AI - Sterling

I started new work on the artificial intelligence dev project. After many years and piles of scattered notebooks full of fragments of code, theory, and test plans I've began the process of compiling all of this work into one master book, pulling together all of my previous designs and actually adding new material.

Algorithms are my main focus at the moment, in this case a primary algo-- one algo to rule the rest. This algo is a holy grail and is code-named "Sterling"; It is young, undeveloped, but the goal is becoming defined slowly along with the mathematical structure(s) needed for processing. Sterling will be a component of the main engine but will also serve a greater role as a top-level control.

I am also working on an algo called "Harlequin": I will not go into the depths of Harlequin at this time as it is a unique algorithm construct that I am very protective of. It will be used for the analysis of memory\arrays, process optimization, and DB control.

Under The Volcano

I went to a post-launch get-together with the company the other evening at a Manhattan bar named "Under the Volcano". I had a nice time. I sat with one of the QA team, Chiky, and with a programmer, Jesse. We talked the whole time mostly about programming, languages, needed QA tools, etc. Everyone sat in small groups over drinks just chatting, relaxed. This was fun and a different aspect of the workplace; This allowed for a sense of celebration for the hard work that was done (for the project) and it also allowed for everyone to get to know one-another a bit better outside of the office.

Testing Over-- Party Begins

Well, according to the title bar, the new version testing is over for the build and a party began to celebrate this at a bar in Manhattan, tonight. The party didn't start for me, though. I went home to see Monica, instead.

The QA team\testers, programmers, all support staff, and myself were invited to an Irish pub-like bar near the office for a drink. And, I didn't go. Doesn't surprise me; I like each person I work with and sort of wanted to go but there is some (un)natural resistance within that prevents my joining-in in situations like this. I'm not exactly sure why. But, the testing is done and that's what is important.

Blog 1.2

It has been a long time since I've posted-- almost a year. That's hard to believe in some ways. I will not commit to daily updates at this time as, for now, this will suffice. I've done freelance web dev, contractual web dev + graphic design, and various interviews and "tryouts" (a bizarro-world take on an extended interview of sorts) over the last year; I put much serious time into all of this and I thought it meant a lot. It means a lot as to 'experience' but now, not much more. Perspectives change.

The change as of late is with a new job: I was hired by 'TaskStream' in Manhattan as a software tester. Sweet. TaskStream develops high-end educational and assessment software for schools, the military, and other organizations. This began as a contractual job for end-cycle testing ( late February, 2008 release) That was cool but in some ways depressing; I soon came to really like this place, the work, and all the people that where there. I tested, reported bugs, and have learned so much doing it, the whole time knowing it would end soon. But it didn't.

I was recently called into the boardroom one afternoon by the QA Manager and the Lead Web Developer. I thought: "What's this about??" I soon found out. I was offered a full-time job as a web developer && a graphic designer! Very sweet. The testing cycle ends in a few days and I will begin new web dev projects with my new boss. This is all very exciting and somewhat hard to believe.