[Verba] simple first project

[Stuart D. Gathman]

Once you've learned control structures (if,while,for), simple
I/O (input(),print,sys.argv), and basic math and string operations from the
tutorial, here is a simple exercise based on our discussion of bases:

  Write a Python program to convert between decimal and binary
  notation.  You may use 01 as symbols for the bits.  You saw me
  do one in class.

  Write a Python program to convert between decimal and signed ternary
  notation.  You may use -0+ as symbols for the trits.

If you get that far before the next meeting, email your solutions,
and I'll be able to download them for class (I connected the network
after the last meeting, and networking worked fine from Knoppix after
pushing in the loose connector on the AirPort).

======

Class PC status:  

System

I found a 466 Mhz Celeron system with 128M.  It booted and
ran, but froze up after a few minutes.  I tested the memory and
swapped the video card, and it seems to be stable now.  However,
it won't boot from CD - it starts to, but gets "read error".  Swapping
CDs and drives doesn't help.  I'm suspecting a BIOS problem, and 
will try booting from diskette.

Monitor

I'm working on fixing a 15" LCD display.  The backlight inverter is
dead.  It looks like one of the 220nJ100s blew - bits of molten metal
are sticking out of it.  If I can find a 220nJ100, I'll solder it in
and see if that fixes it.  Otherwise, an electrically compatible 
replacement will be available from lcdparts.com for $60 on Jan 20
- it will need new mounting posts, however.   Until then, we'll
have to make do with the jittery CRT.

-- 
	      Stuart D. Gathman <stuart at bmsi.com>
Business Management Systems Inc.  Phone: 703 591-0911 Fax: 703 591-6154
"Confutatis maledictis, flamis acribus addictis" - background song for
a Microsoft sponsored "Where do you want to go from here?" commercial.