Getting Random

- Searching for and finding randomess

Getting real randomness in computers is quite hard. Most randomness is pseudo-random using some algorithm to create predictable but random looking output. In the early days these could be simple linear-feedback shift register approaches such as those used in early 8-bit computer sound chips like the Texas Instruments SN76489 that I used on the Memotech MTX. Nowadays we use more complex approaches but without some real randomness they are still predictable.
Published Jun 18, 2020  11 min read   internet of things · computer science
 

Fractal Nature of Life

- What are the properties of life?

I do a lot of walking in the countryside, and it was on one such walk earlier this year, that I stopped to take in the vista shown below. It was late autumn/fall, and due to a combination of a hot summer, and recent fine weather, the golden foliage had not fallen as yet. As I allowed myself to become absorbed in the structure around me, I was thinking about how nature creates such rich and beautiful scenes.
Published Nov 27, 2018  10 min read   philosophy · mathematics · artificial intelligence
 

Frequency Analysis of Fractals with Fourier Transforms

- Exploring the characteristics of various fractals using frequency analysis techniques.

Fractals, by definition, have patterns that occur on many scales. This scaling can be in either the time or spatial dimensions. Because patterns repeat, and those patterns occur with different frequencies, due to their scale, they ought to be amenable to analysis by Fourier transforms. Fourier transforms are an efficient technique for decomposing a signal in the time or spatial domain into the frequency domain. So, for example, if a recording of music were put through a Fourier transform, the result would be the musical notes that constituted it, as well as all the harmonics of the instruments that played it.
Published Nov 3, 2018  5 min read   computer science · mathematics
 

FitBark / Comb9 Integration

- How to get a low battery notification, activity tracking, and more...

I recently purchased a FitBark dog activity tracker. I always check now to see if there is some kind of API available with products like these, so that you can capture and use the data in ways other than the manufacturer intended - it turns out with FitBark there is. Although you might think the primary purpose of a device like this is to see just how much running around your dog does, you kind of already know that - though the ability to compare that to other dogs can either make you feel smug, or guilty.
Published Sep 20, 2018  3 min read   internet of things · comb9
 

Extreme Aquarium Automation

- Exposé on home-made, handmade, aquarium automation setup

This post describes my current aquarium setup, in particular, the technical, custom designed parts of it. There is a lot of monitoring and control going on; though virtually all of it is hidden behind the scenes, as my aim has always to create a natural looking environment. An aquarium is an eco-system, some aspects of it can stay in natural balance with maintenance, and other parts require active control. Things are more complicated with plants - I recently have become more serious about growing plants.
Published Sep 20, 2018  7 min read   internet of things · sensors · polestar
 

Energenie Integration with Python on a Raspberry Pi

- Using pyenergenie to do Energenie automation with out need for the cloud

It is disappointing what IoT hardware manufacturers provide regarding software with their products. I don’t want to single out Energenie - at least they created a tremendous hackable radio board specifically for the Raspberry Pi. The ENER314-RT provides two-way communication with all Energenie products including all their power switches, energy monitors and radiator valves. This means that you don’t need to buy an Energenie Gateway MIHO001, and you also don’t need cloud connectivity and the worry that somebody might be snooping on your data.
Published Sep 18, 2018  4 min read   internet of things · sensors
 

Bristech Talk - Resource Oriented Computing with NetKernel

Last week I did a talk at Bristech. I somehow managed to miss showing my final slide - Further Reading - so few people asked about the slides. Here they are! Thank you to everyone who came along.
Published Sep 13, 2018  1 min read
 

Early release book : Resource Oriented Computing with NetKernel

- Following the leanpub mantra: Publish Early. Publish Often.

This book is pre-release and is an evolving work-in-progress. It is published here for the purposes of gaining feedback - I’d love to have your feedback - and providing early value to those who have an interesting resource oriented computing. Read here
Published Sep 2, 2018  1 min read
 

A Brief History of NetKernel

- on extracting release data over nine year period

I’ve just finished working on exposing a complete change history for NetKernel for the period from the release of NetKernel 4.0, nine years ago. Previously our mechanism for publicly exposing this information has been solely through the, once weekly, newsletters. However that medium is unstructured which meant it was hard to get an overview of changes and check for specific releases for any particular package. Since the release of NetKernel 4, we introduced a repository approach to releasing updates to NetKernel.
Published Aug 26, 2018  4 min read   netkernel
 

External Request Profiler

We’ve been working recently with a client, on a solution, revolving around crunching large volumes of data. The scale of data meant that even on a large cluster the computation takes many hours. The usual mode of operation for these compute jobs is to set them off in the evening, and return the next working day to see the results. I was working with them to capture some engineering figures and statistics to assess the performance and opportunities to optimise or re-design.
Published Jan 26, 2018  3 min read   netkernel
 

My Experience Building an Alexa Skill

- Headline: it is actually pretty easy

Back in November I attended a talk on creating your own Amazon Alexa Skill at Bristech. It’s been something I’ve wanted to play with for a while, so when Amazon had their Black Friday sale I couldn’t resist. I was pleasantly surprised by Amazon’s own tutorial using Lambda: Alexa Python Tutorial - Build a voice experience in 5 minutes or less. It really was quite simple and quick. Amazon have worked hard to make it easy for you to get a custom skill up and running on real hardware.
Published Jan 14, 2018  4 min read   internet of things · artificial intelligence
 

Technical Debt and Entropy

I seem to find myself with a lot of unproductive time - time when I can’t be working on real problems - problems that need access to tools such as a coding environment, terminal, internet searching, and somewhere to capture notes. Situations such as walking the dog, driving, and getting simple chores done are examples of these times. Times like this though, are good for thinking, and recently i’ve been thinking a lot about the concept of technical debt.
Published Dec 31, 2017  7 min read   philosophy · it industry