Author Archives: Professor X
Choosing a Physics or Astronomy graduate school
You’re applying to or have been accepted to graduate school. How do you decide? Here are some suggested questions and answers. These apply to Physics and Astronomy. The best advice is: talk to students already at that institution before making
Choosing a Physics or Astronomy graduate school
You’re applying to or have been accepted to graduate school. How do you decide? Here are some suggested questions and answers. These apply to Physics and Astronomy. The best advice is: talk to students already at that institution before making
Making a plot of your data for fun and profit
Evil genius tips: More socially constructive tips: Consider how your plots may appear to others. Next the formal rules: Physical Review Guidelines for Authors has some useful hints on all aspects of publication. with specific PRL Figures rules on sizes
Making a plot of your data for fun and profit
Evil genius tips: More socially constructive tips: Consider how your plots may appear to others. Next the formal rules: Physical Review Guidelines for Authors has some useful hints on all aspects of publication. with specific PRL Figures rules on sizes
Setting up a meeting
You and some colleagues want to have a meeting about some subject – how do you make this work? Of course you know how to set up a meeting, that’s why everyone always shows up at the right place, on
Setting up a meeting
You and some colleagues want to have a meeting about some subject – how do you make this work? Of course you know how to set up a meeting, that’s why everyone always shows up at the right place, on
Physics Attire
A student recently asked me what to wear to a Sigma Pi Sigma initiation. I suggested Physics Formal, which is, a shirt with nothing written on it, long pants or a skirt and shoes. Physics Attire generally does not depend
Physics Attire
A student recently asked me what to wear to a Sigma Pi Sigma initiation. I suggested Physics Formal, which is, a shirt with nothing written on it, long pants or a skirt and shoes. Physics Attire generally does not depend
Semi-mindless cheats for scientific writing
Computers may be evil but they can help you find common flaws. Here are some things to do when you have writer’s block but still want to improve your text. Checking your text Plots and tables: Other Hints
Semi-mindless cheats for scientific writing
Computers may be evil but they can help you find common flaws. Here are some things to do when you have writer’s block but still want to improve your text. Checking your text Plots and tables: Other Hints
Messaging etiquette
This started out as email advice but also applies to other social media so I’m using message to refer to your posts/emails. Never write anything in an message that you don’t want the person you are talking about, your boss,
Messaging etiquette
This started out as email advice but also applies to other social media so I’m using message to refer to your posts/emails. Never write anything in an message that you don’t want the person you are talking about, your boss,
You’re asked to serve on a committee – what do you do?
Your university or an outside organization has send an email asking you to serve on a committee. What should you do? First, find out what is involved – how much time will this take? You can ask the person who
You’re asked to serve on a committee – what do you do?
Your university or an outside organization has send an email asking you to serve on a committee. What should you do? First, find out what is involved – how much time will this take? You can ask the person who
Unix Command summary in Unix style
###Unix commands### # Unix is somewhat abrupt in its phrasing files and directories cp x y # copy file x to y, leaves x mv x y # move file x to y, x is gone! mkdir x # makes
Unix Command summary in Unix style
###Unix commands### # Unix is somewhat abrupt in its phrasing files and directories cp x y # copy file x to y, leaves x mv x y # move file x to y, x is gone! mkdir x # makes
Can you write me a letter of recommendation?
As a young scientist, you often need a letter of recommendation for a school application or new job. Here is some of the advice I’ve given over the years. (I use the word job in the following but applications for
Can you write me a letter of recommendation?
As a young scientist, you often need a letter of recommendation for a school application or new job. Here is some of the advice I’ve given over the years. (I use the word job in the following but applications for
How do I learn python and why?
Python is an interpreted programming language. It is very good at string manipulation and interactions with the operating system. Because it is interpreted on the fly, it is much slower than higher level languages like C++. Most particle physicists find
How do I learn python and why?
Python is an interpreted programming language. It is very good at string manipulation and interactions with the operating system. Because it is interpreted on the fly, it is much slower than higher level languages like C++. Most particle physicists find
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