This last week was insane, even though I only had class for the first three days of the week (woowoo Easter Break) they were some intense three days. That compiler project I was working on really went down to the wire, with me submitting it at around 11:42PM - 18 minutes before it was due. What was most discouraging is that during the last hours of working on the project, I noticed that the specs and due dates for our next homework and project were also posted. Though I would normally breathe a sigh of relief after a huge project like that one was complete, I had no time as I had a midterm 9 hours later to start studying for. I did my best that night, woke up early the next morning and got back to the studying.
This next week is even more hellish, with a huge project due for my ASIC design class. The idea is to develop a chip that can match text in hardware, which doesn't seem like a big deal but is a pain to make. Quite possibly the biggest PITA is dealing with various memory bus widths and throughputs on the chip, juggling a 256-bit memory bus to an input memory and trying to keep it fully utilized while only being able to match words at 64-bits/clock (at best) is turning out to be somewhat of a challenge (throw in a 16-bit output bus and it just gets hairy). The one thing my life as a computer engineer has taught me is that these folks working at AMD/Intel, ATI/NVIDIA, etc... work *hard* and manage to solve some tough problems - some just seem to do a great job at it, while others do a spectacular job at it.
Why am I posting at this normally slumber-filled hour of the morning? I'm about to drive up to D.C. for Bhangra Blowout. This is only my second time going (I went last year) but I had a blast last year and I'm expecting this year to be just as enjoyable. Of course Vinney is taking a train down to D.C. to meet me so that'll make things infinitely more fun.
I'll be back Sunday night to get back to work on these projects...ok who am I kidding, I'm taking my work up with me to D.C. too. I can't wait to be able to put my hours back towards AT again...after May 11th it'll be the first time I've ever written for AT without being in school, I honestly can't believe that. It's been a long time, 7 years come 4/26. Enough reminiscing for now though, I-95 is calling my name.
Take care and have a great weekend :)
This next week is even more hellish, with a huge project due for my ASIC design class. The idea is to develop a chip that can match text in hardware, which doesn't seem like a big deal but is a pain to make. Quite possibly the biggest PITA is dealing with various memory bus widths and throughputs on the chip, juggling a 256-bit memory bus to an input memory and trying to keep it fully utilized while only being able to match words at 64-bits/clock (at best) is turning out to be somewhat of a challenge (throw in a 16-bit output bus and it just gets hairy). The one thing my life as a computer engineer has taught me is that these folks working at AMD/Intel, ATI/NVIDIA, etc... work *hard* and manage to solve some tough problems - some just seem to do a great job at it, while others do a spectacular job at it.
Why am I posting at this normally slumber-filled hour of the morning? I'm about to drive up to D.C. for Bhangra Blowout. This is only my second time going (I went last year) but I had a blast last year and I'm expecting this year to be just as enjoyable. Of course Vinney is taking a train down to D.C. to meet me so that'll make things infinitely more fun.
I'll be back Sunday night to get back to work on these projects...ok who am I kidding, I'm taking my work up with me to D.C. too. I can't wait to be able to put my hours back towards AT again...after May 11th it'll be the first time I've ever written for AT without being in school, I honestly can't believe that. It's been a long time, 7 years come 4/26. Enough reminiscing for now though, I-95 is calling my name.
Take care and have a great weekend :)
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Anonymous - Sunday, April 11, 2004 - link
I think Anand is going both ways. I think he knew tons of stuff before he even entered college and of course college helped him understand processor/GPU/VPU architecture and on top of all that he reads too much.He reads all the whitepapers and every technical info. that are available on company sites.
brandon - Sunday, April 11, 2004 - link
My view is that post-secondary education is meant to give you that piece of paper that tells potential employers that you are capable of learning, and at least have a broad/basic knowledge of information you will need as a foundation for your job. I think that when you enter the workplace, you may use some of the knowledge you learned at school, but you will learn a lot more useful/practical knowledge and gain experience actually doing the work itself. Although in some of Anand's more technical articles, I'm thinking that he is able to reference things he learned in school. Maybe I'm wrong and its reversed, and he's using stuff he learned through working on the site in school.:D
Anonymous - Saturday, April 10, 2004 - link
Tacbay: That's a very immature comment. Yes, most people go to college so they can get good jobs and live their lives as respectable people.If Anand has a good business that doesn't mean he should just quit school. What about the respect? Education enhances the human mind. You can make tons of money but no going to school but you will have no tastes in life.
You have to be educated to sit, talk, and eat with respectable people. You have know how to make important and good decisions and ONLY education gives you that ability.
Another point: What if Anand has to shut down AnandTech for some reason? How would he support his family then? He will have to work at a local grocery store and he will get the minimum wages. From driving a BMW, he will drop down to a 2nd hand Nissan or something. His standard of living will drop. Once the CEO/Editor-in-Chief of AnandTech (the most well-respected site) will now live the life of a poor.
How will that hurt him emotionally, I guess you can imagine that?
If he get the education, then he can probably work for Intel and AMD and earn the wages he deserves. Maybe he won't make millions by working for AMD or Intel but at least he will have a good job.
Anand Lal Shimpi - Friday, April 9, 2004 - link
chilledThat's great feedback, just wait till you see how much better organized they will be on the new site design :)
brian hit the nail on the head - I went to college because of a personal desire to learn, not because of career goals - which was the original intent of higher education, and theoretically the current intent. I think my approach gave me a different set of values throughout the experience, and unfortunately I've emerged disappointed with the process. This will be the subject of future blogs :)
Take care,
Anand
brian - Friday, April 9, 2004 - link
all I know is that education's major purpose is not to allow you so support yourself and your family. It is to expand peoples knowledge. If you go to college just so that you will have a good job and have money, then you're going for the wrong reason. Grant it, many people do just that, but it's not the reason you should go. I go to learn more about something that interests me and the good job and money are just a bonus that I get when I do learn it.
chilled - Friday, April 9, 2004 - link
The short news articles that are becoming an ever increasing presence on the site are great. I am finding them much more reliable than the similar news articles at other websites. Keep them coming ;)Is the Bhangra Blowout a yearly thing - sorta coincides with Varsakhi, doesn't it? (If I sound clueless - I am, but being over in London, England stuck on a 56K modem does that to you!)
Tacbay - Friday, April 9, 2004 - link
What I don't understand is: If you already have a successful business, one with the capacity to float you for the rest of your life...why are you wasting your time in college?Education is fine to a point...but it's major purpose is to allow you to support yourself and your family. I'd bet you're already there.
I'd spend my time on other ventures: Growing the business I had, or looking for new ventures.
I do enjoy the blog though.