Studies in Computer Sciences and Practices in Software Engineering

Bad CVSROOT: Hostname required

The latest cvsnt is not compatible with wincvs.

10:50:48 PM on 10/31/2008 by x mar - General - comments

Producing Manuscripts for SPIE Proceedings Using MikTex and TexnicCenter

It doesn't take long to locate the Latex and BibTeX style files for SPIE Proceedings. But it took me some time to figure out how to get it working. So if you're new to Latex like me and working on a Windows environment, this may save you some time.

1. Use MikTex Package Manager to make sure the packages ifthen and cite are installed. It's most likely so if you made a full MikTex installation.

2. Download the class file, spie.cls and the bibiography style file, spiebib.bst and place in a newly created folder for your manuscript project. This may not be the best way to do it but it works.

3. Download the example files: article.tex, report.bib, and mcr3b.eps and place them it the directory created in the previous step. The file mcr3b.eps is actually named mcr3b.ps. Make sure you rename it when or after you downloaded it. You may also want to rename the .tex file into a name that's more representitive of the topic of your article (e.g. myspiearticle.tex).

4. In TeXnicCenter, use "File->Open..." to open the .tex file. At this point, no project has been created yet.

5. To create the project for the article, go to TeXnicCenter main menu and select "Project->Create with active file as main file". In the popup window, check "Use BibTeX" check box and select a proper language (en) and Dialect (US). This will create a project named as your .tex file name.

6. At this time, you're ready to build the project by selecting "Build->Build Output" from the main menu or by pressing F7. You may repeat the build up to three times to remove all the warnings.

If the selected output profile is "LaTeX => PDF", you'll probably get the following LaTeX error: "Unknown graphics extension: .eps.". To get around the error, you may "Build->Select Output profile..." one other than "LaTeX => PDF". For example, MiKTeX comes with a nice "Yap" DVI viewer. If you do need a PDF file as an output, you can select "LaTeX => PS => PDF" as your output profile.

Finally, if anyone knows the proper way to install the style files, please drop me a note.

01:01:07 PM on 10/28/2008 by x mar - General - comments

The Death of Efficient-market Hypothesis (EMH)

a flaw in the model ... that defines how the world works."
What came from Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan carries a lot of weight.

07:10:38 PM on 10/23/2008 by x mar - General - comments

1. Where do you stand on the financial recovery plan?

Obama:

McCain:

Obama 0, McCain 1

Obama gives empty promises, McCain point out where the problem is.

2. Are the fundamental differences between Sen. McCain & Sen. Obama on how to solve financial crisis?

McCain: Earmark

Obama: Taxcut for 95% America McCain 0, Obama 1

McCain's attack of Obama on earmarks, although related, doesn't seemed to be on the point that solves the immediate crisis. As Obama made it, "eliminating the earmarks along is not a recipe how we're going to to make the middle class back on track."

3. As President, what priorities would you have to give up to pay for the financial recovery plan?

Obama: Things we can't short change: 1. Energy independence, 2. Health care, 3. Science

McCain: Control cost and eliminating federal agencies that is not effective.

Obama 0, McCain 0

Both tried to avoid the question directly.

4. What do you see as the lessons of Iraq?

McCain:

Obama: Opposed the war at the time when doing it is politically risky.

McCain 1, Obama 1

This has been talked so many times, most people are determined in this issue.

5. Should more troops be sent to Afghanistan, how many and when?

Obama:

McCain: "If you going to aim a gun to somebody, you'd better prepared to pull the trigger." I know how to work with Pakistan, will not say attack Pakistan in public.

Obama-1, McCain-1

6. What's your reading to the threat of Iran.

McCain: Impose sanctions to Iran will work. Talking to Iran will legitimate their behavior.

Obama: War in Iraq strengthened Iran. We need to talk to Iran.

McCain - 0, Obama - 1

7. How do you see the U.S. relationship with Russia?

Obama: Can't return to cold war. Invest in Energy independence to starve Russia of Petro-dollar.

McCain: Russia's behavior in Georgia in unacceptable. Will support Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO. Let Ukrainians know that we're their friend.

Obama - , McCain -

10:34:45 AM on 09/27/2008 by x mar - General - 1 comment

Does Wall Street Really Turned So Dishonorable?

Less than a week past since the Government's plan to assist the financial service companies, before talking is heard that Merrill Lynch (NYSE:MER) may/should/will back out from its deal to sell to Bank of America (NYSE:BOA).

I felt these kind of talk is incredibly naive and reflect badly of the integrity of some people in the Wall Street.

11:23:27 PM on 09/24/2008 by x mar - General - comments

It's Good to See Concenses Are Building to Rescue Banks

While Treasure Secretary Henry Paulson and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke are working on putting together a plan to rescue banks from their bad debts, Sen. Charles Schumer urged Congress to offer a financial lifeline.

However, I feel that the punishment on AIG of taking a 79.9% stake in return for just extending a loan was too harsh. The shareholder has been punished hard enough. I hope there isn't a socialist agenda behind Sen. Schumer when he wants govenment to take equity stakes in return of capital infusion.

The government should dispose any equity stake as soon as feasible.

10:22:18 PM on 09/18/2008 by x mar - General - comments

It's not the Time to Worry About Moral Hazard

Words has been leaking out that AIG may get loan from the Fed. I would applause such an action by the Fed. I believe it's imparative for government agenciess to step up and rescue AIG. The financial market cann't afford another Lehman Brother fiasco.

For one thing, the AIG is in the need for capital stems from the down grade of its credit rating by the rating agencies. The irony is that these are the very institutions that played a major part in the financial crisis to begin with. These are the institutions that places top grade to exotic "financial instruments" that turned out to be toxic. While their credibilities are totally in trash, the financial world is, by and large, still operating arround their action. That, in my view, is completely unacceptable.

To be sure, the financial institutions, be it the insurance company, mortgage bank, or investment bank, each has their own share of blame. Unfortunately, the mistakes of each institution collectively caused the problem to feed to each other. When favor is returned back to each institution, the damages it can cause has been magified many times over.

While the officials that do have the tremendous power in their hand are saying that they're "not for a second considered using the tax payers money to ball out" any institution. One has to ask where are they when the speculation in real estate was running rampant a couple of years ago. Are they doing their job when anyone with good common sense should know wealth cann't be created out of thin air and going is bound to end badly?

Enough is enough! It's way passed the time of worrying about "moral hazard". It's time for the government to step in to halt the panic and restore confidence, to provide an environmnet and means to allow orderly unwinding of the excess, even if it means tax payer will end up carrying a share of the burden.

03:31:57 PM on 09/16/2008 by x mar - General - comments

Both Palin and Gibson Got a "C" Today

Palin is clearly nervous, as if she's interviewing for a job. She should losen up and throw some balls back to Gibson. She can be more assertive and take opportunity to enhance her Washington outsider image. I don't feel bad that Palin does not know exactly what "Bush Doctrine" is. I, for one, is very bad in memorizing the numenclactures.

The thing Palin is lacking is a self sense of being "Presidential". No, Palin, you didn't need to ask Gibson to clarify "in what sense" of "Bush Doctrine" you're asked, You should command him to "Define 'Bush Doctrine'".

02:22:00 AM on 09/12/2008 by x mar - General - comments

Is This Guy Smarter than a Five Grader?

It's OK you can't beat a five grader in all subjects, But if you're a writer who writes for a national media, you'd better be able to beat a five grader in critical thinking. Or do you have to?

Take a look at the following article titled "On Obama, Earmarks, Palin Less Than Honest" by RUSSELL GOLDMAN that appeared in abcnews.com on Sept. 4 2008:

In a rousing speech at last night's Republican National Convention, vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska, touted her record, attacked the opposition, and in some cases, bent the facts.

"PALIN: "[Obama] is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word 'victory' except when he's talking about his own campaign."

FACT: On July 15, in a speech in Washington, D.C., Obama twice used the word "victory" in reference to Iraq.

...

The proposition in Palin's speech is that Obama CAN "give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word 'victory'". To disapprove the proposition, one must show that it's not possible for Obama to give a speech about the war without using the word "victory". The fact that Ohama did use victory a few times in his speech does not prove the proposition as false. In reality, being able to give a speech about any war without using the word "victory" is not at all a difficult task to achieve. Of course, place in the context, Palin means that even in making a calculated political speech, Obama would still avoid using the word victory. Exatrirating? Maybe, or maybe not!

"PALIN: "There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform -- not even in the state senate."

FACT: The meaning of "major" is open to debate, but Obama worked with Republicans, including Sen. Richard Luger of Indiana, to pass legislation that would expand efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. While a state senator in Illinois, he sponsored two contentious bills, one that studied racial profiling by police and another that ordered interrogations in potential death penalty cases to be recorded.

"PALIN: "I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history. And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence. That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart."

FACT: That infrastructure project has not yet been approved by federal regulators. The proposed pipeline would ship natural gas from the Alaska's North Slope to homes and businesses across the United States. In June, the Alaskan legislature, with Palin's prodding, agreed to pay Canadian energy company TransCanada $500 million as an incentive to build the pipeline.

"PALIN: "And I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending: nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes. I suspended the state fuel tax and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress 'thanks, but no thanks,' for that Bridge to Nowhere."

FACT: While serving as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, Palin hired Steven Silver, a former chief of staff for Sen. Ted Stevens, to lobby Congress for earmarks. Wasilla received around $27 million in federal money, about as much as Boise, Idaho. Boise has a population of 200,000 people, compared with Wasilla's 10,000. Earmarked funds went to sewage improvements and improving roads connecting the town to a local ski resort.

As for the Bridge to Nowhere, Palin initially supported using federal funds to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to Gravina Island, which has 50 residents and a small airport. It was not until the plan was ridiculed that she withdrew her support. Critics contend she still supports using federal money to build a 3.4 mile Road to Nowhere on the island for $26 million -- from the funds for the bridge.

"PALIN: While I was at it, I got rid of a few things in the governor's office that I didn't believe our citizens should have to pay for. That luxury jet was over the top. I put it on eBay. I also drive myself to work.

FACT: Soon after entering office, Palin put the state-owned Westwind II jet that her predecessor Frank Murkowski purchased amid much criticism. When the deal fell through with the sole eBay bidder, the plane was sold offline.

Is this author a moran? Can't he tell the difference between "put on eBay" and "Sold on eBay"? Did Palin put the jet on eBay only as a gesture yet had no real intention to sell it? Well, read on:

Alaskan businessman Larry Reynolds paid $2.1 million for the jet after learning about it from Republican John L. Harris, speaker of the Alaskan House of Representatives.

Palin, as she said, drives herself to work. In July, her Chevy Suburban was rear-ended while driving from Wasilla to her office in downtown Anchorage.

10:44:02 PM on 09/05/2008 by x mar - General - comments

Finally a Positive Article on Palin in Main Stream Media

KIMBERLEY A. STRASSEL on her WSJ POTOMAC WATCH column wrote a positive article on Sarah Palin, titled "How Palin Beat Alaska's Establishment".

In the article Strassel wrote:

She thanks oil companies and says executives who "seek maximum revenue" are "simply doing their job." She says her own job is to be a "savvy" negotiator on behalf of Alaska's citizens and to provide credible oversight.
Palin may just get my vote (by pocketbook).

03:46:21 PM on 09/05/2008 by x mar - General - comments
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