Compute Cluster
Back in April I began working on a prototype compute cluster to power a specialized chess project. The machines in question contain Athlon XP-M 2600+ CPUs running at 1.8 GHz - still usable computers by modern day standards. One of my goals involved eliminating anything with moving parts. This means eliminating the 40GB hard drive and CDROM as boot devices. I opted for 1GB Flash modules. At this point the only moving parts are two internal fans. Another goal involved creating a custom enclousure for the four node cluster, whereby reducing the cluster's space requirements. I may still persue this goal - but leaving the machines in their original cases is by far the fastest and least expensive option - despite the fact that each machine occupies very little space inside of each case. Besides I was itching to put the machines to use.
Each machine's flash module contains an installation of Damn Small Linux (DSL). Weighing in at only 50MB - DSL leaves plenty of room for software addons. One such addon was Python 2.5 - my light-weight programming weapon of choice.
In case you're wondering... the cluster is part of a social networking experiment I'm running at http://www.CocoSci.com The four stacked machines in the photo above form the initial compute cluster while the machine on the lower right of the photo performs higher-level functions. I'm also using three VM's at SliceHost.com and another at Godaddy.com. Overall five machines in play with a total of nine when the custom software for the compute nodes is operational.
Videos
The following videos were produced for ZoeyBot.com and released under the creative commons license.
Number Line Racer
Number Line Racer is an animated video tutorial which exposes kids to math number line concepts and negative numbers. My goal was to produce an educational video to showcase on ZoeyBot.com. My wife Karla wrote the inital script and I created the animation
Tools used: Poser 7, Adobe Fireworks, Sony Sound Forge, Audacity, Sony Acid Music Studio, Sony Vegas Studio.
MathCast: Factors and Prime Numbers
This was my first video podcast project, a math tutorial on factors and prime numbers. My daughter Kaitlyn was the host and my wife Karla helped with the script, hair and makeup and rehersals.
Tools used: Adobe Fireworks, Sony Sound Forge, Sony Vegas Studio.
Mini Magic Show: Nightfall
Have you ever wondered what your favorite time of day is? For me it's nightfall that time of day when the sun sets and night and day collide...
Tools used: Sony Vegas Studio, Sony Sound Forge.
Mini Magic Show: Color Changing Disks
Two black and white disks change colors right before your eyes!
Tools used: Sony Vegas Studio, Sony Sound Forge.
Carlos Justiniano: technologist, veteran software developer, world record holder, entrepreneur and author.
