Archive for September, 2010

A Comparison Of Software Engineering And Computer Science

There is still much confusion among employers as well as universities regarding the precise definition of some technical degrees, including software engineering and computer science. These two specialties, as well as information systems, computer science engineering, and information technology, are relatively new. As such, what one employer or school considers a requirement of software engineering may be considered computer science by others.

Much overlap occurs between the majority of the computer technology areas. For example, both CS and SE majors typically are taught the theory of computers, program structure, and user expectations. However, software engineers are typically part of the school of engineering, while CS majors usually fall under the math department.

Early computers had their programs wired into their hardware. The user simply pushed a button or two, and the computer performed the limited function for which it had been built. The need to provide users with greater control led to compilers and languages that could translate commands between the user and the computer. Tapes or cards were punched to allow users to write routines. However, it was often a clerk or typist who did the keypunch. A missing bracket, transposition error, or misplaced period would crash the program. Finding the error meant poring over stacks of cards and the written program.

Computer programming began to come into its own with the development of the personal computer. Simplified languages such as BASIC gave more control to the average user. A few minutes spent with a book enabled the user to begin to construct rudimentary programs. Many times, however, the lack of understanding about what a computer could and could not do led to failure. This laid the foundations for the software engineer, who not only understands the program but the physical abilities of the hardware.

One way to contrast software engineering and computer science is to examine how the first PCs controlled most printers. Typically, the user had to go to the DOS shell and enter commands to change output options, such as multiple copies, paper size, or font characteristics. Such functions are now controlled by an interface in the software or printer dialog. In simplest terms, the code required to change the printer and create the dialog boxes came from a software engineer. Enabling the printer to understand and comply came from computer science.

At its most basic definition, CS is more concerned with the circuitry, networking, and hardware needed than the programming. Software engineers usually focus on writing programs that utilize space efficiently, run quickly, and offer efficient interfaces for the user. There is, however, much that is shared between the two. A computer scientist, for example, cannot build an optimal computer without understanding the demands it must meet. A software engineer cannot write an efficient program without understanding memory requirements, compiler operation, and processing speeds.

There is so little standardization of degree requirements between schools that there is a great variance in the quality produced. Even today, there are colleges that introduce CS students to programming with Microsoft Office. Almost obscure languages such as RPG, COBOL, and Pascal may follow. The Visual Studio may be taught without any foundation in BASIC, C++, or Java. On the other hand, software engineers might not understand wireless technology. It may be preferable for potential students and employers to delve beyond the degree title and carefully examine the courses in the degree plan.

Not too many years ago, computer science positions were often filled by those with other degrees, such as electrical engineers. Software engineers were usually those with programming skills, many of whom held no degree at all but were self-taught. As technology became more complex, increased specialization followed. Only by considering the goal is it possible to differentiate between them. For example, if the goal is to produce the greatest game of all time, a Microsoft software engineer is likely to be the one to meet the challenge. If the goal is to produce the next generation of gaming systems, however, a computer scientist is probably going to make the greatest contribution.

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3D Game Animation What You Need To Succeed As A 3D Animation Designer

As a 3D designer or animator becoming an animator in the video game industry is quite a huge accomplishment. It may sound like a really big thing to achieve yet fact is that with right training and resources you can well get yourself to be one of the Video Game 3D animation gurus. In the video gaming industry what you will note is that when children play the game they always focus on winning the game and enjoying the gaming utilities the most.

On the other end adults will want look at how they would have made the game better. Before the evolutions in the computer technology individuals used to be fascinated mostly by the board games which have since given way to the contemporary craze of sizzling video gaming built on the 3D technology. The surge of technology in the graphic design and computer world in general has made the video gaming domain more popular and there is acute inclination towards video games over the former craze of board games.

The video gaming industry is fully developed to an extent that you can actually shape your career as a specialist in 3D animation for video games and if you are set on quenching your curiosity you will have to hook yourself up with some teams of professionals that focus on building video games. In video gaming based on 3D animation you need a good combination of skill to start with and this is with regard to the artistic prowess based on the basics together with computerized art skills.

Fact of the matter here is that if you are seeking to establish your career into his industry you will have to be sure that a perfect combination since there is no way you can expect to get a good job as video game artist when you lack any of the two. The best thing to do is master the ins and outs of the industry and the trade. What this means is that you need to acquire as much information as you possibly can.

You will need to know all the concerned and key areas of the trade and empower yourself with theory and practice. Practice takes a more important part in that 3D animation career and education because the video game industry is a practical exercise and you would not have accomplished anything if you have not put together something tangible to show for you knowledge.

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Electronic Stewardship Program, Canada’s Special Recycling Plan

In order to help the environment in Canada, the Electronic Stewardship Program was created. It is the answer to helping keep all things electronic out of the landfills and hopefully, reuse them again so that others less fortunate might be able to enjoy them in their second ‘life’. Through this series, about 44 products are qualified for a change from what they are presently to what would benefit someone else and not a landfill. The organization is all about recycling, reusing and refurbishing most things electronic including but not limited to computers, electronic video games and many other styles of appliances that would eventually take up space in a landfill but are now being saved for other to use.

This approach to recycling electrical items began as a two step process. The first step took place in April of 2009 with the remainder of the procedure taking hold in April of 2010. The first part was to address issues of electronics such as computers, both desktop and portable, monitors and all computer paraphernalia such as mice and keyboards, fax machines, printers and televisions. The second stage gathered all the information and set out to help people recycle and reuse things like cameras, telephones, cell phones, radios, equalizers and amplifiers and video recorders are just an example of the long list of items.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment plan and program or WEEE is where one would find the Waste Diversion Act. This diversion act was created so that as much as possible, the electronic pieces would be sent to places that were not going to dump the electronics into the landfills and make them into usable resources. People in this organization can help other by refurbishing or recycling and reusing computer parts and other electronics so that they are able to give or sell them to those who need them the most. The major part of this organization is to keep the landfills from getting to filled with electronics and to help the environment.

A couple of the leading consumer electronic companies, information technology and consumer electronics equipment companies and retail outlets gathered together to form this non-for-profit organization. In this organization it is the first importer, franchise owners, brand owners and assemblers that each will pay a fee for the electronic and electrical equipment, EEE, issued through Canada. When the fees are received, they are then used by the organization to operate the WEEE’s program to continue to help with the recycling and reuse program.

Over the entire Ontario region, there seems to be approximately 91,000 tons of electrical equipment which includes computers and other devices like radios, all available for reuse or recycling. The WEEE program is the first of its kind and before it was established; only about one-quarter was managed properly. This means that electronic equipment was not recycled and it was going into the landfills. There are a few electrical pieces that are not harmful and then there are those electronics that could contain a mixture of lead, mercury and cadmium. If these things are not disposed of properly, they could become a hazard to people and the environment.

Based on the number of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) a designated program participant supplies, this will determine how much responsibility they will have for the WEEE program. The businesses responsible for 100 percent of the fees are called ‘Stewards’ and they send these fees to the organization directly. Any company or individual who has an interest in becoming a Steward should fill out an application first and then, once they are contacted, they will finish the application process through an interview and several questions.

Once a Steward is accepted into the program, they send in a monthly report that states the extent of the EEE’s they have reused, refurbished and recycled back into the community. This report is but one portion of the agreement between the Stewards and the WEEE program. The companies and businesses must agree to all conditions and terms before they are able to help with the environmental projects.

The special recycling plan, that helps reduce the amount of electronics that goes into the landfill for Canada, is called the Electronic Stewardship Program. This program also helps to get computers and other electrical devices into the hands of those who could really use them but can not afford them. In its short existence, this program has proven to be a winning combination of a helping hand to the environment and those who need a helping hand with their electrical equipment purchases.

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