Summary

Learn how to use R to explore medium-big, real-world data sets, and how to train an XGBoost model to predict Grupo Bimbo’s sales volume for individual customers.

Summary

Make hydroponics pumps with timers (can be set to arbitrary time on/off).

Scraping Glassdoor

Glassdoor is a great site for checking out potential companies and jobs, as people can leave anonymous reviews on there. They have a decent API, but of course they don’t let you get at the most valueable part–the reviews! So, I did some Python programming to get at them for a company I applied to, and made word clouds of the top pros and cons.

Developing with NodeMCU on Windows

I’ve spent a considerable amount of time programming and learning about ESP8266 modules and NodeMCU. I started with the basic AT commands, tried the arduino interface for it, and finally settled on the NodeMCU solution. I put together a tutorial for NodeMCU on Windows. Basically, NodeMCU allows you to program the ESP8266 with the Lua language, which runs on an open-source C-based firmware. The caretakers of the firmware appear to be mostly Chinese-based, with a few others mixed in. I have faith it will do well, but my impression after working with it for some months is that it will be best for the DIY community, and not for consumer electronics, where reliability is key–at least, not using the latest firmware release…there are a few bugs, including one with the MQTT .

I’ve made some libraries for it, one creates a server at 192.168.4.1 (working on making it redirect any site request) and allows you to choose a network to join. These are a work in progress. Good luck and bless up…

To run ESPlorer in linux, download the zip file and run java -jar ESPlorer.jar

Summary

Fine particulate matter in the air from cars and trucks, cooking, fires, and industry can give you cancer, heart attacks, and shorten your lifespan. Poor air quality can have a number of other bad effects. You can make a DIY air quality monitor (AQM) for about $20 that can warn you of poor air quality. You can add internet datalogging for another few bucks. This will give you a rough measurement of the air quality of your environment, and can help you determine if you should do anything about it (get an air filter, etc).

Background

Tiny particles in the air, generated from cars, trucks, powerplants, industry, and even cooking and burning fires at home, are causing cancer, heart attacks, and premature death among other ailments.

The risk of getting lung and brochus cancer stand at around 7% today, though around 80-90% of this is thought to be due to smoking.