- September 1, 2019 - January 2, 2021 (70 weeks, approx. 17 1/2 months). - 7 10-week terms, 4 simultaneous areas of study in each term.
[C]: Completed (covered at least 90% of material). [H]: Half-completed (covered at least 50% of material).
- % of completion based on # of pages or topics covered and fully comprehended. Remaining % may be irrelevant, incomprehensible or inaccessible due to missing support material or unsupported hardware. Reasons for incompleteness provided. - (Software) as a course includes a collection of tutorials and study material. - Courses to be completed in order shown.
1st Term: Sep 1 - Nov 9 ================== [C] Math Power [C] Technical Mathematics
[C] Mastering DOS 6
[H] Assembly Language Step-by-Step *
[C] AutoCAD 2000i (Software) [C] Mastering AutoCAD 2000 [C] AutoCAD 2000i Tutorial Second Level: 3D Modeling [C] AutoCAD 2000: 3D Modeling, A Visual Approach [C] AutoCAD 2000 3D [C] 3D Modeling in AutoCAD
* Completed ~80% for interest in DOS 16-bit real-mode flat and segmented memory models, only read through remaining text on Linux 32-bit protected-mode.
2nd Term: Nov 10 - Jan 18 ===================== [ ] Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide [ ] PSSC Physics [ ] HS Math Review
[ ] Open Watcom (Software) * [ ] C Programming in Easy Steps [ ] Teach Yourself C in 24 Hours [ ] C by Dissection [ ] A Book on C
[ ] The ABC's of AutoLISP ** [ ] AutoCAD VBA Programming **
[ ] ACT Victory
* Includes compiling for DOS 16-bit, 32-bit DOS/4GW and Win32. ** Includes additional studies of AutoCAD customization and VBA.
3rd Term: Jan 19 - Mar 28 ==================== [ ] Algebra and Trigonometry
[ ] Visual C++ 5/6 (Software) [ ] Visual C++ 5 for Dummies [ ] C++ for Dummies
[ ] Zen of Graphics Programming [ ] Tricks of the Game Programming Gurus
[ ] Russian for Dummies [1st half]
4th Term: Mar 29 - Jun 6 =================== [ ] Physics: Algebra/Trig
[ ] C++ in Plain English [ ] C++ Primer
[ ] Black Art of 3D Game Programming
[ ] Russian for Dummies [2nd half]
5th Term: Jun 7 - Aug 15 =================== [ ] Trigonometry
[ ] Beginning Math and Physics for Game Programmers [ ] 3D Math Primer for Gfx and Game Dev
[ ] Cutting Edge 3D Game Programming with C++
[ ] Living Language: Russian [1st half]
6th Term: Aug 16 - Oct 24 ==================== [ ] Precalculus
[ ] Programming Game AI by Example [ ] Artificial Intelligence for Games
[ ] Flights of Fantasy [ ] Build Your Own Flight Sim in C++
[ ] Living Language: Russian [2nd half]
7th Term: Oct 25 - Jan 2 =================== [ ] Windows Game Programming for Dummies [ ] DirectX 3D Graphics Programming Bible
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
Pre-College Math and Physics ======================== Math - Math Power - World Book Encyclopedia - Technical Mathematics 4th Ed. - R. Smith
Physics - Basic Physics: A Self-Teaching Guide - K. Kuhn - PSSC Physics 6th Ed. - U. Haber-Schaim, J. Dodge, J. Walter
HS Math Review 50 Chapter Review tests from high-school math textbooks (1982-85): Holt Algebra 1 [16], Geometry [15], Algebra 2 with Trig... [19] - Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Basic College Math and Physics ========================= Algebra & Trig - Algebra and Trigonometry - R. Blitzer * - Trigonometry - J. Beecher, J. Penna, M. Bittinger
Physics - Physics: Algebra/Trig 2nd Ed. - E. Hecht
Pre-Calculus - Precalculus 5th Ed. - J. Stewart, L. Redlin, S. Watson
* Includes complete Precalculus Essentials 2nd. Ed. - R. Blitzer
Programming =========== Batch & QBASIC - Mastering DOS 6 Special Edition - J. Robbins
Assembler - Assembly Language Step-by-Step 2nd Ed. - J. Duntemann
IDE Compilers - Open Watcom - Open Watcom Contributors - Visual C++ 5/6 - Microsoft
C - C Programming in Easy Steps - M. McGrath - Teach Yourself C in 24 Hours - T. Zhang - C by Dissection - A. Kelley, I. Pohl - A Book on C 2nd Ed. - A. Kelley, I. Pohl
C++ - Visual C++ 5 for Dummies - M. Hyman, B. Arnson - C++ for Dummies - R. Davis - C++ in Plain English 3rd Ed. - B. Overland - C++ Primer 3rd Ed. - S. Lippman, J. Lajoie
Game Math and AI =============== Math & Physics - Beginning Math and Physics for Game Programmers - W. Stahler - 3D Math Primer for Graphics and Game Dev... - F. Dunn, I. Parberry
AI - Programming Game AI by Example - M. Buckland - Artificial Intelligence for Games - I. Millington
Game Programming ================ DOS - Zen of Graphics Programming - M. Abrash - Tricks of the Game Programming Gurus - A. LaMothe, J. Ratcliff... - Black Art of 3D Game Programming - A. LaMothe - Cutting Edge 3D Game Programming with C++ - J. De Goes - Flights of Fantasy - C. Lampton - Build Your Own Flight Sim in C++ - M. Radtke, C. Lampton
Win32 - Windows Game Programming for Dummies 2nd Ed. - A. LaMothe - DirectX 3D Graphics Programming Bible - J. Sanchez, M. Canton - Blitz Basic (BlitzPlus and Blitz3D) - Blitz Research
3D Modeling ========== Milkshape - Milkshape - M. Ciragan - Hands on Milkshape - A. Stewart
DeleD - DeleD - Delgine
AutoCAD ======= General - AutoCAD 2000i - Autodesk - Mastering AutoCAD 2000 - G. Omura
3D - AutoCAD 2000i Tutorial Second Level: 3D Modeling - R. Shih - AutoCAD 2000: 3D Modeling, A Visual Approach - J. Wilson - AutoCAD 2000 3D - B. Matthews - 3D Modeling in AutoCAD - J. Wilson
Customization - The ABC's of AutoLISP - G. Omura - AutoCAD VBA Programming - J. Gibb, B. Kramer
Russian - Russian for Dummies 2nd Ed. - A. Kaufman, S. Gettys - Living Language: Russian - C. Muravnik - Russian Course - N. Brown
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
WOW! How old are you may I ask? I am old. I don't think I can do that anymore or pick up things to learn. It's harder to learn something and retain it as you get older.
A lot of deep stuff, but what caught my attention was the Russian language. I'm just curious, what prompted your interest? I find Russian to be a beautiful sounding language. Too bad I'm too lazy to really set my mind to learning it.
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,346PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,346
Miami, FL USA
Knowing Russian in Louisiana is about as practical as knowing German in Miami!
Believe me, I know!!!
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
I'm 52. After a couple of unorganized false starts in July/Aug, I started this detailed plan on Sep 1st, the day after my 52nd birthday. The first two terms are meant for me to finish high school properly (not just technically) by completing some of the maths and physics I didn't take 35 years ago.
Originally Posted by PanzerMeyer
Knowing Russian in Louisiana is about as practical as knowing German in Miami!
Unless you're speaking with someone who also knows Russian, if just to drive your family crazy as you speak privately to each other out loud. That's what I'm most looking forward to.
Originally Posted by letterboy1
A lot of deep stuff, but what caught my attention was the Russian language. I'm just curious, what prompted your interest? I find Russian to be a beautiful sounding language.
It was my wife's idea to include it, although it's something I've always been interested in (still a Cold War 80's kid at heart...music, movies, books). Studying a course together (she purchased her own books) gives us an excuse to enjoy nostalgic study dates at the LSU Library, followed by off-campus coffee and pizza. She thought about it after watching a program on visiting St. Petersburg, knowing I had some Russian language books and that I've always wanted to visit Red Square Moscow. We're in initial planning for a Russian vacation.
Last edited by MarkG; 11/21/1902:48 AM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
I forget how to do some math just over a weekend! It comes back to me after I've looked over an example or two, and then I get on a roll. But I get really rusty when I put it down for a while.
I keep a couple of cheat sheets copied from books with some handwritten notes. Here's my main cheat for simple geometry and trig, along with my newer calculators (notice my LSU scratch paper is circa 1984)...
I use those calculators from left to right as I need them. The cheap basic TI is still the easiest to use for simpler problems. The middle one has a natural display (also known as notebook display) and is best for longer equations, non-decimal fractions and angles (ang/mins/secs), also great for binary and hexadecimal math (and easily toggles the decimal equivalent). I haven't used the graphing calculator except to graph very simple line equations, no ellipses or parabolas yet...coming in my next math book (my old HS math books pre-date affordable graphing calculators so I use graph paper).
My curriculum collection of books (plus a few references)...
Oh yeah, I forgot to post this (have to post a pic due to text formatting)...
Last edited by MarkG; 11/21/1902:27 AM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
One more thing, for anyone who may still be interested in DOS...
For those using DOSBox who want a more authentic DOS experience, these files will run under DOSBox (just make a DOS directory under the directory you use for DOSBox)...
From WinXP-DOS... ========== APPEND.EXE DEBUG.EXE EDIT.COM EDLIN.EXE NLSFUNC.EXE SETVER.EXE SHARE.EXE
I needed DEBUG for ASM study but also wanted QBASIC to play Gorillas.
Last edited by MarkG; 11/21/1902:38 AM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
Thanks, Mr_Blastman. I'm off to a really good start for term #2, but I'll have to disconnect again for a while to keep it this way.
- IMO, not embracing the metric system is as absurd as calculating angles using minutes and seconds vs. much easier decimals.
- I subconsciously find right triangles in everything I look at now. And 100 will never be "one-hundred" again, it's "one zero zero hex."
++++++++++
I was thinking over NoFlyBoy's comment about taking Calculus in high school (since I took the easy route). Asked my wife about it and she doesn't remember except for some college-prep math her senior year, and that the math in college was no more difficult than HS (her degree was in Accounting though, not Engineering).
We were in the same HS graduating class but never had classes together (I think we were next door once) so I dug up her 11th and 12th grade report cards...
Yeah, there was apparently more than 11th grade Algebra II w/Trig at our school, I see a separate Trig and Adv Math (assuming Calculus?) her senior year. I just don't remember her taking them, and I usually carried her books. The green Algebra II book was the last one I recall, and just finishing that one is going to satisfy my math demons.
I'll be passing up that one with my next math book anyway, a 950-page customized Blitzer Alg/Trig/pre-Calc for Georgia Southern University. I'm lucky that almost all of my upcoming math and physics books include CD video tutorials, as do all of my game programming books with utilities and source code (I found online downloads for the couple with missing CDs).
Last edited by MarkG; 11/21/1902:02 AM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
<EDIT: Thanks everyone for the well-wishing. This will all one day become very interesting...I hope). >
Nice link, Scott. I'm lost on his example at first glance, I'll have to study it. I've always liked the voxel graphics in some of the old Novalogic sims and shooters.
========== Quoting the author...
"lso, this 3D engine does not use matrices calculations, it uses the linear equation. I do that just because I don't like matrices, it's out of my understanding of math concept." ==========
Kinda scary to me as all three of my upcoming college math textbooks (Algebra/Trig, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus) have dedicated chapters on matrices. I know that even my lesser Casio calculator can do matrix math, but I don't know anything about it yet.
========== In the comments...
"However, if you're concerned about performance, maybe you should use a Quaternion - Wikipedia[^] , not a matrix (or set of equations), to express transformations. GPUs are not much better than CPUs at matrix calculations, at least not when they're only 3 by 3. But they are optimized for Quaternions, and AFAIK that's what most games engines use." ==========
"Quaternion" is another mystery to me but it'll be covered (along with even more matrices) in my game programming math books.
++++++++++
Just for reference as to where my math is at right now, these are among the final pages of the first two math books I recently completed ("Math Power" and "Technical Mathematics"), both with final chapters on basic Trigonometry...
Last edited by MarkG; 11/21/1902:05 AM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
I want to show you guys one more thing because it's one of my favorite Goodwill finds (think I paid $1.00 for it).
ACT Victory by Cambridge (ACT - PLAN - EXPLORE) <- Assuming an SAT study/practice book would be similar.
Almost a thousand pages of mental self-improvement covering:
- English (Grammar and Mechanics) - Mathematics - Reading - Science (Reasoning) - Writing
Just covering the first section of Common Grammatical Errors, I find that I'm guilty of some. And if you want to learn to read and write in a foreign language, you should first know English sentence structure because comparisons are constantly made in the study material. Should I have started my last sentence with a conjunction? I dunno, but at least I now know what a conjunction is and that's a start.
Anyway, excellent book IMO for brushing up on high school basics. The original owner even made cute little laminated page tabs and didn't mark up all of the inside (rare for one of these type books). It looks like they carefully tore out one of the practice bubble sheets and made copies of it instead of filling them all in (I did the same). Nice job, original owner.
Pics of cover and some math pages...
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
Studying Russian language and computer programming languages and planning a trip to Russia eh ? I may have to report this to the proper authorities. The Russians will also want to see your passports, but will your papers be ....."in order" ?
btw my older son spent some months in Russia and speaks fluent Russian. He also did some work in the U.S. which required the use of his Russian language. If you'd like someone to practice with i can arrange that.
You'd be surprised how easily the Russian secret service can learn about someone who visits their country. While my son was waiting outside of a small grocery store for his roommate in Moscow, a stranger passed him by on the sidewalk. As the stranger passed he said to my son ....."hi Ian, how's your aunt Tanya doing"? It so happens that my wife's brother is married to a Russian and they live in Spain.
"everything lives by a law, a central balance sustains all"
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,346PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,346
Miami, FL USA
So who knew that Mark aspires to be a “Renaissance Man”?
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
The finale of mid-life crisis introspective, wrapping up the last of unfinished business.
Haggart, I'll take you up on that and thanks. We'll know when that time is here. On a related note, the "Russian for Dummies" book is pretty good as it's as much a tourist guide (locations and customs), overall an interesting read at first glance. The couple of negative reviews are regarding the 1st edition which neglected reading and writing, corrected in the 2nd edition.
++++++++++
BTW, I sometimes use AutoCAD (a glorified database-manipulating graphics calculator) to find the answer to an even-numbered math problem when there's one I want to work on (books always give answers to odd-numbered problems). Very easy to do in AutoCAD, just draw what they give you and CAD will tell you the missing angles and distances.
Anyway, that's where I'm at right now, basic Trigonometry as well as basic Physics. I doubt I'll ever want to try to tackle Calculus-based Physics, only Algebra and Trig.
Last edited by MarkG; 11/21/1902:43 AM.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run
Joined: Apr 2001 Posts: 121,346PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,346
Miami, FL USA
Originally Posted by MarkG
Anyway, that's where I'm at right now, the simplest of Trigonometry. Right now I'm working on the simplest of Physics. I doubt I'd ever want to try to tackle Calculus-based Physics, only Algebra and Trig.
I was good at everything academically except for math. I always struggled with it from the time I was a child. The highest math I ever took was Analytical Geometry and even that I had to burn the midnight oil in order to get a "B".
Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 11/19/1903:26 PM.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
I'm learning in ACT Victory "Writing" to try not to be so wordy, so I'm practicing on this thread by cleaning up my posts.
The rusty wire that holds the cork that keeps the anger in Gives way and suddenly it’s day again The sun is in the east Even though the day is done Two suns in the sunset, hmph Could be the human race is run