2006-11-07

Since we last talked:

• NSF - Tlked to Heath, all the proposals I wanted to work on have lots of literature that I have never read. I decided to hold off on the NSF, save the essays, and apply to the DOE.
• CPSD
  • Ran those runs, sent the results to Reza
  • Got the final merged code compiling on our computers (lots of Makefile changes, differences between gcc-4.0 and gcc-4.1)
  • wrote code to pinpoint where our code is returning bugs to the CPSD. Only tested in the 1vp case, haven't found any bugs yet. Waiting on Reza's input on wheither or not the 1 vp case is bugged at all.

Things to talk about:

• I'm giving a progress report tomorrow, and I realize that I have precious little to talk about.
• I need to talk to you about quals -- I'm thinking of takign the NA qual, and I need advice
• I want to schedule a meeting before Thanksiving with you.

2006-10-31

Happy Halloween!

Since last I emailed you:

• NSF
  • polishing up essays. Two are done, the third is in outline form.
  • I'll send out emails about letters when I send the final application.
• CPSD
  • Meeting with Sho Heng was productive, we now have a new tool to analyze what is going wrong with the geometry.
  • I've isolated where our code is giving incorrect values to the geometry. Figuring out how those values got corrupted should be straight forward in a debugger. I expect to make progress this week.
  • Read Aaron's report, sent him edits. Plan on talking with him when he comes in.

Things to talk about:

• The immenent CPSD report -- I can write (and am in a writing mood), but I'm really ignorant of what progress has been made between this year's report and last year's report.

2006-10-24

Since last I emailed you:

• Progress on the CPSD front--
  • I finished the mock object proposal I brought up at the last meeting, we've noticed some strange differences in the way that the outside code uses parallel and non-parallel MeshInterface? objects. I plan to talk to Shou Heng about this at 3.
  • Meeting with Shou Heng at 3.
• Adaptivity -
  • Still trying to understand the way adaptivity works! I was looking through an older and no longer valid sample program for adaptivity before.
• NSF
  • All informatino filled out, all transcripts sent. I have rough rough drafts for the written part.
  • Need to reformat the structure of what I wrote to fit their guidelines.
• Travel
  • I'm going to miss the coming Friday and Monday

Things to talk about:

• NSF: I'd like to go over my proposed reserach plan and get your input.
• My performance: I feel horrible because I'm not making progress on ParFUM? , and I don't feel like you're getting your money's worth. I'm not even really sure what progress entails. Are you satisfied with my performance? Should we talk about ways to make things better?
  • I think part of the problem might be that I'm not excited about the ParFUM? project.
  • perhaps I need a pep-talk? perhaps you can counter my reservations?
• I want to be upfront and let you know I have concerns about doing my Ph.D. in this lab. Can I get your advice?

2006-10-17

Since we last talked:

• I got a 36 on my PDE midterm (average was 45), had to drop the class in order to avoid a C. This means more time for research/coding.
• Midterms were last week. I did well on NA and Compilers.
• Helped Eric prepare the tutorial.
• Talked with Terry
  • We have a plan to start making progress on the adaptivity code.
• I'm trying to debug CPSD, taking weight off of Aaron's shoulders.

Things to talk about:

• I'm thinking about applying for an NSF graduate fellowship award. It requires very little writing (4-6) pages.
  • Should I go through with this? Any advice?
  • Application deadline is Nov 1
  • Recommendation letter deadline is Dec 1
    • I am pretty sure I can get Dr. Trayanova to write me something
    • Could I get a letter from you?

2006-10-10

What was done:

• FINALLY fixed that code for Terry.
  • took longer than expected, cleared up lots of logistic issues in the process
• Midterms for classes ate my time.
• Waiting on more project info from Terry. Until that time, designing tests to test ParFUM? functionality as I understand it.

Things to talk about:

2006-10-03

What was done:

• wrote Makefiles so that we can compile the programs that visualize CPSD output.
• worked with Aaron to turn on debugging output for parallel runs in CPSD
• checked poisoned code into CVS. In the process of fixing now.
• Talked with Chao about charisma. He showed me how to use and run the system.

Things to talk about:

• Productivity concerns - how much should I be getting done in a day? Am I meeting expectations? I feel like I'm not accomplishing much research.
  • Possible solution: I will stay up late to do homework because it has a deadline. Perhaps it would help if I had some soft deadlines for research?

2006-09-19

File reports as "weekly report"

I really need to start keeping a blog!

• questions:
  • pay
  • papers
  • projects
    • multi phase co arrays
    • sd
  • how long is my appointment
• last week
  • Code for Terry
  • tutorial
• this week
  • finish code for Terry
  • finish tutorial
  • see if I can parse the cpsd output