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Computer Scientist at the Department of BioSciences, Rice University
 

Archive for December, 2013


Computer programming in Java doing GUIs, then image processing, then databases, then some PHP

December 20th, 2013 by Boanerges Aleman-Meza

I do lots of computer programming. I like it a lot.

However, switching context is required in my current job. My programming can change, even in the same week, among the following:

  • Graphical user interface in Java
  • Crunching numbers in Java (often via commons-math from Apache.org)
  • Loading data into databases via Java (minor cleaning and validations are the norm)
  • Simple web pages that use PHP to query databases
  • Basic image processing stuff (imageJ is often enough)

Flaws in movies or TV series are likely intentional

December 17th, 2013 by Boanerges Aleman-Meza

I recently watch DVD of Superman (Man of Steel) and also one episode of Gray’s Anatomy.

I was able to find several flaws in each of them. Often, I bring it up and talk about with my wife (as long as we both did watch the movie, or tv-show).

However, I did remember something funny about blogs:

So, my conclusion is that the flaws in movies and TV series are likely intentional. In a way, it also helps in the writing, so that there’s less need to have a 100% perfect story. I can totally imagine the writer leaving flaws or holes in the script.

things I want in a Minivan

December 14th, 2013 by Boanerges Aleman-Meza

We rented a Town and Country minivan the other week. Here’s a list of things I’d like in a minivan (in no particular order), in the event we buy our own minivan:

  • backup camera
  • middle-middle seat with LATCH for carseat
  • power-sliding doors
  • power tailgate (desirable)
  • bluetooth
  • DVD player
  • 115V power outlet
  • The ovious stuff:
    • automatic transmission
    • cruise control
    • remote-entry system

How do you address Arnold Schwarzenegger?

December 13th, 2013 by Boanerges Aleman-Meza

Summary of a dream I had last night:

In my dream, I am working as family counselor. I’m in the living room of a family of a young marriage where is also joining the meeting the mom of the wife. The mom of the wife has a 2 year old daughter.

The little girl is playing around where I am seated and when the meeting is over, she holds my hand as we walk out of the room towards the backyard, which is huge, the house was a mansion. The backyard might has well had been a park. It had its own lake and fountains and there was a big fancy party going on, easily over 200 guests, most of them wearing casual or business attire.

The family asks me to hold the little girl on my arms and they ask a photographer to take a photo of her. Then they say that the father of the girl is coming to take a photo with her. They go get him as he’s talking to some CEO-looking person. As he walks towards where I’m holding the little girl, I recognize him. He’s the governator! Wow, that means that the mom of the little girl is that famous lady that I think is of a political family (not sure of name or anything else). Then, I start to wonder, how to address Arnold Schwarzenegger when he’s right next to me? Do I call him Mr. Schwarzenegger? Do I call him sir? The guy looks just like in the movies, except that he’s wearing shorts and has a big smile as he walks to meet his daughter.

Then I wake up. Anyways, I do not even know if in real life he’s dad of a little kid or not. I conclude that if I ever meet the guy I’ll will call him “sir”. That should do it.