@Mike403 I don't think I enjoyed learning laplace transforms one bit when I learned it a decade ago in a maths class. I am glad I never had to take it since as I am not EE. Good luck in the Control Systems Analysis course this semester.
@achetocuddle There is an interesting article on the history of analog computers at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_computer. The first devices that could actually qualify as being an analog computer was developed by the Greeks in around 100 B.C.
Until very recently, there were certain types of problem for which an analog computer was better than any digital computer. For an example, consider naval gunnery. The WWII battleships had 16" guns that were expected to be accurate at a range of up to 15 miles.
Now, consider the problems involved in achieving such accuracy. Although there were probably more, let's look just four of the many variables involved. First, the ship was underway. That meant that the shell had a velocity and direction component, even before it was fired. Secondly, the trajectory of the shell is affected by the wind. Thirdly, that was further complicated by the fact that the wind along the coast might have very different speed and direction, from the wind 10 miles inland. The fourth variable was that if the water was at all wavy, the ship was rolling. This meant that the muzzles of the barrels was constantly moving up and down.
Had they tried to use digital computers to solve the problem (the battleships were used well after WWII), the solution would have been obsolete by the time everything was programmed in, and a solution was spit out. Instead analog computers were connected to the guns, to some servo motors to adjust direction and elevation. The were sensors connected so the computer had real time information regarding movement of the ship, including roll. Only the inland wind needed to be estimated.Instead having to recompute, the solution was essentially continuously tracking the data. The computer would aim and fire the gun.
@GreatHornedOwl Thank you. You are so handy to wade thru everything and custom select the best stuff for me to read. It's so thoughtful. Oddly enough I was looking thru an Acorn catalog anad they have a wooden puzzle based on the Antikythera mechanism. This is twice in 2 days that I've heard of that. In the catalog they call it Grecian computer puzzle. And no, I will not be ordering it. Lol. I never could figure out a Rubik's cube.
At least I can drink beer before class. The school has an on campus Brewery that also serves food.
I'm debating on going back to school for a Linux Certification at the local community college. I think it's already too late for this semester however, as classes started this week. If I can't find a new tech job by the end of the year, maybe I'll register in the spring, but I don't want my availability to work to possibly be affected by going back to school before I'm secure in a new job. Just seems that sometimes this CS degree isn't enough to get a good one. Plus I do miss in person classes.
@CSnMUS87 - The admissions process took about a month at my school, but it's a 4 year university. I had to contact my old high school to get my transcripts from them and I had to take a few tests so they know where I stand academically.
@Mike403 ahh yes I forgot all about having to go through admissions all over again. I did graduate from a 4 year university last year, so it's been a little bit of time since I had to do all that. Hopefully for a certificate program at a community college they don't need all my transcripts and such. I'll probably get in touch with someone there to know what to do, as I had some questions and was debating on which certificate to get (first).
@CSnMUS87 - I did do poorly on the tests and had to take a few non-credit remedial cources at the community college then I was admitted into the university level classes.
Calculus 3 was my favorite math class, because of the visual nature of it.
There is beauty in finding the gradient of a three dimensional function.
This is so interesting. I hope you all get your just reward for working and studying so hard.
I have been studying abroad recently. I finally asked her out.
@MCcuddles2 If Calc 3 and Jacobians are your jam, try a class in convex optimization. It's really pretty math.
I somehow got an A in my control systems class. How did that happen?
@Mike403 Congratulations! It happened because of your hard work and effort.
Rooting for you! 💪🏼
Hard is when someone doesn’t want to do something nor care for it, your passion will pave the way for you to succeed.
@Mike403 Probably cause you're really smart, at least I think so.
@Mike403 Good shit! I think I got a C or B in that one
Congrats on the good grades! 🎉
You got this 👍 💪