I switched out my 22" monitor for two older square 19" LCD monitors (res: 1280x1024 ea) the pixel ratio is much better on the eyes as well as the height of the displays work a whole lot better for DTP/coding than a modern cinema type displays. That's probably been one of the biggest helps for me.
Next on the list is my Geek Desk - adjustable height (can go from sit to stand), I still raise/lower it a couple times a day but it is more up then down most days now, it does help.
Last, got a reasonably comfortable chair - not an Aeron, but a good consumer level of such, has a mesh back and soft seat.
It may not phase the rich but it sure makes a statement to the politicians. By hanging out at Wall Street, financial dists, etc. It lets the common folk put an arrow at where many of us believe where the problem is located, I applaud that thought.
Iv'e heard some of the politicians say hang out at the white house, etc. That does not highlight the source of the problem from my perspective.
Is that why their stores inventory is so sparse now? Compared to last year, their inventories have shrunk considerably, the computer section is quite thin. I'm thinking any excuse to reduce volume myself.
Me too, seeing how easy BASIC was got me interested in writing programs, then from there I wanted to learn more. So the book from high school computers, Hands on BASIC with a PET by Pelkham, while no where near a definitive guide was greatly influential That and David Ahl's BASIC Computer Games compilation books.
back in the 80s after HS I T.A.ed in a computer class for the lower grades.
The curriculum was basically explaining what programs do (role-play a robot making a peanut butter sandwich, have the kids tell the robot to do...). After theat we went into turning on the computer (Commodore 64) loading programs etc. then for the programming we did a type in, simple graphics demo, something they can type in the the length of a class period and be able to modify easily to produce new effects.
I think this could be done with a simple python script, have it draw something pretty and let kids go crazy the adjusting the values the make the design.
Don't expect them to retain any of that... unless they are really interested then they will be back asking questions and progressing on their own. Main point is to show the kids computers/programming ins't so unapproachable, so later computer experiences don't worry them as much.
Very fascinating podcast. If I were the reporters, I would follow the transaction from Intellectual Ventures to Oasis Research and other companies that it sells its patents to...
I'm thinking that the companies that paid the protection money are still not sued by the new patent owners... thus still receive the 'benefits' of the protection. I would also think that the sales are designed to isolate I.V. from being "evil" and open the opportunity for predatory enforcement/collection (to promote settlement revenue) via these purchasers. I wonder if there is a "get rich quick" infomercial from I.V. that encourages people to purchase said patents for revenue generation.
There are a bunch of classic shows, CommVEx is coming up in under two weeks (July 23 &24) and there are many others in various places throughout the year. Several Commodore ones, and many others including the Vintage Computer Festival. Even the Maker Faires have usually a classic computer or five in their midst. Another to look for are the Arcade/Videogaming expos that pop up, you can play on 8-bit arcade hardware.
There's always the Computer History Museum in Mountain View CA. Intel museum in San Jose, etc.
If you want instant "wow" gratification, the closest I've come to that lately is with LSL, the second life scripting engine. Which affects the objects you make in the Second Life Virtual world. The interface is easy to use and the syntax is really approachable.
Second to that I'd say Python, mainly for its easy to pick up syntax, ubiquitous nature and the capability to do actual 'real-world' stuff with it as you develop skills.
Gary Gygax is of the original creators of Dungeons and Dragons (the pioneering fantasy role playing game) along with many other games via his company TSR and others.
I think it may be worse news for the carriers. If they wont provide suitable bandwidth, eventually someone will develop a more popular alternative that bypasses their speed bump altogether.
I agree, set up a nice introductory course with Python, its a pretty easy to grasp cross-platform language, that could be used by beginners and then id they wish to explore more they have the basic knowledge and the tools to do more readily at hand. Any dumbed down "education-specific language" would be a disservice if you want to foster truly skilled graduates.
As far as the first post - I learned programming in High School, BASIC, it got me interested enough to learn more languages and practices and get better. Never made it to college and I do make a living programming.
Sad, a straight shot to Windows 8 - Xerox had the idea, Apple Copied it, MS copied it and then MS developed it into Windows 8 - without copying any thing else... really?
$25 yr is the storage, you still have to buy replacement songs, else you can sync by wifi or wire. Those that have no matches in iTunes they will upload 'free'. So it'4 $25 yr + re-sales of your (possibly) legitimate CD rips.
Slashdot Mirror
I switched out my 22" monitor for two older square 19" LCD monitors (res: 1280x1024 ea) the pixel ratio is much better on the eyes as well as the height of the displays work a whole lot better for DTP/coding than a modern cinema type displays. That's probably been one of the biggest helps for me.
Next on the list is my Geek Desk - adjustable height (can go from sit to stand), I still raise/lower it a couple times a day but it is more up then down most days now, it does help.
Last, got a reasonably comfortable chair - not an Aeron, but a good consumer level of such, has a mesh back and soft seat.
It may not phase the rich but it sure makes a statement to the politicians. By hanging out at Wall Street, financial dists, etc. It lets the common folk put an arrow at where many of us believe where the problem is located, I applaud that thought.
Iv'e heard some of the politicians say hang out at the white house, etc. That does not highlight the source of the problem from my perspective.
I found the hacker news discussion of it quite informative: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3071647
Is that why their stores inventory is so sparse now? Compared to last year, their inventories have shrunk considerably, the computer section is quite thin. I'm thinking any excuse to reduce volume myself.
Me too, seeing how easy BASIC was got me interested in writing programs, then from there I wanted to learn more. So the book from high school computers, Hands on BASIC with a PET by Pelkham, while no where near a definitive guide was greatly influential That and David Ahl's BASIC Computer Games compilation books.
back in the 80s after HS I T.A.ed in a computer class for the lower grades.
The curriculum was basically explaining what programs do (role-play a robot making a peanut butter sandwich, have the kids tell the robot to do...). After theat we went into turning on the computer (Commodore 64) loading programs etc. then for the programming we did a type in, simple graphics demo, something they can type in the the length of a class period and be able to modify easily to produce new effects.
I think this could be done with a simple python script, have it draw something pretty and let kids go crazy the adjusting the values the make the design.
Don't expect them to retain any of that... unless they are really interested then they will be back asking questions and progressing on their own. Main point is to show the kids computers/programming ins't so unapproachable, so later computer experiences don't worry them as much.
Can't wait for the homegrown urban superhero to be sporting a set of VideoTights... heh
Sky High Promises
High Rates
Bad Service
Lousy Support
and the power to get away with it.
Nothing new there, even before smartphones the complaints were the same.
Been using 3.5 Quanta and still waiting...
I read of the problems/apathy integrating Quanta into Kdevelop4...
How about just fixing the libs in Quanta 3.5 to just work in 4 and 5??? Would that be more doable?
Either that or someone needs to make a suitable alternative.
um.... Investor Dividend Killer? I think most of em had that distinction.
It looks nice.. but it's expensive (compared to Ardunio) and I don't run Windows on anything.
Very fascinating podcast. If I were the reporters, I would follow the transaction from Intellectual Ventures to Oasis Research and other companies that it sells its patents to...
I'm thinking that the companies that paid the protection money are still not sued by the new patent owners... thus still receive the 'benefits' of the protection. I would also think that the sales are designed to isolate I.V. from being "evil" and open the opportunity for predatory enforcement/collection (to promote settlement revenue) via these purchasers. I wonder if there is a "get rich quick" infomercial from I.V. that encourages people to purchase said patents for revenue generation.
Anyone see anything like that going on?
There are a bunch of classic shows, CommVEx is coming up in under two weeks (July 23 &24) and there are many others in various places throughout the year. Several Commodore ones, and many others including the Vintage Computer Festival. Even the Maker Faires have usually a classic computer or five in their midst. Another to look for are the Arcade/Videogaming expos that pop up, you can play on 8-bit arcade hardware.
There's always the Computer History Museum in Mountain View CA. Intel museum in San Jose, etc.
As far as non SL virtual world languages - Alice would be another good contender.
If you want instant "wow" gratification, the closest I've come to that lately is with LSL, the second life scripting engine. Which affects the objects you make in the Second Life Virtual world. The interface is easy to use and the syntax is really approachable.
Second to that I'd say Python, mainly for its easy to pick up syntax, ubiquitous nature and the capability to do actual 'real-world' stuff with it as you develop skills.
Of all the bits apple includes in their computers - displays seem to be the most expensive cost factor for them.
No thanks, I got a Mini and I can afford my monitor.
Gary Gygax is of the original creators of Dungeons and Dragons (the pioneering fantasy role playing game) along with many other games via his company TSR and others.
I think it may be worse news for the carriers. If they wont provide suitable bandwidth, eventually someone will develop a more popular alternative that bypasses their speed bump altogether.
Yeah, they should call it the Re-Burger. :-D I wonder if that inspired the research?
I agree, set up a nice introductory course with Python, its a pretty easy to grasp cross-platform language, that could be used by beginners and then id they wish to explore more they have the basic knowledge and the tools to do more readily at hand. Any dumbed down "education-specific language" would be a disservice if you want to foster truly skilled graduates.
As far as the first post - I learned programming in High School, BASIC, it got me interested enough to learn more languages and practices and get better. Never made it to college and I do make a living programming.
Sad, a straight shot to Windows 8 - Xerox had the idea, Apple Copied it, MS copied it and then MS developed it into Windows 8 - without copying any thing else... really?
And now this, the latest in a long steady stream of screw-overs. They have seriously broken their promise to the developer community.
Nothing new here, really, except they are doing it to Windows MS users instead of Mac MS users.
They can reuse that Kin name they have laying there.
$25 yr is the storage, you still have to buy replacement songs, else you can sync by wifi or wire. Those that have no matches in iTunes they will upload 'free'. So it'4 $25 yr + re-sales of your (possibly) legitimate CD rips.
Main reason is I run Macs and Linux, integrating photo sharing would be a cool thing.
But will it run on Linux?