Top Favorite Blog Posts
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APD Legend honored
- From: jennilee
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Description:
It doesn't get much better than Kenny Wilson.
That's how an APD detective described the nearly 30 year veteran of the Austin Police Department.
And that's how many, many people feel about the Bomb Squad Sgt. His colleagues say they walk among a legend.
Kenny was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2007. Through it all, he still went to work. He would undergo treatment during lunch and return to work afterwards. He still went out on calls, worried about safety first, and always, I am told, looked out for his men.
In the summer of 2007, Kenny went into remission and everybody was happy and relieved for him.
Then in January, the cancer came back and it seems, with a vengence. Work became painful.
The Austin Police Department honored Wilson Wednesday March 4th, with a Distinguished Command Medal. It is one of the highest honors. These are given to people who show consistent exceptional leadership and command over an extended period of time. Chief Art Acevedo says, Kenny would have gotten this even if he wasn't sick.
A press conference was held and the Chief gave the award to Kenny's two sons. The Chief presented the medal to Kenny earlier, by his bedside. Randy, the oldest son, said he hopes to raise awareness about acid reflux and heart burn. It reminded me of Ann Richards.
I couldn't say this in the story that aired today but thank you, Kenny, for showing all of us what it means to be a great person. You have made such a difference in so many people's lives.
- Blog post
- 8 months ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 315
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Microsoft Robotics 2008 - 15 O
- From: wini1956
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Description:
Here is a assembly of 15 free webcasts on MRDS. The Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio is a Windows-based environment for robot control and simulation. You can Download Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Express Edition Without paying a cent.
Please click on the following link to view a library of videos: Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio
Note: If you want to "deep dive" into robotics theories and concepts, you may want to check out Stanford's Introduction to Robotics.
4 Divisions of Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio:
* CCR (Concurrency and Coordination Runtime) - makes asynchronous programming simple. The CCR makes it simple to write up programs to handle asynchronous input from multiple robotics sensors and output to motors and actuators. With the use of CCR, we don't need to do any manual threads management. This can be peculiarly splendid in handling concurrency and partial failure. CCR has a failure handling mechanism called Causalities. This is basically a generalization of Try / Catch for multiple threads. But this is for many machines and processes working in synchronous fashion. This is the base of Robotics architecture by Microsoft. You can even use this component for the applications running on a PC instead of a robot. CCR is available in the form of a dynamic link library which may be used by any .net language.* DSS (Decentralized Software Services) Is the services architecture, and it is a companion to CCR. This is based on Service Oriented Architecture. This makes it possible to write down applications that are very distributed and modular. This allows you to execute your code in the processing work horses and use anywhere in the distributed environment. The DSS makes it simple to access, and respond to, a robot's state using a Web browser or Windows-based application. This allows real-time monitoring of robotics sensors and real-time response to motors and actuators.
* VPL (Microsoft Visual Programming Language) Is a visual programming tool that is used for creating and debugging robot applications, web-based and windows-based interfaces.
* VSE (Visual Simulation Environment) Allows one to simulate the behavior of robots in a virtual world using NVIDIA PhysX technology (3D engine) that includes advanced physics.
The Runtime environment Consists of two elements: the CCR and the DSS. The runtime is based on a lightweight REST-oriented services model. Making it REST based has made the services and applications to be independent of each other. They may be on the same machine or distributed across several machines connected through several methods. When we talk about REST based, This means that the resources should be available by query strings. These services are available as resources to the other services, applications or User Interfaces. This is, in reality, how Microsoft is able to promise low coupling between services. The Runtime supports from 8-bit to 32-bit robots. These robots may range from Toy Robots to Industrial Robots.
Microsoft Visual Programming Language Robotics programs . Just drag and drop blocks that represent services, and connect them. It is also possible to take a collection of connected blocks and reuse them as a single block elsewhere in the program. VPL follows the Observer Pattern. This implies that it is not based on Control flow but on data flow which allows some program elements to get executed when some data arrives. VPL provides a model-driven approach to develop and coordinate services.
Easily Simulate Robotics applications using realistic 3D simulated models. Since testing with real robots is often expensive, it saves money to start out in a simulated environment first and then move to real robots once the concepts have been proven to work. Microsoft Visual Simulation Environment (VSE) is based on Microsofts XNA Framework and the rendering engine uses AGEIA PhysX Technology from AGEIA Technologies Inc.. AGEIA Technologies Inc. Is a pioneer in hardware-accelerated physics, enabling real-world physics simulation for robot models. PhysX simulations can also be accelerated using AGEIA hardware. These simulations can be recorded and saved as XML files and played back over and over again.
You need to click on this link to view a related post: Microsoft Robotics
Main Highlights of MRDS:
* Reuse Modular Services Using a Composable model
Set up high-level functions using simple components, providing for reuse of code modules as well as better reliability and replaceability. For example, a lower-level sensor service might be integrated into a navigation service.
* Supports both remotely connected (PC-based) and robot-based (autonomous) application scenarios
Remotely connected scenarios enable communication from a PC to the robot through a serial port, Bluetooth®, 802.11 (WiFi), or RF modem. Programs may also execute natively on PC-based robots running one of the Microsoft Windows operating systems, enabling fully autonomous operation.
* Develop using a generous assortment of programming languages
MRDS permits one to access the runtime services using the following programming languages: C# and Visual Basic .NET, JScript, and IronPython
* Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio allows one to use assorted packages to add other services to the suite.
Those other services include:
O Soccer Simulation
O Sumo Competition by Microsoft
O a community-developed Maze Simulator which is a program to create worlds with walls that can be explored by a virtual robotSupported Robots:
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 158
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C# Video Tutorials - 56 Hours
- From: wini1956
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Description:
This post provides you with 56 hours of video tutorials on C-Sharp. These videos are divded into three video collections. One of the collections is delivered by Dr. Joe Hummel. This video series consists of 15 videos. The videos in this collection are entitled Modern Software Development: Architecting Solutions in C#. Another collection consists of 10 videos on Microsoft's Chief Architect for C-Sharp, Anders Hejlsberg. There is also a collection of 26 hours of videos by Bob Tabor on C-Sharp.Be sure to click on the following link to look at a related post: c# thread
History: C# is an object-oriented programming language. Anders Hejlsberg is the chief architect for C#. C-Sharp has an object-oriented syntax that was derived from C++. The most recent variant of the language is 3.0, and it was published in conjunction with the .NET Framework 3.5 In 2007. The next proposed variant, 4.0, is in development.
In 1999, when Anders Hejlsberg formed a team to create the language, they originally planned to call it COOL, which stood for C-like Object Oriented Language. However, there were copyright problems with that name, and it was renamed C#. In music, C-Sharp means a half of a pitch higher, and, in programming, C-Sharp indicates that it eveolved out of C++.
According to Anders Hejslberg, it was the problems in other major programming languages, like Java, Delphi, and Smalltalk that guided the design of the Common Language Runtime (CLR), and the design of the CLR, in turn guided the design of C-Sharp.
Versions:
- C# 1.0 - introduced 2000 / published January 2002
- C# 1.2 - released April 2003
- C# 2.0 - published November 2005
- C# 3.0 - released November 2007
- C# 4.0 - in development
Major Design Goals:- C# is supposed to be a modern, general-purpose, object-oriented programming language.
- Array bounds checking
- Detection of attempts to use uninitialized variables
- Automatic garbage collection
- Software robustness
- Durability
- Programmer productivity
- Strong type checking
C# needs to support:
- The language is for developing software parts suitable for deployment in distributed environments.
- The most important features are programmer portability and source code portability, primarily for those programmers already familiar with C and C++.
- Internationalization is very important.
- C# is intended to be suitable for writing applications for embedded and hosted systems
Main Features of C#- No global variables or functions. All methods and members must be declared within classes. Static members of public classes can substitute for global variables and functions.
- Local variables cannot shadow variables of the enclosing block, unlike C and C++.
- Managed memory cannot be explicitly freed; instead, it is automatically garbage collected.
- Multiple inheritance is not supported, although a class can implement any number of interfaces.
- C# is more typesafe than C++.
- C# supports a strict Boolean datatype, bool. Statements that take conditions, such as while and if, require an expression of a boolean type. While C++ also has a boolean type, it may be freely converted to and from integers
- In C#, memory address pointers can only be used within blocks specifically marked as unsafe, and programs with unsafe code need appropriate permissions to run.
- Blog post
- 1 week ago
- Favorite count: 1
- Views: 138
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UT FOOTBALL (9/26/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
UT vs. UTEP (9/26/09)
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 19542
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UT FOOTBALL (10/9/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
UT vs. Colorado.
More pix at bevoblvd.com
special thanks to Kevin Whitlow(www.911realtor) for the pix of the scoreboard!
- Blog post
- 1 month ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 13716
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KVET PHOTOS (7/15/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:Perhaps the biggest night in the history of theKVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES tonight....The event is Radney Foster's 50th birthday bash...the special guests include:Brandon RhyderJoe ElyKelly WillisPat GreenJack IngramRoger Creagerand plenty more!Some Photos Copyright: Scott FisherSome Photos Copyright Freddy Martinez (elwebman.com)
- Blog post
- 4 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 12831
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UT FOOTBALL (11/7/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
UT VS. UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
(more pix at bevoblvd.com)
- Blog post
- 1 week ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 12646
- Not yet rated
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UT FOOTBALL (9/5/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
UT FOOTBALL, BEVO BLVD., TAILGATING AND MORE!!!
ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: SCOTT FISHER
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 11530
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UT FOOTBALL (9/19/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
TEXAS vs. TEXAS TECH
ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: SCOTT FISHER
and bonus photos here:
http://www.bevoblvd.com/main.html
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 11080
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KVET PHOTOS (4/29/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
KVET PHOTOS! (4/29/09) CASEY DONAHEW BAND
Some Photos Copyright: Scott Fisher
Some Photos Copyright: Freddy Martinez
- Blog post
- 7 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 10028
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KVET PHOTOS (6/3/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:Cory Morrow is your headliner tonight at the KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES.We are at Hill's Cafe in South Austin, listening to sound checks....Scott Fisher
Some Photos Copyright: Scott Fisher
Some Photos Copyright: Freddy Martinez
- Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 9916
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KVET PHOTOS (7/8/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:It's another blistering hot afternoon...but things should be a bit cooler by the time the crowds arrivedown here at Hill's Cafe for the KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES.HONEYBROWNE is tonight's headliner.You can find photos from the show here...and video from the show by hitting the "KVET" link from the homepageat myfoxaustin.comSome photos copyright: Scott FisherSome photos copyright: Freddy Martinez (elwebman.com)
- Blog post
- 4 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 9353
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KVET PHOTOS(8/19/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:The keep bringing big artists to Hill's Cafe as part of theKVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES...and they keep packing in the crowds.Randy Rogers is your headliner tonight!!Best bet: get here NOW!!! (or mighty soon)I have the feeling, they may reach capacity before 7pm,and Randy goes on at 8 sharp.Some Photos Copyright: Scott FisherSome Photos Copyright: Freddy Martinez (elwebman.com)
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 8543
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KVET PHOTOS(9/16/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:THE KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES continues tonight at Hill's Cafe....Headliner: Kyle Parkas always...the show is 100% FREE and open to all ages....we are running out of concert dates for the season!!!the series only runs through september...so why not head on downto South Congress...and take in the show...you will be hooked!Some Photos Copyright: Scott FisherSome Photos Copyright: John Cearley
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 8524
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KVET PHOTOS (6/24/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
W
e may be in for the 
hottest day of 2009....Temps at 2pm hit 101 degrees....and yesterday's 103 was the hottest thus far.
Blogging LIVE from the KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES...
Tonight's Headliner: Brandon Rhyder
Plenty of shade and cold drinks to keep you cool tonight...although it may be tough with the big crowd!
We hope we see you here tonight, and please be sure to stop over and say hello...
and ask for a photo to be featured right here on the blog!
Scott Fisher
Some photos copyright: Scott Fisher
Some photos copyright: Freddy Martinez (elwebman.com)
- Blog post
- 5 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 7976
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KVET PHOTOS(8/12/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:It's a steamy wednesday...and music fans are convergingon Hill's Cafe in South Austin for Tonight's KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES Show.We have storms nearby....but the show is ON.The headliner: Kevin FowlerJust a quick heads up: Folks here at Hill's are suggesting if you are comingout to the show...to get going!They are expecting another full house tonight!Some photos copyright: Scott FisherSome photos copyright: Freddy Martinez
- Blog post
- 3 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 7906
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KVET PHOTOS(9/23/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:THE KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES features another HUGE show tonight!It's Soggy...but the show is ON!!!!!!!!!Roger Creager is your headliner....This is the 2nd to last show of the season!Cory Morrow wraps it all up next week....Don't miss 'em!Some Photos Copyright: Scott FisherSome Photos Copyright: David C. Migues (atxphotography.com)
- Blog post
- 2 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 7693
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KVET PHOTOS (5/13/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
It's Wednesday!That means live music and live local weather from the KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES!The headliner tonight: DOUG MORELAND.See you down here tonight...or you can check out highlights from the show (and all the shows) here at myfoxaustin.com!Scott FisherSome Photos Copyright: Scott Fisher
Some Photos Copyright: Freddy Martinez
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 7557
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KVET PHOTOS (5/27/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:
We have arrived at Hill's Cafe in South Austin....
Of course, we are in the house for the KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES...
your headliner tonight: RICK TREVINO!
Skies are partly sunny...we are checking the radar for a pop up shower...but so far, none this afternoon.
As per usual, I have my camera...and if you make it here...just find me and let me know...you want a photo
up on this site, and we will make it happen!
See you soon...and photos should be up by noon tomorrow!
Some photos copyright: Scott Fisher
Some photos copyright: Freddy Martinez
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 6933
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KVET PHOTOS (5/20/09)
- From: scottfisher
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Description:It's Wednesday!That means live music and live local weather from the KVET FREE TEXAS MUSIC SERIES!The headliner tonight: MICKY AND THE MOTORCARS!The weather is perfect...clear and mild...and that will hold all evening long.Thanks again to all of those who have been linking and downloading photos from this blog...I am here all evening...just find me and I will snap a pic...and then I'll make sure to put you on the blog in the morning!
See you down here tonight...or you can check out highlights from the show (and all the shows) here at myfoxaustin.com!Scott FisherSOME PHOTOS COPYRIGHT: SCOTT FISHER
SOME PHOTOS COPYRIGHT:FREDDY MARTINEZ
- Blog post
- 6 months ago
- Favorite count: 0
- Views: 6685
- Not yet rated
