[Squeakland] Reminder: an updated Squeak for the new school year

[Kim Rose]

Greetings, Squeaklanders!

It's back to school time for many of us.  We want to make sure you're 
aware that a fully updated Squeak Etoy version is now available via 
the Squeakland.org website.  Just click the "Download Squeak" button 
at the center of the homepage.  It is not necessary to move or delete 
any old files before downloading the new version; the installer will 
write over the necessary files.

Our intention is that this version remain largely unaltered 
throughout the duration of the '05/06 school year.  We may need to 
issue occassional small fixes during the year, so please remember to 
periodically check for updates as it is always best to run the 
latest, greatest version.

The biggest difference between this version and last year's release 
is reflected by work done on a "low level" to enable Squeak's ability 
to work in multiple languages.  What is super-cool now, is that 
Squeak is able to check (using your system's default language 
setting) and auto-launch the etoy system with tiles appropriate to 
your country/language.  So, if your computer is set to use German as 
the default language, for example, your Squeak will launch with 
German language tiles!   This work is quite complicated and we thank 
all those involved to make this 'language localization' possible. 
(We're just completing this work for Linux users so if you are a 
Linux user, please check back for updates in a week or so.)

Should you want to disable this automatic language setting (maybe 
your computer defualt language is German, but you want to use Squeak 
in English) disable the preference "useLocale" in the "general" 
category of the preference manager.  If you are using the system in a 
different language than english and would like to have the default 
language to be different by default, just launch Squeak from the 
shortcut on the desktop, wait until it switched language (flaps 
re-appear) and then save the image.

Another new feature to this year's release is "Kedama" -- Yoshiki 
Ohshima's particle system that allows for the creation of simulations 
to visualize the movement/behavior of atoms, ants, fireflies, fires, 
viruses, etc., etc. -- anything that requires the tracking of 100s to 
thousands of objects.  You'll find "Kedama" in the Object Catalog (in 
the Supplies flap).    We'll shortly be posting a SqueakNews article 
that will include a general tutorial on getting started with Kedama 
along with several particle system simulation examples.

As always, please let us know if you have any problems with the 
installation of this new version or if you experience any 
difficulties loading projects, saving, etc., etc.  If you do 
encounter something unusual, the more information you can send us 
(what OS you are using, error message received, include jpegs or file 
attachments if possible) will greatly help us troubleshoot the 
problem.

Thanks to all of you who tested the beta image of this "Squeakland 
'05" version -- your time and feedback to us are greatly appreciated!

Best to all  -- wishing you a fun and happy new academic year - 
please share your experiences with us!

  -- Kim