My PyGamer handheld game device arrived yesterday! It’s no Steam Deck, but for me, it’s better because it’s good hardware and programming practice, and costs a tenth as much! Looking forward to coding on it! 💻
Ich benötige für mein GTA am #OstwaldGymnasium#WOG in #Leipzig noch ein Co-Hosty, da wir mit >30 Anmeldungen rechnen. Thema ist offiziell #Robotik für Klassen 5-8. Da wir mit #Makecode arbeiten, erklären wir auch mit https://arcade.makecode.com/ und einige Kinder bleiben bei Spieleprogrammierung hängen... (gibt schlimmeres)
Die Übungsleiterpauschale von 16 bis 32€/h ist nicht viel, aber steuerfrei (auch wenn Du einen 450€ Job hast) – ideal für Studys.
Ich habe jetzt 56 Anmeldungen. 🤯 Wir könnten also auf drei Übungsleiter aufteilen. Leute, ziert Euch nicht! Ihr müsst nur halbwegs passabel erklären können. #Makecode bringe ich Euch bei und Sensorik bei Lego ist pillepalle.
"With a software death date baked into each model, older versions of these inexpensive computers are set to expire three to six years after their release. Despite having fully functioning hardware, an expired Chromebook will no longer receive the software updates it needs, blocking basic websites and applications from use…
[Pictured] A pile of Chromebooks with expired software sit in a classroom at Montera Middle School in Oakland, Calif"
@kkarhan@mcc These Intel #Chromebook:s can be switched to developer mode, after this any normal Linux distribution can be installed. I'd happily take them for my #Makecode (Arcade and Mindstorms) classes, but I suspect these Atom based Celerons are close to being to slow for more complex applications.
I'm attempting to teach myself how to code using Python, MicroPython and CircuitPython. I am using a device called "Pygamer" that also lets me code games using Microsoft's makecode arcade. I am using a raspberry Pi 4b as my main computer. I chose to use a raspberry Pi 4b for a couple of reasons. The biggest reason is power consumption (8 watts vs 100+ watts) but the other reason is that it forces me out of my comfort zone. I also just wanted to see if it were possible to learn this stuff without a faster computer. It is possible but it's not plug and play that is for sure!
I am teaching myself this stuff becuase I became disabled around 4 years ago and was no longer able to work doing what I used to do (construction). Disability income is not enough to live on and grow unless you work really hard at learning a skill that doesn't require a large financial investment.
My ultimate goal is to reach a point where I can start tutoring programming and maybe even start a summer camp style electronics thing in the future!
So for now, as I learn, I document everything. I am attempting to build somewhat of a curriculum while I also learn the fundamentals. One day I'll use these materials in my lessons!
I'll be working on this stuff for the next few years as I have a roadmap that leads into 2028. Here is hoping by 2028 I can laugh at my terrible attempts at programming today!
I will mostly be using microcontrollers for my journey as devices like the adafruit Pygamer and pimoroni PicoSystem are relatively cheap and they give you a choice of a few possible languages to learn. Not only that, the extremely limited hardware forces you to focus on game design principles and coding with memory in mind. This will keep me from running away with ideas like I did back when I was playing with Godot as I am very limited in what mechanics I am able to implement!
Those tiny game systems are going to be the basis of ALL my projects moving forward. The Pygamer especially as I was able to grab a few right before they sold out for good!
My favourite genre of games are RPGs and text based adventures. Ever since coming on Mastodon I have been thinking about what it would take to make a vision impaired or blind friendly rpg/tba. This would be my ultimate goal, to code accessible games but for now unfortunately I'm going to have to use the materials that already exist which don't have vision impaired people in mind whatsoever. That is okay though. I will be keeping accessibility in mind once I start actually coding my own game!
I never shared anything on the old social media sites but Mastodon seems infinitely more friendly and filled with similarly motivated people. I look forward to sharing with you guys and meeting others who are doing the same!
Just updated my big list of more advanced / crazy BBC micro:bit projects. Make a binary adder! Print surreal stories on a thermal printer! Do the kettle run in less than 10 parsecs! Write a 7 segment LED display driver in MAKE CODE BLOCKS! Get kids making their own programming language for younger kids! Play NIM to win! And many more.
It's all here, fill your :bits! http://www.suppertime.co.uk/blogmywiki/microbit/ #microbit#Python#microPython#MakeCode