Post XXI. What Is Code?

The computer is an integral part of everyone’s life nowadays. Still, not so many people understand how this powerful machine actually works. Since getting my first computer in the middle 1990s and starting browsing the Internet, I was wondering what kind of mechanisms make this magic happen.

During my undergraduate studies, I took several basic programming courses, but never received the answer to the question above. Those courses discussed lots of technical terms related to the computer sciences, and I even remembered some of them; however, nobody cared to explain the working process of the computer so I would be able to get it.

Last weeks, I was searching for coding-related learning materials for my soon-to-start IDT career in Kazakhstan. And I was lucky to find an amazing interactive manual that is written for people who are not very familiar with coding, but willing to understand it. That is to say, I found the coding book of my dream, and it is called What Is Code? While interacting with the book, I experienced lots of “aha moments” that never came to my head before.

What Is Code? is a real treasure for anyone interested in the topic of coding. If you are not one of them, you still may find it to be interesting to go to see how this interactive web-based learning tool works. I promise, you will be impressed.

Here is a short video from the introduction to What Is Code?

Post XII. FocusWriter.

FocusWriter is another writing environment allowing the user to stay focused when working on a text. Its unique feature is the “hiding” interface that the user can make visible by mousing to the top of the screen. Thus, the app is somewhat similar to the Focus View mode offered by the MS Word program. However, FocusWriter is quite more useful because, oppositely to MS Word, it optimizes not only the reading experience, but also the writing one.

In addition to the practical interface, FocusWriter includes a timer and statistics for tracking the writing progress, easy-to-adjust themes, and the auto-saving option. FocusWriter is multiplatform. It also supports various document types and various languages (including Russian – yay!).

FocusWriter would be a great tool for those people who would like to immerse themselves as much as possible in their work. The great news is that it is cheap – only $5 “donation-money” for the whole app. Here, "donation" means that if you prefer not to pay for the app, you can get it for free. 

If interested, watch the short video demonstrating the features of FocusWriter below.

Post XI. Twine

This week readings inspired me to search for a writing tool that is free to use following the idea of open-source software. I found a lovely tool that would be of use for anyone who needs to keep track on how story goes when writing something. If you are one of those people, check out Twine.

Twine is an easy-to-use tool that allows users to publish directly to HTML with no coding involved. The tool is widely used for story structuring. Also, Twine is popular among the game designers who develop interactive web-based games due its simplicity and ability to adjust to the specific needs of the user (e.g., you can insert conditional logic, images, or JavaScript into text).

As with any popular Web 2.0 tool, there exist Twine community that provides newbies with advice and support.

Here is the link to the game made with Twine - Escape from the Man-Sized Cabinet, - and the picture below shows the title page of this game.