Responses to Quiz 1 Question 1(j) Primitives
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Q1(j) [Short Answer]
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Primitives operations are always defined with respect to a 
*computing agent*. Give an example of an operation/instruction
(from real life) that is primitive to *you*, but not to many
other people in your class.


Your responses:
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 * "installing the Windows OS on my laptop" --
   To me, it is a high-level primitive but may require
   in-depth details on the various steps if it was to be
   executed by others, such as 'reformat the hard disl',
   'place installation disk', etc.

 * "To connect to SoC Unix account by secureshell client"
   I am a SoC student, hence this is a primitive to me as I am
   very familar with Unix. However, to my non-SoC friends who 
   never use Unix, this task is not considered primitive to them.

 * "Convert a long HTML document to one php file which uses
   two php includes for the static content.

 * "Setting up and testing a circuit using the Logic Trainer"
   Instruction: 
     1. look at the circuit diagram drawn out by myself;
     2. fix the components and wires according to the diagram;
     3. test the output of the circuit;
   Others would need a lot more elaboration on steps 2 & 3.

 * "To PCR a gene fragment using the primers provided"
   (where PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction).
   As a biology student, I kow I have to
     1. prepare the sample mixture with certain concentration 
          of each ingredient
     2. set up the PCR machine to execute 
         a) denaturing at 94C for 1 min;
         b) annealing at 50C for 30 sec;
         c) extend at 72C for 1 min;
         d) repeat from step a) for 30 times;
   If the person is a biology major, he does not know PCR
   as a primitive.

 * "perform polymerase chain reaction to amplify sample DNA"
   computing agent is me. So I understand it. So it is primitive 
   operation that I can execute.

 * "Aliquot 2ul of flowthrough from an RNA purification unit
   into a new 20ul Eppendorf tube."
   (in life science context)

 * "Cross a soccer ball"
   I am a soccer player. In order to score a goal, we
   sometimes say "cross" the ball so someone can head the
   ball. But someone unfamiliar to soccer will not know what
   a "cross" is, since it involves "trapping" the ball, and 
   hitting it high towards the target.

 * "To get in a 'lineout' and move to the first 'pod'" (in rugby)
   This means that I will be the first jumper when the ball is
   thrown back into play.
   (Hmmmm... who do we know in our class who is a rugby player?)

 * the various stances and positions in air rifle (give specific eg)
   I've shot air rifle for 8 years now, so the various stances
   and positions that my coach calls out for me to adjust accordingly
   to are second nature to me, but most probably not to others 
   who have not shot an air rifle in their lives. 
   This is akin to a bird base in origami -- beginers do not know
   how to get to a bird base structure in the first place.

 * "Do a cartwheel starting with your left hand on the ground"
   (Hmmm.... care to demonstrate? ;-)

 * "recognizing the chords in a music score"
   when playing the piano.

 * "Press the major base" or "Press the minor base" (in accordion)
   I am able to play he accordion and while playing the accordion,
   and the above are primitives to me. But many other people in my
   class may not know where the base is or what is the difference
   between "major base" and "minor base".

 * "creating a game counter"
   I design board games as a hobby.

 * Brew a cup of espresso
   (Yes, and the whole class [me include], is standing in line,
   waiting to drink ;-) 


 * withdraw money from <*name-of-student*>'s bank account from ATM"
   (yes, would be real bad if it was also primitive for many others! ;-)
 
 * Opening the door to *my* room"
   is primitive to me, but not to others, because others do not
   have the key to my door.

 * Go to <*name-of-student*>'s dormitory.

 * Go to a shop near *my* house" (need to be more specific, which shop!)
   Because I am familiar with my surrondings, I do not need
   directions to go to the shop, but others might need more
   specific instructions to get to the shop.

 * "Speaking Mandarin" 
   is primitive to me because it's my mother tongue, but 
   for other people it may be not and involves many complications.

 * "My Vitamin Alarm" --
   'When I hear the 'Always' music sound from the alarm
   in my laptop, I know it is time for me to take Vitamin,
   because I set the alarm myself;

 * "The action of praying every morning" 
   which may not be primitive to everyone in this class.

 * "Set/Input ATM pin number = '123456' into ATM machine"
   (urh.... why is it not primitive for many other people too?)
   (unless you mean that '123456' is *your own* pin number!)

 * To "hammer on the guitar string
   (urh.... why is it not primitive for many other people too?
   I thought anyone could "hammer" on it, but it is making
   good music (chords, for example) that is difficult.)

 * "Drink a glass of milk every night before I sleep" 
   (urh.... why is it not primitive for many other people too?)

 * "Move from NUS to Jurong Point"
   I live in Central of Singapore and have no idea where JurongPoint
   is except that it is in Jurong.
   (In this case, then it is NOT a primitive for YOU.)

 * "Bend"  
   (urh.... why is it not primitive for many other people too?)

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(The end; Thanks for very interesting entries!!!)