HPC II End of Course Experience

0x0: Presentation

A year ago I didn't know very much about programming. In the past year, after taking C++, writing a Python tutorial, doing some work with Java in HPC Systems and Networking, and working with Assembly in Computer Organization I've certainly learned a lot.
Back in 2009, if I had been asked if I'd enjoyed programming the answer would have likely been a big no. I certainly wouldn't have guessed that a year and a half later I've managed to pick up a decent understanding of 5 languages (Bash, C/C++, Java, Python, 6502 Assembly).
Despite having a pretty handle on the languages themselves, I don't know a whole lot about making the hardware do things. For HPC Systems and Networking, I did learn a bit about socket programming and midi programming.
Like I said before, one of my biggest holes is hardware, whether it's programming for it or simply tinkering around with it. Python has a lot of system libraries for doing various things. Socket programming in Python seems to be fairly simple. I could start with that and see what else I can get in to. As far as rummaging inside of a computer, I could learn the way I learned most computer related things before going to CCC, find an old PC that doesn't mean much and tinker with it, tear it apart and see if I can put it back together and what kind of additions I can make to it.

I'm not sure why but I always go with the B. I guess I want a decent grade but never quite justify asking for an A.
Over the semester I worked on various projects: Python Tutorial, toying with the camera, finally getting a Mac OS virtual machine, and although I didn't get finished but getting acquainted with the nSound library for Python. I did most of the journals I believe, missed one or two.
Like the other HPC courses, it was very fun. It gives you the chance to go off and explore things in your own direction. In my cases, it's given me a lot of chances to read up and work with all kinds programming stuff.
Least favorite aspect… Really I can't think of anything to complain about. It was flexible on time, interesting material to work on, and it was fun as always.
Something meaningful… Well, after struggling last semester on getting any VM up and running properly I finally got the Mac VM. After that I'd say I feel fairly accomplished.