Hull Fair in the Golden Hour

Photographers talk of "The Golden Hour". This is the hour around sunrise and sunset when the light from the sun is scattered just so and you get some nice lighting effects. It's not really an hour, and it varies from day to day and where you are on the planet, but if you are going to take pictures of Hull Fair I recommend trying to arrive around 6:00 in the evening when, if the weather is right, you can get a little bit of golden hour goodness.

We went on Wednesday and headed straight for the big wheel. Which this year was really big. I had my fisheye lens for the maximum coverage of the scene and I'm also playing with a plug-in filter for LightRoom (the program I use to import and manage my photos) that converts the fish-eye view into something like a normal wide angle. I'm quite pleased with the results.

Suits and Cyber Security

I've taken to wearing suits at work. This is new sartorial direction for me and is based on my careful observations of fashion trends over the last few years and the realisation that I seem to have bought a bunch of suits recently I really should get some wear from. There is no truth in the rumour that I'm trying to appear more grown up and knowledgeable.

Although if there was, you might think it was working. I was called in to Radio Humberside this morning to make some comments about cyber security and my performance, and probably my suit, resulted in me be called back to appear on local TV talking about the same subject, which was rather nice. If I ever get around to wearing a tie I could probably take over the universe....

Anyhoo, during the TV spot (thanks to Tolu Adeoye for being so patient) I was asked for the three things pieces of advice that I'd give to people worried about being caught up by cyber crime. I thought I'd put them here too:

1. If someone is on the phone telling you that your bank account/paypal account/home computer/coffee machine is under attack and you need to do something, take time out to double check. These people use a trick where they keep the phone line open during their call to you, and so you think you are using your phone to ring out but you are still talking to them. Use a different phone, go on the web, even walk around to the bank branch and double check.  Ask your neighbor to make the call, or use their phone to call the number on the back of your bank card.
2. Make sure that you protect your identity online. Pick passwords that are personal to you, but hard for others to guess. Run words together. Something like "HullIsWhereILove" would be pretty hard for someone to guess, particularly if you change one or two of the characters for a digit and make "HulliswhereIl0v3".
3. Keep your computer up to date. Make sure that you install all the latest software patches when they are released and that you have some kind of software protection .The Windows Defender package that is part of Windows is a good starting point, and will serve you well as long as you are careful.

Code Club Rather Useful Seminar

We had Linda Broughton come to see us today and deliver a Rather Useful Seminar about Code Club. Code Club is an awesome non-profit organisation with the aim of getting more kids into coding. Linda pointed out that this is not just so that they can go into computing (although that would be nice), but it is also because knowledge of code makes you a more effective person. Pretty much everything around us is powered by programs and knowledge of how they are made to work is very useful.

Just before the session started I was a bit concerned as we only had five people in the lecture theatre. But I needn't have worried. Everyone was waiting patiently outside the theatre waiting to come in. We had loads of folks wanting to get involved and so I'm now going to sort out another meeting to make up some teams and match them up with some local schools. I was particularly pleased to see lots of students from the First Year turn up.  

The great thing about Code Club is that they do all the hard work before you even turn up at the school. They'll  give you the content  you need to work with the 9-11 year olds that will be waiting for you. The sessions last an hour or so. The kids who are there have specifically asked to turn up after school and take part and you also work with a teacher from the school. Linda says it works great if a team of three or four are assigned to a given school. That way you can go in "mob handed" to help and don't need to worry if have to miss the odd week due to other commitments.

The first step to getting involved is to sign up on their web site and then register as a STEM Ambassador. Being a STEM ambassador is a great way to get involved in promoting science and technology and it also provides you with a route to a DBS check, which you'll need to work in schools. You can find out more here. 

Play Ellipsis

Simon has written a great blog post about a game written by folks from Hull. You can read all about it, and find out what Naches means here.

Sorry is the New Black

I think the marketing people have discovered the apology as the latest tool to get you to engage with them. I've recently had quite a few companies getting in touch and apologising for not having been in touch with enticing offers. Ebay recently apologised profusely for something that I don't remember them doing and offered a special discount to make things up. Which I'm sorry to say I haven't used.

Robot Recovery

Last Wednesday my balancing robot kind of overbalanced, leapt off the desk and shattered on the floor. You can see the awful damage here. At the time I said that all I'd have to do is design some replacement parts, print them out,  and I'd have him back on his wheels again.

So I have.

These are the FreeCad designs for the two plates that were broken. I did some careful measurement, wrote some Python to do the designs (it's a strange way to work, but I like it) and then printed them out and put everything back together. And it all works, which is nice. I think the new pieces are quite a bit stronger than the old ones. And if they break, I can just change one value in the program, run it again and print out some thicker ones..

V. Busy Open Day

On the way out of the carpark I found this leaf on the ground.

We had our first University Open Day of the new academic year today. The place was mad busy and it was nice to see everybody having a good time in the sunshine. I did two talks. I promised to put the pictures up on my world famous (in my world) blog, so here they are.

This is the first cohort being told what to do by Mike

..and this is the second, slightly smaller, one.

Japanese Vending Machines are Awesome

I'm trying to keep posts that start "When I was in Japan.." to a maximum of one a week. But anyway....

When I was in Japan one of the things that struck me was just how awesome their vending machines are. I'd heard about them before I went, but nothing prepared me for the sheer number of machines. They are everywhere. And you can buy most things from them - including the awesome "Boss Coffee" for less than 200 yen (just over a pound or so). In fact one of the rules of Happy Japan travelling" is to have a pocket full of massively useful 100 yen coins at all times.

The machines seem to always work and never run out of stock. Amazing stuff.

These machines are also ubiquitous. They sell plastic balls containing all kinds of diversions, from superhero models to rear-view mirrors for your desktop. Awesome.

I want a Surface Book, but I'll settle for a Surface Pro 4 Keyboard for now

I watched the Microsoft Devices event on Tuesday expecting some nice stuff. And there was. The new Surface Pro 4 looks like a nice evolution, as does the Microsoft Band. I can't afford a HoloLens and I don't live in the USA, so I'm afraid that's the end of that dream for now.

And then came the Surface Book. I so want one of these. I'd even sell a camera to get one (and I probably will). The way I see it, you get a Surface Pro and a MacBook for the price of one. And the hinge and the docking stuff looks awesome. We've not got a delivery date for the Surface Book in the UK just yet (sad face) but we do have delivery dates for Surface Pro 4 and all of its accessories. So I've placed an order for a Surface Pro 4 keyboard. It will work with my Surface Pro 3, and might even help me convince people I've bought a Surface Pro 4. My blue keyboard still works OK, but the new version has a proper glass touchpad and the reviews all say that the new individual keys have better travel and separation, which is nice.

The only piece of bad news is that the versions of the keyboard sold outside the USA will not have the rather useful fingerprint sensor, which is a bit sad. The new keyboard is the same price as the one it replaces, and I'm getting a bit tired of blue, so I've gone for the nice bright one you can see above.

One other thing, if you have a Surface Pro 3, the new Surface Dock is now also available for pre-order in the UK. This works with Surface Pro 3 and provides a really good selection of ports, including two monitor outputs which is really interesting. I've not ordered one yet though, I'm saving up for that Surface Book....

Suicidal Robots at the Rather Useful Seminar

I did the first Rather Useful Seminar of the semester today. Thanks for turning up and being a great audience folks. I was talking about the joys of just "Making Stuff". We had various flavours of coloured lights, the ThingOMatic and my balancing robot. Which promptly leapt off the desk and smashed itself on the floor.

As I said at the time, "If only I had some kind of device which I could use to 3D printa new part to replace the broken one...". In the next couple of days I'll knock out a design and then get Una to print a new chassis. Only stronger.  

Mr. Game and Watch Amibo

I had a kind of highlight last week at the New Students Welcome Party. We were playing 8 player Smash Brothers and I, much against the advice of the "experts", decided to play as "Mr Game and Watch".

And I won.

This will probably never happen again, but it was rather nice. On Saturday, to celebrate this accomplishment, I invested in the Mr. Game and Watch Amibo. It's rather nice too. It comes with four different character poses which you can slot into the base, depending on your mood. 

Ponchos and Sombreros at Hull

Just discovered that the university is using one of my pictures to illustrate the Room Bookings and Timetables site. I think this was taken at a Three Thing Game presentation a while back.

I wonder if people now think that students at Hull turn up to lectures in ponchos and sombreros? I really hope so......

Hull Northern Stars Event on October 29th

In Hull we're really lucky to have the C4DI (or Centre for Digital Innovation). They will soon be moving into their spiffy new building and one of the first big events they are hosting is a heat of the Northern Stars initiative.

This aims to give innovators and entrepreneurs a platform where they can pitch their ideas. Each entry gets a three minute slot to make a splash. Best pitch of the night gets an iPad and a chance to move into the big league.

These events are great fun, both to watch and take part in. They are also the perfect place to meet up with fellow developers and backers and trade ideas and business cards. If you are first year who just wants to come along and find out what pitching is all about or a finalist who wants to find out if their idea is a good one you should sign up and take part. And if that wasn't enough incentive, they have free Pizza and Beer too.

I've already booked my ticket. You can get yours here.

Festival of Daring and Excitement 2015

Playing Masquerade

We had our "Festival of Daring and Excitement" today in the department. We do this on the Saturday at the end of the first week so that folks have something to do on the first day of their weekend away from home. In fact we do this so early in the session that not all the electronic locks on the campus have been updated with new student cards so that getting into there building to take part was more than a chore that it should have been. But thanks to everyone who came along. Lots of fun was had.

We had some silly multi-player games, a Super Smash Brothers Tournament with proper prizes (thanks for organising that folks), an Xbox One network from the lovely people at Platform Expo and some crazy Japanese arcade games (which quite took me back to my days in Tokyo).

I took a few pictures, as you do..

Getting Started

Prizes worth winning

Worthy Winners

A few drinks and nibbles...

Grabbing the food

The last piece...... We got through 27 pizzas in all.

We all had a great time. I  set up a second "board game group" and we played Masquerade, Coup and Cash and Guns.

Then at 5:00pm it was all over and it was time to tidy up.

If you enjoyed the event, we'll be doing something similar around Christmas.

Of Broccoli and Stoppers

I don't like broccoli. Never have. Give me a plate of food with some broccoli on it and I'll eat the broccoli first. This is because I like to get rid of the bits I don't like before moving onto the stuff that I do. Note that I don't leave the broccoli. That would be impolite. And a waste of food.

I do this kind of thing in software projects too, as I was telling my project students this week. I reckon that step one of any project is to "Identify the stoppers". Stoppers are the tricksy things that must be made to work otherwise you don't have a working system. It might be storing the data. It might be getting the network to connect. It might just be being able to compile and run a program on the target device. These are the "broccoli" in your project. And you should eat them first.

It's tempting to start with the easy bits and leave the nasty, difficult bits to the end. However, this can lead to problems. You really don't want to be doing the hard bits when you are under time pressure at the end of the project. And you really don't want to find out at the end that one of your "stoppers" is actually impossible. Much more recoverable if you find out at the start.

I've asked my students to identify the stoppers in their projects and report back at the next meeting.

Don't be a Snorlax

One of our ex-students, Josh Naylor, now works as a Developer Evangelist for Unity.  He's written this rather nice blog post that sets out how to succeed as a student, which you can find here.  Well worth a read. And there is no truth in the rumour that I only mentioned his post because it mentions me. None at all.

Windows 10 Development for Absolute Beginners

If you fancy getting to grips with Windows 10 Development (and you should)  there's a new set of videos and samples that you will find very interesting. One of them shows how you can write programs that connect to the Marvel Comics database, which is awesome.

Find out more here.

New Students Welcome Party

We had a pretty good turnout

It was our First Year Welcome Party today. Video games, silly quizzes, free beer and food. What's not to like?

Using the "TagoMatic" to get your beer. Turns out that green is good.

We all had RFID tags that we used to pay for drinks. Everyone got their drink and then I got the best round of applause of the night for using my "magic tag" to reset the tags and allow everyone another turn at the bar. If you got one of our "Tags of Fun", please hang on to it, I'll be using the tag reader in lectures to give out prizes....

This guy won the Super Smash Bros 8 player tournament

I am so going to buy this Amibo now, what with me winning a round when I played as him.

These folks won the quiz.

Car Racing

Much fun was had playing Gang Beasts, a deeply silly multi-player game

We had a great time. I took a bunch of other pictures that you can find here.

Welcome to Hull Computer Science 2015

One of the people in this picture is not a student. Can you tell which?

I'm all back from Japan now. With jetlag and everything. Lots of fun was had. Stuff that happened will probably end up being the subject of numerous blog posts over the next month or so.

Today we gave our first induction lecture to new students. Thanks for coming folks, I hope you enjoy your stay with us. If you want to view a larger version of the picture above you can click through the image to Flickr and download the large version. 

If you are a new student at Hull don't forget the party tomorrow night (free drinks and food) and the event on Saturday.

Big in Japan

Rob is unable to come to the blog right now as he is away at the Tokyo Game Show. Normal service will be resumed in a week or so.