OpenCV installation on Windows for java that is easy and works

http://docs.opencv.org/trunk/doc/tutorials/introduction/java_eclipse/java_eclipse.html

Latex: file ended while scanning use of @writefile.

Latex: file ended while scanning use of @writefile

"This can be eliminated by deleting all .aux files and recompiling the latex code."

source: http://ergodicthoughts.blogspot.ch/2009/10/latex-file-ended-while-scanning-use-of.html

Access the User Library folder on Mac and make it show permanently

In terminal:

chflags nohidden ~/Library/

source: http://osxdaily.com/2011/07/22/access-user-library-folder-in-os-x-lion/

Overheating Arduino Nano

Depending on the current draw of the circuit's load, can result in a large heat dissipation for a voltage regulator if its surface area and heat sink are insufficient.

For my use, dropping from 12V to 5V with microcontroller + air compressors + solenoids(~55mA each) is causing significant overheating on the Arduino board.

source: http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=180819.0

Bring up the Force Quit menu on Mac

Command + Option + Escape

source: http://www.ehow.com/how_6924064_reset-frozen-macbook-air.html

Edit Chrome browser properties

Type into Chrome:

chrome://flags

source: http://macforums.com/34-os-x-applications/2895-how-do-i-remove-chrome-notifications-icon-menu-bar.html

Remove startup applications from OSX

Click on [System Preferences].
Find the accounts or user tab.
Click on the user for whom you want to change the settings.
Edit the list of login applications.

source: http://www.ehow.com/how_4501754_remove-start_up-applications-os-leopard.html

Code block in Blogger post.

<textarea cols="60" name="textarea" rows="8" wrap="VIRTUAL">
CODE HERE
</textarea>


Add this in the HTML view. Change cols to make it wider, rows to make it taller.

source: http://ilook12.blogspot.ch/2009/10/putting-code-box-on-blogger-posts.html

Using Arduino Uno to read Sparkfun Razor IMU (9DOF) output via Serial.

I had a lot of trouble with interpreting the output of the Sparkfun Razor IMU (9DOF) using Arduino Uno. Scouring the internet for previous solutions, I came to believe that the proper way to handle the output from the IMU required massaging the bytes obtained via Serial.read(). However, it turns out that the solution is as simple as interpreting each byte as an ASCII character (type: char). Here's what worked for me:

Hardware:
Connect the following pins.
Arduino --- IMU
RX --- TX
TX --- RX
3.3V --- 3.3V
GND --- GND

On the IMU board, CTS (Clear To Send) and DTR (Data Terminal Ready) do not require a connection for Serial. They are used for the FTDI Serial to USB connection.


Software:

On the Arduino Uno - Below is the simplest, baseline code you need to read the output from the IMU using another Arduino (I say another because the IMU contains its own ATMega chip):

char incomingData; void setup() { Serial.begin(57600); } void loop() { if(Serial.available() > 0) { incomingData = Serial.read(); Serial.print(incomingData); } }
When writing new sketches to the Arduino, you'll need to unplug the RX/TX 

On the Sparkfun Razor IMU - load the code found on here: https://github.com/ptrbrtz/razor-9dof-ahrs/wiki/Tutorial If you want to change the Serial output of the IMU, modify Output.ino within the Razor_AHRS folder in this conditional:
else if (output_format == OUTPUT__FORMAT_TEXT) { Serial.print("#YPR="); Serial.print(TO_DEG(yaw)); Serial.println(", "); Serial.print(TO_DEG(pitch)); Serial.print(", "); Serial.print(TO_DEG(roll)); Serial.println(""); }

Arduino: Convert String to int.

Serial.println(inString.toInt());

source: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18200035/how-do-you-convert-a-string-to-a-float-or-int

Arduino: Convert String to float.

char floatbuf[32]; // make this at least big enough for the whole string
curLongitude.toCharArray(floatbuf, sizeof(floatbuf));
float f = atof(floatbuf);

source:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18200035/how-do-you-convert-a-string-to-a-float-or-int

Arduino FTDI Programming Problems

For errors relating to:

avrdude: stk500_getsync(): not in sync: resp=0x00

or

avrdude: usbdev_open(): did not find any USB device "usb"

---

If you are using a board version that contains an FTDI chip, you'll need to install the appropriate driver for your operating system. This software can be found at (http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm)


sources:
http://arduino.cc/en/Guide/MacOSX

Long-Type Division

An exercise in typecasting:

double freq = 3;
long period = 1000/freq;

period will hold the value 333.

Interrupts for Arduino

Interrupts for Arduino:
http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/AttachInterrupt

Extension that allows other pins to be used as interrupts (by default, only select pins can be used). See the previous link for the pins that are enabled by default.
http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/PcInt

Arduino (AVR) error - avrdude: stk500_getsync(): not in sync: resp=0x00

In the context of Arduino, this error occurs when there are issues writing your program to the microcontroller.

Although there seem to be multiple potential sources to this problem, the mistake that I often find myself making is interfering with the RX/TX connections.

Therefore, try uploading your sketch after disconnecting any wires from digital i/o pins 0 and 1 (or whatever corresponds to RX/TX).


source: http://www.instructables.com/answers/avrdude-stk500getsync-not-in-sync-resp0x00-/

Scanning physical documents using the Xerox Workcentre 5755

@EPFL, 2014. Actual instructions may vary.

• Next to the touchscreen, press the round, engraved home button.
• On the touchscreen, press the 'email' button.
• Type in the email address you want to send the documents to.
• Scan each document by placing the paper inside the machine and pressing the green scan button.
• If the machine is shared, remove your email address for others' future use by holding down on the touchscreen and pressing remove.

Source: Merve

Change Language in SolidWorks to English

Where you looking to change the language. SW will use the language you specified during installation. If you looking to use English (thought you have installed a differnt language), then go to Tools > Options > General and select the following two options:

1. Use English language menus. (Available  if you specified another language during installation and the regional options  in the Windows Control Panel are set to  that language).

You must exit and re-start SolidWorks for this change to take place.

2. Use  English language feature and file names. (Displays feature names in the  FeatureManager design tree and automatically created file names in English.  Existing feature and file names in a foreign language do not update when you  select this option).

This option is available when Use English  language menus is cleared, you are running the SolidWorks software on a  foreign language operating system, and you installed SolidWorks for that foreign  language.

source: https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/38613

SD card memory issue

My camera's SD card insisted that it was out of memory despite not having any pictures on it.

Solved by reformatting the card (can be done on the camera).

Samsung S3 Screenshot

Press home button, then power button immediately after, and hold for a short period of time. A screenshot animation will occur.

source: http://droidlessons.com/how-to-take-a-screenshot-on-the-samsung-galaxy-s3-free-no-app-required/

Photography

Photographers get to see a lot of cool things throughout their career.

8/14 edit: They have more reason to actively seek out cool things to see, but that doesn't mean a non-photographer can't. So don't let that stop you.

Experimental vs. Theory Research

Experimental work is based off of educated guesses. Especially for labs like chemistry/biology, educated guess -> check is a common procedure.

Theory has much more variance in progress. Unsolved tasks can take days or minutes, success vs. failure is black and white.

Either way, experience is progress. You learn what not to do for the future. "Mistakes are meant to be learnt from".

OSX: Merging images and pdfs

http://www.simpopdf.com/resource/how-to-combine-pdf-files-on-mac.html

Essentially, convert everything to a PDF and then use the thumbnail view in Mac's Preview application to merge everything. The reason I want to do this is so I can save problems that I have worked on by hand alongside their original documentation.

Avocado variations

Pollock

• The "Pollock" avocado is a West Indian variety grown in Florida. These avocados can weigh18 to 40 oz. It is pear shaped with smooth skin and available in July until late September. Pollock avocados usually are not grown for commercial use because of their size. Pollock avocado trees also tend to produce a small harvest.

Russell

• The "Russell" avocado is a large fruit with a distinctive shape. Looking more like a gourd than an avocado, this West Indian variety can weigh 16 to 24 ounces. Primarily grown in Florida, the Russell avocado is a suitable tree for home gardens because of its typically low fruit production.

Lamb Hass

• The "Lamb Hass" avocado is a hybrid Guatemalan avocado from California. These high-quality avocados are similar in taste and appearance to the original "Hass" avocado. One major difference is the size of the Lamb Hass, which can weigh 11 to 19 oz. Lamb Hass avocados are oval and extremely symmetrical in shape. The texture of the skin is green and pebbly, turning almost black when ripe.

Pinkerton

• "Pinkerton" avocados were developed in California is the 1970s. This long, pear-shaped fruit has a thick green skin that is smoother than the Hass avocado's and a green color that darkens as it becomes ripe. A hybrid Guatemalan variety, the Pinkerton avocado can weigh 8 to 18 oz.

Gwen

• The "Gwen" avocado is a Guatemalan variety similar to the Hass avocado, but larger. This oval-shaped fruit can weigh between 6 and 15 oz. Gwen avocados have a thick, pebbly skin and small seeds. The skin's green color will becomes dull once it is ripe. Due to its similarities to the Hass, Gwen avocados have been referred to as the "grandchild" of the Hass avocado. These fruits are available beginning in April until late October.

source: http://www.ehow.com/info_8368052_largest-avocado-varieties.html#ixzz2qmxJbiSj

Difference Between Boston Dynamic's Petman and Atlas

Petman was designed to test chemical suits for humans, so it's geared more towards physiological behavior like humidity and temperature.

Atlas was designed for rescue operations, so it has more capability to manipulate and lift objects, as well as detect its surroundings.

Both are anthropomorphic and bipedal.

Meeting Request Notes

When making a meeting request, it helps the other person a lot to:

• be told when they need to get back to you by
• an agenda of what the meeting will consist of
• how long you realistically estimate the meeting will take