Light up my life

I finally got round to trying out the electronics component of the FUZE at the weekend.

Since getting the FUZE I had been curious as to how the Raspberry Pi interacts with the electronics 'breadboard'.

I was able to follow the instructions in the lesson plan successfully but staring at the breadboard for too long does make little squares appear in front of your eyes.

I need to spend a bit more time understanding the code and its components and how they control what happens on the breadboard. But, all in all, a good first electronics session.

The Cambridge Centre for Computing History

I was interested to read that a FUZE has been donated to the Cambridge Centre for Computing History.

Andy Semark, volunteer at the museum, said "We love FUZE. It's a really well designed system with the Raspberry Pi at the heart of it. It allows you to create simple circuits on the built in bread-board and control them from BASIC. It's very reminiscent of the eighties and allows creativity not only in software but hardware too".

Full article here: FUZE - Inspiring the next generation

I hadn't heard about the centre before seeing the article about the FUZE. As well as a great collection of computers from across the decades they also run interesting events, not least a Retro Gaming Night and workshops for learning to use the Raspberry Pi.

There might also be plans to run similar workshops for the FUZE in the future.

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/

FUZE Project 1: Think of a number

As part of my coding education I have designed and written a project for use with FUZE BASIC on the FUZE.

The lesson follows on from the first three project cards supplied with the FUZE: 1-1 Hello world, 1-2 Variables eh? and 1-3 It's string theory - knot!

Think of a number uses a basic number ‘trick’ to explore the following ideas:

• Understanding and developing algorithms
• Writing precise and unambiguous instructions
• Using logic to anticipate errors and expected results
• Creating and comparing variables
• Using mathematical functions in computer programmes

I have found planning the lesson a very useful way of improving my own coding ability. I hope you find it of use too.

Download the lesson here:

 https://sites.google.com/site/dunrosspublishing/home/project-lessons

 

War for talent in Silicon Valley

If money is your motivation for learning about computer coding, here is a story from Business Insider to inspire you to persevere when your enthusiasm dips:

http://www.businessinsider.com/a-google-programmer-blew-off-a-500000-salary-at-startup--because-hes-already-making-3-million-every-year-2014-1

FUZE: Variables, loops and syntax

I have begun the new year by working through the programme cards that are available from the FUZE website.

They provide an introduction to BASIC and the central elements of programming like variables - use, naming convention etc.

Also practised some loop programmes using the REPEAT UNTIL command to calculate how many cakes are left if I eat some.