[Squeakland] Please visit the new Etoys website!

[Bill Kerr]

Great job. Well done, Kim and whoever else worked on this.

some critical feedback:

the introductory images give a primary school feel but there is a section
indicating it is appropriate for older ages:
http://www.squeakland.org/showcase/byAge/ (first visual impressions can be
very important)

also should there be something indicating a connection down the track
between etoys and text based smalltalk - that there is a high ceiling as
well as low entry (as well as high ceiling older age activities, eg. kedama
based)

hard to do well but I'd like to see a page comparing etoys with other visual
programming languages - or at least initially just indicating that they do
exist, that etoys is part of an evolving genre and that that evolution is
ongoing, not yet decided (scratch, star logo, game maker, turtle art, guido
van robot etc.) - advocacy should be central but also combined with crtical
evaluation to some extent



On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 2:26 AM, Kim Rose <kim.rose at vpri.org> wrote:

>
> Greetings!
>
> Many of you have started, or will shortly be starting, a new academic year
> at your school or University.  We wish you a successful and fun-filled new
> school year!
>
> We have just launched our new Etoys web site to coincide with the new
> academic year.  It is still found at "www.squeakland.org", but its design
> and content are all new.  It features a brand-new version of Etoys for
> download, which we will announce in a separate message.
>
> We hope you'll find the new site simpler to navigate, more straightforward
> in sharing our message, and loaded with helpful content.  New materials
> include complete video from the "Squeakers" DVD and a series of "screenca=
st"
> lessons, thanks to Tim Falconer of Waveplace.  You'll also find some new
> tutorials and a showcase of projects.  Also on the site are web versions =
of
> over 50 "QuickGuides", created by Kathleen Harness of Illinois, which
> provide concise tutorials for many things about Etoys.  Living versions of
> the QuickGuides can also be found "inboard" in the new Etoys application
> itself (click on the ? at the left edge of the tool-bar).
>
> The "showcase" section on the new site has very few projects on it at this
> point -- please share your projects to help populate this area!
>
> We intend the site to be a living, continuously-evolving resource, a
> showcase and clearinghouse for "all things about Etoys."   Please help it
> evolve and grow.  The site will be largely maintained and supported by
> volunteers, so we need your contributions as well as your suggestions.
>
> We will also be producing a quarterly newsletter that will be posted to t=
he
> site (and sent to you via email if you choose to subscribe) so please sha=
re
> your experiences with us!
>
> Thanks to you all for your interest in this learning community.  We look
> forward to exchanging ideas, projects, and more.
>
> regards,
> Kim Rose & the Etoys team
>
>
>
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>
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