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Open source programming languages for kids

The past couple of years have seen an explosion of open source programming languages and utilities that are geared toward children. Many of these efforts are based around the idea that, since the days of BASIC, programming environments have become far too complex for untrained minds to wrap themselves around. Some toolkits aim to create entirely new ways of envisioning and creating projects that appeal to younger minds, such as games and animations, while others aim to recreate the “basic”-ness of BASIC in a modern language and environment.

via Linux.com :: Open source programming languages for kids.

Drag and drop programming? Things where you can actually “see” what your programming goes and what it does?

Yeah, I’m all for that.

The Digg comments for this article are serious gold – gems like “Bah, just start ’em on C++, tough learning curve but if they succeed they’ll be one of the best damned programmers ever, and if they don’t – well, I hear McDonalds is hiring…”

I Digg that. Pun intended.

LOLCODE – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

LOLCODE is an esoteric programming language inspired by the language expressed in examples of the lolcat Internet meme. The language was created in 2007 by Adam Lindsay, researcher at the Computing Department of Lancaster University.

The language is not clearly defined in terms of operator priorities and correct syntax, but several functioning interpreters and compilers already exist.

via LOLCODE – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

“Hello World” in LOLCODE:

HAI
CAN HAS STDIO?
VISIBLE "HAI WORLD!"
KTHXBYE

“HAI” introduces the program.

“CAN HAS <file>” acts as the includes statement.

“VISIBLE <message>” prints a message to the screen.

“KTHXBYE” exits the program.

See? Far, far easier than Java.

Epson Artisan 800 | Uncrate

Epson Artisan 800

Printers usually aren’t this exciting. Or this good looking. Or this powerful. The Epson Artisan 800 ($230) is absolutely packed with features — the good kind of features that you actually use. This all-in-one print/scan/fax beauty sports a 7.8″ touch panel with a 3.5″ LCD to preview photos, Wi-Fi for printing from any room, and super fast prints — up to 38 ppm in black/color and photos in as little as 10 seconds. The Artisan 800, which produces Ultra Hi-Definition prints (yes, they’re as good as they sound), also packs in the ability to print directly onto ink jet printable CDs and DVDs; dual paper trays for plain and photo paper; handy individual ink cartridges; memory card slots to print photos without a computer; an auto document feeder; and built-in two-sided printing. We dare you to find something better at this price point.

via Epson Artisan 800 | Uncrate.

Don’t really care about the 7.8″ touchscreen, nor the LCD, nor the dual paper trays.

However, my next printer MUST HAVE:

  1. Direct CD/DVD printing.
  2. Auto-duplexing (double sided printing).

That’s it. I’m easily satisfied.

Left 4 Dead DLC news coming “shortly” to PC, 360

Left 4 Dead was easily one of the most exciting PC releases of the year and has kept most of us blasting zombies with friends well through the holidays. But as good as the stock game is, some Team Fortress 2-style downloadable content will surely make it better, and Valve has revealed that the first batch of Left 4 Dead DLC will be revealed “shortly.”

via Left 4 Dead DLC news coming “shortly” to PC, 360.

Any L4D news is good news.

Downloadable content, however, is even better news.

If you haven’t figured it out already, Left 4 Dead is a really, really, good game.

Co-Op is awesome, and Versus is fun as well.

I’m one of those gamers who doesn’t like killing their friends in video games, so Co-Op is always something that I’ve enjoyed. For me, it feels like I’m a part of a team, heading towards a common goal.

The first time I came across co-op was in back in the days when I had a GameCube. Man those things were awesome. Anyway, Dave and I rented out Conflict:Desert Storm for a weekend, and we were hooked.

It’s no surprise that he ended up getting it for his original Xbox.

…and thus, my love for Co-Op gameplay was born.

Happy New Year

From Benny Ling himself, yours truly, I wish you a Happy New Year.

Hop y’all have an excellent time, doin whatever y’all is doing.

You feel me?

Have a good one, dudes. Catcha sometime in the new year…