Cool, #Logic Gates using #dominoes

A series of videos explaining #logic gates using dominoes (some even work).

A cool introduction to logic using dominoes.  +1 geek experience point for #numberphile.



A 4 bit full adder using dominoes that works - sort of - the 'world's slowest computer'?



AND, OR and XOR logic using dominoes. +1 geek experience point for Neil Fraser



Domino logic gate with Nick Poole using #arduido demonstrating the full adder (add +1 geek experience point).

Three examples of collaboration in action

Thanks to Lucy for introducing me to these three fantastic videos showing teamwork in action (and an incredible amount of preparation).

A whole load of linear search algorithm videos

The linear search: a simple algorithm for searching for something.  It is what you do when you are searching for a matching sock in your sock drawer.  Nevertheless, students find it difficult to code, so presented here is a load of videos to help.

In its simplest form, the linear search is as follows.

i = 0         // the first item in your list
found = false // you haven't found it yet
answer = null // you haven't found it
while i < numberOfItems and not(found)
    if currentItem(i) == theThingYouAreLookingFor then
        found = true  // you found it
        answer = i    // the position of the thing
    else
        i ++          // increment i
    endif
endwhile
return ( answer )

In English:

Look through all the items in your list in turn, from the start, until you find the one you are looking for.  There are two ways a linear search can end: either you find the thing (so you stop searching), or you check everything and don't find it.

#linearSearch #algorithms

dd

Computerphile

So this New Year I discovered the brilliant Computerphile series on YouTube.  At the time of writing they have 64 videos on all things computer related - of interest to all Computing students.

The following two videos are close to my heart.

Physicist Richard Hill revisits a childhood favourite "Elite" on the BBC, getting to grips with the assembly language programming, random number generators and wire-frame graphics.
Physicist Richard Hill takes us on a tour of the mighty model 'B' microcomputer from Acorn.

Superior Interactive

I was delighted to discover this website today. Superior Interactive - remaking retro Superior Software titles for modern PCs.

Here's their remake of Repton.


Ravenskull - now with level designer!

GET LAMP: The Text Adventure Documentary

A film that brought back a few memories: GET LAMP is a documentary filmed by computer historian Jason Scott of textfiles.com
 

The film explores the people behind the first IF games (Colossal Cave, and Zork); the legacy and future of the IF medium.  Scott describes this film as The first and last IF documentary.  Enjoy!

Here is a link to the Lost Pig game mentioned at the end. (screenshot is below)

Introducing....GOLIATH

This one is for anyone who remembers the COLOSSAL CAVE adventure game, or is a fan of Interactive Fictions games, or just wants to learn some BASIC programming for the fun of it.

Presented here you will find the BB4W source code and executable versions of the program - GOLIATH.  Currently there are only 11 locations and 12 objects, and various features are not yet fully implemented, which I may get round to completing one day....

It you need some help understanding the source code, then please feel free to use the "Email Me" tab above.

Happy wandering....

(Go to the main GOLIATH page for the downloads)