Limitation of Global Positioning System(GPS)

• GPS is extremely versatile in the earthmoving industry but it does have its limitations.
• GPS satellite signals can only be received in a non obstructed view of the sky with the exception of clouds.

• If a contractor wanted to perform grade work in preparation for a concrete floor within a building for example, the roof would block the view to the GPS satellites preventing the system from working. Working too close to a structure can also obstruct the machine's view of the sky creating dead zones.

• High-voltage power-lines can also create dead zones when working underneath them.

• GPS satellite coverage can also be weaker during certain parts of the day lowering the amount of satellites the machine's system can use.

• This all depends on the geographical location and time of day. Improvements in GPS technology and the addition of GLONASS (Russian GNSS Satellites) satellites have reduced this issue.

• As mentioned earlier, in order to increase the overall accuracy of GPS you have to purchase and use a base station which adds additional cost.

How to Format Windows 7

Windows 7 is far better than previous windows versions (XP and Vista). The install process is plain simple and easy to follow. Big Bravo! for Microsoft for this. Now, just follow these steps and you will install windows 7 in no time
You can Install Windows 7 via DVD Disk you’ve purchased or with bootable USB.
This post explains installing windows 7 with dvd disk.
- 31 steps total, every step is screen-captured

First, insert your Windows 7 Boot Disk into your dvd drive and reboot your PC
While the PC is rebooting, you will be prompted ” Press any key to boot from CD…” Just press any key here

After you press a key, windows will load installation files.
Windows 7 setup will start
Select your language, time and currency format and keyboard input (US)
Click Install Now to proceed
Setup will load for a min or two
If you do, select I accept the license terms and click Next
If you are upgrading from Windows Vista select Upgrade, if you had Windows XP you have to select Custom (Advanced). Upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 is not available. Click Custom (Advanced)
Select the Partition where you want to install Windows 7 and click Next. You will need at least 5716mb free space.
If you don’t have enough free space to Install Windows 7, you will receive the following warning
If that’s the case, you will need to format the partition where you previously had Operating System installed. WARNING: Formatting a partition will erase all existing data on the partition, proceed only if you have backed up all your files!
If you want to format the partition, go to Drive options and format the partition where you want to install windows 7. Again, do this only if you have backed up your documents/files!
click format and then yes
After you press Next, Windows 7 Installation will begin. Approximately takes about 30 min to 1 hour to finish, depending on your computer speed.
After half an hour, setup is complete and windows 7 installation is almost finished. Few more minutes
Now your computer will reboot, since the Windows 7 DVD boot disk is still in the drive, the message press any key to boot from DVD will appear. We already did that, so this time DO NOT press anything. Just wait 5 sec and your PC will continue booting and finish installing your operating system.
Windows will continue booting and installing, almost there!
Finally! Insert your name (this will be your windows username)
If you want to, insert password for your computer. ( Hey….you won’t forget it, right? :) )
Insert your Windows 7 product key and press Next
Do you want Microsoft Updates for your new operating system? It is highly recommend you know…! Select use recommended settings
It’s time for Time zone, select yours from the drop down menu
Depending on your location, select the appropriate network location.
If you have more than 1 computer, type homegroup password for sharing files. Make sure to remember it
Windows is finalizing your settings
Can you see the finish line ? Yup, we’re there
That’s it. Now insert your computer manufacturer drivers CD and install drivers. Also FYI, Windows 7 has great driver support, go to Start –> Control Panel –> Select View By = Small Icons –> Click Windows Update
Check for updates and click on optional updates, to see which drivers windows 7 found for your computer automatically.

Install Windows 7 - Welcome screen

Huawei launches data card with Wi-Fi

Global information and communications technology solutions provider, Huawei on Monday launched the E355 data card with Wi-Fi.   The product functions both as a data card for a single user and as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, which can simultaneously connect up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices for Internet  connectivity anytime, anywhere.    Priced at Rs 5,499, the product comes with a universal serial bus (USB) interface and unlike traditional data cards can also be powered with a variety of USB chargers. 

 
   Whether users are at home or travelling, the Wi-Fi hotspot travels along with them, providing Internet connectivity continuously.

  “Huawei E355 also offers flexibility for smaller business establishments to quickly connect a small team to Internet and start business on the go,” Victor Shanxin, President, Huawei Device India, said.

for more info @ http://www.huaweidevice.co.in/Products/MobileBroadband/E355.php

Computer Engineering and You

Computer Engineering and You

Since the tender age of four, I have always been in awe with technology, especially computers. They have been an integral part of my life. I am positive I was not alone when I said, “I would like to do something with computers when I grow up.” And through searching and various single-day research expeditions into the internet, I’m sure we’ve all come up with a single, ominous answer: Computer Science. However, me being the sh** disturber that I am, I will attempt to turn your beliefs upside-down. Try to convert the heathens, so to speak, to a little discipline I like to call Computer Engineering.

What is Computer Engineering?

Computer engineering is defined as the discipline that embodies the science and technology of design, construction, implementation, and maintenance of software and hardware components of modern computing systems and computer-controlled equipment. Computer engineering has traditionally been viewed as a combination of both computer science (CS) and electrical engineering (EE). It has evolved over the past three decades as a separate, although intimately related, discipline. Computer engineering is solidly grounded in the theories and principles of computing, mathematics, science, and engineering and it applies these theories and principles to solve technical problems through the design of computing hardware, software, networks, and processes. This makes Computer Engineers particularly versatile upon graduation.

How do I become a Computer Engineer?

With the ubiquity of computers and computer-based systems in the world today, computer engineers must be versatile in the knowledge drawn from standard topics in computer science and electrical engineering as well as the foundations in mathematics and sciences. Because of the rapid pace of change in the computing field, computer engineers must be life-long learners to maintain their knowledge and skills within their chosen discipline. The education for Computer Engineers can be broken up into:
Algorithms
Computer Architecture and Organization
Computer Systems Engineering
Circuits and Signals
Database Systems
Digital Logic
Digital Signal Processing
Electronics
Embedded Systems
Human-Computer Interaction
Computer Networks
Operating Systems
Programming Fundamentals
Social and Professional Issues
Software Engineering
VLSI Design and Fabrication
Discrete Structures
Probability and Statistics


Just from this information alone, it is quite evident that one would receive quite a well-balanced education in all things computer and technology. Which is the goal of Computer Engineering: to create individuals able to stay in sync with recent technological developments pertaining to their field. Of course, a Computer Engineering degree program is completed at an accredited university. However, these programs vary, and I would suggest checking out your university of choice to get the specifics on the Computer Engineering program besides the core curriculum(above). If you would like to register as a Professional Engineer(P.Eng), you should consult your regional regulations, though being a Professional Engineer is not required to work, and in my opinion, pertains more to the other engineering disciplines.

What do Computer Engineers do?

First off, a Computer Engineering degree is compatible to a Computer Science degree. So, you can get any sort of programming or developer or software engineering job that a Computer Scientist could get. Now, since that’s all cleared up, we’ll move into the jobs that are more exclusive to Computer Engineers. These generally involve hardware or hardware-software integration. This can be from making various components for personal accessories (such as that pretty iPhone) to programming firmware or both together. If you look up to our core-curriculum list above, you’ll see what a Computer Engineer is taught, and most of the objectives pertain to a job. Basically, anything that involves applying computer systems to solve a problem is a job for a Computer Engineer. Whether it be working for Google on that next hit web application or at Intel working on that new microprocessor, Computer Engineers are there.

Computer Engineering vs. Computer Science

By now, you have an idea of what Computer Engineering is, hopefully. Since you are viewing this Computer Science blog, I do assume you know what Computer Science is. Without further a due, the comparison between Computer Science and Computer Engineering shall begin.


Computer Science has a pure focus on the theory and application of computation. It is generally focused at the more abstract ideas, and focuses on how computation should work and so on.


Computer Engineering uses aspects of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering to solve problems. This is the more “practical” option. It focuses more on the concrete ideas, such as how things actually work.


Basically, if you are more interested in theory and the application of that theory, Computer Science is your choice. If you are more interested in building things and applying everything you learn into a practical setting, Computer Engineering is your choice.


If you wish to read more on the differences, I recommend this discussion.

Conclusion

It would have been quite impossible to include everything on this subject, even just my own opinions and such, on a blog post. However, I feel that I have covered some basic points to spark interest in some people. But, all of you have the opportunity to read up on Computer Engineering and compare it to Computer Science, if you so desire (see the bottom of the post for the main resources I used).


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Time for a bit about myself. My name is Brandon Skinner, and I am from Newfoundland, Canada. I have been programming since the tender age of 10, and I have branched off in ways I never thought possible. Personally, I will go to university for Computer Engineering. However, I am interested in all aspects of Functional Programming, as well as many AI topics. I do feel that Computer Engineers don’t get the respect and admiration they deserve. Their skills allow them to use their understanding of the underlying system and of algorithms and such to create some crazily efficient code. I know this for a fact, as I did work in the Assembly language and low-level C for quite some time, and the things you can do and control are amazing. I can only wonder what a professional could manage.


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