Computer Systems Lab
Project Abstracts and Categories
2002-2003
2000
Student Ideas
2001
Student Abstracts
2002-2003
Student Portfolios
2002-2003
- Applications of Operating Systems/Open Source
- Student: Matthew Colyer
Title: The Luminance Open Source Educational Desktop
Abstract: The Luminance Desktop aims to be the premier open source educational
desktop. It will be comprised of many other open source projects. The Luminance
desktop does not aim to reinvent the wheel and rewrite every single application.
Rather its goals is to create uniformity and ease of use to the a small
subset of users, students and teachers. All software forming the luminance
desktop will be Open Source, in order to promote the Open Source philosophy.
The priorities of the project are ease of installation, ease of networking,
functional for educational tasks, speed of operation and reliability. The
Luminance Desktop is not solely software it is also hardware specifications,
naming conventions, administrative conventions and networking conventions.
However, the Luminance Desktop does not aim to take the educational world by
storm and therefore promotes interoperability and standards compliance.
Luminance will adhere to already existing standards whenever possible.
- Student: Neal Deckant
Title: Emulation of a Z80-based System
Abstract:
This project is the construction of a Gameboy emulator, a Z80-based system.
If this project is completely finished and working in time, the program can
load up a Gameboy ROM (Read-Only Memory) images and be able to play them,
giving the user the same display and control as if he or she played the
cartridge on a Gameboy. The emulator is simply a program that allows a user
to play game images.
- Computer Simulation and Modeling, Computational Computer Science
- Student: Alycia Chin
Title: A Study of the Parasitic Bacteria Wolbachia
Abstract
This document chronicles the progress made on a research project throughout
the year. The research centered on making a simulation of a population and
modifying this population according to the effects of the parasitic bacteria
Wolbachia. Modifiying factors included types of Wolbachia, types of organisms,
and environmental factors.
- Student: Charles Vu
Title: An Analysis of Option Pricing Models
Abstract:
The stock options market is a trillion dollar industry and many models
exist which attmept to price stock derivates. Previously, most attempts
at analyzing the merits of each option model have used theoretical economic
analysis. However, no attempt has been made to analyze how the models
perform in the actual options market. The goal of this project is to perform
an empirical analysis of the option pricing models.
- Student: Nicholas Shelly
Title: A Comparison of Stock Selection Strategies
(Also see Joseph Hess in Web)
Abstract:
Project Overview
"A Comparison of Stock Selection Strategies" entails the comparison and
analysis of various investment strategies by proven security analysists in a
computer science environment. The project compares and analyzes the
successfulness of several leading investment strategists including William
O'Neil of Investor's Business Daily and Warren Buffet, Chairman and CEO of
Berkshire Hathaway and second on Forbes' 2002 list of Richest Americans.
After acquiring the stock's data from an outside source, the program tests
several different variables, such as the size of the portfolio, long-term
versus short-term concerns, and the current condition of the economy.
Although an ultimate evaluation of each investment method is still under
investigation, a defnite correlation has been determined for O'Neil's
cup-and-hand and a stock's long term success. Over the duration of the year,
considerable research has conducted that is required for the in-depth subject
of the computerization of stock strategies. However, at times the research
has used time that may have otherwise been used for preliminary coding.
Note: A corresponding project, constructed by Joseph Hess, provides an online
database to track stock movements and provide relevant data to the user
for easy access and interface.
- Computer Vision and Image Processing
- Student: Evan Herbst
Title: Camera Calibration by Corner Detection
Abstract:
The most annoying characteristic of calibrating digital measurement devices--and
cameras in particular--is the time and effort required. Generally, cameras must
be used to take several pictures of some set of orthogonal planes, fed some data
from their packaging or otherwise helped along. This project aims to make calibrating
a digital camera an easy task for the user by performing most calculations without
input and using minimal input data in the form of pictures.
- Student: William Barratt
Title: Steganography Using Computer Images
Abstract:
This project investigates a method for encoding text messages in computer
image files, a process called steganography. Steganography is not well-known
to the public but has existed in different forms for thousands of years.
The usefulness of steganography is not confined to sending secret messages;
it is also possible to use hidden data to efficiently store an accompanying
caption with an image. Through judicious choice of file type and algorithm,
it is possible to hide data in an image with no effect detectable by methods
other than pixel-by-pixel comparison with a known original. Because of the
vast number of image files (including both photographs and design elements
that are frequently used in Web pages) available on the Internet, steganography
can go undetected if carefully created and placed.
- Computer Algorithms
- Student: Pierce Umberger
Title: Design and Implementation of an Efficient Search Engine Algorithm
Abstract
This document details the paramaters of the project concerning development
and implementation of an efficient search engine algorithm. Emphasis will
be placed both on speed, as well as relevance of search results. The focus
is the creation of a fast and efficient search engine that returns effectively
ranked results in an easy to read format that is conducive to easy interpretation
of search results.
- Student: Yan Zhang
Title: New Quantum Mechanical Model of Lossy Information Propagation and Transmission
Abstract:
A quantum mechanical model of information propagation through a lossy medium
is presented. We assume that the signal undergoes a series of transformations
and losses in a closed system. We then describe the idea of a compensation
device used to restore the original information after the signal quality
degrades. We prove that this restoration of signal loss is possible in
principle, and calculate the transmission ratio required for successful
compensation. The model is fairly general and could be applied to many
physical systems. A specific scenario, the transmission of light signal
through a single-mode fiber, is presented as an example.
- Title: Making Combos: Tree Creation and Navigation (Computer Games
also)
Student: Robert Marney
Abstract:
This document is the final project paper in LATEX form, designed for HTML
format. The project itself is a program that will determine the best move
or move combination, called "combos", for a given situation and a given
fighting game. I do not attempt to create an AI or an independent game
structure, merely to analyze existing move trees or frame data automatically.
- Student: Ben Ellis
Title: Permutations in Cryptography
Abstract:
Permutations possess mathematical properties important to cryptography.
Algorithms related to permutations can be used to speed implementation of
substitution, transposition, and more complex cryptographic operations.
Importantly, permutation rank algorithms allow for the creation of unique
permutations from unique integers in a modular field.
- Security
- Student: Yulin Zhuang
Title: Creating a Java Telnet Client
Abstract:
This project is intended to generate a web-based secure telnet client,
that will be accessible to any computer with a web-capable browser
program. It will support SSH encryption as well, to enable people
without access to the usual SSH telnet programs to make secure connections
to a host computer from any computer with a web-capable browser program.
- Artificial Intelligence, Games, Modeling
- Student: Austin Rachlin
Title: Solving the Majority Classification Problem
Abstract:
This document presents my project proposal for my senior techlab computer
systems project. I am attempting to create an algorithm that will solve the
Majority Classification Problem in an efficient and successful manner.
- Student: Ryan Archer
Title:Creation of a Role Playing Game AI
Abstract:
My techlab project is to create an AI for a computer role playing game (RPG).
The AI present in current computer RPGs is minimal at best, relying on
simple randomization and scripting to control NPC (non-player character)
actions within each game. I hope to improve on RPG AIs through my project.
- Student: Yoyo Zhou
Title: Artificial Intelligence for Five-in-a-row
Abstract:
This project aims to create several artificial intelligence programs to play
five-in-a-row. The strengths of different approaches from game theory and
artificial intelligence to the problem of five-in-a-row will be compared.
- Computer Graphics and Modeling
- Student: Immanuel Buder
Title:SETI Visualizations: Development of Graphical Utilities for Explaining SETI
Abstract:
The SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) program has been active
since 1960. It publicises itself well with many text-based sites. However,
few graphical utilities exist to explain the program. The purpose of this
project is to develop such utilities using OpenGL and possibly POV-Ray.
- Student: Jing Chan
Title: Performance Oriented Massively Multi-player Online Role-Playing Game
Abstract:
This project is to create a prototype of a Massively-Multiplayer Online
Role-Playing Game that's geared towards performance-oriented processes for
the servers. This would allow the servers to operate on average machinery
and save costs to the server-side users.
- Student: Mike Herring
Title: 3D Network Visualization
Abstract:
3D Network Visualization uses TCP/IP protocals and multicasting to compile
a three-dimensional scene in OpenGL showing network connections and
bandwidth/transfer rate.
- Student: Linh Pham
Title: Portal to the Past
Abstract:
The purpose of this project is to code a virtual three-dimensional museum
program. A user can move around in this museum and click on the exhibits,
accessing video clips of important moments in modern American History.
- Student: Michael Hull
Title: Upper Hand Project
Abstract:
This Project involves the creation of a user-controlled, graphically-animated
human hand for possible use in the future as an interactive tool.
- Student: Michael Turpyn
Title: Creation of a Particle Engine
Abstract
Many special effects in the gaming and movie industry are created using a
particle system. The point of my research project is to find a way to make
this process easier. I plan on creating a particle engine in OpenGL, and then
modifying it for windows. This program will be a flexible skeleton that
allows the user to easily create their own particle system by entering very
little input.
- Student: David Sterling
Title: Utilization of OpenGL and DirectX in an Interactive 2.5D Game
Abstract:
This project is an investigation into the various components and research
areas involved in designing and developing a 2.5D vertically scrolling
"shooter". OpenGL, DirectX, and C++ is utilized.
This project is an investigation into the various components and research
areas involved in designing and developing a 2.5D vertically scrolling
"shooter" with OpenGL, DirectX and C++. Foremost among these is terrain
generation, including the use of height maps and algorithms and its actual
implementation. Other topics include particle systems, user input and windowing
systems.
- Student: Richard Green
Title:A Video Game
Abstract:
All the gory details about how to make a video game are outlined here. The pains
and toils, and a good deal of conjecture fill the confines of this paper. What
code there is can be found in the coding section at the end of the document.
- Database Theory
- Student: Michael Tazcak
Title: A Database Management Tool that Supports Multiple Connections and Query Languages
Abstract: (Also HCI)
Different database servers have slight differences in query languages that
do not allow for direct transfer of information from one to another. Many of
the current non-profit database management tools are web-based and only
support a connection to a single database of a single server type. The final
goal of this project is to create a non-web-based user-friendly graphical
interface for database management that can span multiple connections to
several different servers at one time. This would allow for a quick and easy
transfer of information between different database systems.
- Networking
- Student: Mike Herring
Title: 3D Network Visualization
Abstract:
3D Network Visualization uses TCP/IP protocals and multicasting to compile
a three-dimensional scene in OpenGL showing network connections and
bandwidth/transfer rate.
- Student: Sami Siddiqui
Title: The Development of a Wide Area Network (WAN) and OpenGL Representation Using "Understanding
Internet Protocols through
Hands-On Programming"
Abstract:
The following project documents the creation of a Wide Area Network (WAN)
using the reference guide, "Understanding Internet Protocols Through Hands-On
Programming" written by J. Mark Pullen. The book is divided into sections
pertaining to the individual components of the network and thus, chapter by
chapter, the user completes assignments that aid in the construction of the
final project. In conjunction with the reference guide, a simulation software
package titled NetworkBench also facilitates in the development of the WAN
by executing the coding written by the user as well as providing the correct
output as a comparison to sample code. The primary goal of undertaking such
a project is to gain insight as to how networks that are used in day-to-day
business actually function from a computer aspect. However, such a program
is a more creative way of gaining this knowledge as it allows for hands-on
programming, which aids in the learning process. In addition, another component
of this project is an algorithm that creates a visual representation of the
network using OpenGL. Such a representation will allow users to better
understand the concept of a WAN by providing a visual aid that depicts how
the WAN functions on an elementary level.
- Student: Christopher Doyle
Title: The Creation of a 3D Client/Server Application
Abstract:
In this project, a world will be build that can be experienced by multiple
clients at once in three-dimentions. The clients will be able to interact
with the world and each other, because the application is being build with
a client/server model. Many facets will need to be developed, the actual
network code, the network strategy for transfering data effeciently, how to
describe a world in 3D as a file, and how to draw it, with updates of the
state of the world from the server. I will be building this in steps, because
to test it well, both the network and the 3D parts need to be working to
some degree. As a result, much knowledge will be attained in the area of
compression, relevant 3D math (linear algebra), knowledge of the OpenGL
API, and the network commands of C++ and how Linux handles them.
- HCI - Human Computer Interaction
- Student: Kelly Geoghegan
- Title: Creating a Drawing Program with an Advanced Gui Interface
Abstract:
This project creates a drawing program that is simple to use but not
limited in its capabilities. The final product will be a user-friendly
drawing tool kit for the computer animator in which the user can, for
example, create and manipulate circles, squares, and triangles etc. on
a blank canvas.
- Student: Sarah Hagan
Title: Creation of an GUI Application to Analyze Reproduction of Wasps with a Bacteria Infection
Abstract:
Scientists create models to predict the results of their research. My goal
was to create an application that would help scientists develop models. To
focus my project, I choice a certain model and topic of scientific research.
To foster interdisciplinary research, I chose a biotechnology topic: bacterium
research. I created an interface that allowed for maniupulation of bacterium
models. I used wxPython to code my user friendly application.
- Computer Architecture (See Applications of Operating Systems)
- Computers in Education
- Encryption (See Algorithms)
- Database Applications, Expert Systems
- Web and E-Business applications
- Student: Ryan Landoll
Title: Creation of an Intelligent Task Manager
Abstract:
This article describes the basic conception of the Creation of an Intelligent
Task Manager, Organa, as well as some of the background behind its conception
and design. Organa is a program that will consist of three components - a
Schedule Viewer, a Task Manager and a Scheduler. These three components will
fit together to offer a package that will allow students to organize their
assignments and achieve success at managing time and course load.
- Student: Laura Strickman
Title: Datakeeper: An Online Form-Filling Database
Abstract:
The average high school student fills out dozens of administrative forms
during their high-school career, everything from field trip permission slips
to information cards for teachers' files to many repetitive emergency care
forms. It would save much time and frustration if the students' pertinent
facts were stored digitally. Then whenever a form was required, the data needed
could be released via email to whoever requested it, or printed out easily.
To ensure security for the information, the students could select which
information to release to which form.
- Student: David Chao
Title:A Restricted Database Compiled by PHP and MySQL to Store Navy VRML
Data in Comprehensive Tables
Abstract
The U.S. Navy designs ships using a CAD system. Since the navy has multiple
locations where ships are designed the result is the redrawing of parts
for diffrent ships. The same radar is used in several ships but since
there is no central location to store the VRML files they are lost. I want
to create a database that would allow the user to search for a desired part
and download it from the site. Parts that were not found by the user could
be drawn and then uploaded to the site. The site would have to be restricted
to navy users.
- Student: Joseph Hess
Title: An Online User Interface for Tracking Stock Portfolios
Abstract: (HCI category also)
Currently, an abundance of websites offer online services to track the
performance of stock portfolios. However, the most comprehensive options to
this effect may require a fee and usually do not provide advice tailored to
the investor. Additionally, the online environment is often subjected to
undesired amounts of clutter and advertising, distracting users from their
main purpose and unnecessarily complicating the online experience. An online
user interface offers wide-ranging analysis of stock performance and counsel
on managing the portfolio based on a concurrent study in technical analysis
and other strategies used to predict stock movements. This project represents
the confluence of the convenience of other online interfaces, the personalized
guidance typically reserved for other media, the efficiency of data storage
in databases manipulated by simple query languages, and basic principles of
the design of user interfaces in order to create a single destination for
viewing past performance, current conditions, and future possibilities.
- Student: Corey Mays
Title: Making a Restricted Database that Stores and Allows for the Easy Accesss of VRML Files for the US Navy
Abstract:
The U.S. Navy designs ships using a CAD system. Since the navy has multiple
locations where ships are designed the result is the redrawing of parts for
different ships. The same radar is used in several ships but since there is
no central location to store the VRML files they are lost. I want to create
a database that would allow the user to search for a desired part and
download it from the site. Parts that were not found by the user could be
drawn and then uploaded to the site. The site would have to be restricted to
navy users.
- Student: Steve Yang
Title: Integrated Online Library Catalog and Account Tracking System
Abstract:
For my Senior Computer Systems Research Laboratory project at TJHSST, I will
be creating an improved online library tracking system that fully integrates
member features with a catalog database.
- Student: Sana Yousef
Title: Business Inventory Management System
Description:This program would be useful for retail stores by helping stores
track and order supplies/items. A store would be sent a list of items in the
latest shipment. The store would then be presented with an easy way of both
checking for discrepancies and reporting them back to the distribution
center. The store could also order items from the distribution center. The
store would then be able to track its shipments, to better get an idea of
when new items/supplies are going to arrive.
Abstract
Problem: There is no current way for a store to track incoming shipments, and
the old method of paper and pen checking-in is time consuming and an
electronic method would be useful.
Method: Online tracking and ordering system would greatly decrease time needed
to check in orders while also giving the stores an upperhand with customers
as they would be able to know what items would be arriving in the next
shipment.
Tools: This program will have to combine many languages and scripts in order
to achieve the goal. Some things that will be used are: php, MySql, and html.
- Student: Ivan Hall III
Title: Development of Secure Internet Chat Program
Abstract:
As digital communication becomes more predominant, so does the need for
privacy and securities. Millions of users use text-messages . This project
is intended to help solve this problem by creating a IRC system in which the
RSA algorithm, a popular method of encryption is incorporated to protect the
contents of messages and/or data.
- Student Mark Terrell
Title: An Interactive Activity Management System
Abstract
The Interactive Activity Management System is an online databasing system
designed to simplify the busy lives of TJ students or anyone else in need
of organization. It is a MySQL/PHP based website that allows users to post
information to save them time and from frustration.
- Student: George Ding
Title: Dynamic Web-based Content using HTML, PHP and MySQL
Abstract:
To program a script that will help in the organization and presentation of
a large amount of information. The information, in the case of this site
East Asian movie reviews and Chinese and Japanese song lyrics, will be stored
in databases. The script will extract the information from the databases and
show the user the reviews or song lyrics available and allow the user to browse
by title, artist, rating, genre, etc. or allow the user to search for a particular
movie or song. When a movie or song is selected, the script will load a page
after again accessing the database, which has the review or song lyric in it,
along with other information such as the year the movie was released, or the
composer of the song. Such a script can never truely be finished, but I plan
to start out with a version of the script including only the default case,
then gradually add in features through functions in the script. To check if
the script is working, I need information in the MySQL database. Simultaneously,
while working on new versions of the script, I will be inserting information
into the database. Then, I will access and test different parts of the script
and see if the correct information is accessed and withdrawn by the script.
- Computers and Music