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- Rumanti
-
1000+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
I'll re-edit? X'D I'm a grammar checker more than anything else. I put a few more edits/comments in bold.
You should have add comments on my original article, because I have fixed most of it. And now I felt confused.

:wq
- wbpx9201
-
100+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Scratch On The Go
Ever wanted to make or view a Scratch project on a mobile device? Well you actually can! Get the app “Puffin Web Browser” on the AppStore and try it out! It has flash player enabled, meaning you can view Scratch projects! You can even go in the editor, though it is very laggy. Puffin Web Broswer has a free, “lite”, version, meaning you can try it out before you pay. You can also do many other things on this browser using flash that you normally couldn't do in your regular safari browser!
(This is just a kind of mini article, if it's too short I can write another small article and you can put them both on the same page.)
Ever wanted to make or view a Scratch project on a mobile device? Well you actually can! Get the app “Puffin Web Browser” on the AppStore and try it out! It has flash player enabled, meaning you can view Scratch projects! You can even go in the editor, though it is very laggy. Puffin Web Broswer has a free, “lite”, version, meaning you can try it out before you pay. You can also do many other things on this browser using flash that you normally couldn't do in your regular safari browser!
(This is just a kind of mini article, if it's too short I can write another small article and you can put them both on the same page.)
- wbpx9201
-
100+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Codea
Codea is an app on the App Store that allows you to make your own games in the programming language “Lua” on your IPad. It costs $10.49 AUD but it's worth it if you like programming. Read on for a tutorial of your first project in Codea.
Step 1: Making A New Project
Open the Codea app. In the bottom half of the screen, under “projects”, there should be a plus sign. Click that and type in the name of your project, then press enter. Some starting code should pop up. It contains two functions.
This function executes its code at the start of your program, setting the stage.
This function executes its code every frame. Normally around 60 times a second. You can put the art side of your project under this function.
You will notice lines of text around the code starting with a double hyphen (–). These are comments. Comments are something in your code that don't affect the program at all, and are only for explaining your code to make it easier to understand. I recommend you put comments in all your code.
In the next step of the tutorial we will look at the setup function, and the “print” code line.
Step 2: Setup and Print
Here is what your setup function looks like:
Now let's explain what each part of the function is and what it does.
The “function”, says that this line of code is defining a function. “Setup” is the name of the function.
The first thing you'll notice is that in the overall code, the “print” line is spaced out further than the setup function. This is because it is indented. An indent occurs automatically after a certain bit of code like a function or an if statement. The word “print” means whatever comes in the brackets after it will be printed out to the console when the code is run. There are a few things around the “Hello Word!”. First there are the brackets, they are just where you input your message to print. Then you see the quotation marks (“ ”), they are there to tell lua that the thing you are printing out is a string. These are the things you can print:
“String” - A string of letters, needs quotation marks.
Variable - A defined variable, doesn't need any symbols.
Variable/Number + Variable/Number - An equation, will print the answer to a maths sum. You cannot use strings in equations.
Then there is the final code line in the setup function, “end”. This signals the end of a function.
Step 3: The Draw Function
Ok, so we know what the setup function does, now let's look at the code under it. This is what the Draw function should look like on your screen.
The comments should give you a basic idea of what this function is doing.
The draw function, unlike the setup function, is called once every frame. It is usually called around 60 times a second, but it depends on the lag of your project.
You can set the background color of you project with the background() line. The three numbers are another way of showing colors. They represent the red, green, and blue color values. You don't have to mess around with the numbers though, you can just type in background (), and the brackets should go colored. Click the color and a color wheel will pop up for you to select a color from.
The strokeWidth(5) line of code sets the thickness of any lines that lua draws. We'll get into drawing with lua later. Now it's time to input our own code and bring a sprite into our project!
Step 4: The First Sprite
Ok, so in step 3 we looked at the draw function and it's comments, but we didn't go over this last comment:
Any drawings, sprites or background sprites we want in out project we can put in after this comment. Let's put in a sprite. Type in this line of code:
Just like with the background color, the brackets should change color. Click them and a sprite selection list should pop up. Pick one that you like or upload your own from your camera roll and exit out of the menu. Now press the play button in the bottom right corner of your screen to see what your project looks like so far. If you've done it right, there should be a sprite on your screen, but it's in the corner and you can hardly see it! Let's move the sprite to the middle of the screen. Go back to your code and change the sprite line:
Let's see what we just did to the code. The first number input after the sprite name is the x coordinate of your sprite, and the second one is the y coordinate. To make the sprite in the middle, we used WIDTH/2 and HEIGHT/2, which means no matter which rotation the IPad is facing or how big we make the screen, the sprite will always be in the middle of the height and width of the screen it's in. The tutorial will continue next time.
(I decided to continue it and make 4 steps.)
Codea is an app on the App Store that allows you to make your own games in the programming language “Lua” on your IPad. It costs $10.49 AUD but it's worth it if you like programming. Read on for a tutorial of your first project in Codea.
Step 1: Making A New Project
Open the Codea app. In the bottom half of the screen, under “projects”, there should be a plus sign. Click that and type in the name of your project, then press enter. Some starting code should pop up. It contains two functions.
function setup()
function draw()
You will notice lines of text around the code starting with a double hyphen (–). These are comments. Comments are something in your code that don't affect the program at all, and are only for explaining your code to make it easier to understand. I recommend you put comments in all your code.
--This is a comment
In the next step of the tutorial we will look at the setup function, and the “print” code line.
Step 2: Setup and Print
Here is what your setup function looks like:
function setup() print("Hello World!") end
function setup()
print("Hello World!")
“String” - A string of letters, needs quotation marks.
Variable - A defined variable, doesn't need any symbols.
Variable/Number + Variable/Number - An equation, will print the answer to a maths sum. You cannot use strings in equations.
end
Step 3: The Draw Function
Ok, so we know what the setup function does, now let's look at the code under it. This is what the Draw function should look like on your screen.
-- This function gets called once every frame function draw() -- This sets a dark background color background(40, 40, 50) -- This sets the line thickness strokeWidth(5) -- Do your drawing here end
-- This function gets called once every frame
-- This sets a dark background color background(40, 40, 50)
-- This sets the line thickness strokeWidth(5)
Step 4: The First Sprite
Ok, so in step 3 we looked at the draw function and it's comments, but we didn't go over this last comment:
-- Do your drawing here
sprite()
sprite(SpriteName, WIDTH/2, HEIGHT/2)
(I decided to continue it and make 4 steps.)
Last edited by wbpx9201 (Jan. 19, 2014 01:25:08)
- sccar3
-
100+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Name you would like to be called as: Sccar3 or just Sccar
Activity level on Scratch: 9
Job(s) you would like to have: Grammar Checker (It wasn't listed, but would be extremely useful)
Do you promise to adhere to the rules above?: Yes
Tell us a bit about yourself: I like programming large-scale things. I'm good at problem solving. I'm a Grammar Nazi, although I'm terrible at spelling.
Activity level on Scratch: 9
Job(s) you would like to have: Grammar Checker (It wasn't listed, but would be extremely useful)
Do you promise to adhere to the rules above?: Yes
Tell us a bit about yourself: I like programming large-scale things. I'm good at problem solving. I'm a Grammar Nazi, although I'm terrible at spelling.
10-year Scratch veteran. Fight me.
- StarscreamClone
-
1000+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Yeah, if you could look over any articles, that would be great (especially if I end up in a rush again. XD)SureCan you check my articles for mistakes? Anything I can do?
Name you would like to be called as: Sccar3 or just Sccar
Activity level on Scratch: 9
Job(s) you would like to have: Grammar Checker (It wasn't listed, but would be extremely useful)
Do you promise to adhere to the rules above?: Yes
Tell us a bit about yourself: I like programming large-scale things. I'm good at problem solving. I'm a Grammar Nazi, although I'm terrible at spelling.
I think the job was, but yes, we always need spell checkers. Welcome!

Somewhere in my 20s | He/It
Workin' on my degree in computer science and cognitive science, and the future president of 2036!
Surge is my imaginary husband - he's the guy in my icon!
- jkl0l
-
500+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Meep. Sorry.I'll re-edit? X'D I'm a grammar checker more than anything else. I put a few more edits/comments in bold.
You should have add comments on my original article, because I have fixed most of it. And now I felt confused.I'll try, though.

- sccar3
-
100+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
I said Grammar Checker and the title on the first post was Spell Checker. I think the job was, but yes, we always need spell checkers. Welcome!
10-year Scratch veteran. Fight me.
- StarscreamClone
-
1000+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Ah, those with that job generally do the same thing, anyhow.I said Grammar Checker and the title on the first post was Spell Checker. I think the job was, but yes, we always need spell checkers. Welcome!
Somewhere in my 20s | He/It
Workin' on my degree in computer science and cognitive science, and the future president of 2036!
Surge is my imaginary husband - he's the guy in my icon!
- wbpx9201
-
100+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
(as we have no use fo BBcode anymore, I shall be just putting the title in bold)Raspberry Pi - Tips and Tricks!
A Raspberry Pi is an awesome thing, but I have a problem with mine overheating (when running Minecraft or using XBMC).
So I've come up with a little thing to help! First of all, I'll be doing this tutorial with two dual ball bearing computer fans. These fans are fantastic for this project, as there are on one USB plug, divided into two wires leading to the fan. You can buy them on their website from the link in the notes for $12.95, or search for them on Ebay or Amazon if you need the right currency. Before you buy, make sure you can see 1 USB plug capable of providing 5V of power to the fans. The plug should be about 45cm away from the Pi. Now, when you have your fans, plug them into the USB socket to test if they work. They should make no sound, but enough air will (Should?) come out to cool the Raspberry Pi. Now position them where you need them on the Pi. When you switch the USB socket on, the fans should power up, and keep the Pi cool. My USB socket was from my TV, which I use with the Raspberry Pi. Though if you have the Raspberry Pi near another computer, then you might be able to use its power supply. I find that if my computer is off, but on at the plug, I can still use USB powered devices!
The link to the fans:http://www.coolerguys.com/840556101529.html
That might need spell checking BTW!
Edited in bold.
- 777atscratch
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100+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Inactive Report:
I have to go out for 5 days. (Personal)
I have to go out for 5 days. (Personal)
- Be creative and think beyond.777atscratch
Don't be feared in life otherwise you can't achieve. ~ 777atscratch.
Save Scratch from Hate.
- Rumanti
-
1000+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Hi! I just re-edited my article, fixing some grammar and add some stuff. Can someone please review this? Thanks! 
By the way, Wayback Machine link for later use: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://scratch.mit.edu/

The Wayback Machine : Travel to the pastI am working on my CSS Tutorial Part 2… When are we going to make the second issue? By knowing the exact date, I could manage my time better.
Have you ever wondered how the first Scratch Website looked like? Do you want to know the look of the first Scratch logo? Why not try to see how the first projects looked like? But, how, how, how how how, would I see all these things? The Scratch Wayback Machine is the answer! Travel in time, to the past, of the Scratch Website! See how the first Scratch Website had a gray background, and learn the fact that you could not view projects online that time, (You had to download them!) and discover many other facts! These facts are about the first Scratch Website from way back.. in 2006!
I have used the Scratch Wayback Machine many times. I first discovered it in the forums, when a New Scratcher asked how the Scratch 1.x website looked like and a Scratch Team member responded, with a link to the Wayback Machine. The Wayback Machine is often used to explain “the history of Scratch”. It is always interesting how Scratch looked like- long ago! By writing this article, I hope you could enjoy the Wayback Machine as much as I do!
How do I use the Scratch Wayback Machine?
(1.) Open the Scratch Wayback Machine in your browser. (link in the project notes)
(2.) You'd see the Wayback Machine logo in the upper left, and in the upper center, there's a text that said “Saved X times between September 2, 2006 and .“ A BIG calendar covered most of the website. Above the calendar, there is a section that looked like a bar graph. Below, there's year 2006 to 2014. If you hover the bar graph it would be highlighted with yellow. Click the year you want to go.
(3.) See the calendar? The dates of the calendar would be marked with blue circles if there's any snapshots taken that date. Hover over the date (must be marked with a blue circle) you want to go to. A speech balloon would appear and said ”X snapshots taken” and on the balloon, there would be at least one link. Click it.
(4.) Now, you've traveled back in time! You've traveled to the front page, but that does not mean that the front page is the only one you can see! Click the forums, the links, and even the projects!
Hurray! You've traveled to the past. Congratulations! Remember that you could always travel more… And learn more!
By the way, Wayback Machine link for later use: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://scratch.mit.edu/
Last edited by Rumanti (Jan. 4, 2014 08:49:13)
:wq
- cheeseeater
-
1000+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Thanks! I'll correct the article. Edited in bold.
- StarscreamClone
-
1000+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
That's alright. Thanks for letting us know! Inactive Report:
I have to go out for 5 days. (Personal)
I'm guessing about (or exactly) 2 weeks from the first. I am working on my CSS Tutorial Part 2… When are we going to make the second issue? By knowing the exact date, I could manage my time better.
^^
Somewhere in my 20s | He/It
Workin' on my degree in computer science and cognitive science, and the future president of 2036!
Surge is my imaginary husband - he's the guy in my icon!
- EnderZsister
-
2 posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Name you would like to be called as (ex. StarscreamClone would be Surge or Starscream): EnderZsister (This is just okay.)
Activity level on Scratch (on a scale of 1 to 10): 1
Job(s) you would like to have: None, but having commissions will get me to have some work!
Do you promise to adhere to the rules above?: Maybe I can.
Tell us a bit about yourself: Read more about me? Just see my profile, and please understand!
I'm always and if I mean, always…it means always be polite, honesty is up for me!
Helping others, getting to be smart at Scratch like my sister, EnderZ. Scratch is an easy
way to create games, effects on something and animations or movies. My sister, will have these words
of mine here is same, because me and my sister is a trust of honesty and polite. Of course we won't forget the word
“Respect”, we are surely and confirm to a respectful users of Scratch. As you think, we're doing some spam,
don't misunderstand because it's our forgetful thing. We forgot things sometimes and we do remember it back too!
Activity level on Scratch (on a scale of 1 to 10): 1
Job(s) you would like to have: None, but having commissions will get me to have some work!

Do you promise to adhere to the rules above?: Maybe I can.
Tell us a bit about yourself: Read more about me? Just see my profile, and please understand!
I'm always and if I mean, always…it means always be polite, honesty is up for me!

Helping others, getting to be smart at Scratch like my sister, EnderZ. Scratch is an easy
way to create games, effects on something and animations or movies. My sister, will have these words
of mine here is same, because me and my sister is a trust of honesty and polite. Of course we won't forget the word
“Respect”, we are surely and confirm to a respectful users of Scratch. As you think, we're doing some spam,
don't misunderstand because it's our forgetful thing. We forgot things sometimes and we do remember it back too!
- cheeseeater_alt
-
30 posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
This might get confusing!
- cheeseeater
-
1000+ posts
Programming Weekly -- Scratch and Technology News!
Yep! This might get confusing!