Date : Sat, 23 Jan 2016 21:13:03 +0000
From : djameson@... (Daniel Jameson)
Subject: 5 minutes of your time please
Hi John,
If it's ostensibly just a decision tree presented in an app format, I don't
think it'd really be ticking the boxes I'd expect to see for a degree
project - or at least I don't think there's enough there to push it into
the high mark zone (however, this really depends on what your degree is in?)
In so far as trouble shooting a beeb, for those without a scope etc, this
is the go-to first step:
http://primrosebank.net/computers/bbc/documents/Troubleshooting%20the%20BBC%20Micro.pdf
d.
On 23 January 2016@..., John <blip@...> wrote:
> Thanks David
>
> Briefly -
>
> Specific to BBC in that (a) I'm picking a topic that I think I might find
> more interesting, and (b) It will be a walkthrough of a diagnostic
> procedure
> based on the symptoms presented. E.g. a particular start up sound. So not
> flow diagrams, but I'll be using those in the background.
>
> The research would be pulling together all the resources already on the web
> - some of which was written years ago, and never updated/tidied.
>
> Part of the project would be looking at interactive design, so it's not
> just
> a question of recycling everyone's hard work on web rings, etc.
>
> You are quite correct in that it could be web based, but I'm talking about
> an app so that people could walk around with their tablet/laptop etc
> without
> needing a network connection - I doubt it'll be a large program.
>
> Thanks for the resource. Interestingly it's the second one provided, and
> both I hadn't seen before.
>
> Kind regards
>
>
> John
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dr. David Alan Gilbert [mailto:beeb@...]
> Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2016 6:53 PM
> To: John
> Cc: bbc-micro@...
> Subject: Re: [BBC-Micro] 5 minutes of your time please
>
> * John (blip@...) wrote:
> >
> >
> > No - it's not your cash I am after (although if you have some
> > spare...)
> >
> >
> > I'm debating the wisdom of writing a diagnostic application in Java
> > for cross platform compatibility, primarily aimed at fixing BBC B
> computers.
>
> What makes it specific to BBC B ? I guess this type of thing is similar to
> most diagnostic applications; i.e. walking the user through a flow chart
> with various bits of graphics/sounds/etc - so I don't think the application
> should be specific to fixing a BBC B - unless I'm missing something.
>
> > This would be for my degree project, and it has to tick a lot of
> > boxes, as well as having clearly defined goals. Also I have to base it
> > around an interactive design module, so it's not just a case of
> > googling and pinching all your best ideas J .
> >
> >
> >
> > So, given all the wealth of experience on this list, including the
> > academic world, can I ask you three questions:
> >
> >
> >
> > 1. Does this sound as though it has enough content to fulfil a
> > university quality research project, with a practical computing
> component.
>
> I'm not sure where the research comes in here; but for an undergrad it
> might
> be reasonable, but it's a long time since I did mine!
>
> > 2. Has this already been done in such a way that I would not be
> adding
> > anything new enough for a project? (as an application not a website).
>
> Why is an application any different from a website? There shouldn't
> necessarily be a distinction; if there is then you're probably doing
> something wrong.
>
> > 3. Would you assist me by looking at the general ideas (NOT looking
> > for your solutions, that would be plagiarism) and volunteering your
> > suggestions for 'best path diagnostics'?
>
> Check the service manual;
>
> http://chrisacorns.computinghistory.org.uk/docs/Acorn/Manuals/Acorn_BBCSMOct
> 85_Sec1.pdf
> section 6 has a bit on fault-finding (although that was written before the
> machines had been out there for 30 years!).
>
> Dave
>
> >
> >
> >
> > Happy to take this off list if you consider if off-topic, but I've had
> > this idea for a long time, and be interesting to pool together all the
> > considerable knowledge floating around out there. I will [have to
> > actually!] acknowledge all sources/assistance.
> >
> >
> >
> > Also, if you are feeling really generous with your time, I'd welcome
> > your thoughts on how it might work. Again, I'm keen to do something
> > new using interactive principles, so that could be a touch interface
> > for example, and/or feature sound samples of faulty start-up sounds.
> > I'd do the hard work of assessing it under the I.D. guidelines.
> >
> >
> >
> > After marking the intention would be to publish anything completed
> > under the appropriate public/open license, as many contributors do
> already.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks for your time and reading.
> >
> >
> >
> > Best,
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > John T.
> >
> >
> >
> > PS I know little of electronics or programming, but can write simple
> Java.
> >
>
> > _______________________________________________
> > bbc-micro mailing list
> > bbc-micro@...
> > http://lists.cloud9.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/bbc-micro
>
> --
> -----Open up your eyes, open up your mind, open up your code -------
> / Dr. David Alan Gilbert | Running GNU/Linux | Happy \
> \ dave @ treblig.org | | In Hex /
> \ _________________________|_____ http://www.treblig.org |_______/
>
>
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