Leon Atkinson

UCSD FPS that Teaches How to Program in Java

Leon — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:00:53 +0000

Here’s another project that helps kids learn to program using games. It’s interesting that they use the same metaphor as CodeCombat–spellcraft. Contrast CodeSpell’s Java to CodeCombat’s JavaScript. The latter likely offers more utility to kids looking to get into the workforce in a few years.

UC San Diego Computer Scientists Develop First-person Player Video Game that Teaches How to Program in Java

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Dev tools for April

Leon — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:00:03 +0000

Here are a few dev tools I’ve run across this month.

csscss by zmoazeni

A CSS redundancy analyzer that analyzes redundancy.

Chrome Logger – Server side application debugging

Chrome Logger is a Google Chrome extension for debugging server side applications in the Chrome console.

Team IM App ‘HipChat’ Gets New Linux Release | OMG! Ubuntu!

Team-orientated instant messaging and collaboration tool HipChat is once again available for Linux users – this time without the crutch of Adobe Air that its old client required.

Verlet-js

verlet-js a simple Verlet integration physics engine written in javascript by Sub Protocol. Verlet is pronounced ‘ver-ley’.

RuneScape goes HTML5

Leon — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:00:59 +0000

Will Minecraft switch to HTML5 in an upcoming release, too?

It’s about time: RuneScape dumps Java for HTML5 | Internet & Media – CNET News

A widely used online game and longtime Java ally is ditching Oracle’s security-plagued programming technology. Your move, Minecraft. Read this article by Stephen Shankland on CNET News.

Hooktheory

Leon — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 18:07:27 +0000

This site/tool/book is fascinating. The editor interface reminds me of EA’s Instant Music on the Amiga, software I spent many hours with as a teenager.

Hooktheory

There is a moment in every musicians life when they realize they want to understand more. Why do certain chords fit together easily, and others not so easily? Why do certain notes seem to sound “perfect”? How can I get from this chord to that chord? How can I create a great sounding melody?

CodeCombat

Leon — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 17:29:35 +0000

This is a good start on an innovative approach to teaching kids how to code. It’s a little buggy as of yet, but you can see the idea will work.

CodeCombat

Learn programming in glorious strategy game challenges, coding with others in real time to defeat your enemies!

Streaming MST3K

Leon — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:00:10 +0000

I’m thinking that I need to introduce this to Tre and Henry. Tre has developed his TV heckling skills recently.

Club MST3k – Watch Streaming Episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000!

Welcome to the most complete list of free online streaming Mystery Science Theater 3000 videos. Watch MST3k with the MSTie community.

Best of all, this site is updated by MST3k’s greatest asset, the fans (you!)

Online videos come and go. If you know of a video for a full episode, best-of, short, ororiginal movie, click the appropriate episode and ADD IT!

#49: California

Leon — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:00:15 +0000

From the “tell me something I don’t know” department, California ranks as just about the worst state for personal freedom. We can put this on our trophy shelf along with the worst unemployment at 9.8% and our F grade in education.

How free is your state?

How free is your state? Find out! The Freedom in the 50 States 2013 index from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University measures freedom across a range of over 200 policies and across personal, regulatory and fiscal dimensions.

California ranks next-to-last on freedom

Acquisition is failure

Leon — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:00:09 +0000

I am not convinced this is universal, but I’m willing to go with it being the default position. I’m working on several startups right now in addition to my consulting work. The one that really inspires my passion helps therapists take structured notes, and when it’s successful, I hope my passion for it continue and we never need to sell it.

An acquisition is always a failure

I never intended to become a tech entrepreneur. Growing up in Baltimore, I was focused on Legos, Game Boy, my parents’ video camera, and DOS computer games. I learned Photoshop so I could manipulate photos, and HTML so I could publish them. When video cameras with FireWire ports came out, I learned Premiere and After Effects so I could edit home movies and make ridiculous short films with hokey special effects. I uploaded them to blumpy.org, my crudely named personal website.

Public crucifixion on live TV

Leon — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:00:25 +0000

I totally missed it and I can’t find it on YouTube. I know, I know…it’s pretty sad for anyone to want that to happen to them, but conceptually that idea seems fun.

America’s First Public Crucifixion Will be on Live TV This Easter Sunday March 31 on KILM Los Angeles

The controversial crucifixion will be captured live from the BattleCam.com website and broadcast live on KILM in Los Angeles The uncensored globally distributed internet feed will be available exclusively in FilmOn.TV

Robert Garrison aka Mr. Eyelidz is a 30 year old self-confessed sado-masochist from Florida and a devout member of the anti-social networking site BattleCam.com.

Mr. Garrison will be nailed to a giant wooden cross with 12 inch iron nails whilst being broadcast on live television, in Los Angeles this coming Easter Sunday March 31st at 7.00 PM

In keeping with biblical accounts, local Jewish celebrities such as Zolar Glen a regular on Howard Stern and BattleCam, will actually hammer these nails through the hands and feet of Mr. Eyelidz.

Westboro Church Leader Attacked By A Fat Naked Man (Video)

Do not stay in a job you dislike

Leon — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:00:37 +0000

I can’t help but conclude that quitting my “real” job a couple years ago was one of the nicest things I ever did for myself.

What is the single most important life lesson older people feel young people need to know?

Karl Pillemer of Cornell University interviewed nearly 1500 people age 70 to 100+ for his book “30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans.” He asked them what life lessons they’d pass on.

What piece of advice were they more adamant about than any other? More adamant about than lessons regarding marriage, children and happiness?

Do not stay in a job you dislike.