May Catch-up

Sorry, I haven't posted for a while... Things have been crazy. But Girls' Camp is over, so now I can hopefully find time to update the blog.


Here's some info on what's been going on...

In May the weather got warmer, and we've really been enjoying the big backyard!



We also went to visit some friends in Thatcher and went rock climbing! Reid tried it out too!

(lovely views, I know)

So, at the end of May, we had a really great time hanging out with family at the park for Memorial Day. Reid loved the dirt and the soccer ball.

Arduino

So I'm back at it again. I hadn't done anything with my stepper-motor powered Lego car for a few months because I had burned out one of my power supplies. Then, in the process of upgrading my computer's video card, I swapped out my motherboard to get a PCI-E slot and the new motherboard didn't have a parallel port. It's a bit risky pulling out all the power supplies and delicate components with the now-walking toddler. But, I decided to do it anyhow.

I got the serial communication working with my stepper motor driver, and programmed up a simple Visual Basic application to control it. The stepper-motor driver uses an ATMega168 microcontroller to drive an H-Bridge to push enough current to drive the motor. The unfortunate part is that the Australian company I bought the controller from will not provide the source code. So, I can't do much to modify the microcontroller at all. Well, I could, but no guarantees I could get it back to the original if I goofed up.

So, instead, I purchased an Arduino Duemilanove from www.sparkfun.com. (It's only $30 plus shipping!) Had I known about this board originally, I would have bought it first and simply added an H-Bridge chip to run my motors. I'll probably end up doing this now anyhow. But once I have it working, I can gleefully pull the ATMega168 out of the other stepper motor controller and re-program it. Hopefully it will fit in the socket on my Arduino.

Meanwhile, I've dissassembled a cd-drive and an inkjet printer and salvaged several stepper and DC motors, as well as some gears and axles. These will be great scrap components for my future gadgets.

I've been looking into what it would take to add WiFi to my Arduino. There's several solutions, all of which cost about $80. I may be able to work around the cost factor using my computer as a base station to gain access to the network. I can connect a RF transmitter / receiver combo to my Arduino, and another set to the serial port on my computer. Then, with some simple programming, I can connect to my computer via TCP/IP and have my server program relay any information to the serial-connected RF transmitter. It's not a real elegant solution, but it's about the same as using the XBee product.

The downside would be that the car would be restricted to networks that I can run my software and hardware on. I really would like it to be more robust, so I may just have to save up my pennies for a while until I decide to splurge again and by my next major component. Until then, I'll just work on my tethered vehicle.

There's still some major work to be done to get the motor's drive shaft connected to the car's axle without the slippage of a rubber band. I'd really like to get a gear on that axle, but haven't had much luck getting the plastic to stay connected to the metal shaft.

Is Google Reading My Email?

Usually, I'm a big proponent of Google. Sometimes people talk about Google like it's some sort of Microsoft type software giant that needs to be broken up according to anti-trust laws. But I like Google. I think they put out quality products, provide excellent features, and still have a sense of humor.

Sure, let Google crawl my webpage or my blog... then maybe someone will read the dribble i scrawl across cyberspace. But that's ok because I'm posting that stuff out there with the intention that someone is reading it.

But what about your email? Do you think it's secure, and that no one reads it but you? Don't they encrypt it when they send it to the server, or to someone else's inbox? I don't know, but probably not. I doubt there's any RSA Public / Private key exchanges going on.

Well, stop by your gmail inbox, and read some of the advertizing along the right hand side. The ads are populated based on the text of your emails. This means that before your email is displayed, Google reads the text and queries some SQL server to pull custom ads to display on the side-pane. Perhaps that data is encrypted too? Doubtful. I'm just not to keen on the idea that Google is crawling my email... and eventually, I'll find some personal note published where any unsuspecting googler might mistakenly come across my information. My online order receipts... or my password reset notifications.

I know it's been this way for quite a long time... and it never bothered me so much. Not that I have a whole lot of real importance that I need to hide... but if I did, I probably wouldn't use gmail... or email at all for that matter.

Update:
Check out the following link: http://search.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=10/05/22/1218242

Does He Ever Cry?

So, I have this friend at church who's little girl seems so sad everytime she is at church. My friend promises that her little girl will happily lay on a blanket for long periods of time at home, but thinks that maybe she doesn't like being out in public.

Well, Reid is the exact opposite. If he's out in public, he's happier than ever. He knows just what to do to reel everyone in too. He gives them a big smile, then hides in my chest, then gives a big smile and hides in my chest. It's like he knows that if he doesn't just sit there and smile all the time, they will keep paying attention to him. Seriously, can he have manipulation down at 9 months?!

So I started thinking.... how much pre-wiring into their personalities do babies come with? I mean he's not even a year old (or my friend's baby isn't even 3 months old yet)! Do they really have a personality already? And if so, do they really know how to show it? Cuz let's face, they are still figuring out what this whole physical body thing is all about. Can they really be showing intravert and extravert tendencies at this age? I mean, I thought that was something you figure out once your an adult and you're forced to do teambuilding stuff at work... But maybe, it always was there.

So the other night, laying in bed, waiting to fall asleep, I started to wonder... If Reid is already showing extravert tendencies, what are the chances that he is going to be geek? I fear, not very good. I know I am an extravert, but let's face it, I'm the girl. Girls naturally talk more. When I was at BYU, there is only one major extravert I can think of, and his form of extravert was sitting in the back of the classroom heckle-ing the teacher and making up names for everyone based on their weird querks. (and how sad is it, that my "querk" was that I was THE blonde girl)

I digress... The most common thing we used to hear was "What a smiley baby!".. now all I hear is "Does he ever cry?" .. the answer to the question, is YES, he does cry, every day. At all the normal baby times, when he's hungry, tired, not being held, or when he doesn't have an audience.

But what really matters here people, is whether or not he is going to be a GEEK!

More on merging

In response to Gretchen's comment on "Changing Lanes is not the Same as Merging":


Question -

"How do you feel about the situation where a merge is required and the merge lane is stopped but the main lane is steadily moving, but solid with traffic? It's rare, but I've seen it. Do cars stuck in the lane that is ending have to wait for hell to freeze over, or at some point is it ok for someone in the main lane who sees they will NEVER get in to slow down to a near stop and let them in?"

Answer -

If people actually followed the traffic laws, this is how it would go down:

A car approaches a merge where their lane is ending.
The car puts on their blinker before coming to a complete stop and should attempt to "change lanes" before coming to a complete stop.
If changing lanes is not possible before the lane ends, the car stops at the merge point and their blinker remains on.
People in the through traffic lane see a car with their blinker on. The stopped car(s) and traffic control devices indicating an upcoming merge should be an indication to drivers in the through lane of what is happening ahead.
The first few people can't react in time, so they continue on past.
People who are approaching the merge point should realize that a car is attempting to merge up ahead because they can see the blinker on well in advance.
This is where the part about "preventing a merge" comes in. Since people in the through lane have adequate warning that something is happening, they should be able to slow down in time to allow a merge to occur.
If they fail to allow the merge to happen when they've had adequare warning, then they're considered driving recklessly and should receive a traffic ticket.
Traffic should zipper together, every other car if there is a constant supply of cars in both lanes.
If only an occasional car is in the ending lane, then they must wait for the through traffic to slow down so they can merge.

If an accident happens while merging, it will always be the fault of the car who was doing the merge (ie: the car coming from the lane which is ending), because they left their lane before it was safe to move into the other lane. So, the merging traffic should be especially careful that the through traffic is actually letting them in.

So yes, someone should let the merge happen. Unfortunately people don't allow the merge, and never get a traffic ticket.

But if they never get a traffic ticket, how will they know they ever did something wrong? They never will, I suppose. This is why I think people need to take refresher Driver's Ed classes, or pass some sort of "advanced driving" test in order to renew their license. (I also think that "salvage titles" are a scam by the insurance companies... I'll blog about that sometime in the future.)

This does not apply to people pulling out onto the street from a business or side street. That is not a merge. I am un-aware of any laws which dictate how that situation would be handled.

Changing lanes is not the same as merging

Coming from Arizona, where driver's licenses don't expire till you're 65, I'm quite a proponent of requiring an intermediate driver's test in order to keep it valid. I don't blame the older generation for all of Tucson's driving problems though. Personally, I think that taking driver's ed before you can drive is educational, but nonsense in practicality. You really need to take it again once you've been driving for a while so that it might seem a little more pertinent.

Sometimes, I think that cell phones have become the bane of society. People no longer think -- they just call. But recently, I've changed perspectives and decided that it's the automobile that is the real bane of society. What has the car done for us? It practially makes it so you never have to talk to your neighbors. You get in the car in the garage and drive away. And where do you go? To some Wal-Mart store far away where you can buy your tires, shoes, mp3 player, and tomatoes all at the same place? What happened to Mom and Pop's corner store that you could walk to? What happened to community comrodary and Neighborhood Watch? When did you have to ride the bus for an hour to get to school?

Of all the reasons for the downfall of the automobile, the one particularly on my mind lately is the fact that the drivers don't understand that changing lanes is not the same as merging.

Oddly, these two topics are barely even touched on in the Arizona Driver's Manual. So, let me enlighten you on a few of the finer points of driving. (The official Arizona State Traffic Laws are here: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp?Title=28)

Changing Lanes:
"Broken white lines separate lanes of
traffic going in the same direction.
These lines may be crossed with caution.
(Remember to signal your intention to
change lanes.)"

Solid white lines are used for turn
lanes and to prevent lane changes
near intersections. Arrows are
often used with the white lines to
indicate which turn may be made
from the lane." (Arizona Driver's Manual, 30)

"You should always signal before you: Change lanes..." (Arizona Driver's Manual, 32)

Those are the only things mentioned in the manual about changing lanes. Now, let's consider the following roadway, it's an actual example that I drive on my way home from work. There are three lanes of traffic that travel straight through an intersection, and two left turn lanes which open as you approach the intersection.

According to the Arizona Driver's Manual, you should not cross a solid white line. In fact, it's purpose is to prevent changing lanes near intersections. That means, in order to enter either of the left turn lanes, one must be in the left lane of through traffic before the solid white line begins. At this point, you would change lanes into either of the left turn lanes by appropriately signaling your intention. Once in the either left turn lane, you may change lanes into the other turn lane, but cannot leave the turn lane to return to the through traffic. That would require crossing the solid white line, which is prohibited.

So, what do you do if you couldn't get into the left turn lane? Or if you mistakenly got into the turn lane, and you didn't really want to turn there? You are required to maintain your lane and cross the intersection with the traffic in that lane. This may require you to pass through the intersection, do a U-Turn and come back to the intersection to take the appropriate course. It is not only rude to do otherwise, it is illegal.

Suppose for a moment, that we're on a normal, straight road, with only a single white broken line.

"A person shall drive a vehicle as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not move the vehicle from that lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety." (A.R.S. 28-729)

Although vague, this is the most concise law respecting changing lanes and merging. While changing lanes and merging are not the same thing, many of the same laws apply to both.

Simply turning on your blinker to signal your lane change is not enough. It is the driver making the lane change who is responsible for ensuring that the lane of traffic is clear to move into (Arizona State Law: A.R.S. 28-729). In essence, through traffic always has the right of way, unless otherwise marked. Simply turning on your blinker does not give you the right of way. You must wait until there is a space large enough (and a little more) for your vehicle before making the lane change. You cannot simply stick the nose of your vehicle in the other lane of traffic and force other cars to make space for you. It is, however, illegal to purposely prevent another vehicle from changing lanes or merging. If you see a vehicle in an adjacent lane signal a lane change with enough advance notice that you are able to accomodate the lane change, you should do so. Remember though, that this requires the driver to turn on their blinker, and leave it active long enough for others to accomodate the change.

Nowhere will you find in the Arizona Driver's Manual that it says you cannot stop in a lane of traffic. This is quite common, for a number of reasons: Mechanical failures, traffic accidents, traffic jams, traffic signals or signs, pedestrians, left turns from 2 lane highways, ect. In fact, stopping is one of the best things someone can do in a dangerous situation, as long as it's done corectly. It is the responsibility of those behind the stopping vehicle to slow their speed as well. However, Arizona State Law (A.R.S. 28-704) makes it clear that you must maintain the flow of traffic, as long as it is safe to do so. This means that you cannot stop in a lane of traffic in order to change lanes.

"A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when either of the following applies:
1. Reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
2. The reasonable flow of traffic exceeds the maximum safe operating speed of the lawfully operated implement of husbandry." (A.R.S. 28-704)

Merging:

The major difference between merging and changing lanes is that merging happens when a lane ceases to exist. When changing lanes, both lanes continue to exist, or additional lanes have been created which can then be moved into. Sometimes a lane is closed due to construction, or maintenance or some other traffic hazard. This becomes a merge, not a lane change. Traffic which *changes lanes* before the obstruction or lane closure are participating in a lane change, not a merge. The merge applies to the first car in the lane before the obstruction occours.

Often during a merge, traffic cannot flow forward, so the ending traffic lane must stop. Ideally, traffic "zippers" together as the merge commences. This means that, when solid traffic exists in both lanes, cars from either lane alternate. However, this is not true when traffic is spaced as to allow more than one car from either lane through before another merge should happen. In this scenario, the merging traffic (ie: the traffic in the lane which is ending) must yeild to the through traffic (A.R.S. 28-729). It is the merging traffic's responsibility to wait until there is an opening for their car to safely move into. The through traffic is obligated to stop or slow down to let traffic in *only* when they've have a reasonable ability to do so. Failing to allow a reasonable merge to happen is considered agressive driving. It is the same as where a person purposefully attempts to prevent someone from merging or changing lanes where it would have otherwise been safe and legal (A.R.S. 28-695).

Moral Implications:
So, with all the talk of what is legal and what is not, how am I affected by this morally? My opinion is this:

It is my personal responsibility to first uphold the law, regardless of what is considered polite or customary. I should be polite to others when doing so does not require me to break the law.

Often, people feel the need to let someone in. I think that is rude and inconsiderate to everyone else behind you. In an effort to be polite to one person, you are being rude to several. Stopping in the lane of traffic is against the law, and will likely cause a traffic accident by attempting to let someone in. Besides, if you followed the law, traffic would flow better, and the person wouldn't have trouble getting in by themselves. However, obeying the law should be considered being polite. Has that changed?

Occasionally, people try to let themselves in. This is rude. This shows a deliberate disregard for the well-being of everyone around them. It is prideful... that they think they should be allowed to disobey the law because it is convienient for them. That they are more important than everyone else, and should be above the law.

A little bit of brains goes a long way. Let me take a single word from Thomas Watson, founder of IBM. "Think." If people would just think, there would be far less problems. Hang up the cell phone, and just drive. If you need to make a turn, and you don't know when it's coming up, get in the appropriate lane ahead of time. Use your blinker, it helps convey what's on your mind to everyone else around you.

I should not feel bad for obeying the law. I should not feel pressured to break the law. Going the speed limit is my perogative. Yet, I should let faster traffic pass me, even if they are disobeying the law by doing so. It is not my place to force others to obey the law. They must choose to do so by themselves. However, it is my responsibility to stand up for what is right; especially when the safety of my family is jepordized by another's failure to comply with the statues of the state. I do not need to be ashamed to inform people about the law. They have already agreed to abide by the state traffic laws by choosing to live here -- even if they don't have a driver's license.

Need I Say More?

Really, is there anything cuter?

But here's a few more just so you can debate. :)

Reid loves our dogs... and our friend's dog too.

He likes Daddy too!

Guess he needed a better view.

I love it when kids sleep with their butts in the air!

(Thank you Jennifer - I get so many compliments on these PJs, I love them!)