Exam After-thoughts

The exams have ended. I won't get my results till June or July 2008. At the meantime, this is how I felt during each exam:

1. EE2010 Signals and Systems

This is technically an important and relevant subject in regards to my specialization. I intend to specialize in INFORMATION COMMUNICATION. Infocomm, for short. Infocomm deals with image processing like computer graphics and CGI, audio signal processing like music and sound engineering, and digital communications - computer game devices and mobile phones for example.

During the early half of the semester, I'd got a very dedicated lecturer who is patient and passionate in the way he deals with the subject. As a result, I was able to consistently complete all of my tutorials that involved content relevant to his teachings.

However, a second lecturer who came in during the second half of this semester was not very good in the way he communicated to his students. He tends to elaborate and talk too much on the same point, without explaining the rationale behind the theories and formulae used in the lecture notes. He is also one of the laboratory supervisors and also an assessor during my previous semester's "Digital Signal" lab session, and based on that experience, I found him to be extremely demanding and sometimes unreasonable in the way he interrogates students for results. As a result of both his ineffective communication ability and my bitter experience with him during the las semester's lab session, I don't have any motivation at all to complete, much less even touch on any of the tutorials or lecture notes that are all related to his coverage.

As a result, during this exam, I suspect that I was able to understand 3.5 questions out of 4, and able to (coherently) answer 2.5 questions. Meaning that my guess would be that I won't be able to score for this exam at all, but at least made a decent grade. Since I was able to secure full marks during the Continual Assessment for this subject (that is 20% of overall grade), then I should at least attain a B-, if not better.

2. EE2002 Analog Electronics

This is easily one of my most hated subject during my current experience in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering course in NTU. In fact, anyone who doesn't know their Circuit Analysis foundations would learn to detest and dislike this subject subject so much. In fact, this subject has the highest rate of failures as compared to other subject based on statistical reports in NTU. And in fact, ALMOST every EEE student hates this subject - for the same reasons I wrote here.

The first lecturer - who is some old, white-haired, bespectacled Chinese "uncle" - is not very helpful at all to begin with. All his lectures consist of the following common phrases:

- It's in the textbook. Go read it yourself.
(Comment: ... Like what the eff? I might as well self-study and listen t your bullcrap then...)

- You don't know what this is all about? That means you never read your notes. Your subject kaput, your exam kaput, and your results kaput, and in the end your entire course also kaput.
(Comment: ...So you're telling the obvious, and all your lectures is about mocking us? How does this eff-ing help at all, dickwad?)

I have to tolerate his rubbish all the way from week 1 to 7, and then from week 8 onwards, we got another lecturer (who is slightly younger than him, but is more friendly, more intuitive in his teaching, and also more comical in his speech). However, it didn't help that the content the newer lectures covered is cumulative; in other words, it is solely dependent on what is covered by previous chapters. Simply put, if you screw up your understanding on Bi-Polar Junction Transistors, Diodes, and MOSFETs, you will screw the late chapters such as Small-Signal Analysis, Current Mirrors and other sheeznits.

As a result of lack of motivation and objective learning, I find myself copying solutions from past-year tutorial answer keys, digesting formulae and circuit diagrams, and doing minimal Past Year Paper practices, and hence find all tutorial sessions to be uninteresting, boring, and meaningless.

It also didn't help that I was (again) hospitalized 1 week before the start of my exams, hence there was no time AT ALL to do any DECENT revision. What a waste.

In the end, I was able to identify all 4 exam questions as to what topics they are covered under, but was effectively able to answer 70% of question 1, 70% of question2, 45% of question 3 and 20% of question 4. However, in due understanding that I might not be able to cover the full 20% (which is my Continual Assessment), and given the fact that I already screwed up this subject exam, I can estimate that I might get a borderline C or C+; it would be a miracle if I ever get a B- for this subject and it would be a bloody sham if I ever get less than a C (D and below).

3. EE2005 AC Circuits and Machines

This subject deals with power engineering basics, such as power generators, motors, transformers, electromagnetic induction systems and 3-phase power systems. On the whole, the concepts are really easy to grasp, and doing the tutorials is a real cinch - that is if you ever refer to your notes consistently.

Which means that practice should effectively make all relevant formulae to be become second-nature when approaching simple problems.

Based on my limited memory, I was able to do all questions, but may likely score 70% for Q1, 70% for Q2, 68% for Q3, and 50% for Q4 (due to time constraints and not all I want to write was written on the exam script).

Since I was able to secure the full 20% due to full marks during my CA, I should at least get a B-; a B+ would be a miracle, and a C+ would be a real sham.

4. EE2003 Semiconductor Fundamentals

I find this subject to be a rather so-so experience. It's like the first half of the semester, I was taught on the fundamentals of how each material conducts electricity and what semiconductor material is suitable for what purpose in real-life applications.

However, the second semester takes the cake; most of the content seems to concentrate on solely the P-N Junction Diode, which consists of p-type and n-type semiconductor materials put into one. And then we are taught about its electrical properties, the conductivity profile, and calculations on voltage for conduction, reverse current and breakdown conditions, and applications.

As a result of mixed feelings about the subject as a whole, I was willing to do only half of the semester's tutorials, while the second half of tutorials, were only half-completed. However, this is forgiven, because not all tutorials questions are expected to completed before each tutorial session, as "merely attempting already helps to reinforce understanding; getting the right answer is another subject altogether."

Ironically, I was able to do 75 to 78% of 4 exam questions give. I can estimate an overall grade (CA included) for this subject as a B; C+ would be a sham, and a B+ would be a miracle. Reason for such low expectations is due to the possibility of a modest CA grade that might pull the exam grade down a little.

5. EE2007 Engineering Mathematics II

Vector Calculus was the first part of the subject, the second part being Matrices. Vector Calculus was covered by my student mentor, who is an Indian old man, and who is really good at talking non-academic stuff, but really isn't that good when it comes to teaching. Reason being that he drags onto the topic too long without going into the examples, assuming that we have enough practice - which is not true, due to time constraints, students have to juggle between 7 core subjects, and an average of two electives; and practicing questions is always an ideal case.

Thus, I was able to do all matrices questions, and only 25% of the questions covered on vector calculus. I think I might get a C+ for this subject, since no matter how well you score on your CA, if your exam grade isn't so good, it would pull down the overall grade TREMENDOUSLY. I used to like maths due to my good grades, but at university level, I hated it because it has no practical meaning other than means to calculate, which is stupid.

6. (Science and Technology Elective) EE8092 Digital Lifestyle

One of my favorite subjects, this covers on the lifestyle aspect on how, what and why do digital products affect people's lives. From display monitors to computers, and then from PDAs and even video gaming history, I think I can make a decent grade, probably a B or B+.

Note that this is a highly descriptive subject, instead of being a technical or mathematical subject, so there's s lot of memory work and understanding involved.

After Exams

All of my 6 exams for this semester ended 4 days ago, on 28th April 2008. That means less things to worry, but two more things to worry. They are:

1. Design Innovation Project

2. Consideration of taking an elective subject during Special Semester 2, from June 6th to end July

DIP is going to last only 1 month; hope that I don't screw up my laboratory work.

Current Status

I bought two new PC games, each at SGD9.95:

1. Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords

2. The House of the Dead III

I borrowed the following books from Ang Mo Kio library:

1. Weekend Entrepreneur

2. Web Marketing For Dummies

3. Complete Digital Photography by Ben Long

Art Status

1. 10 photos or more to upload (Malacca trip and misc)

2. Pending deletion of 1 or 2 scraps (unknown)

3. Pending 2 digital Anthro drawings (commission samples)

4. Pending 1 comic strip (unknown)

Peace,
I.L

Orphaned Works Legislation

Taken from: [link]
Main URL: [link]

The Orphaned Works Legislation is an issue that many people have misconceptions on, and some of us would initially take this news with a disappointment; but to those who read further, you've had probably known that as long as you maintain your works copyrighted, you should be safe.

Nonetheless, people using your creative works freely as they want, without permission, can be insulting. The person who wrote that article on Animation World Magazine didn't do his research enough.

Please read this instead: [link]

Biohazard 5 Producer Interview with Jun Takeuchi

[link]

The effect of light used in the game is fantastic, if not innovative. When there is a presence of strong light, the iris in the eye contracts to reduce too much glaring light into the eye. But when a person moves form a bright room to a dark room, the eyes are not adjusted in time to see what can be seen in the dark room. Thus, the iris in the eye would take considerable time to expand to receive as much light as possible to make viewing clearer. This effect is achieved in the game development, to get players involved in the action sequences and cinematic elements of the game, giving it the dark-vs-light contrast in a horror-survival game setting.

Character Design Oddities ~encore

[link]

I still have yet to hear from you people about what are the odd things you find in making character designs.

SHOOT THE CORE! ~encore

[link]

So some of you might have guessed it correctly about the significance of the day the Vic Viper model kit was received (though I see that my watchers are really quiet, LOL).

On a side note, on that same important day, turned 15 (that was like 3 or more days ago, LOL). So... yay~!

Anthro/Sci-fi Commission Suggested Pricing

I STILL need feedback on how to set prices for commissions (anthro with sci-fi/fantasy anime-styled). My suggested pricelist is as follows:

Sketch (traditional) - 1 character - $5
Digital Inked - 1 character - $8
Digital Colored w/o background - 1 character - $10
Digital Colored w/ simple background - 1 character - $12

Digital inked and colored Character Complex backgrounds - negotiable, depending on technical level needed, suggested at starting price $12 and above.

Dimensions, usually at 1240x960 (wallpaper) or A4 size (can be landscape or portrait depending on preference).

Rules are as follows:
1. Nothing too obscene or violates DA policies (in the PG-13 and below range)
2. Character descriptions are needed, but reference sheets are preferred.
3. Sketch of character is done first, and sent via email/Notes. If satisfied, inking beings and no further changes are made. If it's a colored piece, the final colored image is sent via email/Note. If satisfied, final image is sent and user gets to keep soft copy. If changes are necessary to the color scheme, recoloring takes place and resent for approval.

Feedback is greatly appreciated~!

My Status Thus Far

I got hit by Diarrhea Man on the wee late hours at 12AM on 9th April 2008. (Translation: Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS - struck me during a critical time for revision and I was warded.) That sucks.

And there seems to be no way to prevent it. Diagnosis indicates it's either stress, irregular meal or the food (contamination). And nothing can be singled out as a cause, and there's also no way to completely prevent it. This sucks.

Next Month

I might be more free.... Innovation Project right ahead, and exams too are now.

Peace,

I.L

Well... what do I have to say?

Daily Deviation Suggestion

Trevor's Foxbat by =purplekecleon is a charming illustration of two unlikely heroes. The subtle tones in the background really bring out the emotion of the characters -- there's a lot of determination there!

Suggested by yours truly
Featured by ^cooley

Character Design Oddities

NOTE: Taken from at [link]

Tell me an odd fact about one of your characters. Not a personality trait, or a habit of theirs. I mean something that may have happened while designing them. Something that may have influenced a bit of their design that you find odd. Maybe a sneaky fact about their name.

I would love to hear from you fellows.

SHOOT THE CORE!

Skygirls Vic Viper Model Kit at: [link]

So I do see some Gradius (shooting game) fans among us, yeah?

Well, my elder brother was so damn kind to get me this model kit as a gift. From Atelier Sai, comes the anime version of the legendary space fighter, the Vic Viper. LOL!

Sadly, I don't think I won't have time to go and assemble it in its full glory. Reason: fighting mathematical monsters, giant equations, creepy calculus things and hovering circuit diagrams that can "kill" stuff. Okay, on a serious note, it's exam fever.

And in case you're wondering why I got this gift on this particular day, well, go find out yourself why. I am not giving away too many hints for this special.... uh hmm... day?

Over and out!


I.L

P.S: I need feedback on how to set prices for commissions (anthro and sci-fi/anime). Any suggestions is recommended, thanks.






NOTE: If you somehow managed to reach here, you are made of WIN~! Congrats....

And wow.... a journal numbered 107-POINT-5.... oh, yeah~!

12th April 2008
Journal Entry #107.5: Artistic Ignorance? Or passe?

<sub>...I am now jotting down my insights on 's article on "Artistic Ignorance" at [link] (oh, gee, "nice" user icon )
Currently, I got revision and exams to catch up with.

I do agree a few points he brought up; like the issue with popularity and critique for instance. But I am not going to reply in that article - too much time and space consume. Also, I mentioned "article" - it's in the News section, but doesn't appear as a news - it's more of an opinionated writing or rather what he thinks and observed. (Inverted commas to show that this is not really news, but rather more fitting of a journal entry).

(Oh, and check out those bolds and CAPs. And the "paragraphing". That makes reading "easy". Very "organized" indeed. Very "concise" language too. And also "professional" too. Not surprising........ considering it's his..... uh hemm.... first article? I myself have wrote only one, but obviously more coherent Article before. And the points that furry intended to be brought across are fired all over the place. "Intelligible" indeed. Jackass...)

Oh, sure... improve and expose the community... but FIRST the (unknown) artists themselves must learn to take initiative. The problem of "ignorance" becomes redundant when they themselves must first learn on how to promote and present themselves first (like selling yourself, for example). Because of this, I must agree with , analogously, on the same treatment of self-suggesting DDs - if you seriously want to improve, you must take initiative to self-critic and correct errors and whatnots, waiting for someone else to pick up isn't going to work. This is an ALL-inclusive treatment, not just merely catering to the so-called "unknowns". Check out ALL the comments in [link] 's journals and polls, he has some insightful and logical information to bolster or countersome of the other points presented in that "news" article. (Reinstatement of undeniable fact: Inverted commas to show that this is not really news, but rather more fitting of a journal entry).</sub>

See ya~!

I.L, 12th April 2008.

April's Fool

... is over. Too bad, I want to upload a new artwork related to AF. But I don't have the energy and drive to do it, also I wanna sent my regards to all deviants for a belated AF. On a side note, Mudkips are both annoying and funny to look at, but it's funny only for a short while.

For fans of Blizzard Entertainment

[link] [link] [link] [link]

Sheer madness on a corporate scale, LOL~!

Course on Special Effects in Singapore

Apologies, as the course according to the website states that it has already started in Feb. The sadder thing is that they sent this email something in closing March. Why? I am disappointed in their late promotions.

[link] -> Pls view in IE, not Firefox.

To all fans of Masked Rider, Super Sentai, Ultraman, kaiju and whatnots, the director for this course is Noriaki Ikeda - from Tsuburaya Production, the company behind the Ultraman series. Also, total cost of 10 lessons is SGD $1200.00.

Meant for the pure tokusatsu fan, and those who aspire to shoot such films in the future. Good for entertainment prospects and film industry. Also, helps to prove that Singapore can also do their own Power Rangers-spin offs.

Again, apologies for uber delays, but it's due to the email lags...

Contact 77-STAR at Tel: 6410 9770, Email: info@77-star.com

Charging into Battle

... from 15th April onwards. With calculators, papers, pencils and pens. And equipped with ridiculous amounts of "textbook" content. Usual routine in the life of an NTU student. Wish myself luck~!

Art Status

Doing a comic gag on Okami AF, and a comic gag on Flamers and Haters.

Peace,
I.L

Easter

Wishing all of you a Happy Easter (a little late though)!

Studies

Currently revising for a quiz on 31st March 2008. The second test on EE8092 Digital Lifestyle. Yes, it's an Elective Subject on video games, audio systems and image processing and computer-related stuff.

Getting stress and dysentry from catching up on other subjects...

Humor

YouTube Poop - where there is smoke, you will be dead...

Mickey's Poophouse Adventure

Toys Gone Wild
got that link from 's DA journal

Art

Still pondering on how to draw Tagarosque's request. I somehow lost interest in drawing my past art style, so I am thinking of how to deploy it creatively with a more newer, energetic and dynamic style. I hate stiff muscle.

DD Suggest

[link]

What makes 'Echo' really outstanding is that the inking skills used are excellent; not only is the usage of traditional media excellent, the overall beauty of the female anthro character also adds in to the visual appeal. Deviants are highly recommended to visit *blackquadra's gallery, as there are more awesome works for view.

Suggested by me, and selected by ^skifi, of course.

Peace!