MINIX 3

MINIX 3 is a project to develop an operating system as reliable as a TV set, for embedded systems and mission critical applications, but also for future $50 single-chip laptops and general desktop use. The focus is being small, simple, and reliable.
MINIX 3 has a bright future but somewhat checkered past.
- First released in 1987
- first UNIX clone with all the source code available
The first version, MINIX 1, was released in 1987 and was the first UNIX clone with all the source code available. It developed rapidly and soon had its own USENET newsgroup (comp.os.minix), with 40,000 subscribers within 3 months, a large number at a time when the Internet was only available to university researchers and students. One of the early MINIX adopters was a Finnish student named Linus Torvalds, who went out and bought a PC just to run MINIX, studied it very carefully, and then decided to write his own operating system, inspired by MINIX. Although Linus knew MINIX very well, he didn't steal any code from it, as some people have alleged. Linus system grew into the modern Linux system. MINIX' author, Andrew Tanenbaum and Torvalds have had some fairly public discussions on operating system design, originally in 1992 and most recently in 2006.
Although MINIX was (and still is) widely used used for teaching operating systems courses at universities, it got a new impetus in 2005 when Tanenbaum assembled a new team of people to completely redo it as a highly reliable system. MINIX 3 has some history with MINIX 1 and MINIX 2 (released in 1997 as a POSIX-conformant OS), but it is really a new system (analogous to the relationship between Windows XP and Windows 3.1).


In our Operating Systems subject, we were asked to choose an operating system that is not widely used. Our group chose to have the MINIX 3. The other groups also had a report on their chosen operating systems and that discussion was really an interesting one. They presented OpenSUSE, Fedorra, ReactOS, Ubuntu, Red Hat Linux and a lot more. Some operating systems presented really looked like the widely used Windows Operating System.
The environment of MINIX3, the operating system we chose to present in class, was like the one with the LINUX operating system since both operating systems are text mode. Above is part of our presentation.

My Mama’s First Computer Lessons

Nowadays, almost everybody know how to use computers even elementary students now also have their computer lessons in school. People sometimes think that you if you know how to use computers, you will easily adapt to the new gadgets available nowadays.
Before, my mother mentioned in one of our conversations that she really wants to go back in school and that she wants to know how these computers are operated. There was one time in our place where a school was offering short term courses for those who want to learn about computers. Knowing this, my mother told me that she wanted to enroll in that school. Unfortunately, the classes are scheduled every Sunday so it will be a bit difficult for her to attend those classes because she had many things to do in those days. Just to make her feel good, I told her that I will teach her the basic things done in the computer.
Fortunately, I got my computer last December. But I was busy then so I had no time to teach her. This month, I started teaching her. Now, she knew how to turn on and off the computer, and to use Microsoft Word 2007. This image above is her first document saved.

Although I just taught her those basic steps, it really made my mother happy. Sometimes when she has nothing to do, she would open the computer and play the games installed in my computer particularly the game Chuzzle and Text Twist. She told me this line, “Better late than never”.

It’s never too late to learn new things. Congrats Mama!!mwah

reflection on the consultation

Our proposed system is a University eMap Directory. At first, I was really worried about this system because I know that my capabilities won’t be enough for this system but with my teammates’ help, I know we can make it happen. The team’s determination and patience will be the key to the success of this system. As I was thinking about the systems proposed by the class, if this will be successful (I know we can with God’s help), then this project will really be of great help for the university. (this is really bonggang-bongga!) With this, we have to make sure that we finish the phases we are working on in this semester so we can proceed on the implementation next semester.

With the consultations, at first, it was quite difficult for us because of the time issues. But thanks to Mr. Randy S. Gamboa that he considered all our “hinanaings” regarding the consultation time. Thanks sir for staying that long in school. I hope sir it will always be like this.

FULLY DEVELOPED DESCRIPTION FOR THE ENROLLMENT SYSTEM
Use Case Name:
Enrollment System
Scenario:
Enrollment Process for Non-Scholar Old Student in USeP
Brief Description:
Enrollment procedure of the university
Actors:
Student, Collecting Officer, Adviser, Encoder, Cashier, Registrar and Librarian
Preconditions:
Student must be present with his student ID, clearance, and library card.
Postconditions:
Student’s COR must be verified and library card must be validated.
Student’s record must be updated.
Student must be officially enrolled.

Flow of Activities:

1. Student pays all local fees to the collecting officer.
2. Collecting Officer issues receipt to the student.
3. Student goes to the adviser and present his grades.
4. Adviser evaluates the student’s grades and issues Pre-Enrollment Form(PRF).
5. Student fills up the PRF and goes back to the adviser to let the adviser sign the PRF.
6. Student proceeds to the encoder.
7. Encoder releases the COR.
8. Student pays tuition fees to the cashier.
9. Cashier receives the amount and issues a receipt.
10. Students proceeds to the registrar.
11. Registrar checks for the student’s enrollment requirements (clearance, school ID, receipts, and COR).
12. Registrar verifies student’s record.
13. Student proceeds to the Librarian.
14. Librarian checks for the Library Card and validates it.
15. Student is officially enrolled.

Exception Conditions:
If student has incomplete requirements (clearance, school ID, receipts for the payment of local fees and tuition fees, and COR), student must comply it first.

The student must first pay the local fees before he proceed to the adviser for the evaluation of grades. The adviser evaluates the grades and releases the PRF (Pre-enrollment Form). Then the student can now proceed to the encoder for the encoding of subjects. The encoder issues the COR (Certificate of Registration). The student may now pay his tuition fees to the cashier. The cashier will issue the student’s receipt. The student proceeds to the registrar for the validation or requirements and for the registrar to confim the student’s enrollment.Finally, the student proceeds to the library for the validation of library card.

Among the data gathering techniques used in systems analysis are interviewing, document review, observation, and use of questionnaires. If I were to choose among them, I would be more comfortable on the document review, and observation since these techniques does not really require formal conversation and/or face to face encounter with the persons involved. I am not really that good in oral communication so it would be better if I choose these types of techniques. The use of questionnaires will also be fine with me since I already experienced this on the previous years with the other subject.

But based on my past experiences with gathering data, the techniques I chose earlier was not enough to gather data I needed for the study so, I really needed to challenge myself and have an interview. As much as I really don’t want to have an interview, since I find it the most effective way of gathering data,I was forced to do so. Basing on my personality, I would go for any technique as long as it would give me satisfaction since I am the type of person who can easily adapt to changes so it would just be fine with me to have this technique if this is badly needed. This technique will also be a great help for our project because if there will be some clarifications with our past interviews with the person involved, I can still clarify it personally. I can also impart to the interviewee my opinions on the topic we are discussing. This can also increase my involvement in the said project. I know that interviewing will be a hard task for me since I also have to consider the availability of my interviewee but this can also give me the assurance of having the data I needed. Well, I think the key to this technique is really patience.

I would also choose this technique so that I will get used to talking to other people. This will also serve as a practice or challenge for us to be more competitive in the real world.

To have a successful life, one must set his objectives. He must also have to take some steps that will help him achieve the said objectives. Just like any other student, I also have my own set of objectives in life. Most of my objectives are much more related to my family because they are the first reason why I am setting these objectives.

After discussing the topic Systems Development Life Cycle in our Systems Analysis and Design I subject, I observed that developing a system is also similar with achieving my objectives. Some of the phases gave me ideas on how I can get closer with my objectives and how I can eventually achieve them.
There are only two phases in my own version of SDLC. These are the Planning Phase and the Implementation Phase.

Planning

This phase is important since this is the starting point of everything. First thing to do is to have a list of the possible objectives. I listed everything that came into my mind. I reviewed what I listed and found out that some of them are not necessary so I just left the important ones. After having the list, I had a talk with my family. Even though not formal, I still had the chance to ask for some advice and suggestions. When I already had my final list, I put some estimated time for each of my objectives for me to have a guide. Also in this phase, I have to decide on what steps should I take and how I can achieve those things. I should weigh things carefully so I can have what I really intend to have.

Implementation

In this phase, I should start what I had planned. This time, I put my words into action. Although I know that I can commit mistakes, this won’t be a reason for me to stop trying but this should be a reason for me to keep trying.

I put my own SDLC this way because I think that the design on how I can achieve my objectives in life is already included in the planning phase. The output of the planning phase is a final list of my objectives and the steps I have to take and this will be the input for the next phase which is the Implementation. This Implementation phase starts from the day I started working with and living according to my planned objectives. This will end the time I can fulfill those things.

I think it would be better if I use the adaptive approach since I am living in a fast changing world. If I use this approach, it would be easier for me to adapt to the recent improvements in our environment thus, giving me more chances to achieve my objectives in life.