Cloud Resume Challenge

During my ongoing study for the AWS CAA-C02, I’ve seen references to Cloud Resume Challenge and I got curious enough to check it out. In brief, it’s a multi-step challenge (with accompanying book) to setup a simple static resume website, while utilizing a whole host of cloud tools and devop practices.

As I’ve progressed along with the CAA course, I started to tackle the challenge steps one by one:

3D printing and boardgames

Gloomhaven is a massively successfull boardgame from a couple of years back. Its gigantic box hides a large pile of carboard maps and tokens, and having the whole scenario map laid out on a kitchen table is always an arresting sight.

Still, having recently purchased a 3D Printer from Prusa, I found myself wondering if the already great game could not be further improved with some 3D objects in place of the cardboard markers. Turns out there is a whole market for 3D modellers and sellers that offer improved Gloomhaven accessories.

8bit breadboard computer

Ben Eater’s 8bit breadboard computer and the associated YouTube series has been a fantastic learning opportunity. So far I’ve built the clock and memory units.

The searchlight that disrupted NASA computers

After Vietnam, the US Army decided that visible spectrum searchlights were a liability, since shedding white light on a battlefield provided illumination for both friendly forces and enemy combatants in equal measure. Modern night vision technologies made it possible for US military forces to function without artificial lighting and this gave them a huge advantage over enemies who did not have such technologies. By the late 1970’s, many AN/TVS 3’s were taken out of service and placed on the surplus market.

⅌: a lost letter

I think I found my new favourite character, superseding the wonderful interrobang(‽):

Self-reliance

“I read the other day some verses written by an eminent painter which were original and not conventional. The soul always hears an admonition in such lines, let the subject be what it may. The sentiment they instil is of more value than any thought they may contain. To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men, – that is genius.

Math for the rest of us

As an alternative for speed running through Khan Academy’s math lessons, there are some online resources specifically aimed for programmers and other fields that could use a fresh primer.

Why is it impossible to pump water from very deep in the ground with a surface pump?

I alway knew there was a upper limit to this but I never really gave any though to the exact reason or the uppermost distance. Now I know.

Designing Your Own Bookplates

I’ve had a dream of creating my own bookplate or Ex Libris for a long time now. While my library is still rather small, I would like to personalize my books. It also makes loaning books a bit easier as you are more likely to get your book back if it has a bookplate attached to it.🙃