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Brian Eno’s Floppy Disk Album “Generative Music 1”

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In 1996 Brian Eno created Generative Music 1, an album distributed on 3.5″ floppy disk that ran on Windows 3.11. Now you can listen to a version of it without tracking down the requisite PC and rare disk!

The album was different every time you listened to it as it was generated in code from Tim and Pete Cole’s SSEYO Koan Pro music software and played through a Creative Labs AWE32 or SB32 sound card or a TDK MusicCard.

If you’re inspired to create your own generative music, the Koan software has evolved into Wotja and is available for free on most platforms.

Lots more info here on the ever-awesome Peter Kirn’s CDM blog.

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StephaneDenis
70 days ago
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Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
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The evolution of the Microservice Architecture pattern language

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It’s been 10 years since I began writing the Microservice Architecture pattern language. Here’s a presentation that I gave at the recent Pattern Languages of Programs, People & Practices (PLoP 2024) conference on the evolution of the pattern language.

Introduction to the pattern language

Patterns have played a major role in my thinking for decades and it was great to discuss the evolution of the pattern language with the patterns community. Since the audience came from a variety of fields - not just software development - I started by explaining the core concepts of software architecture and architectural styles, highlighting the importance of non-functional requirements like runtime behavior and ease of development. I then introduced the Microservice Architecture, an architectural style that enables fast flow – a way of working that allows teams to deliver continuous streams of small changes, fostering rapid feedback and learning.

The pattern language, which I started developing back in 2014, provides guidance to developers navigating the complexities of implementing a Microservice Architecture, helping them decide whether it is a good fit for their application, and address the various challenges that arise.

The evolution of pattern language

A key part of the presentation discussed the evolution of the pattern language over the years. It wasn’t a carefully planned process; it grew organically based on practical experiences and feedback.

Anti-patterns of microservices adoption

I shared how I introduced the anti-patterns of microservice adoption, based on my observations, to help developers avoid common pitfalls. I also explained how key definitions within the pattern language were refined over time, leading to a clearer understanding of core concepts like loosely coupled and independent deployable services.

About dark energy and dark matter forces

One of the more interesting developments of the pattern language was the introduction of dark energy and dark matter as metaphors for the forces that shape architectural decisions. Dark energy, representing forces pushing for smaller, more independent services, resulting in improved team autonomy and agility. Dark matter, on the other hand, represents the forces that encourage larger services, even a monolith, in order to avoid the downsides of a distributed architecture. These opposing forces create a constant tension in architectural design and architects must carefully balance them.

Your context determines the strength of dark energy and dark matter forces

It’s important to remember that the context plays a crucial role in determining the strength and relevance of these forces. The size and structure of the development team, the nature of the application, and the capabilities of the deployment pipeline all influence the architectural choices.

Beyond patterns

Moving beyond simply applying predefined patterns, I introduced Assemblage, which is a deliberative process for designing a microservice architecture.

The future of the pattern language

Looking ahead, I outlined several improvements for the pattern language. These include refining the terminology used to describe the roles within a pattern’s solution, simplifying the treatment of database architecture patterns, and exploring the relationship between patterns and Team Topologies.

While the focus is often on microservices, I also emphasized that monolithic architectures are still valid and valuable for many applications contexts. Applying principles like modularity and minimizing build-time coupling can even help create well-designed, modular monoliths that are easier to maintain and evolve.

The presentation concluded by emphasizing the continued relevance of the pattern language, the need for ongoing adaptation to keep pace with new knowledge and changes in the technology landscape, and the importance of using precise language to effectively communicate architectural concepts.

Slides

Need help with accelerating software delivery?

I’m available to help your organization improve agility and competitiveness through better software architecture: training workshops, architecture reviews, etc.

Learn more about how I can help

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StephaneDenis
154 days ago
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Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
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Crafting a Custom Linux Kernel for Your Embedded Projects

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Crafting a Custom Linux Kernel for Your Embedded Projects

Introduction

Embedded systems have become a cornerstone of modern technology, powering everything from IoT devices to automotive control systems. These specialized systems rely on software that is lightweight, efficient, and highly optimized for specific hardware configurations. At the heart of this software stack lies the Linux kernel, which is widely used in embedded devices due to its flexibility, robustness, and open-source nature.

However, the generic Linux kernel is often bloated with unnecessary drivers, modules, and features that are irrelevant for embedded applications. For developers working on embedded systems, building a custom Linux kernel is not only a means to optimize performance but also a way to reduce the system's resource consumption, improve security, and enhance hardware compatibility.

In this article, we will guide you through the intricate process of building a custom Linux kernel for embedded systems. We will explore the reasons for kernel customization, the necessary prerequisites, step-by-step instructions for configuring, compiling, and deploying the kernel, and finally, best practices to ensure stability and performance in production environments.

Why Customize the Linux Kernel for Embedded Systems?

Performance Optimization

One of the key reasons to build a custom Linux kernel for an embedded system is performance. The default kernel comes packed with features that are designed to work across a wide range of hardware platforms, but these general-purpose features are often unnecessary in embedded applications. By removing unused drivers and modules, you can significantly improve system performance, reduce boot times, and optimize resource usage. This allows the embedded system to run faster, with fewer interruptions and lower power consumption, which is crucial for devices with limited computational power or battery life.

For instance, an IoT device running on an ARM-based processor doesn't need support for high-performance networking protocols or advanced graphical interfaces. Customizing the kernel ensures that only the essential features are included, thus reducing overhead.

Reduced Resource Consumption

Embedded systems often operate with limited memory, storage, and CPU power. A lean, stripped-down kernel can minimize memory usage, helping the device operate more efficiently. By eliminating unnecessary features such as unused file systems, debugging symbols, and kernel-level services, you can conserve valuable system resources. This is especially important for real-time embedded systems, where even small inefficiencies can result in delayed responses or missed deadlines.

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StephaneDenis
159 days ago
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Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
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Totoro Pen Holder #3Dprinting #3DThursday

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Totoro Pen Holder by Erika Heidi Download free STL model Printables com

If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli and My neighbor Totoro this print is perfect, erikaheidi shared this project on Printables!

A cute and funny pen holder featuring Totoro from Studio Ghibli. Can also be used as desk trash can.

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Every Thursday is #3dthursday here at Adafruit! The DIY 3D printing community has passion and dedication for making solid objects from digital models. Recently, we have noticed electronics projects integrated with 3D printed enclosures, brackets, and sculptures, so each Thursday we celebrate and highlight these bold pioneers!

Have you considered building a 3D project around an Arduino or other microcontroller? How about printing a bracket to mount your Raspberry Pi to the back of your HD monitor? And don’t forget the countless LED projects that are possible when you are modeling your projects in 3D!

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StephaneDenis
159 days ago
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Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
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Dominic St Pierre

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Download audio: https://r.zen.ai/r/cdn.simplecast.com/audio/24832310-78fe-4898-91be-6db33696c4ba/episodes/aa121cea-9548-4bc3-bf2e-84cc01407d51/audio/2f8a4bdf-fcec-40ba-922e-9137877d2330/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=gvtxUiIf
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StephaneDenis
164 days ago
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Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
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The ESP32 Simulator you’ve been looking for! #Wokwi

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Wokwi is an online simulator for prototyping with Arduino, Pi Pico, ESP32 and more!

Programming Electronics shared this explainer from YouTube going over Wokwi with ESP32.

See more and checkout Wokwi there is also a CircuitPython section fro Pi Pico

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StephaneDenis
237 days ago
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Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
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