the-beast as foreseen by the ancient Sage, A'BraHaM, as recorded in the Petshita. In any case, I believe that Humans are more Human without the complexities of the digital age.
plutronus
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2013 9:22:43 GMT -6
Ever take a vacation? A real one where you leave your darned watch on the dresser at home and you go off camping somewhere...listen to a brook babble..or a waterfall...or you just let something truly beautiful and serene seep into your bones for days. At the end of that time..you're dragging your feet..and you notice that the closer you get to home..the faster the pace seems to be..cars zipping around..horns..angry people..if there were a devil..he'd be laughing. There is a reason..it's called a rat race.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2013 17:10:18 GMT -6
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2013 0:07:38 GMT -6
I had a bbq with family earlier today and my brother and I got on the subject of sightings. My mother was present and there to verify what was being said. I laid it all out as to what has happened along with things I and other people we all know have seen and witnessed. My brother said that back when I was young in about 1972 we were all at my uncles farmhouse here in S.W. Mo when an object came right over all of us ( a big family) and landed in my uncles field behind the farmhouse one evening. My dad, uncle, brother, (I'm not sure who else), went back to investigate the following day. According to my brother there was a huge circular mark in the field not too far from where they saw it come down. I was too young to remember this I guess. My mother verified it. Recently that same brother and his wife saw an orange object (sound familiar?) hover over their house and then suddenly zipped out of site at a tremendous rate of speed. I told them (finally) about what happened with the visit. I think we did a good job of connecting dots today. Something is taking place (or at least has). None of us are scared. I feel the need to speak with more of the family now about this.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2013 8:49:53 GMT -6
. . <deletia> . . Lol plutronus,,,, Too easy ay ? ;D
If you want , I can make it a little more of a challenge next time. We ought to have a code breakers thread in the general section of the forum just for the hey of it. That might be a cool challenging thing to do just to pick the brain and create a challenge 4 kicks ya know if it's good with the mods , admins, and all y'alls up for a good challenge to throw out there or solve ? :) (First I have to get these lil quackers content with whatever it is them lil yellow cackling chickens are gonna do) ;D
I've been up for 2 nights with little to no rest in between,,, this old rooster is headed for the roost. Hi Cliff,
Sounds kewl, although I'm not sure I have the time right now or for an additional challenge, as I am feverishly working to re-invent myself to ensure future employment, us old quackers must compete with the young'ns which, makes the world a much more interesting place. I too have been burning the midnight oils.
I am studying something called "VHDL", which decodes as , "Very Highspeed logic Definition Language" which is a hardware description language that is based on 'Annex H, Safety SubSet" of the US DoD mandated Ada computer programming language. It is a very tough nut to crack so far and I've been studying it 10 ~ 12 hrs per day for these past two months. I might add that I am fluent in 5 computer languages, of which my favorites are Assembler, C, Pascal, and (likely an eyebrow-lifter), ForTran. I've written very large programs for the military using ForTran on supercomputers. ForTran is an awesomely powerful language.
Ad rem, VHDL isn't a programming language however, although it is based upon the form and syntax of one, namely Ada. Agusta Ada as you may know, was the gal who worked for Lord Byron in England during the early 1800s when he was experimenting with his all wood, mechanical computation-engine. She regularly re-configured Byron's computation-engine and is recognized as having been the world's first computer programmer. The US DoD/military academics named the language in her honor.
In any case, Ada is not a popular language among programmers, however, it was mandated as the official programming language of the US Military engineering community. Most programmers avoid using it like the plague, when ever possible. Programmers find Ada to be very difficult to 'bend' to their application. It is for this one reason alone that the DoD chose the programming model. The central point of the language is the prevention of logical errors that pass the lexical and syntactical error catching 'linting' processes imposed by language compiler programs.
Perhaps ya'll remember? The JPL 'Mars Global Observer' space-vehicle entry-descent-landing (EDL) malfunction? The cause of the malfunction? One software programming team wrote their 'C' programs using the decimal system while the other programming team wrote their 'C' programs using the metric system, then the two resulting program modules were integrated into the overall space-vehicle re-entry system. Due to these scaling differences between the two math systems, --decimal and metric integrated seamlessly. A very minuscule numerical difference caused the retro-rockets to prematurely burn, causing the vehicle to catastrophically 'bounce'. ..\splatter/.. <frn> If the two EDL (entry-descent-landing) SW programs had been written in Ada, it would have been impossible for this type of error to have occurred. In virtually any of the other programming languages the rules can be bent.
But VHDL is different. Very different. The output of the VHDL language does not 'run' in a computer. It never does, and can't be made to run inside a computer. VHDL is a tool that is used to create a specific digital electronic gadget of a designer's desire. Its purpose is not software, and it is not a program, but it is a hardware configuration language.
SoftWare programs, such as Assembler, C, C++, Ada, Pascal, BASIC, Lisp, ForTran, ProLog, Java, and SmallTalk etc, are procedural instructions of (different writing/rules & styles) that are squirted, one after another into a central-processing-unit (CPU...the main guts of a computer) to control the actions of the computer and its peripherals, massaging, managing the 'data' it is processing.
In VHDL when the configuration code is applied, everything happens at once.
Software is used to program computers, VHDL on the other hand is used to configure an FPGA ('Field Programmable Gate Array') or in some cases, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit...cheaper to make). An FPGA is typically a large quantity of un-allocated digital logic blocks that can be arranged and interconnected into becoming something...a digital electronic gadget. These FPGA devices may be likened to a well stocked home-baker's kitchen in this regard.
In the room area of the kitchen are located many things that may be used and-or arranged to make a baked item, such as a "cake". In addition to having available tools, --oven, pots, pans, mixing bowls, spoons, ladels, etc, there are also available in containers, boxes and bags of flower, salt, sugar, corn-starch (or arrow-root..my favorite, absolutely flavor neutral), eggs, nuts, basil, cumin, paprika, etc. An FPGA is like a kitchen, it is an unconfigured box of digital logic..things. Using VHDL to configure FPGAs, one may create an MP3 Player, a Traffic Light Standard sequencer, a smart-phone (has several VHDL configured FPGAs/ASICs), a RADAR Digital-Signal-Processor, an LCD kitchen timer, and using the larger, more expensive FPGAs, one may also create a CPU, along with memory, UARTs, peripherals, etc.
In my effort to learn VHDL, I am using several items, namely, am using an TerAsic 'DE1' FPGA development board, see the picture at: (www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?Language=English&CategoryNo=39&No=83) and I'm using the free (students) WebEdition of Altera's Quartus II (ver 9.1) FPGA development system. Quartus is a very complex software program used to design, and develop complex digital electronic systems. Though its not much to look at, here's that link: www.altera.com/products/software/sfw-index.jsp The program is rented for around $250/month. Lots of click'n and clack'n. At first I thought it was a big sloppy peice of dog-poop, but now that I've been using their IDE, I find that there is actually method in its apparent madness, and I'm beginning to appreciate the thought and effort Altera expended in the program's layout and design. The lesson here, is always must approach new things with an open mind.
Along with having read several books on the subject, and currently using four books simultaneously (for reference) I am beginning to make some headway. But frankly, its the most difficult learning curve I have thus far experienced in my life, although, the ET Presence learning-curve was also a doozey. I am beginning, (heh heh), to be able to successfully create (albeit very) simple digital logic circuits...its been frustratingly slow and tedious, but things are beginning to move towards the employable end of that LONG bleak tunnel.
Why am I doing this? As a military HW/SW embedded processor programmer, I typically was making around $80,000 / year, but now that I'm an older person, the jobs are not being offered to me as they once were. Its plain and simple, age-discrimination. It seems nobody wants to employ old engineers, --they get fat, lazy, and out-of-touch with new technologies/and-or trends, not to mention, sick. But I'm not just corralled into programming, no, because while my degree is in Computer-Engineering (not to be confused with Computer-Science), I am also, a hardware design engineer...electronics, mainly being digital electronics.
But there's a saving grace in VHDL/FPGAs. Because it is VERY DIFFICULT to successfully implement and employ for hardware design tasks, employers don't care too much whether the engineer who can do it, is fat, lazy, late for work, blind or missing a few body parts, just so long as they can deliver the goods.
Newbie VHDL/FPGA designers, salaries start at around, $90k/yr, straight out of school. Seasoned HW engineers, like myself, who are fully functional in many different engineering trades, who can produce VHDL, typically make around $120,000 per year. That's my motivation.
I've included, (below) a screen-grab of my laptop's 17in screen from last night's mid-night oils.
The left side of the screen depicts a black editor window (Programmer's NotePad) showing a chunk of VHDL. It is situated on top of four open VHDL reference pdf books, while on the right side, is the Quartus software running the 'ModelSim Simulator', which is showing a 16 bit output of a clock divider. Also shown is the 16 bit binary counter model, and below that is the FPGA fitting diagram of the 16 bit binary counter.
All of this, is hooked up to the TerAsic development board, which is also hooked via coaxial cables running to my HP-8116 50MHz function generator (generating the 24MHz divider clock) and my Tektronix 2246 four channel oscilloscope. Just to blink one LED at 1.41 times per second...heh heh heh. And, it only took me two whole days to do it! Heh heh. Maybe next week I can do something useful like, make a PCIe interface card?
plutronusI had to copy this because this morning I actually understand everything you are saying here. Of course I can't do what you are doing, but I have to cherish these moments of clarity I get, . I know it doesn't pay near as well, but have you ever thought of teaching? ;D ;D
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2013 8:52:12 GMT -6
I had a bbq with family earlier today and my brother and I got on the subject of sightings. My mother was present and there to verify what was being said. I laid it all out as to what has happened along with things I and other people we all know have seen and witnessed. My brother said that back when I was young in about 1972 we were all at my uncles farmhouse here in S.W. Mo when an object came right over all of us ( a big family) and landed in my uncles field behind the farmhouse one evening. My dad, uncle, brother, (I'm not sure who else), went back to investigate the following day. According to my brother there was a huge circular mark in the field not too far from where they saw it come down. I was too young to remember this I guess. My mother verified it. Recently that same brother and his wife saw an orange object (sound familiar?) hover over their house and then suddenly zipped out of site at a tremendous rate of speed. I told them (finally) about what happened with the visit. I think we did a good job of connecting dots today. Something is taking place (or at least has). None of us are scared. I feel the need to speak with more of the family now about this. Timing is everything, isn't it, Cliff? I pray that these discussions always go well for you!
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Post by lois on May 27, 2013 21:53:02 GMT -6
Cliff.. I'm so happy you have family to discuss this topic with. I only had one brother who was interested and he passed over two years ago. We would sit up all night sometimes.. He is the one brother who was on his away home walking a blacktop from Donophen Mo . to his home in the country. it was only about two miles. He always carried a camera . I told this before not sure where. Some kind of light flashes down on the road from above him. He took photos. til it winked out. went on down the road and it happen again. About three time before he reached the house in the woods .. All my family made fun of the photos . I sure wish I had had a scanner then. When he passed someone found those and tossed them out. I have asked and asked but the person will not come forward.. I don't think my parents witnessed a ufo ever. I do know my Mother seen a gray but she called it an angel.. told us not to repeat it to strangers and we did not. Hope it continues to go this way for you.. Thank you for sharing.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2013 1:26:15 GMT -6
Cliff that's incredible!
I wish my family would go along with it more...
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2013 2:25:08 GMT -6
Cliff that's incredible! I wish my family would go along with it more... I was just thinking about you ! ;D You've been missed . My brother just kind of gave me a look at first to see whether or not I was kidding because we joke a lot but when I'm serious he knows and he also knows things have happened around us for many, many years. He knows that I don't b.s about stuff when it comes right down to it. He took it pretty serious. So did my Mom. I do recall another incident when my Mom saw another object out in a field going down that same road toward a house that we had near my aunt and uncle out in the middle of nowhere deep in the backwoods. She described it as the Moon rising but it had already risen and I know by her reaction that she was startled. She saw it on the ground and it had the appearance in her description as a half Moon. I was only about 5,6, or 7 at the time. I clearly remember that event but not the other. I need to speak with more family about this other object that flew over and landed at my uncles farm including my other brother, sisters, and several cousins who may have been present to see the object and the circular marks it left in their field. I have heard about this object landing before from another source but because I have a difficult time believing everything he says ( this other source is known to streeeeeetch the truth : I didn't take it seriously until now.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2013 2:56:02 GMT -6
Every time I would tell my mom about the weird lights off in the woods and she would see them her first gut instinctive reaction would be "It's the neighbors." or "it's the military."
She would say one of those two explanations before she even saw what I was talking about- would look at the light and then say, "Yep. It's the neighbors."
Yea. It's the neighbors out in the woods (where there is no road nor houses) at two o'clock in the morning when it's -40. Because the neighbors want to wander off deep into the woods (in deep snow, in the DARK in dangerously low temperatures facing wild animals) with a blue flashlight JUST so they can make me look out the window and say, "What the *** is THAT?!"
Yep. It has to be the neighbors mom. Good deduction..
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