KludgeHack

Kids programming
30 April 2007 in Microsoft & Programming & Tech | Comments (0)

This is nothing new to those that were lucky enough to visit Microsoft TechFest 2007 in March. In this event Microsoft shows their incredible researches projects and joins together its hundreds of researchers and visitors.

I wast there, but many content was made available after, and one I think is kind a special.

Boku is a “video game” to help kids (or others) to learn programming. Looks and feels like a game, with no text typing, fantastic interface.

Using Xbox 360 platform, a 3D gaming world and only the console controller, this game can attract anyone interested in solving logic problems.

By creating a programming model extremely (really) simple, using behavior cards to enable a small robot to navigate its virtual world and achieve specific tasks.

There are no possible syntax errors; the only programs it’s possible to create are correct ones. Programs can run quickly after they’re created.

The goal is to provide a gentle introduction to some functional elements of creative programming to children who may not yet be ready for the complexity of classic computer languages.

The main character in the “game” is a robot named Boku who lives on an island. Players give Boku different instructions that vary in complexity to make him do different things. Each programming task represents a level in the game, and the programs get more sophisticated as the player advances through levels.

It is beautiful, and I sure hope it reaches final version soon. I also wouldn’t mind if they released also for Windows.

Check out its demo at Channel 10.

Note: There’s also an independent board-game based on C/C++/Java.

Fora.tv, smarter YouTube
25 April 2007 in Random tidbits | Comments (0)

Fora.tv is a recent creation that delivers video and discussions content.

“Delivers discourse, discussions and debates on the world’s most interesting political, social and cultural issues, and enables viewers to join the conversation.”

The interactivity and success seems to come in the form of posting comments, tagging videos, or even posting your own video content. Essentially it’s YouTube with more Thinking.

I don’t know the website inside and out, but they surely have an incredible technology channel, relatively similar to Google Video.

There are even some great tools like: embeddable player, transcripts, ratings, etc.

Graff
24 April 2007 in Tech | Comments (0)

I do have a special interest for graphics rendering library’s, even special interest for great user interface. Searching online I found this new library: Graff.

Graff is a new lightweight high-performance graphics rendering library. You can find more info at MDK (Michael Dominic K.) page.

Although it still in development, you can find more details at his blog, and even some videos showing basic element with animation.

links for 2007-04-12
12 April 2007 in Random tidbits | Comments (0)

• Learning Regular Expressions (Video Tutorial and Cheatsheet)
  Learning Regular Expressions (Video Tutorial and Cheatsheet)
  (tags: programming python tutorial regex cheatsheet Video reference regular_expressions)
• The ThinkGeek 8-bit Tie
  A Great Tie.. 8-bit mode.

links for 2007-04-11
11 April 2007 in Random tidbits | Comments (0)

• Microsoft is Dead
  Paul Graham suddenly realized Microsoft is dead…
  (tags: microsoft)
• fabiopedrosa
  (tags: programming technology blog)
• Microsoft Interview Questions
  Will you pass?
• Ramble On - A Day In the Life
  A typical university sysadmin’s day.
• Second Life to Charge for Names
  Back to middle ages…
• Ipod Saves Solider’s Life
• Lighthouse
  New great bug tracking system
• Challenge Problem
  “What is the exponent of the largest power of two whose base seven representation doesn’t contain three zeros in a row?”
• I spent £20,000 on a new face to find a husband
  The real 41 year old virgin.
• Don Dodge on The Next Big Thing: Since when does growing $4 Billion a year = Dead?
  “Paul must be living in a cave somewhere, or drunk on the Web 2.0 Kool-Aid…”
  (tags: microsoft google business paulgraham apple web2.0)