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Road Laptop

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# The Road Laptop

I’ve always taken good care of my computers. Heck, I’m still using the same computer case from 2013. (The last component to fail from that first computer was the power supply last year.) The funny thing about a like-new device is that it feels too nice to take anywhere. Traveling, I prefer to take things I wouldn’t miss too much if they’re lost. My computers are not like that. Except for one.

Wen

Train Window

# Intro

In 2019, a train ride from Hangzhou to Guilin, China, I began writing a program to help learn Chinese characters. It should show a character, optionally, with or without Pinyin, and the user can input the translation. Then, a score is calculated.

# Original Code

This original Python version uses dictionary files with comma-separated components: the Chinese character, the Pinyin with tone numbers, and the definition separated by forward slashes (/). An example would be:

EV Performance Metrics

# Intro

In the beginning of my EV journey, “range anxiety” was a serious concern, especially with fewer chargers in 2022 than there are now. The key is understanding efficiency. So, I ran a test in my MINI Cooper SE 2023.

The first drive, I tried being as efficient as possible while still going the speed limit. The second drive, I basically just followed traffic.

The weather was similar in both tests, but the roads in the less efficient test were a little wet.

Hello World

Look! A fresh, shiny new server. Knowing me, I’ll probably fill it with:

  • Having fun with tech
  • Making life better with tech
  • What an EV really is
  • Reflecting on IT experience

Mini and Me